Charge-Through Earbud Case Lid State Detection via Common Bus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless earphones are prone to being misplaced due to their small size and incorporating a battery and microcontroller in the charging case increases the size and cost, necessitating a more cost-effective and compact charging solution.
Innovation Solution
A charge-through carrying case without an internal battery or microcontroller uses a common bus for power transfer and state detection, utilizing a buck-boost regulator and switch mechanism to determine the case lid state, and a pull-up resistor for state detection when external power is absent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a battery and microcontroller are included in the charging case, then state detection and charging functionality are enabled, but the case size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery and microcontroller from the charging case, relocating power management functionality to the wireless earphones themselves. The case becomes a simple storage container with charging contacts, eliminating the need for internal power storage and complex control circuitry while maintaining charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless earphones perform self-service by containing their own battery and power management circuitry. They can detect when placed in the case and automatically charge themselves using the case's charging contacts, eliminating the need for a smart case to manage power distribution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a battery and microcontroller are included in the charging case, then state detection and charging functionality are enabled, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery and microcontroller from the charging case, relocating power management functionality to the wireless earphones themselves. The case becomes a simple storage container with charging contacts, eliminating the need for internal power storage and complex control circuitry while maintaining charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simpler, more cost-effective case design without expensive battery and microcontroller components. The case serves its primary function of storage and charging initiation, while the sophisticated power management is handled by the earphones' existing electronics.
3Volume of stationary object
If the case is made compact by removing battery and microcontroller, then size and cost are reduced, but state detection capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless earphones perform self-service by containing their own battery and power management circuitry. They can detect when placed in the case and automatically charge themselves using the case's charging contacts, eliminating the need for a smart case to manage power distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback through electrical contacts between the case and earphones to detect when earphones are properly positioned in the case. This triggers automatic charging without requiring complex sensors or processors in the case.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic system comprising: a case for storing a battery powered accessory, the case comprising a body defining a receiving area in which the battery powered accessory can be stored, a lid coupled to the body and operable between a closed position in which the lid covers the socket and an open position in which the socket is exposed, and a power receiving component operable to be coupled to an external power source to receive power; a battery powered accessory comprising a housing, a rechargeable battery disposed within the housing, and control circuitry disposed within the housing and coupled to the rechargeable battery; and a common bus operable to, when the battery powered accessory is stored within the receiving area of the case, transfer power and enable communication between the case and the battery powered accessory; wherein the control circuitry within the battery powered accessory is configured to determine a state of the portable electronic system by monitoring voltage on the common bus.