Earbud Role Switching by Wearing Position for Battery-Efficient Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multiple electronic devices, such as earphones, have limited battery lifespans and require efficient communication with external devices in various situations.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device determines its role as a primary or secondary device based on wearing position information from an external device, optimizing communication operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple electronic devices communicate with an external electronic device simultaneously, then communication coverage and reliability are improved, but battery consumption increases and device coordination becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic role assignment where electronic devices switch between primary and secondary roles based on wearing position detection. The processor determines the wearing position and dynamically adjusts which device acts as primary (higher power consumption) and which acts as secondary (lower power consumption), optimizing battery usage while maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by detecting wearing position (e.g., left vs. right ear) and adjusting device roles accordingly. This parameter change allows the system to optimize power consumption by assigning the primary role only to the device in the optimal position, reducing overall battery consumption while maintaining reliable communication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electronic devices operate as primary devices, then communication coverage is improved, but device complexity and coordination difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic role assignment where devices transition between primary and secondary roles based on detected wearing positions. This dynamic approach simplifies coordination by ensuring only one device operates as primary at any given time, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability to different wearing scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from wearing position detection to automatically determine device roles. The processor receives wearing position information and uses this feedback to assign primary or secondary roles, eliminating manual configuration and simplifying device coordination while adapting to various communication scenarios.
3Productivity
If electronic devices continuously monitor wearing position and switch roles, then communication efficiency is improved, but processing overhead and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring of wearing position rather than continuous monitoring. The processor determines wearing position at specific intervals or when changes are detected, reducing processing overhead while maintaining communication efficiency. Role switching occurs based on these periodic assessments rather than constant monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a memory, a battery, a speaker, a communication module, and at least one processor electrically connected to the memory, the battery, the speaker, and the communication module, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive information indicating a wearing position from an external electronic device, and determine, based on the information indicating the wearing position of the external electronic device, whether to operate as a primary device among multiple electronic devices.