Wireless Earbuds Using Body Coupled Communication for Reliable Pairing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional earbuds are hindered by wired connections, which restrict user mobility, are prone to tangling and breaking, and increase development costs, bulkiness, and battery consumption, while there is a need for more user-friendly and efficient wireless solutions.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of Body Coupled Communication (BCC) technology in earbuds to establish connections with electronic devices, allowing for wireless operation, battery-saving features, and adaptive functionality based on earbud usage, such as switching roles between earbuds to maintain functionality without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired connections are used in earbuds, then reliable audio transmission is achieved, but user mobility is restricted and wires are prone to tangling and breaking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoiduser mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless electromagnetic field-based communication system (Bluetooth and BCC). This substitution eliminates the physical wire that causes tangling and breaking, while maintaining reliable audio transmission through wireless protocols. The BCC technology specifically uses the human body as a transmission medium, providing a novel approach to wireless connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If increased functionality is added to earbuds, then usefulness to users is improved, but development cost and bulkiness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidbulkiness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling earbuds to operate in different modes: standalone mode where each earbud functions independently, and paired mode where earbuds work together. The system can adapt between mono and stereo audio, and between different connection types (Bluetooth and BCC), allowing rich functionality without requiring separate hardware for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic functionality where the earbuds can switch between different operational states based on detection results. The system dynamically adjusts between idle state (battery saving), active listening state, and various audio modes (mono/stereo, paired/unpaired) based on real-time conditions, optimizing performance without permanent hardware overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If increased hardware and advanced software are added to earbuds, then functionality is improved, but battery time decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic detection cycles where the earbuds search for each other using BCC at specific intervals rather than continuously. The system transitions between idle (low power) and active (higher power) states based on whether the other earbud is detected. This periodic operation significantly reduces average battery consumption while maintaining functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the earbuds to automatically detect and adapt to usage conditions without user intervention. The system self-manages power consumption by detecting when the other earbud is present or absent and automatically adjusting operational modes, eliminating the need for user-controlled power management while optimizing battery usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If wireless solutions are implemented in earbuds, then user mobility and convenience are improved, but development cost and battery consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces wireless power consumption by implementing periodic BCC detection cycles instead of continuous operation. The earbuds alternate between low-power idle state and active detection/transmission states, significantly reducing average battery consumption while maintaining wireless connectivity and mobility benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10091572B2BT and BCC communication for wireless earbuds

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Devices and methods for controlling the functionality of a pair of earbuds. The first earbud establishes a connection between the first earbud and an electronic device, searches for the second earbud of the pair of earbuds using Body Coupled Communication, BCC, and sends a signal from the first earbud to the electronic device including information defining whether the first earbud detected the second earbud during the search. The electronic device receives a signal from the at least one of the earbuds, the signal comprising information defining whether the earbud has detected the other earbud of the pair of earbuds using Body Coupled Communication, BCC, and sends a signal to the at least one earbud wherein the signal is controlled based on the received signal and includes information associated with controlling the functionality of the pair of earbuds.