Modular Ear-Cup and Ear-Bud Wireless Charging for Continuous Listening

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wearable audio systems, such as standalone ear-cups and ear-buds, have limitations in power management and noise cancellation, requiring frequent charging and not adapting to individual audio perception, leading to reduced usage time and suboptimal listening experiences.

Innovation Solution

A modular wearable audio system comprising detachable and independently operable ear-cups and ear-buds that perform active noise cancellation, optimize power consumption, and allow wireless charging, while also personalizing audio based on user hearing profiles through otoacoustic emission measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the ear-buds are made small to fit in the ear, then the power source capacity is reduced, but the usage time is limited and frequent charging is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveear-bud sizeVSAvoidusage time

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the audio playback function into two independent parts: ear-buds for audio output and ear-cups for power storage. The ear-cups contain larger power sources that can wirelessly charge the ear-buds, allowing the ear-buds to remain small and comfortable while extending overall usage time through modular power distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ear-cups act as an intermediary power station between the external charging source and the ear-buds. They wirelessly transfer power to the ear-buds during use, enabling extended playback without requiring larger batteries in the ear-buds themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the ear-buds are removed for charging, then the power source can be recharged, but the user cannot continuously listen to music

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower source rechargingVSAvoidcontinuous music listening

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous music playback by allowing the ear-cups to wirelessly charge the ear-buds while they remain in use. The power transfer occurs continuously during the listening session, eliminating the need to remove and charge the ear-buds separately, thus maintaining uninterrupted audio output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If all users receive the same audio signal, then the system is simple to implement, but the listening experience does not adapt to individual audio perception

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio signal processingVSAvoidaudio perception adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures otoacoustic emissions specific to each user's ear canal and uses this localized data to create personalized hearing profiles. These profiles enable the audio signal to be customized for each user's unique auditory characteristics, transforming the one-size-fits-all approach into an individually optimized experience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If the ear-cups and ear-buds operate independently, then each component can function standalone, but power management and noise cancellation are less effective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent operationVSAvoidnoise cancellation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines the ear-cups and ear-buds into a coordinated modular system where the ear-cups provide power management and active noise cancellation support to the ear-buds. While each component can operate independently, their combined operation creates enhanced functionality through wireless power transfer and collaborative noise cancellation algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables extended music playback, efficient power use, and enhanced audio experiences by adapting noise cancellation and audio playback to individual hearing profiles, allowing continuous use and improved noise management.

Implementation Method 1

enabling a wireless audio device to operate for a duration of the potentially desired usage by wirelessly transferring power to the wireless audio device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless power transfer: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11910145B2Power management of the modular ear-cup and ear-bud

Publication Date: 2024.02.20 NURA HLDG PTY LTD

AI summary

Introduced here is a wearable audio system including modular ear-cup and ear-bud that can be attached and detached to the user together, or independently of each other. Further, the modular ear-cup and ear-bud can operate together, or independently of each other. The wearable audio system can perform active noise cancellation by measuring noise inside the ear-cup and/or the ear-bud, computing the noise canceling sound, and forwarding the noise canceling sound to a speaker inside the ear-cup and/or the ear-bud. The wearable audio system can be wirelessly charged while operating, thus allowing the user to continuously listen to music more than previously possible. The wearable audio system can optimize power consumption by redistributing power intensive tasks to power sources with the highest amount of power. Further, the ambient sound outside the ear-cup can be measured and played by the speakers in the earbud allowing the user to hear the surrounding environment.