Wireless Earpiece Battery Status Display via Smartphone App
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of wireless earpieces face inconvenience in determining battery life without removing the devices, as visual indicators require them to take off the earpieces or use mirrors.
Innovation Solution
A software application on a computing device, such as a mobile device, provides a visual representation of the remaining battery charge for each earpiece using a corona lighting system, transmitting historical battery usage patterns, and displaying this information on a screen, allowing users to monitor battery life without removing the earpieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual indicators are used on the earpiece to show battery life, then users can see battery status, but users must remove the earpiece or use a mirror to view the indicators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computing device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) as an intermediary between the earpiece and the user. The earpiece communicates battery status data wirelessly to the computing device, which then displays the information on its screen. This mediator allows the user to view battery status without needing to see indicators on the earpiece itself, eliminating the need to remove the earpiece or use a mirror.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the display of battery status from the physical space of the earpiece (where the user's ear blocks visibility) to the digital space of the computing device screen. By moving the information display to a different dimensional plane (from physical indicator to digital display), the system allows users to access battery information conveniently without physical manipulation of the earpiece.
2Loss of information
If the earpiece has built-in display elements to show battery life, then users can monitor battery charge, but the design complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery status display function from the earpiece itself and relocates it to the computing device. Instead of embedding display elements, power management circuits, and software interfaces within the small earpiece housing, these functions are performed by the computing device that the user already carries. This extraction reduces the earpiece design complexity while maintaining full battery monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the computing device's existing display screen, processor, and communication capabilities to perform the battery status display function. Rather than adding dedicated components to the earpiece, the system uses the multi-functional computing device that the user already possesses, allowing it to serve both as a media player and as a battery status display device.
3Loss of information
If detailed battery usage information is displayed on the computing device, then users gain comprehensive battery insights, but the data transmission and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hierarchical data transmission approach where only essential battery status information (current charge level, estimated time remaining) is transmitted frequently, while detailed usage patterns and historical data are transmitted less frequently or only when requested. This partial transmission strategy provides users with comprehensive battery insights while minimizing the energy consumed by continuous data communication between the earpiece and computing device.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a left earpiece comprising a left earpiece housing and a right earpiece comprising a right earpiece housing and a radio transceiver disposed within at least one of the left earpiece and the right earpiece, and a software application executable on a computing device in operative communication with the radio transceiver; wherein the software application provides a visual representation of the left earpiece and a visual representation of the right earpiece and wherein the visual representation of the left earpiece indicates a remaining charge for the left earpiece and wherein the visual representation of the right earpiece indicates a remaining charge for the right earpiece. A method for displaying battery life is also provided.