Earpiece Charging Control for Balanced Stereo Playback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless earphones with varying battery levels can result in one earpiece turning off, disrupting stereo playback due to uneven battery discharge.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device controls charging power distribution to earpieces based on their battery levels using wireless communication, identifying appropriate charging methods and supplying power via a cable connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the earpiece is always connected to the electronic device, then the connection status is maintained, but power is continuously consumed even when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection statusVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The earpiece connection state is dynamically adjusted between connected and disconnected based on usage status. When no audio signal is detected for a predetermined time, the connection is automatically disconnected to save power. When audio signal is detected, the connection is restored. This dynamic state adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the connection status adaptive rather than static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The earpiece automatically manages its own connection state based on detected audio signals. The determination unit detects whether the earpiece is being used, and the control unit automatically establishes or disconnects the connection without user intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for continuous user input while optimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If the earpiece is disconnected to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but the connection status is lost and requires re-establishment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidconnection status
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of audio signals before disconnecting the earpiece. By detecting the absence of audio signals for a predetermined time period before disconnecting, the system ensures that disconnection only occurs when truly unnecessary, thereby maintaining connection reliability while still achieving power savings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors audio signal presence as feedback to determine connection status. When audio signal is detected, the connection is maintained or re-established. This feedback mechanism ensures that disconnection decisions are based on actual usage conditions, preventing premature disconnections and maintaining reliable connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If Bluetooth connection is maintained continuously, then connection stability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The Bluetooth connection state transitions dynamically between connected and disconnected based on real-time audio signal detection. The system maintains stable connection during actual usage and disconnects during non-usage periods, achieving both connection stability and power savings through adaptive state management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system periodically detects audio signals to determine whether to maintain or disconnect the Bluetooth connection. This periodic monitoring enables the system to alternate between connected and disconnected states based on usage patterns, optimizing the balance between connection stability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3689000B1Method for controlling earpiece and electronic device for supporting the same
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3689000B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3689000B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3689000B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a communication interface and a processor, wherein the processor may be configured to receive first battery level information of a first earpiece and second battery level information of a second earpiece, via the communication interface, to identify a charging method corresponding to the first battery level and the second battery level, among a plurality of charging methods for charging at least one of the first earpiece or the second earpiece, and to control to supply charging power to at least one of the first earpiece or the second earpiece, via a cable which connects the electronic device with at least one of the first earpiece or the second earpiece, using the charging method.