Wireless Headset Power Mode Transition and Device Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless headsets face limitations in power management and user convenience due to their small size and lightweight design, leading to short battery life and inconvenient operation, especially when switching between power modes and selecting wireless devices for communication.
Innovation Solution
A wireless headset that enters a partial power mode after inactivity, monitoring user-operated controls to quickly transition to a higher power mode for audio communications, and automatically selects the most recently used wireless device for communication, falling back to the second-most recent device if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the headset is designed to be lightweight and physically small, then it can be comfortably worn on the user's head, but the battery size is reduced resulting in limited operational time
Solution Approach 1:
The headset dynamically adjusts its power consumption based on usage state by entering a partial power mode after inactivity, where the processing device remains in a low-power state but can quickly transition to full operation when user input is detected, thereby extending effective operational time without increasing battery size
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic monitoring of manually-operable controls even in partial power mode, allowing it to detect user intent and transition to higher power mode only when needed, effectively extending the operational cycle between full power activations
2Volume of moving object
If the headset is designed to be physically small, then it fits comfortably on the user's head, but the number and size of manually-operable controls are reduced making operation inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The headset automatically selects the most recently used wireless device for communication without requiring manual intervention from the user, thereby compensating for the reduced number of physical controls and maintaining ease of operation despite the compact form factor
3Device complexity
If the headset defaults to the first paired wireless device, then device selection is simplified, but users cannot easily switch to other paired devices and may not remember which device was first paired
Solution Approach 1:
The headset dynamically determines device selection based on usage history, automatically selecting the most recently used wireless device rather than defaulting to the first paired device, thereby adapting to user preferences and enabling easy switching between multiple paired devices without manual configuration
4Loss of energy
If the headset requires multiple manual operations to switch power modes and select devices, then power consumption is controlled, but user convenience is reduced especially after long periods of inactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The headset prepares for quick resumption of operation by maintaining a partial power mode where the processing device monitors controls for user intent, allowing seamless transition to higher power mode when needed without requiring users to perform multiple manual operations to wake the device
Solution Approach 2:
The headset automatically transitions between power modes based on detected user input, eliminating the need for users to manually wake the device or configure settings after periods of inactivity, thereby maintaining energy efficiency while preserving user convenience
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
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AI summary
A wireless two-way communications headset is able to enter into a partial power mode in which a latching or non-momentary power switch has been operated to an "on" state, but in which there has been a lack of user operation of the headset for more than a predetermined period of time, and in this partial power mode, a processing device of the headset monitors manually-operable controls for an indication of their being operated by a user in a manner indicating a user's intent to engage in audio communications. In response to this indication, the headset enters a higher power mode in which a wireless link with another wireless device is formed and then performs the function intended by the user. In being operated by a user to initiate audio communications with another wireless device (e.g., making a telephone call), the wireless headset first attempts to do so with the wireless device with which the wireless headset most recently engaged in audio communications, and failing that, the wireless headset then attempts to do so with second-most recent wireless device with which the wireless headset engaged in audio communications.