Wireless Headset Sleep Detection for Battery Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless headsets consume excessive battery power when the transceiver remains active after the user has stopped using them, leading to frequent battery depletion and replacement.

Innovation Solution

A system where a television receiver or media device transmits a command to the wireless headset to turn off or enter a reduced power state when a media program ends or at a scheduled time, and the headset includes sensors to detect user sleep, allowing it to automatically shut down when the user falls asleep, thereby conserving battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wireless transceiver remains active to ensure the user can continue listening, then the user experience is maintained, but battery power is excessively consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experience continuityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting signs that the user is falling asleep (head movements, orientation changes) and proactively transitions the transceiver to a low-power state before complete shutdown is needed, ensuring smooth user experience while conserving battery power

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The transceiver operates in dynamic power states (full power, low-power, and off) rather than a fixed state, allowing the system to adapt power consumption levels based on real-time user status detection and environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the wireless headset automatically turns off to conserve battery, then battery life is extended, but the user may miss audio content if they wake up later

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidaudio content availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors user status through sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, microphones) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust transceiver power state, ensuring the headset remains on when the user is awake and transitions to low-power mode when the user falls asleep

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless headset autonomously monitors its own usage state through integrated sensors and automatically manages its power consumption without requiring user intervention, transitioning between power states based on detected user activity levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If sensors are added to detect user sleep status, then automatic power management is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic power managementVSAvoidsensor integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Existing sensors in the wireless headset (accelerometers, gyroscopes, microphones) are repurposed for dual functions: their primary functions for navigation and call handling, and secondary function for sleep detection and power management, eliminating the need for dedicated sleep sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9723393B2Methods to conserve remote batteries

Publication Date: 2017.08.01 DISH TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A wireless headset receives audio data wirelessly from a television receiver and outputs audio to the user through earphones. The wireless headset includes an inertial sensor that detects an orientation of the user's head. If the orientation of the user's head indicates that the user is sleeping, then wireless headset turns off the wireless receiver, thereby saving battery life.