In-Ear Backscatter Actuation Using Ear-Canal Bioelectric Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-ear electronic devices face challenges in reducing power consumption to extend battery life, particularly when operating as battery-powered devices that require secure and efficient control of external electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
The in-ear electronic device employs passive backscatter transmission to wirelessly transmit actuation signals to external devices, using electrodes to sense electrical signals such as EEG and EMG, and a control circuit to process these signals for secure and efficient control, while minimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If active transmission is used to send signals wirelessly, then signal transmission capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The in-ear device uses the RF energy from the external device to power its own operations through passive backscatter transmission. The device harvests energy from the incoming RF signals to drive its transmitter, eliminating the need for an independent power source and thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining wireless communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission mode from active to passive backscatter transmission. By modifying the transmission parameter from energy-consuming active transmission to energy-harvesting passive backscatter, the device reduces power consumption while maintaining reliable signal transmission through the use of reflected RF energy.
2Duration of action of moving object
If battery capacity is increased to extend battery life, then duration of action is improved, but device weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device eliminates the need for a battery by using passive backscatter transmission that harvests RF energy from external devices. This energy harvesting approach provides continuous operation without requiring onboard battery capacity, thereby extending operational duration while avoiding the weight and volume penalties of larger batteries.
3Measurement precision
If electrodes continuously monitor electrical signals, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic sampling of electrical signals from the electrodes rather than continuous monitoring. The control circuit samples the electrode signals at intervals and processes them to generate actuation commands, maintaining measurement precision while significantly reducing power consumption by keeping the electrodes in a low-power state between samples.
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
This approach extends battery life by reducing power consumption and provides a secure, implicit control mechanism for external devices through passive backscatter transmission.
Implementation Method 1
receiving an input radio frequency (RF) signal at a radio frequency (RF) transceiver of an in-ear electronic device. The RF signal is received on an antenna coupled to the RF transceiver
Implementation Method 2
The RF transceiver is configured to form an audio signal based on the input RF signal
Implementation Method 3
an audio transducer configured to play audio signals into the ear canal when the housing is inserted into the ear canal
Implementation Method 4
a set of electrodes configured to sense electrical signals
Implementation Method 5
The control circuit is configured to passively backscatter the input RF signal on the antenna based on the output signal to wirelessly transmit the output signal
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to in-ear electronic devices. According to one aspect, the in-ear electronic device comprises a housing shaped to be inserted into an ear canal of a human, a set of electrodes configured to sense electrical signals when the housing is inserted into the ear canal, an antenna, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, an audio transducer, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to provide an audio signal to the audio transducer based on an input RF signal received on the antenna, wherein the audio transducer plays the audio signal into the ear canal. The control circuit is configured to form an output signal based on one or more electrical signals from the set of electrodes. The control circuit is configured to passively backscatter the input RF signal on the antenna based on the output signal to wirelessly transmit the output signal.