Smart Earplug Alarm With Wireless Charging And Sleep Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earplug alarm clocks are limited by the need for daily charging and lack features that hinder market adoption, as they fail to reliably wake users without disturbing others and do not effectively integrate advanced computing and connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A smart earplug device with a speaker, sensors, wireless transmission module, and processor that communicates with electronic devices, featuring a gradual alarm volume increase, biometric tracking, and 'smart wake up' functionality to avoid REM sleep, along with noise reduction and additional features like binaural beats and iOS integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional alarm clocks are used, then users can wake up, but they disturb others in the same room
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm function is extracted from the traditional alarm clock and integrated into the earplug device. The alarm speaker is positioned inside the ear canal, delivering sound directly to the user's ear without disturbing others in the room. This extraction of the alarm function from its conventional external location resolves the contradiction between reliable waking and noise disturbance.
Solution Approach 2:
The earplug device serves as an intermediary between the alarm signal and the user's ear. Instead of sound waves traveling through the air to wake the user (which disturbs others), the alarm signal is transmitted through the earplug device directly into the ear canal, creating a private audio pathway that eliminates disturbance to others while maintaining reliable wake-up functionality.
2Ease of operation
If battery-powered wireless headsets are used, then hands-free operation is enabled, but daily charging is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic wireless charging through a charging base that the earplugs rest on. Instead of requiring frequent removal and charging of removable batteries, the earplugs are placed on a charging base that periodically transfers energy wirelessly, extending the effective usage duration between manual charging events and reducing the burden of daily charging maintenance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If advanced computing and connectivity features are integrated, then functionality is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The earplug device integrates multiple functions including noise reduction, alarm, sleep tracking, and wireless communication into a single universal platform. By making the device multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for multiple separate devices while managing complexity through integrated design, where shared components (processor, sensors, wireless module) serve multiple purposes simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines previously separate functions (noise cancellation, alarm clock, sleep monitoring, wireless connectivity) into a single integrated earplug device. This merging of functions into one unified system enhances versatility while managing complexity through integrated circuitry and shared hardware components that perform multiple roles.
Data Source
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AI summary
A novel method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for an earplug device. The earplug device comprises an earplug, a speaker, sensors, affixing means for a cable that goes to the electronics base through the earplug, and at least one wireless transmission module that communicates with at least one electronic device.