System configured to decrease battery ageing of ear wearable device due to transportation or storage of the device while ensuring high charge before initial use

An example system includes an ear-wearable device comprising a housing and a rechargeable battery located within the housing; a supplemental power storage device configured to provide electrical energy; and circuitry configured to transfer, responsive to occurrence of an event, electrical energy from the supplemental power storage device to the rechargeable battery prior to an initial use of the ear-wearable device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to battery powered devices.

BACKGROUND

As devices become increasingly complex and include new features, their use can quickly deplete a typical, disposable power source (e.g., zinc-air primary-cell battery), resulting in a user having to frequently dispose of, and replace, dead batteries. Having to frequently swap out a depleted power source, particularly for someone with reduced finger dexterity, can be challenging and tedious. As such, many modern devices include rechargeable batteries that provide electrical power to various components of the devices.

SUMMARY

This disclosure describes techniques for increasing a charge state of a rechargeable battery of an ear-wearable device prior to an initial use of the ear-wearable device. In some cases, the ear-wearable device may be packaged, stored, and/or shipped with the rechargeable battery having a relatively low charge state (e.g., 30-50%). Packaging, storing, and/or shipping the ear-wearable device with the rechargeable battery having a relatively low charge state may help to preserve the useful life of the rechargeable battery. However, it may be desirable for the rechargeable battery of the ear-wearable device to have a high charge state prior to an initial use of the ear-wearable device (e.g., being removed from packaging). For instance, it may be desirable for the rechargeable battery to be fully charged prior to the initial use such that the ear-wearable device may be programmed/configured/used without having to wait to charge the rechargeable battery.

In accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure, an ear-wearable device may include a rechargeable battery that is charged prior to an initial use of the ear-wearable device using electrical energy sourced from a power source included in a same packaging as the ear-wearable device. The power storage device may be an additional battery, which may or may not be rechargeable. Responsive to occurrence of an event associated with the initial use of the ear-wearable device, circuitry in the packaging may utilize electrical power sourced from the additional battery to increase the charge state of the rechargeable battery of the ear-wearable device. In this way, the techniques of this disclosure may enable packaging, storing, and/or shipping the rechargeable battery with a relatively low charge state, and thus preserving the useful life of the rechargeable battery, while also enabling that the charge state of the rechargeable battery of the ear-wearable device may be increased prior the initial use.

In one example, a system includes an ear-wearable device comprising a housing and a rechargeable battery located within the housing; a supplemental power storage device configured to provide electrical energy; and circuitry configured to transfer, responsive to occurrence of an event, electrical energy from the supplemental power storage device to the rechargeable battery prior to an initial use of the ear-wearable device.

In another example, a method includes monitoring, by one or more components included in a product package of a device, for occurrence of an event; and responsive to detecting occurrence of the event, transferring electrical energy from a supplemental power storage device included in the product package to a rechargeable battery of the device.

In another example, a product package includes a device including a rechargeable battery; means for storing supplemental electrical energy; and means for transferring, responsive to detecting occurrence of an event, electrical energy from the means for storing supplemental electrical energy to the rechargeable battery of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1is a block diagram illustrating a system for increasing a charge state of a rechargeable battery of a device prior to an initial use of the device, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure. As shown inFIG.1, system2includes packaging50, device100, power storage device200, and circuitry300.

Packaging50may protect various components of system2during shipment and/or storage. As shown inFIG.1, device100, power storage device200, and circuitry300may be included in packaging50. Packaging50may be formed of any suitable material, or combination of materials, to protect the components of system2. Examples of packaging50include, but are not limited to, boxes, tubes, bags, blister packs, and the like. In some examples, packaging50may include retail packaging that includes identifiers of the items contained within packaging50. For instance, packaging50may be retail packaging for device100. In some examples, packaging50may include outer packaging and inner packaging. For instance, packaging50may include an outer box that contains an electrostatic discharge (ESD) bag, which contains device100.

Device100may represent any electronic device that is powered using a rechargeable battery. In the example ofFIG.1, device100may be powered using rechargeable battery118. Examples of device100include, but are not limited to, mobile computing devices (e.g., smartphones, laptops, e-readers), ear-wearable devices headphones, hearing aids, personal sound amplifiers, cochlear implants, cochlear implant processors, hearables, osseointegrated hearing devices, and the like), or any other electronic device.

Device100may include a housing that encloses one or more components of device100. As shown inFIG.1, housing99of device100may enclose rechargeable battery118such that rechargeable battery118is included in housing99.

Rechargeable battery118may be a secondary cell that stores electrical power for use by other components of device100. Examples of rechargeable battery118include, but are not limited to, lead-acid batteries, nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) batteries, silver-zinc, or any other type of secondary cells. Rechargeable battery118may be capable of being charged to various charge states, which may be annotated as percentages relative to a maximum capacity of rechargeable, battery118. For instance, when rechargeable battery118is storing half of the maximum capacity of rechargeable battery118, rechargeable battery118may be considered to be 50% charged. Rechargeable battery118may charge (i.e., increase charge state) using electrical power sourced from any other component, and may discharge (i.e., decrease charge state) to provide power to other components (e.g., other components of device100).

In some examples, it may be desirable for rechargeable battery118to be placed into packaging.50at a reduced charge state. For instance, depending on the chemistry of rechargeable battery118, storing rechargeable battery118at a high charge state (e.g., 100% charged) for extended periods of time may reduce the useful life of rechargeable battery118. In examples where rechargeable battery118cannot be or cannot easily be replaced, the useful life of rechargeable battery118may dictate the useful life of device100. As such, it may be desirable for the useful life of rechargeable battery118to be as long as possible.

However, while it may be desirable for rechargeable battery118to be placed into packaging50at a reduced charge state, it may also be desirable for rechargeable battery118to be at a relatively high charge state (e.g., greater than 80% charged, greater than 90% charged, 100% charged) when device100is removed from packaging50. For instance, when device100is removed from packaging50, it may not be desirable to spend time increasing the charge state of (i.e., charging) rechargeable battery118from the reduced charge state prior to initially using device100.

In accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure, power from power storage device200may be used to increase the charge state of rechargeable battery118before an initial use of device100. For instance, power storage device200and circuitry300may be included in packaging50along with device100. Responsive to occurrence of an event prior to device100being removed from packaging50, circuitry300may transfer electrical power from power storage device200to rechargeable battery118in order to increase the charge state of rechargeable battery118. In this way, rechargeable battery118may be placed into packaging50at a first charge state, while being removed from packaging50at a second charge state that is higher than the first charge state.

Power storage device200may store electrical power for use by other components of system2. Power storage device200may include any type of device capable of storing or generating electrical power, such as batteries, fuel cells, solar panels, etc. Where power storage device200includes a battery, the battery may be a primary cell (i.e., non-rechargeable battery) or a secondary cell (i.e., rechargeable battery). In some examples, power storage device200may be included in packaging50separate from device100. For instance, power storage device200may not be included in or on housing99of device100. In some examples, power storage device200may be included in or on device100. For instance, power storage device200may be included within, or may be attached to, housing99of device100. In some examples, such as where power storage device200includes a secondary cell, power storage device200may be a type of battery that may be placed into packaging50at a relatively high charge state. In some examples, power storage device200may be a metal-air battery (e.g., a zinc air battery) that may use oxygen from air as a reagent to generate electrical power. Where power storage device200includes one or more solar panels, the solar panels may be affixed to, or integrated in, packaging50.

Circuitry300may include electronic circuitry configured to selectively transfer electrical power from power storage device200to rechargeable battery118. As discussed above, responsive to occurrence of an event prior to device100being removed from packaging50, circuitry300may transfer electrical power from power storage device200to rechargeable battery118in order to increase the charge state of rechargeable battery118. Circuitry300may detect occurrence of the event using data from any combination of operatively connected sensors400. Example sensors include, but are not imited to, inertial motion units (IMUs) accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, barometers, etc.), microphones, magnetic field sensors (e.g., near field magnetic induction (NFMI) sensors, radio frequency identification (RFID) sensors, magnetometers, induction coils, etc.), wireless radios (e.g., Bluetooth radios, cellular radios, Wi-Fi radios, etc.), and/or physical controls (e.g., buttons, switches, pull tabs, dials, etc.).

In some examples, circuitry300may be included in packaging50separate from device100. For instance, circuitry300may not be included in housing99of device100. In some examples, circuitry300may be included in device100. For instance, circuitry300may be included within housing99of device100. In examples where circuitry300is included within housing99of device100, circuitry300may perform operations in addition to selectively transferring electrical power between power storage device200and rechargeable battery118. For instance, where device100is an ear-wearable device, circuitry300may, e.g., perform operations to filter and amplify ambient sound for the hearing benefit of a wearer of device100.

As discussed above, responsive to occurrence of an event, circuitry300may transfer electrical power between power storage device200and rechargeable battery118in order to change the charge state of rechargeable battery118. Some example events include, but are not limited to, point of sale scanning, activation at checkout, button press on packaging50, leaving a distribution center, carrier tracking events, inter-package communication, removal of packaging50from shelf, opening of packaging50, arrival to or departure from geofenced area, movement of packaging50, voice activation, etc.

Circuitry300may determine that an event has occurred based on any operatively connected sensor or combination of sensors400. As one example, one or more of sensors400may assist in determining that an event has occurred based on packaging50being scanned by a point of sale system. In some examples, a magnetic or NFMI sensor of sensors400may detect a magnetic field emitted by one or more components of the point of sale system. In some examples, a wireless radio of sensors400(e.g., Wi-Fi radio or Bluetooth radio) may receive a message from one or more components of the point of sale system indicating that packaging50has been scanned by the point of sale system. In response to determining that packaging50has scanned at by the point of sale system, one or more of sensors400may output a signal to circuitry300indicating occurrent of an event.

As another example, a physical control (e.g., a button) of sensors400may be integrated into packaging50. In some examples, the physical control may be integrated into packaging50such that the physical control may be activated without requiring packaging50to be opened. For instance, the physical control may be located on the outside, or outer surface, of packaging50. When activated, the physical control of sensors400may output a signal to circuitry300indicating occurrent of an event.

As another example, a physical control (e.g., a pull tab) of sensors400may operate as an insulator that opens a circuit of circuitry300connecting power storage device200to rechargeable battery118. An event may be considered to occur when the physical control is altered (e.g., the pull tab is pulled/removed) such that the circuit of circuitry300is closed (e.g., and electrical energy may be transferred from power storage device200to rechargeable battery118).

As another example, one or more of sensors400may determine that an event has occurred based on tracking events of a carrier of packaging50. For instance, a carrier of packaging50may have a tracking system that scans or otherwise tracks progression of packaging50as it travels through a distribution network. The tracking system of the carrier may generate tracking events as packaging50travels through the distribution network (e.g., arrival at a warehouse, departure from a warehouse, loading on a vehicle, is out for delivery, has been delivered, etc.). The tracking system of the carrier may output or otherwise make available records of the tracking events. For instance, the tracking system may include an interface (e.g., an application programming interface (API)) that enables external systems to receive notifications when the tracking events are generated. In some examples, an external system may process the tracking events and output a signal to circuitry300that causes circuitry300to determine that an event has occurred. The external system may include any number of other devices or systems such as servers, cloud computers, mobile devices, mesh networks, networking elements, internet of things (IoT) devices, and the like. For instance, responsive to determining (e.g., based on a generated tracking event) that packaging50has been delivered (e.g., to an audiologist office or a user's home), the external system may output a message to packaging50. In some examples, a wireless radio of sensors400(e.g., Wi-Fi radio, cellular radio, or Bluetooth radio) may receive the message indicating that packaging50has been delivered. In response to determining that packaging50has been delivered, the sensors of sensors400may output a signal to circuitry300indicating occurrence of an event.

As another example, one or more of sensors400may determine that an event has occurred based on removal of packaging50from a shelf. For instance, motion data generated by one or more motion sensors of sensors400(e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, barometer, etc.) may initially indicate that packaging50is stationary (e.g., sitting still on a shelf). At some later point in time, motion data generated by one or more motion sensors of sensors400may indicate that packaging50is moving (e.g., an accelerometer of sensors400may indicate acceleration has exceeded a threshold acceleration). In response to determining that packaging50is moving, the sensors of sensors400may determine that packaging50has been removed from the shelf. Responsive to determining that packagina50has been removed from the shelf, the sensors of sensors400may output a signal to circuitry300indicating occurrent of an event.

As another example, one or more of sensors400may determine that an event has occurred based on inter-package communications. For instance, where multiple packages (e.g., multiple packaging50s) are on a shelf, the packages may communicate amongst each other, using any suitable means. As one example, when a front package of the multiple packages is removed from the shelf, the front package may output a message to a next package that the front package has been removed from the shelf. Responsive to receiving the message, the next package may determine that it is now the front package and sensors of the new front package may output a signal to circuitry of the new front package indicating occurrent of an event.

As another example, one or more of sensors400may determine that an event has occurred based on packaging50being opened. For instance, packaging50may include a flap that is opened during the opening of package50. The flap may include a magnet and a reed-switch of sensors400may be positioned near the maanet such that opening of the flap results in the reed-switch opening. Responsive to the reed-switch opening, sensors400and/or circuitry300may determine that packaging50is being opened and that an event has occurred. Alternatively or additionally, packing50may include an IINIU (which may be same or different than IMU114of ear-wearable device101), and may determine that packing50is being opened based on motion data generated by the IMU. Alternatively or additionally, packing50may include a magnetic packaging opening sensor that generates a signal when packaging50is opened.

As another example one or more of sensors400may determine that an event has occurred based the presence of a magnetic field. For instance, packing50may include one or more capacitive sensors, magnetic sensors of device100(e.g., telecoil, giant magnetoresistance (GMR), tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR), etc.). The capacitive sensors may generate a signal when packaging50is moved through a magnetic field, such as when packaging50is being brought into a store. Additionally or alternatively, the capacitive sensors may generate a signal when packaging50is being opened.

As another example, one or more of sensors400may determine that an event has occurred based on arrival to or departure from geofenced area. For instance, one or more position sensors of sensors400(e.g., one or more GPS receivers, GLONASS receivers, etc.) may determine a current position of packaging50. Sensors400and/or circuitry300may compare the determined current position of packaging50with a geofenced area (e.g., area defined by a perimeter of coordinates, such as a distribution center or an audiologist office). In some examples, sensors400and/or circuitry300may determine that an event has occurred responsive to determining that packaging50has crossed a geofenced area. For instance, responsive to determining that the current position of packaging50has moved into the geofenced area, sensors400and/or circuitry300may determine that an event has occurred. In some examples, sensors400and/or circuitry300may determine that an event has occurred responsive to determining that packaging50has departed the geofenced area. For instance, responsive to determining that the current position of packaging50has moved out of the geofenced area, sensors400and/or circuitry300may determine that an event has occurred.

As another example, one or more of sensors400may determine that an event has occurred based on movement of packaging50. For instance, one or more motion sensors of sensors400may generate motion data that represents movements of packaging50. Responsive to determining that movements of packaging50correspond to predefined movements and gestures (e.g., motion of putting packaging50on a shelf, motion of removing packaging50from a shelf, motion of packaging50being carried, motion of packaging50being moved across a scanner, motion of packaging50being placed in a bag, shaking packaging50in a certain pattern, etc.), the sensors of sensors400may determine that an event has occurred and output a signal to circuitry300indicating occurrence of the event.

As another example, one or more of sensors400may determine that an event has occurred based on voice activation commands or acoustic cues proximate to packaging50. For instance, one or more microphones of sensors400may generate audio data that represents sounds occurring proximate to packaging50. Sensors400and/or circuitry300may utilize any suitable voice recognition or environment classifications methods to detect that an event has occurred. In at least one mbodiment, sensors400and/or circuitry300may compare the audio data to audio templates to determine whether any voice activation commands were spoken proximate to packaging50(e.g., “charge main battery,” “transfer energy,” etc.) or whether any acoustic cues were detected proximate to packaging50. Example acoustic cues include, but are not limited to, acoustic beacon signals broadcasted at a shipping center, at checkout, or at the intended destination. These signals could be encoded such that only specific devices will be activated. The encoding could also provide information as to when the specific devices should charge (e.g., time based, when another acoustic cue is provided, etc.). Other acoustic clues could be the sound of the delivery truck, for example. Responsive to determining that a voice activation command was spoken near packaging50, sensors400and/or circuitry300may determine that an event has occurred.

As discussed above, responsive to determining that an event has occurred, circuitry300may transfer electrical power between power storage device200and rechargeable battery118in order to change (e.g., increase or decrease) the charge state of rechargeable battery118. In some examples, circuitry300may immediately begin the transfer of electrical power responsive to determining that an event has occurred. For instance, responsive to determining that packaging50has been scanned by a point of sale system, circuitry300may immediately enable the transfer of electrical power from power storage device200to rechargeable battery118. In some examples, circuitry300may implement a delay (e.g., one hour, 12 hours, one day, two days, five days, etc.) before beginning the transfer of electrical power responsive to determining that an event has occurred. For instance, responsive to determining that packaging50has arrived at a distribution center, circuitry300may enable the transfer of electrical power from power storage device200to rechargeable battery118after a delay (e.g., of two days).

In some examples, circuitry300may cancel or reverse the transfer of electrical power responsive to determining the occurrence of one or more subsequent events. For instance, responsive to receiving a message indicating that an initial use of device100has been postponed, circuitry300may cancel or reverse the transfer of electrical power between power storage device200and rechargeable battery118.

In some examples, system2may perform one or more operations if device100is not initially used within a certain time frame (e.g., one day, one week, one month, etc.) after rechargeable battery118is charged to the relatively high charge state. For instance, if device100is not initially used within the time frame, circuitry300may lower the charge state of rechargeable battery118(e.g., back to the reduced charge state). As one example, circuitry300may lower the charge state of rechargeable battery118by enabling the transfer of electrical power from rechargeable battery118to power storage device200. As another example, circuitry300may lower the charge state of rechargeable battery118by causing one or more components (e.g., of device100) to perform energy intensive functions using power sourced from rechargeable battery118(e.g., to merely burn off the power as opposed to transferring back to power storage device200). As such, in some examples, rechargeable battery118may trickle back down and/or return power to power storage device200if the initial use does not occur within the time frame.

In some examples, characteristics of rechargeable battery118(e.g., chemical losses) and/or draw from components of system2may cause the charge state of rechargeable battery118to lower after being increased to the relatively high charge state. As such, in sonic examples, circuitry300may utilize power from power storage device200to maintain the charge state of rechargeable battery118at the relatively high charge state until at least the initial use of device100. In this way, the techniques of this disclosure may correct for the gradual discharge of power by rechargeable battery118.

In some examples, system2may include a charger device (e.g., a charging case) for device100. The charger device may include power storage device200and, when power storage device200is full (e.g., fully charged or at a high state of charge), the charger device may be capable of charging rechargeable battery118multiple times (e.g., increasing the charge state of rechargeable battery118from a relatively low level to the relatively high level multiple times). In other words, the capacity of power storage device200may be many times larger than the capacity of rechargeable battery118. In such examples, both power storage device200and rechargeable battery118may be placed into packaging50at a reduced charge state. However, as the capacity of power storage device200may be many times larger than the capacity of rechargeable battery118, power storage device200may still have enough power when starting from a reduced charge state to charge rechargeable battery118to the relatively high charge, state. Further details of one example of system2that includes a charger device are discussed below with reference toFIG.4.

FIG.2is a block diagram illustrating example components of ear-wearable device101configured according to one or more techniques of this disclosure. Ear-wearable device101may be considered to be an example of device100ofFIG.1. In the example ofFIG.2, ear-wearable device101includes one or more processors102, one or more storage device(s)104, one or more wireless communication system(s)106, one or more microphones108, one or more receiver(s)110, one or more inertial measurement unit(s) (IMU)114, a battery118, and one or more communication channels122. Communication channels122provide communication between processors102, storage device(s)104, wireless communication systems106, microphones108, receivers110, and IMUs114. Processors102, storage devices104, wireless communication systems106, receivers110, and IMUs114may draw electrical power from battery118, e.g., via appropriate power transmission circuitry. In other examples, ear-wearable device101may include more, fewer, or different components. For instance, in some examples, ear-wearable device101may include additional sensors. In some examples, ear-wearable device101does not include an MU114.

Ear-wearable device101may belong to one of various types of ear-wearable devices. For example, ear-wearable device101may be a Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) hearing aid, an In-The-Eat (ITE) hearing aid, an In-The-Canal (ITC) hearing aid, a Completely-in-Canal (CIC) hearing aid, an Invisible-In-The-Canal (IIC) hearing aid, or another type of hearing aid. In another example, ear-wearable device101can include Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs). In another example, ear-wearable device101can include one or more of a cochlear implant, cochlear implant magnet, cochlear implant transducer, and cochlear implant processor. In other examples, ear-wearable device101can include other types of devices that are wearable in, on, or in the vicinity of the user's ears, such as an earphone, earbud, and the like. In another example, ear-wearable device101can include one or more “heatable” devices that provide various types of functionality. In other examples, ear-wearable device101can include other types of devices that are implanted or otherwise osseointegrated with the user's skull; wherein the ear-wearable device is able to facilitate stimulation of the wearer's ears via the bone conduction pathway.

In examples where ear-wearable device101is a RIC hearing aid, ear-wearable device101may comprise a behind-the-ear unit and an in-ear unit connected by a cable. In such examples where ear-wearable device101is a RIC hearing aid, the components of ear-wearable device101shown inFIG.2may be divided among the behind-the-ear unit and the in-ear unit. For instance, the in-ear unit may contain receiver110and the behind-the-ear unit may contain the remaining components of ear-wearable device. Other divisions of components among the behind-the-ear unit and the in-ear unit are possible in ear-wearable devices that implement the techniques of this disclosure. For instance, in some examples, the in-ear unit may contain one or more of processors102and the behind-the-ear unit may contain one or more other ones of processors102.

Processors102of ear-wearable device101include processing circuits for processing information. Processors102may include general-purpose microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), microcontroller units, and other types of circuits for processing information. In some examples, one or more of processors102retrieve and execute instructions stored in one or more of storage devices104. The instructions may include software instructions, firmware instructions, or another type of computer-executed instructions. In different examples of this disclosure, processors102may enable the transfer of electrical energy to battery118fully or partly by executing such instructions, or fully or partly in hardware, or a combination of hardware and execution of instructions. In some examples, the processes for energy transfer are performed entirely or partly by processors of devices outside ear-wearable device101, such as by other circuitry included in packaging with ear-wearable device101(e.g., circuitry300ofFIG.1).

Storage device(s)104of ear-wearable device101include devices configured to store data. Such data may include computer-executable instructions, such as software instructions or firmware instructions. Storage device(s)104may include volatile memory and may therefore not retain stored contents if powered off. Examples of volatile memories may include random access memories (RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static random access memories (SRAM), and other forms of volatile memories known in the art. Storage device(s)104may further be configured for long-term storage of information as non-volatile memory space and retain information after power on/off cycles. Examples of non-volatile memory configurations may include flash memories, or forms of electrically programmable memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable (EEPROM) memories.

Wireless communication system106may enable ear-wearable device101to send data to and receive data from one or more other computing devices. For example, wireless communication system106may enable ear-wearable device101to send data to and receive data from another ear-wearable device, a smartphone, a wireless base station, a personal computer, a tablet computer, or another type of device configured for wireless communication. Wireless communication system106may use various types of wireless technology to communicate. For instance, wireless communication system106may use Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, 4G LTE, 5G, ZigBee, WiFi, Near-Field Magnetic Induction (NMI), or another communication technology. In other examples, ear-wearable device101includes a wired communication system that enables ear-wearable device101to communicate with one or more other devices via a communication cable, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable or a Lightning™ cable.

Microphones108are configured to convert sound into electrical signals. In other words, microphones108may generate one or more input audio signals. In some examples, microphones108include a front microphone and a rear microphone. The front microphone may be located closer to the front ventral side) of the user. The rear microphone may be located closer to the rear (i.e., dorsal side) of the user. One or more of microphones108are omnidirectional microphones, directional microphones, or other types of microphones. Processors102may generate an output audio signal based on the one or more input audio signals generated by microphones108.

Receiver110includes one or more speakers for producing sound based on the output audio signal. Receiver110is so named because receiver110is the component of ear-wearable device101that receives signals to be converted into soundwaves. In some examples, the speakers of receiver110include one or more woofers, tweeters, woofer-tweeters, or other specialized speakers for providing richer sound.

IMU114may detect linear acceleration of ear-wearable device101. IMU114may include one or more accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and barometers. It will be appreciated that an IMU may comprise of any suitable combination of one or more types of motion sensors. In some examples, IMU114may output one or more signals that are representative of the linear acceleration of ear-wearable device101. For instance, IMU114may output one or more of a first signal corresponding to acceleration in an X dimension, a second signal corresponding to acceleration in a Y dimension, a third signal corresponding to acceleration in a Z dimension, and a fourth signal corresponding to gyroscope output. This disclosure may refer to the signals output by IMU114as IMU signals. Storage devices104may store rolling windows of sample values of the one or more IMU signals.

As discussed above, it may be desirable for battery118to be placed into packaging (e.g., packaging50) at a reduced charge state, and also be desirable for battery118to be at a relatively high charge state (e.g., greater than 80% charged, greater than 90% charged, 100% charged) when removed from its packaging. For instance, when ear-wearable device100is removed from packaging, it may not be desirable to spend time increasing the charge state of (i.e., charging) battery118from the reduced charge state prior to initially using ear-wearable device100.

In accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure, power from a supplemental power storage device may be used to increase the charge state of battery118before an initial use of ear-wearable device101. For instance, responsive to occurrence of an event prior to ear-wearable device101being removed from packaging, battery118may receive electrical power from the supplemental power storage device in order to increase the charge state of battery118. In this way, battery118may be placed into packaging at a first charge state, while being removed from the packaging at a second charge state that is higher than the first charge state.

As discussed above, power may be transferred to battery118responsive to detecting occurrence of an event. Occurrence of the event may be determined by components external to ear-wearable device101, components included in ear-wearable device101(e.g., processors102may perform the operations of circuitry300ofFIG.1), or a combination of components external to ear-wearable device101and components included in ear-wearable device101(e.g., processors102may perform a portion of the operations of circuitry300ofFIG.1). As such, in some examples, processors102may be considered an example of circuitry300ofFIG.1.

Occurrence of the event may be determined based on a data generated by one or more sensors. The sensors may be located within or external to ear-wearable device101. As one example, occurrence of the event may be determined based on data generated by one or more of microphone108, IMU114, or wireless communication system106. As such, the techniques of this disclosure enable sensors that may otherwise be included in ear-wearable device101to be used in the detection of events that trigger transfer of electrical power to a battery of ear-wearable device101. As another example, occurrence of the event may be determined based on data generated by a position sensor external to ear-wearable device101.

In some examples, the supplemental power storage device (i.e., the device that provides energy to charge battery118after occurrence of the event, illustrated inFIG.1as power storage device200), may be included in packaging of ear-wearable device101outside of a housing of ear-wearable device101. For instance, the supplemental power storage device may be a primary cell included in packing and connected to ear-wearable device101via wires or conductive filament.

In some examples, the supplemental power storage device may be attached to a housing of ear-wearable device101. For instance, the supplemental power storage device may be a “wart” attached to the housing of ear-wearable device101that may be removed prior to regular use of ear-wearable device101.

In some examples, the supplemental power storage device may be included within a housing of ear-wearable device101. For instance, the supplemental power storage device may be included in a region of ear-wearable device101that includes user controls (e.g., buttons, rocker switches, volume wheels, etc.) or any other region of ear-wearable device101. In some examples, where the supplemental power storage device is included within the housing, the supplemental power storage device may provide structural support for one or more other components of ear-wearable device101. For instance, the supplemental power storage device may act as a “mother” board to which other components may be adhered and held in place. As such, in some examples, the supplemental power storage device, battery118, and the components that determine occurrence of the event (e.g., processors102) may all be located within the housing of ear-wearable device101. In some examples, the supplemental power storage device may be included within battery118. In such examples, the supplemental power storage device and battery11S may be referred to as a compound battery. Further details of one example of a compound battery is discussed below with reference toFIGS.3A-3C.

In some examples where the supplemental power storage device is to be included within a housing of ear-wearable device101, the supplemental power storage device may be a rechargeable battery. As such, ear-wearable device101may include two rechargeable batteries, the supplemental power storage device (e.g., power storage device200ofFIG.1) and a main battery (e.g., battery118ofFIG.1). In some of such examples, the supplemental power storage device may further be used to power one or more components of ear-wearable device101. For instance, the supplemental power storage device may provide electrical power to a digital signal processor (DSP) of ear-wearable device101. In some examples, using the supplemental power storaae device to power the DSP may enable omission of a low-drop out (LDWO) regulator that would otherwise be used to provide power to the DSP.

As discussed above, to enable the availability of a higher charge state (e.g., for an initial use) battery118may be placed in packaging50at a low charge state and, responsive to occurrence of an event prior to ear-wearable device101being removed from the packaging, battery118may receive electrical power from the supplemental power storage device in order to increase the charge state of battery118. In some examples, in addition to or in place of transferring electrical power from the supplemental power storage device to battery118, the supplemental power storage device and battery118may collectively provide power for ear-wearable device101(e.g., to provide power for the initial use). For instance, both the supplemental power storage device and battery118may be placed in packaging50at a reduced charge state. When ear-wearable device101is initially used (e.g., fora programming session), ear-wearable device101may source power from both the supplemental power storage device and battery118.

FIGS.3A-3Care conceptual diagrams illustrating an example compound battery302of this disclosure.FIG.3Aillustrates a side view of compound battery302,FIG.3Billustrates a top view of compound battery302, andFIG.3Cillustrates example contacts of compound battery302. Compound battery302includes main battery304and supplemental battery306. Main battery304may be an example of battery118ofFIG.1andFIG.2, and supplemental battery306may be an example of power storage device200ofFIG.1.

In the example ofFIGS.3A-3C, main battery304may be a lithium battery and supplemental battery306may be a metal-air battery (e.g., a zinc-air battery) that generates electrical energy using oxygen from air. As such, as shown inFIGS.3A-3C, supplemental battery306includes air inlet308to allow air to enter supplemental battery306. As shown inFIGS.3A-3C, main battery304and supplemental battery306may both be cylindrical in shape, with supplemental battery306being radially surrounded by main battery304. As such, main battery304and supplemental battery306may be configured in a battery-in-battery arrangement.

As shown inFIG.3A, compound battery302may include ground contact310that is connected to anodes of both main battery304and supplemental battery306. Additionally, as shown inFIG.3C, compound battery302may include contact312that is connected to a cathode of main battery304and contact314that is connected to a cathode of supplemental battery306.

As discussed above, responsive to an event, electrical energy sourced from supplemental battery306may be used to increase a charge state of main battery304. In this way, main battery304may be stored and shipped at a reduced charge state, while also being brought up to a higher charge state prior to initial use of a device that includes compound battery302.

FIG.4is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example system including a charger case configured to increase a charge state of a rechargeable battery of a device prior to an initial use of the device, in accordance with one or more techniques of this disclosure. As shown inFIG.4, system2A includes packaging50A, devices500A and500B (collectively, “devices500”), and charger case600.

Devices500may be examples of device100ofFIG.1. For purposes of illustration, devices500are shown inFIG.4as two ear-wearable devices. However, as discussed above, devices500may be any quantity of any type of device. As shown inFIG.4, each of devices500may include a respective rechargeable battery518. For example, device500A includes rechargeable battery518A and device500B includes rechargeable battery518B.

Charging case600is configured to store and charge one or more of devices500. Charging case600may be a portable case. In some examples, charging case600may conic in a variety of different shapes and sizes that are suitable for carrying in a person's hand, securing to a person's body, or stowing in a clothes pocket or other secure location. In some examples, charging case600may be approximately four cubic inches or less, for instance, two inches wide by two inches tall, by three quarter inches deep, as one example. In some examples, charging case600may be greater than four cubic inches or less, for instance, three inches wide by two or three inches tall, by one inch deep, as one example. One dimension (i.e., height, width, or depth) may be decreased to accommodate an increase in another dimension to cause charging case600to have a different shape, without increasing volume or sacrificing portability. For instance, charging case600may be one and a half inches tall by one and a half inches wide by two inches deep, as one example. In other examples, charging case600may be spherical, cylindrical, conical, or have some other shape. For example, charging case600may be a four inch diameter disk shape that is a half inch thick.

As shown inFIG.4, charging case600includes one or more retention structures512A-512B (collectively “retention structures512”). Each of retention structures512is configured to retain at least a portion of a device of devices500. As used herein, the term “retention structure” refers to a structure that defines a cavity, a hole, an aperture, a recess, a groove, a slot, a space inside a retaining wall of a housing, or any other form of retention structure. In some examples, other features are included in a retention structure or other embodiments are possible. For example, the retention structure may be a retention area, or mounting area.

Retention structures512may include mechanical components that receive one or more electrical connections (pins, pads, leafs, nodes, etc.) that contact corresponding electrical connections of devices500. In sonic cases, no physical contact between the electrical connections of retention structures512and devices500are necessary; retention structures512may instead be inductively coupled to devices500for charging the power source or otherwise exchanging electrical signals. For instance, retention structure512A may establish an electrical connection with device500A and provide electrical power to charge (e.g., increase a charge state orechargeable battery518A. Similarly, retention structure512B may establish an electrical connection with device500B and provide electrical power to charge (e.g., increase a charge state of) rechargeable battery518B.

As shown inFIG.4, charging case600may include one or more of power storage device200A, circuitry300A, and sensors400A. Power storage device200A, circuitry300A, and sensors400A may be considered to be examples of power storage device200, circuitry300, and sensors400ofFIG.1. For instance, circuitry300may be configured to transfer electrical energy from power storage device200to charge one or both of rechargeable batteries518A and518B while charging case600and devices500are still in packaging50A.

FIG.5is a flowchart of an example operation of this disclosure. The flowchart of this disclosure is provided as an example. In other examples consistent with the techniques of this disclosure, operations may include more, fewer, or different actions, or actions may be performed in different orders.

Initially, a device may be placed into packaging with a rechargeable battery of the device charged to a reduced charge state. A supplemental power storage device may also be placed into the packaging. For instance, device100may be placed into packaging50with rechargeable battery118half charged, and power storage device200may also be placed into packaging50. In some examples some or all of the components may be placed into packaging50within a seal that protects against contamination (e.g., a hermetic seal) and/or demonstrates that the components have not been modified since being placed into the package (e.g., a safety seal).

Circuitry300may monitor for occurrence of an event (550). As discussed above, some example events include, but are not limited to, point of sale scanning, activation at checkout, adjustment of physical control (e.g., button, pull-tab, etc.) on packaging50, leaving a distribution center, carrier tracking events, inter-package communication, removal of packaging50from shelf or box, opening of packaging50, arrival to or departure from geofenced area, movement of packaging50, voice activation, etc.

Where an event has not occurred (“No” branch of552), circuitry300may continue to monitor for occurrence of an event (550). Where an event has occurred (“Yes” branch of552), circuitry300may cause the transfer of electrical energy from the supplemental power storage device to the rechargeable battery (554). For instance, circuitry300may utilize power from power storage device200to increase the charge state of rechargeable battery118.

Device100, which is powered (at least in part) by rechargeable battery118, may be initially used/removed from packaging (556). As power from power storage device200is used to increase the charge state of rechargeable battery118prior to the initial use, the charge state of rechargeable battery118may be higher when removed from packaging50than when originally placed into packaging50. In some examples, initial use of the device may include one or more high current draw activities, such as programming. By enabling charging of rechargeable battery118prior to the initial use, the high current draw activities may be perfbrmed without having to wait for rechargeable battery118to charge.

While discussed above as transferring power from a supplemental power storage device to power storage device200, the techniques of this disclosure are equally applicable to the reverse. For instance, circuitry300may be configured to cause a transfer of electrical energy from power storage device200to the supplemental power storage device. As such, in some examples, circuitry300may cause the transfer of electrical between power storage device200and the supplemental power storage device, in either direction.

As discussed above, device100, power storaae device200, and circuitry300may be placed into packaging50. In some examples some or all of the components may he placed into packaging50within a seal that protects against contamination (e.g., a hermetic seal) and or demonstrates that the components have not been modified since being placed into the package (e.g., a safety seal). By enabling charging of rechargeable battery118of device100using electrical energy stored by another device that can be included within the seal, the techniques of this disclose enable a purchaser of device100to break, or witness the breaking, of the seal (e.g., thus allowing the purchaser to verify the lack of contamination and/or lack of modification).

In some examples, the breaking of the seal may allow air to enter an area it previously could not. For instance, where power storage device200includes an air-activated battery, the breaking of the seal may cause the air-activated battery to charge up and provide power (e.g., to charge rechargeable battery118). In some examples, there may be multiple seals such that the breaking of a first seal enables air to reach the air-activated battery, while a second seal still protects at least device100.

Functionality described in this disclosure may be performed by fixed function and/or programmable processing circuitry. For instance, instructions may be executed by fixed function and/or programmable processing circuitry. Such processing circuitry may include one or more processors, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general purpose microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Accordingly, the term “processor,” as used herein may refer to any of the foregoing structure or any other structure suitable for implementation of the techniques described herein. In addition, in some aspects, the functionality described herein may be provided within dedicated hardware and/or software modules. Also, the techniques could be fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements. Processing circuits may be coupled to other components in various ways. For example, a processing circuit may be coupled to other components via an internal device interconnect, a wired or wireless network connection, or another communication medium.

Various components, modules, or units are described in this disclosure to emphasize functional aspects of devices configured to perform the disclosed techniques, but do not necessarily require realization by different hardware units. Rather, as described above, various units may be combined in a hardware unit or provided by a collection of interoperative hardware units, including one or more processors as described above, in conjunction with suitable software and/or firmware.