In this technology-mad world, gadgets that can save their own battery live to connect us for another day are an absolute boon. Imagine having a smart watch that sleeps when you're not talking and wakes up when you need it to. According to a new patent issued by Amazon Technologies, this is exactly what they're trying to achieve with their new invention, titled 'Conserving battery while detecting for human voice' under patent number US11783834B1.
Today, the problem is our gadgets drain too fast. Wearable tech, particularly, suffers from this problem due to its size restrictions and constant use. This means more time spent worrying about charging and less time using the device. But, imagine not having to worry about your smartwatch's battery dying in the middle of a conversation. That's the kind of world Amazon is trying to build with this patent.
The invention in question is a savvy piece of tech that learns to recognise when it's being used, and when it's not, it simply takes a nap! It's kind of like a dog waiting patiently for its owner's attention. Specifically, if it doesn't hear you talking, it turns off to save energy. But the moment it hears your voice, it's back in action. Sounds simple, doesn't it? However, behind this simplicity lies a lot of technical work.
Imagine a world where you don't have to look for charging ports every other hour for your wearable gadget. Remember those moments when you were set for a run, but your smartwatch's battery had drained? Or that day when your watch died right in the middle of your call? It's like your wristwatch waving a white flag right when you need it the most.
Now think about not having that fear of your wearable tech quitting on you when you need it the most. That's the world this patent could help create. With this technology, Amazon’s Echo Loop and potentially other wearables could be used without the consistent worry of the battery dying.
But, remember, even though this patented technology sounds exciting, there's a hitch. Patents are not products. They are only ideas for products. An idea, even if it’s a brilliant one, might not see the light of day as an actual consumer product. So while we can dream about a world where our smart watch batteries drain slower, we may have to wait and see if this particular dream becomes a reality.
P.S. - As exciting as this patent sounds, remember that many patents never see the light of day in the marketplace. The ideas are there, but whether they make it off the page and into the world is yet to be seen. Keep watching this space for more on the future of wearable tech.
After all, who doesn't want a smart watch with a smarter battery life?