Hearing device and system and method for multi-protocol arbitration for the hearing device

Abstract

An exemplary hearing device is configured to simultaneously maintain a first link with a source and a second link with a second hearing device. The hearing device scans the second link for a preamble of a binaural data packet when not receiving data via the first link during a first time period. Based on whether the preamble is detected, the hearing device selectively performs the following operations: if the preamble of the binaural data packet is detected during the first time period, receive the binaural data packet and ignore the first link when receiving the binaural data packet; and if the preamble of the binaural data packet is not detected during the first time period, scan the first link for a preamble of a data packet during a second time period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to hearing devices, hearing systems, and hearing methods. Background Art

[0002] In some cases, it is desirable for a hearing system including first and second hearing devices to present (e.g., acoustically deliver) streaming audio from an audio source (e.g., a Bluetooth-enabled smart phone) to a user. To this end, the first hearing device may establish a wireless link (e.g., a Bluetooth link or other device) with the audio source and receive audio packets transmitted from the audio source via the wireless link according to an acknowledgment-based transport protocol. The acknowledgment-based transport protocol requires the first hearing device to acknowledge successful receipt of an audio packet transmitted by the audio source before the audio source transmits a subsequent audio packet.

[0003] For various reasons (e.g., technical limitations, power consumption constraints, etc.), it may be impossible or undesirable for the second hearing device to establish and maintain its own wireless link with the audio source while a wireless link is maintained between the first hearing device and the audio source. In these cases, as described in U.S. Patent Publication 2015 / 0319557, to facilitate the presentation of streaming audio by the second hearing device, the first hearing device may transmit a wiretap instruction to the second hearing device via a wireless support link interconnecting the hearing devices. The wiretap instruction allows the second hearing device to wiretap the wireless link established between the first hearing device and the audio source to receive audio packets while the audio packets are being transmitted by the audio source via the wireless link. The first hearing device and the second hearing device may store the audio packets in respective buffers upon receipt of the audio packets and present the audio by playing back the audio packets from the buffers. However, the audio packets transmitted by the audio source may not always be correctly received by both the first hearing device and the second hearing device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hearing device. The hearing device includes:

[0005] a memory storing instructions; and

[0006] a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to run the instructions to perform the following operations:

[0007] maintain a first link with a source and a second link with an additional hearing device simultaneously;

[0008] scan the second link for a preamble of a binaural data packet during a first time period when not receiving data via the first link, wherein the first time period is during a portion of a time slot configured for sending an acknowledgment message from the hearing device to the source; and

[0009] Selectively perform the following operations based on whether the preamble is detected:

[0010] If the preamble of the binaural data packet is detected during the first time period, receive the binaural data packet and ignore the first link when receiving the binaural data packet, and

[0011] If the preamble of the binaural data packet is not detected during the first time period, scan the first link for the preamble of the data packet within a second time period.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a hearing system is provided. The hearing system includes:

[0013] A first hearing device and a second hearing device,

[0014] The first hearing device is configured to:

[0015] Simultaneously maintain a first link with a source and a second link with the second hearing device;

[0016] Scan the second link for the preamble of the binaural data packet when not receiving data via the first link during a first time period, wherein the first time period is during a portion of a time slot configured to send an acknowledgment message from the hearing device to the source; and

[0017] Selectively perform the following operations based on whether the preamble is detected:

[0018] If the preamble of the binaural data packet is detected during the first time period, receive the binaural data packet and ignore the first link when receiving the binaural data packet, and

[0019] If the preamble of the binaural data packet is not detected during the first time period, scan the first link for the preamble of the data packet within a second time period.

[0020] According to still another aspect of the present invention, a hearing method is provided. The hearing method includes:

[0021] Simultaneously maintaining, by a processor, a first link with a source and a second link with an additional processor;

[0022] Scanning, by the processor, the second link for the preamble of the binaural data packet when not receiving data via the first link during a first time period, wherein the first time period is during a portion of a time slot configured to send an acknowledgment message from the processor to the source; and

[0023] Selectively performing the following operations based on whether the preamble is detected:

[0024] If the preamble of the binaural data packet is detected during the first time period, the binaural data packet is received by the processor and the first link is ignored when receiving the binaural data packet, and

[0025] If the preamble of the binaural data packet is not detected during the first time period, the processor scans the first link for the preamble of the data packet within a second time period. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The drawings illustrate various embodiments and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

[0027] Figure 1 Illustrated is an exemplary configuration in which a hearing system is configured to communicate with an audio source via a selectively established wireless link in accordance with the principles described herein.

[0028] Figure 2 Illustrated is an exemplary configuration in which a hearing device included in a hearing system receives audio packets from an audio source into a buffer in accordance with the principles described herein.

[0029] Figure 3 Illustrated is an exemplary diagram of multi-protocol arbitration in accordance with the principles described herein.

[0030] Figure 4 Illustrated is an exemplary method for multi-protocol arbitration in accordance with the principles described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Exemplary systems and methods for multi-protocol arbitration by hearing devices and systems are described herein. For example, a hearing device may include a memory storing instructions and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to run the instructions to simultaneously maintain a first link with an audio source and a second link with an additional hearing device. The processor may also scan the second link for the preamble of a binaural data packet during a first time period when not receiving audio data via the first link. The processor may also selectively based on whether the preamble is detected: if the preamble of the binaural data packet is detected during the first time period, receive the binaural data packet and ignore the first link when receiving the binaural data packet; or if the preamble of the binaural data packet is not detected during the first time period, scan the first link for the preamble of an audio data packet within a second time period.

[0032] The systems and methods described herein can advantageously provide a number of benefits to users of hearing devices. For example, the hearing devices described herein can provide audio to a user with fewer errors and / or latency than conventional hearing devices. The hearing devices can also be used in environments with connections to audio sources that are less reliable than those of conventional hearing devices. At least for these reasons, compared to conventional hearing devices, the systems and methods described herein can advantageously increase performance, reliability, and ease of use for users of hearing devices. These and other benefits of the systems and methods described herein will become apparent herein.

[0033] As used herein, the term "audio packet" refers to any sample, portion, or other type of audio data that represents or is otherwise associated with streamed audio provided by an audio source. The audio packets can be in any suitable format and can be transmitted in any suitable manner. Although examples are described herein with reference to an audio source and audio packets, the systems and methods can be used with any suitable type of device and any data packets from any suitable type of data source.

[0034] Figure 1 An exemplary configuration 100 is illustrated, in which a hearing system 102 (e.g., a binaural hearing system) is configured to communicate with an audio source 104 via a selectively established wireless link 106. As shown, the hearing system 102 includes a first hearing device 108-1 and a second hearing device 108-2 (collectively referred to as "hearing devices 108"). The hearing devices 108 can communicate with each other via a wireless support link 110.

[0035] The audio source 104 can include any computing device that outputs streamed audio (e.g., speech, music, or other audio content output) and is capable of wirelessly connecting to at least one of the hearing devices 108. For example, the audio source 104 can be a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone, such as a smart phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, mobile gaming device), a desktop computer, a television, a speaker, etc. As described herein, the audio source 104 can wirelessly transmit the streamed audio to the hearing system 102 in the form of sequential audio packets (e.g., discrete units or segments of data representing the streamed audio).

[0036] The hearing devices 108 can each be implemented by any type of hearing device configured to provide or enhance hearing to a user of the hearing system 102. For example, the hearing devices 108 can each be implemented by a hearing aid configured to apply amplified audio content to the user, a sound processor included in a cochlear implant system configured to apply electrical stimulation representing audio content to the user, a sound processor included in an electroacoustic stimulation system configured to apply electroacoustic stimulation to the user, headphones, earbuds, or any other suitable hearing prosthesis. In some examples, the hearing device 108-1 is of a different type than the hearing device 108-2. For example, the hearing device 108-1 can be a hearing aid, and the hearing device 108-2 can be a sound processor included in a cochlear implant system.

[0037] As shown, each hearing device 108 includes a processor and a memory. For example, the hearing device 108-1 includes a processor 112-1 and a memory 114-1. Similarly, the hearing device 108-2 includes a processor 112-2 and a memory 114-2.

[0038] The processors 112 (e.g., the processor 112-1 and the processor 112-2) are configured to perform various processing operations, such as receiving and processing streamed audio transmitted by the audio source 104. The processors 112 can each be implemented by any suitable combination of hardware and software.

[0039] The memories 114 (e.g., the memory 114-1 and the memory 114-2) can be implemented by any suitable type of storage medium and can maintain (e.g., store) data utilized by the processors 112. For example, the memory 114 can store data representing an operating program that specifies how each processor 112 processes audio content and delivers the audio content to the user. For illustration, if the hearing device 108-1 is a hearing aid, the memory 114-1 can maintain data representing an operating program that specifies the audio amplification scheme (e.g., amplification level, etc.) used by the processor 112-1 to deliver the acoustic content output by the audio source 104 to the user. As another example, if the hearing device 108-1 is a sound processor included in a cochlear implant system, the memory 114-1 can maintain data representing an operating program that specifies the stimulation scheme used by the hearing device 108-1 to direct the cochlear implant to apply electrical stimulation representing the acoustic content output by the audio source 104 to the user. As will be described below, the memory 114 can maintain a buffer in which audio packets received from the audio source 104 can be stored.

[0040] Hearing devices 108 can communicate with each other (e.g., by transmitting data) via a wireless support link 110 that interconnects the hearing devices 108. The wireless support link 110 can include any suitable wireless communication link that can serve a particular implementation.

[0041] To facilitate communication between the hearing system 102 and the audio source 104, one of the hearing devices 108 can establish a wireless link with the audio source 104. For example, as Figure 1 shown, the hearing device 108-1 can establish a wireless link 106 with the audio source 104. The wireless link 106 can include a Bluetooth link (e.g., a Bluetooth classic link or a Bluetooth low energy link), a near field communication link, or any other suitable point-to-point link. To this end, the hearing device 108 and the audio source 104 can each include a wireless interface configured to operate according to any suitable wireless communication protocol.

[0042] The hearing device 108-1 can receive audio packets transmitted from the audio source 104 via the wireless link 106 according to an acknowledgment-based transmission protocol (also referred to as an automatic repeat query (“ARQ”) protocol). This can allow the hearing device 108-1 to present (e.g., process and play back) streaming audio from the audio source 104.

[0043] The acknowledgment-based transmission protocol requires the hearing device 108-1 to acknowledge successful receipt of an audio packet transmitted by the audio source 104 before the audio source 104 transmits a subsequent audio packet. Exemplary acknowledgment-based transmission protocols include stop-and-wait ARQ, go-back-N ARQ, and selective repeat ARQ. For example, the Bluetooth communication protocol can use any of these acknowledgment-based transmission protocols.

[0044] It may be desirable for the hearing device 108-2 to also present streaming audio from the audio source 104 while the hearing device 108-1 presents streaming audio. However, in some examples, the hearing device 108-2 cannot or does not establish its own wireless link with the audio source 104, while the hearing device 108-1 is connected to the audio source 104 via the wireless link 106. For example, the communication protocol used by the hearing device 108 and the audio source 104 to establish a wireless link between them may not allow both hearing devices 108 to be connected to the audio source 104 simultaneously.

[0045] In these examples, the hearing device 108-2 can receive the audio packets transmitted from the audio source 104 by eavesdropping on the wireless link 106. This eavesdropping is carried out by Figure 1The dashed line 116 in the figure is shown. The hearing device 108-2 can eavesdrop on the wireless link 106 by passively listening to (e.g., accessing) the data traffic (e.g., audio packets) transmitted between the audio source 104 and the hearing device 108-1. The eavesdropping can be performed without the audio source 104 knowing that the hearing device 108-2 is accessing the data traffic and without the hearing device 108-2 transmitting any data to the audio source 104.

[0046] To enable the hearing device 108-2 to eavesdrop on the wireless link 106, the hearing device 108-1 can transmit an eavesdropping instruction to the hearing device 108-2 via the wireless support link 110. The eavesdropping instruction can include information (e.g., hopping sequence information, clock frequency and phase offset information, encryption key information, address information, etc.) that allows the hearing device 108-2 to detect the audio packets wirelessly transmitted from the audio source 104 to the hearing device 108-1. The hearing device 108-2 can thus use the eavesdropping instruction to eavesdrop on the wireless link 106.

[0047] In this way, the hearing devices 108 can simultaneously maintain a communication link with the audio source 104 (e.g., via the wireless link 106 or eavesdropping on the wireless link 106) and a communication link with each other (e.g., via the wireless support link 110). The hearing devices 108-1 and 108-2 can receive audio data from the audio source 104 according to a first protocol (such as the Bluetooth protocol (e.g., Bluetooth eavesdropping topology)). The hearing devices 108-1 and 108-2 can receive binaural data from each other according to a second protocol (such as any suitable binaural protocol). Both the first and second protocols can use time-division multiplexing. Since data can be received via one of the two links through one protocol at a time, the hearing device 108 can use an algorithm to arbitrate between the protocols on the two links. Exemplary algorithms are described herein.

[0048] Figure 2 The exemplary configuration 200 is illustrated, in which both hearing devices 108 present streaming audio from the audio source 104. As shown, the audio source 104 transmits sequential audio packets received by both the hearing device 108-1 and the hearing device 108-2. As described in connection with Figure 1 The hearing device 108-1 can receive the audio packets via the wireless link 106, and the hearing device 108-2 can receive the audio packets by eavesdropping on the wireless link 106.

[0049] As shown, the hearing device 108-1 stores audio packets in the buffer 202-1. Similarly, the hearing device 108-2 stores audio packets in the buffer 202-2. The buffer 202-1 and the buffer 202-2 (collectively referred to as "buffer 202") can be maintained in the memory 114-1 and the memory 114-2 respectively, and can each have any suitable size (e.g., the buffer 202 can each store any suitable number of audio packets).

[0050] The hearing device 108 can present streaming audio from the audio source 104 by playing back the audio packets stored in the buffer 202. For example, the hearing device 108-1 can present streaming audio from the audio source 104 by playing back the audio packets stored in the buffer 202-1. Similarly, the hearing device 108-2 can present streaming audio from the audio source 104 by playing back the audio packets stored in the buffer 202-2. In doing so, the played-back audio packets can be removed from the buffer 202. The hearing device 108 can use any suitable processing technique to play back the audio packets stored in the buffer 202.

[0051] The playback of the audio packets in the buffer 202 can occur when additional audio packets are received and stored in the buffer 202. In this way, the buffer 202 can allow for the continuous presentation of streaming audio from the audio source 104 while the audio is being generated and transmitted by the audio source 104.

[0052] The audio packets can be stored in the buffer (e.g., one of the buffers 202) in any suitable manner. For example, the decoded, transcoded, and / or decompressed version of the audio packet (rather than the audio packet itself) can be stored in the buffer.

[0053] In some instances, either hearing device 108-1 or hearing device 108-2 may lose (i.e., not receive) an audio packet, resulting in discontinuity in the received audio packets. Audio packets may be lost for various reasons, such as transmission errors, the quality of the connection between the hearing device 108 and the audio source 104, etc. Additionally, the hearing device 108 may discard audio packets for various reasons (e.g., the received audio packet has an error, etc.), which may be considered lost audio packets. When one of the hearing devices 108 (e.g., hearing device 108-1) loses (or discards) an audio packet, the other hearing device 108 (e.g., hearing device 108-2) may relay the audio packet to hearing device 108-1. Receiving the lost audio packet from hearing device 108-2 may be more efficient than requesting a retransmission from the audio source 104, as the wireless support link 110 may be more stable than the wireless link 106. However, since the audio packets may be sent asynchronously by the audio source 104, it may not be obvious when any of the hearing devices 108 has lost an audio packet. The hearing device 108 may not be certain that an audio packet has been lost until a subsequent audio packet in the sequence of received audio packets is received. Thus, it may not be obvious when any of the hearing devices 108 should expect to receive audio data from the other of the hearing devices 108 or from the audio source 104. Therefore, an effective algorithm for arbitrating between receiving binaural data from the other of the hearing devices 108 and receiving audio data from the audio source 104 may not be trivial.

[0054] Figure 3 FIG. 300 illustrates an exemplary diagram of multi-protocol arbitration, such as for a hearing device (e.g., hearing device 108-2) to arbitrate between a protocol for receiving audio data from an audio source (e.g., audio source 104) and a protocol for receiving audio from an additional hearing device (e.g., hearing device 108-1). FIG. 300 includes a line 302 showing data transmitted and received by the audio source 104. A line 304 shows data transmitted and received by the hearing device 108-1, and a line 306 shows data transmitted and received by the hearing device 108-2.

[0055] In this example, the hearing device 108-2 can simultaneously maintain a first link with the audio source 104 that receives audio data according to a first protocol and a second link with the hearing device 108-1 that receives binaural data according to a second protocol. The audio data received from the audio source 104 typically may include more recent audio packets in a sequence of audio packets, while the binaural data received from the hearing device 108-1 typically may include audio packets that are being forwarded, which have been lost by the hearing device 108-2 and are thus earlier in the sequence of audio packets. Receiving earlier audio packets may be more important for avoiding interruptions in audio playback compared to receiving more recent audio packets. The binaural data may also include commands from another hearing device, such as commands entered by a user on another hearing device (e.g., volume control, playback control, source selection, etc.). Thus, the hearing device 108-2 may prioritize receiving binaural audio data from the hearing device 108-1 over receiving audio data from the audio source 104. However, the hearing device 108-2 may also avoid interrupting data transmission from the audio source 104 or the hearing device 108-1.

[0056] As a result, the hearing device 108-2 can scan the second link for whether the hearing device 108-1 has binaural data to transmit when not receiving audio data from the audio source 104 via the first link. As long as the hearing device 108-2 is not receiving audio data via the first link, the hearing device 108-2 can scan the second link for a preamble of binaural data packets during a first time period. If the hearing device 108-2 detects the preamble of a binaural data packet, the hearing device 108-2 can receive the binaural data packet. The hearing device 108-2 can ignore the first link when receiving a binaural data packet to inhibit interrupting data transmission from the hearing device 108-1. Conversely, if the hearing device 108-2 does not detect the preamble of a binaural data packet during the first time period, the hearing device 108-2 can switch to scan the first link for a preamble of audio data packets from the audio source 104.

[0057] For example, FIG. 300 depicts time slots 308 (e.g., time slots 308-1 to 308-11), during which the hearing device 108 and the audio source 104 can transmit and receive data based on a time division multiplexing protocol. The time slots 308 can alternate between a master time slot and a slave time slot. During the master time slot, the audio source 104 can initiate data transmission, and during the slave time slot, the hearing device 108 can initiate data transmission (e.g., an acknowledgment message to the audio source 104, binaural data to another one of the hearing devices 108, etc.). Block 310 shows the hearing device 108-2 scanning a second link for a preamble of binaural audio data from the hearing device 108-1 in time slot 308-1 because the hearing device 108-2 does not receive audio data from the audio source 104 during time slot 308-1. As shown, time slot 308-1 can be a slave time slot. The first time period during which the hearing device 108-2 scans the second link for binaural data can be a portion of the slave time slot after the length of a typical acknowledgment message and before the end of the slave time slot. By scanning the second link for the length of the first time period, if the hearing device 108-1 is attempting to transmit binaural data, the hearing device 108-2 can receive the binaural data. However, if the hearing device 108-1 does not have binaural data without losing a potential transmission from the audio source 104 during the time slot, the hearing device 108-2 also switches back to scanning the first link for audio data.

[0058] When scanning the second link at block 310, for example, if the hearing device 108-1 does not have a binaural data packet to transmit, the hearing device 108-2 may not detect the preamble of the binaural data packet. Since the hearing device 108-2 does not detect the preamble of the binaural data packet, the hearing device 108-2 can scan the first link for the preamble of an audio packet from the audio source 104. The hearing device 108-2 can scan the first link during a second time period, which can start after the first time period and at the end of time slot 308-1. As described, by scanning the first link at the end of time slot 308-1, the hearing device 108-2 does not miss any potential transmissions from the audio source 104. As shown in this example, the hearing device 108-2 detects the preamble of an audio packet from the audio source 104 and, in response, receives the audio packet transmitted by the audio source 104. Block 312 indicates that the audio source 104 transmits an audio packet. Block 314 indicates that the hearing device 108-1 receives the audio packet, and block 316 indicates that the hearing device 108-2 receives the audio packet. As described, block 316 (and block 314) can start at the end of time slot 308-1 so that the hearing device 108-2 (and the hearing device 108-1) can be ready to receive the transmission from the audio source 104 starting at time slot 308-2.

[0059] Transmitting and receiving audio packets can span several time slots 308. As shown, boxes 312, 314, and 316 span 3 time slots, but the audio packets can also span 5 time slots or any other suitable number of time slots. When the hearing device 108-2 is receiving an audio packet at box 316, the hearing device 108-2 can suppress scanning the second link so that the hearing device 108-2 can receive the audio packet without interruption.

[0060] After receiving an audio packet at box 314, the hearing device 108-1 can transmit an acknowledgment message at time slot 308-5, shown by box 318. The audio source 104 can receive the acknowledgment message, shown by box 320. After the length of time for sending the acknowledgment message, the hearing device 108-2 can scan the first link for the preamble of the binaural data packet during time slot 308-5. In this instance, the hearing device 108-2 detects the preamble of the binaural data packet transmitted by the hearing device 108-1, as shown by box 322. In response, the hearing device 108-2 receives the binaural data packet from the hearing device 108-1, as shown by box 324. When the hearing device 108-2 is receiving the binaural data packet, the hearing device 108-2 can ignore the first link so that the hearing device 108-2 can receive the binaural data packet without interruption. Thus, when the audio source 104 starts transmitting additional audio packets at time slot 308-6 (shown by box 326), neither the hearing device 108-1 nor the hearing device 108-2 receives the additional audio packets. Instead, the hearing device 108-1 continues to transmit the binaural data packet (shown by box 322), and the hearing device 108-2 continues to receive the binaural data packet (shown by box 324).

[0061] After receiving the binaural data packet at time slot 308-7, the hearing device 108-2 can transmit an acknowledgment message to the hearing device 108-1, shown by box 328. The hearing device 108-1 can receive the acknowledgment message, shown by box 330. Since time slot 308-7 is a following time slot and the hearing device 108-2 does not receive audio data from the audio source 104 (although the audio source 104 still transmits additional audio packets), the hearing device 108-2 can scan the second link for the preamble of the additional binaural data packet. As shown, the hearing device 108-1 can transmit the additional binaural data packet, shown by box 332. Thus, the hearing device 108-2 can detect the preamble of the additional binaural data packet and, in response, receive the additional binaural data packet via the second link, as shown by box 334. In this way, multiple queued binaural data packets can be transmitted in a burst without switching to the first link.

[0062] After receiving an additional binaural data packet at timeslot 308-9, hearing device 108-2 may transmit an additional acknowledgment message to hearing device 108-1, as shown by block 336. Hearing device 108-1 may receive the additional acknowledgment message, as shown by block 338. Since timeslot 308-9 is a slave timeslot and hearing device 108-2 does not receive audio data from audio source 104, hearing device 108-2 may scan the second link for the preamble of another binaural data packet, as shown by block 340. In this case, hearing device 108-1 does not transmit another binaural data packet, and thus hearing device 108-2 does not detect the preamble of the binaural data packet. In response, hearing device 108-2 may scan the first link for the preamble of another audio packet, as shown by block 342. Hearing device 108-1 may also scan the first link for the preamble of another audio packet, as shown by block 344. However, in this example, since audio source 104 does not transmit an audio packet, hearing device 108 may wait for the next slave timeslot to repeat arbitration of multiple protocols. Additionally or alternatively, hearing device 108 may periodically scan the second link, such as every slave timeslot, every second slave timeslot, every third slave timeslot, etc. Additionally or alternatively, each of hearing devices 108 may take turns scanning the second link to receive binaural data from another one of hearing devices 108.

[0063] In this way, hearing device 108-2 may arbitrate between protocols by giving priority to the protocol from hearing device 108-1 (e.g., the binaural protocol) over the protocol from audio source 104 (e.g., the Bluetooth protocol). However, hearing device 108-2 may also prioritize receiving data from either protocol and ignore either protocol if receiving data on the other protocol. Additionally, scanning the binaural protocol for a specified period of time in a specified timeslot may allow hearing device 108-2 to prioritize data received via the binaural protocol while minimizing lost audio packets via the Bluetooth protocol. In this way, system latency may be minimized.

[0064] Figure 4 An exemplary method 400 is illustrated. Figure 4 One or more of the operations shown may be performed by any of the hearing devices described herein. Although Figure 4 an exemplary operation according to one embodiment is illustrated, other embodiments may omit, add, reorder, and / or modify Figure 4 any of the operations shown.

[0065] In step 402, a processor of a hearing device simultaneously maintains a first link with an audio source and a second link with an additional hearing device. Step 402 may be performed in any of the ways described herein.

[0066] In step 404, the processor scans the second link for a preamble of a binaural data packet when not receiving audio data via the first link during a first time period. Step 404 can be performed in any of the ways described herein.

[0067] If the processor detects a preamble of a binaural data packet during the first time period, then in step 406, the processor receives the binaural data packet and ignores the first link when receiving the binaural data packet. Step 406 can be performed in any of the ways described herein.

[0068] If the processor does not detect a preamble of a binaural data packet during the first time period, then in step 408, the processor scans the first link for a preamble of an audio data packet during a second time period. Step 408 can be performed in any of the ways described herein.

[0069] In the foregoing description, various exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes can be made thereto, and additional embodiments can be implemented, without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. For example, certain features of one embodiment described herein can be combined with or substituted for features of another embodiment described herein. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A hearing device, comprising: a memory that stores instructions; and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to run the instructions to perform the following operations: maintain a first link with a source and a second link with an additional hearing device simultaneously; scan the second link for a preamble of a binaural data packet during a first time period when data is not received via the first link, wherein the first time period is during a portion of a time slot configured to send an acknowledgment message from the hearing device to the source; and selectively perform the following operations based on whether the preamble is detected: if the preamble of the binaural data packet is detected during the first time period, receive the binaural data packet and ignore the first link when receiving the binaural data packet, and if the preamble of the binaural data packet is not detected during the first time period, scan the first link for a preamble of a data packet during a second time period.

2. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein, The additional hearing device is configured to also receive the data from the source.

3. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The binaural data packet includes a forwarding of a previous data packet received from the source.

4. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The binaural data packet includes a command from the additional hearing device.

5. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first link is a Bluetooth link.

6. The hearing device according to claim 5, wherein, The additional hearing device is configured to receive the data via a Bluetooth eavesdropping topology.

7. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The portion of the time slot is after the length of the acknowledgment message.

8. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The second time period starts after the first time period and during the time slot configured to send the acknowledgment message.

9. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The second time period ends before the end of the time slot configured to send the acknowledgment message.

10. The hearing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the source is an audio source; the data is audio data; and the processor is further configured to run the instructions to present audio represented by the audio data.

11. A hearing system, comprising: a first hearing device and a second hearing device, the first hearing device is configured to: maintain a first link with a source and a second link with the second hearing device simultaneously; scan the second link for a preamble of a binaural data packet during a first time period when data is not received via the first link, wherein the first time period is during a portion of a time slot configured to send an acknowledgment message from the hearing device to the source; and selectively perform the following operations based on whether the preamble is detected: if the preamble of the binaural data packet is detected during the first time period, receive the binaural data packet and ignore the first link when receiving the binaural data packet, and if the preamble of the binaural data packet is not detected during the first time period, scan the first link for a preamble of a data packet during a second time period.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein, The second hearing device is configured to: maintain a third link with the source and the second link with the first hearing device simultaneously; scan the second link for a preamble of an additional binaural data packet during a third time period when data is not received via the third link; and Selectively perform the following operations based on whether the preamble is detected: If the preamble of the additional binaural data packet is detected during the third time period, receive the additional binaural data packet and ignore the third link when receiving the additional binaural data packet, and If the preamble of the additional binaural data packet is not detected during the third time period, scan the third link for the preamble of the additional data packet within the fourth time period.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein: The third time period is the same time period as the first time period; and The fourth time period is the same time period as the second time period.

14. The system according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein, The binaural data packet includes a forwarding of a previous data packet received from the source.

15. The system according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein, The binaural data packet includes a command from the second hearing device.

16. The system according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein, The first link is a Bluetooth link.

17. The system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, The third link is a Bluetooth eavesdropping link.

18. The system according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein, The portion of the time slot is after the length of the acknowledgment message.

19. The system according to any one of claims 11 - 13, wherein, The second time period starts after the first time period and during the time slot configured to send the acknowledgment message.

20. The system according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein, The second time period ends before the end of the time slot configured to send the acknowledgment message.

21. A hearing method, comprising: Simultaneously maintaining, by a processor, a first link with a source and a second link with an additional processor; Scanning, by the processor, the second link for a preamble of a binaural data packet when not receiving data via the first link during a first time period, wherein the first time period is during a portion of a time slot configured to send an acknowledgment message from the processor to the source; and Selectively performing the following operations based on whether the preamble is detected: If the preamble of the binaural data packet is detected during the first time period, receiving, by the processor, the binaural data packet and ignoring the first link when receiving the binaural data packet, and If the preamble of the binaural data packet is not detected during the first time period, scanning, by the processor, the first link for a preamble of a data packet within a second time period.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein, The additional processor is configured to also receive the data from the source.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein, The binaural data packet includes a forwarding of a previous data packet received from the source.

24. The method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein The binaural data packet includes a command from the additional processor.

25. The method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein The first link is a Bluetooth link.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein, The additional processor is configured to receive the data via a Bluetooth eavesdropping topology.

27. The method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein, The portion of the time slot is after the length of the acknowledgment message.

28. The method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein The second time period starts after the first time period and during the time slot configured to send the acknowledgment message.

29. The method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein, The second time period ends before the end of the time slot configured to send the acknowledgment message.

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