Auditory Prosthesis Pairing Using Dual Communication Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for pairing auditory prostheses with remote electronic devices are often complex and prone to unintended pairings, which can compromise security and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a short-range near field communication channel and a broadcast channel to establish a secure pairing between an auditory prosthesis and a remote electronic device, where the pairing is initiated and confirmed through unique identifiers exchanged over these channels, ensuring only authorized devices can connect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If automatic pairing is implemented without user initiation, then ease of operation is improved, but security deteriorates due to risk of unintended pairings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing process simplicityVSAvoidpairing security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a unique identifier as an intermediary element that mediates the pairing process. The identifier is exchanged between devices to verify mutual recognition and authorization, preventing unintended pairings while maintaining automatic initiation. This intermediary mechanism ensures that only authorized devices can establish connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary verification by requiring devices to exchange and validate unique identifiers before establishing a communication link. This preliminary action of identifier verification occurs automatically in the background, ensuring security is maintained without requiring user intervention during the critical verification stage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual pairing initiation is required, then security is improved by preventing unintended connections, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing securityVSAvoidpairing process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables devices to perform self-verification by automatically exchanging and validating their own unique identifiers with the other device. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual user initiation while maintaining security, as the devices themselves conduct the verification process without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If multiple communication channels are used for pairing verification, then pairing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing verification accuracyVSAvoidcommunication channel structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the communication channels multi-functional by using them for both initial device discovery and subsequent identifier verification. The same communication infrastructure serves multiple purposes in the pairing process, reducing the need for separate dedicated channels and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10713936B2Pairing or associating electronic devices

Publication Date: 2020.07.14 COCHLEAR LIMITED

AI summary

A system that includes an implanted medical device such as an auditory prosthesis having a capacity to conduct communications on two channels to establish an association for communication with another electronic device. One of the channels is preferably a short range or near field channel, and the other channel is a broadcast channel. A method of asynchronous communication using both channels for establishing the association is also described.