Bilateral Auditory Prosthesis Synchronization via Triggered RF Channel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bilateral auditory prostheses face challenges in delivering accurate binaural cues due to varying processing gain, leading to incorrect sound localization, as existing RF transceivers consume significant power, reducing battery life and causing delays in synchronization.

Innovation Solution

A method for binaural synchronization in bilateral auditory prosthesis systems that enables a primary wireless communication channel upon detection of a synchronization trigger, allowing for efficient transfer of synchronization data to synchronize the prostheses, thereby conserving power and reducing delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the primary wireless communication channel is continuously active to ensure rapid synchronization, then synchronization speed is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic synchronization by detecting synchronization triggers (such as sound onset or level changes) and activating the primary wireless communication channel only when needed, rather than keeping it continuously active. This allows the system to maintain rapid synchronization capability when events occur while consuming minimal power during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the state of the wireless communication channel based on real-time conditions. The channel transitions between active and inactive states according to detected synchronization triggers, optimizing the balance between synchronization performance and power consumption according to actual operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the primary wireless communication channel is activated frequently to maintain synchronization accuracy, then binaural cue accuracy is improved, but battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinaural cue accuracyVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses event-driven periodic activation where the communication channel is activated only when synchronization triggers are detected (such as sound onset, level changes, or other acoustic events). This ensures accurate binaural cues are maintained when needed while extending battery life by avoiding unnecessary activations during stable conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Each prosthesis autonomously detects synchronization triggers in the acoustic environment and independently activates the communication channel when needed, without requiring continuous external control. This self-service approach optimizes the balance between synchronization accuracy and power consumption based on local environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If packetized synchronization data is sent at lower duty cycles to reduce power consumption, then battery life is extended, but synchronization delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsynchronization delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements event-triggered periodic transmission where synchronization data packets are sent immediately when synchronization triggers are detected, rather than adhering to fixed low-duty-cycle intervals. This ensures minimal delay for time-critical synchronization events while maintaining low overall power consumption during stable periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects synchronization triggers in advance (such as sound onset or level changes) and activates the communication channel proactively before actual synchronization data transmission is needed. This preliminary activation ensures that when data needs to be transmitted, the channel is already ready, minimizing delay while maintaining low duty cycle operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8953810B2Synchronization in a bilateral auditory prosthesis system

Publication Date: 2015.02.10 COCHLEAR LIMITED

AI summary

Aspect of the present invention are generally directed to synchronization between a first auditory prosthesis and a second auditory prosthesis of a bilateral auditory prosthesis system. In this system, a primary wireless communications channel, usable for synchronizing the first and second prostheses, may be disabled to, for example, conserve power. Then, upon detection of a trigger in sound received by one or more of the prostheses, the primary wireless communication channel is enabled and the prostheses synchronized using the primary wireless communication channel.