Hearing Pulse Detection Using Dynamic Thresholds and Down Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing devices face challenges in accurately estimating power for pulsed power sources, leading to inefficiencies in signal processing and increased variance in power estimation, particularly in cyclo-stationary environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for improved power estimation and pulse detection, involving a pulse detector that adjusts thresholds and down counters to identify pulses, reducing false positives and ensuring each period contains one pulse, thereby enhancing the robustness and accuracy of power estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If classical power estimation methods are used assuming speech power changes little within a syllable, then the power estimation is simple to implement, but the estimation accuracy deteriorates for pulsed power sources due to cyclo-stationary power distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment and state machine-based pulse detection that adapts to the cyclo-stationary nature of pulsed power sources. The threshold is updated based on signal characteristics, and the system transitions between states (idle, rising, down-count, pulse-detected) to dynamically track power variations within each period, resolving the contradiction between simple implementation and accurate measurement for pulsed signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic pulse detection within each signal period by initializing a down counter at the start of each period and detecting pulses at specific intervals. This periodic approach aligns with the cyclo-stationary power distribution, allowing accurate power estimation at consistent phases across multiple periods while maintaining a structured, implementable framework.
2Reliability
If smoothing is increased to reduce variance in power estimation, then the variance reduction is improved, but the dynamic behavior deteriorates due to slower tracking of signal changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power estimation process into distinct phases within each period: initial threshold adjustment, pulse detection via down counter, and subsequent smoothing. By segmenting the processing and applying smoothing only after pulse detection, the system reduces variance in the final power estimate while maintaining fast tracking during the detection phase, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary threshold adjustment and pulse detection before applying smoothing operations. The threshold is updated in advance based on signal characteristics, and pulses are detected using the down counter mechanism before the final power estimate is calculated with smoothing. This preliminary action ensures fast tracking of signal changes occurs first, followed by variance reduction through smoothing.
3Measurement precision
If pulse detection sensitivity is increased to detect all pulses, then the detection completeness is improved, but the false positive rate increases due to local maxima
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through the state machine that monitors signal characteristics continuously. The threshold is updated based on previous detections, and the down counter state provides feedback on whether a pulse has been properly detected. This feedback mechanism allows the system to distinguish true pulses from local maxima by verifying consistent signal behavior across multiple samples, thus improving detection completeness while maintaining low false positive rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary threshold adjustment before pulse detection by updating the threshold based on signal characteristics in the idle state. This preliminary action establishes an appropriate detection threshold that accounts for background variations, enabling subsequent pulse detection to be both sensitive to real pulses and selective against false positives from local maxima.
4Speed
If pulse detection is made faster to reduce estimation delay, then the tracking speed is improved, but the detection accuracy deteriorates due to reduced sampling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic down counter decrementation at fixed intervals within each period to detect pulses. This periodic sampling approach ensures consistent detection timing across all periods, allowing fast detection without sacrificing accuracy. The regular intervals provide sufficient sampling to identify pulse patterns while maintaining the speed required for real-time processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Hearing device and method of power estimation and/or pulse detection in a hearing device is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a pulse input signal; determining if the pulse input signal satisfies a first rising criterion; in accordance with the input signal satisfying the first rising criterion, increasing a threshold; determining if the pulse input signal satisfies a first down count criterion; in accordance with the pulse input signal satisfying the first down count criterion, initializing a down counter; determining if the down counter satisfies a second down count criterion; in accordance with the down counter satisfying the second down count criterion, decreasing the down counter; determining if the down counter satisfies a pulse detection criterion; and in accordance with the down counter satisfying the pulse detection criterion, outputting a pulse output signal indicative of detection of a pulse.