Electronic Gateway for Hearing Aid Alerting Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alerting systems for deaf or hard of hearing individuals face challenges in providing a simple and effective way to alert users through hearing aid devices with significantly increased range, due to the difficulty in integrating large antennas and specialized electronics into small hearing aid devices.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device acts as a gateway between the wireless network and the hearing aid device, allowing notification of alerting signals without a direct connection, enabling larger antennas and electronics for increased range, and using standardized connectivity technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy for signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hearing aid device is integrated directly into the wireless network as a network component, then the alerting function is achieved, but the range is limited due to small size constraints on antenna and electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electronic device as an intermediary between the wireless network and the hearing aid device. The electronic device integrates the large antenna and radio electronics needed for extended range, while the hearing aid device remains small and wearable. The intermediary translates and relays alerting signals between the network and hearing aid, resolving the contradiction between maintaining alerting functionality and extending communication range.
2Length of stationary object
If large antenna and specialized electronics are integrated into hearing aid device, then the range is increased, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device serves as a mediator that houses the complex antenna and radio electronics infrastructure. This separates the complexity of wireless network integration from the hearing aid device, allowing the hearing aid to remain simple and manageable while still achieving extended range through the intermediary's capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic device is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a gateway to the wireless network, a relay station for alerting signals, and a communication bridge to the hearing aid device. By consolidating these functions in a single multi-functional device, the system avoids the complexity of integrating all these features directly into the hearing aid.
3Use of energy by moving object
If standardized protocol is used in hearing aid device, then energy consumption is reduced, but integration with wireless network becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device intermediary handles the complex protocol translation and communication with the wireless network using standardized protocols. The hearing aid device itself uses simple, low-energy protocols to communicate with the electronic device. This division allows the hearing aid to maintain low energy consumption while the intermediary manages the integration complexity with the network.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly enhances the range of alerting signals to hearing aid devices, simplifies integration, and allows for customizable alerting modes, providing effective and user-friendly alerts through audio, visual, and tactile signals.
Implementation Method 1
using standardized connectivity technologies like Bluetooth Low Energy for signal transmission
Data Source
AI summary
An alerting system for deaf or hard of hearing people comprises a wireless network with one or more transmitters adapted to detect events and, upon detecting an event, to transmit a wireless alerting signal to one or more receivers adapted to alert a user. The wireless network is adapted to send an alerting signal to an electronic device in order to allow the electronic device to function as a gateway between said wireless network and a hearing aid device.