Binaural Hearing Aid Battery Management via Dynamic Role Switching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users of electronic devices like hearing aids face inconvenience in using mobile phones for audio calls and experience uneven battery consumption in binaural devices, leading to battery-related issues.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device method that acquires battery status information of multiple elements, determines if it meets a reference condition, and controls functions accordingly, such as redistributing audio processing and battery usage between elements to optimize performance and extend battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If binaural hearing aids transmit and receive data through network communication, then audio call functionality is improved, but battery consumption becomes uneven between the two devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio call functionalityVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically switches the communication role between left and right hearing aids based on battery status. When one device's battery is low, it transitions from active transmission/reception to standby mode, while the other device takes over the communication function. This dynamic role assignment balances energy consumption across both devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by switching which device performs data transmission and reception based on real-time battery status monitoring. This parameter change ensures that the device with sufficient battery power handles the energy-intensive communication tasks, while the device with low battery conserves energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the electronic device processes audio data locally, then audio quality is improved, but battery consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio qualityVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an external terminal device as an intermediary for audio processing. Instead of processing all audio data locally in the hearing aid, the system transmits audio data to the terminal device for processing and then receives the processed audio back. This intermediary approach reduces the computational burden and battery consumption of the hearing aid while maintaining audio quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the hearing aid uses auxiliary devices like hands-free for phone calls, then call functionality is improved, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall functionalityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the telephony functions directly into the hearing aid device, combining audio processing, network communication, and phone call capabilities in one device. This eliminates the need for separate auxiliary devices like hands-free kits, allowing users to make calls directly through the hearing aid and improving overall convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10149067B2Method for controlling function based on battery information and electronic device therefor

Publication Date: 2018.12.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method and apparatus for operating an electronic device may include: acquiring the battery status information of two or more element devices, and determining whether the battery status information satisfies a reference condition. A function of at least one device among the two or more element devices is controlled based on the information such as the battery status information.