Hearing Aid Ear Piece Distributed Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern hearing assistance devices face challenges in component placement and interconnect complexity, particularly in reducing the number of lines and addressing noise and cross-talk issues in behind-the-ear and receiver-in-canal hearing aids.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a processing component within the ear piece of hearing aids, utilizing a wired connection for communication with the main electronics, and employing a one-wire communications protocol to reduce wire count and enhance functionality, including the use of a microcontroller, microprocessor, or custom chip design for signal processing and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If processing functions are distributed to the ear piece, then functionality and flexibility are improved, but the number of connection lines and electromagnetic interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidnumber of connection lines

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single wired connection between the housing and ear piece serves multiple functions: power delivery, digital audio data transmission, control signaling, and identification information exchange. This multi-functional communication channel eliminates the need for separate dedicated lines for each function, resolving the contradiction between enhanced functionality and connection complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional analog audio wiring with digital communication protocols over a simplified wired connection. Digital signals encode multiple types of information (audio data, control commands, identification) that can be transmitted bidirectionally through fewer lines, reducing electromagnetic interference compared to multiple analog signal paths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If more components are placed in the ear piece, then component placement flexibility is improved, but noise and cross-talk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent placement flexibilityVSAvoidnoise and cross-talk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes analog audio signal transmission with digital communication in the ear piece. Digital signals are more immune to noise and cross-talk from nearby components like the receiver and antenna. The digital processor can reliably interpret signals even in the presence of electromagnetic interference from other ear piece components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wired connection acts as an intermediary that isolates the sensitive processing functions in the ear piece from electromagnetic interference in the housing. Digital communication protocols provide error detection and correction, allowing the system to maintain signal integrity despite the presence of noisy components in close proximity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a wired connection is used for communication, then reliability is improved, but the number of wires increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidwire count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wired connection implements multi-functional communication where a single physical cable handles power delivery, bidirectional data transmission, and device identification. This consolidates multiple separate connections into one reliable wired interface, maintaining communication reliability while minimizing wire count

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses digital communication protocols over the wired connection to efficiently encode multiple types of information in fewer signal lines. Digital signaling provides better noise immunity and error detection compared to analog approaches, maintaining reliability with reduced wiring complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11564045B2Hearing aid with distributed processing in ear piece

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 STARKEY LABORATORIES INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, and in particular to behind the ear and receiver in canal hearing aids with distributed processing. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a hearing assistance device including hearing assistance electronics in a housing configured to be worn above or behind an ear of a wearer. The hearing assistance device includes an ear piece configured to be worn in the ear of the wearer and a processing component at the ear piece configured to perform functions in the ear piece and to communicate with the hearing assistance electronics, in various embodiments.