Binaural Hearing Aid Energy Reduction via Inductive Audio Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing binaural hearing devices inefficiently use energy by receiving and processing complete stereophonic audio signals in both hearing aids, even though only one channel is needed for output, leading to unnecessary energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where only one hearing aid is active for reception and processing at a time, with the other in an inactive state, using inductive coupling to transfer audio data between the hearing aids, and employing channel coupling methods for data compression to reduce energy requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If both hearing aids receive and process complete stereophonic audio signals independently, then audio quality and processing capability are maintained, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the audio reception function into a single hearing aid while the other hearing aid receives audio data via inductive coupling. This combining of reception and transmission roles reduces total energy consumption while maintaining binaural audio processing capability through data sharing between devices
Solution Approach 2:
The inactive hearing aid receives a copy of the audio data from the active hearing aid through inductive coupling. This copying approach allows both hearing aids to process and output audio independently without duplicating the energy-intensive reception and decoding processes
2Use of energy by moving object
If one hearing aid is switched to inactive state for energy saving, then energy consumption is reduced, but real-time audio processing capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous audio processing by having the inactive hearing aid receive audio data through inductive coupling and immediately process it for output. The seamless data transfer and processing continuity maintains real-time performance while allowing one device to consume less energy
Solution Approach 2:
Inductive coupling acts as an intermediary mechanism for rapid audio data transfer between hearing aids. This intermediate transmission method enables fast data exchange that maintains real-time processing requirements while allowing asymmetric power consumption patterns
3Use of energy by moving object
If audio data is transmitted between hearing aids using inductive coupling, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication units in each hearing aid are designed to perform multiple functions: traditional wireless communication and inductive coupling for audio data transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while enabling energy-efficient operation
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 approach significantly reduces energy consumption by halving the energy needed for audio data reception and processing, while maintaining real-time processing and minimizing signal differences between ears, thereby extending the device's operating time and improving energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the first communication unit and the second communication unit are designed for reciprocal data transmission by dint of inductive coupling
Data Source
AI summary
A binaural hearing device has first and second hearing aids and a control device. Each hearing aid has a communication unit, an audio receiver and an earphone. The communication units are configured for reciprocal data transmission by inductive coupling. The audio receivers receive and process stereophonic audio data. The control device switches one of the hearing aids to an inactive audio reception state and the other to an active audio reception state, swaps the audio reception states of the hearing aids within an operating period based on a signal strength of the audio signal of one hearing aid at a time, and drives the hearing aid with the active audio reception state to transmit audio data to the hearing aid with the inactive audio reception state via the communication units.