Hearing Aid Multi-Device Pairing via Master-Slave Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing aid users face cumbersome control methods, requiring them to navigate small buttons on the device or carry a separate control device, limiting ease of use in various audio environments.
Innovation Solution
A system of interconnected computing devices allows seamless control and media content delivery to hearing aids through a network, where a master device pairs directly with the hearing aid and slave devices can request and assume the pairing to provide media content, using reusable pairing information stored in the cloud or locally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users control hearing aids through small buttons on the device itself, then the hearing aid can be controlled directly, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the cumbersome and difficult control process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computing device as an intermediary between the user and the hearing aid. This mediator handles all control operations through wireless communication, eliminating the need for users to physically manipulate buttons on the hearing aid. The computing device serves as a remote control interface, making operation significantly easier while the hearing aid itself remains simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The control functionality is extracted from the hearing aid and relocated to a separate computing device. By removing the control interface from the hearing aid body, the patent eliminates the problem of small, difficult-to-press buttons. The hearing aid becomes a dedicated audio processing device while control capabilities are housed in the user's existing computing device with a larger, more accessible interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users carry a separate device specifically for controlling the hearing aid, then control functionality is improved, but the ease of operation worsens due to the need to carry and switch between multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universality of existing computing devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops) that users already carry for other purposes. These multi-functional devices can serve both as general computing tools and as hearing aid controllers. The hearing aid controller application on these devices provides all necessary control capabilities without requiring a dedicated separate control device, eliminating the need to carry additional equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the hearing aid control functionality with the user's existing computing device. Instead of requiring a separate dedicated controller, the control capabilities are integrated into the computing device through software. This combination allows users to control their hearing aid using a device they already have with them, improving convenience while maintaining full control functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple computing devices are interconnected to provide seamless control, then adaptability across devices is improved, but the device complexity increases due to network configuration and device pairing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary pairing between the hearing aid and computing devices before actual use. During this initial setup phase, devices establish wireless connections and exchange necessary identification information. Once paired, the hearing aid can seamlessly switch between different computing devices without requiring reconfiguration. This preliminary action eliminates the complexity of device switching during normal operation, as the pairing infrastructure is already in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying of device identification information to enable seamless multi-device control. When a computing device pairs with the hearing aid, the hearing aid stores the device's identification information. This copied information allows the hearing aid to recognize and connect with multiple pre-paired devices automatically. The copying mechanism simplifies multi-device compatibility by using straightforward identification matching rather than complex configuration protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a peripheral from a group of computing devices is provided. The method sets up a group of computing devices for providing media content and control settings to a peripheral device such as a hearing aid. The computing devices in the group are interconnected by a network and exchange data with each other regarding the peripheral. A master device in the group is directly paired with the peripheral device and can use the pairing connection to provide media content or to apply the control settings to the peripheral device. The peripheral device is paired with only the master devices of the group. A slave device can request to directly pair with the peripheral device and become the master device in order to provide media content to the peripheral.