Hearing Instrument Clock Synchronization via Time Stamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing assistance systems fail to synchronize hearing instruments effectively, leading to inadequate sound directionality and noise cancellation, as they rely on phase matching at the RF physical layer, which is not independent and limits modulation types.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that synchronize hearing instruments using time stamps generated by a master and slave device, allowing clock synchronization independent of the RF physical layer, enabling synchronous signal processing and multiple modulation types, and includes a synchronization cycle with message exchange to adjust the slave clock to the master clock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If phase matching at RF physical layer is used for synchronization, then hearing instruments can be synchronized, but the synchronization is not independent and limits modulation types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces time stamps as an intermediary mechanism for synchronization. Instead of relying on RF physical layer phase matching, the system uses time stamps generated by a master device and exchanged between devices to achieve synchronization. This intermediary approach decouples synchronization from RF layer constraints, enabling independent synchronization and support for multiple modulation types while maintaining reliable timing coordination between hearing instruments.
2Reliability
If clock synchronization is achieved through RF physical layer phase matching, then synchronization is established, but it limits the types of modulation that can be used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization function from the RF physical layer by implementing a separate time stamp-based synchronization mechanism. The master device generates time stamps independent of RF modulation, and these time stamps are exchanged between devices to establish clock synchronization. This extraction allows the system to maintain reliable synchronization establishment while being agnostic to the specific modulation type used in RF communication.
3Manufacturing precision
If hearing instruments use wireless communication without time stamp synchronization, then device complexity is reduced, but sound directionality and noise cancellation are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary synchronization action by having the master device generate and distribute time stamps before audio signal processing occurs. The slave device receives and processes these time stamps to adjust its clock, ensuring synchronization is established in advance. This preliminary timing coordination enables accurate sound directionality and noise cancellation through synchronized microphone arrays, while keeping the synchronization mechanism relatively simple through the use of time stamp exchange rather than complex continuous phase locking.
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing assistance system including a hearing instrument designated as a master device and at least another hearing instrument designated as a slave device. The master device is communicatively coupled to the slave device via a wireless link. The master device has a master clock and generates master time stamps for specified events timed by the master clock. The master time stamps are sent to the slave device via the wireless link. The slave device has a slave clock and generates slave time stamps for specified events timed by the slave clock. The slave clock is adjusted for synchronization to the master clock using the master time stamps and the slave time stamps.