Hearing Device BTLE Connection Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices face challenges in managing multiple simultaneous connections due to power consumption and protocol scheduling constraints, leading to degraded performance in maintaining connections with client devices such as remote controls and audio streaming devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) 4.1 or higher interface that manages connections by transmitting connectable advertising packets only when fewer than N client devices are connected via protected connections, and disconnecting non-protected connections to limit sustained connections to N, thereby preventing interference while allowing connectivity to multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the hearing device maintains connections to multiple client devices simultaneously, then connectivity versatility is improved, but power consumption increases and connection reliability degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between protected connections (high priority, stable) and non-protected connections (lower priority, temporary). The hearing device assigns different connection qualities based on the type of client device and usage scenario, ensuring that critical connections (like audio streaming) maintain stability while allowing temporary connections (like remote control) to be established without compromising overall system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic connection management where the hearing device continuously monitors connection conditions and automatically adjusts the number of sustained connections. The controller dynamically decides when to maintain or disconnect non-protected connections based on current power availability, connection quality, and usage patterns, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining optimal performance
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hearing device maintains connections to multiple client devices simultaneously, then connectivity versatility is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action through controlled connection cycles. Instead of maintaining continuous sustained connections to all client devices, the hearing device establishes connections periodically based on actual usage needs. Non-protected connections are maintained only for the duration required to complete specific tasks, then disconnected to conserve power, while still providing timely responsiveness when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the connection parameter from sustained (continuous) to temporary (intermittent) for non-protected connections. This parameter change allows the hearing device to reduce power consumption by disconnecting from client devices when not actively needed, while still maintaining the ability to reconnect quickly when required, thus balancing power savings with connectivity versatility
3Reliability
If the hearing device limits sustained connections to N devices, then connection reliability is improved, but connectivity versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments connections into two distinct categories: protected connections (up to N devices) and non-protected connections (additional devices beyond N). This segmentation allows the system to maintain stable, reliable connections with up to N devices while still providing temporary access to additional devices, effectively resolving the contradiction between connection stability and versatility by serving different connection types through different mechanisms
4Speed
If the hearing device quickly responds to requests from multiple connected clients, then responsiveness is improved, but protocol scheduling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the controller with connection management logic) that mediates between multiple client devices and the hearing device's resources. This intermediary intelligently schedules and prioritizes requests from different clients, managing the complexity of coordinating multiple simultaneous connections while maintaining quick response times for high-priority operations through systematic request handling and connection prioritization
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a hearing device (10) comprising a BTLE 4.1 or higher wireless interface (20) and a control unit (38) for handling connectivity via the wireless interface to a plurality of client devices (40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 54, 56) wherein the control unit is configured to direct the hearing device to transmit connectable advertising packets at least as long as less than N client devices are connected to the hearing device via a protected connection (30) and less than N+1 client devices are connected to the hearing device in total; wherein the control unit is further configured to prevent that the hearing device maintains sustained connections to more than N client devices at a time by disconnecting, if the hearing device is connected to N client devices via sustained connections and at least one of these connections is not a protected connection, one of the client devices connected via a not protected connection once a new sustained connection to a client device has been established in addition to the N connections, with N≥ 2.