Hearing Device Coexistence Window Transceiver Arbitration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices experience technical issues when using multiple wireless communication protocols simultaneously, such as audio artifacts due to overlapping packet transmissions and receptions, which existing technologies do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A method for a wireless hearing device to use a shared transceiver, aligning the timing of audio frames from a first wireless communication protocol with slots of a second protocol, and prioritizing requests during a coexistence window to minimize overlapping requests and maintain simultaneous operation of both protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wireless communication protocols are used simultaneously in a hearing device, then the device can maintain connections with multiple external devices and stream audio binaurally, but audio artifacts occur due to overlapping packet transmissions and receptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operation of multiple wireless protocols into distinct time periods by introducing coexistence windows. During these windows, one protocol is granted exclusive access to the transceiver while the other is suspended. This temporal segmentation prevents overlapping transmissions and receptions that cause audio artifacts, while still allowing both protocols to function independently outside the windows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic coexistence windows that repeat at defined intervals to manage protocol access. By periodically allocating transceiver access to different protocols in a cyclic manner, the system ensures both protocols receive adequate bandwidth while preventing simultaneous operations that would generate audio artifacts. The periodic nature maintains predictable timing for both audio streaming and data communication.
2Productivity
If protocols are granted equal access to the shared transceiver, then both protocols can operate independently, but overlapping requests occur causing technical issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic priority management where the coexistence arbiter can adjust protocol priorities based on current operational conditions. During coexistence windows, one protocol is dynamically granted higher priority to access the transceiver exclusively. This dynamic adjustment prevents overlapping requests and ensures reliable operation by adaptively managing resource allocation based on real-time needs of each protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coexistence arbiter as an intermediary component that mediates between multiple protocols competing for transceiver access. This arbiter receives requests from different protocols, determines priority based on predefined rules or dynamic conditions, and grants exclusive access during coexistence windows. The intermediary prevents direct conflict between protocols while maintaining overall system productivity through fair resource allocation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosed technology relates to operating two wireless communication protocols during operation of a hearing device. The disclosed technology includes a method that comprises: aligning a timing of audio frames of a first wireless communication protocol with a timing of slots of a second wireless communication protocol to reduce overlapping requests to access a shared transceiver from the first wireless communication protocol and the second wireless communication protocol; receiving a first request to access the shared transceiver of the wireless communication device from the first wireless communication protocol and receiving a second request to access the shared transceiver of the wireless communication device from the second wireless communication protocol during a coexistence window; and granting the second request from the second wireless communication protocol to be executed based on priority of the second wireless communication protocol over the first wireless communication protocol during the coexistence window.