Hearing Device Power Management via Multi-Sensor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices face challenges in power management due to unnecessary activation when not in use, leading to increased power consumption and reduced battery life, as existing sensor-based systems can be triggered by movement even when the device is not being worn by the user.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device with multiple sensors and a power management processor that progressively activates sensors in a step-wise manner to ensure the device is being worn before entering full power mode, reducing power consumption and extending battery life by using a combination of low power modes and sensor activations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single sensor is used to detect movement for on/off control, then the device can be activated when needed, but the device may be triggered to turn on unnecessarily when placed in a pocket or bag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensor system into multiple independent sensors (acceleration sensor, proximity sensor, light sensor) that each monitor different aspects of device state. By segmenting the detection function across multiple sensors, the system can cross-validate inputs to distinguish between legitimate activation scenarios (device inserted in ear) and false scenarios (device in pocket), thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of activation and reliability of activation.
2Speed
If the hearing device remains in full power mode to ensure immediate responsiveness, then the device is ready to use at any time, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by transitioning the device between different operational states (deep sleep mode, wake mode, full power mode) based on real-time sensor input. The system dynamically adjusts its power state rather than remaining static in full power mode, allowing it to be energy-efficient when not in use while maintaining the capability to become fully responsive when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic sensing and state transitions, where sensors periodically check for activation conditions and the device periodically transitions between power states. This periodic action allows the device to maintain low power consumption during idle periods while being periodically ready to activate, balancing responsiveness with energy efficiency.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are activated simultaneously to verify device wearing status, then false activation is reduced, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor activation process into hierarchical stages: deep sleep mode with minimal sensing, wake mode with intermediate sensing, and full power mode with comprehensive sensing. This segmentation allows the system to use only the necessary subset of sensors at each stage, achieving accurate detection without requiring all sensors to be active simultaneously, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
4Ease of operation
If the device uses a simple on/off mechanism based on motion detection, then the operation is straightforward, but the device activates unnecessarily when not being worn
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where multiple sensors continuously monitor device state and provide input to the control logic. The system uses feedback from acceleration sensors, proximity sensors, and light sensors to determine whether the device is actually being worn or merely moved. This feedback loop allows the simple on/off control to become intelligent, activating only when all sensor feedback confirms the device is in the ear, thereby preventing power waste while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An exemplary hearing device includes a first sensor, a second sensor, an audio processing component, and a power management processor. The power management processor may be configured to determine, while the hearing device is in a first low power mode, that the first sensor detects a first state change associated with the hearing device, direct, based on the first sensor detecting the first state change, the hearing device to enter a second low power mode in which the second sensor is active and the audio processing component is inactive, determine, while the hearing device is in the second low power mode, that the second sensor detects a second state change associated with the hearing device, and direct, based on the second sensor detecting the second state change, the hearing device to enter a full power mode in which the audio processing component is active.