Hearing Device Audio Synchronization via Intermediary Packets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing device systems face challenges in synchronizing audio between left and right ear devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol, as audio packets arrive asynchronously with undetermined time offsets, leading to phase delays and poor listening experiences.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a direct wireless ear-to-ear connection using BLE or Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) to synchronize audio packets by sending a synchronization packet with a sequence number, followed by acknowledgment, and unmutes transducers only when synchronization is achieved, allowing synchronized audio delivery to both ears.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If audio packets are transmitted using Bluetooth Low Energy protocol between hearing devices, then wireless communication capability is achieved, but audio synchronization between left and right ear devices deteriorates due to asynchronous packet arrival with undetermined time offsets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a synchronization packet as an intermediary element that mediates between the audio packet transmission and playback. This synchronization packet contains timing information that acts as a reference signal, allowing each hearing device to adjust its audio packet processing timing. The intermediary synchronization mechanism resolves the asynchronous arrival issue without requiring changes to the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol itself, thus maintaining wireless communication capability while improving audio synchronization reliability.
2Productivity
If audio packets are received asynchronously from host device, then wireless audio streaming is enabled, but phase delays occur between left and right ear audio output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having hearing devices exchange synchronization packets before actual audio packet playback. The synchronization packet is sent in advance to establish a reference timing relationship between left and right ear devices. This preliminary synchronization step allows the devices to pre-coordinate their audio packet processing schedules, ensuring that subsequent audio packets are played back in phase despite asynchronous reception from the host device.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard Bluetooth Low Energy stack is used without modifications, then ease of implementation is maintained, but audio synchronization precision deteriorates due to lack of specialized timing protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio transmission protocol into two independent layers: the transport layer uses standard Bluetooth Low Energy for packet transmission, while the application layer implements a specialized synchronization protocol using exchange packets. This segmentation allows the system to maintain ease of implementation by relying on standard Bluetooth Low Energy stack, while simultaneously achieving precise audio timing through the specialized synchronization layer. The two layers work independently, so no modifications to the core Bluetooth stack are needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for audio synchronization for hearing devices. An audio packet is received from a host device at a first hearing device configured to be worn in a first ear of a wearer, the audio packet compatible with a wireless low energy digital communication protocol, and the audio packet is received from the host device at a second hearing device configured to be worn in a second ear of the wearer. Upon one or more programmable conditions, a synchronization packet is sent from the first hearing device to the second hearing device. An acknowledgment packet is sent from the second hearing device to the first hearing device upon receipt of the synchronization packet, and a first transducer at the first hearing device and a second transducer at the second hearing device are unmuted to deliver synchronized audio to the first ear and to the second ear.