Hearing Device Transceiver Protocol Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices face technical issues when using multiple wireless communication protocols simultaneously, such as packet collisions and overlapping requests, which affect audio streaming quality and connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A method for a wireless hearing device to use a shared transceiver by increasing the time duration between advertising packets of one protocol, aligning the timing of audio frames with advertising events, and prioritizing requests to reduce packet collisions and maintain simultaneous operation of multiple protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hearing devices use multiple wireless communication protocols simultaneously, then connectivity and communication capabilities are improved, but packet collisions and overlapping requests occur affecting audio streaming quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by scheduling wireless communications in distinct time intervals. The controller coordinates between first wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth audio streaming) and second wireless communication (e.g., BLE advertising) by allocating specific time slots for each protocol, preventing simultaneous transmissions that cause packet collisions. This periodic scheduling ensures reliable audio streaming while maintaining multi-protocol connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the transceiver configuration adaptive rather than static. The controller dynamically adjusts transceiver operation based on real-time conditions, switching between protocols and adjusting timing parameters according to current communication needs. This dynamic coordination allows the system to optimize between connectivity versatility and audio streaming reliability based on instantaneous requirements.
2Ease of operation
If advertising packets are transmitted frequently, then device discoverability is improved, but packet collisions with audio frames increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces packet collisions by implementing periodic action with optimized advertising intervals. Instead of continuous or frequent advertising transmissions, the controller schedules BLE advertising packets at specific periodic intervals that are coordinated with audio frame timing. This reduces the probability of advertising packets colliding with audio data transmissions while maintaining adequate device discoverability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coordinating advertising event timing with audio frame schedules. The controller proactively plans and schedules advertising transmissions to occur during time slots that do not conflict with anticipated audio frame transmissions. This preliminary coordination prevents packet collisions before they occur, ensuring both discoverability and audio streaming reliability.
3Device complexity
If transceiver is shared between protocols, then device complexity is reduced, but request conflicts and access delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by establishing regular time slots for different protocol accesses to the shared transceiver. The controller creates a periodic schedule where audio streaming and advertising communications are alternated in predetermined intervals. This reduces access delays by providing predictable, regular access patterns rather than ad-hoc arbitration, while maintaining the benefit of a single shared transceiver.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a controller as a mediator between multiple protocols and the shared transceiver. The controller acts as an intelligent intermediary that receives requests from both audio streaming and advertising protocols, arbitrates their access needs, and coordinates transceiver allocation. This mediator prevents request conflicts by ensuring only one protocol accesses the transceiver at a time, reducing access delays while maintaining system simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosed technology includes a method to wirelessly communicate with a wireless communication device using two wireless communication protocols. The method comprises: aligning a timing of audio frames of a first wireless communication protocol with a timing of advertising events of a second wireless communication protocol; increasing a time duration between beginnings of advertising Protocol Data Units (PDUs) transmitted during an advertising event of the second wireless communication protocol; receiving a first request to access a transceiver of the wireless communication device from the first wireless communication protocol and receiving a second request to access the transceiver of the wireless communication device from the second wireless communication protocol; and selecting the second request from the second wireless communication protocol to be executed based on priority of the second wireless communication protocol. The method can be used during audio streaming.