Hearing Instrument Microphone Power Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern hearing instruments face challenges in reducing power consumption, particularly due to the continuous operation of microphones which deplete the limited battery energy, even when not all microphones are necessary for specific listening programs or signal processing functions.
Innovation Solution
A hearing instrument with a control and processing circuit that selectively connects and disconnects the power supply to each microphone based on the selected listening program or signal processing function, allowing only required microphones to be powered, using controllable switches integrated with the circuit or externally, and incorporating wireless audio input options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple microphones are continuously operated to provide multiple audio input channels for different listening programs, then the hearing instrument can maintain versatility and adaptability for various sound environments, but the power consumption increases and depletes the limited battery energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of microphone power supply by using controllable switches that can selectively connect or disconnect power to individual microphones based on the active listening program. This allows the system to transition from a static state where all microphones are continuously powered to a dynamic state where only necessary microphones are powered, resolving the contradiction between versatility and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically evaluates which listening program is active and相应地 adjusts the power supply state of microphones. By using periodic control based on program selection, the system ensures that microphones are powered only when needed for specific functions (e.g., beam-forming, noise reduction), thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adaptability
2Speed
If all microphones are kept powered to ensure immediate availability for signal processing, then the hearing instrument responds quickly to environmental changes, but the battery life is reduced due to continuous power draw
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of the active listening program to determine which microphones are needed before actually powering them on. This allows the system to be ready to activate specific microphones quickly when program changes occur, maintaining fast response times while avoiding continuous operation of all microphones, thus extending battery life
3Reliability
If the hearing instrument includes multiple microphones for advanced signal processing functions like beam-forming and noise reduction, then the quality of audio processing is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control of each microphone independently by providing individual controllable switches for each microphone. This segmentation allows the complex system to be managed through modular control units, where each switch can be independently controlled based on the specific requirements of the active listening program, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining high signal processing quality
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A hearing instrument includes: a first microphone; and a control and processing circuit comprising: a first audio input channel configured to receive a first microphone signal, a second audio input channel configured for receipt of an audio signal, a signal processor for receipt and processing of the first microphone signal and the audio signal according to a hearing loss of a user, a power supply configured to provide a first microphone supply voltage for the first microphone, a first controllable switch comprising a first switch control terminal, the first controllable switch configured to selectively connect the first microphone supply voltage to, and disconnect the first microphone supply voltage from, the first microphone in accordance with a first switch control signal, and a first output port configured to provide the first switch control signal to the first switch control terminal.