Hearing Instrument Microphone Power Control
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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 sound environments.
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, allowing only required microphones to be powered, using controllable switches integrated with the circuit or externally, and utilizing wireless or wired audio inputs to reduce unnecessary power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple microphones are continuously powered to enable various listening programs and signal processing functions, then the hearing instrument can provide sophisticated signal processing capabilities, but the power consumption increases significantly depleting the battery energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by making the microphone power supply controllable rather than fixed. The power supply circuit includes control circuitry that can dynamically enable or disable power to individual microphones based on the currently active listening program, allowing the system to adapt power consumption to actual operational needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the power supply control at the microphone level, allowing independent power management of each microphone. Each microphone has its own controllable power supply terminal, enabling selective powering of only the microphones required for the current listening program rather than powering all microphones simultaneously
2Adaptability or versatility
If all microphones are kept operative to handle different sound environments, then the hearing instrument maintains high adaptability, but unnecessary power is consumed when specific microphones are not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry automatically manages microphone power selection based on the active listening program without requiring manual intervention. The system self-determines which microphones need to be powered based on the signal processing requirements of the currently selected listening program, eliminating unnecessary power consumption
3Use of energy by moving object
If controllable switches are integrated with the control and processing circuit to enable selective microphone powering, then power consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power control functionality with the existing control and processing circuit by integrating the controllable switches and power supply circuitry into the same circuit board. This consolidation approach, while adding complexity, leverages the existing circuit infrastructure to minimize additional complexity
Data Source
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.