Hearing Prosthesis Wireless Link Duty Cycle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing prostheses face inefficiencies in power and data transfer due to varying load conditions across different operating modes, leading to sub-optimal performance and increased size, complexity, and electrical losses.
Innovation Solution
The system optimizes power and data transfer by varying the duty cycle of electrical signals generated by a signal generator, allowing for efficient power transfer across different load conditions using a single primary and secondary coil arrangement, thereby improving the efficiency of the link between external and internal units of the hearing prosthesis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the coupling is optimized for a particular load condition or average load condition, then power transfer efficiency is improved for that condition, but performance deteriorates for other load conditions and additional size, complexity, and electrical losses are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the coupling system adjustable rather than fixed. The coupling can be dynamically reconfigured to change its characteristics (such as inductance or capacitance values) to match different load conditions. This allows the system to adapt to varying power transfer requirements without being optimized for a single static condition, thereby maintaining efficiency across multiple operating modes without adding permanent complexity to the system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the electrical parameters of the coupling system (such as inductance, capacitance, or impedance) to optimize power transfer for different load conditions. By changing these parameters dynamically or providing multiple configurable settings, the system can adapt to various operating modes (e.g., different power levels, different load impedances) without requiring separate dedicated couplings for each condition, thus avoiding the penalty of increased size and fixed complexity.
2Loss of energy
If additional regulator and impedance matching circuitry is added to improve efficiency for different operating modes, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a coupling system that can serve multiple functions and adapt to different operating modes without requiring separate dedicated components for each mode. The single configurable coupling can handle various power transfer scenarios (different loads, different efficiencies required) by adjusting its parameters, thereby eliminating the need for multiple separate regulators and impedance matching circuits that would increase weight and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamics to allow the coupling system to adapt its characteristics in response to different operating conditions. Rather than having fixed, heavy regulator and impedance matching circuitry for each possible mode, the dynamic coupling can reconfigure itself to match the required load conditions, achieving efficient power transfer across multiple modes without the weight penalty of permanent, dedicated circuitry for each scenario.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the relative power transfer efficiency for different operating modes, reducing size and complexity while maintaining optimal performance, allowing for efficient charging and data/power delivery to the hearing prosthesis components.
Implementation Method 1
The circuits are configured to deliver electrical signals therebetween via a link, such as an RF link operating in the magnetic or electric near-field
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application discloses systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for determining prescription rules for a hearing prosthesis. A system in accordance with the present disclosure includes a receiver, a transmitter for wirelessly inducing electrical signals in the receiver, and first and second loads coupled to the receiver and associated with first and second applications, respectively. The system also includes a signal generator coupled to the transmitter. The signal generator is configured to energize the transmitter to transfer the electrical signals at a first duty cycle to the receiver for the first application and to energize the transmitter to transfer the electrical signals at a second duty cycle to the receiver for the second application.