Hearing Pulse Detection for Accurate Power Estimation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing devices face challenges in accurately estimating power for pulsed power sources, leading to inefficiencies in signal processing and potential false positives in pulse detection.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for improved power estimation and pulse detection, involving a pulse detector that adjusts thresholds and down counters to accurately identify pulses, reducing false positives and ensuring each period contains one pulse, thereby enhancing the robustness and accuracy of power estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If power estimation uses smoothing to reduce variance, then measurement precision is improved, but dynamic behavior deteriorates (tracking signal changes becomes slower)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the smoothing factor based on signal characteristics. The system adjusts the smoothing parameter in real-time to match the temporal properties of the input signal, allowing fast tracking of signal changes while maintaining accurate power estimation. This resolves the contradiction by making the smoothing degree adaptive rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the smoothing parameter based on detected signal conditions, particularly adapting to pulsed versus continuous signals. By modifying the smoothing factor according to signal type and characteristics, the system achieves both low variance in power estimates and fast response to signal changes, resolving the trade-off between precision and speed.
2Device complexity
If classical power estimation assumes speech power changes little within a syllable, then measurement simplicity is improved, but reliability deteriorates for pulsed power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic pulse detection mechanisms that adapt to the cyclo-stationary nature of pulsed signals. Instead of assuming constant power within syllables, the system dynamically detects pulses by monitoring signal characteristics and adjusting detection parameters accordingly, significantly improving reliability for pulsed power sources while maintaining reasonable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the power estimation process into distinct phases: pulse detection, pulse characterization, and power calculation. This segmentation allows targeted handling of pulsed signals versus continuous signals, improving reliability for pulses without overly complicating the overall system by applying complex methods only where needed.
3Ease of operation
If pulse detection uses simple thresholding, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates (false positives increase)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where detected pulses inform subsequent detection parameters. The system uses previously detected pulses to adjust threshold levels and detection sensitivity, creating a self-correcting system that reduces false positives while maintaining simple operation. The feedback loop allows the system to learn from past detections and improve future accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary signal analysis and threshold adaptation before formal pulse detection. By pre-processing the signal and adjusting detection parameters based on initial characteristics, the system reduces false positives in the main detection phase while keeping the overall process easy to operate. This preliminary action prepares the detection system for the specific signal conditions it will encounter.
Data Source
AI summary
Hearing device and method of power estimation and/or pulse detection in a hearing device is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a pulse input signal; determining if the pulse input signal satisfies a first rising criterion; in accordance with the input signal satisfying the first rising criterion, increasing a threshold; determining if the pulse input signal satisfies a first down count criterion; in accordance with the pulse input signal satisfying the first down count criterion, initializing a down counter; determining if the down counter satisfies a second down count criterion; in accordance with the down counter satisfying the second down count criterion, decreasing the down counter; determining if the down counter satisfies a pulse detection criterion; and in accordance with the down counter satisfying the pulse detection criterion, outputting a pulse output signal indicative of detection of a pulse.