Hearing System Remote Control Base Station Relay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conversations between hearing aid users in noisy environments are often hindered by background noise, and existing communication methods between hearing devices face limitations in range and compatibility with different transmission standards.

Innovation Solution

A hearing system with a remote control functioning as a base station allows hearing devices to establish a spontaneous communication network, enabling unimpeded conversation by acting as a relay station and supporting multiple transmission standards, allowing devices from different manufacturers to communicate effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If high-frequency transmission is used for communication between hearing devices, then communication range is extended, but absorption in the body and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication rangeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects between high-frequency and inductive transmission modes based on communication requirements. The remote control can switch between HF mode for extended range and inductive mode for low-power scenarios, optimizing the balance between communication distance and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission frequency parameter is changed based on operational needs. The system supports both high-frequency (800-1000 MHz) for long-range communication and inductive frequency (1-30 MHz) for short-range low-power communication, allowing parameter optimization for different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of stationary object

If high-frequency transmission is used for communication between hearing devices, then communication range is extended, but absorption in the body increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication rangeVSAvoidabsorption in the body

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control acts as an intermediary base station that relays communications between hearing devices. By using the remote control as an intermediate relay point, the system can achieve extended communication range through inductive transmission without the harmful body absorption issues associated with high-frequency direct transmission between hearing aids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces high-frequency electromagnetic transmission with inductive near-field transmission for communications involving the remote control as base station. This substitution eliminates the body absorption problems of HF transmission while maintaining adequate communication range for typical hearing aid applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Use of energy by moving object

If inductive transmission is used for communication between hearing devices, then power consumption and body absorption are reduced, but communication range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication range

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system adds a spatial dimension to the communication architecture by introducing a remote control base station as an intermediate relay. This allows inductive transmission to achieve effective long-range communication by using the remote control as a relay point, rather than requiring direct line-of-sight between hearing devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If hearing devices use different transmission standards, then device compatibility and versatility are improved, but communication reliability between devices decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control is designed with universal compatibility to work as a base station with hearing devices from different manufacturers and with different transmission standards. It supports both high-frequency and inductive transmission modes, enabling it to communicate reliably with diverse hearing aid devices regardless of their native protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The remote control serves as a universal intermediary that translates between different transmission standards. When a hearing device communicates with the remote control base station, the remote control can relay the communication to other devices using appropriate protocol conversion, ensuring reliable communication across different standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8155359B2Hearing system with remote control as a base station and corresponding communication method

Publication Date: 2012.04.10 SIVANTOS GMBH

AI summary

Hearing-aid wearers should be able to converse unimpeded even in noisy environments. Provided for this is a hearing system with a first hearing device, a second hearing device and a remote control for the operation of the first and/or second hearing device. The remote control is embodied as a base station to which the first and second hearing device is able to log on to establish a spontaneous communication network. This facilitates a wireless communication using a remote control as a relay station and without the influence of background noise.