NFMI Communication Offloads Processing in In-Ear Acoustic Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-ear acoustic devices, such as hearing aids, face limitations in functionality and battery life due to their small size, which restricts the capacity for processing operations and power storage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of near-field magnetic inductance (NFMI) communication between an in-ear acoustic device and a head-worn electronic device, allowing the head-worn device to perform complex processing operations and transmit processed audio signals to the in-ear device, thereby offloading processing demands and conserving battery life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the in-ear acoustic device is made small and discrete, then it is more cosmetically hidden and comfortable to wear, but the capacity for processing operations and power storage is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the hearing aid functionality into two segments: the in-ear acoustic device (minimalist receiver and battery) and the external audio source device (processing and power storage). The external device handles complex processing operations while the in-ear device focuses on audio reception and playback, resolving the contradiction between small size and processing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
A receiver coil is introduced as an intermediary component in the in-ear device that enables wireless power and data transfer from the external device. This intermediary allows the small in-ear device to access the processing and power capabilities of the external device without requiring physical connections or larger internal components.
2Volume of moving object
If the in-ear acoustic device is made small, then it is more cosmetically hidden, but battery life is limited due to restricted power storage
Solution Approach 1:
The external audio source device performs power-intensive processing operations (noise cancellation, beamforming, speech enhancement) before transmitting the processed audio signal to the in-ear device. This preliminary action reduces the power requirements of the in-ear device's battery, extending its operational life while maintaining small size.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver coil acts as an intermediary that enables wireless power transfer from the external device to the in-ear device. This allows the small in-ear device to supplement its limited battery capacity by receiving power wirelessly, thereby extending battery life without increasing device size.
3Adaptability or versatility
If advanced processing operations are performed in the in-ear device, then functionality is enhanced, but battery life is reduced due to increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
Processing operations are segmented between the external device (power-intensive tasks like noise cancellation and beamforming) and the in-ear device (simple audio playback). This segmentation allows advanced functionality to be achieved while keeping the in-ear device's power consumption low, as the external device handles the computationally demanding tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver coil serves as an intermediary that enables the in-ear device to access the processing power of the external device. By offloading complex processing to the external device and receiving only the processed audio signal wirelessly, the in-ear device achieves enhanced functionality without the associated power consumption burden.
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 solution enhances the functionality of in-ear acoustic devices by enabling advanced processing operations like active noise cancellation and speech enhancement, while also extending battery life by shifting power-intensive processing to the head-worn device.
Implementation Method 1
a second coil configured to communicate with the first coil via near-field magnetic inductance (NFMI) communication
Implementation Method 2
a first coil configured to receive a processed audio signal via near-field magnetic inductance (NFMI) communication
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes an in-ear acoustic device that is configured to sit at least partially within a user's ear canal and a head-worn electronic device that is supported on a user's body outside of the user's ear canal. The in-ear acoustic device includes a first receiver and a first coil. The head-worn electronic device includes a second coil that is configured to communicate with the first coil via near-field magnetic inductance (NFMI) communication. The head-worn electronic device is configured to transmit a first processed audio signal to the in-ear acoustic device via NFMI communication, and the first processed audio signal is used to drive the first receiver.