Optical Hearing Device Bias and Gain Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical hearing devices face challenges in providing high-quality sound with reduced power consumption and minimal distortion, as they struggle with transmitting sound pressure using light-based systems due to the lack of negative light energy and introduction of distortions from optical components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a processor-configured system that biases the input audio signal to generate an optical signal with decreased power consumption and distortion, using delta-sigma modulation or analog amplifier circuitry, and adjusts gain dynamically to inhibit audible noise and clipping, while maintaining a fixed bias to prevent user-perceptible artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If light energy is used to transmit sound in optical hearing devices, then device size can be reduced and high fidelity sound can be provided, but power consumption increases due to the need to transmit both positive and negative sound pressure with unidirectional light energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the bias level and gain of the optical signal transmission system. By varying these parameters in response to signal characteristics, the system optimizes power consumption while maintaining sound quality. Specifically, the bias is adjusted to shift the optical signal operating point, and gain is modified to compensate for signal amplitude changes, enabling efficient use of unidirectional light energy to represent bidirectional sound pressure variations.
2Volume of moving object
If optical components are used in hearing devices, then compact design is achieved, but distortion is introduced due to non-linear behavior of light source and detector
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms to compensate for non-linear distortions introduced by optical components. The system monitors the optical signal characteristics and adjusts transmission parameters accordingly. By using feedback control, the system can correct for non-linear behavior of light sources and detectors, maintaining signal fidelity despite the inherent distortions in compact optical hearing device components.
3Loss of information
If delta-sigma modulation or analog approaches are used to transmit electrical signals with optical signals, then signal transmission is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static signal transmission methods to dynamic parameter adjustment. Instead of using fixed delta-sigma modulation or analog approaches that consume constant power, the system dynamically adjusts the optical signal characteristics based on instantaneous signal requirements. This includes varying the bias level and gain in real-time, enabling the system to consume only the necessary power for each signal condition while maintaining transmission quality.
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 enables efficient transmission of optical signals with reduced power consumption and low distortion, providing improved sound quality by dynamically adjusting the bias and gain in real-time, thereby extending battery life and enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a light source to generate an optical signal
Implementation Method 2
an output transducer assembly to vibrate the eardrum in response to receiving the output optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
A processor comprises instructions to adjust a bias of an input signal in order to decrease a duty cycle of a pulse modulated optical signal. The bias can be increased, decreased, or maintained in response to one or more measured values of the signal. In many embodiments, a gain of the signal is adjusted with the bias in order to inhibit distortion. The bias can be adjusted slowly in order to inhibit audible noise, and the gain can be adjusted faster than the bias in order to inhibit clipping of the signal. In many embodiments, one or more of the bias or the gain is adjusted in response to a value of the signal traversing a threshold amount. The value may comprise a trough of the signal traversing the threshold.