Signal Range Awareness Protocol for Ad-Hoc Group Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current short-range and ad-hoc wireless communication group calls face issues with call reliability due to signal attenuation, requiring infrastructure and subscription-based solutions that do not adapt to user mobility or automatically switch to better signal zones, limiting communication range and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for signal range awareness and reliability that uses a partial mesh network to dynamically connect hearing devices to control devices via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, or Ultra-wideband technology, automatically switching between wireless technologies to maintain call quality and guide users to better signal areas without additional infrastructure, using processor-controlled communication circuits and user interface indications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If peripheral accessories (headsets, earbuds) are used for short-to-medium range communications, then user mobility is improved, but signal attenuation and jitters occur when devices are more than a distance apart or users move during communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces control devices as intermediary nodes that relay communications between hearing devices. When a hearing device moves outside direct range of its paired control device, the system automatically connects it to a different control device within range, maintaining continuous communication without interruption. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling mobility while ensuring reliability through automatic handoff between control devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts network topology by continuously monitoring signal strength and automatically reconfiguring connections. When signal attenuation is detected, the system dynamically switches the hearing device's connection from one control device to another, adapting to user movement in real-time. This dynamic behavior maintains call reliability while preserving user mobility throughout the communication range.
2Reliability
If subscription-based solutions with infrastructure are used, then call reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-organizing network where control devices and hearing devices automatically discover each other, establish connections, and perform handoffs without requiring centralized infrastructure or subscription-based services. The system self-manages network formation, connection maintenance, and failover, achieving reliable communication through decentralized autonomous operation rather than complex centralized infrastructure.
3Length of stationary object
If hearing devices are connected outside signal range, then communication range is expanded, but signal attenuation and jitters increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication network into multiple control device nodes, each maintaining a local star topology with hearing devices. This segmentation allows the overall system to cover a larger area by distributing hearing devices across multiple control device zones. When a hearing device moves between zones, it seamlessly transitions to a different control device, effectively expanding communication range while maintaining signal quality within each local segment.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for signal range awareness and reliability for audio communication. The system includes one or more control devices (CDs). The system also includes a plurality of hearing devices (HDs) wirelessly connected to the CDs. Each of the plurality of HDs is within a signal range of the one or more CD. When one or more of the plurality of HDs is determined to be outside the signal range of the CDs, the system is configured to identify another control device for the one or more plurality of HDs to connect. The other control device is connected to the original one or more CDs via a partial mesh network.