Synchronized Spectral Analysis in Binaural Hearing Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing binaural hearing device systems face challenges in synchronizing the spectral analysis of audio signals across two hearing devices, leading to asynchronous stimulation data and potential issues with sound localization.

Innovation Solution

Establishing a data link between two hearing devices to obtain a synchronization event, which is then used to align the spectral analysis of audio signals, ensuring that both devices perform spectral analysis at the same time on contemporaneous input signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If spectral analysis is performed independently at each hearing device, then each device can process audio signals locally, but the spectral analysis becomes asynchronous leading to misaligned stimulation data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocal audio processing capabilityVSAvoidspectral analysis synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The hearing devices exchange synchronization signals through the wireless data link to feedback timing information about their spectral analysis operations. This allows each device to adjust its spectral analysis timing based on feedback from the other device, ensuring asynchronous operations remain synchronized in terms of processing contemporaneous audio signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary synchronization setup by establishing a wireless data link before independent spectral analysis begins. Synchronization events are exchanged in advance to establish a common timing reference, allowing both devices to perform spectral analysis independently while maintaining alignment through pre-coordinated timing parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If hearing devices operate independently without synchronization, then device complexity is reduced, but sound localization accuracy deteriorates due to asynchronous stimulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization mechanismVSAvoidsound localization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless data link serves multiple functions: it transmits audio data between devices, exchanges synchronization information, and enables coordination of spectral analysis timing. This multi-functional approach avoids adding separate dedicated synchronization hardware while still achieving the precision needed for accurate sound localization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If spectral analysis timing is aligned across devices, then sound localization is improved, but the system requires complex synchronization mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral analysis timing alignmentVSAvoidsynchronization system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless data link acts as an intermediary that carries synchronization signals between hearing devices. Rather than devices directly coordinating through complex peer-to-peer protocols, the data link mediates the exchange of timing information, simplifying the overall synchronization architecture while maintaining precise timing alignment for spectral analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250175749A1Synchronized spectral analysis

Publication Date: 2025.05.29 COCHLEAR LIMITED

AI summary

Presented herein are techniques for synchronized spectral analysis in systems comprising first and second devices.