Unilateral Hearing Devices With Switchable Wireless Audio Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices for users with unilateral hearing have limited capabilities and high battery consumption due to constant audio signal transmission between hearing devices.
Innovation Solution
A hearing system with first and second devices featuring operation modes that enable/disable wireless communication links, allowing independent audio processing and power management based on user-controlled modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hearing device at the deaf side constantly transmits audio signals to the contralateral hearing device, then the hearing capability for unilateral hearing users is improved, but the battery power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the transmission mode configurable between full-duplex and half-duplex modes. The system can dynamically switch between these modes based on user needs, allowing the hearing device to transmit audio signals when necessary while reducing transmission activity to conserve battery power when continuous transmission is not required, thus resolving the contradiction between hearing capability and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the wireless communication link by introducing configurable transmission modes. By allowing the system to switch between full-duplex and half-duplex modes, the patent modifies the transmission parameter to balance audio signal transmission needs with battery power conservation, directly addressing the technical contradiction
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wireless communication link is always enabled for audio signal transmission, then the audio processing capability is improved, but the battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the wireless communication link state by enabling or disabling it based on operational mode. In full-duplex mode, the link is enabled for comprehensive audio processing, while in half-duplex mode, it is selectively enabled only when needed, allowing the system to adapt between high audio processing capability and low power consumption states
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing device autonomously manages the wireless communication link by automatically enabling or disabling it based on the selected operational mode. This self-service mechanism allows the system to optimize between audio processing capability and power consumption without requiring external intervention, resolving the contradiction through intelligent autonomous control
3Reliability
If the hearing device operates in full-duplex mode for optimal audio transmission, then the audio quality is improved, but the battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the transmission mode configurable between full-duplex and half-duplex modes. The system can dynamically switch between these modes based on user needs, allowing the hearing device to transmit audio signals when necessary while reducing transmission activity to conserve battery power when continuous transmission is not required, thus resolving the contradiction between audio quality and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the wireless communication link by introducing configurable transmission modes. By allowing the system to switch between full-duplex and half-duplex modes, the patent modifies the transmission parameter to balance audio signal transmission needs with battery power conservation, directly addressing the technical contradiction
Data Source
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AI summary
A hearing system includes: a first hearing device; and a second hearing device; wherein the first hearing device comprises a first microphone system configured to provide a first microphone signal, a first processing unit, a first communication unit, and a first antenna; wherein the second hearing device comprises a second processing unit, a second communication unit, a second antenna, and a receiver configured to provide an audio output; wherein the first hearing device has first and second operation modes; wherein the first hearing device is configured to transmit the first microphone signal or audio signal based on the first microphone signal to the second hearing device via a wireless communication link when the first hearing device is in the first operation mode; and wherein when the first hearing device is in the second operation mode, the wireless communication link is disabled.