Wearable Hearing Aid Control via Optical Home Automation Grid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current home automation systems are complex and costly to install, requiring significant electrical wiring changes and often result in malfunctions, while they fail to report power consumption data effectively to users or the smart grid, and existing hearing aid devices are limited in their ability to handle surround sounds and are difficult to modify or control.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of Beamy light actuated via a cut of Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) for switching and reporting light states or power consumption, combined with Intelligent Support Boxes (ISBs) that allow for easy installation and operation through a plug-in mechanism, enabling wearable devices to control home automation and hearing aids with a finger touch, using a hybrid light opt-switch and optical cascading grids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional electrical wiring and relay systems are used for home automation, then electrical appliances can be controlled remotely, but the installation becomes complex and costly with frequent malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electrical wiring and relay-based control systems with an optical communication system using Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) and light-based actuators. This substitution eliminates the need for complex electrical wiring modifications while maintaining remote control functionality through optical signal transmission between ISBs and controlled devices.
2Ease of operation
If control signals are propagated via AC power line or RF signals, then remote operation is achieved, but the system becomes costly and prone to repeated malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) as an intermediary medium for signal transmission between the Intelligent Support Boxes (ISBs) and controlled devices. This optical intermediary provides stable, interference-free communication that eliminates the reliability issues associated with AC power line carrier signals and RF wireless communication, while maintaining remote operation capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard switches are replaced by control switches with RF or AC power line signals, then automation functionality is added, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the home automation system into independent Intelligent Support Boxes (ISBs) that can be individually installed in electrical wall boxes. Each ISB contains the necessary optical communication interface and control logic, allowing automation functionality to be added modularly without requiring system-wide wiring changes or complex centralized control infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex electronic control circuits and signal processing hardware of traditional automation systems with simple optical actuators that receive light signals through POF. This substitution dramatically simplifies the control system while maintaining versatility in controlling various electrical appliances and home devices.
4Ease of operation
If hearing aid devices are made smaller and more wearable, then comfort is improved, but the ability to handle surround sounds and control functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the smartphone or external computing device as an intermediary that performs complex surround sound processing and hearing aid control functions. The wearable hearing aid itself remains simple and comfortable, while the intermediary device provides the advanced audio processing, connectivity, and control capabilities through wireless communication with the hearing aid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a nested system where the simple wearable hearing aid is embedded within a larger ecosystem that includes a smartphone or external device. The outer layer (smartphone) provides advanced surround sound processing and control, while the inner layer (hearing aid) maintains its compact, comfortable form factor for continuous wear.
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 simplifies home automation installation, reduces wiring complexities, allows for efficient power consumption reporting, and provides self-control for hearing aids through wearable devices, enhancing user convenience and hearing quality.
Implementation Method 1
actuated (cut light push key)—(Beamy). Linking 1-n cascading Beamy devices within each of a cascading ISBs, and setting each Beamy device for identifying each individual Beamy key as set
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for propagating optical Beamy light and Combi signals via a cascaded line of support devices for electrically powered wiring devices and low voltage IoTs and Ai devices, combined into homes and high—rise units for operating, control ling and reporting home automation via optical, electrical and wireless communication with no collision, by providing traffic control for signals propagation. The cascaded devices linked via plastic optical fiber or other optical cable are aided by a series of testers during installation and beyond, with the electrical and low voltage devices are installed by a plug-in action into the cascaded devices and removed by a pull hand tool.