SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING POWER CONSUMPTION IN A WIRELESS NETWORK

• US 20170171816A1
• Filed: 11/28/2016
• Published: 06/15/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Solum, Jeffrey Paul
• Granted Patent: US 9,900,839 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/086 Portable receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/31 Aspects of the use of accumulators in hearing aids, e.g. rechargeable batteries or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/33 Aspects relating to adaptation of the battery voltage, e.g. its regulation, increase or decrease
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/55 Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/00 Deaf-aid sets , i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception electrical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N1/36038; optical stimulation of auditory nerves to promote the auditory function A61N5/0622
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/30 Monitoring or testing of hearing aids, e.g. functioning, settings, battery power
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0232 according to average transmission signal activity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0248 dependent on the time of the day, e.g. according to expected transmission activity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0277 according to available power supply, e.g. switching off when a low battery condition is detected
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for managing power consumption in a wireless network. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method for wireless communications of isochronous data. A transmission of isochronous data is received using an electronic device having a battery. The method determines how many redundant transmissions can be received by the device within a predetermined time frame while limiting discharge of the battery, and adjusts reception of the redundant transmissions based on the determination. In various embodiments, a reduction in received redundant transmissions preserves energy and prevents complete discharge of the battery.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communications using an electronic device having a battery, comprising:

enabling a receiver to receive a first primary wireless transmission using an electronic device having a battery;

incrementing a token count when a first primary transmission is successfully received, wherein the token count is adapted to limit discharge of the battery by limiting redundant transmission reception;

enabling the receiver to receive a second primary wireless transmission using the electronic device;

if a second primary transmission is not successfully received using the token count to determine how many redundant transmissions can be received by the device

receiving the redundant transmissions based on the determination; and

decrementing the token count after each reception of the redundant transmissions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first primary wireless transmission includes an isochronous data packet.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, if the token count is zero, the receiver of the electronic device is prevented from waking up to receive a redundant transmission.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the token count includes an initial programmable maximum number selected to limit discharge of the battery, and wherein the initial programmable number depends on the capacity and chemistry of the battery.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, when the first primary transmission is successfully received, the token count is reset to the initial programmable maximum number.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

enabling the receiver to receive a third primary wireless transmission using the electronic device;

incrementing the token count if the third primary transmission is successfully received;

enabling the receiver to receive a fourth primary wireless transmission using the electronic device;

if the fourth primary transmission is not successfully received, using the token count to determine how many redundant transmissions can be received by the device

enabling the receiver to receive the redundant transmissions based on the determination; and

decrementing the token count after each attempt to receive the redundant transmissions.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein voltage level in the battery is used to adjust the token count.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein coulomb counting in the battery is used to adjust the token count.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein run time of the battery is used to adjust the token count.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein discharge rate of the battery is used to adjust the token count.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein a packet error rate (PER) is used to adjust the token count.

12. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a battery;

a communication port configured to receive a wireless signal; and

a processor connected to the battery and the communication port, the processor configured to execute instructions to;

enabling the communication port to receive a first primary wireless transmission;

increment a token count if the first primary transmission is successfully received, the token count adapted to limit discharge of the battery by limiting redundant transmission reception;

enabling the communication port to receive a second primary wireless transmission;

if the second primary transmission is not successfully received, use the token count to determine how many redundant transmissions can be received by the device;

enabling the communication port to receive the redundant transmissions based on the determination to attempt to receive redundant transmissions; and

decrement the token count after each attempt to receive the redundant transmissions.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the wireless communication device includes a wireless headset.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the wireless communication device includes a heating aid.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid.

19. The device of claim 14, wherein the heating aid includes a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid.

20. The device of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid.