Systems and methods for managing power consumption in a wireless network

• US 9,510,283 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2014
• Issued: 11/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Solum, Jeffrey Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Anwar, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): Detse, Kokou R
• Application Number:
  US14/321,346
• Publication Number:
  US 20150215865A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 370/311
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 of isochronous data, comprising:

receiving a transmission of isochronous data using an electronic device having a battery and a receiver;

determining a data rate that can be accommodated by the electronic device using a number of redundant transmissions received by the device within a predetermined time frame to limit discharge of the battery, wherein the data rate and the time frame are adjustable and depends on the capacity and chemistry of the battery; and

adjusting the receiver to the determined data rate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein using an electronic device includes using a hearing aid.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting reception of the redundant transmissions includes decreasing an amount of time that a radio circuit of the electronic device is operational.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined time frame is approximately 100 ms.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein adjusting reception of the redundant transmissions includes limiting an overall percentage of redundant packets received to 10% over the predetermined time frame.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting reception includes adjusting percentage of allowable retransmission receptions and adjusting the predetermined time interval depending on capacity and chemistry of the battery.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining how many redundant transmissions can be received by the device within a predetermined time frame includes using tokens to permit reception of redundant transmissions.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining how many redundant transmissions can be received by the device within a predetermined time frame includes using battery voltage level.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining how many redundant transmissions can be received by the device within a predetermined time frame includes using Coulomb counting.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining how many redundant transmissions can be received by the device within a predetermined time frame includes determining whether a packet error rate (PER) exceeds a threshold over the predetermined time frame.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein determining how many redundant transmissions can be received by the device within a predetermined time frame includes determining consecutive missed packets over the predetermined time frame.

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 determine a data rate that can be accommodated by the communication device using a number of redundant transmissions received by the device within a predetermined time frame to limit discharge of the battery; and

adjust the communication port to the determined data rate, wherein the data rate and the time frame are adjustable and depends on the capacity and chemistry of the battery.

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

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the hearing aid includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the hearing aid includes a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid.

19. The device of claim 13, wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid.