Wireless streaming link break-in

A system and method for wireless streaming link break-in is disclosed. A first device transmits digital packets to a second device over a wireless streaming link. A third device synchronizes itself with the second device. Once the third device is synchronized with the second device, the third device transmits command request packets to the second device during a data receive window. The wireless streaming link is inactive during the data receive window. The second device responds to the request during a next data receive window.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to wireless streaming links, and more particularly, relates to a system and method that allows a device to break into communications over a wireless streaming link between two other devices.

BACKGROUND

Wireless streaming link designs typically consist of multiple data packets that are sent at a regular interval from a first device to a second device. In order to minimize power consumption, the on-air time of the link is not constant. Rather, when all data has been sent, the link is inactive for a specific period of time. Once synchronized to the stream, the second device listens for data packets at specific timeslots on specified frequencies according to a streaming protocol. In some such designs, beacons are transmitted by the second device in order to enable a third device to synchronize with the second device.

SUMMARY

A system that allows for wireless streaming link break-in is disclosed. In one example, the system includes a first device that is configurable to transmit a first type of digital packets to a second device at a first rate utilizing a synchronous communication link over a first group of frequency channels. The system also includes a third device that is configurable to transmit a second type of digital packets to the second device utilizing an asynchronous communication link over a second group of frequency channels. The first group of frequency channels is non-overlapping with the second group of frequency channels. The second device is configurable to listen for the first type and the second type of digital packets.

In another example, the system includes a synchronous communication network in which a second device receives digital signals at a first rate from a first device. The system also includes an asynchronous communication network in which the second device listens for digital requests at a second rate slower than the first rate from a third device and in which the second device responds to the digital requests.

A method that allows for wireless streaming link break-in is also disclosed. While a device is receiving digital data transmissions in a first group of receive windows, the method includes sending request packets to the device until receiving an acknowledgement signal from the device. Upon receiving the acknowledgement signal, the method includes sending a command request in a second group of receive windows. The method also includes receiving a response to the command request.

These as well as other aspects and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings. Further, it is understood that this summary is merely an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a block diagram of a system100. The system100includes a first device102, a second device104, and a third device106. The first device102uses a wireless streaming link108to transmit data to the second device104. The third device106uses a bidirectional communication link110to communicate with the second device104.

The first device102transmits data in a synchronous manner to the second device104over the wireless streaming link108. The data may be streamed as digital packets over one or more frequency channels. The digital packets may include digital audio data. The synchronous communication network formed by the first device102, the wireless streaming link108, and the second device104may be a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), a slow Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), a Frequency Agility (FA), a Slow Frequency Agility (SFA) communications network, or other appropriate network type.

The second device104communicates with the third device106over the bidirectional communication link110in an asynchronous manner. Data may be transmitted over the bidirectional communication link110as digital packets over one or more frequency channels. The digital packets may include digital control data. The asynchronous communication network formed by the second device104, the bidirectional communication link110, and the third device106may be a slow Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), a Frequency Agility (FA), a Slow Frequency Agility (SFA) communications network, or other appropriate network type.

Preferably, the frequency channels used with the bidirectional communication link110are non-overlapping with the frequency channels used with the wireless streaming link108. However, the frequency channels may overlap. If the frequency channels overlap, it may be beneficial to use error correction and/or various transmission schemes (e.g., streaming digital audio packets using a fast frequency hopping scheme) to avoid disruptions.

In one example, the synchronous communication network includes at least eight frequency channels. The asynchronous communication network includes one or more frequency channels that are non-overlapping with the at least eight frequency channels. However, it is understood that other numbers of frequency channels may be used.

The second device104is designed to listen for the digital packets transmitted by the first device102via the wireless streaming link108. Once synchronized to the stream, the second device104may listen for data packets at specified timeslots on specified frequencies according to a streaming protocol. For example, the second device104may listen for the digital packets at evenly spaced intervals of time.

The second device104is also designed to listen for digital requests from the third device106via the bidirectional communication link110. The second device104may listen for the digital requests from the third device106at a rate slower than the rate that the second device104receives digital packets from the first device102. The slower rate is due to the third device106using idle time of the wireless streaming link108to communicate with the second device104.

The first device102is any device that transmits digital packets. For example, the digital packets may contain digital audio data. In one example, the first device102is a wireless audio streamer connected to a television, a radio, a sound system, a multimedia system, or a telephone. In another example, the first device102is an assistive listening device with audio streaming capabilities, for example, through audio in-line or internal audio generation from memory (e.g., MP3). The first device102may also be a remote control, a programmer, a dongle, and so on.

The second device104may be a processor. If the first device102transmits digital packets containing digital audio data, the processor may be a sound processor. As another example, the second device may be a hearing prosthesis that includes a sound processor. This non-limiting example is depicted inFIG. 2.

The third device106is a device that can control, adjust, program, and/or change a parameter of the second device104. For example, the third device106may be a remote control, a programmer, a dongle, or a mobile telephone (e.g., a smartphone). The example of a remote control is described with respect toFIG. 2.

The programmer, dongle, or mobile telephone may include the same wireless hardware (i.e., physical layer) as the remote control. The programmer may be designed to reprogram the second device104, at least partially, after synchronizing with the second device104. The dongle may be located on a personal computer (or other computing device) and be designed to control, adjust, and/or program the second device104. The smartphone may be designed to control and/or change a parameter of the second device104.

FIG. 2is a block diagram of a system200. The system200includes a hearing prosthesis202, a transmitter220, and a remote control230. The system200is just one example of a system that allows a third device to break-in to communications with a second device that is already receiving communications from a first device.

The hearing prosthesis202may be a cochlear implant, an acoustic hearing aid, a bone anchored hearing aid or other vibration-based hearing prosthesis, a direct acoustic stimulation prosthesis, an auditory brain stem implant, or any other type of hearing prosthesis now known or later developed that is configured to aid a prosthesis recipient in hearing sound.

The hearing prosthesis202includes a data interface204, a microphone206, a sound processor208, an output signal interface210, data storage212, and a power supply214all of which may be connected directly or indirectly via circuitry216. The hearing prosthesis202may have additional or fewer components than the prosthesis shown inFIG. 2. Additionally, the components may be arranged differently than shown inFIG. 2.

The data interface204may be any type of wired or wireless communications interface now known or later developed that can be configured to send and/or receive data. In operation, the data interface204is configured to send and/or receive data to and/or from an external device. The data interface204is configured to receive data from the transmitter220and to send data to and receive data from the remote control230. For example, the data interface204receives audio data from the transmitter220and control data from the remote control230. The audio data represents sounds. The control data is used to control the operation of the hearing prosthesis202or to request the operational status of the hearing prosthesis202.

The microphone206of the hearing prosthesis202may be an external microphone, a partially-implanted microphone, or a fully-implanted microphone. The microphone206may be configured to detect external sound waves and generate electrical signals based at least in part on the external sound waves for analysis by the sound processor208.

The sound processor208is configured to receive electrical signals from the microphone206, and generate instructions for generating and applying output signals to the recipient's ear via the output signal interface210. The output signal interface210is configured to generate and apply the output signals to the recipient's ear based on the instructions received from the sound processor208.

In examples where the hearing prosthesis202is a cochlear implant, the output signal interface210may include an array of electrodes, and the output signals may be a plurality of electrical stimulation signals applied to the recipient's cochlea via the array of electrodes (not shown). In examples where the hearing prosthesis202is a direct acoustic stimulator, the output signal interface210may include a mechanical actuator, and the output signals may be a plurality of mechanical vibrations applied to the recipient's middle and/or inner ear via the mechanical actuator (not shown). In examples where the hearing prosthesis202is an acoustic hearing aid, the output signals interface210may be a speaker, and the output signals may be a plurality of acoustic signals applied to the recipient's outer or middle ear via the speaker (not shown). In examples where the hearing prosthesis202is a bone-anchored hearing aid or other type of mechanical vibration based hearing prosthesis, the output signal interface210may include a mechanical actuator (not shown), and the output signals may be a plurality of mechanical vibrations applied to the recipient's skull, teeth, or other cranial and/or facial bone via the mechanical actuator. In examples wherein the hearing prosthesis202is an auditory brain stem implant, the output signal interface210may include an array of electrodes, and the output signals may be a plurality of electrical signals applied to the recipient's brain stem via the array of electrodes.

The data storage212can be any type of non-transitory, tangible, computer readable media now known or later developed that can be configured to store program code for execution by the hearing prosthesis202and/or other data associated with the hearing prosthesis202.

The power supply214supplies power to various components of the hearing prosthesis202. The power supply214may be any suitable power supply, such as a non-rechargeable or rechargeable battery. The hearing prosthesis202is power sensitive because power losses occur during the transfer of power to the implantable components of the hearing prosthesis202. The amount of power loss is related to the skin thickness of the recipient. For example, if the hearing prosthesis202is a cochlear implant, power losses occur when transferring power to the array of electrodes.

Due to these power losses, power consumption is a critical operational factor for the hearing prosthesis202. Some devices emit synchronization signals (sometimes referred to as beacons) that allow other devices to synchronize with the device broadcasting the beacon. The hearing prosthesis202saves power by eliminating the need for beacons.

The transmitter220may be any device that transmits digital packets222to the hearing prosthesis202. The transmitter220is a combination of hardware and software components. In one example, the transmitter220includes a processor, non-volatile memory storage device for storing software and possibly other information, and an antenna for transmitting digital packets over a wireless streaming link222. The transmitter220is not limited to any particular transmitter design. For example, the transmitter220may be a commercially available wireless audio streamer or an assistive listening device.

The remote control230may be any device operable to communicate over a wireless communication link232in a bidirectional manner with the hearing prosthesis202. The remote control230is a combination of hardware and software components. In one example, the remote control230includes a processor, non-volatile memory storage device for storing software and possibly other information, and a transceiver for transmitting and receiving digital packets over the bidirectional communication link232.

The remote control230sends control signals to the hearing prosthesis202to control the operation of the hearing prosthesis202. In response, the hearing prosthesis202changes operational settings, such as sensitivity, volume, and mixing ratio. The remote control230also sends control signals to the hearing prosthesis202to request status information, such as the status of the power supply214, the microphone206, and connections of the hearing prosthesis202. In response, the hearing prosthesis202sends the remote control230status information regarding settings, battery alarms, diagnostic errors, and so on.

The remote control230may be used by a recipient of the hearing prosthesis202. Additionally or alternatively, the remote control230may be used by a parent or other person, such as a clinician. For example, the recipient of the hearing prosthesis202may be a child and a parent may use the remote control230to verify that the hearing prosthesis202is properly functioning and that the child can hear.

Prior to operation, the remote control230is associated (sometimes referred to as “paired”) with the hearing prosthesis202. The remote control230includes a software program that instructs the recipient how to associate the remote control230with the hearing prosthesis202. During pairing, the remote control230and the hearing prosthesis202agree to communicate with each other by exchanging addresses or passkeys. After the remote control230is associated with the hearing prosthesis202, the hearing prosthesis202and the remote control230may communicate with each other.

The hearing prosthesis202is also paired with the transmitter220. However, the remote control230is not paired with the transmitter220. In fact, the remote control230may be unaware of the existence of the transmitter220. Moreover, if the remote control230were to scan for wireless transmitters communicating with the hearing prosthesis202, the remote control230may not detect the transmitters if they were out of range of the remote control230, but not the hearing prosthesis202.

While the transmitter220is streaming digital packets over the wireless streaming link222to the hearing prosthesis202, the remote control230wants to communicate with the hearing prosthesis202. Because the remote control230may be unaware that the transmitter220is streaming digital packets over the wireless streaming link222to the hearing prosthesis202, the remote control230needs to be able to communicate with the hearing prosthesis202in a manner that is independent of and does not interfere with the communications between the transmitter220and the hearing prosthesis202. Because the hearing prosthesis202is not broadcasting a beacon signal for synchronization, the remote control230needs to synchronize itself with the sound processor208of the hearing prosthesis202. This process is described with respect toFIGS. 3-4. Notably, this process also works when the transmitter220is inactive.

FIG. 3is a flow diagram of a method300. The method300allows a device to break into communications over a wireless streaming link between two other devices. While the system200is used for purposes of describing the method300, it is understood that other devices may be used.

At block302, the remote control230sends a synchronization request packet to the hearing prosthesis202. At block304, the remote control230determines whether it has received an acknowledgement signal from the hearing prosthesis202. If not, the remote control230continues to send synchronization request packets until receiving an acknowledgement signal.

This portion of the method300may be described as the non-synchronized phase. During the non-synchronized phase, the remote control230attempts to synchronize with the sound processor208of the hearing prosthesis202. The remote control230may send multiple synchronization request packets in quick succession to the hearing prosthesis202.

The remote control230may use a timing pattern for sending the synchronization packets that is designed to facilitate aligning the request with time slots not used for reception of digital packets by the hearing prosthesis202. Additionally, the timing pattern is designed to account for the timing characteristics of the wireless streaming link222. The timing pattern includes sequence length, packet spacing, and frequency composition.

For example, the remote control230may use multiple frequencies. The frequencies may be chosen such that they are different than the frequencies used by the transmitter220. Alternatively, the transmitter220and the remote control230may use the same frequencies and avoid disruptions using error correction and/or a fast frequency hopping scheme. As another example, the receive window for break-in packets on the sound processor208is slightly larger than the on-air transmission time to improve responsiveness.

Returning toFIG. 3, at block304, the remote control230checks for an incoming acknowledgement signal from the hearing prosthesis202. The hearing prosthesis202would only send the acknowledgement signal once a transmit slot of the remote control230aligns with a receive window of the sound processor208. The receipt of the acknowledgement signal ends the non-synchronized phase. The remote control230stops sending synchronization request packets, and starts the synchronized phase.

At block306, the remote control230waits for the next data receive window of the sound processor208. After synchronizing with the sound processor208, the remote control230knows when to expect the next data receive window.

At block308, the remote control230sends a command request packet during the data receive window. Alternatively, the remote control230may send multiple command request packets before, during, and after the data receive window to increase the likelihood that the command request packets are received by the sound processor208.

At block310, the remote control230receives a response from the sound processor208. The sound processor208receives the command request packet and generates a response to the request. The remote control230receives the generated response in the next data timeslot.

FIG. 4is a timing diagram400that shows communications between the processor402and a third device406while a transmitter404is communicating with the processor402. The third device406may be unaware that the transmitter404is communicating with the processor402. The processor402and the transmitter404are synchronized. The transmitter404transmits (TX) data packets to the processor402, which receives (RX) the data packets over the wireless streaming link (STR). In this example, the transmitter404is idle every fourth frame. During the fourth frame, the processor402is available to listen for other data transmissions.

The third device406transmits a series of synchronization request packets (SY) to the processor402during a non-synchronized phase408. As seen inFIG. 4, the third device406sends a request packet (TX) and listens for a response (RX) multiple times in quick succession. The listening period is as short as possible without impacting the third device's ability to detect a response. Additionally, the third device406transmits the request packets at multiple frequencies (e.g., fa, fa+1, fa+2, fa+3). This continues until a receive window of the processor402aligns with one of the third device's transmit slots.

This alignment occurs during the second idle frame shown inFIG. 4at frequency fa. The processor402acknowledges the synchronization request by sending a reply packet to the third device406. Upon receiving the reply packet, the third device406stops transmitting the synchronization request packets.

At this point, the third device406enters the synchronized phase410. The third device406waits (WAIT) for the processor's next data receive window and then transmits a command request (REQ). The third device406transmits the command request at frequency fa. The processor402receives the command request in the data receive window and transmits a response to the third device406in the next data receive window.

The method300allows both the transmitter220and the remote control230to communicate with the sound processor208at the same time. Additionally, the remote control230can communicate with the sound processor208in a bidirectional manner. Also, the remote control's communication with the sound processor208does not interfere with the digital packets that the sound processor208receives from the transmitter220.

Moreover, the method300allows the remote control230to synchronize with the sound processor208without the sound processor208transmitting beacon signals that the remote control230could use to synchronize with the sound processor208. The hearing prosthesis202saves power by not having to broadcast beacon signals. Moreover, beacon signals are problematic on airplanes as devices transmitting wireless signals are required to be turned off during taxiing and flight. When the hearing prosthesis202has to be turned off during flight mode, the recipient of the hearing prosthesis202cannot hear.

The remote control230also enjoys a power savings when a beacon is not used for synchronization as it does not need to be synchronized with the sound processor208at all times. Instead, the remote control230may be turned off when not in use. Additionally, the remote control230saves power by not scanning for wireless transmitters in order to find communication gaps.