Patent ID: 10945081

Abstract:
Disclosed wireless systems, devices, and methods can leverage existing hardware for BLE communications to provide a low-latency streaming (LLS) link suitable for supporting CROS and BiCROS features in hearing aids. An illustrative embodiment of a low-latency audio streaming method includes: (a) sending intermittent packets of digital audio data as a wireless signal; and (b) for each intermittent packet: (A) listening for a responsive packet; and (B) sending the digital audio data in a retransmitted packet only if no responsive packet is detected. Any retransmitted packet that is sent follows the corresponding intermittent packet with a delay no greater than a length of two interframe spacing (IFS) intervals separated by a responsive packet. An illustrative embodiment of a low-latency audio streaming device includes a transmit chain and a receive chain. The transmit chain periodically transmits intermittent packets of digital audio data as a wireless signal. The receive chain operates to detect a responsive packet to each intermittent packet. The transmit chain retransmits a packet of digital audio data each time the receive chain fails to detect a responsive packet, ensuring a delay no greater than a length of two IFS intervals separated by a responsive packet.