Acoustic Remote Control for Hearing Aids in Noise
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control systems for hearing assistive devices face challenges in maintaining effective signal quality and user experience, particularly in noisy environments, due to issues with signal volume and annoyance from acoustic signals.
Innovation Solution
A smartphone-based remote control unit that analyzes environmental sound to set the volume of an acoustic signal containing control instructions, using frequency modulation above 10 kHz and adjusting the Signal-to-Noise Ratio to improve signal quality and reduce annoyance, while using the smartphone's processor to generate and output the control signal via an output transducer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the volume of the acoustic signal containing the control signal is increased to improve signal quality in noisy environments, then the signal quality improves, but the acoustic signal may annoy the environment and the speaker may oversteer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using frequency modulation to shift the control signal to a frequency band above 10 kHz (preferably above 15 kHz). This changes the frequency parameter of the acoustic signal, allowing it to be transmitted with sufficient volume for reliable reception while remaining inaudible or less annoying to human ears, thus resolving the contradiction between signal quality and environmental annoyance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a frequency modulation scheme as a mediator between the control signal and the acoustic transmission. The modulation technique acts as an intermediary that encodes the control signal in a way that maintains signal quality while reducing the harmful annoying effect on the environment by placing it in the upper part of the audible acoustic spectra where fewer persons can sense it
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the volume of the acoustic signal is decreased to reduce annoyance, then the environmental annoyance reduces, but the signal quality becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the acoustic signal to above 10 kHz (preferably above 15 kHz), which allows the signal to be transmitted at lower volumes that are less annoying to the environment while maintaining signal quality through the use of frequency modulation that is robust to noise and interference
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the acoustic signal is placed in the upper part of the audible acoustic spectra to reduce annoyance, then the annoyance effect reduces, but the frequency band limitations of the loudspeaker may affect signal transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects a frequency band above 10 kHz (preferably above 15 kHz) that balances two requirements: it is high enough to be inaudible or less annoying to most persons, yet low enough to be within the operational capabilities of typical smartphone loudspeakers. The frequency modulation scheme is designed to work within these practical constraints while achieving the goal of reducing environmental annoyance
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
The solution enables a user-friendly operating range for the remote control in noisy environments, maintaining signal quality and reducing annoyance, by dynamically adjusting the volume and frequency of the acoustic control signal based on environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an output transducer providing an acoustic output
Implementation Method 2
an input transducer... for receiving environmental sound
Data Source
AI summary
A remote-control unit (10) for controlling a hearing assistive device (20) by sending a control signal with instructions as an acoustic signal, has an input transducer (14), an output transducer (15), and a processor (11) adapted for setting the volume of the output from the output transducer (15). The processor (11) is adapted for activating the input transducer (14) for receiving environmental sound, analyzing the environmental sound, determining and setting the volume of the output from the output transducer (15) based on the environmental sound, and outputting the control signal at the set volume via the output transducer (15).