Audio Signal Processing Mode Switching for Hearing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing devices, such as hearing aids and hearables, have limited capabilities in selectively amplifying desired voices while filtering out unwanted sounds in noisy environments, leading to increased cognitive load and difficulty in participating in conversations.
Innovation Solution
A method that captures noisy audio signals from a user's environment and processes them using different modes: a 'several' mode that applies sound separation to filter out unwanted sounds, and an 'everyone' mode that includes all voices without sound separation, allowing users to dynamically switch between modes based on user indications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sound separation is applied to filter out unwanted sounds, then the user's ability to focus on desired voices is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two processing modes (first processing mode with sound separation and second processing mode without sound separation) based on user indications. This allows the device to adapt its complexity level to user needs, applying sound separation only when required rather than continuously, thus managing computational load while maintaining ease of operation when needed.
2Ease of operation
If sound separation is applied to filter out background noise, then the cognitive load is reduced, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically activates sound separation processing only when a user indication is detected, switching between processing modes based on real-time user needs. This on-demand approach reduces cognitive load when required while minimizing unnecessary processing time when sound separation is not needed, optimizing the trade-off between cognitive assistance and processing efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all voices are included without sound separation, then the adaptability to different environments is improved, but the user's ability to focus on desired voices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides adaptability by allowing users to switch between two processing modes based on environmental needs. The second processing mode (no sound separation) offers versatility for environments where all voices are needed, while the first processing mode (with sound separation) enhances focus on desired voices. This dynamic switching capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the user to select the appropriate mode for the current situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing device implements multi-functionality by incorporating both processing modes within a single device. The system can function in both sound separation mode and full audio mode, making it universally applicable to different listening scenarios and environments, thus providing both adaptability and focused listening capability through a single unified device.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, product and apparatus comprising: capturing a first noisy audio signal from an environment of a user; generating a first enhanced audio signal by implementing a first processing mode to apply sound separation to the first noisy audio signal, whereby at least one sound from an entity is filtered out from the first enhanced audio signal; outputting to the user the first enhanced audio signal; in response to a user indication, changing the first processing mode to a second processing mode; capturing a second noisy audio signal from the environment; generating a second enhanced audio signal by implementing the second processing mode to not apply the sound separation, whereby sounds from a plurality of entities comprising the entity remain unfiltered in the second enhanced audio signal; and outputting to the user the second enhanced audio signal.