Beamforming Audio Enhancement With Hearing-Sensitive Multiband Gain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for measuring hearing sensitivity loss are expensive, require professional involvement, and are inconvenient, leading to delayed detection and treatment, while prolonged exposure to loud sounds can cause further hearing damage.

Innovation Solution

An intelligent hearing enhancement system that uses beamforming, adaptive amplification, and dynamic range control to analyze and enhance audio signals in real-time, taking into account individual hearing sensitivity models to reduce noise exposure and prevent further hearing loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional hearing sensitivity measurement methods are used, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but accessibility and convenience deteriorate due to requiring professional involvement and scheduling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of hearing sensitivity measurementVSAvoidprofessional involvement requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables individuals to perform their own hearing sensitivity measurements using a portable device with microphones and signal processing capabilities. The device automatically generates test signals, captures responses, and analyzes results without requiring professional operators, making the service self-serveable and accessible to anyone with the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/professional measurement system with an automated electronic system that uses digital signal generation, recording, and processing. The complex acoustic measurements are performed through software algorithms that analyze microphone signals, substituting the need for trained professionals with automated computational methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If hearing sensitivity loss is detected later, then treatment can be implemented, but hearing damage is already more severe and harder to mitigate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehearing loss mitigation effectivenessVSAvoiddetection delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary hearing sensitivity assessments that can be conducted frequently and conveniently, detecting early signs of hearing loss before significant damage occurs. By enabling regular self-monitoring, the system allows users to take preliminary actions to protect their hearing and seek professional help earlier in the deterioration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The portable device enables continuous monitoring of hearing sensitivity over time through repeated measurements. Users can track their hearing health continuously rather than relying on periodic professional visits, maintaining ongoing awareness of their hearing status and enabling timely interventions throughout the progression of potential hearing loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If audio signals are enhanced using beamforming and multichannel filtering, then signal-to-noise ratio improves, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidcomputational processing requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The audio signal processing is divided into multiple frequency channels using filter banks. Each channel processes a specific frequency range independently, allowing parallel computation that reduces the computational burden on any single processing element while achieving comprehensive noise reduction across the entire audio spectrum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The beamforming weights and filter parameters are adapted dynamically based on the measured acoustic environment and individual hearing sensitivity profiles. The system adjusts its processing characteristics in real-time to optimize signal-to-noise ratio for different listening conditions and user-specific requirements, rather than using fixed processing parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10602275B2Audio enhancement via beamforming and multichannel filtering of an input audio signal

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 FAUNUS IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Enhancing audio content based on application of different gains to different frequency bands of an audio signal is disclosed. Audio information contained in an input signal can undergo beamforming to provide an initial adjustment to the audio information, e.g., noise reduction, etc. In an embodiment beamforming can comprise double-beamforming in which first audio information is adjusted based on second audio information and the second audio information is adjusted based on the first audio information. Different gains can be applied to content in determined frequency bands, resulting in an amplified signal. In some embodiments, the gains can be related to hearing sensitivity of a listener, e.g., via a hearing sensitivity model. The amplified audio information from each frequency band can then be recombined. The recombined signal can be level limited and subjected to further digital and analog gains. The resulting output, e.g., enhanced audio, can be individually adapted for a listener.