Binaural Audio Controller for Hearing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices, such as Bluetooth headphones, typically provide one-dimensional sound, lacking spatial location information, which can be problematic for users in multi-stream audio environments, especially for hearing-impaired individuals and in public spaces where multiple audio sources can overwhelm and complicate audio prioritization.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of audio controller circuitry that accesses and adjusts audio data from multiple devices based on their spatial locations and the listener's position, transmitting a binaural sound to hearing devices, allowing users to prioritize audio sources based on their orientation and proximity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional one-dimensional sound transmission is used in hearing devices, then the device complexity is low, but the spatial awareness and audio prioritization capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms traditional one-dimensional audio transmission into three-dimensional binaural sound by incorporating spatial location information. The audio controller circuitry processes audio data to generate binaural sounds that convey directional and spatial cues, enabling users to perceive the location of audio sources in three-dimensional space rather than just volume and frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments audio streams from multiple sources by assigning each source a unique spatial location. The audio controller separates and processes audio data from different devices independently, applying spatial filtering and prioritization rules to each stream based on its identified location relative to the listener.
2Loss of information
If multiple audio streams are processed without spatial prioritization, then the ease of operation is high, but the loss of information increases due to inability to prioritize sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the audio controller continuously monitors the positions of audio sources relative to the listener and dynamically adjusts audio prioritization. The system uses sensor data from the hearing device (such as accelerometer and gyroscope readings) to determine listener orientation and adjusts which audio streams are prioritized based on this feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio controller circuitry acts as an intermediary between multiple audio sources and the listener. It receives audio data from various devices, processes spatial information, applies prioritization rules, and outputs mixed binaural sound to the hearing device, mediating the complex interaction between multiple sources and the user.
3Loss of information
If binaural sound processing is implemented, then the spatial awareness improves, but the use of energy increases due to complex audio processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial processing by selectively prioritizing certain audio streams based on spatial location rather than processing all audio data with equal complexity. The audio controller identifies and processes only the most relevant audio sources based on predefined prioritization rules and spatial relationships, reducing computational load while maintaining essential spatial awareness.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to generate binaural sounds for hearing devices. An example apparatus includes processor circuitry to at least access audio data corresponding to multiple devices, ones of the multiple devices positioned at spatial locations relative to a listener, identify a position of the listener relative to the multiple devices, adjust, based on the spatial locations and the position of the listener, the audio data associated with at least one of the multiple devices, transmit the adjusted audio data to a hearing device associated with the listener, the adjusted audio data including a binaural sound corresponding to each of the spatial locations.