Binaural Hearing System Gesture Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing devices face challenges in reliably identifying and distinguishing between various manual gestures due to accidental or inaccurate user interactions, particularly when using single displacement data from a single hearing device, leading to potential false activations.
Innovation Solution
A hearing system with two displacement sensors, one for each ear, communicates to determine a variation measure that matches a pattern characteristic for specific manual gestures, enhancing reliability and allowing intuitive user interaction for volume control, program switching, and phone call management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single displacement sensor is used in one hearing device to detect manual gestures, then the device structure remains simple, but the reliability of gesture identification is low due to accidental or inaccurate user interactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines displacement sensors from two hearing devices into a unified gesture detection system. The processing unit receives displacement data from both sensors and integrates this information to identify manual gestures, thereby improving reliability through redundant data sources while maintaining manageable system complexity through centralized processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-device one-dimensional gesture detection to dual-device multi-dimensional detection. By incorporating displacement data from two spatially separated sensors, the system creates a more comprehensive detection space that enables more accurate gesture pattern recognition and reduces false activations.
2Reliability
If multiple displacement sensors are used to improve gesture identification reliability, then false activations are reduced, but the device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the inherent displacement data from both hearing devices during normal operation to simultaneously serve dual purposes: maintaining audio functionality and enabling gesture detection. The existing sensor infrastructure is repurposed for gesture identification, avoiding additional hardware complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement sensors in the hearing devices serve multiple functions: they continue to monitor device position and movement for audio processing while simultaneously providing data for manual gesture identification. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated gesture sensors, reducing overall system complexity.
3Ease of operation
If manual control elements like pushbuttons are provided on the hearing device, then user interaction is enabled, but the control element size is limited by device size and wearing position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical control elements (pushbuttons, switches) with a gesture-based control system. Manual gestures detected through displacement sensors substitute for physical buttons, enabling users to interact with the device through natural movements in space rather than manipulating small components constrained by device dimensions.
4Ease of operation
If movement-based user interaction is employed, then intuitive control is achieved, but false activations occur due to accidental or inaccurate execution of movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different analysis criteria to displacement data from different spatial locations (left and right hearing devices). By evaluating the specific pattern, magnitude, and coordination of movements at each device location, the system can distinguish between intentional gestures and accidental movements, reducing false activations while maintaining intuitive control.
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 system effectively identifies and differentiates between multiple manual gestures with high reliability, reducing accidental activations and providing a convenient, intuitive way for users to control hearing device operations.
Implementation Method 1
both hearing devices comprising a displacement sensor configured to provide displacement data indicative of a rotational displacement and/or a translational displacement of the hearing device
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a hearing system comprising a first hearing device and a second hearing device configured to be worn at a respective ear of a user, each hearing device comprising a displacement sensor configured to provide respective displacement data indicative of a rotational displacement and/or a translational displacement of the hearing device, and a processing unit communicatively coupled to the displacement sensors. The disclosure further relates to a corresponding method of operating a hearing system, and a computer-readable medium storing instructions to perform the method.