Body-Worn Audio Interface with Integrated Visual Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user interfaces for body-worn communications devices, such as hearing aids, are complex and difficult to navigate, especially when handling multiple audio sources and mobile phone calls, lacking intuitive ways to manage and indicate status and commands.
Innovation Solution
A body-worn communications device with a simplified user interface using push-button combinations, audio-visual cues, and tactile feedback to indicate commands and status, allowing for one-click acceptance or rejection of calls and seamless audio signal forwarding to hearing aids without operating the hearing aid itself, utilizing a combination of visual and audio indicators like color lights and tones to convey information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple audio sources and control functions are integrated into the hearing aid itself, then functionality and versatility are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two functional segments: the hearing aid handles audio processing and delivery, while the separate body-worn communications device handles control functions, audio source selection, and interface management. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The body-worn communications device acts as an intermediary between the user and the hearing aid. It provides a remote control interface that simplifies user interaction by handling complex operations (audio source selection, call management, volume control) away from the small hearing aid device, thereby improving ease of operation without limiting functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple audio sources and control functions are integrated into the hearing aid itself, then functionality and versatility are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The body-worn communications device serves as an intermediary control interface that provides ergonomic buttons, visual displays, and intuitive controls for managing audio sources and hearing aid functions. This intermediary handles complex operations remotely, making the system easy to operate while maintaining full functionality through wireless communication with the hearing aid.
3Ease of operation
If a remote communications device is used to control the hearing aid, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control functions into a separate body-worn device, providing ease of operation through ergonomic controls and clear visual feedback. While this adds a second device, each component remains relatively simple in its own right, and the overall system complexity is managed through standardized wireless communication protocols and modular architecture.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
AI summary
The invention relates to a body worn communications device for communicating with a head-worn listening device, the communications device being adapted for receiving a multitude of audio signals and for transmitting at least one audio signal selected among the multitude of audio signals to the listening device, the communications device comprising a number of functional push-buttons for influencing the selection and properties of said audio signals. The invention further relates to a system, a method, and use. The object of the present invention is to provide a simple user interface between an audio selection device and a head-worn listening device, such as a hearing aid. The problem is solved in that the communications device comprises a user interface comprising a number of functional push-buttons for influencing the state of the user interface, such as the selection (and de-selection) of an audio signal, events and properties related to the audio signal, and wherein the state of the user interface is indicated at the same button where the state can be influenced. Among the advantages for a user are: Clear visual feedback by using simple button light indications; operation and indication are tied together in the buttons; the combination of audio and visual indications. The invention may e.g. be used for the hearing aids, ear phones, head sets, etc.