Bone-Conduction Sonic Transmission to Reduce Background-Noise Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing aids are expensive, prone to interference from background noise, and often fail to adequately amplify sounds, while existing wireless solutions are costly and require frequent maintenance, limiting their usability for individuals with hearing loss.
Innovation Solution
A sonic transmission device that converts sound into a radio frequency signal, wirelessly transmits it to a cellphone, and uses a bone conduction headset to deliver sound to the inner ear, eliminating background noise interference and reducing costs by utilizing a readily available cellphone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional hearing aids are used to amplify sounds for persons with hearing loss, then sound amplification is achieved, but background noise interference increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sound transmission function into multiple independent components: a transmitter that captures sound, a wireless communication channel, and a receiver that delivers sound directly to the ear. This segmentation allows the sound signal to be separated from background noise during transmission, as the receiver only processes the specific wireless signal containing the desired audio information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless radio frequency signals as an intermediary medium to transmit sound information from the transmitter to the receiver. This intermediary transmission method enables the sound signal to be conveyed without physical contact or traditional acoustic pathways that would carry background noise, allowing clean signal delivery to the ear.
2Reliability
If traditional hearing aids are prescribed to persons with hearing loss, then hearing assistance is provided, but cost and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal components that serve multiple functions: a standard cellphone or audio player that can record, store, and transmit audio signals, combined with a wireless transmitter and receiver. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for specialized hearing aid hardware, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and maintenance requirements while maintaining reliable hearing assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes existing personal electronic devices (cellphones, audio players) that users already possess and are familiar with. These self-service devices perform the hearing assistance function without requiring professional fitting, adjustment, or maintenance, allowing users to independently manage their hearing needs and reducing overall system cost.
3Ease of operation
If wireless sound transmission is implemented using existing solutions, then remote sound delivery is achieved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the audio processing, storage, and transmission functions into a single existing device (cellphone or audio player), which then communicates with a simple wireless transmitter and receiver. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate specialized components for each function, while maintaining ease of remote sound delivery.
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
Provides reliable, cost-effective sound transmission to the inner ear, reducing background noise interference and maintaining sound quality for individuals with hearing loss without the need for frequent maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter which receives a sound from a source and converts the sound into a first radio frequency signal
Implementation Method 2
The first radio frequency signal is sent to a receiver, which converts the same into a sonic signal
Implementation Method 3
The audio producer may take the form of a headset, which may be a bone conduction headset
Data Source
AI summary
A sonic transmission device for delivering sound from a source to the ear of a human utilizing a transmitter for receiving the sound and converting the sound into a first radio frequency signal. A receiver acquires the first radio frequency signal and converts it into an electronic signal which is received by a cellular phone. The cellular phone converts the electronic signal into a second radio frequency signal which is acquired by an audio producing mechanism.