Ear-Wearable Device Prioritizing High-Priority Sensor Notifications

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users often overlook important notifications due to overwhelming amounts of messages from various sources, and existing systems fail to effectively differentiate time-sensitive information, requiring user interaction and setup that can be distracting or impractical.

Innovation Solution

An ear-wearable device system equipped with physiological sensors and a processor that identifies high-priority sensor information, provides audio voice messages directly to the user, and integrates supplemental data to deliver relevant notifications, such as geo-location information, using machine learning to improve analysis techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If traditional notification systems deliver all messages to users, then users receive complete information, but users feel overwhelmed and ignore important messages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification delivery completenessVSAvoiduser attention management
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different notification channels and priorities to different types of messages based on their importance. High-priority messages are delivered through multiple channels (visual, auditory, haptic) while low-priority messages use standard notifications, creating localized quality differences in information delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The notification system segments messages into different priority levels (high, medium, low) and delivers them through different channels. This segmentation allows important messages to be distinguished and delivered effectively without overwhelming the user with all messages treated equally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If users interact with devices to view full notification content, then users can access complete information, but users must be physically distracted from other activities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification content accessibilityVSAvoiduser distraction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The notification system acts as an intermediary by delivering summarized notification content directly to the user through multiple sensory channels (visual display, auditory output, haptic feedback). This eliminates the need for users to physically interact with the device to view content, allowing them to receive complete information while remaining engaged in other activities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces mechanical interaction (physically unlocking, pressing buttons, scrolling) with automated sensory delivery of notification content. Users receive full notification information through visual, auditory, or haptic channels without needing to manually access the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If systems mix time-sensitive and low-priority notifications, then all notifications are delivered uniformly, but time-sensitive information is lost among other notifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification system simplicityVSAvoidtime-sensitive information visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different delivery mechanisms and priorities to different notification types. High-priority, time-sensitive notifications are delivered immediately through prominent channels (visual alerts, auditory signals, haptic feedback) while low-priority notifications use standard queues, creating localized quality differences that ensure time-sensitive information remains visible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If systems require user customization for notifications, then users can personalize their experience, but users must remember meanings assigned to various ring tones and chimes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification customizationVSAvoiduser setup complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically manages notification priorities and delivery methods without requiring extensive user customization. The system self-adjusts by analyzing notification sources and types, automatically assigning appropriate priority levels and delivery channels, thereby providing adaptability while minimizing setup complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3989802B1Direct informative communication through an ear-wearable device
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 STARKEY LABORATORIES INC
  • EP3989802B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3989802B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3989802B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system are described for providing high-priority notification messages to a user of an ear-wearable device system. The ear-wearable device system includes a physiological sensor present on, within, or carried with the user and an ear-wearable device comprising a speaker, a microphone, a processor, a memory storage, and a wireless communication device. The system is capable of receiving a plurality of sensor messages from the physiological sensor, identifying high-priority sensor information from among the plurality of received sensor messages, identifying content for an audio voice message to provide to the user, and providing the audio voice message at the speaker of the ear-wearable device. The content includes user notification information containing or based on the high-priority sensor information identified from among the received sensor messages