Ear-worn Device Angular Position Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing devices with orientation-dependent components, such as hearing aids, experience suboptimal performance when worn by users with hunched or stooped postures due to improper angular positioning, leading to diminished sound amplification and signal reception.
Innovation Solution
An ear-worn electronic device equipped with sensors to monitor its angular position relative to gravity and adjust its operation by implementing corrective actions, such as altering microphone and telecoil settings, to optimize performance even when worn in suboptimal orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hearing device is designed with orientation-dependent components for optimal performance at a specific angular position, then device performance is optimized at that position, but performance deteriorates when the device is worn at other angular positions (e.g., hunched or stooped posture)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the device's operational parameters adaptive rather than fixed. The processor dynamically adjusts microphone gain, telecoil gain, and noise reduction parameters based on real-time angular position data from the sensor. This allows the device to maintain optimal performance across varying angular positions by continuously adapting its configuration to match the current orientation, resolving the contradiction between optimized performance at a specific angle and adaptability across multiple angles.
2Reliability
If the device operates with fixed parameters designed for optimal angular position, then performance at that position is maximized, but the device cannot compensate for suboptimal positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a sensor to continuously monitor the angular position of the device and feeding this information back to the processor. The processor then adjusts operational parameters based on the detected angular position. This closed-loop feedback system enables the device to automatically compensate for suboptimal positioning, maintaining reliable performance across a range of postures without requiring user intervention or repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-service by autonomously detecting its own angular position and adjusting its operational parameters without external intervention. The sensor and processor work together to automatically optimize performance based on the device's current orientation, eliminating the need for user awareness or correction of posture issues. This self-adjusting capability enhances ease of operation by making the device tolerant to posture variations.
3Reliability
If the device uses orientation-dependent components, then performance can be optimized for normal posture, but users with hunched or stooped posture experience suboptimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying operational parameters (microphone gain, telecoil gain, noise reduction settings) based on detected angular position. When the sensor detects that the device is at an angular position corresponding to hunched or stooped posture, the processor adjusts these parameters to compensate for the suboptimal orientation. This dynamic parameter adjustment enables the device to maintain reliable sound amplification and signal reception across different user postures, resolving the contradiction between optimization for normal posture and compatibility with varied postures.
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 device improves sound amplification and signal reception by adapting its performance based on the user's posture, ensuring optimal functionality regardless of the angular position, thereby enhancing the listening experience for users with kyphosis or improper fittings.
Implementation Method 1
sensing an angular position of the device relative to a horizontal plane oriented orthogonal to a direction of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing device comprises a processor operatively coupled to memory, a speaker or a receiver, and one or both of a microphone arrangement and a telecoil arrangement. A sensor is operatively coupled to the processor and configured to sense an angular position of the device relative to a horizontal plane oriented orthogonal to a direction of gravity. The processor is configured to detect a change in the angular position of the device from a first angular position to a second angular position, the first angular position corresponding to a specified angular position that provides for a target or optimal level of device performance and the second angular position resulting in suboptimal device performance. The processor is also configured to implement a corrective action that improves performance of the device relative to the suboptimal device performance while operating the device at the second angular position.