Earpiece Distance Sensing for Hearing Aid Power State Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing aids face challenges in minimizing power consumption due to the small dimensions of the device, which limits the space for switching mechanisms, making it difficult to control the transition between standby and active states efficiently while maintaining user-controllable functionality.
Innovation Solution
A hearing aid device equipped with a first and second distance sensor arranged one behind the other in the earpiece, which transmits signals to a control unit to determine the operating state based on changes in proximity to the ear, allowing the device to switch between active and inactive states when inserted or removed from the external auditory canal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate switching device is added to control the transition between standby and normal operation, then the controllability of the hearing aid is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid automatically detects insertion and removal events through the distance sensor and autonomously transitions between operating states without requiring manual user input. The device serves itself by monitoring its own spatial context and adjusting its power state accordingly, eliminating the need for separate switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or manual switching mechanisms with a sensor-based detection system. The distance sensor optically detects the user's ear to determine insertion status, substituting physical switches or buttons with an optical sensing mechanism that automatically triggers state transitions.
2Ease of operation
If the hearing aid maintains continuous operation to ensure immediate availability, then the ease of operation is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing aid dynamically adjusts its operating state based on real-time detection of insertion events. The system transitions from a low-power standby state to a full-power normal operating state only when needed (upon detection of ear insertion), and vice versa when removed. This dynamic state management ensures immediate availability when required while minimizing power consumption during non-use periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance sensor periodically monitors the spatial context to detect insertion and removal events. The system uses periodic sensing to trigger state transitions, maintaining readiness to detect user needs while operating in low-power mode between detection cycles, thus balancing availability with energy efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If the distance sensor continuously monitors proximity to detect insertion events, then the detection precision is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distance sensor operates in a periodic monitoring mode, conducting proximity measurements at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. This periodic operation maintains sufficient detection precision for identifying insertion events while significantly reducing the average power consumption compared to continuous monitoring. The sensor activates only when needed to detect state changes.
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
This solution enables simple user-controlled operation state transitions with minimal power consumption by using contactless distance sensors to detect earpiece insertion and removal, thereby activating or deactivating the hearing aid without the need for separate switching mechanisms, optimizing energy management.
Implementation Method 1
contactless distance sensors to detect earpiece insertion and removal
Data Source
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a hearing device (1), in particular a hearing aid (2), comprising an earpiece (17) with a first distance sensor (18) and a second distance sensor (20), as well as a control unit (26), wherein the first distance sensor (18) is configured to transfer a first distance signal (18a) to the control unit (26), wherein the second distance sensor (20) is configured to transfer a second distance signal (20a) to the control unit (26), wherein the earpiece (17) can be inserted into the outer auditory canal of a user of the hearing device (1) for operating the hearing device (1), and wherein the control unit (26) is configured to control an operating state (58, 60) of the hearing device (1) according to changes in the first distance signal (18a) and the second distance signal (20a). The invention further relates to a method (40) for controlling a hearing device (1).