Eyeglass Hearing Structure With Temple Audio and Vital Sign Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eyeglass hearing devices require separate mechanical structures for securing to the head and delivering sound to the ear, which can be cumbersome and unsightly, and they lack reliable biosensing capabilities for vital signs.
Innovation Solution
An eyeglass hearing device with a medially oriented speaker, temple portion extending anterior to the ear, and biosensors positioned near the superficial temporal artery for non-invasive vital sign detection, along with multiple microphones and processors for enhanced hearing and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate mechanical structures are used for securing the eyeglass to the head and delivering sound to the ear, then the device can fulfill both functions, but the structure becomes cumbersome and unsightly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sound delivery function with the temple portion structure. The speaker is integrated into the temple portion that extends over the ear, eliminating the need for separate sound delivery structures. This merging of functions reduces overall device complexity while maintaining both securing and sound delivery capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The temple portion is designed to serve multiple functions: it secures the eyeglass to the head, delivers sound to the ear, and houses biosensors for vital sign detection. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mechanical structures, reducing complexity while improving wearability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If biosensors are incorporated into the wearable hearing device, then vital sign sensing capability is provided, but the reliability of biological signal sensing is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the temple portion as an intermediary structure that provides stable contact with the user's head. This stable mechanical interface serves as a mediator between the biosensors and the user, improving the reliability of biological signal sensing by reducing movement artifacts and ensuring consistent sensor-to-skin contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The biosensors are specifically positioned at locations on the temple portion that optimize contact with specific body parts (ear, temple area). This localized placement ensures reliable sensing of vital signs by targeting areas with good blood flow and skin contact, such as near the ear where the temple portion naturally rests.
3Loss of energy
If the speaker is placed outside the ear cavity, then ambient noise suppression is reduced, but energy consumption is higher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the speaker placement with the temple portion structure, positioning the speaker to deliver sound directly into the ear canal from outside the ear cavity. This integrated placement achieves efficient energy transfer to the eardrum while the temple portion structure and ear canal geometry provide natural ambient noise suppression.
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 efficient sound delivery, improved hearing in noisy environments, reliable biosensing, and enhanced communication features, including directional sound pickup and vital sign monitoring, while maintaining a sleek design.
Implementation Method 1
The temple 26 and condyle area 27 are highly vascular underneath the skin, mainly due to the presence of the superficial temporal artery 28 and its branches 29
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes eyeglass hearing devices, systems and methods of enhancing the hearing ability, while providing reliable biosensing of vital signs with sensors located along the path of superficial temporal artery. A temple portion extending downward in front of the ear then medially into the ear cavity secures the eyeglass device to the head and provides highly efficient sound delivery. An array of microphones enables high directionality for enhancing speech recognition in noisy environments. The eyeglass hearing device may be communicatively coupled to a smartphone for telephony, audio streaming, and for selecting the directionality for sound pickup. Applications include hearing enhancement, music listening, telephony, voice detection, voice authentication, speaker isolation, audio recording, language translation, and acoustic scene detection.