Gesture-Controlled Hearables for Adaptive Conversation Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearable devices struggle to effectively adjust auditory pickup configurations based on the number and positioning of conversational participants, leading to suboptimal sound capture in noisy environments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that detects user gestures, such as head and eye movements, to dynamically modify the auditory pickup configuration of hearable devices, including changes in microphone type and directionality, to focus on relevant speakers while attenuating background noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If directional microphones are used to focus on sounds from a specific direction, then the pickup of sounds from the target direction is improved, but the ability to capture sounds from multiple directions simultaneously is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different auditory pickup configurations (narrow, medium, wide) based on real-time detection of user head gestures. The system transitions from static microphone settings to dynamic reconfiguration, allowing the auditory pickup range to adapt to the user's intended focus direction through detected head movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the auditory pickup parameter (lateral range) in response to detected gestures. When a gesture indicating directional focus is detected, the system switches from a wide auditory pickup configuration to a narrow one, thereby changing the lateral range parameter to concentrate sound capture on a specific direction.
2Loss of information
If the auditory pickup configuration is adjusted to focus on a specific direction, then the clarity of conversation from that direction is improved, but the ability to hear participants from other directions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from gesture detection to continuously adjust the auditory pickup configuration. By monitoring user head movements and interpreting them as directional intent, the system provides real-time feedback control that optimizes conversation clarity from the user's focused direction while maintaining the ability to switch configurations for multi-directional hearing when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The auditory pickup configuration dynamically adapts between narrow and wide settings based on detected user gestures. This dynamic behavior allows the system to switch between prioritizing conversation clarity from a specific direction and maintaining broader multi-directional awareness, resolving the contradiction through time-varying configuration.
3Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of auditory pickup configuration is required, then the user has precise control over sound capture, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment of the auditory pickup configuration by automatically detecting user head gestures and autonomously switching between different pickup modes. This eliminates the need for manual intervention while maintaining precise control, as the system interprets natural head movements as configuration commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an automated gesture recognition system. Instead of requiring users to physically adjust controls, the system uses sensors to detect head movements and automatically translates them into configuration changes, substituting mechanical operation with electronic gesture-based control.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations generally relate to the control of hearables. In some implementations, a method includes detecting at least one gesture of a user. The method further includes modifying a current auditory pickup configuration associated with a hearing device associated with the user based on the at least one gesture, where the hearing device is configured to detect one or more sounds.