Hearable Group Switching for Multiple Conversations in Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
People face difficulties in communicating effectively in noisy environments, especially when using hearing aids, as noise cancellation settings do not fully address the issue.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for establishing and managing connections between auditory devices, such as hearing aids, headphones, and earbuds, using hearable-to-hearable communication, allowing devices to form groups, switch between groups, and manage conversations based on user gestures, AI recognition, and user requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hearing aids use noise cancellation settings to improve hearing ability, then the user's ability to hear is improved, but the problem of communicating in noisy environments is not completely fixed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system between auditory devices and external devices (smartphones, tablets). This intermediary layer processes audio signals, identifies speakers, and directs relevant audio to specific hearing aids, effectively mediating the noise interference problem without compromising hearing ability improvement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the audio communication into separate channels by identifying and isolating different speakers' voices. Each hearing aid can be individually directed to receive audio from specific speakers, allowing the system to handle multiple audio streams simultaneously and reduce noise interference for each individual hearing aid
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conversations are managed manually, then communication flexibility is improved, but user intervention and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting which hearing aids should communicate with which external devices based on spatial proximity and user gestures. The system autonomously establishes and manages multiple communication connections without requiring manual user intervention, thereby maintaining flexibility while reducing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors user gestures, spatial relationships, and communication status. This feedback loop allows the system to dynamically adjust connections and routing decisions in real-time, maintaining adaptability while automating the management process to reduce user burden
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations generally relate to conversations using hearable-to-hearable communication, according to some implementations. In some implementations, a method includes establishing a connection between auditory devices of a first group of auditory devices, where the first group of auditory devices includes at least a first auditory device and a second auditory device. The method further includes creating a second group of auditory devices in response to a group creation trigger event. The method further includes establishing a connection between auditory devices of the second group of auditory devices, where the second group of auditory devices includes at least the first auditory device and a third auditory device.