Hearing Aid Gesture Control via Acoustic Virtual Positions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing aids lack intuitive gesture control and visual interface accessibility, making it difficult for users to conveniently select settings without relying on touchscreens or buttons.
Innovation Solution
The method involves presenting acoustic signals from virtual positions to represent setting options, allowing users to select them by moving their body parts, with detected movements automatically assigning the corresponding settings using sensors like magnetic fields or acceleration sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hearing aids use traditional buttons or remote controls for operation, then the device can be controlled, but the operation becomes complex and less intuitive for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical buttons and remote controls with a gesture-based control system using motion sensors to detect head movements. This substitution eliminates the need for physical interaction with buttons or external devices, making operation more intuitive and reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing aid system automatically detects and interprets user intent through head movement gestures without requiring manual activation or complex menu navigation. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring sensor data and automatically translating gestures into control commands, reducing the operational burden on users.
2Loss of information
If hearing aids present setting options visually through menus, then users can see available options, but users with visual impairments cannot access these options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces acoustic signals as an intermediary medium to convey setting option information to users. Instead of relying solely on visual displays, the system uses sound to present available options and provide feedback, making information accessible to users with visual impairments while maintaining the same information delivery mechanism for all users.
Solution Approach 2:
The gesture-based control system serves multiple functions: it provides intuitive control for all users, accommodates users with visual impairments by eliminating reliance on visual menus, and maintains compatibility with both visual and non-visual information processing needs, thereby increasing overall system adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If hearing aids require activation of touchscreen or buttons for speech recognition, then text entry can be achieved, but the operation becomes less convenient and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors sensor data and prepares to interpret gestures in real-time, eliminating the need for manual activation before speech recognition or text entry. By having the gesture recognition system ready and waiting, the user can immediately perform gestures to trigger functions without preliminary activation steps, saving time and simplifying operation.
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 approach enables intuitive and accessible selection of hearing aid settings through acoustic cues, improving usability, especially for users with visual impairments or limited motor skills, by allowing selection without a visual interface.
Implementation Method 1
presenting a first acoustic signal by means of the hearing aid device as coming from a first virtual position, the first acoustic signal representing a first setting option of the hearing aid device
Implementation Method 2
detecting a position or movement of the body part of the user, automatically assigning the detected position or movement of the body part to the first or second virtual position
Implementation Method 3
with detected movements automatically assigning the corresponding settings using sensors like magnetic fields or acceleration sensors
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The method involves presenting first and second acoustic signals (10, 11) originating from first and second virtual positions by a hearing aid device, respectively, where the acoustic signals represent respective setting options of the device. A body part of a user (13) is induced to one of the virtual positions, and a position or movement of the body part of the user is detected. The detected position or movement of the body part is automatically assigned to the virtual position, where the setting option corresponding to the assigned virtual position is chosen. The setting options concern a hearing aid program, volume, pitch, directional characteristics, intercarrier noise suppressor or hearing contents. An independent claim is also included for a hearing aid device.