Hearing System Acoustic Proximity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing devices require manual user input to switch between signal processing programs, leading to inefficiency and reduced audio clarity when dynamically switching between ambient and focused audio sources.
Innovation Solution
A hearing system with multiple microphones, including one positioned at the ear canal entrance and another away from it, uses a processor to determine acoustic spectra and generate a proximity indicator, automatically selecting a signal processing program based on the proximity of an object, such as a phone, to optimize sound clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual user input is required to switch between signal processing programs, then the device operates reliably with simple processing logic, but the ease of operation deteriorates and time is lost due to manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device automatically detects the acoustic environment and selects appropriate signal processing programs without requiring manual user input. The device monitors acoustic spectra from multiple microphones and autonomously determines when to switch between ambient audio mode and focused audio mode, making the system self-serve the user's needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors acoustic spectra from multiple microphones and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust signal processing program selection. The acoustic spectra serve as feedback signals that trigger automatic program switching when specific conditions are detected, such as when a phone is placed near the user's ear.
2Productivity
If manual switching between signal processing programs is implemented, then the device complexity remains low, but the productivity deteriorates due to slower response to audio source changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical switching with an automated acoustic detection and recognition system. Instead of requiring physical button presses or manual program selection, the system uses acoustic spectra analysis from multiple microphones to automatically detect audio sources and trigger appropriate signal processing programs, substituting mechanical user action with acoustic field sensing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If automatic program switching is implemented using acoustic spectra analysis, then the ease of operation and productivity improve, but the device complexity increases due to additional microphones and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple microphones positioned at different locations (ear canal entrance and away from ear canal entrance) to segment the acoustic sensing function. Each microphone captures different acoustic spectra, and the system analyzes these segmented signals to determine object proximity and select appropriate signal processing programs.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple microphones serve dual functions: they act as acoustic sensors for object detection and simultaneously function as audio input sources for the hearing device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while enhancing adaptability.
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
Enables real-time, intelligent selection of signal processing programs, providing seamless audio experiences without additional hardware, optimizing sound clarity and eliminating the need for manual user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a first microphone configured to be positioned at an ear canal entrance of a first ear of the user and output a first signal representative of audio detected by the first microphone
Implementation Method 2
a second microphone disposed on a component of the hearing system configured to be located away from the ear canal entrance and output a second signal representative of audio detected by the second microphone
Implementation Method 3
The processor may be configured to determine a first acoustic spectrum of the first signal output by the first microphone and a second acoustic spectrum of the second signal output by the second microphone
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary passive acoustic proximity detection system is configured to determine a first acoustic spectrum of a first signal representative of audio detected and output by a first microphone configured to be positioned at an ear canal entrance of a user. The detection system is further configured to determine a second acoustic spectrum of a second signal representative of audio detected and output by a second microphone configured to be located away from the ear canal entrance. Based on a comparison of the first acoustic spectrum and the second acoustic spectrum, the detection system is configured to generate a proximity indicator indicative of a proximity of an object to the first microphone. Based on the proximity indicator, the detection system is configured to select a signal processing program for execution by the passive acoustic detection system.