Hearing Aid Control via Communication Device Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for controlling hearing aids lack user-friendly interfaces and efficient methods for managing hearing aid operations, particularly in integrating with personal communication devices for seamless audio streaming and control.

Innovation Solution

A computer-readable storage medium with executable instructions that connects a personal communication device to a hearing aid via a short-range radio link, providing a user interface for controlling the hearing aid and activating it upon reception of an activation signal, allowing for intuitive operation and program switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hearing aid system integrates with a personal communication device for remote control and audio streaming, then the functionality and user experience are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate functional modules: the hearing aid device, the personal communication device, and the application software. Each module handles specific tasks independently, allowing the system to provide enhanced functionality without requiring each individual device to be overly complex. The hearing aid handles audio processing while the personal communication device handles user interface and control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An application software acts as an intermediary between the hearing aid and the personal communication device. This software layer manages the communication protocols, control signals, and data exchange, simplifying the integration complexity by providing a standardized interface layer that handles the complexity of device-to-device communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the user interface is always accessible for controlling hearing aid operations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of time due to navigation delays increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidactivation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface application is pre-loaded and ready in the personal communication device's memory. When the hearing aid transmits an activation signal, the interface is immediately launched without requiring the user to navigate through multiple menus or wait for app loading. This preliminary preparation eliminates activation delays while keeping the interface accessible when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enhances the usability of hearing aid control software by enabling easy access to a user interface for managing hearing aid programs and audio streaming, improving user experience and convenience through a single key press activation.

Implementation Method 1

connects the personal communication device with at least one hearing aid via a short range radio communication link

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3167626B2Personal communication device having application software for controlling the operation of at least one hearing aid
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 WIDEX AS
  • EP3167626B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3167626B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3167626B2 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A hearing system includes at least one hearing aid (10) and a personal communication device (17) both having a short range radio transceiver for providing a short range radio communication link. The personal communication device includes application software for controlling the operation of said at least one hearing aid. The at least one hearing aid has a user operable control for opening the user interface of the application software on said personal communication device.