Hearing Aid EOG Eye Movement Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern hearing assistance devices require conspicuous movement or interaction to input commands, which can be distracting and prone to reliability issues due to moisture ingress, electrical noise, and inconvenient placement of controls.

Innovation Solution

The use of electrooculogram (EOG) technology to track eye movements and adjust hearing assistance device parameters, eliminating the need for external controls by using electrodes placed in the ear canal or on the ear to detect eye movement and control functions such as volume or memory presets through left-to-right eye movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pushbuttons or remote controls are used for input commands, then device control functionality is achieved, but user distraction and reliability issues increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice controlVSAvoidcontrol reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical pushbuttons and external remote controls with an electrooculogram (EOG) based eye-tracking system. electrodes detect electrical potential differences generated by eye movements, converting mechanical eye motion into control signals. This eliminates mechanical wear, moisture ingress issues, and electrical noise problems associated with traditional mechanical control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary EOG signal detection system between the user and the hearing device controls. Instead of direct mechanical interaction with buttons or remotes, the user's eye movements are detected by electrodes and translated into control commands through signal processing, serving as a reliable intermediary that eliminates direct mechanical contact issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If pushbuttons or external remotes are used for control, then device functionality is accessible, but user distraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommand inputVSAvoiduser attention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The hearing device performs self-service by using its own electrodes to detect eye movements and generate control signals autonomously. The system monitors the user's natural eye movements and automatically translates them into device control commands without requiring the user to manually operate external controls or divert attention from their environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical control operations with automatic eye-tracking detection. The EOG system continuously monitors eye position and movements, automatically converting them into control signals for volume adjustment, preset selection, and other device functions, eliminating the need for conscious manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If traditional control mechanisms are used, then device control is achieved, but moisture ingress and electrical noise issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol mechanismVSAvoidmoisture ingress and electrical noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical pushbuttons and external control interfaces with a bioelectrical field detection system. The EOG electrodes detect natural electrical potentials generated by the eye's corneo-retinal potential during movement, eliminating the need for mechanical components that are susceptible to moisture ingress and electrical interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control mechanism from mechanical parameter changes (button presses, remote control signals) to detection of physiological electrical parameters (EOG signals). By measuring electrical potential differences in the microvolt range generated by eye movements, the system achieves control without mechanical components that are vulnerable to environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Provides a user-friendly, reliable, and low-power control method that enhances user satisfaction by allowing intuitive control of hearing aids without the need for external devices or actions, reducing distractions and improving device reliability.

Implementation Method 1

tracking eye movements of the wearer using a sensor on or in the hearing assistance device to obtain an electrooculogram (EOG)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrooculogram (EOG): Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS9167356B2Electrooculogram as a control in a hearing assistance device

Publication Date: 2015.10.20 STARKEY LABORATORIES INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for controlling operation of a hearing assistance device. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of operating a hearing assistance device worn by a wearer. The method includes tracking eye movements of the wearer using a sensor on or in the hearing assistance device to obtain an electrooculogram (EOG). At least one parameter of the hearing assistance device is adjusted using the EOG, according to various embodiments.