Hearing Aid Formal Language Adjustment Model

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hearing aid adjustment systems are complex and require extensive software engineering processes, making it difficult for experts in audiology to efficiently adjust hearing apparatuses without involving specialists in software development.

Innovation Solution

A method using a formal language to create a model of hearing apparatus components, allowing application experts to define and automatically translate adjustments into machine-executable code, enabling autonomous adjustment of hearing systems without requiring extensive software development expertise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional software engineering processes are used for hearing aid adjustment, then the system can be adjusted with high precision and reliability, but the complexity of the adjustment process increases and requires extensive software development expertise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment reliabilityVSAvoidsoftware engineering complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a formal language as an intermediary between the audiologist's domain knowledge and the complex hearing aid adjustment system. This formal language serves as a mediator that allows experts to define adjustment parameters in a standardized, machine-readable format without needing to engage with the underlying software complexity directly. The formal language translates human-readable adjustment specifications into executable code automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual software development and configuration processes with an automated translation system. Instead of requiring software developers to manually program adjustment parameters, the system uses a compiler that automatically translates formal language specifications into machine-executable code. This substitution of manual mechanical programming with automated translation reduces the complexity barrier while maintaining adjustment reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a formal language with automatic translation is implemented, then the ease of operation for audiology experts improves, but the device complexity and development requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adjustmentVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service adjustment programming where audiology experts can independently create and execute adjustment programs without requiring software development support. The formal language and automatic translation mechanism allow experts to program adjustments autonomously, with the system handling the complex translation and execution automatically. This self-service capability improves ease of operation while the system manages its own complexity internally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The formal language acts as an intermediary layer that simplifies the interface between the user and the complex adjustment system. Experts interact with the system through the intuitive formal language rather than directly with the complex underlying software architecture. The automatic translation compiler handles the complexity of converting formal specifications into executable code, shielding users from system complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If extensive software development processes are used, then the manufacturing precision of adjustment parameters is improved, but the development time and resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter precisionVSAvoiddevelopment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming manual software development with an automated translation process. The compiler automatically translates formal language specifications into executable adjustment code, eliminating the need for manual programming and testing by software developers. This automated mechanism maintains manufacturing precision of adjustment parameters while dramatically reducing development time and resource requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The formal language and translation infrastructure are prepared in advance as a reusable framework. Once the formal language compiler is established, new adjustment programs can be created through rapid translation rather than requiring extensive development work for each new adjustment scenario. This preliminary preparation of the translation system enables fast, precise adjustment programming with minimal development time for each specific application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If a formal language framework is established, then the adaptability for different hearing loss types and situations is improved, but the initial development complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidinitial development complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The formal language framework is designed to be universal and multi-functional, capable of handling various hearing loss types, ambient situations, and adjustment scenarios through a single standardized language. The same formal language infrastructure supports different application cases without requiring separate development for each scenario. This universality improves adaptability while the initial development complexity is amortized across multiple use cases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The formal language serves as a universal intermediary that abstracts the complexity of different hearing loss types and adjustment scenarios into a unified representation. Instead of requiring separate programming approaches for different applications, the formal language provides a common interface that the compiler translates into appropriate executable code for each specific case. This intermediary framework enables high adaptability while managing development complexity through standardization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9113279B2Method for adjusting a hearing apparatus via a formal language
Publication Date: 2015.08.18 SIVANTOS PTE LTD
  • US9113279B2 patent drawing
  • US9113279B2 patent drawing
  • US9113279B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method adjusts a hearing apparatus and thus provides a simplified hearing aid. In the method, a model is created which describes individual hardware components of the hearing apparatus. In addition a formal language is created on the basis of the model. The formal language is used to develop a program. The program is translated into machine executable code. The code is then transferred to the hearing apparatus, the execution of which causes the hearing apparatus to be adjusted automatically in accordance with the program. As an alternative to the transfer to the hearing system, the code is executed by a hearing aid adjustment program and a target parameter set for the hearing apparatus which the adjustment program then transfers into the hearing apparatus is thus calculated.