Hearing Aid Head Rotation Detection for Speech Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hearing aids face challenges in accurately identifying and isolating speech from multiple speakers in complex conversation situations due to imprecision in speech recognition algorithms, particularly when not all individuals are participating in the same conversation.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a single 3D acceleration sensor positioned on the hearing aid wearer's head to detect rotational movements, such as yaw, pitch, and roll, which supports the analysis of hearing situations and adjusts signal processing parameters, allowing for improved speech recognition by determining the movement plane, axis, and direction, and using quaternions for rotation correction and signal processing optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If speech recognition algorithms are used to identify conversation participants, then speech understanding can be improved, but the algorithms become imprecise in situations with multiple speakers not all participating in the same conversation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces acceleration data from motion sensors as an intermediary to assist the speech recognition algorithm. The acceleration data provides information about head movements and orientation, which helps disambiguate which speakers are conversation participants. This additional sensory input acts as a mediator that resolves the uncertainty in identifying relevant speakers among multiple simultaneous speakers.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to detect head movements and orientation, then movement detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the acceleration sensor multi-functional by using it for both detecting linear movements and inferring rotational movements through sophisticated signal processing. Instead of adding separate gyroscopic sensors for rotation detection, the system processes acceleration data to derive rotational information, making the existing sensor perform multiple functions and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the processing parameters of acceleration data by analyzing patterns, frequencies, and combinations of acceleration signals across different axes. Through parameter transformation and mathematical processing, the system extracts rotational movement information from what are fundamentally linear acceleration measurements, achieving enhanced detection capability without additional sensors.
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 speech recognition accuracy in multi-speaker environments by accurately identifying the conversation participants and adjusting signal processing to focus on relevant speakers, reducing noise and improving overall speech understanding for the hearing aid wearer.
Implementation Method 1
an acceleration sensor which, when worn as intended, is positioned on a head, in particular in or on an ear of a hearing aid wearer and which is set up for measuring in three measuring axes perpendicular to one another
Data Source
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AI summary
A hearing aid (1) according to the invention comprises an acceleration sensor (6) that is positioned on the head (9) of a hearing aid wearer in the intended worn state and that is configured to measure along three mutually perpendicular measurement axis (x, y, z). According to the method, a movement of the hearing aid wearer is deduced on the basis of acceleration data (A) of the acceleration sensor (6) that are transported by an acceleration signal, a movement plane (54) of the movement of the hearing aid wearer is derived from the acceleration data (A), a movement axis (52) and a movement direction of the movement are ascertained from the acceleration data (A), and the presence of a rotational movement of the head (9) is deduced on the basis of the movement plane (54), the movement axis (52) and the movement direction. Moreover, a direction of view probability distribution is created from the detected rotational movements, in particular on the basis of a yaw angle (G) ascertained in the process, said direction of view probability distribution specifying a probability for the actual direction of view of the hearing aid wearer having extended along an assigned angle.