Hearing Aid Radar Localization for Non-Acoustic Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing instruments struggle to accurately localize non-acoustically active objects in the environment, limiting their ability to adjust signal processing effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a continuous wave radar unit and an inertial measurement unit into a behind-the-ear hearing aid to detect micro-Doppler effects, allowing for distance determination and environmental mapping, which enhances the localization of stationary objects and improves signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic methods are used for localization, then acoustically active objects can be detected, but non-acoustically active objects cannot be localized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces radar as an intermediary detection method that bridges the gap between acoustically active and non-acoustically active objects. The radar unit transmits electromagnetic waves that reflect off all objects regardless of their acoustic properties, providing distance information that complements acoustic localization. This intermediary system enables the hearing instrument to localize both types of objects using a unified approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The hearing instrument is enhanced with multi-functionality by integrating both acoustic microphones and radar units. This universal system can detect and localize both acoustically active objects (through microphones) and non-acoustically active objects (through radar), making the device adaptable to all types of environmental objects without requiring separate specialized systems.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated for environmental mapping, then localization precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges acoustic sensing and radar sensing into a single integrated hearing instrument device. By combining microphones and radar units within the same housing and coordinating their operations through a unified processing system, the patent achieves precise environmental mapping without requiring separate standalone devices. This merging approach consolidates multiple sensing functions into one compact unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely acoustic mechanical sensing with a hybrid system that incorporates electromagnetic radar sensing. This substitution enables the detection of non-acoustically active objects that cannot be detected by traditional acoustic microphones alone, thereby improving environmental mapping accuracy while maintaining a compact integrated design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If radar is used for distance measurement, then non-acoustically active objects can be detected, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar unit operates using periodic pulsed signals rather than continuous transmission. This periodic operation allows the radar to detect non-acoustically active objects effectively while consuming less energy compared to continuous wave transmission. The pulsed radar approach provides sufficient detection capability for localization purposes while managing power consumption in the battery-operated hearing instrument.
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 precise localization of non-acoustically active objects, improving signal processing by adjusting filters and reducing reverberation effects, thereby enhancing speech intelligibility and overall audio experience.
Implementation Method 1
a continuous wave radar unit (CW radar) arranged in or on the device body, which is configured to transmit an unmodulated CW radar signal and receive a corresponding reflected radar signal
Implementation Method 2
a controller designed to detect a signal component characteristic of a micro-Doppler effect from a radar reception signal output by the CW radar unit upon reception of the reflected radar signal, and from this to determine a distance of the device body to an object
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A hearing instrument (1) is described, comprising a device body (2) to be worn on the body, in particular on the head, of a user, a CW radar unit (10) which is arranged in or on the device body (2) and which is configured to emit a CW radar signal, in particular unmodulated, and to receive a corresponding reflected radar signal, and a controller (6) which is configured to detect a signal component characteristic of a micro-Doppler effect from a radar reception signal output by the CW radar unit (10) upon reception of the reflected radar signal and to determine from this a distance of the device body (2) to an object (20) in the user's environment.