Self-learning Hearing Aid Transmission Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hearing assistance systems face challenges in providing convenient operation tailored to individual user preferences, with high complexity in user interfaces and communication processes that do not always accurately adjust settings based on automated context analysis.

Innovation Solution

A self-learning feature is implemented in the hearing assistance system by logging user preference data and evaluating it to adjust default settings of the transmission unit, allowing for personalized adjustments based on user behavior and use situations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If automated context analysis is used to adjust settings, then operation convenience is improved, but accuracy in adjusting settings according to user preferences deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation convenienceVSAvoidaccuracy in adjusting settings
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically logs user interface operations and use situation data, then evaluates this data to extract user preferences and adjust default settings without requiring manual user input or configuration. The transmission unit serves itself by learning from its own operation data and autonomously optimizing its settings based on extracted user preferences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If user interface complexity is reduced, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to individual user preferences deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interface simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to individual preferences
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors and logs user interface operations and use situation data, then evaluates this feedback data to extract user preferences. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to individual user preferences automatically, compensating for the simplified user interface that lacks manual configuration options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The transmission unit automatically adjusts its own default settings by evaluating logged user preference data and extracting user preferences. This self-service capability enables the system to adapt to individual users without requiring complex user interfaces or manual configuration procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual configuration options are provided, then adaptability to user preferences is improved, but operation complexity and time consumption deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidtime for configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically logging user interface operations and use situation data during normal operation, then evaluates this data to extract user preferences and adjust default settings proactively. This preliminary learning and automatic adjustment eliminates the need for time-consuming manual configuration procedures while maintaining full adaptability to user preferences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2705675B1Self-learning hearing assistance system and method of operating the same
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 SONOVA AG
  • EP2705675B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2705675B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2705675B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method of operating a system for providing hearing assistance to a user (13), comprising: capturing audio signals by a transmission unit (10, 110) comprising a user interface (44) for manual control of the transmission unit and means (46) for storing default values of the setting of at least one operating parameter of the transmission unit, and transmitting the audio signals from the transmission unit via a wireless audio link (12) to a receiver unit (14), with the audio signals being processed in the receiver unit and/or in the transmission unit; stimulating, via stimulation means (64, 82), the user's hearing according to the audio signals from the receiver unit; logging user preference data by recording data concerning the manual operation of the user interface of the transmission unit and by recording data concerning the respective use situation of the transmission unit; evaluating, in the transmission unit, the logged user preference data in order to extract user preferences concerning the use of the transmission unit; and adjusting, in the transmission unit, the stored default values of the setting of said at least one operating parameter of the transmission unit according to said extracted user preferences.