Hearing Aid Spatial Audio Localization via RF Signal Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing assistance systems fail to provide a natural hearing impression, particularly in environments with multiple speakers, as they lack effective spatial separation of audio signals, leading to difficulties in distinguishing different voices.
Innovation Solution
The system estimates the angular localization of each transmission unit by comparing RF signal measurements at the left and right ear receiver units, distributing audio signals to mimic natural hearing by introducing phase delays or level differences between the left and right ear channels, enhancing spatial separation of voices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If audio signals from multiple transmission units are transmitted to receiver units without spatial processing, then the system is simple and easy to implement, but the user cannot distinguish different voices in a natural way
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by processing audio signals differently for each ear channel. The receiver unit separates audio signals from multiple transmission units and applies distinct spatial processing (phase delays, level differences) to each channel based on the estimated angular localization of each transmission unit, creating natural spatial separation of voices without requiring complex system architecture
2Reliability
If spatial separation of audio signals is implemented using complex acoustic beam forming at ear level, then voice distinction is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio signal processing by handling each transmission unit's signal separately. The receiver unit estimates angular localization for each transmission unit independently and processes each audio signal channel independently with appropriate phase delays and level differences, avoiding the need for complex unified beam forming algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of natural hearing spatial separation effects. Instead of implementing complex acoustic beam forming, the system reproduces the essential spatial hearing impression by applying simulated acoustic processing (phase delays, level differences) to audio signals, achieving similar voice distinction capability with much simpler circuitry
3Measurement precision
If RF signal strength is used to estimate angular localization, then the localization accuracy is sufficient for spatial hearing, but the measurement precision requirement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from complex acoustic field analysis to simple RF signal strength measurement. By measuring the strength of RF signals received at the left and right ear receiver units and comparing these values, the system estimates angular localization of transmission units without requiring complex measurement systems or high precision instruments
Data Source
AI summary
A hearing assistance system and method for wireless RF audio signal transmission from at least one audio signal source to ear level receivers, wherein a close-to-natural hearing impression is to be achieved. At least one parameter of the RF signal as received from a transmission unit at a respective receiver unit to create left ear RF signal measurement data and right ear RF signal measurement data, respectively. The angular localization of each transmission unit is obtained by comparing, for each transmission unit, the left ear RF signal measurement data and the right ear RF signal measurement data. The audio signals are processed and distributed according to the estimated angular localization of each transmission unit in a manner so that the angular localization impression of the audio signals from each transmission unit as perceived by the user corresponds to the estimated angular localization of the respective transmission unit.