Hearing Device Beamformer Calibration via Ear Anatomy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing devices worn behind the ear face challenges in calibrating beamformers due to individual ear anatomy variations, leading to inconsistent tilt angles and suboptimal performance, as existing methods rely on hardcoded measurements or inconvenient direct measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the cymba angle between ear cartilage and the user's viewing direction, estimating the tilt angle, and adjusting the beamformer direction to align with the viewing direction, using image data and algorithms for automatic calculation, potentially incorporating ear size and tube length considerations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hardcoded tilt angle measurements from dummy ears are used for all hearing devices with the same housing, then manufacturing and calibration are simplified, but beam former performance deteriorates due to individual ear anatomy variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically captures images of the user's ear, detects anatomical landmarks (tragus, helix, earlobe), calculates the tilt angle, and configures the beam former parameters without requiring manual measurement or calibration by a specialist. The hearing device calibrates itself using the user's actual ear anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with an optical imaging system using a smartphone camera. Image processing algorithms automatically detect ear landmarks and calculate tilt angles, substituting the need for physical measurement tools and manual calibration procedures.
2Reliability
If direct measurement of tilt angle on every end user is performed with a measurement tool, then beam former performance is improved through accurate calibration, but ease of operation deteriorates due to measurement difficulty and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement tools with a simple smartphone camera-based imaging system. The automatic image processing and landmark detection algorithms eliminate the need for specialists to perform manual measurements, making the fitting process accessible and convenient for end users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables end users to perform their own calibration by simply capturing an image of their ear with a smartphone camera. The automatic processing eliminates the need for specialized equipment or expert intervention, making the process user-friendly and accessible.
3Reliability
If individual ear anatomy measurements are taken for each user, then beam former performance is improved through accurate tilt angle calibration, but device complexity increases due to additional measurement and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a smartphone camera as an intermediary device to capture ear images, which are then processed by software algorithms to extract anatomical landmarks and calculate tilt angles. This intermediary approach avoids the need for complex specialized measurement equipment while achieving accurate individualized calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with software-based image processing. Standard smartphone cameras and automated algorithms substitute for specialized hardware, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for adjusting a hearing device (12) adapted to be worn behind an ear (28) comprises: determining a cymba angle (54) between a cartilage (50) above the cymba (46) of the ear (28) and a viewing direction (38) of the user; estimating a tilt angle (39) of the hearing device (12) with respect to the viewing direction (38) from the cymba angle (54); and adjusting a beam former direction (37) of a beam former (34) of the hearing device (12), such that the beam former direction (37) is aligned with the viewing direction (38).