Hearing Device Acoustic Announcement for Manual Interaction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing systems with two devices struggle to provide a user-friendly and reliable method for manual interaction, often leading to accidental activations due to the small size of control elements and the difficulty in distinguishing between various touch gestures, especially for elderly users.
Innovation Solution
A method involving outputting an announcement signal by one of the hearing devices and detecting manual user interactions to control operations such as accepting or declining phone calls, using a processor to differentiate based on which device detected the interaction, thereby simplifying and increasing the reliability of user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional control elements (pushbuttons, rotary switches, touchpads) are used in hearing devices, then the device provides basic control functionality, but the small size of control elements and wearing position make visual inspection difficult and manipulation error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control elements (pushbuttons, rotary switches, touchpads) with an acoustic signal-based interaction system. The hearing device outputs an announcement signal that the user can hear, and the user responds with a simple tap gesture detected by an accelerometer, eliminating the need for visual inspection and complex manual manipulation of small control elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an announcement signal as an intermediary between the device and the user. Instead of directly manipulating small control elements, the user first hears the announcement signal, then responds with a simple tap gesture. This intermediary signal makes the interaction process more intuitive and less error-prone.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple movement patterns are associated with different operations via accelerometer, then the device can perform various functions through gestures, but false activations occur easily due to accidental or inaccurate execution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first outputting an announcement signal before expecting a user response. The system prepares the user for the upcoming operation by audible notification, so that when the user taps, they know exactly what operation will be triggered. This prevents false activations because the user is consciously aware of the action they are about to perform.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by providing an audible announcement signal that confirms to the user what operation will be performed in response to their tap gesture. This feedback loop allows the user to verify that the device is ready for the intended operation before they execute the tap, reducing accidental activations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If distinct touch gestures are required for different operations, then the device can perform multiple functions, but reliable detection is limited by device size and gestures are hard to memorize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of gesture differentiation from the user and places it in the device's signal processing system. Instead of requiring users to memorize and accurately execute multiple distinct touch gestures, the device outputs an announcement signal and recognizes a single, simple tap gesture. The complexity of determining which operation to perform is handled by the device based on the announcement signal context, not by the user's gesture precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method of operating a hearing system comprising a first hearing device (12, 13) configured to be worn at a first ear of a user, and a second hearing device (12, 13) configured to be worn at a second ear of the user. The disclosure further relates to a hearing system and a hearing device of the hearing system. To enable the hearing system for an operation control initiated by a manual user interaction, the disclosure proposes - outputting an announcement signal by the first hearing device (12, 13) or by the second hearing device (12, 13); - detecting a manual user interaction by at least one of the first hearing device (12, 13) and the second hearing device (12, 13); and - controlling an operation of at least one of the hearing system and a device operatively connected to the hearing system depending on - which hearing device (12, 13) has outputted the announcement signal, and - whether a manual user interaction following the announcement signal was detected by the first hearing device (12, 13) or by the second hearing device (12, 13).