Hearing Device Navigation Using HRTF Spatial Audio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional GPS systems require users to visually consult maps and listen to spoken commands, limiting navigation convenience and independence from visual guidance.

Innovation Solution

A personal navigation system that includes a head-worn hearing device with an inertial measurement unit and GPS unit, using Head-Related Transfer Functions to simulate sound sources from specific directions, allowing users to perceive audio information as if it originates from POIs, enabling navigation without visual map consultation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional GPS systems use visual maps and spoken instructions, then navigation information is provided, but user independence and convenience are limited due to reliance on visual guidance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation convenienceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visual mechanical display systems with an acoustic field-based navigation system. Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs) are used to create virtual acoustic sources that provide directional information through sound, substituting the need for visual map consultation and enabling hands-free, eyes-free navigation operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces HRTF filters as an intermediary between the navigation system and the user. These filters process audio signals to create spatial acoustic cues that mediate the transmission of navigation information, enabling the user to perceive directional information about points of interest without direct visual contact with the navigation device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If visual maps are used for navigation, then route information is displayed, but user mobility and exploration freedom are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexploration freedomVSAvoidspatial orientation information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes visual map display with acoustic spatial representation using HRTFs. The system generates audio signals that encode spatial information about points of interest in three-dimensional space, allowing users to maintain spatial orientation and explore freely while receiving navigation guidance through directional sound cues rather than fixed visual maps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If spoken instructions are provided without spatial localization, then navigation guidance is given, but user situational awareness of surroundings is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoidloss of spatial awareness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces non-spatial spoken instructions with spatially localized acoustic guidance using HRTFs. The system processes audio signals through filters that create virtual sound sources positioned in three-dimensional space, providing directional information about points of interest while maintaining the user's situational awareness of their environment through natural acoustic spatial cues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances navigation convenience by providing spatial awareness and guiding users to destinations through auditory cues, reducing the need for visual map reference and allowing exploration without adhering to predetermined routes.

Implementation Method 1

a hearing device having an inertial measurement unit for determination of orientation of a user's head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInertial measurement: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

a GPS unit for determining the geographical position of the system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGPS satellite signal reception:

Implementation Method 3

one or more pairs of filters with Head-Related Transfer Functions selectively connected in parallel between the sound generator and the loudspeakers for generation of a binaural acoustic sound signal emitted towards the eardrums of the user and perceived by the user as coming from a sound source positioned in a direction corresponding to the respective Head-Related Transfer Function

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHead-Related Transfer Function:

Data Source

PatentUS8886451B2Hearing device providing spoken information on the surroundings

Publication Date: 2014.11.11 GN HEARING AS

AI summary

A navigation system includes a hearing device configured to be head worn and having loudspeakers for emission of sound towards ears of a user; a GPS unit for determining a geographical position of the system; a sound generator connected for outputting audio signals to the loudspeakers; and a processor configured for selecting Points-Of-Interest in a vicinity of the system, and controlling the sound generator to output the audio signals that represents spoken information on the selected Points-Of-Interest in sequence.