Hearing Device Optical Identification Using Segmented Shields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing devices with optical identification require large stocks of colored type plates for various combinations, making them costly and impractical, and liquid crystal displays depend on memory values for identification.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device with a housing featuring a first and second shield, where the second shield is at least partially transparent, allowing multiple information allocations and flexible combinations for device-specific identification, such as serial number, type, and class, with signs and colors easily recognizable for left or right coding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If coloured type plates are used for optical identification, then left/right coding is achieved, but a large stock of coloured type plates is required which is costly and impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The optical identification is divided into two separate shields: a first shield containing device-specific information (serial number, type, class) and a second shield providing left/right coding with colors. This segmentation allows each shield to be independently designed and reused across different device variants, eliminating the need to stock multiple colored type plates for every combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The first shield is designed to be universal and can be used across multiple hearing device types and variants. The second shield provides the color-coding function for left/right identification. By separating these functions into two shields, the first shield can be reused universally while the second shield handles the variable color-coding requirement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple coloured type plates are provided for all combinations, then all device variations can be identified, but the cost and complexity of inventory management increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the identification system into two independent shields with distinct functions, the patent reduces inventory complexity. Instead of managing multiple complete type plates for every device-color combination, the system only needs to stock universal first shields and a limited set of colored second shields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the identification function into a single integrated optical identification assembly consisting of two shields arranged on the housing. This combined structure provides both device-specific information and left/right coding in one location, simplifying both the physical design and inventory management compared to using separate type plates for each function.
3Ease of operation
If information is allocated on a single shield, then all identification data is in one location, but flexibility in applying shields across different devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The identification system is segmented into two functional shields: the first shield contains device-specific technical information that remains constant across device variants, while the second shield contains color-coding for left/right identification that varies by device type. This segmentation enables the first shield to be reused universally across different hearing devices while maintaining all necessary information in one accessible location.
Data Source
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AI summary
A hearing device with an optical identification (2, 3) for a hearing system, wherein the hearing system comprises a left and a right hearing device, wherein each hearing device comprises a housing (1) and an optical identification (2, 3), wherein the optical identification (2, 3) comprises a first shield (2) and a second shield (3) that are arranged on the housing (1), wherein the second shield (3) forms a part of the outer surface of the hearing device, wherein the second shield (3) is arranged over the first shield (1) and wherein the second shield (3) is at least partially transparent.