Hearing Device Position Data Audio Signal Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing devices struggle to effectively separate audio signals from multiple sources in crowded environments, limiting user experience due to limited bandwidth and separation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device system that includes a primary processing unit, a secondary processing unit, and a position controller, which pairs with an audio system to receive and process audio streams based on the device's position, allowing for improved audio signal prioritization and integration of visual cues by mixing wireless input signals with microphone input signals and adjusting audio output accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication technology is used to stream audio to hearing devices, then audio distribution capability is improved, but the ability to separate audio signals from different positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the audio environment by using multiple external microphones positioned at different locations to capture audio signals from different spatial positions. Each microphone captures a specific spatial segment, and the hearing device can selectively process and separate these segmented audio sources based on position data, thereby maintaining audio signal separation capability while enabling broad audio distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Position data acts as an intermediary element between the audio sources and the hearing device. The system uses position data from motion detectors and location services to identify which audio signals should be prioritized or separated, enabling the hearing device to maintain spatial audio separation by using this intermediary positional information to guide audio processing.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple external microphones are used to distribute audio to the crowd, then audio source coverage is improved, but the ability to separate audio signals from different positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system assigns each external microphone to capture audio from a specific spatial position or direction. By segmenting the audio capture function across multiple microphones with known positions, the system achieves both broad audio source coverage and the ability to separate signals by their spatial origin, as each microphone's positional information is used to identify and separate its captured audio stream.
Solution Approach 2:
Each external microphone is given a specific local quality or characteristic based on its physical position in space. The hearing device uses this local positional quality to differentiate and separate audio signals, allowing it to maintain spatial separation capability while utilizing multiple microphones for comprehensive audio source coverage.
3Productivity
If audio streams are processed based on position data, then audio signal prioritization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hearing device integrates multiple functions into a unified processing system that handles both audio signal processing and position data processing through a single processing unit. This multi-functional approach enables audio signal prioritization based on position data without requiring separate dedicated systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining prioritization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the audio processing functions with the position data processing functions into an integrated processing pipeline. By combining these functions and sharing common processing resources, the system achieves audio signal prioritization based on position without the overhead of completely separate processing systems, thus improving productivity while controlling device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Hearing device with position data, audio system and related methods are disclosed. A method of operating a hearing device is provided. The hearing device comprises a first antenna, a first transceiver coupled to the first antenna, an acoustic output transducer, a microphone, and a primary processing unit, the primary processing unit being coupled to the first transceiver, the acoustic output transducer, and the microphone. The method comprises pairing the hearing device with an audio system; initiating detection of hearing device motion; sending position data indicative of hearing device position to the audio system; wirelessly receiving a first audio stream based on the position data of the hearing device; converting the first audio stream to a first wireless input signal; mixing the first wireless input signal with an audio input signal from the microphone to form an input signal; processing the input signal to form an output signal; and converting the output signal to an audio output signal.