Hearing Device Voice Extraction Using Body-Conducted Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hearing devices face challenges in effectively canceling noise during audio communication, particularly when transmitting or streaming signals between devices, which degrades signal quality and fails to provide clear two-way communication while filtering out surrounding noise.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device with a processing unit, first and second input transducers, and a user voice extraction unit that converts and processes signals to isolate and transmit the user's voice while filtering out external noise, using a bandwidth extension unit to enhance the voice signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If noise cancellation is implemented during audio streaming, then signal quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio signal processing into distinct functional modules: a first input transducer for capturing external audio, a second input transducer for capturing body-conducted voice, a voice extraction unit for isolating the user's voice, and a bandwidth extension unit for enhancing signal quality. This segmentation allows complex noise cancellation to be achieved through coordinated simple operations across multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing approach where the second input transducer captures body-conducted voice signals that serve as a reference for the user's own voice, and the voice extraction unit acts as an intermediary that combines this reference with the first input signal to extract and transmit only the desired voice components while canceling external noise.
2Loss of information
If the user's voice is isolated and transmitted clearly, then communication quality is improved, but external noise filtering becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the user's voice signal from the mixed audio input by utilizing body-conducted voice as a reference. The voice extraction unit separates the desired voice components from external noise by comparing the first input signal with the body-conducted voice reference, effectively taking out only the relevant information for transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter domain by extending the bandwidth of the extracted voice signal through the bandwidth extension unit. This parameter enhancement improves the quality and naturalness of the transmitted voice by restoring frequency components that were attenuated during the extraction and noise cancellation process.
3Measurement precision
If bandwidth is extended to improve voice quality, then signal fidelity is improved, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary voice extraction and noise cancellation before bandwidth extension. By first isolating the voice signal from noise and then applying bandwidth extension only to the extracted voice components rather than the entire audio spectrum, the processing requirements are reduced while still achieving high signal fidelity in the transmitted voice.
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
Enables effective noise cancellation and clear two-way communication by isolating the user's voice from external noise, improving signal quality and reducing occlusion effects during audio transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a first acoustic input transducer connected to the processing unit for converting a first acoustic signal into a first input signal
Implementation Method 2
an acoustic output transducer connected to the processing unit for converting the processed first signal into an audio output signal
Implementation Method 3
The second input signal is provided by converting, in the second input transducer, at least the audio output signal from the acoustic output transducer and a body-conducted voice signal from a user
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a method and a hearing device for audio communication with at least one external device, the hearing device comprising: a processing unit for providing a processed first signal; a first acoustic input transducer connected to the processing unit for converting a first acoustic signal into a first input signal to the processing unit for providing the processed first signal; a second input transducer for providing a second input signal; an acoustic output transducer connected to the processing unit for converting the processed first signal into an audio output signal for the acoustic output transducer; wherein the second input signal is provided by converting, in the second input transducer, at least the audio output signal from the acoustic output transducer and a body-conducted voice signal from a user of the hearing device; a user voice extraction unit for extracting a voice signal, where the user voice extraction unit is connected to the processing unit for receiving the processed first signal and connected to the second input transducer for receiving the second input signal; wherein the user voice extraction unit is configured to extract the voice signal based on the second input signal and the processed first signal; and wherein the voice signal is configured to be transmitted to the at least one external device.