Hearing Instrument Directional Processing for Stable Interference Masking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing directional signal processing in hearing instruments faces challenges in achieving robust masking of interference sources due to varying signal levels and angle-dependent amplification factors, often resulting in undesired variations of useful signals and difficulty in limiting masking to specific angle ranges.
Innovation Solution
A method for directional signal processing that involves forming intermediate signals through time-delayed superpositions with complex-value parameters, converting these into real-value alternative parameters, and modifying the angle of minimal sensitivity by limiting the second alternative parameter to a specified range, thereby generating an output signal that effectively masks interference sources while maintaining stable signal levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If angle-dependent amplification factors are used to adapt input signals for complete masking of directed interference sources, then masking effectiveness is improved, but signal level stability deteriorates due to strong variations of useful signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation from angle-dependent amplification factors to alternative parameters with monotone relationships to angles. This transformation allows the system to achieve complete masking (improving reliability) while avoiding strong signal variations (maintaining stability) by using parameters that change monotonically with angle rather than exhibiting complex angle-dependent behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a second alternative parameter with a monotone relationship to the angle of minimal sensitivity, and limits this parameter to a specified angle range. This parameter transformation and limitation approach enables effective masking of interference sources while maintaining stable signal levels, resolving the contradiction between masking effectiveness and signal stability.
2Reliability
If angle-dependent amplification factors are applied to achieve complete masking of interference sources, then masking completeness is improved, but device complexity increases due to difficulty in ascertaining the amplification factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the complex angle-dependent amplification factors into alternative parameters that have monotone relationships to angles. This parameter change simplifies the signal processing by eliminating the need to calculate and apply complex angle-dependent amplification factors, while still achieving complete masking of interference sources.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing alternative parameters with monotone relationships to angles and limiting the second alternative parameter to a specified angle range, the patent reduces signal processing complexity while maintaining masking completeness. The monotone relationship simplifies parameter management compared to angle-dependent amplification factors.
3Stability of the object's composition
If masking is restricted to a specific angle range with respect to the field of view, then useful signal preservation is improved, but masking effectiveness deteriorates due to the limitation on angle range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses alternative parameters with monotone relationships to angles, where the second alternative parameter is limited to a specified angle range. This parameter approach allows the system to preserve useful signals within the desired angle range while effectively masking interference sources, resolving the contradiction between useful signal preservation and masking effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performs directional signal processing for a hearing instrument. First and second input signals are generated by first and second input transducers, respectively, from a sound signal. The first front intermediate signal and a first rear intermediate signal are each formed from the first and second input signals. A first superposition of the first front intermediate signal and the first rear intermediate signal is formed by a complex-value first superposition parameter and is adapted based on the first superposition parameter. A complex value of the first superposition parameter resulting from the adaptation of the first superposition is converted into a first alternative parameter and a second alternative parameter. An output signal is generated based on the first alternative parameter, the limited second alternative parameter and a superposition of the first and second input signals.