Hearing Aid Fitting Visual Display for Workflow Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hearing device fitting software is complex and interrupts the user's workflow, making it difficult to achieve a calm and thoughtful adjustment process due to frequent interruptions and lack of control over the fitting process, especially during fine-tuning phases.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that uses a visual display to present accessibility of data sets and devices, automatically checking for incompatibilities and indicating them through amended graphics objects, allowing users to handle issues at their convenience and maintain focus without interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional fitting software with toolbars, menus, and pop-up boxes is used, then comprehensive control over fitting parameters is achieved, but user workflow is frequently interrupted and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser workflow continuityVSAvoidsoftware interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the interrupting elements (pop-up boxes, modal dialogs, rigid wizard sequences) from the fitting software interface and replaces them with a continuous visual display that shows all relevant information and dependencies simultaneously. This allows users to access fitting parameters and interdependency information without workflow interruptions while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the complex fitting information into visually distinct graphics objects that represent different data sets and devices. Each graphics object can be independently manipulated and examined, allowing users to navigate complex interdependencies without being overwhelmed by a monolithic interface. The visual display divides information into manageable graphical elements that can be explored at the user's pace.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If comprehensive checking for incompatibilities is performed, then fitting accuracy and reliability are improved, but processing time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting parameter compatibilityVSAvoidfitting process time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs compatibility checking for all fitting parameters and data sets in advance, before the user completes the fitting process. The system pre-calculates and displays all interdependencies and potential incompatibilities in the visual display, allowing users to identify and resolve issues proactively rather than encountering unexpected errors during or after fitting. This preliminary action ensures reliability while making the actual fitting process faster.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If all fitting parameters and interdependencies are displayed simultaneously, then user overview and control are improved, but display complexity and information overload increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting overview completenessVSAvoidvisual display complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional tabular or hierarchical displays to a graphical dimension where fitting parameters, data sets, and devices are represented as visual graphics objects with spatial relationships. The visual display uses graphical metaphors (such as connected objects, layered structures, or spatial arrangements) to represent complex interdependencies, allowing users to perceive overall fitting status and relationships at a glance without information overload.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2548381B1Fitting system and method for fitting a hearing system
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 SONOVA AG
  • EP2548381B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2548381B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2548381B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method for adjusting a hearing system to individual hearing needs and preferences of a specific hearing system user by means of a fitting system comprising a visual display comprises : a) presenting on the visual display a visualization (33) simultaneously visualizing - for each of a group of data sets : whether or not the respective data set is accessible to a user of said fitting system; and - for each device selected in said fitting system to be part of said hearing system: whether or not the respective device is accessible to a user of said fitting system; by b1) displaying on the visual display a graphics object (33a, 33b,...)representing the respective data set or device, in case the respective data set and the respective device, respectively, is accessible to a user of said fitting system; and b2) not displaying on said visual display a graphics object (33a, 33b,...)representing the respective data set or device, in case the respective data set and the respective device, respectively, is not accessible to a user of said fitting system.