Hearing Prosthesis Audio Logging via Discontinuous Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hearing prostheses face challenges in effectively characterizing and adapting to audio environments while preserving user privacy, as existing methods struggle to efficiently record and process audio inputs without compromising sensitive information.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of discontinuous audio recording techniques, where only specific time segments of audio input are recorded without the intervening portions, allowing for the characterization of audio environments and control of device settings while masking private information, such as speech content, by adjusting the timing, duration, and ordering of these segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous audio recording is used to characterize audio environments, then the ability to detect and measure audio characteristics is improved, but privacy protection deteriorates due to complete recording of speech content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the continuous audio recording into discrete time segments, recording only specific portions (e.g., every Nth second) rather than the complete audio stream. This allows the system to capture audio environment characteristics while omitting continuous speech content, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and privacy protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If discontinuous audio recording is used to mask speech content, then privacy protection is improved, but the ability to characterize audio environment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by analyzing audio characteristics (such as spectral content, noise levels, and environmental features) during the discontinuous recording process itself, rather than requiring complete recordings. The system performs preliminary characterization using the segmented data, enabling audio environment understanding while maintaining privacy protection through the discontinuous recording approach.
3Adaptability or versatility
If audio recording is used to control device settings, then adaptability to audio environments is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing discontinuous recording at regular intervals (e.g., recording every Nth second) rather than continuous recording. This periodic sampling approach provides sufficient data for the hearing prosthesis to adapt its settings based on audio environment characteristics while significantly reducing the energy consumption associated with continuous audio capture and processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for discontinuously recording audio input representative of an audio environment. The audio environment can be an environment of a recipient of a hearing prosthesis and the discontinuously recorded audio input can be used to characterize the audio environment of the recipient, to control settings of the hearing prosthesis, or to provide some other application. Discontinuously recording the audio input can provide a recording that characterizes the audio environment of the recipient while protecting the privacy of individuals speaking nearby the recipient. Discontinuously recording the audio input may include recording discontinuous time segments of the audio input such that the semantic content of speech within the audio input, the identity of speakers in the audio input, or other private information present in the audio input is masked.