Hybrid Event Listening Assistance With Latency-Aligned Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assistive listening systems for on-site participants with impaired hearing in hybrid events are limited by range, interference, and require significant hardware installation, failing to provide high-quality audio support.
Innovation Solution
A virtual conference application on personal devices dynamically aligns audio streams from the event with the participant's location, using latency adjustment and location technologies to ensure time-aligned audio delivery to assistive listening devices without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional inductive loop systems are used for assistive listening, then audio support is provided to participants with impaired hearing, but the system is limited by range and requires significant hardware installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual conference applications to create a digital copy of the audio stream from the event, which can be transmitted to assistive listening devices without requiring physical audio infrastructure. The audio is captured by microphones at the event and digitally replicated for distribution, eliminating the need for complex inductive loop hardware installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical audio transmission systems (inductive loops, FM transmitters) with digital audio streaming technology. Audio is captured electronically, processed through virtual conference applications, and transmitted via wireless communications to hearing aids and assistive listening devices, substituting complex mechanical systems with simpler digital technology.
2Reliability
If FM systems are used for assistive listening, then audio transmission is achieved, but radio interference and interception occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces FM radio transmission with digital audio streaming through virtual conference applications. Audio is transmitted as digital data packets over controlled communication channels, eliminating the open radio frequency spectrum that is susceptible to interference and interception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual conference applications as an intermediary layer between the audio source and the assistive listening devices. This intermediary processes and transmits audio through secure digital channels, preventing direct radio frequency interference and interception that occurs with FM systems.
3Reliability
If assistive listening systems are deployed, then hearing support is provided, but significant hardware investment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing virtual conference applications multi-functional by integrating assistive listening capabilities into platforms already used for virtual events. This allows the same application to serve both virtual attendees and on-site participants with hearing impairments, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital audio copying and streaming to provide hearing support without requiring physical audio infrastructure at each event location. The same audio stream can be distributed to multiple assistive listening devices simultaneously through digital transmission, reducing hardware requirements compared to traditional systems.
4Reliability
If audio streams are transmitted to assistive listening devices, then listening assistance is provided, but latency causes misalignment with live event audio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing audio at the event source and pre-processing it through virtual conference applications before transmission to assistive listening devices. This includes initial audio processing, encoding, and buffering to establish a timeline reference, which then guides subsequent latency compensation during playback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system monitors audio timing and synchronization in real-time, adjusting latency compensation dynamically. The virtual conference application receives feedback about audio arrival times and adjusts processing parameters to maintain synchronization between the audio stream and the live event.
Data Source
AI summary
Example methods and systems provide listening assistance via a virtual conference application for hybrid events. A client device joins a virtual session of an on-site event. The client device receives a first audio signal from a virtual session associated with an on-site event. The first audio signal originates from an audio source at the on-site event. The client device receives a second audio signal via an audio input device of a client device from the audio source at the on-site event. The client device determines that a latency of the second audio signal in reference to the first audio signal does not satisfy a threshold value. The client device transmits the first audio signal and the second audio signal to an assistive listening device.