Radar Hearing Aid Orientation Tracking for Stable Sound Scenes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hearing devices relying on gyroscopes or magnetometers for head orientation tracking face inaccuracies and calibration issues, particularly in scenarios where the user's head orientation relative to their body does not change, leading to undesirable sound scene rotation.
Innovation Solution
A hearing device equipped with a radar sensor to determine the relative orientation of the head to a further body part, such as the torso, allowing for improved head orientation tracking by measuring the difference in orientation without relying on absolute measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If absolute orientation measurements using gyroscopes or magnetometers are used, then head orientation can be tracked, but the sound scene rotates undesirably when the user's body moves (e.g., in a vehicle)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces radar sensors as an intermediary measurement tool to detect the relative orientation between the head and torso separately. This mediator enables the system to distinguish between body movement and head movement, allowing the sound scene to remain stable relative to the head while the body moves, thus resolving the contradiction between tracking accuracy and audio immersion stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the orientation measurement into two independent components: head orientation relative to torso and torso orientation relative to the world. By measuring these separately using radar sensors and processing units, the system can compensate for body movement independently, maintaining sound scene stability while accurately tracking head orientation
2Ease of operation
If conventional orientation sensors (gyroscopes, magnetometers) are used, then head orientation can be determined, but calibration issues and inaccuracies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical orientation sensors (gyroscopes, magnetometers) with radar-based sensing technology. This substitution eliminates the calibration issues and inaccuracies associated with traditional sensors while maintaining the ability to track head orientation, as radar provides direct geometric measurement without requiring calibration
3Measurement precision
If radar sensors are used to measure relative orientation, then accurate head orientation tracking is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional processing unit that handles radar data acquisition, relative orientation calculation, and audio processing compensation. This universal processor consolidates multiple functions into a single component, reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced radar sensing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the radar sensor system with the existing audio processing pipeline by integrating the orientation measurement and compensation functions into the current hearing device architecture. This consolidation allows the radar-based orientation tracking to work seamlessly with existing audio processing components without requiring entirely separate systems
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
The solution provides accurate and reliable head orientation tracking, enhancing audio processing by accounting for the user's head movement relative to their body, thereby maintaining an immersive audio experience even when the user's body is in motion, such as in a vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
a first radar sensor configured for obtaining first radar data indicative of a difference in the orientation of a head of the user and a further body part of the user
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a hearing device comprising a first radar sensor configured for obtaining first radar data indicative of a difference in the orientation of a head of the user and a further body part of the user. A processing unit of the hearing device is configured to receive the first radar data from the first radar sensor and determine, based on the first radar data, a first relative orientation, wherein the first relative orientation is a difference in the orientation of the head of the user and the further body part of the user.