Sound-Localizing Eyewear with Visual and Haptic Direction Cues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users with less than perfect hearing face challenges in identifying the source of sounds in their environment due to the limitations of existing portable eyewear devices like smart glasses.
Innovation Solution
The eyewear device incorporates an array of lights and vibration devices to indicate the direction and intensity of sound sources, using microphones and image displays to enhance sound localization, and includes features like eye and head movement tracking for field of view adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual and haptic indicators are added to indicate sound direction, then sound localization capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the indication system into separate components: a light array with multiple individual lights for directional indication, and separate vibration devices for haptic feedback. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while enabling independent control and optimization of each element based on sound direction and intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The eyewear device integrates multiple functions into a single platform: microphones for sound detection, image displays for visual information, light arrays for directional indication, and vibration devices for haptic feedback. This multi-functionality allows the device to provide comprehensive sound localization assistance while consolidating components that would otherwise require separate devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors and indicators are integrated into eyewear, then functionality is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components into a single eyewear device: microphones for sound detection, image displays for visual output, light arrays for directional indication, and vibration devices for haptic feedback. By combining these components into one integrated platform, the device achieves enhanced functionality while avoiding the weight penalty of requiring multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of thin-film technologies and flexible components in the eyewear construction allows for integration of multiple sensors and indicators without significantly increasing weight. The lightweight structure accommodates the additional functionality while maintaining comfort for extended wear.
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 device provides improved awareness of surrounding sound sources by visually and haptically indicating their direction and intensity, aiding users with hearing impairments in navigating their environment.
Implementation Method 1
an array of microphones to detect sounds in an environment
Implementation Method 2
A front portion of an eyewear frame includes a light array, where one or more lights of the light array is illuminated to indicate the direction of arrival and intensity of the sound source
Implementation Method 3
An array of vibration devices may also be used to indicate the direction of arrival and intensity of the sound source
Data Source
AI summary
Eyewear providing a visual indicator to a hearing-impaired user indicating a direction of arrival of a sound relative to the eyewear to help the user obtain greater awareness of the surrounding environment. An eyewear optical assembly includes an image display displaying the visual indicator discernable by the user and corresponding to the direction of arrival of the sound, even when a sound source is not viewable through the optical assembly. The image display also displays an image indicative of the sound source. A front portion of an eyewear frame includes a light array, where one or more lights of the light array is illuminated to indicate the direction of arrival and intensity of the sound source. An array of vibrating devices may also be used to indicate the direction of arrival and intensity of the sound source.