Voice-Controlled Hearing Aid Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of hearing devices face challenges in adjusting acoustic parameters, such as volume and memory settings, due to the small size of the devices, which often requires professional assistance and lacks intuitive, natural interaction methods.
Innovation Solution
A sound processing system that utilizes speech recognition and natural language understanding to allow users to control and adjust their hearing devices through voice commands, leveraging a cognitive engine to generate actions and provide feedback, and optionally connecting to a cloud-based computing system for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical buttons and knobs are included in hearing devices for user adjustment, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical buttons and knobs with a voice-based control system. The hearing device includes a processor that detects acoustic signals corresponding to voice commands and automatically adjusts acoustic parameters based on these commands, eliminating the need for physical mechanical controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The voice command system serves multiple functions: it adjusts volume, switches between acoustic programs, and provides user feedback. This single voice-based interface replaces multiple specialized buttons and knobs that would otherwise be needed for different adjustment functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more acoustic parameters are made adjustable, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voice command system provides a universal interface for controlling multiple acoustic parameters including volume, acoustic programs, and other hearing device functions. This single multi-functional system replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that translates natural language voice commands into specific control signals for adjusting various acoustic parameters. This intermediary layer simplifies the user interface while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.
3Volume of moving object
If hearing device size is reduced for comfort, then ease of operation deteriorates, but wearability improves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical buttons and knobs that would require physical manipulation, replacing them with voice-based control. This allows the device to be made smaller while maintaining full adjustment functionality through acoustic signal detection and processing.
Data Source
AI summary
In an audio signal, one or more processing circuits recognize spoken content in a user's own speech signal using speech recognition and natural language understanding. The spoken content describes a listening difficulty of the user. The one or more processing circuits generate, based on the spoken content, one or more actions for hearing devices and feedback for the user. The one or more actions attempt to resolve the listening difficulty. Additionally, the one or more processing circuits convert the user feedback to verbal feedback using speech synthesis and transmit the one or more actions and the verbal feedback to the hearing devices via a body-worn device. The hearing devices are configured to perform the one or more actions and play back the verbal feedback to the user.