Wireless Remote Interface for Compact Ear-Mounted Audio Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-worn sound delivery systems, such as hearing aids and headsets, are inconvenient to operate due to the lack of direct line of sight and small, closely located controls, making manual adjustments difficult without removing the device from the user's head.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held remote controller that communicates wirelessly with the sound delivery system, featuring pushbutton controls or a dedicated application on a cellular phone, allowing independent control of sound parameters without the need to remove the device from the ear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual controls are built into the head worn system, then control functionality is integrated, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate due to lack of direct line of sight and small control size
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent parts: the head-worn sound delivery system and the separate remote controller. This allows the controls to be accessed remotely while the sound delivery device remains minimal and comfortable on the user's head.
Solution Approach 2:
A remote controller serves as an intermediary device between the user and the sound delivery system. It communicates wirelessly with the head-worn device, enabling control of sound parameters without direct physical access to the device's built-in controls.
2Volume of moving object
If controls are made small and closely located, then device size is reduced, but ease of operation worsens due to difficulty in manually operating the controls
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is extracted from the sound delivery device and placed in a separate remote controller. This allows the sound delivery device to be minimized in size while the controls are relocated to a larger, more operable form factor in the remote device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more control functions are added to the head worn system, then functionality is enhanced, but device bulk and conspicuousness increase
Solution Approach 1:
Control functions are segmented and relocated to the remote controller, allowing the head-worn device to remain compact while providing comprehensive sound parameter control capabilities through the separate remote device.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote controller serves as a universal control interface that can manage multiple sound parameters (volume, tone, program selection) without requiring these controls to be physically present on the hearing aid itself, thus maintaining the hearing aid's compact form.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote controller for a sound delivery system such as hearing aids and headsets is shown and described. The remote controller has control buttons corresponding to control functions of the sound delivery system, a signal generator, a signal transmitter, and a power supply. The sound delivery system is worn on the head or ears, and includes speakers, sounding controlling elements, a signal receiver for communication with the remote controller, a power supply, and audible and/or visible beacons for implementing a locator function if misplaced or lost. The remote controller may be a stand alone, dedicated component physically separate from the sound delivery system, or alternatively, may be implemented as an application downloadable to a cellular telephone. The application causes manual controls corresponding to those of a hearing aid or stereophonic controls to appear on a screen of the cellular telephone.