# US 2014/0192992 A1 · System for Fitting Audio Signals for In-Use Ear > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0192992 A1 - Document ID: US20140192992A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/151,344 - Filed: 2014-01-09 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-09 - Assignees: ACE Communications Limited - Applicants: ACE Communications Limited - Inventors: Pui Tong Paul LEE; Ka Kui CHENG - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192992A1 ## CPC - H04R 5/04: Circuit arrangements, {e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments (combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S)} - G06F 3/165: {Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path} - H04M 1/72454: according to context-related or environment-related conditions - H04R 29/001: {for loudspeakers (H04R29/007 takes precedence)} - H04M 1/6016: {in the receiver circuit} - H04R 25/70: {Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting} - H04R 2205/041: Adaptation of stereophonic signal reproduction for the hearing impaired - H04R 2420/01: Input selection or mixing for amplifiers or loudspeakers - H04R 2420/03: Connection circuits to selectively connect loudspeakers or headphones to amplifiers - H04R 2420/05: Detection of connection of loudspeakers or headphones to amplifiers - H04R 2499/11: Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) ## Abstract A system and method are provided for automatic fitting of all audio signals according to the ear in which a user is using to receive audio signals from a host device. The device may comprise an inquirer configured to query a host device for an in-use audio producing transducer; an electronic mechanism configured to identify an ear which a user is using to receive audio signals from a host device, based on the in-use audio producing transducer; and a notifier configured to instruct the host device, based on the identified ear, to output a channel of audio signals to the in-use audio producing transducer. The ear in use may be deduced from inertial data. The instructions may specify a particular channel of audio signals, or enhancement thereof, based on characteristics of the identified ear and/or a detected or typical signal pathway used to transmit a signal to the identified ear. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device comprising: a base frame; an inquirer configured to query a host device for an in-use audio producing transducer; an electronic mechanism configured to identify an ear which a user is using to receive audio signals from a host device, based on the position and/or movements of the transducer; and a notifier configured to inform the host device, based on the identified ear, a channel of audio signals to output to the in-use audio producing transducer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising: a collector configured to gather at least one dimension of hearing characteristics of each individual ear; and a modifier configured to receive audio signals from the host device, enhance the received audio signals based on the characteristics of the identified ear and specifications from the notifier, and direct the enhanced audio signals to the in-use audio producing transducer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the electronic mechanism comprises an intelligence module and at least one inertial measurement unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the intelligence module is configured to assess the orientation of the host device relative to the user's head, based on measurement data from the at least one inertial measurement unit, in identifying the ear which the user is using to receive audio signals from the host device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein the intelligence module is further configured to track and detect any changes in previously established measurements and re-assess the orientation of the host device relative to the user's head in re-identifying the ear which the user is using to receive audio signals from the host device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the electronic mechanism is configured to perform said tracking, detection, and assessment automatically and in real time. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the electronic mechanism is configured to perform said tracking, detection, and assessment at variable time intervals. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the inertial measurement unit is a gyroscope. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the inertial measurement unit is an accelerometer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the inertial measurement unit is an accelerometer and a gyroscope. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the collector is a self-administered hearing test. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the collector is configured to receive hearing test results. ### Claim 13 A method comprising: querying a host device for an in-use audio producing transducer; identifying an ear which a user is using to receive audio signals from a host device, basing on the in-use audio producing transducer; and informing the host device, based on the identified ear, a channel of audio signals to output to the in-use audio producing transducer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising: gathering at least one dimension of ear characteristics for both ears; receiving audio signals from the host device; enhancing the received audio signals, based on characteristics of a signal pathway to the identified ear; and directing the enhanced audio signals to the in-use audio producing transducer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein characteristics of the signal pathway are derived from a self-administered hearing test that measures left- and right-ear hearing characteristics of the individual for the signal pathway, the signal pathway comprising at least one of: a transducer with different frequency response characteristics than those of a transducer meeting hearing test standards; and detectable environmental sounds.