WO2013091693A1

WO2013091693A1 - Method for controlling operation of a hearing device

Info

Publication number: WO2013091693A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/073630
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernd Waldmann
Original assignee: Phonak Ag
Priority date: 2011-12-21
Filing date: 2011-12-21
Publication date: 2013-06-27

Abstract

A method for controlling operation of a hearing device is shown. The method comprises the steps of: generating a unique identification code for a hearing device; storing said unique identification code on a storage medium on said hearing device; assigning status and/or patient information to said unique identification code. Furthermore, the method comprises a step of receiving status and/or patient information by said hearing device during operation and disabling/enabling operation of said hearing device depending on said status and/or patient information. Further shown is a hearing device with safety function and a computer program product.

Description

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF A HEARING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for controlling operation of a hearing device, a hearing device and a computer program product, all according to the preambles of the independent claims.

BACKGROUND

Hearing devices are electro-acoustic devices intended at supplementing or aiding a person's hearing. The devices are most commonly worn in or around one or both ears. There is a number of different modes of operation for hearing devices. Common to all of them, is that they need to be used with a certain amount of care.

Hearing devices are classified as medical products with a low to medium invasiveness. As such, it is recommended that upon taking into operation a new hearing device, and/or on a regular basis, the hearing device is configured by a skilled and trained person. Such a service is called

"fitting". Fitters have the tools and skills to adapt a hearing device to a particular hearing condition of an individual patient. It is strongly recommended each and every hearing device be fitted prior to use by trained personnel. Disregarding this might lead to injury, possibly even resulting in further damage to a patient's hearing up to total deafness. A hearing device is thus a personalized medical device.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to increase safety of the hearing devices for the patients.

The present invention provides a method for controlling operation of a hearing device, a hearing device and a computer program product according to the characterizing portions of the independent claims.

One aspect of the present invention is a method for

controlling operation of a hearing device. The method comprises the step of generating a unique identification code for a hearing device. There are several methods that can be employed for generating such a unique identification code. For instance, a random serial number can be generated upon production of the hearing device. Alternatively, a unique identification code can be generated on the basis of patient information upon fitting. Exemplary patient

information that can be used for the generation of a unique identification code can be, e.g. the ID number, medcare number, patient name, etc. In a particular embodiment, the generating of a unique identification code is performed once. Said unique identification code is then stored on a storage medium on said hearing device. Particularly, a central database can be established with all the unique identification codes generated. The method further

comprises the step of assigning status and/or patient information to said unique identification code.

Particularly, said assigned status and/or patient information is also stored in the central database. The status information can comprise e.g. information, such as "active", "inactive", "new", "fitted", "cleared", "defect", "lost", "blocked", "stolen". All this status information can be stored in code manner and shall adhere to its ubiquitous meaning. In the method according to the present invention, status and/or patient information is received by said hearing device during operation. Depending on said status and/or patient information, operation of said hearing device is enabled and/or disabled. This can be the case e.g., when the hearing device is flagged with the status information "inactive" or the status information "defect". In other words, it is checked upon operation of the hearing device if there is a status and/or patient information attributed to the particular identification code of the hearing device in question that warrants the disabling of the hearing device. Such a disabling is warranted for instance by status information such as

"defect", "inactive" and/or "blocked". It is also warranted if the patient does not match the patient that the device has been fitted to, for instance.

With the method herein presented, a misuse of the hearing device becomes virtually impossible and the information in the central database provides for additional information that helps a fitter and a patient finding the best

configuration for a hearing device.

In the context of the present invention, "disable" shall be understood as essentially impeding the use of one, some or all of the core functions of the hearing device. Among the core functions are, for instance, the acoustics of the device. In this particular example, essentially disabling the operation of the device would result in a disabling of the acoustics of the device, i.e. resulting in a muting of the device. Further core functions that can be disabled for an essential disabling of the device can be for instance: configurability or fitting access of the device as well as resetting the device to factory defaults.

In a particular embodiment, the unique identification code is also stored in a main database unit. Such a main

database unit can be run, e.g., by the manufacturer or a medical service provider, such as to ensure that all production data and patient information is stored and maintained up to date. Nowadays, the main database unit can not only be stored in a physical network of servers, but also in a cloud information system.

In a particular embodiment, the attributing of status and/or patient information to said unique identification code is performed centrally in a main database unit. In this embodiment, a fitter, a patient or a doctor can access the main database unit and enter mutations and/or request for change of status. A central database processor can perform the assigning of said entered data to the unique identification codes and thereby set flags as previously described for a change in status. Alternatively, patient information can be stored on a further personal device worn or carried by the patient, such as e.g. a USB stick, an RFID tag and/or a mobile phone. Patient information is then received by the hearing device from this personal device. The patient information is compared with the stored unique identification code on the storage medium of the hearing device. If said comparison is negative, i.e. the unique identification code is not found, then the device can disable operation as previously described.

A further embodiment of the present invention comprises the step of accessing the main database unit with a

communication line from the hearing device. Said accessing of the main unit can of course be performed by means of a further intermediate tool, such as a personal computer, a mobile device or any other type of internet-capable device. The database is then checked for the unique identification code that matches the unique identification code stored on the hearing device. Status and/or patient information is then received. This receiving of status and/or patient information comprises receiving either or both of

- a current state value assigned to the unique

identification code stored on the hearing device;

- a patient identification information assigned to the unique identification code stored on the hearing device.

In a further particular method, the operation of the hearing device is disabled if the above described check retrieves an indication that the hearing device cannot be operated. Such an indication might, e.g., be received if the device is labelled as "defect" or "stolen". The device can be labelled for instance by assigning a flag to a data set entry assigned to an unique identification code. Such flags can for example have an ubiquitous meaning, such as reading "defect" or "stolen" as in the above example, or be coded to encompass a meaning. Further such flags can apply. Coded flags can be decoded by a computer software

programme .

In a further particular embodiment, the status and/or patient information is updated on a regular basis. Even more particularly, the status and/or patient information is updated when a change in said status and/or patient

information occurs.

In a further particular embodiment of the present

invention, the status and/or patient information assigned to said unique identification code is distributed to a plurality of devices.

For example a network of work stations of various fitters that are skilled and trained for fitting the hearing device in question to an individual patient can be connected via network and/or intranet to a main database unit either permanently or in regular intervals and thereby receive updates on the status and/or patient information attributed to said unique identification code.

In a further particular embodiment, said status and/or patient information received by said hearing device during operation is received from any one or a combination of said plurality of devices.

In a further example, a mobile phone worn by a patient can provide such an update on a patient information to a hearing device.

In a further particular embodiment, the said status and/or patient information is received particularly by means of wireless communication. Even more particularly, it is received by means of radio frequency and even more

particularly by short-range radio frequency, such as e.g. via Bluetooth.

In a further particular embodiment, patient information is received that is adapted at identifying the patient. By receiving such information, e.g. it becomes possible to prevent a stolen hearing device being fitted to a user it is not suitable for, respectively is not the original patient.

This greatly increases safety of the hearing device.

In a particular embodiment, status information is received that is adapted at providing a product history of said hearing device. A product history can, e.g., comprise information such as production date, software update dates, patient fitting dates, error history, etc.

In a particular embodiment, the status and/or patient information is received by said hearing device when it is fitted.

In a particular embodiment, the status and/or patient information is received by said hearing device when the hearing device is turned on.

One further aspect of the present invention is a hearing device with a safety function. Said hearing device

comprises a storing unit for storing a unique

identification code. Said storing unit is particularly intended for storage of a unique identification code as previously described in the method of controlling operation. The hearing device further comprises means for sending data, as well as means for receiving data. Said means for sending and/or receiving data can be e.g. a simple port for connection with an auxiliary device. One further possibility could be a wireless connection means such as, e.g., a Bluetooth-capable port or an RFID antenna. The hearing device further comprises a processing unit for processing received data and/or comparing received data comprising a unique identification code with the unique identification code stored on the device. The hearing device further comprises means for disabling and/or

enabling operation of the hearing device depending on the received data and/or the results of the said comparison.

Particularly, the hearing device is adapted at performing at least in part the method as previously described. In particular it is adapted at performing the storage and the disabling part of the method previously described.

In a particular embodiment, the hearing device further comprises means for selectively disabling or enabling individual functions of the hearing device. Selectively disabling shall be understood in the context of the present invention as specifically disabling or enabling one or more core function of the hearing device depending on a

predetermined routine. The predetermined routine can, for instance, be triggered if a particular status and/or patient information is assigned with a unique

identification code. In this particular example, the hearing device is adapted to perform a predetermined operation, i.e. disabling a preselected function, if a received status and/or patient information meets certain criteria. These criteria can, for instance, be flags assigned to the particular unique identification code as previously described with the method of operation.

In a particular embodiment, the hearing device further comprises an on/off switch.

In a particular embodiment, the means for disabling operation of the hearing device comprises at least one of the following:

- means for muting the hearing device;

- means for disabling a configuration of the hearing device to an individual patient's hearing loss and/or hearing preferences;

- means for disabling at least partially signal

processing in a signal processing unit of the hearing device ;

- means for disabling at least some of usability

features of the hearing device;

- means for restricting gain and maximum output value to preset values.

One further aspect of the present invention relates to a computer program product for performing the method as previously described. Such a computer program product can be, e.g., any medium capable of carrying out a computer program source coded unto a technical machine, such that in particular the method of the present invention can be executed. Such a computer program product can thus be e.g. a CD-ROM, a DVD, a flash disk, a USB stick and/or a hard drive comprising the source code to perform a method as previously described.

In a particular embodiment, the computer program product is adapted to operate on any one of the following platforms:

- a processing unit of a hearing device as described

above

- a mobile phone

- a Bluetooth accessory

- a computer workstation for fitting hearing devices - a network computing system

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention is now further outlined by referring to drawings and particular embodiments, without being restricted thereto.

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a minimum set up of a hearing device according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a method for

controlling operation according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a hearing device 1. The hearing device 1 comprises a storing unit 2 for storing data. The storing unit 2 is functionally connected or integrated with a processing unit 5, which can access the storing unit 2 for retrieving and/or depositing data thereto/there from. The processing unit 5 is also used to access a configuration utility of the hearing device 1. The hearing device is further equipped with means for sending data 3 and means for receiving data 4, which in the present case is an interface port 8. The interface port 8 can be used to connect the hearing device with a personal computer for instance. In the present example, the hearing device 1 also comprises a means for essentially disabling 6 core functions of the hearing device 1 as an integral part of the processing unit 5. This means for essentially disabling

6 can be a circuitry directly affecting a power supply of some or all of the core function modules' 7 components. The core function module encompasses the functionalities of the hearing device and comprises microphones, amplifiers, digital circuits, tone controls and filters, receivers, dampers. The core function module 7 is functionally

connected with the processing unit 5, whereby the

processing unit 5 can steer, modulate, disable, enable etc. the different core functions. The processing unit 5 can disable operation of some or all of core function modules'

7 components upon a routine performed with data received via the interface port 8. The hearing device can further comprise a power source (not shown) , such as for instance batteries for powering the core functions and the

processing unit 5. In a minimal setup, the core functions module 7 comprises an input transducer and an output transducer . The input transducer can be a microphone, for instance. The output transducer is a loudspeaker or receiver most

commonly.

During production or shortly thereafter, a unique

identification code is generated for the hearing device 1 and stored in the storing unit 2. The same code is mirrored in a database and information pertaining to the hearing device 1 is assigned to said particular code.

Some exemplary modes of operation shall be outlined in the following chapters.

EXAMPLE 1: The hearing device 1 checks whether it is used by an authorized user.

In this particular working example, the unique

identification code is also stored on an external device, for instance a mobile phone such as a smart phone of the patient the hearing device 1 was fitted to. A Media Access Control address (MAC address) is used as unique

identification code. The MAC address is assigned to network interfaces for communications on the physical network segment. MAC addresses are used for numerous network technologies and most I EEE 802 network technologies

including Ethernet.

On a periodical basis, the processing unit 5 of the hearin device 1 establishes communication with an external device The processing unit 5 activates, each time batteries are reset and a power supply interrupted for instance, the means for sending information 3 sending the unique

identification code to the external device, in the present case a mobile device of a patient. Upon receiving the information from the hearing device 1, the mobile phone retrieves in its own memory or by establishing connection with a further network information pertaining to the authentic user of the hearing device 1. It sends the information to the hearing device, which receives it with the means for receiving 4 data. The processing unit 5 then either compares the received data with the data stored in the storing unit 2, or performs a routine according to the data received. If the data indicates, that the unique identification code of the mobile phone of the authentic user can either not be received, or is not the same, the processing unit 5 disables some or all of the function of the core function module 7.

EXAMPLE 2: The use of a defect hearing device 1 is

disabled .

In another example, which can be adapted in addition to the above, the hearing device 1 periodically checks with a database whether a particular flag is assigned to its unique identification code. Depending on the flag, the processing unit 5 by means of the means of disabling functions 6 disables or enables the use of one or more of the core function modules' 7 functions. For instance access to the fitting utility can be disabled, if no authorized fitter has identified himself in the database. Example 3:

In this alternative example to example 1, the IMEI of the patient's mobile phone is used as unique identification code. The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a number used to identify mobile phones. During first fitting, the patient's IMEI is stored on a storage medium on said hearing device and serves the function of the unique identification code as described in example 1.

Fig.2 is a schematic cybernetic diagram of a method for controlling operation of the hearing device 1 according to the present invention. Communication A is established to an external database Z. This communication A can be

bidirectional, i.e. encompass a sending of an unique identification code as well as the receiving of either status and/or patient information assigned to an unique identification code and/or receiving of an unique

identification code from the database Z. This communication A is established at a predetermined and particularly a recurring time point, for instance when the device is connected to a database Z. The information received from the database Z is loaded into a processor memory. The processor can further access B a storage unit C and

retrieve its unique identification code into the processor memory. The loaded information from the communication A and the retrieved information from the storage unit C are compared, whereupon an output D is generated. Said output can be a disabling of a core function D' or in a not- disabling, respectively enabling of a core function D. The process can be repeated each time the device is restarted after power interruption, for instance.

It is evident for a skilled artisan, that all particular embodiments described within the scope of the present invention can be implemented in combination or various degree of combination with one another.

Needless to say, all kind of communication can be carried out in a tamper-protected manner. Information can, e.g., be communicated in an encrypted or secured manner or by means of authentication protocols.

Claims

A method for controlling operation of a hearing device, comprising the steps of:

generating a unique identification code for a hearing device;

storing said unique identification code on a storage medium on said hearing device;

assigning status and/or patient information to said unique identification code,

characterized by,

receiving status and/or patient information by said hearing device during operation and disabling/enabling operation of said hearing device depending on said status and/or patient information.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the unique identification code is also stored in a main database unit .

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of assigning status and/or patient information to said unique identification code is performed centrally in a main database unit.

The method according to any one of claims 2 to 3, further comprising the step of:

accessing the main database unit via a communication line from the hearing device;

checking the main database for the unique

identification code that matches the unique

identification code stored on the hearing device, and whereby the receiving status and/or patient

information comprises receiving, either or both of a current state value assigned to the unique

identification code stored on the hearing device, and/or

a patient identification information assigned to the unique identification code stored on the hearing device .

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the operation of said hearing device is disabled if the check retrieves an indication that the hearing device cannot be operated.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

wherein said status and/or patient information is updated on a regular basis, particularly when a change in said status and/or patient information occurs.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the status and/or patient information assigned to said unique identification code is distributed to a plurality of devices.

The method according to claims 7, wherein said status and/or patient information received by said hearing device during operation is received from any one or a combination of said plurality of devices.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

wherein said status and/or patient information is received by means of wireless communication,

particularly by radio frequency, even more

particularly by short range radio frequency.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

wherein the receiving status and/or patient

information by said hearing device takes pice when it is fitted.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to

wherein the receiving status and/or patient

information by said hearing device takes place

the hearing device is turned on. Hearing device with safety function, comprising:

a storing unit for storing an unique identification code ;

means for sending data;

means for receiving data;

a processing unit for processing data, in particular for comparing received data comprising an unique identification code with the unique identification code stored on said device, characterized in that, the processing unit comprises means for disabling

operation of the hearing device depending on the received data and/or the results of the said

comparison .

The hearing device according to claim 12, further comprising means for selectively disabling individual functions of the hearing device.

The hearing device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the hearing device further comprises at least one of:

means for muting the hearing device;

means for disabling a configuration of the hearing device to an individual patient's hearing loss and/or hearing preferences;

means for disabling at least partly signal processing in a signal processing unit of the hearing device; means for disabling at least some of usability features of the hearing device, and/or

means for restricting gain and maximum output value preset values.

Computer program product for performing a method according to claim 1.

Computer program product according to claim 15, adapted to operate on any one of the following platforms :

a processing unit of a hearing device according to claim 14;

a mobile phone;

a Bluetooth accessory;

a computer workstation for fitting hearing devices, and/or

a network computing system.