CN110012405B - Hearing instrument with interruptible microphone power supply - Google Patents
Hearing instrument with interruptible microphone power supply Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN110012405B CN110012405B CN201910106117.0A CN201910106117A CN110012405B CN 110012405 B CN110012405 B CN 110012405B CN 201910106117 A CN201910106117 A CN 201910106117A CN 110012405 B CN110012405 B CN 110012405B
- Authority
- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- microphone
- signal
- control
- hearing instrument
- power supply
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
Images
Landscapes
- Circuit For Audible Band Transducer (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to a hearing instrument with an interruptible microphone power supply. The hearing instrument comprises: a first microphone; and control and processing circuitry, the control and processing circuitry comprising: the microphone system comprises a first audio input channel configured to receive a first microphone signal, a second audio input channel configured to receive an audio signal, a signal processor for receiving and processing the first microphone signal and the audio signal in accordance with a hearing loss of a user, a power supply configured to provide a first microphone supply voltage to the first microphone, a first controllable switch comprising a first switch control terminal, the first controllable switch configured to selectively connect and disconnect the first microphone supply voltage to and from the first microphone in accordance with a first switch control signal, and a first output port configured to provide the first switch control signal to the first switch control terminal.
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a hearing instrument for use by a user.
The hearing instrument comprises a first microphone for generating a first microphone signal in response to receiving sound, and the first microphone comprises a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal. The control and processing circuitry of the hearing instrument comprises a first audio input channel coupled to the first microphone signal and a second audio input channel for receiving the second audio signal. The control and processing circuit comprises a signal processor for receiving and processing the first microphone signal and the second audio signal in dependence of the hearing loss of the user. The power supply of the control and processing circuit is configured to provide a first microphone supply voltage between the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone. The first controllable switch includes a first switch control terminal and is configured to selectively connect and disconnect a first microphone supply voltage between positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone in accordance with a first switch control signal. A first controllable output port of the control and processing circuit is configured to provide a first switch control signal to the first switch control terminal.
Background
A hearing instrument or hearing aid comprises at least one microphone for receiving incoming sounds, such as speech and music. The incoming sound is amplified and processed in the signal processor of the hearing instrument according to one or more preset listening programs, which have been calculated according to the user's specific degree of hearing deficiency, e.g. expressed as an audiogram. The output amplifier delivers the processed sound signal to the ear canal of the user via a small loudspeaker or receiver, which may be accommodated in the housing of the hearing instrument together with the microphone or separately in an ear plug.
Modern hearing instruments further provide increasingly complex signal processing functions and user interface functions due to the rapid development of digital integrated circuit technology and the algorithmic development of digital signal processing. Modern hearing instruments therefore typically comprise a plurality of different listening programs, which may employ different microphone signals as audio input or so-called direct audio input sources, which are transmitted, for example, via RF antennas, infrared receivers or magnetic antennas like telephone coils. Furthermore, modern hearing instruments often comprise more than one microphone, for example 2, 3 or 4 microphones, which may be operated simultaneously under certain conditions to deliver a plurality of microphone signals. Multiple microphone signals may be used to provide different types of noise reduction and beamforming functions or algorithms. One of the plurality of microphone signals may be generated by the ear canal microphone and used for occlusion suppression functions, such as disclosed in U.S. patent 8,520,875. The type and number of selections of signal processing functions are typically associated with a specific listening program, which is selected automatically by the control and processing circuitry of the hearing instrument or manually via a suitable user by means of control buttons operable by the hearing instrument user. Thus, a particular listening program often utilizes a particular signal processing function or set of functions tailored to the particular sound environment of the user. The first listening program may for example comprise a beam forming function or algorithm and is customized for a noisy sound environment such as a train station or bar. The second listening program may utilize a single non-directional microphone input signal and be customized for a relatively quiet home or office sound environment, or the like.
However, when the hearing aid microphone is operated, it may consume a certain amount of power to generate a useful microphone signal from a percussive sound of, for example, between about 20mW and 50 mW. This power dissipation is drawn through the positive and negative power supply terminals of the microphone coupled to the microphone supply voltage of the hearing instrument. The current drawn from the microphone supply voltage depletes the battery source or unit of the hearing instrument, usually moderately. The power consumption of a hearing aid microphone is typically drawn by different types of preamplifiers and other signal processing circuitry housed inside the capsule or housing of the hearing aid microphone. In view of the limited amount of energy stored in the hearing instrument battery unit, it is desirable to reduce the power consumption of the hearing instrument circuitry and components as much as possible.
U.S.6,760,457B 1 discloses a hearing aid with a magnetically activated switch that automatically switches the hearing aid input from the microphone input to the voice coil input in response to the presence of a magnetic field. The magnetic field may be generated by a magnet in the telephone handset so that when the hearing aid user picks up the telephone answering phone, the hearing instrument automatically switches to voice coil input.
Disclosure of Invention
A first aspect relates to a hearing instrument for use by a user, the hearing instrument comprising a first microphone for generating a first microphone signal in response to receiving sound, wherein the first microphone comprises a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal. The hearing instrument further comprises a control and processing circuit comprising a first audio input channel coupled to the first microphone signal and a second audio input channel for receiving the second audio signal. The signal processor of the control and processing circuit is configured to receive and process the first microphone signal and the second audio signal in accordance with the hearing loss of the user. The power supply is configured to provide a first microphone supply voltage between a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal, respectively, of the first microphone. The first controllable switch includes a first switch control terminal, and the first controllable switch is configured to selectively connect and disconnect a first microphone supply voltage between a positive supply terminal and a negative supply terminal of the first microphone in accordance with a first switch control signal. A first controllable output port of the control and processing circuit is configured to provide a first switch control signal to the first switch control terminal.
The ability of the control and processing circuitry of the present hearing instrument to disconnect the first microphone supply voltage via the first controllable switch enables the power consumption of one or more non-operational hearing instrument microphones to be substantially reduced or eliminated while the hearing instrument remains operational. The hearing instrument may for example remain operational by reproducing audio input delivered by one of the direct audio input sources discussed above. As noted above, some listening programs may not require that all hearing instrument microphones be operated simultaneously, and indeed, some listening programs may not even require a single operated microphone, such as a listening program obtaining its audio input from the direct audio input source discussed above. Another advantage of the hearing instrument is that the control and processing circuitry of the hearing instrument is able to control the connection and disconnection of the microphone supply voltage of each hearing instrument microphone, e.g. according to a selected listening program, so that only the required microphone is powered and therefore operated in any selected listening program. Because the control and processing circuitry controls the selection of the desired listening program, either automatically or in response to user input, the one or more audio input sources used in the selected listening program can be known. Thus, the control and processing circuitry is able to identify and disconnect one or more non-operational microphones. A further advantage is that the control and processing circuitry is able to connect and disconnect the microphone supply voltage of each hearing instrument microphone in some kind of signal processing algorithms that rely on an interval-based usage pattern of some microphone signals. Thus, during the time interval when the associated microphone is not in use, the power supply of the associated microphone may be disconnected by the control and processing circuitry.
The hearing instrument may, for example, receive, process and reproduce an audio signal delivered from a remote audio source to the user via a wireless or wired receiver coupled to the second audio input channel. In the latter case, the control and processing circuitry may thus switch off the microphone power to the first microphone. According to this embodiment, the hearing instrument further comprises a wireless receiver for receiving the wireless modulated audio signal, and a decoder coupled to the wireless receiver for extracting the wireless audio signal and coupling said wireless audio signal to the second audio input channel or the third audio input channel of the control and processing circuit. The wireless receiver may comprise a suitable antenna for the selected type of wireless transmission, e.g. an antenna selected from a set of { RF antenna, magnetic antenna, optical receiver }. The RF antenna may be configured for receiving wireless modulated audio signals according to the Bluetooth standard or the Bluetooth low energy (Bluetooth LE) standard or according to US 8,229,146, for example. Alternatively, much lower frequency communication may be provided, for example, based on magnetic coupling in the case where the magnetic antenna may comprise a conventional telephone coil. The light receiver may comprise a suitable LED-based light sensor.
The remote audio source may comprise a portable wireless microphone, such as a ReSound UnitTMA mini microphone placed near a sound source such as a speaker, teacher, television, radio, or other type of sound source of interest. A portable wireless microphone picks up sound near the sound source and delivers a corresponding modulated audio signal to the wireless receiver of the hearing instrument via a suitable communication link. The modulated audio signal may be encoded into a digital format, for example, according to a standardized digital audio protocol.
Since the control and processing circuitry of the hearing instrument controls the connection and disconnection of the microphone supply voltage of the first microphone, the control and processing circuitry is able to identify and disconnect the power supply of the first microphone via the first controllable output port when the microphone signal is not required by the selection signal processing function or algorithm executed by the signal processor. In one embodiment, at least one processing parameter for processing the first microphone signal is used to set the logic state of the first controllable output port and thereby connect or disconnect the first microphone supply voltage. The at least one processing parameter may indicate that a non-directional microphone signal is required, for example, based on an analysis of noise characteristics of the first microphone signal. In response thereto, the control and processing circuitry may thus connect the microphone supply voltage to the first microphone.
In one embodiment, the hearing instrument comprises a second microphone for receiving sound and generating a corresponding second microphone signal at the second audio input channel. The second microphone includes a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal. The control and processing circuit further comprises a microphone power supply terminal providing a second microphone power supply voltage to the positive and negative power supply terminals of the second microphone, and a second controllable switch configured to selectively connect and disconnect the second microphone power supply voltage to the positive and negative power supply terminals of the second microphone in accordance with a second switch control signal from the first or second controllable output port connected to the second switch control terminal. Thus, in this embodiment, the second microphone signal is coupled to the second audio input channel instead of the audio input from the remote audio source via a wireless or wired receiver as discussed above. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that further embodiments may include the audio input from the remote audio source via the additional or third audio input channel discussed above.
In some embodiments, the microphone signal from the second microphone may only be required during some time intervals, and the control and processing circuitry is therefore configured to control the second controllable switch to selectively connect and disconnect the second microphone supply voltage in dependence on the time usage pattern of the second microphone. The utilization pattern of the second microphone may for example be determined by a specific signal processing function, for example a beamforming function activated in an intermittent mode in response to some predetermined audio signal characteristic of the incoming microphone signal. In one embodiment, the control and processing circuitry is configured to determine a time usage pattern of the second microphone based on ear canal sound pressure.
Various signal processing functions or algorithms with respective processing parameters may be combined or bundled to define specific preset listening programs for the hearing instrument, such that each preset listening program selects a specific audio signal channel or a set of audio input channels together with a specific set of signal processing functions applied to the audio signal of the selected audio channel. Thus, the control and processing circuitry may connect and disconnect the supply voltage of each of the first and second microphones in accordance with a selected preset listening program, such that only the required microphones are powered and operating in the selected listening program. The preset listening program may be selected automatically by the control and processing circuitry of the hearing instrument, e.g. based on an analysis of the spectral or temporal content of the first and/or second microphone signals, or manually by the hearing instrument user via suitable user-operable control buttons generating suitable control signals to the control and processing circuitry. In one embodiment, the hearing instrument may comprise a non-directional listening program that utilizes a single audio signal channel. In an alternative or additional embodiment, the hearing instrument may comprise a directional listening program, said directional listening program utilizing at least a first audio input channel and a second audio input channel.
At least the first audio input channel may include an analog-to-digital converter that generates digitized microphone signals for a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) of the signal processor. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the first audio input channel may include additional signal conditioning circuitry, such as a microphone preamplifier and/or various frequency selective filters in front of or integrated with the analog-to-digital converter to high-pass, low-pass or band-pass filter the microphone signal. The second audio input channel may likewise include an analog-to-digital converter and various additional signal conditioning circuits that are adapted to the nature of the audio signal source, e.g., the second microphone or the remote audio source, of the second audio input channel coupled to the control and processing circuit.
Although each of the first and second controllable switches may in principle be integrated on the control and processing circuit or provided as a separate element outside the control and processing circuit, preferably at least one and preferably both of the first and second controllable switches are integrated on the control and processing circuit. If the latter is available, the first controllable switch may for example be arranged in series with the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone and the second controllable switch is arranged in series with the positive and negative power supply terminals of the second microphone. The small size of a typical hearing instrument and the corresponding small area provided by the electronic carrier component of the hearing instrument would normally make it advantageous to integrate both the first controllable switch and the second controllable switch with the control and processing circuitry. The electronic carrier component may comprise a single-layer or multilayer printed circuit board or a ceramic substrate. The control and processing circuitry is preferably provided as a single semiconductor die or substrate, for example, fabricated in sub-micron CMOS processing. In an alternative form at least one and optionally both of the first and second controllable switches may be arranged outside the control and processing circuitry in series with the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first or second microphone. In an embodiment, the controllable switch may be integrated on the microphone.
Each of the first and second controllable switches may comprise a semiconductor switch, e.g. a transistor switch, such as a MOSFET switch, as the latter is particularly simple to integrate on a sub-micron digital CMOS based semiconductor die or substrate holding the control and processing circuitry. If the first and/or second controllable switch is mounted outside the control and processing circuitry, the first and/or second controllable switch may comprise a miniature electromechanical relay or MEMS relay or the like. The respective switch control terminals of such an externally arranged first controllable switch and/or second controllable switch may be electrically connected to externally accessible input ports of the control and processing circuit via suitable wiring of the hearing instrument. The electrical wires may comprise electrical paths or conductors formed on or in the electronic carrier components discussed above.
The first microphone may comprise a sound inlet or port arranged in a housing or shell of the hearing instrument to pick up sound from an external environment, such as a public or private space or room. The shell of the hearing instrument may comprise any known shell type, such as Behind The Ear (BTE), In The Ear (ITE), in the ear canal (ITC), completely in the ear canal (CIC), etc. In an embodiment, the second microphone of the hearing instrument may have a second sound inlet arranged in the housing or shell to pick up sound from the environment external to the hearing instrument. In this embodiment, the first sound inlet and the second sound inlet are preferably closely spaced on the housing, for example by a distance of less than 30mm, such as between 5 and 20 mm. This closely spaced arrangement of sound inlets or ports facilitates deriving or obtaining the previously discussed directional microphone signals from the first and second microphone signals. Thus, according to this embodiment, the control and processing circuitry may be configured to connect the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone to the first microphone supply voltage and disconnect the positive and negative power supply terminals of the second microphone from the second microphone supply voltage if the first preset listening program is selected to use only the first microphone signal as an audio input, e.g. to form a non-directional signal. The control and processing circuit may further connect the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone to the first microphone supply voltage and the positive and negative power supply terminals of the second microphone to the second microphone supply voltage if the second preset listening program is selected to combine the first and second microphone signals in the signal processor, for example to form a directional microphone signal via a beamforming function.
In another advantageous embodiment of the present hearing instrument with at least two microphones, the sound inlet of the second microphone is arranged in the housing or shell of the hearing instrument to pick up sound from the ear canal of the user when the hearing instrument is fitted on or in the ear of the user. The ability to measure and process the sound pressure in the ear canal of a user may be helpful for a number of reasons, for example to provide occlusion suppression or cancellation in a hearing instrument while the user is speaking.
As mentioned above, the processing circuitry may comprise a plurality of preset listening programs in the signal processor with different processing parameters for processing the at least first microphone signal. The control and processing circuitry may be configured to connect and disconnect at least the first microphone supply voltage via the first controllable output port in accordance with a selected preset listening program. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the control and processing circuitry may be configured to connect and disconnect the respective microphone supply voltages of any other microphone via the further controllable output port in accordance with the selected preset listening program. The different processing parameters may already be determined by the hearing aid fitting system during fitting at the audiologist's office in dependence of the hearing loss of the user. The different processing parameters may have been written to the hearing instrument in connection with the fitting process and loaded into the non-volatile data storage space of the hearing instrument. Different processing parameters may already be stored in the non-volatile data storage space such that these parameters can be read by the signal processor during operation of the hearing instrument.
The signal processor preferably comprises a software programmable microprocessor, such as a DSP core. Each of the signal processing functions and listening programs discussed above may comprise a set of executable program instructions executing on a software programmable microprocessor core. In the alternative, the signal processor may comprise a hard-wired DSP implemented with components of suitably configured digital sequential and combinational logic circuitry.
The power supply of the control and processing circuitry may comprise a DC power supply. In embodiments, the DC power supply may comprise various types of power supply circuits, such as a linear regulator or a switched mode DC-DC power converter, and both are coupled to the battery power supply of the control and processing circuitry. The battery power of the hearing instrument may be provided by a conventional 1.2V zinc air battery or by one or more rechargeable battery cells. The DC power supply may be configured to deliver a microphone supply voltage at a DC level between 0.9V and 1.1V, which is appropriate for typical hearing instrument microphones. In addition, the DC voltage level may be adapted to the power requirements of any particular type of hearing aid microphone. As mentioned above, each hearing instrument microphone may draw between 20mW and 50mW of power from the microphone supply voltage when connected to the microphone supply voltage. The DC power supply may include a boost-type switch-mode DC-DC power converter if a higher microphone supply voltage is required than the DC voltage delivered by the battery supply, and a buck-type switch-mode DC-DC power converter if the required microphone supply voltage is lower than the DC voltage of the battery supply.
A hearing instrument for use by a user, comprising: a first microphone for generating a first microphone signal in response to receiving sound, the first microphone comprising a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal; and control and processing circuitry comprising: the microphone system comprises a first audio input channel configured to receive a first microphone signal, a second audio input channel configured to receive an audio signal, a signal processor for receiving and processing the first microphone signal and the audio signal in accordance with a hearing loss of a user, a power supply configured to provide a first microphone supply voltage to the first microphone, a first controllable switch comprising a first switch control terminal, the first controllable switch configured to selectively connect and disconnect the first microphone supply voltage to and from the first microphone in accordance with a first switch control signal, and a first output port configured to provide the first switch control signal to the first switch control terminal.
Optionally, the hearing instrument further comprises: a second microphone for receiving sound and producing a corresponding second microphone signal, the second microphone coupled to a second audio input channel and comprising a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal; wherein the control and processing circuitry further comprises: a microphone power terminal providing a second microphone power voltage to a second microphone, and a second controllable switch including a second switch control terminal configured to selectively connect and disconnect the second microphone power voltage to and from the second microphone in accordance with a second switch control signal from either the first output port or the second output port connected to the second switch control terminal.
Optionally, the second microphone comprises a second sound inlet arranged in a shell or casing of the hearing instrument to pick up sound from the ear canal of the user when the hearing instrument is fitted on or in the ear of the user.
Optionally, the control and processing circuitry is further configured to control the second controllable switch to selectively connect and disconnect the second microphone supply voltage in dependence on a time usage pattern of the second microphone.
Optionally, the control and processing circuitry is configured to determine a time usage pattern of the second microphone based on ear canal sound pressure.
Optionally, the control and processing circuitry comprises a plurality of preset listening programs, and wherein the control and processing circuitry is configured to selectively: connecting the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone to the first microphone supply voltage and disconnecting the positive and negative power supply terminals of the second microphone from the second microphone supply voltage if a first one of the preset listening programs is selected to use the first microphone signal as an audio input instead of the second microphone signal; if a second one of the preset listening programs is selected to combine the first and second microphone signals in the signal processor, the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone are connected to the first microphone supply voltage and the positive and negative power supply terminals of the second microphone are connected to the second microphone supply voltage.
Optionally, at least one of the first and second controllable switches is arranged in series with the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first or second microphone.
Optionally, the hearing instrument further comprises: a wireless receiver for receiving a wireless modulated audio signal; and a decoder coupled to the wireless receiver for extracting the wireless audio signal and coupling the wireless audio signal to the second audio input channel or the third audio input channel of the control and processing circuit.
Optionally, the wirelessly modulated audio signal comprises a digitally encoded audio signal.
Optionally, the wireless receiver comprises an RF antenna, a magnetic antenna or an optical receiver.
Optionally, the hearing instrument further comprises: a second microphone; and a second controllable switch; wherein the second controllable switch is located outside the control and processing circuit and is arranged in series with the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first or second microphone.
Optionally, the first microphone comprises a sound inlet arranged in a housing or shell of the hearing instrument to pick up sound from the external environment.
Optionally, the control and processing circuitry comprises a plurality of preset listening programs with different processing parameters in the signal processor for processing at least the first microphone signal; and wherein the control and processing circuitry is configured to connect and disconnect at least the first microphone supply voltage via the first output port in accordance with a selected one of the preset listening programs.
Optionally, the first audio input channel comprises a microphone preamplifier and an analog-to-digital converter for generating a digitized microphone signal for a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) of the signal processor.
Optionally, the signal processor comprises a software programmable microprocessor core.
Optionally, the power supply comprises a linear regulator or a switched mode DC-DC power converter.
Optionally, the first controllable switch comprises a MOSFET.
Optionally, the signal processor is configured to set a logic state of the first output port based on at least one processing parameter for processing the first microphone signal.
Other and further aspects and features will be apparent from reading the following detailed description.
Drawings
The drawings illustrate the design and operation of the various features described herein, wherein like elements are referred to by common reference numerals. In order to better appreciate how the above-recited and other advantages and objects are obtained, a more particular description should be given and shown in the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only exemplary features and are not therefore to be considered to limit the scope of the claims.
Embodiments will be described in more detail in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:
fig. 1 is a simplified schematic block diagram of a hearing instrument including a processor controlling connection and disconnection of a microphone power supply according to an embodiment; and
fig. 2 is a simplified schematic block diagram of a multi-microphone hearing instrument according to an embodiment, the hearing instrument comprising a processor controlling the individual connection and disconnection of the microphone power supply; and
fig. 3 is a simplified schematic block diagram of a multi-microphone hearing instrument including a processor controlling the individual connection and disconnection of the microphone power supplies according to an embodiment.
Detailed Description
Various features are described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale and that elements having the same structure or function are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should be noted that the figures are only intended to help describe the features. They are not to be considered as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. Moreover, the illustrated features need not have all aspects or advantages shown. Aspects or advantages described in connection with a particular feature are not necessarily limited to that feature and can be applied to any other feature even if not illustrated.
Fig. 1 is a simplified schematic block diagram of a hearing instrument 100 according to an embodiment, the hearing instrument 100 comprising a processor controlling the connection and disconnection of the microphone power supply. The hearing instrument may comprise any type of hearing aid housing type, such as Behind The Ear (BTE), in the ear canal (ITC), completely in the ear canal (CIC), etc. For simplicity, the output amplifier and miniature receiver/speaker for generating ear canal sound pressure have been omitted, but may be in embodimentsCommunicatively coupled to an output port or an ingress of the processor. The hearing instrument 100 comprises a microphone supply voltage terminal V coupled to a control and processing circuit 101MIC1Microphone M powered by positive power supply terminal1. Microphone M1Is coupled to ground potential as is the ground terminal of the control and processing circuit 101. Thus, the microphone M1Is passed through positive and negative power terminals and is used to power a microphone preamplifier disposed inside the housing or case of the microphone. Microphone M1May be formed as a pair of externally accessible pads on the housing or case of the microphone. Microphone M1Further included is a microphone signal terminal or pad that is connected to the output of the microphone preamplifier and provides a first microphone signal 199 generated corresponding to incoming sound. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that for some types of microphones, the audio signal terminal and the positive power terminal are provided as a single shared microphone pad or terminal.
The control and processing circuit 101 comprises a first audio input channel 103 coupled to a first microphone signal 199 via an audio input terminal 196 of the control and processing circuit 101. The first audio input channel 103 includes a microphone preamplifier or buffer a1 that passes the amplified/buffered and possibly filtered microphone signal to a first analog-to-digital converter Σ Δ 1, producing a digitized or digital microphone signal 198. The first analog-to-digital converter may comprise a sigma delta type converter as shown or any other suitable type of analog-to-digital converter, such as a high speed converter, a successive approximation converter, etc. The digital microphone signal 198 is provided to a first input channel 197 of the digital signal processor 111(DSP) of the control and processing circuit 101. The DSP111 may include a software programmable DSP core and may apply one or more signal processing functions to the digital microphone signal 198 under the control of a set of executable program instructions or code. The one or more signal processing functions are preferably adapted to process the digital microphone signal in dependence of the hearing loss of the user of the hearing instrument. Thus, the individual processing parameters of one or more signal processing functions may already be determined by the user during the aforementioned hearing aid fitting at the audiologist's office and loaded into the non-volatile data storage space 195 accessible to the DSP 111.
The DSP111 is clocked by a master clock signal provided by a clock generator 109, which clock generator 109 may have a clock frequency between 1 and 20 MHz. The clock generator 109 may additionally provide synchronized clock signals for the first and second analog-to-digital converters Σ Δ 1, Σ Δ 2. The control and processing circuit 101 may also comprise a second audio input channel 105 for receiving a second so-called direct audio signal via a preamplifier a2 and a second analog-to-digital converter Σ Δ 2. The second audio input channel 105 further comprises a wireless receiver and decoder 104 before a second preamplifier a 2. The wireless receiver and decoder 104 is coupled to an RF antenna 106 for receiving a wireless RF modulated audio signal V passing therethroughRF1. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the wireless receiver and decoder 104 may operate according to the bluetooth standard or the bluetooth LE standard or according to US 8,229,146, using the bluetooth standard or the bluetooth LE standard or according to the digital audio transfer protocol and profile of US 8,229,146. The wireless receiver and decoder 104 may modulate the audio signal V from RFRF1Extracts the wireless audio signal and supplies the latter to the input of a second preamplifier a2 in analog format. The output signal of the preamplifier a2 is then digitized in a second analog-to-digital converter Σ Δ 2 and provided to a second digital channel of the DSP111 for further processing in accordance with the hearing loss of the user as described earlier. In the alternative, the wireless receiver and decoder 104 may be configured to directly extract or decode the incoming RF modulated audio signal into a digital signal format and provide the digital audio signal to the appropriate digital input channel of the DSP 111. The audio signal path associated with this direct digital decoding of the RF modulated audio signal is schematically indicated by the dashed line or line 113.
The control and processing circuit 101 includes a voltage or power supply, such as a DC power supply, DC-DC, configured to be at the microphone M1Between the positive and negative power supply terminals of the microphone supply voltage as discussed aboveVMIC1. The DC power supply, DC-DC, may comprise a relatively simple linear regulator that provides a low-noise and ripple-free DC microphone supply voltage having a voltage level of 100-300mV, which is less than the supply terminal V provided to the control and processing circuitry 101 by a suitable battery power supply, such as a 1.2V zinc-air battery cellBATThe battery voltage of (c). Smoothing or smoothing capacitor C1Can be used to suppress ripple and noise in the DC microphone supply voltage. A typical hearing aid microphone should draw between 20 and 50 pa of current from a DC supply voltage of 1V voltage level. Controllable semiconductor switch SW1Is integrated on the control and processing circuit 101 and is connected via the microphone supply voltage terminal V of the circuit 101MIC1And a ground terminal and a microphone M1Are coupled in series. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the controllable semiconductor switch SW may be controlled, for example, depending on the semiconductor technology of the control and processing circuit 101 and the specific requirements of the respective application1Different types of semiconductor switches may be included, such as bipolar transistors, CMOS transistors, JFETs, and so forth. Due to the small size, large off-resistance and low on-resistance of the MOSFET switch, in this embodiment the controllable semiconductor switch SW1A MOSFET or a combination of MOSFETs (e.g., via gate coupling) may be included. Controllable semiconductor switch SW1Comprising a switch control signal phi1To a gate terminal or control terminal (not shown) for the switching control signal Φ1Selectively connecting and disconnecting the microphone M1Output voltage V of the DC power supplyREG. Switch control signal phi1Logic high level of (1) SW1Placed in a conductive or on state with a low resistance, e.g., less than 1k omega. On the other hand, the switch control signal Φ1Logic low level of (SW)1Placed in a non-conducting state or an off-state with a large resistance, e.g., greater than 1G Ω. Thus, in the off state, SW1Corresponds substantially to an open circuit such that the positive and negative power supply terminals of the microphone are effectively driven from the microphone supply voltage VREGIs turned off and the current drawn by the microphone is reduced to be largeTo zero. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the controllable semiconductor switch SW in an alternative form1Can be inserted into M1Is for example arranged in the ground line of the control and processing circuit 101 instead of the microphone supply voltage VREGAre connected in series.
Switch control signal phi for providing logic low and high levels1The actual voltage level of will depend on the particular type of switch, e.g., PMOS or NMOS transistor. Switch control signal phi1Provided by a controllable output port P1 of the control and processing circuit 101, which is electrically coupled to SW via on-chip wires1The gate terminal of (1). The logic level of the controllable output port is controlled by the control and processing circuit 101, for example by the signal processor 111 discussed above or another suitable controller capable of writing to the controllable output port P1. The controllable output port P1 may be mapped, for example, to a particular bit value of a peripheral control register (not shown) of the control and processing circuit 101. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that if the hearing instrument comprises a plurality of microphones, the peripheral control register may contain a plurality of bit values, each of which addresses a particular controllable output port, and the corresponding switch control signal of the controllable switch is configured to selectively connect and disconnect the microphone supply voltage of each of the plurality of microphones.
As previously mentioned, the DSP111 may include a software programmable DSP core, which is a software programmable DSP core from M1Provides one or more signal processing functions to process the digital microphone signal 198 according to the hearing loss of the user. These signal processing functions may comprise different processing parameters of the functions like non-linear amplification, noise reduction, frequency response shaping, etc., which are all integrated in the first preset listening program. The DSP111 further comprises at least one additional listening program which does not utilize the microphone signal but instead uses the second direct audio signal provided by the second audio input channel 105 discussed above. The DSP111 may be configured to perform the first and second predetermined listening routines, and so on, based on a control signal provided by one of the previously discussed user-operable control buttonsTo any other available listening program. The control signal may be routed to a suitable DSP readable input port (not shown) of the control and processing circuit 101, for example. When the control signal indicates that the user wishes to switch from the first preset listening program to the second preset listening program, the DSP111 switches in response thereto from reading and processing the digital microphone signal of the first input channel 103 to reading and processing the direct digital audio signal from the second audio input channel 105. Furthermore, the DSP111 continues to communicate to the controllable Port P as described above1Write the appropriate logic state through SW1The microphone power supply voltage VREGDisconnected from the microphone. If the user presses the user-operable control button again at a later point in time to signal a desire to return to the first preset listening program, the DSP111 continues by closing the SW1To convert the microphone power voltage VREGReconnects to the microphone and reads and processes the digital microphone signal, which is now again provided through the first audio input channel 103.
Fig. 2 is a simplified schematic block diagram of a multi-microphone hearing instrument 200 according to a second embodiment, the hearing instrument 200 comprising a processor controlling the individual connection and disconnection of the microphone power supply. Features in this embodiment that are the same as in the first embodiment discussed above are provided with corresponding reference numerals for ease of comparison. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the microphone M is facing upwards1And the general description of the characteristics of the various circuit blocks of the control and processing circuit 101 can equally be applied to the corresponding microphone M1、M2And M3And corresponding circuit blocks of the control and processing circuit 201. The present multi-microphone hearing instrument 200 comprises three microphones M coupled to a DSP211 via respective audio input channels 203, 205a1、M2And M3And does not include any direct audio input channels. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other embodiments may additionally include a direct audio input channel similar to that discussed in relation to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the same DC power supply, DC-DC, is supplied via each microphone supply voltage terminal V as shown in the figureMIC1、VMIC2And VMIC3To all three microphones M1、M2And M3Providing a microphone supply voltage. Controllable semiconductor switch SW1、SW2And SW3Arranged at a DC supply voltage V provided by a common DC supplyREGAnd three microphones M1、M2And M3Between each microphone supply voltage of each microphone in the array. Thus, three microphones M1、M2And M3Can be provided via appropriate gate terminals and via appropriate switch control signals Φ of the respective controllable output ports P1, P2, and P3 of the DSP2111、Φ2And phi3But is separately connected to VREGOr with VREGAnd (5) disconnecting. The controllable output ports P1, P2 and P3 are electrically connected to the controllable semiconductor switch SW1、SW2And SW3And respectively control the appropriate switch control signal Φ1、Φ2And phi3To the switch control terminal. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in various embodiments, three microphones M1、M2And M3Many different configurations of and corresponding signal processing functions are possible. In one embodiment, the microphone M1And M2There may be respective sound inlets arranged at a proximal position in the housing or shell of the hearing instrument 200 to be able to pick up sound from the environment outside the hearing instrument. On the other hand, the microphone M3There may be a sound inlet arranged in the shell or housing of the hearing instrument to pick up sound from the ear canal of the user when the hearing instrument 200 is placed in the ear canal of the user. In this way, the microphone M3The acoustic pressure of the ear canal of the user is recorded or picked up, which is useful for many reasons, such as providing occlusion suppression or elimination via appropriate signal processing functions. By a microphone M1And M2The communicated individual microphone signals may be used by the signal processor to form various types of directional or beam forming functions in one or more particular listening programs. Subsequent listening intervalSequences are often useful for suppressing ambient noise and improving speech intelligibility for users in noisy or ambient environments. However, a first listening program, which may be preferred when the user is in a quiet environment, may utilize non-directional microphone input without any occlusion suppression. Thus, in the first listening program, the first microphone M1May be via SW1Is connected to a DC supply voltage VREGTo the slave microphone M1Passing microphone signals for processing by the DSP211 while the second and third microphones M are not in use2And M3May be supplied by the DSP211 via controllable output ports P2 and P3 and a controllable semiconductor switch SW2And SW3From DC supply voltage VREGAnd (5) disconnecting. Thus, when the first listening program is activated, the second and third microphones M2And M3The power consumption of (2) is eliminated.
Fig. 3 is a simplified schematic block diagram of a multi-microphone hearing instrument 300 according to a third embodiment, the hearing instrument 300 comprising a processor controlling the individual connection and disconnection of the microphone power supplies. Features in this embodiment that are the same as in the second embodiment discussed above are provided with corresponding reference numerals for ease of comparison. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the microphone M is facing upwards1-M3And the general description of the characteristics of the various circuit blocks of the control and processing circuit 201 can equally be applied to the corresponding microphone M1、M2And M3And corresponding circuit blocks of the control and processing circuit 301. The multi-microphone hearing instrument 300 comprises three microphones M1、M2And M3And does not include any direct audio input channels. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other embodiments may additionally include a direct audio input channel similar to that discussed in relation to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the first controllable switch SW1Formed as a separate element external to the control and processing circuit 301. Second and third controllable switches SW2And SW3Is integrated in the control and processing as described above in relation to the second embodimentOn the circuit 301, but may alternatively be provided as a separate external element. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the first controllable switch SW1May comprise a semiconductor switch, e.g. comprising one or more transistors, such as MOSFETs, JFETs, bipolar transistors, controllable semiconductor switches SW integrally formed as discussed above1、SW2And SW3(i.e. formed in the controllable semiconductor switch SW1、SW2And SW3Above). However, the first controllable switch SW1A miniature electromechanical relay or other type of relay may alternatively be included.
Switch control signal phi1An externally accessible output port P1 and pad 308 via the control and processing circuit 301 are applied to the first controllable switch SW1Switch control terminal (not shown). The controllable output port P1 may be mapped to a particular I/O address of the I/O address space of the control and processing circuit 101, for example. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various levels of translation circuitry may be inserted at output ports 308 and SW if desired1To provide the appropriate voltage level of the switch control signal.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the illustrated individually controllable output ports P1, P2, and P3 may in other embodiments be replaced by a single output port having a controllable semiconductor switch SW1、SW2And SW3The coded switch address of (2). In this embodiment, appropriate decoding logic may be added to separately decode and provide the switch control signal Φ from the encoded switch address provided via a single output port1、Φ2And phi3Each of which.
In the above embodiments, the hearing instrument has been described as having a signal processor. As used in this specification, the term "signal processor" is not limited to a certain type of processor, but may refer to one or more processors, such as an FPGA processor, an ASIC processor, a general purpose processor, or any other type of processor capable of processing signals. Also, the "signal processor" may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Furthermore, a "signal processor" may refer to any integrated circuit or portion of an integrated circuit.
The invention further comprises aspects according to the items mentioned below.
Item:
1. a hearing instrument for use by a user, the hearing instrument comprising:
a first microphone for generating a first microphone signal in response to receiving sound,
the first microphone comprises a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal;
control and processing circuitry comprising:
a first audio input channel coupled to the first microphone signal,
a second audio input channel, the first audio input channel configured to receive a second audio signal,
a signal processor for receiving and processing the first microphone signal and the second audio signal according to a hearing loss of a user,
a power supply configured to provide a first microphone supply voltage between positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone,
a first controllable switch comprising a first switch control terminal, wherein the first controllable switch is configured to selectively connect and disconnect a first microphone supply voltage between positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone in accordance with a first switch control signal,
a first controllable output port configured to provide the first switch control signal to the first switch control terminal.
2. The hearing instrument of item 1, further comprising:
a second microphone for receiving sound and producing a corresponding second microphone signal at the second audio input channel,
the second microphone comprises a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal;
the control and processing circuitry further comprises:
a microphone power supply terminal that provides a second microphone power supply voltage to positive and negative power supply terminals of the second microphone,
a second controllable switch configured to selectively connect and disconnect the second microphone supply voltage to positive and negative power supply terminals of the second microphone in accordance with a second switch control signal from either a first or second controllable output port connected to the second switch control terminal.
3. The hearing instrument of item 1 or 2, further comprising:
a wireless receiver for receiving a wireless modulated audio signal,
a decoder coupled to the wireless receiver for extracting a wireless audio signal and coupling the wireless audio signal to the second audio input channel or the third audio input channel of the control and processing circuit.
4. The hearing instrument of item 3, wherein the wirelessly modulated audio signal comprises a digitally encoded audio signal.
5. The hearing instrument of item 4, wherein the wireless receiver comprises an antenna selected from a set of { RF antenna, magnetic antenna, optical receiver }.
6. A hearing instrument according to any of the preceding items, wherein at least one of the first and second controllable switches is integrated on the control and processing circuit and arranged in series with the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first or second microphone.
7. The hearing instrument according to any one of the preceding items, wherein at least one of the first and second controllable switches is arranged outside the control and processing circuit and in series with the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first or second microphone.
8. The hearing instrument of any one of the preceding items, wherein the first microphone comprises a sound inlet arranged in a housing or shell of the hearing instrument to pick up sound from an external environment.
9. The hearing instrument of any of items 2-8, wherein the second microphone comprises a sound inlet arranged in a housing or shell of the hearing instrument to pick up sound from an ear canal of a user when the hearing instrument is fitted in the user's ear.
10. The hearing instrument according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the control and processing circuitry comprises a plurality of preset listening programs with different processing parameters in the signal processor for processing at least the first microphone signal; and is
The control and processing circuit is configured to connect and disconnect at least the first microphone supply voltage via the first controllable output port in accordance with a selected preset listening program.
11. The hearing instrument of item 10, wherein the control and processing circuitry is configured to:
connecting the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone to the first microphone supply voltage and disconnecting the positive and negative power supply terminals of the second microphone from the second microphone supply voltage if a first preset listening program is selected to use only the first microphone signal as an audio input;
if a second preset listening program is selected to combine the first and second microphone signals in the signal processor, for example to form a directional microphone signal via a beam forming function, the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone are connected to the first microphone supply voltage and the positive and negative power supply terminals of the second microphone are connected to the second microphone supply voltage.
12. The hearing instrument of one of the preceding items, wherein at least the first audio input signal channel comprises a microphone preamplifier and an analog-to-digital converter for generating a digitized microphone signal for a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) of the signal processor.
13. The hearing instrument of item 11, wherein the signal processor comprises a software programmable microprocessor core, such as a DSP core.
14. The hearing instrument of any one of the preceding items, wherein the power supply comprises a linear regulator or a switched mode DC-DC power converter, such as a boost converter, a buck converter or a charge pump, coupled to a battery supply voltage of the control and processing circuitry.
15. The hearing instrument of any one of the preceding items, wherein each of the first and second controllable switches comprises a semiconductor switch, such as a MOSFET.
16. The hearing instrument of any one of the preceding items, wherein the signal processor is configured to set a logic state of the first controllable output port based on at least one processing parameter for processing the first microphone signal.
17. The hearing instrument of any of items 2-16, wherein the control and processing circuitry is further configured to control the second controllable switch to selectively connect and disconnect the second microphone supply voltage according to a time usage pattern of the second microphone.
18. The hearing instrument of item 17, wherein the control and processing circuitry is configured to determine a time usage pattern of the second microphone based on ear canal sound pressure.
19. A hearing instrument for use by a user, comprising:
a first microphone for generating a first microphone signal in response to receiving sound, the first microphone comprising a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal; and
control and processing circuitry comprising:
a first audio input channel configured to receive the first microphone signal,
a second audio input channel configured to receive an audio signal,
a signal processor for receiving and processing the first microphone signal and the audio signal according to a hearing loss of a user,
a power supply configured to provide a first microphone supply voltage to the first microphone,
a first controllable switch including a first switch control terminal, the first controllable switch configured to selectively connect and disconnect the first microphone supply voltage to and from the first microphone in accordance with a first switch control signal, an
A first output port configured to provide the first switch control signal to the first switch control terminal.
20. The hearing instrument of item 19, further comprising:
a second microphone for receiving sound and producing a corresponding second microphone signal, the second microphone coupled to the second audio input channel and comprising a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal;
wherein the control and processing circuitry further comprises:
a microphone power terminal that provides a second microphone power voltage to the second microphone, an
A second controllable switch including a second switch control terminal, the second controllable switch configured to selectively connect and disconnect the second microphone supply voltage to and from the second microphone in accordance with a second switch control signal from either a first output port or a second output port connected to the second switch control terminal.
21. The hearing instrument of item 20, wherein the second microphone comprises a sound inlet arranged in a shell or housing of the hearing instrument to pick up sound from an ear canal of a user when the hearing instrument is fitted on or in the ear of the user.
22. The hearing instrument of item 20, wherein the control and processing circuitry is further configured to control the second controllable switch to selectively connect and disconnect the second microphone supply voltage according to a time usage pattern of the second microphone.
23. The hearing instrument of item 22, wherein the control and processing circuitry is configured to determine a time usage pattern of the second microphone based on ear canal sound pressure.
24. The hearing instrument of item 20, wherein the control and processing circuitry comprises a plurality of preset listening programs, and wherein the control and processing circuitry is configured to selectively:
connecting positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone to the first microphone supply voltage and disconnecting positive and negative power supply terminals of the second microphone from the second microphone supply voltage if a first one of the preset listening programs is selected to use the first microphone signal as an audio input instead of the second microphone signal;
connecting the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone to the first microphone supply voltage and connecting the positive and negative power supply terminals of the second microphone to the second microphone supply voltage if a second one of the preset listening programs is selected to combine the first and second microphone signals in the signal processor.
25. The hearing instrument of item 20, wherein at least one of the first and second controllable switches is arranged in series with the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone or the second microphone.
26. The hearing instrument of item 19, further comprising:
a wireless receiver for receiving a wireless modulated audio signal; and
a decoder coupled to the wireless receiver for extracting a wireless audio signal and coupling the wireless audio signal to the second audio input channel or the third audio input channel of the control and processing circuit.
27. The hearing instrument of item 26, wherein the wirelessly modulated audio signal comprises a digitally encoded audio signal.
28. The hearing instrument of item 26, wherein the wireless receiver comprises an RF antenna, a magnetic antenna, or an optical receiver.
29. The hearing instrument of item 19, further comprising:
a second microphone; and
a second controllable switch;
wherein the second controllable switch is located outside the control and processing circuit and is arranged in series with the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone or the second microphone.
30. The hearing instrument of item 19, wherein the first microphone comprises a sound inlet arranged in a housing or shell of the hearing instrument to pick up sound from an external environment.
31. The hearing instrument of item 19, wherein the control and processing circuitry comprises a plurality of preset listening programs with different processing parameters in the signal processor to process at least the first microphone signal; and is
Wherein the control and processing circuitry is configured to connect and disconnect at least the first microphone supply voltage via the first output port in accordance with a selected one of the preset listening programs.
32. The hearing instrument of item 19, wherein the first audio input channel comprises a microphone preamplifier and an analog-to-digital converter for generating a digitized microphone signal for a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) of the signal processor.
33. The hearing instrument of item 32, wherein the signal processor comprises a software programmable microprocessor core.
34. The hearing instrument of item 19, wherein the power supply comprises a linear regulator or a switched mode DC-DC power converter.
35. The hearing instrument of item 19, wherein the first controllable switch comprises a MOSFET.
36. The hearing instrument of item 19, wherein the signal processor is configured to set a logic state of the first output port based on at least one processing parameter for processing the first microphone signal.
While particular features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not to be considered limitations on the claimed invention, and that various changes and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.
Claims (9)
1. A hearing instrument for use by a user, comprising:
a first microphone for generating a first microphone signal in response to receiving sound, the first microphone comprising a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal; and
control and processing circuitry comprising:
a first audio input channel configured to receive the first microphone signal,
a second audio input channel configured to receive an audio signal,
a signal processor for receiving and processing the first microphone signal and the audio signal according to the hearing loss of the user,
a power supply configured to provide a first microphone supply voltage to the first microphone,
a first controllable switch including a first switch control terminal, the first controllable switch configured to selectively connect and disconnect the first microphone supply voltage to and from the first microphone in accordance with a first switch control signal, an
A first output port configured to provide the first switch control signal to the first switch control terminal,
wherein the signal processor is configured to set a logic state of the first output port based on at least one processing parameter for processing the first microphone signal.
2. The hearing instrument of claim 1, further comprising:
a second microphone for receiving sound and producing a corresponding second microphone signal, the second microphone coupled to the second audio input channel and comprising a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal;
wherein the control and processing circuitry further comprises:
a microphone power terminal that provides a second microphone power voltage to the second microphone, an
A second controllable switch including a second switch control terminal, the second controllable switch configured to selectively connect and disconnect the second microphone supply voltage to and from the second microphone in accordance with a second switch control signal from the first or second output port connected to the second switch control terminal.
3. A hearing instrument according to claim 2, wherein the second microphone comprises a sound inlet arranged in a shell or housing of the hearing instrument for picking up sound from the ear canal of the user when the hearing instrument is fitted on or in the ear of the user.
4. The hearing instrument of claim 2, wherein the control and processing circuit is further configured to control the second controllable switch to selectively connect and disconnect the second microphone supply voltage according to a time usage pattern of the second microphone.
5. The hearing instrument of claim 4, wherein the control and processing circuit is configured to determine a time usage pattern of the second microphone based on ear canal sound pressure.
6. The hearing instrument of claim 2, wherein the control and processing circuit comprises a plurality of preset listening programs, and wherein the control and processing circuit is configured to selectively:
connecting positive and negative power supply terminals of the first microphone to the first microphone supply voltage and disconnecting positive and negative power supply terminals of the second microphone from the second microphone supply voltage if a first one of the preset listening programs is selected to use the first microphone signal as an audio input instead of the second microphone signal;
connecting a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal of the first microphone to the first microphone supply voltage and connecting a positive power supply terminal and a negative power supply terminal of the second microphone to the second microphone supply voltage if a second one of the preset listening programs is selected to combine the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal in the signal processor.
7. The hearing instrument of claim 1, further comprising:
a wireless receiver for receiving a wireless modulated audio signal; and
a decoder coupled to the wireless receiver for extracting a wireless audio signal and coupling the wireless audio signal to the second or third audio input channel of the control and processing circuit.
8. The hearing instrument of claim 1, further comprising:
a second microphone; and
a second controllable switch;
wherein the second controllable switch is external to the control and processing circuitry and is arranged in series with the positive and negative power supply terminals of the first or second microphone.
9. A hearing instrument according to claim 1, wherein the control and processing circuitry comprises a plurality of preset listening programs with different processing parameters in the signal processor for processing at least the first microphone signal; and is
Wherein the control and processing circuitry is configured to connect and disconnect at least the first microphone supply voltage via the first output port in accordance with a selected one of the preset listening programs.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DKPA201370609 | 2013-10-22 | ||
| DKPA201370609 | 2013-10-22 | ||
| CN201410566561.8A CN104581591A (en) | 2013-10-22 | 2014-10-22 | Hearing instrument capable of cutting off microphone power supply |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201410566561.8A Division CN104581591A (en) | 2013-10-22 | 2014-10-22 | Hearing instrument capable of cutting off microphone power supply |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN110012405A CN110012405A (en) | 2019-07-12 |
| CN110012405B true CN110012405B (en) | 2021-08-17 |
Family
ID=53096609
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201410566561.8A Pending CN104581591A (en) | 2013-10-22 | 2014-10-22 | Hearing instrument capable of cutting off microphone power supply |
| CN201910106117.0A Active CN110012405B (en) | 2013-10-22 | 2014-10-22 | Hearing instrument with interruptible microphone power supply |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201410566561.8A Pending CN104581591A (en) | 2013-10-22 | 2014-10-22 | Hearing instrument capable of cutting off microphone power supply |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP2015097385A (en) |
| CN (2) | CN104581591A (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN106658287A (en) * | 2016-11-11 | 2017-05-10 | 北京卓锐微技术有限公司 | Microphone system and amplifying circuit |
| CN106658303A (en) * | 2016-12-01 | 2017-05-10 | 北京卓锐微技术有限公司 | Microphone system and amplifying circuit |
| EP3396833B1 (en) * | 2017-04-28 | 2019-08-14 | GN Hearing A/S | Hearing device comprising switched capacitor dc-dc converter with low electromagnetic emission |
| CN110677772B (en) * | 2018-07-03 | 2020-12-25 | 群光电子股份有限公司 | Sound receiving device and method for generating noise signal thereof |
| CN113810802B (en) * | 2021-08-27 | 2023-09-29 | 青岛歌尔智能传感器有限公司 | Intelligent microphone and electronic device |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5835610A (en) * | 1995-12-22 | 1998-11-10 | Nec Corporation | Hearing air system |
| CN101499783A (en) * | 2008-01-31 | 2009-08-05 | 鸿富锦精密工业（深圳）有限公司 | Gain automatic regulating circuit and electronic product using the same |
| CN201491219U (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2010-05-26 | 上海华平信息技术股份有限公司 | Microphone with energy-saving function |
| CN102165521A (en) * | 2008-09-30 | 2011-08-24 | 苹果公司 | Multiple microphone switching and configuration |
Family Cites Families (20)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH10126893A (en) * | 1996-10-18 | 1998-05-15 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Haring aid |
| US6366863B1 (en) * | 1998-01-09 | 2002-04-02 | Micro Ear Technology Inc. | Portable hearing-related analysis system |
| JP3890767B2 (en) * | 1998-09-22 | 2007-03-07 | ヤマハ株式会社 | External sound processing device for ear wearing such as hearing aids |
| EP1157588A1 (en) * | 1999-03-05 | 2001-11-28 | Etymotic Research, Inc | Directional microphone array system |
| US6760457B1 (en) * | 2000-09-11 | 2004-07-06 | Micro Ear Technology, Inc. | Automatic telephone switch for hearing aid |
| DK200300167A (en) * | 2003-02-05 | 2003-11-08 | Bernafon Ag | Hearing aid with microphone switching system comprises power supply, microphone for picking up ambient sound, signal processing system and receiver for delivery of audio sound signal to user |
| CN2621379Y (en) * | 2003-05-19 | 2004-06-23 | 威盛电子股份有限公司 | Voice-frequency signal switchover device |
| US7319768B2 (en) * | 2004-03-16 | 2008-01-15 | Phonak Ag | Hearing aid and method for the detection and automatic selection of an input signal |
| US20050256594A1 (en) * | 2004-04-29 | 2005-11-17 | Sui-Kay Wong | Digital noise filter system and related apparatus and methods |
| US20080008339A1 (en) * | 2006-07-05 | 2008-01-10 | Ryan James G | Audio processing system and method |
| TWI327032B (en) * | 2006-12-29 | 2010-07-01 | Ind Tech Res Inst | Alternative sensing circuit for mems microphone and sensing method therefor |
| DE102007039455A1 (en) * | 2007-08-21 | 2009-02-26 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Hearing aid system with magnetic field sensors |
| JP2009218764A (en) * | 2008-03-10 | 2009-09-24 | Panasonic Corp | Hearing aid |
| JP4759014B2 (en) * | 2008-04-07 | 2011-08-31 | ヴェーデクス・アクティーセルスカプ | hearing aid |
| US8290545B2 (en) * | 2008-07-25 | 2012-10-16 | Apple Inc. | Systems and methods for accelerometer usage in a wireless headset |
| JP4530109B1 (en) * | 2009-05-25 | 2010-08-25 | パナソニック株式会社 | Hearing aid system |
| CA2768142C (en) * | 2009-07-15 | 2015-12-15 | Widex A/S | A method and processing unit for adaptive wind noise suppression in a hearing aid system and a hearing aid system |
| EP2528138B1 (en) * | 2011-01-07 | 2013-11-20 | Panasonic Corporation | Hearing aid |
| CN202183860U (en) * | 2011-08-25 | 2012-04-04 | 胡桂东 | Sound device having switch function |
| CN203167209U (en) * | 2013-01-25 | 2013-08-28 | 青岛歌尔声学科技有限公司 | Earphone |
-
2014
- 2014-10-20 JP JP2014214007A patent/JP2015097385A/en active Pending
- 2014-10-22 CN CN201410566561.8A patent/CN104581591A/en active Pending
- 2014-10-22 CN CN201910106117.0A patent/CN110012405B/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5835610A (en) * | 1995-12-22 | 1998-11-10 | Nec Corporation | Hearing air system |
| CN101499783A (en) * | 2008-01-31 | 2009-08-05 | 鸿富锦精密工业（深圳）有限公司 | Gain automatic regulating circuit and electronic product using the same |
| CN102165521A (en) * | 2008-09-30 | 2011-08-24 | 苹果公司 | Multiple microphone switching and configuration |
| CN201491219U (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2010-05-26 | 上海华平信息技术股份有限公司 | Microphone with energy-saving function |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2015097385A (en) | 2015-05-21 |
| CN110012405A (en) | 2019-07-12 |
| CN104581591A (en) | 2015-04-29 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US11564045B2 (en) | Hearing aid with distributed processing in ear piece | |
| CN110012405B (en) | Hearing instrument with interruptible microphone power supply | |
| EP1459594B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for audio input to implantable hearing aids | |
| AU2008207442B2 (en) | Hearing apparatus with a common connection for shielding and identification of a receiver | |
| EP3996384A1 (en) | Charger and charging system for hearing devices | |
| US9467765B2 (en) | Hearing instrument with interruptable microphone power supply | |
| CN112040383A (en) | Hearing aid device | |
| US8750548B2 (en) | Listening device adapted for establishing an electric connection to an external device using electrically conductive parts of one or more components of the listening device | |
| US20110238419A1 (en) | Binaural method and binaural configuration for voice control of hearing devices | |
| CN102638600A (en) | Mobile terminal, earphone and speech processing method | |
| US11540068B2 (en) | Hearing device and method for operating a hearing device | |
| CN115022775A (en) | Drive circuit, terminal device and protection method | |
| EP2866471B1 (en) | Hearing instrument with interruptable microphone power supply | |
| US10091593B2 (en) | Hearing device | |
| US11937049B2 (en) | Hearing device comprising a module | |
| CN216162852U (en) | Hearing aid equipment utilizing near field magnetic communication technology | |
| CN111556421B (en) | Hearing instrument system | |
| US10879792B2 (en) | Switched capacitor voltage converter for a rechargeable battery in a hearing aid | |
| WO2022200436A1 (en) | An ear level audio device and a method of operating an ear level audio device | |
| CA2899767A1 (en) | Hearing assistance device |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PB01 | Publication | ||
| PB01 | Publication | ||
| SE01 | Entry into force of request for substantive examination | ||
| SE01 | Entry into force of request for substantive examination | ||
| GR01 | Patent grant | ||
| GR01 | Patent grant |