EP1133897B1 - Hearing aid - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a hearing aid with a central signal processing unit (1). Said central signal processing unit (1) interacts with peripheral units (3E, 3A) on the input and output side. Said peripheral units each have an identification unit (5) whose output interacts with the input of a comparing unit (9). The comparing unit (9) in turn interacts with identification-possibility memory units (11), and acts on a configuration storage unit (15) on the output side. In this way, the hearing aid configuration can identify itself using the peripheral units.

Description

The present invention relates to a hearing aid according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for producing a hearing aid according to the preamble of claim 9.

Hearing aids are extremely complex systems. In order to meet the respective needs of consumers, it is necessary to provide a large number of different hardware configuration variants. This results in a highly cost-effective variety for both manufacturing and distribution and hearing aid fitting, e.g. In manufacturing a large number of different device configurations created, must be labeled and controlled accordingly, in sales a corresponding storage is required and in the device customization, each to the individual needs of the customer, depending on the existing device configuration, other approaches must be selected.

A Horgerät according to the state of the art is in the Patent US 5 210803 A disclosed.

It is an object of the present invention, starting from a hearing aid of the kind mentioned, to solve this problem. For this purpose, at least a part of the peripheral units is provided with an identification unit whose output is operatively connected to the input of a comparison unit. With the comparison unit is further, the input side, an identification capabilities storage unit operatively connected. The comparison unit acts on the output side on a configuration memory unit.

Because at least a part, preferably all the peripheral units identify themselves, and the comparison unit corresponding to the reported identifications from the peripheral units, after comparing with several possibilities, peripheral units the following hardware configuration is saved, the following significant advantages are achieved:

Once assembled, the hearing instrument identifies itself by determining via the comparison unit what its configuration is with respect to peripheral units.

Self-identification without the need for labeling, such as on the packaging, avoids the possibility of error in production controls, in the distribution and adaptation of hearing aids, by excluding the possibility of testing an existing hearing aid on the basis of a supposedly different configuration of peripheral units. to deliver or adapt.

In a preferred embodiment, the output of the comparison unit is operatively connected to an operation selection input at the signal processing unit. This makes it possible to allow only processing at the signal processing unit, be it for operation itself or already to be implemented, which are also permitted in the system constellation actually present. Operating programs, e.g. can be implemented wirelessly via a transceiver can be checked for admissibility regarding prevailing system constellation.

In a further preferred embodiment of the hearing aid according to the invention, the operative connection between peripheral units and the central signal processing unit is established via a bus and via interface units. It is obvious that in a conventional hearing aid, the central digital signal processing unit is connected in hardware to the respectively provided peripheral units have to be. The more options that are provided for the peripheral unit, the more ports must be provided for the central signal processing unit. This number dominates more and more the necessary chip area for the mentioned signal processing unit, which is extremely disadvantageous especially in the miniaturization aimed at in the hearing device sector. Due to the fact that the mentioned active connection takes place via a bus and interfaces, a minimal number of provided hardware connections can be provided, which are utilized depending on the detected hardware configuration and the signals applied thereto are recognized and interpreted configuration-specific by the signal processing unit. As peripheral units can be used, inter alia, microphones, etc. generally sensors, speakers, etc., generally actuators, more transceivers, ie wireless transmitter and / or receiver, manual selector units, volume control (potentiometer), read-only memory, for example with Processing parameters for the signal processing unit, read / write memory eg for processing logging etc.

These peripheral units are largely integrated into audio signal components, e.g. Sensors, actuators, amplifiers, filters, etc. on the one hand control components e.g. Transceivers, selectors, memory, etc., subdivide.

Preferably, a first bus is now used with first interface units for the former, a second with second interface units for the latter. The first interface units are, more preferably, constructed on the basis of at least three-wire interface units, the second on the basis of at least two-wire interface units. For this purpose, on the one hand I ² S as Three-wire interface units, or I ² C as two-wire interface units, both offered by the company Philips.

In principle, however, the connection between signal processing unit / bus / peripheral units can also be effected via other interface units, e.g. via AES-3 audio engineering society interface units and / or Motorola SPI interface units.

The actual configuration also determines which signals are transmitted to the central signal processing unit and thus which control parameters. If the identification of the peripheral units is automatically carried out on the hearing aid according to the invention, the possibility also exists of automatically activating from a plurality of possible signal processing configurations that corresponding to the prevailing configuration with peripheral units, or e.g. externally implement, e.g. via a transceiver, i. wireless. This eliminates the problem that signal processing processes are implemented on a hearing aid that do not correspond to the present configuration with peripheral units.

In a further preferred embodiment, the hearing aid according to the invention has an output which is operatively connected to the configuration memory unit on the hearing aid. This creates the possibility, when the hearing device is connected to a computer-aided adaptation device, that the hearing device with its present configuration logs on to this device and identifies it so that errors in the adaptation due to incorrect assumptions with regard to the hearing device configuration are ruled out. Also this communication can be wireless, in that the mentioned output is formed by a transceiver.

An inventive method for producing a hearing aid is characterized according to the wording of the characterizing part of claim 10. Further preferred embodiments of the production method according to the invention are specified in the further claims.

Fig. 1

anhand eines Signalfluss/Funktionsblockdiagrammes das Grundprinzip des erfindungsgemässen Hörgerätes,

Fig. 2

ein bevorzugtes Ausführungskonzept des erfindungsgemässen Hörgerätes,

Fig. 3

eine bevorzugte Realisationsform des erfindungsgemässen Hörgerätes, nach dem Konzept von Fig. 2.

The invention will be explained by way of example with reference to figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

Based on a signal flow / function block diagram, the basic principle of the hearing aid according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a preferred embodiment of the inventive hearing aid,

Fig. 3

a preferred embodiment of the inventive hearing aid, according to the concept of Fig. 2nd

According to FIG. 1, a hearing aid according to the invention comprises a central digital signal processing unit 1 with signal inputs E and signal outputs A. Peripheral units 3 _E and 3 _{A are} operatively connected to the signal inputs E and the signal outputs A. The peripheral units 3 _E may be, for example, sensors, eg microphones, general acoustic / electrical converters, or control components, eg a remote control with transceiver, program changeover units, a volume setting unit, etc. The peripheral unit _3A may be in particular act as actuators such as one or more electrical / mechanical or electrical / electrical output transducer units.

According to FIG. 1, at least one peripheral unit 3 _{E is provided on the} input side and at least one 3 _{A on the} output side of the signal processing unit 1. According to the output of the peripheral units 3 _E signals digital and / or analog inputs with downstream analog / digital converters (not shown) are provided on the central signal processing unit. Similarly, the output side of the unit 1, depending on the processed by the peripheral units 3 _A signals, digital outputs and / or analog outputs, with upstream digital / analog converters, provided.

Each of the at least two provided peripheral units 3 has an identification memory 5. The information stored in the identification memories 5 is particularly specific to the type of peripheral unit under consideration, e.g. for microphone type, remote control type etc.

After hardware configuration of the hearing aid, an identification cycle is triggered. In this, as shown schematically with the cycle unit 7, for example, sequentially, all provided identification memory 5 is read out, possibly found that no units are connected to the empty terminals 5 _r . About the unit 7, the memory contents of the identification memory 5 a comparison unit 9 are supplied. In a read-only memory unit 11 all possible for the intended signal processing unit 1 peripheral units with their associated identification marks are noted.

To ensure that an intended signal processing unit 1 and the read only memory 11 are also tuned to each other - in the sense that in the memory 11 actually Identification of peripheral units are stored in advance, which also match the respective signal processing unit 1 - can be compared as a first identification step an identification mark, which is stored in an identification memory 5 _{1 of} the signal processing unit 1, unit 7 and comparison unit 9, with the content on Read-only memory _{11 is} stored in its own identification memory 5 ₁₁ and identifies this memory or its content.

Thereafter, sequentially, as shown schematically by the circulating unit 13, it is ascertained at the comparison unit 9 from the notes in the identification memories 5 which of the types or types of peripheral units 3 pre-stored in the read-only memory 11 are present in the present device configuration and which are not. If a signal processing unit 1 of the type X and peripheral units of the types M and N are provided, the comparator unit in a hearing aid configuration memory 15, the device configuration with X, M, N stored on the output side, and, as shown on the read-only memory 11, also more peripheral Units of the type A, B, etc. would be compatible with the intended signal processing unit 1 of the type X.

On the output side, the configuration memory 15 acts on the signal processing unit 1. On the basis of the present hardware configuration, as shown with the switch unit 17 in Fig. 1, a specific processing mode on the signal processing unit 1 is activated, corresponding to S _MN or allows. If the processing mode has not yet been loaded into the signal processing unit 1 by software, then due to the recognized configuration in the configuration memory 15 Loading edit modes in the form of software locked that does not match the intended device hardware configuration. If, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, a transceiver 30 is provided, via which, wirelessly, the signal processing unit 1 is implemented with the desired processing program, then, as shown schematically at the switching unit 17a, an implementation via transceiver 30 is then prevented if the implementation attempt is for a processing that does not conform to the configuration X, M, N.

Furthermore, the output of the configuration memory unit 15 is preferably routed to an output HG _{A of} the hearing aid. When adjusting the hearing aid, this output is routed to the PC-based adapter unit 19, whereby the hearing aid is identified in its individual configuration at the adapter unit 19. In this case (represented by dashed lines), in a preferred embodiment, the described output HG _A can be realized at the transceiver (HG _A ). Providing a transceiver 30 is basically for binaural signal processing, highly advantageous, indeed mandatory. Thus, in each case the two signal processing units 1 provided can communicate with one another, or, preferably, the binaural signal processing can be carried out on a common unit 1.

In a further preferred embodiment according to FIG. 2, the communication between the central, digital signal processing unit 1 and peripheral units 3, further with the read-only memory 11, eg an EEPROM, and, for the device adaptation, with an external adapter, is basically realized via a bus arrangement 21 as well as via interfaces to the mentioned units. As interface unit (not shown) Preferably, standard interfaces are used, preferably simple interface units, in particular only with two- or three-signal lines such as, for example, and preferably I ² c, I ² s interfaces, as currently distributed by Philips, or AES-3 interfaces ( Audio Engineering Society) or SPI interfaces (Motorola).

As further shown in Fig. 2, there is possibly at least partially between the peripheral units 3 and the central signal processing unit 1, via bus arrangement 21, a two-way communication connection, in common with the explained with reference to FIG. 1 component identification of the peripheral units to the central Signal processing unit further specific variables, such as other configuration parameters, operation option and / or revision data can be transmitted from the central signal processing unit 1 from data to the peripheral units can be transmitted. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 2, the central signal processing unit 1 comprises a signal processing part 1 _a and a controller part 1 _b , which controls the configuration identification via bus arrangement 21 and monitors.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the principle explained with reference to FIG. The peripheral units are basically divided into audio signal units or components 3 _AU and control units or control components 3 _S , and depending on the present type as audio signal components or control components in pure culture or in this regard treated in hybrid constellation. Audio components 3 _AU are connected via a first bus 21 _AU and (not shown) corresponding interface units with the signal processing part 1a of the signal processing unit 1, while control components 3 _{S are} connected via a second bus 21 _S to the controller part 1 _{b of} the signal processing unit 1, again via corresponding interfaces. For the connection establishment between audio components 3 _AU , bus 21 _AU and signal processing part 1a, differently specified interface units are preferably used as for the connection between control components 3 _s , bus 21 _s , and controller 1b.

For the first-mentioned compounds, three-wire interface units are preferably used, preferably based on I ² S interface units of the aforementioned type.

For the second-mentioned connection, ie the actual control connection, two-wire interface units are preferably used, particularly preferably based on I ² C interface units of the aforementioned type.

Hybrid peripheral units that are involved in the audio signal processing and are controlled and vice versa, as shown in dashed lines, in each case also connected to the corresponding preferred audio connection interfaces or control connection interfaces with the second of the intended buses.

With the hearing aid according to the invention an actual "plug and play" modular system for hearing aids is provided, which allows to reduce the manufacturing costs massively, to minimize the connection configuration at the central signal processing unit and in particular to eliminate as far as possible incorrect packaging, misconfiguration, mismatches, etc. due to human carelessness.

Claims (11)

1. A hearing device, comprising a central digital signal processing unit (1) having inputs and outputs operationally connected to digital, hybrid and/or analog peripheral units (3E, 3A), characterized in that at least a part of said peripheral units has each an identification unit (5), the output of which being operationally connected to the input of a comparing unit (9), said comparing unit on the input side being furthermore operationally connected to a storage unit (11) containing identification information being operationally connected to a second input of said comparing unit and acting on the output side on a memory unit (15) for the prevailing configuration of said hearing device.
2. The hearing device of claim 1, wherein the output of said comparing unit (9) is operationally connected to an operation selection input (17) at said digital signal processing unit (1).
3. The hearing device of claim 1 or 2, wherein said operational connection between said peripheral units and said central signal processing unit is realized via at least one data bus and interface units.
4. The hearing device of claim 1 to 3, further comprising an output (HG_A, HG'_A) of said device which is operationally connected to said configuration memory unit (15).
5. The hearing device of claim 3, wherein said interface units comprise three-wire interface units and/or two-wire interface units.
6. The hearing device of claim 1, characterized in that audio signal components in the form of peripheral units are operationally connected to said digital processing unit via a first data bus and first interface units and control components in the form of peripheral units are operationally connected with said digital signal processing unit via a second data bus and second interface units, wherein preferably the first interface units are at least three-wire interface units and the second at least two-wire interface units, the first preferably based on I²S interface units and the second preferably based on I²C interface units.
7. The hearing device of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said peripheral units comprise one or more of the following units: sensors, actuators, transceivers, manually operable selection switch units, potentiometers.
8. The hearing device of claim 4, wherein said output of said device is formed by a transceiver.
9. A method for manufacturing a hearing device with a central digital signal processing unit and a peripheral unit connected therewith, characterized by providing said peripheral units together with said central digital signal processing unit and thereafter automatically identifying said peripheral units and storing said identities.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of selecting an operational mode of said signal processing unit as a function of said stored configuration, preferably by barring an operation of said digital signal processing unit which does not conform with said configuration.
11. The method of claim 9 or 10, further comprising the step of providing differing interpretation of signals towards or from said digital signal processing unit depending on said configuration.

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