EP1624723B1 - Stabilisation of the system-clock pulse in a hearing aid - Google Patents
Stabilisation of the system-clock pulse in a hearing aid Download PDFInfo
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- EP1624723B1 EP1624723B1 EP05107054A EP05107054A EP1624723B1 EP 1624723 B1 EP1624723 B1 EP 1624723B1 EP 05107054 A EP05107054 A EP 05107054A EP 05107054 A EP05107054 A EP 05107054A EP 1624723 B1 EP1624723 B1 EP 1624723B1
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- Prior art keywords
- signal
- hearing aid
- system clock
- clock frequency
- generating
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/70—Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
- H04R25/558—Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2420/00—Details of connection covered by H04R, not provided for in its groups
- H04R2420/07—Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
- H04R25/50—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics
- H04R25/505—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics using digital signal processing
Definitions
- the invention relates to a hearing aid system according to the preamble of the first claim. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a hearing aid device system.
- the system clock can not be generated with a quartz, but only with an oscillator due to the desired miniaturization, as a quartz control would take up too much space. Due to higher, sometimes temperature-dependent component tolerances, the fluctuation range within which the clock frequency of the hearing aid can deviate from a predetermined target value, therefore +/- 5%, that is, at nominal 20 KHz clock frequency, the actual value between 19 KHz and 21 KHz , This is a problem especially for filters which are purely acoustic / physical phenomena, e.g. Hörerresonanzen, to modify effects through the sound tube and the like. The parameters of these filters, e.g.
- a hearing aid is known in which an automatic selection of the active hearing program depending on the time of day.
- the hearing aid is equipped with an internal clock for this purpose.
- the hearing aid is preferably for receiving an external time signal (eg DCF 77) of a time signal transmitter.
- an external time signal eg DCF 77
- a manual setting of the time, z For example, to switch between summer time and winter time, it eliminates.
- a hearing device with a microphone, a signal processing unit, a receiver and a detector element for detecting electromagnetic interference signals wherein a configurable depending on the detected interference signal filter element for suppressing the interference signals is present.
- the known hearing aid is implemented in digital circuit technology and has a clock generator for this purpose. In a detected, clocked interference signal, the previous clock frequency is replaced by the clock frequency of the interference signal or a multiple of this clock frequency. The clock frequency is thus determined by the clock frequency of the interference signal.
- the object of the present invention is to reduce the fluctuation range of a predetermined clock frequency in a digital hearing aid device.
- the object is achieved by a method for operating such a hearing aid system with the method steps specified in claim 6.
- an input signal is recorded by means of an input transducer and converted into an electrical input signal.
- an input transducer usually serves as an input transducer at least one microphone, which is an acoustic input signal receives.
- Modern hearing aids often comprise a microphone system with a plurality of microphones in order to achieve a direction dependent on the direction of arrival of acoustic signals reception, a directional characteristic.
- the input transducers may also include a telecoil or antenna for receiving electromagnetic input signals.
- the input signals converted by the input transducer into electrical input signals are fed to a signal processing unit for further processing and amplification. The further processing and amplification takes place to compensate for the individual hearing loss of a hearing aid wearer, as a rule, as a function of the signal frequency.
- the signal processing unit outputs an electrical output signal, which is fed via an output transducer to the hearing of the hearing aid wearer, so that the latter perceives the output signal as an acoustic signal.
- output transducers usually listeners are used, which generate an acoustic output signal.
- output transducers for generating mechanical vibrations are also known, which directly excite certain parts of the ear, such as the ossicles, to vibrate.
- output transducers are known which directly stimulate neurons of the ear.
- the hearing aid according to the invention is implemented in digital circuit technology and therefore comprises a clock element for generating the system clock. Since quartz can not be used due to the intended miniaturization of hearing aids, the hearing aid according to the invention uses a common oscillator. However, this has the disadvantage that a predetermined system clock frequency can actually only be achieved with a deviation of about +/- 5% of the predetermined value. Since this deviation is not acceptable for the application of certain filters, it is proposed according to the invention to use a more precise, for example stabilized with a quartz, external clock signal for stabilizing the internal system clock. This clock signal is generated in an external device, such as a remote control for the hearing aid, and as electromagnetic Transfer the signal wirelessly to the hearing aid.
- the clock frequency of this external clock is known, then the clock frequency of the hearing aid can be compared and readjusted.
- the deviation from the specified value is thereby significantly less than +/- 5%, for example, only +/- 0.5%. Due to the stabilized clock with the achieved thereby, small deviation of the clock frequency of the setpoint then realized in the hearing aid digital filters can be set much more accurate.
- a so-called ring oscillator is often used in hearing aids, which is characterized in particular by a low power consumption.
- This is composed essentially of several series-connected inverters, wherein the output of the last inverter of the chain is fed back to the input of the first inverter.
- the fine adjustment of the clock is done via an adjustable power source, which supplies the inverter with power.
- the current of this power source is usually set once after the production of a hearing aid. Due to the ambient temperature, aging influences, component tolerances, etc., however, during operation of the hearing aid device, the abovementioned deviations of up to +/- 5% from the set desired value occur.
- the current source is readjusted during the operation of the hearing aid in this method of clock generation.
- the invention is not limited to the exemplified ring oscillator for clock generation. Rather, the person skilled in a variety of other methods for clock generation in hearing aids known.
- the clock frequency can generally be readjusted by controllable current or voltage sources, resistors, capacitances or inductances.
- An embodiment of the invention provides a quartz wristwatch as an external transmitter, which is additionally provided with a transmitting unit. This requires compared to a conventional one Quartz wristwatch with only minor modifications and can be worn inconspicuously in the distance to the hearing aid for this application.
- a time signal for radio clocks sent out in many countries, in Germany the DCF77 time signal is used as an external clock signal in order to stabilize the hearing aid device-internal system clock.
- Such a time signal is broadcast in many countries nationwide and with very high accuracy of the clock periods. Also corresponding receivers are available at low cost.
- a development of the invention provides to readjust the system clock an averaging over several counts of the actual clock pulses of the hearing aid clock during at least one period of the external clock signal and perform the corresponding comparisons with the setpoint. This allows an even more accurate adjustment of the system clock. Disturbances in the reception of the external signal are thereby compensated.
- the figure shows a hearing aid 1 with a microphone 2 for receiving an acoustic input signal and conversion into an electrical signal, a signal processing unit 3 for processing and frequency-dependent amplification of the electrical signal and a receiver 4 for converting the processed and amplified signal into an acoustic output signal.
- the signal processing unit 3 in the embodiment is implemented in digital circuit technology and therefore comprises an A / D converter 5 for converting the electrical input signal into a digital input signal and a D / A converter 7 for converting the processed digital signal into an analog output signal. In between, the signal processing takes place in a digital circuit technology realized signal processing unit 6.
- the digital components of the hearing aid 1 are clocked by a clock generator 8.
- a clock generator 8 By Frequenzvervieltigtiger individual components can be clocked at multiples of this clock frequency. Since the clock generator contains only a simply constructed oscillator and no quartz, the predetermined clock frequency can be maintained with a maximum deviation of +/- 5% from the predetermined setpoint. However, this fluctuation range is too high for certain digital filters included in the digital signal processing unit 6.
- the clock frequency generated by the clock generator 8 will be stabilized according to the invention such that at least temporarily the deviation of up to +/- 5% from the setpoint is substantially limited.
- a remote control 9 for remote control of the hearing aid 1.
- the remote control 9 in the exemplary embodiment comprises a clock generator 12, which comprises a quartz 13.
- the clock frequency can thus be kept very accurate.
- the period of the clock pulses which are generated and emitted by the remote control 1 is preferably very long, for example 10 seconds.
- the hearing aid 1 in turn comprises a receiving unit 14 for receiving the output from the remote control 9 clock signal.
- the external clock signal is finally supplied to a counter 15 which counts the number of clocks of the clock generator 8 during a period of the external clock signal.
- the counter 15 reaches a count of 210,000 during a period of the external clock signal of 10 seconds.
- the count would have after 10 sec, however, be 200,000.
- the clock frequency of the clock generator 8 is therefore readjusted accordingly.
- a comparison control unit 16 is present in the hearing aid 1, in addition to the count and a setpoint S received. From the comparison of the counter reading with the reference value, the comparison and control unit 16 generates a control signal for slowing the clock frequency of the clock generator 8.
- the count is averaged over several periods of the external clock signal before a control signal for correcting the clock frequency of the clock generator 8 is generated.
- a control signal for correcting the clock frequency of the clock generator 8 is generated.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Neurosurgery (AREA)
- Otolaryngology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Electric Clocks (AREA)
- Transmitters (AREA)
- Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
Description
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Hörhilfegerätesystem gemäß dem Oberbegriff des ersten Patentanspruches. Ferner betrifft die Erfindung ein Verfahren zum Betrieb eines derartigen Hörhilfegerätesystems.The invention relates to a hearing aid system according to the preamble of the first claim. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a hearing aid device system.
In hinter oder in dem Ohr tragbaren digitalen Hörhilfegeräten kann aufgrund der angestrebten Miniaturisierung der Systemtakt nicht mit einem Quarz, sondern lediglich mit einem Oszillator erzeugt werden, da eine Quarzsteuerung zu viel Platz beanspruchen würde. Durch höhere, zum Teil temperaturabhängige Bauteiltoleranzen beträgt die Schwankungsbreite, innerhalb der die Taktfrequenz der Hörhilfegeräte von einem vorgegebenen Sollwert abweichen kann, daher +/- 5%, das heißt, bei nominell 20 KHz Taktfrequenz kann der tatsächliche Wert zwischen 19 KHz und 21 KHz liegen. Dies stellt vor allem für Filter ein Problem dar, die rein akustisch/physikalische Phänomene, z.B. Hörerresonanzen, Effekte durch den Schallschlauch und ähnliches modifizieren sollen. Die Parameter dieser Filter, z.B. der Frequenzgang, sind bei einer digitalen Realisierung direkt abhängig von der Abtastrate des Eingangssignals und damit von der Taktfrequenz. Soll z.B. eine schmale Hörerresonanz bei physikalisch durch den Hörer gegebenen 8 KHz mit einem digitalen Filter gedämpft werden, so würde eine ungenaue Abtastrate nur Angaben für einen Ziel-Frequenzbereich von 8 KHz +/- 5%, also 7,6 KHz bis 8,4 KHz erlauben. Dies ist jedoch zu ungenau. Aus dem genannten Grund werden derartige Filter bisher nicht eingesetzt.In behind or in the ear portable digital hearing aids, the system clock can not be generated with a quartz, but only with an oscillator due to the desired miniaturization, as a quartz control would take up too much space. Due to higher, sometimes temperature-dependent component tolerances, the fluctuation range within which the clock frequency of the hearing aid can deviate from a predetermined target value, therefore +/- 5%, that is, at nominal 20 KHz clock frequency, the actual value between 19 KHz and 21 KHz , This is a problem especially for filters which are purely acoustic / physical phenomena, e.g. Hörerresonanzen, to modify effects through the sound tube and the like. The parameters of these filters, e.g. the frequency response, in a digital implementation directly dependent on the sampling rate of the input signal and thus of the clock frequency. Should e.g. a narrow receiver resonance at physically 8 KHz given by the listener are attenuated with a digital filter, so an inaccurate sampling rate would only allow information for a target frequency range of 8 KHz +/- 5%, ie 7.6 KHz to 8.4 KHz , However, this is too inaccurate. For the above reason, such filters are not used yet.
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Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, bei einem digitalen Hörhilfegerät die Schwankungsbreite einer vorgegebenen Taktfrequenz zu verringern.The object of the present invention is to reduce the fluctuation range of a predetermined clock frequency in a digital hearing aid device.
Diese Aufgabe wird durch ein Hörhilfegerätesystem mit den Merkmalen gemäß Patentanspruch 1 gelöst.This object is achieved by a hearing aid system with the features according to
Ferner wird die Aufgabe durch ein Verfahren zum Betrieb eines derartigen Hörhilfegerätesystems mit den in Patentanspruch 6 angegebenen Verfahrensschritten gelöst.Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for operating such a hearing aid system with the method steps specified in
Bei einem Hörhilfegerät wird mittels eines Eingangswandlers ein Eingangssignal aufgenommen und in ein elektrisches Eingangssignal überführt. Üblicherweise dient als Eingangswandler wenigstens ein Mikrofon, welches ein akustisches Ein-gangssignal aufnimmt. Moderne Hörhilfegeräte umfassen häufig ein Mikrofonsystem mit mehreren Mikrofonen, um einen von der Einfallsrichtung akustischer Signale abhängigen Empfang, eine Richtcharakteristik, zu erreichen. Die Eingangswandler können jedoch auch eine Telefonspule oder eine Antenne umfassen zur Aufnahme elektromagnetischer Eingangssignale. Die durch den Eingangswandler in elektrische Eingangssignale gewandelten Eingangssignale werden zur Weiterverarbeitung und Verstärkung einer Signalverarbeitungseinheit zugeführt. Die Weiterverarbeitung und Verstärkung erfolgt zum Ausgleich des individuellen Hörverlustes eines Hörhilfegeräteträgers in der Regel in Abhängigkeit der Signalfrequenz. Die Signalverarbeitungseinheit gibt ein elektrisches Ausgangssignal ab, welches über einen Ausgangswandler dem Gehör des Hörhilfegeräteträgers zugeführt wird, so dass dieser das Ausgangssignal als akustisches Signal wahrnimmt. Als Ausgangswandler werden üblicherweise Hörer verwendet, die ein akustisches Ausgangssignal erzeugen. Es sind jedoch auch Ausgangswandler zur Erzeugung mechanischer Schwingungen bekannt, die direkt bestimmte Teile des Gehörs, wie beispielsweise die Gehörknöchelchen, zu Schwingungen anregen. Weiterhin sind Ausgangswandler bekannt, die direkt Nervenzellen des Gehörs stimulieren.In a hearing aid, an input signal is recorded by means of an input transducer and converted into an electrical input signal. Usually serves as an input transducer at least one microphone, which is an acoustic input signal receives. Modern hearing aids often comprise a microphone system with a plurality of microphones in order to achieve a direction dependent on the direction of arrival of acoustic signals reception, a directional characteristic. However, the input transducers may also include a telecoil or antenna for receiving electromagnetic input signals. The input signals converted by the input transducer into electrical input signals are fed to a signal processing unit for further processing and amplification. The further processing and amplification takes place to compensate for the individual hearing loss of a hearing aid wearer, as a rule, as a function of the signal frequency. The signal processing unit outputs an electrical output signal, which is fed via an output transducer to the hearing of the hearing aid wearer, so that the latter perceives the output signal as an acoustic signal. As output transducers usually listeners are used, which generate an acoustic output signal. However, output transducers for generating mechanical vibrations are also known, which directly excite certain parts of the ear, such as the ossicles, to vibrate. Furthermore, output transducers are known which directly stimulate neurons of the ear.
Das Hörhilfegerät gemäß der Erfindung ist in digitaler Schaltungstechnik ausgeführt und umfasst daher ein Taktelement zum Erzeugen des Systemtakts. Da aufgrund der angestrebten Miniaturisierung von Hörhilfegeräten ein Quarz nicht verwendet werden kann, wird bei dem Hörhilfegerät gemäß der Erfindung ein gewöhnlicher Oszillator verwendet. Dieser hat jedoch den Nachteil, dass eine vorgegebene Systemtaktfrequenz tatsächlich nur mit einer Abweichung von ca. +/- 5% von dem vorgegebenen Wert erreicht werden kann. Da diese Abweichung für die Anwendung bestimmter Filter nicht akzeptabel ist, wird gemäß der Erfindung vorgeschlagen, ein genaueres, z.B. mit einem Quarz stabilisiertes, externes Taktsignal zur Stabilisierung des internen Systemtakts zu verwenden. Dieses Taktsignal wird in einem externen Gerät, beispielsweise einer Fernbedienung für das Hörhilfegerät, erzeugt und als elektromagnetisches Signal drahtlos auf das Hörhilfegerät übertragen. Ist die Taktfrequenz dieses externen Taktes bekannt, so kann damit die Taktfrequenz des Hörhilfegerätes verglichen und nachjustiert werden. Die Abweichung von dem vorgegebenen Wert wird dadurch deutlich kleiner als +/- 5%, beispielsweise nur noch +/- 0,5%. Durch den stabilisierten Takt mit der dadurch erreichten, geringen Abweichung der Taktfrequenz von dem Sollwert lassen sich dann im Hörhilfegerät realisierte digitale Filter sehr viel genauer einstellen.The hearing aid according to the invention is implemented in digital circuit technology and therefore comprises a clock element for generating the system clock. Since quartz can not be used due to the intended miniaturization of hearing aids, the hearing aid according to the invention uses a common oscillator. However, this has the disadvantage that a predetermined system clock frequency can actually only be achieved with a deviation of about +/- 5% of the predetermined value. Since this deviation is not acceptable for the application of certain filters, it is proposed according to the invention to use a more precise, for example stabilized with a quartz, external clock signal for stabilizing the internal system clock. This clock signal is generated in an external device, such as a remote control for the hearing aid, and as electromagnetic Transfer the signal wirelessly to the hearing aid. If the clock frequency of this external clock is known, then the clock frequency of the hearing aid can be compared and readjusted. The deviation from the specified value is thereby significantly less than +/- 5%, for example, only +/- 0.5%. Due to the stabilized clock with the achieved thereby, small deviation of the clock frequency of the setpoint then realized in the hearing aid digital filters can be set much more accurate.
Zur Erzeugung des Taktes wird bei Hörhilfegeräten häufig ein so genannter Ringoszillator verwendet, der sich insbesondere durch einen geringen Stromverbrauch auszeichnet. Dieser ist im Wesentlichen aus mehreren hintereinander geschalteten Invertern aufgebaut, wobei der Ausgang des letzten Inverters der Kette auf den Eingang des ersten Inverters rückgekoppelt ist. Die Feinjustierung des Taktes erfolgt dabei über eine einstellbare Stromquelle, welche die Inverter mit Strom versorgt. Der Strom dieser Stromquelle wird üblicherweise nach der Herstellung eines Hörhilfegerätes einmal eingestellt. Durch die Umgebungstemperatur, Alterungseinflüsse, Bauteiltoleranzen usw. kommt es jedoch während des Betriebes des Hörhilfegerätes zu den genannten Abweichungen von bis zu +/- 5% vom eingestellten Sollwert. Im Zusammenhang mit der Erfindung wird bei dieser Methode der Takterzeugung die Stromquelle während des Betriebs des Hörhilfegeräts nachjustiert.For generating the clock, a so-called ring oscillator is often used in hearing aids, which is characterized in particular by a low power consumption. This is composed essentially of several series-connected inverters, wherein the output of the last inverter of the chain is fed back to the input of the first inverter. The fine adjustment of the clock is done via an adjustable power source, which supplies the inverter with power. The current of this power source is usually set once after the production of a hearing aid. Due to the ambient temperature, aging influences, component tolerances, etc., however, during operation of the hearing aid device, the abovementioned deviations of up to +/- 5% from the set desired value occur. In connection with the invention, the current source is readjusted during the operation of the hearing aid in this method of clock generation.
Die Erfindung ist nicht auf den beispielhaft genannten Ringoszillator zur Takterzeugung beschränkt. Vielmehr ist dem Fachmann eine Vielzahl weiterer Methoden zur Takterzeugung bei Hörhilfegeräten bekannt. Auch bei den bekannten weiteren Methoden kann in der Regel durch steuerbare Strom- oder Spannungsquellen, Widerstände, Kapazitäten oder Induktivitäten die Taktfrequenz nachjustiert werden.The invention is not limited to the exemplified ring oscillator for clock generation. Rather, the person skilled in a variety of other methods for clock generation in hearing aids known. In the known further methods, the clock frequency can generally be readjusted by controllable current or voltage sources, resistors, capacitances or inductances.
Eine Ausführungsform der Erfindung sieht eine Quarz-Armbanduhr als externen Sender vor, die zusätzlich mit einer Sendeeinheit versehen ist. Diese bedarf gegenüber einer herkömmlichen Quarz-Armbanduhr nur geringfügiger Modifikationen und kann unauffällig in der für diese Anwendung notwendigen Entfernung zu dem Hörhilfegerät getragen werden.An embodiment of the invention provides a quartz wristwatch as an external transmitter, which is additionally provided with a transmitting unit. This requires compared to a conventional one Quartz wristwatch with only minor modifications and can be worn inconspicuously in the distance to the hearing aid for this application.
Bei einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung wird ein in vielen Ländern ausgesendetes Zeitsignal für Funkuhren, in Deutschland das DCF77-Zeitsignal, als externes Taktsignal verwendet, um damit den hörhilfegeräteinternen Systemtakt zu stabilisieren. Ein derartiges Zeitsignal wird in vielen Ländern flächendeckend und mit sehr großer Genauigkeit der Taktperioden ausgestrahlt. Auch entsprechende Empfänger sind preiswert verfügbar.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a time signal for radio clocks sent out in many countries, in Germany the DCF77 time signal, is used as an external clock signal in order to stabilize the hearing aid device-internal system clock. Such a time signal is broadcast in many countries nationwide and with very high accuracy of the clock periods. Also corresponding receivers are available at low cost.
Eine Weiterbildung der Erfindung sieht vor, zum Nachjustieren des Systemtaktes eine Mittelung über mehrere Zählungen der tatsächlichen Taktimpulse des Hörhilfegeräte-Taktes während wenigstens einer Periode des externen Taktsignals und die entsprechenden Vergleiche mit dem Sollwert durchzuführen. Damit lässt sich eine noch genauere Einstellung des Systemtaktes erreichen. Störungen beim Empfang des externen Signals werden dadurch ausgeglichen.A development of the invention provides to readjust the system clock an averaging over several counts of the actual clock pulses of the hearing aid clock during at least one period of the external clock signal and perform the corresponding comparisons with the setpoint. This allows an even more accurate adjustment of the system clock. Disturbances in the reception of the external signal are thereby compensated.
Die Erfindung wird nachfolgend anhand eines Ausführungsbeispiels näher erläutert. Dabei zeigt die Figur ein Hörhilfegerät 1 mit einem Mikrofon 2 zur Aufnahme eines akustischen Eingangssignals und Wandlung in ein elektrisches Signal, einer Signalverarbeitungseinheit 3 zur Verarbeitung und frequenzabhängigen Verstärkung des elektrischen Signals und einem Hörer 4 zur Wandlung des verarbeiteten und verstärkten Signals in ein akustisches Ausgangssignal, das dem Gehör eines Hörhilfegeräteträgers zugeführt wird. Die Signalverarbeitungseinheit 3 im Ausführungsbeispiel ist in digitaler Schaltungstechnik ausgeführt und umfasst daher einen A/D-Wandler 5 zur Wandlung des elektrischen Eingangssignals in ein digitales Eingangssignal sowie einen D/A-Wandler 7 zur Wandlung des verarbeiteten, digitalen Signals in ein analoges Ausgangssignal. Dazwischen erfolgt die Signalverarbeitung in einer in digitaler Schaltungstechnik realisierten Signalverarbeitungseinheit 6.The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. The figure shows a
Die digitalen Bauelemente des Hörhilfegerätes 1 werden durch einen Taktgenerator 8 getaktet. Durch Frequenzvervielfältiger können einzelne Bauteile auch mit Vielfachen dieser Taktfrequenz getaktet sein. Da der Taktgenerator lediglich einen einfach aufgebauten Oszillator und keinen Quarz enthält, kann die vorgegebene Taktfrequenz mit einer maximalen Abweichung von +/- 5% von dem vorgegebenen Sollwert eingehalten werden. Diese Schwankungsbreite ist für bestimmte, in der digitalen Signalverarbeitungseinheit 6 enthaltene digitale Filter jedoch zu hoch.The digital components of the
Die von dem Taktgenerator 8 erzeugte Taktfrequenz wird gemäß der Erfindung derart stabilisiert werden, dass zumindest zeitweise die Abweichung von bis zu +/- 5% vom Sollwert wesentlich eingeschränkt wird. Hierfür dient im Ausführungsbeispiel eine Fernbedienung 9 zur Fernbedienung des Hörhilfegerätes 1. Diese umfasst die mit "1" bis "4" beschrifteten Programmwahltasten 10 zur Anpassung der Signalverarbeitung im Hörhilfegerät 1 an unterschiedliche Hörumgebungen sowie eine Lautstärke-Schaltwippe 11 zur Lautstärkeeinstellung. Neben diesen üblichen Komponenten einer Fernbedienung umfasst die Fernbedienung 9 im Ausführungsbeispiel einen Taktgenerator 12, der einen Quarz 13 umfasst. Die Taktfrequenz kann damit sehr genau eingehalten werden. Die Periode der Taktimpulse, die von der Fernbedienung 1 erzeugt und abgestrahlt werden, ist vorzugsweise sehr lang, beispielsweise 10 sec. Dadurch wird zum Senden des Taktsignals kaum Energie benötigt. Das Hörhilfegerät 1 umfasst seinerseits eine Empfangseinheit 14 zum Empfang des von der Fernbedienung 9 abgegebenen Taktsignals. Das externe Taktsignal wird schließlich einem Zähler 15 zugeführt, der die Anzahl der Takte des Taktgenerators 8 während einer Periode des externen Taktsignals zählt. Z.B. erreicht der Zähler 15 während einer Periode des externen Taktsignals von 10 sec einen Zählerstand von 210.000. Bei einem Sollwert der Systemtaktfrequenz von 20 KHz müsste der Zählerstand nach 10 sec jedoch 200.000 betragen. Die Taktfrequenz des Taktgenerators 8 wird daher entsprechend nachjustiert. Hierfür ist im Hörhilfegerät 1 eine Vergleichs-Steuereinheit 16 vorhanden, in die neben dem Zählerstand auch ein Sollwert S eingeht. Aus dem Vergleich des Zählerstandes mit dem Sollwert erzeugt die Vergleichs- und Steuereinheit 16 ein Steuersignal zur Verlangsamung der Taktfrequenz des Taktgenerators 8.The clock frequency generated by the
Bei einer bevorzugten Weiterbildung der Erfindung wird der Zählerstand über mehrere Perioden des externen Taktsignals gemittelt, bevor ein Steuersignal zur Korrektur der Taktfrequenz des Taktgenerators 8 erzeugt wird. Dadurch wird eine noch genauere Einstellung des Systemtaktes des Hörhilfegerätes 1 erreicht. Insbesondere werden Störungen beim Empfangen des Externen Taktsignals ausgeglichen.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the count is averaged over several periods of the external clock signal before a control signal for correcting the clock frequency of the
Claims (7)
- Hearing aid system (1, 9), including:- a hearing aid (1) with an input converter (2) for recording an input signal and converting said signal into an electrical input signal, a signal processing unit (3) for processing and frequency-dependent amplification of the electrical input signal and an output converter (4) for generating an output signal which can be perceived by a user as an acoustic signal, and a clock element (8) for generating a system clock, whereby the clock element (8) has no quartz and an actual system clock frequency of a predetermined system clock frequency varies within a specific variation range from the predetermined system clock frequency, in a component-specific manner,- an external transmitter (9) for generating a periodic electromagnetic signal, whereby the external transmitter includes a quartz crystal for generating the periodic electromagnetic signal,and whereby the electromagnetic signal generated by the external transmitter (9) can be received in the hearing aid device (1) and can be used to stabilize the actual system clock frequency, such that the variation of the actual system clock frequency from the predetermined system clock frequency reduces.
- Hearing aid system (1, 9) according to claim 1, whereby the external transmitter (9) for generating the periodic electromagnetic signal is designed as a remote controller (9) for the hearing aid (1) with additional functionality.
- Hearing aid system (1, 9) according to claim 1 or 2, whereby the external transmitter comprises a quartz watch with additional functionality.
- Hearing aid system (1, 9) according to claim 1, whereby the external transmitter is configured as a time signal-transmitter for radio-controlled clocks.
- Hearing aid system (1, 9) including:- a hearing aid (1) with an input converter (2) for recording an input signal and converting said signal into an electrical input signal, a signal processing unit (3) for processing and frequency-dependent amplification of the electrical input signal and an output converter (4) for generating an output signal which can be perceived by the user as an acoustic signal, and a clock element (8) for generating a system clock, whereby the clock element (8) has no quartz and an actual system clock frequency of a predetermined system clock frequency varies within a specific variation range from the predetermined system clock frequency, in a component-specific manner,- an external transmitter (9) for generating a periodic electromagnetic signal, whereby the external transmitter is configured as a time signal transmitter for radio-controlled clocks and outputs a DCF77 time signal,- and whereby the electromagnetic signal generated by the external transmitter (9) can be received in the hearing aid (1) and can be used to stabilize the actual system clock frequency such that the variation of the actual system clock frequency from the predetermined system clock frequency reduces.
- Method for operating a hearing aid system (1,9), including- a hearing aid (1) with an input converter (2) for recording an input signal and converting said signal into an electrical input signal, a signal processing unit (3) for processing and frequency-dependent amplification of the electrical input signal and an output converter (4) for generating an output signal which can be perceived by a user as an acoustic signal and a clock element (8) for generating a system clock, whereby the clock element (8) has no quartz and an actual system clock frequency of a predetermined system clock frequency varies within a specific variation range from the predetermined system clock frequency, in a component-specific manner,- an external transmitter (9) for generating a periodic electromagnetic signal, whereby the external transmitter includes a quartz to generate the periodic electromagnetic signal,having the following steps:- receiving the periodic electromagnetic signal by means of the hearing aid (1)- counting the actual clock pulses of the system clock of the hearing aid (1) during at least one period of the signal emitted by the external transmitter (9),- comparing the counter result with a target value (S)- readjusting the system clock to adapt the actual number of clock pulses during a period of the signal emitted by the external transmitter (9) with the target value (S).
- Method according to claim 6, whereby a notification takes place via several counts and comparisons for re-adjustment purposes.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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DE102004037379 | 2004-08-02 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP1624723A2 EP1624723A2 (en) | 2006-02-08 |
EP1624723A3 EP1624723A3 (en) | 2009-05-20 |
EP1624723B1 true EP1624723B1 (en) | 2012-05-30 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP05107054A Not-in-force EP1624723B1 (en) | 2004-08-02 | 2005-07-29 | Stabilisation of the system-clock pulse in a hearing aid |
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US (1) | US7577268B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1624723B1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK1624723T3 (en) |
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US8588443B2 (en) | 2006-05-16 | 2013-11-19 | Phonak Ag | Hearing system with network time |
EP2160924A1 (en) * | 2007-06-13 | 2010-03-10 | Widex A/S | A hearing aid adapted for issuing a notification and a method for issuing a notification |
US20140192626A1 (en) * | 2011-03-02 | 2014-07-10 | Royal Hali Iplik Tekstil Mobilya Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi | Talking Dome Watch for the Visually Impaired |
US11878177B2 (en) | 2018-10-10 | 2024-01-23 | Cochlear Limited | Implantable medical device short-range radio synchronization |
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WO1993004425A1 (en) * | 1991-08-13 | 1993-03-04 | Universal Photonix, Inc. | System for remotely validating the identity of indivuals and determining their locations |
DK1104645T3 (en) | 1998-08-13 | 2003-06-02 | Siemens Audiologische Technik | Hearing aid with a device for suppressing electromagnetic noise signals and a method for suppressing electromagnetic noise signals in hearing aids |
US20050036637A1 (en) * | 1999-09-02 | 2005-02-17 | Beltone Netherlands B.V. | Automatic adjusting hearing aid |
WO2000000001A2 (en) | 1999-10-15 | 2000-01-06 | Phonak Ag | Binaural synchronisation |
JP4388703B2 (en) * | 2000-01-13 | 2009-12-24 | フォーナック アーゲー | Hearing aid remote control device and hearing aid equipped with the same |
DK1316240T3 (en) | 2000-07-14 | 2006-02-27 | Gn Resound As | A synchronized binaural hearing system |
DE10048341C5 (en) | 2000-09-29 | 2004-12-23 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Method for operating a hearing aid device and hearing device arrangement or hearing aid device |
NL1020387C2 (en) * | 2002-04-15 | 2003-10-17 | Gatsometer Bv | Method for remotely synchronizing a traffic monitoring system and a traffic monitoring system equipped for this purpose. |
DE10245556B3 (en) * | 2002-09-30 | 2004-04-22 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Hearing aid or hearing aid system with a clock generator and method for their operation |
US20040190737A1 (en) * | 2003-03-25 | 2004-09-30 | Volker Kuhnel | Method for recording information in a hearing device as well as a hearing device |
DE102004025691B3 (en) * | 2004-05-26 | 2005-08-18 | Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh | Hearing aid or hearing aid system with operating device, has at least one operating element associated with different setting functions depending on results of signal analysis |
-
2005
- 2005-07-29 EP EP05107054A patent/EP1624723B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2005-07-29 DK DK05107054.8T patent/DK1624723T3/en active
- 2005-08-02 US US11/194,932 patent/US7577268B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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US20060023906A1 (en) | 2006-02-02 |
EP1624723A2 (en) | 2006-02-08 |
DK1624723T3 (en) | 2012-09-03 |
US7577268B2 (en) | 2009-08-18 |
EP1624723A3 (en) | 2009-05-20 |
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