EP1695592B1 - Integrierte schaltung für höhrgeräte mit einem magnetfeldsensor - Google Patents

Integrierte schaltung für höhrgeräte mit einem magnetfeldsensor Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1695592B1
EP1695592B1 EP03819164A EP03819164A EP1695592B1 EP 1695592 B1 EP1695592 B1 EP 1695592B1 EP 03819164 A EP03819164 A EP 03819164A EP 03819164 A EP03819164 A EP 03819164A EP 1695592 B1 EP1695592 B1 EP 1695592B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
magnetic field
integrated circuit
signal processing
gate
field sensor
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.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
EP03819164A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1695592A1 (de
Inventor
Steven E. Boor
Paris Tsangaris
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Knowles Electronics LLC
Original Assignee
Knowles Electronics LLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Knowles Electronics LLC filed Critical Knowles Electronics LLC
Publication of EP1695592A1 publication Critical patent/EP1695592A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1695592B1 publication Critical patent/EP1695592B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • H04R25/43—Electronic input selection or mixing based on input signal analysis, e.g. mixing or selection between microphone and telecoil or between microphones with different directivity characteristics
    • 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
    • H04R25/554—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 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils

Definitions

  • This patent relates to assisted-listening systems. More specifically, this patent relates to an integrated circuit for an assisted-listening device capable of determining and adapting to surrounding environmental conditions.
  • Assisted-listening devices e.g. hearing aids and the like, should be capable of operating in, and being adaptable to, several environmental conditions.
  • the assisted-listening device should be capable of automatically selecting amongst various audio sources, e.g., telecoil, microphone, or auxiliary.
  • One commercially available hearing aid utilizes a magnetic reed switch to provide magnetic field detection and automatic transducer mode selection.
  • the magnetic reed switch Unfortunately, there are a number of limitations associated with utilizing the magnetic reed switch. Frequently, the reed switch lacks the sensitivity to operate with many types of telephones and often requires placing an external magnet onto the telephone handset earpiece.
  • the reed switch requires use of a portion of the communicate device, such as a very limited space within the hearing aid. Furthermore, the reed switch may be susceptible to damage or performance changes if the hearing aid is dropped or subjected to extremely high magnetic fields - thus undermining the effective reliability of the assisted-listening system. Another shortcoming involves the added costs that are incurred to implement the reed switch into the assisted-listening system due to the additional components and manufacturing effort required.
  • US - A - 20030059073 describes the coupling of multiple sources which are directed to a signal processing unit by the operation of a switch.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an integrated circuit in accordance with one of the described embodiments
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an integrated circuit in accordance with another of the described embodiments.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an integrated circuit in accordance with still another of the described embodiments.
  • the output of the magnetic field threshold comparator may comprise a first signal and a second signal and be determined in response to the comparison of the sensed external magnetic field and the magnetic field threshold value wherein the first signal is presented to the signal processing circuit when the magnetic field threshold value exceeds the sensed external magnetic field and the second signal is presented to the signal processing circuit when the sensed external magnetic field exceeds the magnetic field threshold value.
  • FIG. 1 depicts an integrated circuit 10, shown in dotted lines, operably disposed between a plurality of audio sources 13 and a signal processing circuit 14.
  • the integrated circuit 10 includes a magnetic field sensor 16, a magnetic field sensor amplifier 17 and a gate 18.
  • the gate 18, preferably a multiplexer, is operably responsive to the output from the magnetic field sensor amplifier 17.
  • the magnetic field sensor 16 may include a threshold comparator 26 wherein detection of a magnetic field is based upon whether the magnetic field strength detected is above or below a threshold level.
  • the threshold level 19 can be fixed or adjustable.
  • the magnetic field sensor amplifier 17 provides an output signal to the gate 18 to ensure desired operation.
  • the gate 18 includes a plurality of inputs 20 for receiving the outputs of transducers or auxiliary audio sources, e.g., magnetic (telecoil) 12 via coupled magnetic telecoil amplifier 28, acoustic (microphone) 13.
  • a gate output 22 is coupled to the signal processing circuit 14 wherein one of the plurality of inputs 20 is selected to be output to the signal processing circuit in response to detection of an external magnetic field.
  • FIG. 2 depicts an alternate embodiment of an integrated circuit 10'. Circuit design preferences, manufacturing constraints, etc., are only a few of the many parameters that may influence whether certain devices, e.g., gate 18, are to be included in the configuration of the integrated circuit.
  • the integrated circuit 10' includes a magnetic field sensor 16' that integrates therewith the magnetic field sensor amplifier 17'.
  • An output of the magnetic field sensor 16' is coupled to a threshold comparator 26 which also couples threshold value input 19'.
  • the output of the threshold comparator 26 is then coupled to the gate 18.
  • the threshold level again may be fixed or adjustable.
  • FIG. 3 depicts an alternate embodiment of an integrated circuit 10" including a magnetic field sensor 16" having a magnetic field sensor amplifier 17", similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2 as integrated circuit 10'.
  • signal shaping devices 29, e.g., biasing elements, amplifiers, filters, rectifiers, etc., and other circuit devices may also be incorporated in the design of the integrated circuit 10".
  • the embodiments of the integrated circuit 10, 10' and 10" include a manual override 24, which allows one or more than one of the plurality of inputs 20 to be manually selected and presented to the signal processing circuit 14.
  • B-field detection methods include, but are not limited to:
  • the static B-field detection method may be preferred because it is more robust in the presence of electromagnetic interference (EMI) - either environmental or man-made.
  • EMI electromagnetic interference
  • the other external B-field detection methods are susceptible to "false" B-field detection from EMI, which may result in an undesirable transducer mode selection change that would require user intervention to correct.
  • all three detection methods may initially respond unfavorably to EMI, the first method is capable of automatically reverting back to proper transducer mode operation without user intervention once the EMI event has subsided.
  • Another advantage of the static B-field detection method is that it can be configured with amplifiers which operate only at low frequencies, i.e., a very low bandwidth requirement, on the order of 10 Hz. This is very advantageous for the development of a detector and control circuit which operate with minimum power consumption.
  • the silicon external B-field detectors may include: a lateral bipolar magnetotransistor (LBMT), a split-drain MAGFET, or a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) type device.
  • LBMT lateral bipolar magnetotransistor
  • MEMS micro-electromechanical system
  • a standard Hall effect sensor may also be utilized.
  • the LBMT is a very sensitive silicon device for the detection of B-fields; it is less noisy than the MAGFET device; and, it detects B-fields that are tangential to the silicon surface - which would be in the same direction as the maximum sensitivity of the telecoil, when using standard mounting methods to attach the IC to the body of the telecoil.
  • the MAGFET and standard Hall effect sensor are sensitive to B-fields that are perpendicular to the silicon surface. This is a potential disadvantage for the LBMT that may require non-standard mounting techniques to attach the IC to the telecoil body to ensure that the telecoil has the same maximum B-field sensitivity orientation direction as the sensor device.
  • power consumption of the B-field sensor should be 100 microwatts or less to extend the battery life of the hearing aid as much as possible.
  • the MAGFET may also provide adequate sensitivity for use as a B-field sensor since LBMTs are routinely operated at milliwatt power levels to obtain high B-field detection sensitivity.
  • the LBMT could be operated at a low duty cycle to save power, since the B-field detection circuitry does not require continuous operation.
  • both the LBMT and the split-drain MAGFET can be utilized to generate a differential current output that is proportional to the B-field strength, either device could be readily integrated into the same silicon integrated circuit with a telecoil preamplifier commonly incorporated in assisted-listening devices.
  • an override switch can be utilized to control MT MUX operation and provide a user the ability to manually select a mode of operation that allows both the telecoil and microphone outputs — or other audio sources — to be presented simultaneously to the signal processing circuit of an assisted-listening device. This feature is desirable in listening environments such as churches, auditoriums, and classrooms that are often wired with magnetic room loops to assist the hearing impaired wherein hearing aid users can simultaneously utilize the magnetic and the acoustic audio information supplied in these situations.
  • each of the embodiments is capable of being readily incorporated with telecoil preamplifier electronics in "active telecoil" transducers at very low cost onto the same integrated circuit. Additional benefits that may include:

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Measuring Magnetic Variables (AREA)
  • Hall/Mr Elements (AREA)

Claims (2)

  1. Integrierte Schaltung (10), die zwischen mehreren Schallquellen (12, 13) und einer Signal-Verarbeitungsschaltung (14) angeordnet ist, umfassend einen Magnetfeldsensor (16), einen geteilten MAGFET, einen Halleffekt-Sensor oder einer mikromechanischen System-Vorrichtung (MEMS); einen Magnetfeld-Schwellenkomparator (26) und einen Magnetfeld-Schwellenwert (19), wobei der Magnetfeld-Schwellenkomparator (20) betrieblich mit dem Magnetfeldsensor (16) und dem Magnetfeld-Schwellenwert (19) verbunden ist; ferner umfassend ein Gate (18), das im Betrieb anspricht auf den Magnetfeld-Schwellenkomparator (26), wobei das Gate (18) mehrere Gateeingänge (20) und einen Gateausgang (22) aufweist, die mehreren Gateeingänge (20) zur Aufnahme entsprechender Schallquellen der mehreren Schallquellen (12, 13) dienen, und der Gateausgang (22) betrieblich mit der Signalbearbeitungsschaltung (14) verbunden ist, wobei ferner eine der mehreren Schallquellen (12, 13) ausgewählt wird, um an die Signal-Verarbeitungsschaltung übermittelt zu werden, und zwar in Abhängigkeit von dem Magnetfeld-Schwellenkomparatorausgang, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die integrierte Schaltung des weiteren eine manuelle Überbrückung (24) aufweist, die eine oder mehrere der Schallquellen mit der Signalbearbeitungsschaltung verbinden kann, und wobei der Magnetfeldsensor (16) einen Stormverbrauch von im wesentlichen 100 µW oder weniger hat.
  2. Schaltung, die die integrierte Schaltung (10) nach Anspruch 1 aufweist, sowie eine Signalform-Vorrichtung (29), ausgewählt aus der Gruppe, bestehend aus Spannungs-, Verstärkungs-, Filter- und Gleichrichter-Vorrichtungen, mit denen die integrierte Schaltung verbunden ist.
EP03819164A 2003-12-16 2003-12-16 Integrierte schaltung für höhrgeräte mit einem magnetfeldsensor Expired - Fee Related EP1695592B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2003/040130 WO2005062669A1 (en) 2003-12-16 2003-12-16 Integrated circuit for hearing aids including a magnetic field sensor

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1695592A1 EP1695592A1 (de) 2006-08-30
EP1695592B1 true EP1695592B1 (de) 2011-04-13

Family

ID=34709669

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03819164A Expired - Fee Related EP1695592B1 (de) 2003-12-16 2003-12-16 Integrierte schaltung für höhrgeräte mit einem magnetfeldsensor

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1695592B1 (de)
CN (1) CN1887028A (de)
AU (1) AU2003297233A1 (de)
DE (1) DE60336766D1 (de)
DK (1) DK1695592T3 (de)
WO (1) WO2005062669A1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9859879B2 (en) 2015-09-11 2018-01-02 Knowles Electronics, Llc Method and apparatus to clip incoming signals in opposing directions when in an off state

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102006028682A1 (de) * 2006-06-22 2008-01-03 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Hörvorrichtung mit MEMS-Sensor
DE102007043081A1 (de) * 2007-09-10 2009-03-26 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Verfahren und Anordnungen zum Erfassen des Typs einer Schallsignalquelle mit einem Hörgerät
CN107426661A (zh) * 2017-05-03 2017-12-01 丽声助听器(福州)有限公司 一种助听器接收装置和系统
DE102017209816B3 (de) * 2017-06-09 2018-07-26 Sivantos Pte. Ltd. Verfahren zur Charakterisierung eines Hörers in einem Hörgerät, Hörgerät und Testvorrichtung für ein Hörgerät

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7248713B2 (en) 2000-09-11 2007-07-24 Micro Bar Technology, Inc. Integrated automatic telephone switch
US7447325B2 (en) * 2002-09-12 2008-11-04 Micro Ear Technology, Inc. System and method for selectively coupling hearing aids to electromagnetic signals

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9859879B2 (en) 2015-09-11 2018-01-02 Knowles Electronics, Llc Method and apparatus to clip incoming signals in opposing directions when in an off state

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1695592A1 (de) 2006-08-30
DK1695592T3 (da) 2011-07-25
DE60336766D1 (de) 2011-05-26
AU2003297233A1 (en) 2005-07-14
CN1887028A (zh) 2006-12-27
WO2005062669A1 (en) 2005-07-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7317997B2 (en) System and method for facilitating listening
EP1416765B1 (de) Integrierter automatischer Telephonschalter für Hörgeräte
US7809151B2 (en) Microphone assembly comprising magnetically activatable element for signal switching and field indication
EP1484942B1 (de) Automatische magnetische Detektion in Hörhilfegeräten
DK1836874T3 (en) SWITCHING STRUCTURES FOR HEARING DEVICES
CA2399331C (en) Automatic switch for hearing aid
US8199943B2 (en) Hearing apparatus with automatic switch-off and corresponding method
US20100160714A1 (en) Hearing Aid
EP2925021B1 (de) Triaxiale magnetometer in einer hörhilfe
US10429421B2 (en) Method of operating a hearing aid system and a hearing aid system
US10228402B2 (en) Hearing aid and a method of operating a hearing aid system
EP1695592B1 (de) Integrierte schaltung für höhrgeräte mit einem magnetfeldsensor
US20170111747A1 (en) Hearing device with vibration sensitive transducer
EP1331835A2 (de) Verstärker mit digital programmierbarer Verstärkung
EP3347985B1 (de) Integrierte schaltung, schaltungsanordnung und verfahren zum betrieb davon
CN101409858A (zh) 包括磁场传感器的助听器用集成电路
EP3293985B1 (de) Hörer mit integrierter membranbewegungserkennung
KR20070070750A (ko) 청취보조장치를 구비한 이동통신 단말기

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20060629

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE DK NL

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20061024

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): DE DK NL

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE DK NL

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60336766

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20110526

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 60336766

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20110526

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: T3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: T3

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20120116

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 60336766

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20120116

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: V1

Effective date: 20120701

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: EBP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60336766

Country of ref document: DE

Effective date: 20120703

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120703

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120102

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20120701