EP2750408B1 - Hörgerät mit adaptivem Antennenanpassungsmechanismus und Verfahren zum adaptiven Anpassen einer Hörgerätantenne - Google Patents

Hörgerät mit adaptivem Antennenanpassungsmechanismus und Verfahren zum adaptiven Anpassen einer Hörgerätantenne Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2750408B1
EP2750408B1 EP12199666.4A EP12199666A EP2750408B1 EP 2750408 B1 EP2750408 B1 EP 2750408B1 EP 12199666 A EP12199666 A EP 12199666A EP 2750408 B1 EP2750408 B1 EP 2750408B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hearing aid
antenna
signal strength
matching mechanism
signal
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.)
Revoked
Application number
EP12199666.4A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2750408A1 (de
Inventor
Birol Akdeniz
Sinasi Özden
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.)
GN Hearing AS
Original Assignee
GN Hearing AS
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
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=47458778&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP2750408(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by GN Hearing AS filed Critical GN Hearing AS
Priority to DK12199666.4T priority Critical patent/DK2750408T3/da
Priority to EP19167115.5A priority patent/EP3525491A1/de
Priority to EP12199666.4A priority patent/EP2750408B1/de
Priority to US13/797,795 priority patent/US9414170B2/en
Priority to JP2013258222A priority patent/JP2014131268A/ja
Priority to CN201310714237.1A priority patent/CN103916804B/zh
Publication of EP2750408A1 publication Critical patent/EP2750408A1/de
Priority to JP2015005319A priority patent/JP5718540B2/ja
Priority to US15/231,619 priority patent/US20170034635A1/en
Publication of EP2750408B1 publication Critical patent/EP2750408B1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Revoked legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
    • H01Q1/273—Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/021—Behind the ear [BTE] hearing aids
    • H04R2225/0216—BTE hearing aids having a receiver in the ear mould
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/51—Aspects of antennas or their circuitry in or for hearing aids
    • 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
    • H04R25/30—Monitoring or testing of hearing aids, e.g. functioning, settings, battery power
    • 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
    • H04R25/30—Monitoring or testing of hearing aids, e.g. functioning, settings, battery power
    • H04R25/305—Self-monitoring or self-testing
    • 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
    • H04R25/552—Binaural
    • 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
    • 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
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/607—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of earhooks
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to hearing aids, especially binaural hearing aids, configured for wireless communication and having wireless communication properties, and more specifically to binaural hearing aids capable of adaptively matching an antenna to the environment by detecting a signal strength of a received and/or transmitted signal and adjusting antenna properties accordingly.
  • Hearing aids are very small and delicate devices and comprise many electronic and metallic components contained in a housing small enough to fit in the ear canal of a human or behind the outer ear.
  • the many electronic and metallic components in combination with the small size of the hearing aid housing impose high design constraints on radio frequency antennas to be used in hearing aids with wireless communication capabilities.
  • antennas in hearing aids have been used for receiving radio broadcasts or commands from a remote control.
  • antennas are designed to fit in the hearing aid housing without special concern with relation to the efficiency of the antenna.
  • the matching circuitry may match the impedance of the antenna to the applicable radio or transceiver used and may optimise the effective length of the antenna to the frequency of the radio or transceiver.
  • the matching is typically performed upon initial fitting of the hearing aid, or as disclosed in US2009/0196444 , upon replacement of antenna conductors which may vary in for example length from one to another.
  • WO 2009/156879 A1 describes method of tuning an antenna, wherein the method comprises receiving a first signal strength indicator indicating a signal strength of a first data signal transmitted by an antenna on a first frequency, receiving a second signal strength indicator indicating a signal strength of a second data signal transmitted by the antenna on a second frequency different to the first frequency, determining a tuning control signal based on the first signal strength indicator and the second signal strength indicator, and tuning the antenna based on the control signal.
  • US 2004/037442 A1 describes a wireless binaural hearing aid system that utilises direct sequence spread spectrum technology to synchronise operation between individual hearing prostheses is provided.
  • a binaural hearing aid according to claim 1 is provided.
  • a hearing aid accessory may comprise the detector and information on the detected signal strength may be provided to the adjustable antenna matching mechanism for example via the wireless communications unit.
  • a hearing aid fitting system may comprise the detector and information on the detected signal strength may be provided to the adjustable antenna matching mechanism for example via the wireless communications unit.
  • a method of matching a hearing aid antenna in a binaural hearing aid according to claim 14 is provided.
  • the communications signal may be transmitted from the second hearing aid to the first hearing aid for detection, thus the communications signal received in one hearing aid of a binaural hearing aid may be received from another of the hearing aids of the binaural hearing aid.
  • the communications signal received through the wireless communications unit in one hearing aid is a signal transmitted from the other of the first and second hearing aids in a binaural hearing aid.
  • the signal strength of a signal received from the second hearing aid may be detected.
  • the adaptive adjustment may be performed during a fitting procedure fitting the hearing aid to a user, or the adaptive adjustment may be performed during use of the hearing aid.
  • the received signal strength may be an indication of the power level of the communications signal received by the antenna.
  • the signal strength may be detected or measured according to any known methods, including for example measuring using a detector comprising received signal strength indicator (RSSI) circuitry, received channel power indicator (RCPI) circuitry, etc.
  • RSSI received signal strength indicator
  • RCPI received channel power indicator
  • SNR signal noise ratio
  • the signal strength of the received signal may be detected or measured in the hearing aid, such as by a detector provided in the hearing aid, such as in the first hearing aid of a binaural hearing aid having a first and a second hearing aid.
  • the detector may form part of the wireless communications unit, such as part of a radio.
  • a controller for controlling the matching circuit may be provided, such as provided in the wireless communications unit.
  • An adjustable antenna matching mechanism provided in the hearing aid, or in the first hearing aid and/or the second hearing aid of a binaural hearing aid, is configured to receive information on the detected signal strength and configured to adaptively adjust the matching mechanism to optimize antenna reception/emission according to the detected signal strength.
  • the signal strength of a signal transmitted from the hearing aid to e.g. an accessory device, or to a hearing aid fitting system may be detected in the accessory device or in the hearing aid fitting system, respectively, and information on the transmitted signal strength may be provided to an adjustable antenna matching mechanism provided in the hearing aid, the adjustable antenna matching mechanism being configured to adaptively adjust the matching mechanism to optimize antenna reception/emission according to the detected signal strength.
  • the antenna matching mechanism may be configured to adjust an impedance of the antenna matching mechanism to optimize antenna reception.
  • the antenna matching mechanism may be a closed adaptive matching loop using a variable inductance in the matching circuitry. It is envisaged that the impedance may be adjusted according to a predetermined list of values, or that the impedance may be iteratively adjusted until an optimized antenna reception/transmission is obtained.
  • the adjustable antenna matching mechanism may be configured to iteratively adjust the antenna matching mechanism until an end-adjustment criteria is reached, and the adjustable antenna matching mechanism may be configured to adjust the antenna matching mechanism upon receiving a detected signal strength being less than a predetermined threshold.
  • the adjustable antenna matching mechanism may be configured to iteratively adjust the antenna matching mechanism until an end-adjustment criteria being the reception of a detected signal strength above the predetermined threshold is reached.
  • the signal strength may be detected remotely, that is for example either in an accessory device, in a hearing aid fitting system, or in one of the first and second hearing aids of a binaural hearing aid, etc. Subsequently, either information on the detected signal strength, such as a received signal strength indicator may be transmitted to the hearing aid, such as to the other of the first and second hearing aids of a binaural hearing aid or adjustment parameters may be provided to the hearing aid, such as to the other of the first and second hearing aid of a binaural hearing aid.
  • the adjustment parameters may comprise impedance values, such as capacitor values, conductance values, etc.
  • the detector is configured to detect the signal strength upon triggering to adaptively adjust the matching mechanism to optimize antenna reception.
  • the detector may be triggered by hearing aid adjustments, such as program selections, environmental changes, etc.
  • the hearing aid adjustments may be performed automatically, without direct interaction from a user.
  • the wireless communications unit is configured for wireless data communication, and in this respect interconnected with the antenna for emission and reception of an electromagnetic field.
  • the wireless communications unit may comprise a transmitter, a receiver, a transmitter-receiver pair, such as a transceiver, a radio unit, etc.
  • the wireless communications unit may be configured for communication using any protocol as known for a person skilled in the art, including Bluetooth, WLAN standards, manufacture specific protocols, such as tailored proximity antenna protocols, such as proprietary protocols, such as low-power wireless communication protocols, etc.
  • the wireless communications unit interconnected with the antenna may be configured for operation in the ISM frequency band.
  • the wireless communications unit interconnected with the antenna may be configured for operation at a frequency of at least 800 MHz, such as at at least 1 GHz, such as at a frequency between 1.5 GHz and 3 GHz, such as at a frequency of 2.4 GHz, such as at substantially 2.4 GHz.
  • the wireless communications unit may be configured for communication with external devices, such as hearing aid accessories, such as remote controls, telephones, such as mobile telephones, televisions, television boxes, television streamer boxes, spouse microphones, hearing aid fitting systems, etc.
  • external devices such as hearing aid accessories, such as remote controls, telephones, such as mobile telephones, televisions, television boxes, television streamer boxes, spouse microphones, hearing aid fitting systems, etc.
  • the wireless communications unit may also be configured for communication with another hearing aid in a binaural hearing aid, so that data may be exchanged between the hearing aid positioned at the right ear of a user and the hearing aid positioned at the left ear of the user.
  • binaural communication may be used for example for binaural beam forming, for binaural noise reduction, etc.
  • the hearing aid may further comprise an attachment member, such as an attachment member transmitting the second audio signal from the hearing aid housing to the ear of a user when the hearing aid is worn in its intended operational position and wherein at least a part of the antenna extends via the attachment member.
  • an attachment member such as an attachment member transmitting the second audio signal from the hearing aid housing to the ear of a user when the hearing aid is worn in its intended operational position and wherein at least a part of the antenna extends via the attachment member.
  • the antenna, or at least the part of the antenna extending via the attachment member may have a length being correlated with a length of the attachment member.
  • the antenna, or at least the part of the antenna extending via the attachment member may have substantially a same length as the attachment member.
  • the antenna, or at least the part of the antenna extending via the attachment member may have substantially a same length irrespective of the length of the attachment member.
  • the attachment member may be an electrical connection to a receiver in the ear of a user, a sound tube, such as a thin tube configured for acoustic wave propagation, or an ear hook, such as an ear hook for holding the hearing aid in a desired position around the ear of a user.
  • a sound tube such as a thin tube configured for acoustic wave propagation
  • an ear hook such as an ear hook for holding the hearing aid in a desired position around the ear of a user.
  • the attachment member may be any attachment member configured to be attached to the hearing aid, such as to a hearing aid housing.
  • the attachment member may be a holding member for holding the hearing aid in place during use, the attachment member may be configured to transmit the second audio signal from the hearing aid housing to the ear of a user, etc.
  • the length of the attachment member may be determined by the size of a user's ear to allow for a smooth fitting, and may for example be selected during fitting of the hearing aid.
  • the length of an attachment member varies depending on the type of attachment member provided. For some attachment members, e.g. for attachment members for sound transmission, the length of the attachment members may typically range from about 50 mm to about 70 mm, and the attachment members are typically available in a number of predetermined lengths. As the attachment members are exposed to the environment, including the user's head, the material may degrade over time, and typically need to be exchanged at regular intervals. As the length may vary from one attachment member to another attachment member, that is, either the length of the attachment member and/or the length of the part of the antenna extending via the attachment member may vary, an adaptively adjustable matching mechanism ensures that the field distribution of the antenna is substantially unchanged.
  • the performance of the ear-to-ear link that is the wireless communication between a first hearing aid and a second hearing aid in a binaural hearing aid, is crucial for optimum operation, such as for synchronization between the first and second hearing aids to e.g. achieve sound localization, and for e.g. noise reduction.
  • ear-to-ear link there are basically two methods, either to increase the power in the ear-to-ear link or increase the size of the antenna. It is not desirable to increase the power in the ear-to-ear link due to the conflicting need to increase battery lifetime, and the size of the antenna is typically limited by the hearing aid dimensions.
  • the hearing aids have an attachment element and the antenna extend at least partly into the attachment element.
  • the attachment element may have a variable length as discussed above depending on e.g. the size of a user's head.
  • the antenna may be as long as possible, and thus for a user having a larger size, i.e. longer, attachment element also the size of the antenna may be increased.
  • the field distribution may be controlled in that the length of the antenna element extending at least partly into the attachment element is kept constant irrespective of the length of the attachment element.
  • the antenna element may extend further into a longer attachment element.
  • the length of the antenna element extending into the attachment element may for example correspond to, such as correspond substantially to, the length of the attachment element.
  • a matching mechanism may be provided, and the field distribution may be controlled by adjusting the matching mechanism according to the length of the attachment member or antenna used.
  • the hearing aid may comprise a detector configured to detect a signal strength of a communications signal received through the wireless communications unit and adjust the matching mechanism in response hereto, e.g. by providing a closed adaptive matching loop.
  • the field distribution on the antenna may be controlled and the different lengths of the attachment members may be accounted for.
  • the binaural efficiency may be increased when the length of the attachment member used is increased.
  • a hearing aid 100 is shown schematically.
  • the hearing aid has a microphone 160 for reception of sound and conversion of the received sound into a corresponding first audio signal, a signal processor 150 for processing the first audio signal into a second audio signal compensating a hearing loss of a user of the hearing aid, a speaker 170 for providing sound to a user, a wireless communications unit 130 connected to the signal processor 150 for wireless data communication and being interconnected with an antenna 110 for emission and/or reception of an electromagnetic field.
  • the wireless communications unit may be a radio, such as a radio, such as a multi protocol radio, such as a radio supporting Bluetooth as well as proprietary wireless protocols.
  • the hearing aid further has a detector 180 connected to the wireless communications unit 130.
  • the detector is configured to detect a signal strength of a signal received through the wireless communications unit 130.
  • An antenna matching mechanism 190 is configured to receive the detected signal strength from the detector 180 and adaptively control the matching mechanism 190 to optimize antenna reception according to the detected signal strength of the received signal.
  • the detected signal strength may be provided to the antenna matching mechanism as a control signal.
  • the hearing aid may have an attachment element 120 and the antenna 110 may extend into the attachment element 120.
  • the antenna matching mechanism may comprise, or consist of, a variable capacitor.
  • the variable capacitor may form part of a matching circuitry for the antenna, such as a matching circuitry configured to match the antenna impedance to the radio, typically at 50 ⁇ .
  • Fig. 2 shows a binaural hearing aid
  • each of the first and second hearing aids 121, 122 has a microphone 161, 162, a signal processor 151, 152, speaker 171, 172, a wireless communications unit 131, 132 connected to the signal processor 151, 152 for wireless data communication and being interconnected with antenna 111, 112 for emission and/or reception of an electromagnetic field.
  • the first and second hearing aids 121, 122 are configured to communicate with each other via wireless link 200 established between wireless communications units 131, 132 via antennas 111, 112.
  • the first hearing aid 121 further has a detector 181 connected to the wireless communications unit 130.
  • the detector 181 may be an RSSI detector and is in the present example provided in the wireless communications unit 131.
  • the detector is configured to detect a signal strength of a signal received through the wireless communications unit 131.
  • the signal is in this embodiment received from the second hearing aid 122 via the wireless link 200.
  • the antenna matching mechanism 192 is thereby adaptively controlled to optimize antenna transmission according to the detected signal strength of the signal as received in the first hearing aid 121.
  • the matching parameters may comprise inductance and capacitance of a matching circuitry in the antenna matching mechanism.
  • the hearing aid also may be a receiver in the ear type hearing aid, wherein the second signal is provided via an electrical connector in attachment member 120 (not shown in Fig. 2 ) to the ear 201, 202.
  • the receiver is provided in the hearing aid, such as in a behind the ear type hearing aid, the sound is typically transmitted to the ear 201, 202 via an attachment member comprising at least a sound tube.
  • a hearing aid 300 is shown schematically, and it is seen that the hearing aid 300 has an adjustable antenna matching mechanism 380 configured to receive information on a detected signal strength and being configured to adaptively adjust the matching mechanism 380 to optimize antenna reception/emission according to the detected signal strength.
  • the detector 391 is in the present example provided in a hearing aid fitting apparatus 315, and information of the signal strength is provided to the hearing aid 300 and thus, the matching mechanism is adjusted during fitting of the hearing aid.
  • the fitting apparatus 315 and the hearing aid may communicate wirelessly and/or via a wired connection 320.
  • Fig. 3b shows hearing aid 300 connected to a hearing aid remote control 325 and the hearing aid remote control 325 may comprise the detector 392.
  • the hearing aid matching mechanism may be adjusted via the remote control 325.
  • any other hearing aid accessory may comprise a wireless communications unit and a detector to enable feedback on the information of the signal strength to the hearing aid.
  • the hearing aid accessory and the hearing aid communicates via a hearing aid protocol, such as a proprietary protocol, using a wired or a wireless connection.
  • Figs. 4a-d show variable lengths of antenna elements 411, 412, 413, 414 extending in attachment members 421, 422, 423, 424 of different lengths.
  • the length of the attachment member is typically determined by the size of a user's head and/or ear to allow for a smooth fitting, and may for example be selected during fitting of the hearing aid.
  • the length of an attachment member varies depending on the type of attachment member provided.
  • the length of attachment members for sound transmission typically range from about 50 mm to about 70 mm, and the attachment members may be available in a number of predetermined lengths.
  • the material may degrade over time, and typically need to be exchanged at regular intervals.
  • an adaptively adjustable matching mechanism ensures that the field distribution of the antenna is substantially unchanged.
  • the antenna elements 411, 412, 413, 414 extending into the attachment member may have a length being correlated with the attachment member length, and thus correlated with the size of a user's ear.
  • the length of the antenna elements 411, 412, 413, 414 may substantially be corresponding to the attachment member length, however, the length of the antenna element 411, 412, 413, 414 may also be shorter than the attachment member, such as 30% shorter, such as 20 %, such as 10 % shorter, such as 5 % shorter than the attachment member.
  • Table 1 below shows exemplary lengths of the attachment members for an attachment member being a sound tube.
  • a flowchart illustrates a method of adaptively matching a hearing aid antenna to optimize a received communications signal strength.
  • the method comprises detecting the signal strength of a received communications signal, provide the detected signal strength, such as a control signal comprising information about the signal strength, to an antenna matching mechanism, and adaptively adjust a hearing aid antenna matching mechanism to optimize received communications signal strength.
  • a flowchart illustrates a method 600 of adaptively matching hearing aid antenna(s) in a binaural hearing aid.
  • the performance of the ear-to-ear link 200 that is the wireless communication between a first hearing aid 121 and a second hearing aid 122 in a binaural hearing aid, is crucial for optimum operation, such as for synchronization between the first and second hearing aids 121, 122 to e.g. achieve sound localization, and for e.g. noise reduction.
  • the method 600 matches a hearing aid antenna 111,112 in a binaural hearing aid in accordance with a detected signal strength of a received communications signal.
  • the method 600 comprises the steps of in a binaural hearing aid 601, transmitting a communications signal from one hearing aid in step 602, receiving the transmitted communications signal by a wireless communications unit in the other hearing aid in step 603, detecting a signal strength of the received communications signal in step 604, for example using a detector, such as an RSSI detector and provide the detected signal strength to an antenna matching mechanism to optimize received communications strength, such as in the ear-to-ear communication.
  • the detector and the matching mechanism may be provided in a same hearing aid, in a same binaural hearing aid, each in one or the other hearing aid in a binaural hearing aid, providing the antenna matching mechanism in a hearing aid and the detector in an accessory, such as in an accessory device, and any combination thereof.
  • information about the detected signal strength may be fed back to the antenna matching mechanism either via a wireless communication connection or via a wired connection.
  • the information about the detected signal strength may be provided in the form of a control signal, or the received signal strength may be provided as an indication of the power level being received by the antenna in connection with the detector, as an "above” or “below” threshold indication, and in any other way as known to a person skilled in the art.

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)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Binaurales Hörgerät umfassend ein erstes Hörgerät (121) und ein zweites Hörgerät (122), wobei jedes Hörgerät (121, 122) Folgendes umfasst
    ein Mikrofon (161, 162) zum Empfangen von Geräusch und Umwandeln des empfangenen Geräuschs in ein entsprechendes erstes Audiosignal,
    einen Signalprozessor (151, 152) zur Verarbeitung des ersten Audiosignals in ein zweites Audiosignal, das einen Hörverlust eines Benutzers des Hörgeräts kompensiert,
    eine drahtlose Kommunikationseinheit (131, 132), die mit dem Signalprozessor (151, 152) zur drahtlosen Kommunikation verbunden ist und mit einer Antenne (111, 112) zum Aussenden und/oder Empfangen eines elektromagnetischen Feldes verbunden ist, wobei die Antenne (111, 112) zum Betrieb bei einer Frequenz von mindestens 800 MHz ausgelegt ist,
    wobei das erste Hörgerät (121) einen Detektor (181) aufweist, der mit der drahtlosen Kommunikationseinheit (131) verbunden ist, wobei der Detektor (181) dafür ausgelegt ist, eine Signalstärke eines durch die drahtlose Kommunikationseinheit (131) empfangenen Kommunikationssignals zu detektieren, und
    wobei das erste Hörgerät (121) und/oder das zweite Hörgerät (122) einen einstellbaren Antennenanpassungsmechanismus (192) aufweist, der zum Empfangen von Information über die detektierte Signalstärke und Einstellen des Anpassungsmechanismus (192) ausgelegt ist, um Empfang/Aussendung durch die Antenne (111, 112) gemäß der detektierten Signalstärke des empfangenen Kommunikationssignals zu optimieren.
  2. Binaurales Hörgerät nach Anspruch 1, wobei das durch die drahtlose Kommunikationseinheit (131) empfangene Kommunikationssignal in einem Hörgerät (121) ein Signal ist, das von dem anderen des ersten und zweiten Hörgeräts (122) übertragen wird.
  3. Binaurales Hörgerät nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Signalstärke unter Verwendung einer RSSI (receive signal strength indicator)-Schaltung gemessen wird.
  4. Binaurales Hörgerät nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Hörgerät weiter ein Befestigungselement (120) umfasst, das das zweite Audiosignal vom Hörgerätgehäuse zum Ohr eines Benutzers überträgt, wenn das Hörgerät in der beabsichtigten Betriebsposition getragen wird, und wobei sich mindestens ein Teil der Antenne (111, 112) über das Befestigungselement (120) erstreckt.
  5. Binaurales Hörgerät nach Anspruch 4, wobei eine Länge der Antenne (111, 112) mit einer Länge des Befestigungselements (120) korreliert wird.
  6. Binaurales Hörgerät nach einem der Ansprüche 4-5, wobei das Befestigungselement (120) eine elektrische Verbindung mit einem Empfänger im Ohr eines Benutzers, ein Schallschlauch oder ein Ohrbügel ist.
  7. Binaurales Hörgerät nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Signalstärke des empfangenen Signals während eines Hörgerätanbringungsvorgangs detektiert wird.
  8. Binaurales Hörgerät nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Detektor dafür ausgelegt ist, die Signalstärke beim Auslösen zu detektieren, um den Anpassungsmechanismus adaptiv einzustellen zur Optimierung des Antennenempfangs.
  9. Binaurales Hörgerät nach Anspruch 8, wobei der Detektor (181) durch Hörgeräteinstellungen, wie beispielsweise Programmwahl, ausgelöst wird.
  10. Binaurales Hörgerät nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, wobei eine Impedanz des Antennenanpassungsmechanismus (192) eingestellt wird, um den Antennenempfang zu optimieren.
  11. Binaurales Hörgerät nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, wobei der einstellbare Antennenanpassungsmechanismus (192) dafür ausgelegt ist, den Antennenanpassungsmechanismus (192) iterativ einzustellen, bis ein Endeinstellungskriterium erreicht ist.
  12. Binaurales Hörgerät nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, wobei der einstellbare Antennenanpassungsmechanismus (192) dafür ausgelegt ist, den Antennenanpassungsmechanismus (192) beim Empfangen einer detektierten Signalstärke einzustellen, die geringer als ein vorgegebener Schwellenwert ist.
  13. Binaurales Hörgerät nach Anspruch 12, wobei der einstellbare Antennenanpassungsmechanismus (192) dafür ausgelegt ist, den Antennenanpassungsmechanismus (192) iterativ einzustellen, bis ein Endeinstellungskriterium, das der Empfang einer detektierten Signalstärke oberhalb des vorgegebenen Schwellenwerts ist, erreicht ist.
  14. Verfahren zum Anpassen einer Hörgerätantenne in einem binauralen Hörgerät gemäß einer detektierten Signalstärke eines empfangenen Kommunikationssignals, wobei das binaurale Hörgerät ein erstes Hörgerät (121) zur Positionierung an einem Ohr eines Benutzers und ein zweites Hörgerät (122) zur Positionierung am anderen Ohr des Benutzers aufweist, welches Verfahren Folgendes umfasst
    Empfangen des Kommunikationssignals durch eine drahtlose Kommunikationseinheit (131) im ersten Hörgerät (121),
    Detektieren einer Signalstärke des empfangenen Kommunikationssignals, Steuern eines Anpassungsmechanismus, der im ersten Hörgerät (121) und/oder im zweiten Hörgerät (122) positioniert ist, um einen optimierten Antennenempfang und/oder eine optimierte Antennenübertragung gemäß der detektierten Signalstärke zu erreichen, wobei der Antennenempfang/die Antennenübertragung zum Betrieb bei einer Frequenz von mindestens 800 MHz ausgelegt ist.
  15. Verfahren nach Anspruch 14, wobei das Kommunikationssignal vom zweiten Hörgerät (122) zum ersten Hörgerät (121) übertragen wird.
EP12199666.4A 2012-12-28 2012-12-28 Hörgerät mit adaptivem Antennenanpassungsmechanismus und Verfahren zum adaptiven Anpassen einer Hörgerätantenne Revoked EP2750408B1 (de)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DK12199666.4T DK2750408T3 (da) 2012-12-28 2012-12-28 Høreapparat med en adaptiv antennetilpasningsmekanisme og en fremgangsmåde til adaptiv tilpasning af en høreapparatantenne
EP19167115.5A EP3525491A1 (de) 2012-12-28 2012-12-28 Hörgerät mit mechanismus zur adaptiven antennenanpassung und verfahren zur adaptiven anpassung einer hörgeräteantenne
EP12199666.4A EP2750408B1 (de) 2012-12-28 2012-12-28 Hörgerät mit adaptivem Antennenanpassungsmechanismus und Verfahren zum adaptiven Anpassen einer Hörgerätantenne
US13/797,795 US9414170B2 (en) 2012-12-28 2013-03-12 Hearing aid having an adaptive antenna matching mechanism and a method for adaptively matching a hearing aid antenna
JP2013258222A JP2014131268A (ja) 2012-12-28 2013-12-13 適応型アンテナ整合機構を有する補聴器、および補聴器アンテナを適応的に整合させる方法
CN201310714237.1A CN103916804B (zh) 2012-12-28 2013-12-20 具有自适应天线匹配机构的助听器和用于自适应匹配助听器天线的方法
JP2015005319A JP5718540B2 (ja) 2012-12-28 2015-01-14 適応型アンテナ整合機構を有する補聴器、および補聴器アンテナを適応的に整合させる方法
US15/231,619 US20170034635A1 (en) 2012-12-28 2016-08-08 Hearing aid having an adaptive antenna matching mechanism and a method for adaptively matching a hearing aid antenna

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP12199666.4A EP2750408B1 (de) 2012-12-28 2012-12-28 Hörgerät mit adaptivem Antennenanpassungsmechanismus und Verfahren zum adaptiven Anpassen einer Hörgerätantenne

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19167115.5A Division EP3525491A1 (de) 2012-12-28 2012-12-28 Hörgerät mit mechanismus zur adaptiven antennenanpassung und verfahren zur adaptiven anpassung einer hörgeräteantenne

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2750408A1 EP2750408A1 (de) 2014-07-02
EP2750408B1 true EP2750408B1 (de) 2019-05-01

Family

ID=47458778

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19167115.5A Withdrawn EP3525491A1 (de) 2012-12-28 2012-12-28 Hörgerät mit mechanismus zur adaptiven antennenanpassung und verfahren zur adaptiven anpassung einer hörgeräteantenne
EP12199666.4A Revoked EP2750408B1 (de) 2012-12-28 2012-12-28 Hörgerät mit adaptivem Antennenanpassungsmechanismus und Verfahren zum adaptiven Anpassen einer Hörgerätantenne

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19167115.5A Withdrawn EP3525491A1 (de) 2012-12-28 2012-12-28 Hörgerät mit mechanismus zur adaptiven antennenanpassung und verfahren zur adaptiven anpassung einer hörgeräteantenne

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (2) EP3525491A1 (de)
DK (1) DK2750408T3 (de)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3503588B1 (de) * 2017-12-22 2023-02-15 GN Hearing A/S Hörgerät mit digital abstimmbarer antenne
EP3614694B1 (de) 2018-08-20 2023-12-20 GN Hearing A/S Binaurales hörsystem mit nahfeld-drahtloskommunikation
EP3737116A1 (de) 2019-05-10 2020-11-11 Sonova AG Binaurales hörsystem mit in-situ-kalibrierung des rf-empfängers

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998048526A2 (en) 1997-04-23 1998-10-29 Aura Communications, Inc. Time-multiplexed short-range magnetic communications
US20040037442A1 (en) * 2000-07-14 2004-02-26 Gn Resound A/S Synchronised binaural hearing system
EP1708306A1 (de) 2005-03-28 2006-10-04 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Antennen für Hörhilfegeräte
US20080226107A1 (en) 2007-03-12 2008-09-18 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Transmission method with dynamic transmission power adjustment and corresponding hearing device system
US20090196444A1 (en) 2008-02-06 2009-08-06 Starkey Laboratories, Inc Antenna used in conjunction with the conductors for an audio transducer
WO2009156879A1 (en) 2008-06-27 2009-12-30 Nxp B.V. Method of and system for tuning an antenna
EP2211579A1 (de) 2009-01-21 2010-07-28 Oticon A/S Sendeleistungsregelung in einem drahtlosen Kommunikationssystem
EP2367294A1 (de) 2010-03-10 2011-09-21 Oticon A/S Drahtloses Kommunikationssystem mit der gleichen oder einer höheren Modulationsbandbreite als die Bandbreite der Sender- und/oder Empfängerantennen
WO2012084026A1 (en) 2010-12-22 2012-06-28 Widex A/S Method and sytem for wireless communication between a telephone and a hearing aid
EP2552017A1 (de) 2011-07-26 2013-01-30 Oticon A/s Verfahren zur Verringerung des Mindestbetriebsbereichs einer Kommunikationsverbindung

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2639568C (en) * 2007-09-14 2014-05-13 Mohammad Reza Nezhad Ahmadi Mohabadi Low-if transceiver architecture
CN102404015B (zh) * 2010-09-10 2016-02-24 索尼爱立信移动通讯有限公司 天线匹配结构、天线匹配方法以及无线通信终端

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998048526A2 (en) 1997-04-23 1998-10-29 Aura Communications, Inc. Time-multiplexed short-range magnetic communications
US20040037442A1 (en) * 2000-07-14 2004-02-26 Gn Resound A/S Synchronised binaural hearing system
EP1708306A1 (de) 2005-03-28 2006-10-04 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Antennen für Hörhilfegeräte
US20080226107A1 (en) 2007-03-12 2008-09-18 Siemens Audiologische Technik Gmbh Transmission method with dynamic transmission power adjustment and corresponding hearing device system
US20090196444A1 (en) 2008-02-06 2009-08-06 Starkey Laboratories, Inc Antenna used in conjunction with the conductors for an audio transducer
WO2009156879A1 (en) 2008-06-27 2009-12-30 Nxp B.V. Method of and system for tuning an antenna
EP2211579A1 (de) 2009-01-21 2010-07-28 Oticon A/S Sendeleistungsregelung in einem drahtlosen Kommunikationssystem
EP2367294A1 (de) 2010-03-10 2011-09-21 Oticon A/S Drahtloses Kommunikationssystem mit der gleichen oder einer höheren Modulationsbandbreite als die Bandbreite der Sender- und/oder Empfängerantennen
WO2012084026A1 (en) 2010-12-22 2012-06-28 Widex A/S Method and sytem for wireless communication between a telephone and a hearing aid
EP2552017A1 (de) 2011-07-26 2013-01-30 Oticon A/s Verfahren zur Verringerung des Mindestbetriebsbereichs einer Kommunikationsverbindung

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
"- Lehrbuch der Hochfrequenztechnik", vol. 1, 1986, article ZINKE/BRUNSWIG: "1.3 Kopplungsbandfilter in Uebertragungsstemen", pages: 31, 357, XP055679655
"Antenna tuner", WIKIPEDIA, 26 December 2012 (2012-12-26), XP055679658, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Antenna tuner&oldid=52988 7175>
"ISM-Band", WIKIPEDIA, 5 December 2012 (2012-12-05), XP055679650, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:https:/ /de. wikipedia.orq/w/index.php?title=ISM-Band&oldid= 111300455>

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2750408A1 (de) 2014-07-02
DK2750408T3 (da) 2019-06-11
EP3525491A1 (de) 2019-08-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9414170B2 (en) Hearing aid having an adaptive antenna matching mechanism and a method for adaptively matching a hearing aid antenna
US10524063B2 (en) Binaural hearing aid system comprising two wireless interfaces and a user interface
US20140185848A1 (en) Dipole antenna for a hearing aid
EP2498514A1 (de) Hörgerät und Verfahren für den Betrieb eines Hörgerätes
EP2750409B1 (de) Dipolantenne für Hörgerät
US10484804B2 (en) Hearing assistance device ear-to-ear communication using an intermediate device
US20080226107A1 (en) Transmission method with dynamic transmission power adjustment and corresponding hearing device system
US10735872B2 (en) Hearing device incorporating phased array antenna arrangement
EP2750408B1 (de) Hörgerät mit adaptivem Antennenanpassungsmechanismus und Verfahren zum adaptiven Anpassen einer Hörgerätantenne
CN110891234B (zh) 具有自动天线调谐的助听器
US20220232329A1 (en) Hearing device system incorporating phased array antenna arrangement
US11076244B2 (en) Hearing instrument having a digitally tunable antenna
US20210306778A1 (en) Hearing device
EP4236352A1 (de) Hörgerät

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20121228

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

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

R17P Request for examination filed (corrected)

Effective date: 20141222

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

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

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20180424

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

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

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: H01Q 1/27 20060101ALI20181102BHEP

Ipc: H04R 25/00 20060101AFI20181102BHEP

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20181128

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

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

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: GN HEARING A/S

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1128539

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20190515

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602012059552

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: T3

Effective date: 20190607

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20190501

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

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

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190901

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190801

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

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190802

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190801

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1128539

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20190501

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

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190901

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

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R026

Ref document number: 602012059552

Country of ref document: DE

PLBI Opposition filed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009260

PLAX Notice of opposition and request to file observation + time limit sent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS2

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

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

26 Opposition filed

Opponent name: OTICON A/S

Effective date: 20200131

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

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

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

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

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

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

PLBB Reply of patent proprietor to notice(s) of opposition received

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNOBS3

PLAB Opposition data, opponent's data or that of the opponent's representative modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009299OPPO

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20191231

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

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

R26 Opposition filed (corrected)

Opponent name: OTICON A/S

Effective date: 20200131

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

Ref country code: LU

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

Effective date: 20191228

Ref country code: IE

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

Effective date: 20191228

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

Ref country code: BE

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

Effective date: 20191231

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

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

PLCK Communication despatched that opposition was rejected

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNREJ1

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

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20121228

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

APAH Appeal reference modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCREFNO

APBM Appeal reference recorded

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNREFNO

APBP Date of receipt of notice of appeal recorded

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA2O

APBQ Date of receipt of statement of grounds of appeal recorded

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA3O

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20211215

Year of fee payment: 10

Ref country code: DK

Payment date: 20211217

Year of fee payment: 10

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20211221

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20211217

Year of fee payment: 10

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

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190501

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230525

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DK

Ref legal event code: EBP

Effective date: 20221231

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20221228

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

Ref country code: LI

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

Effective date: 20221231

Ref country code: GB

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

Effective date: 20221228

Ref country code: CH

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

Effective date: 20221231

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

Ref country code: FR

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

Effective date: 20221231

APAH Appeal reference modified

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSCREFNO

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: 20221231

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20231218

Year of fee payment: 12

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R103

Ref document number: 602012059552

Country of ref document: DE

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R064

Ref document number: 602012059552

Country of ref document: DE

APBU Appeal procedure closed

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNNOA9O

RDAF Communication despatched that patent is revoked

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNREV1

RDAG Patent revoked

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009271

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

Free format text: STATUS: PATENT REVOKED

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

27W Patent revoked

Effective date: 20240411