KR101672942B1 - A Method for Setting a Function of Improved Auditory Acuity and a Hearing Device Having the Same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of setting a hearing improvement function of a hearing device and a hearing device having a hearing improvement function, and more particularly, to a hearing device improvement method of setting a hearing improvement function of a hearing device to be applied to a hearing device connected to a mobile device, To a hearing device having a function. A method for setting a hearing improvement function of a hearing device includes the steps of installing an application (AP) for operation of the hearing device (10) in the mobile device (M); Preparing hearing test data in the mobile device (M); Determining an application environment for the hearing test data to produce environment adaptation data; Transmitting the environment application data to the hearing device (10); Transmitting a sound signal to the hearing device (10) by wireless communication from the mobile device (M); And applying the environmental adaptation data to the sound signal to be transmitted to the earphone 22.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a hearing device having a hearing improvement function and a hearing device having a hearing improvement function,

The present invention relates to a method of setting a hearing improvement function of a hearing device and a hearing device having a hearing improvement function, and more particularly, to a hearing device improvement method of setting a hearing improvement function of a hearing device to be applied to a hearing device connected to a mobile device, To a hearing device having a function.

A variety of hearing aid devices are known in the art, for example a hearing aid can be used to supplement the hearing of a person with a hearing loss. On the other hand, a receiver such as an earphone or a headphone, which prevents the sound of a telephone call or a multimedia playback from being transmitted to the outside, may be connected to various kinds of multimedia devices to improve the listening function of the user. A receiver such as an earphone or a headphone can be connected to an electronic device having a calling function or a multimedia reproducing function by wire or wirelessly. Earphones or headphones connected to such electronic devices, however, do not have the ability to protect or enhance the hearing of the user.

Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0143474 discloses a transmitting apparatus which is detected by an electronic device and generates a data bit including a dummy bit and transmits the data bit according to a UART communication method and outputs the data bit through an earphone plug And a receiving unit for receiving the data bit transmitted from the earphone plug of the transmitting apparatus via an earphone port and extracting and decoding the remaining bits of the data bits excluding the dummy bit, Wherein the bit is composed of a valid bit and the dummy bit, and the dummy bit is coupled before the valid bit.

Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0057311 includes a hearing aid and an external device, wherein the hearing aid includes a connection means for wireless connection with an external device, a memory means for storing hearing aid variables, and a response signal in response to a trigger signal received from the external device Wherein the external device comprises a connection means for providing a wireless connection with the hearing aid, an acoustic-electrical input converter for providing an electrical audio signal, a memory means for storing electrical audio signal samples, And signal processing means configured to initiate recording of electrical audio signal samples in response to activation of user input means and user input means and to initiate trigger signal transmission to the hearing aid.

Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0122750 includes a first client, an external device, a control server, a hearing aid system and link means configured to allow the first client, the external device, the control server and the hearing aid system to communicate Wherein the first client is a fitting software configured to fit a hearing aid based on a selected hearing aid user profile having unique user identification and a fitting connection software configured to request the control server to establish a communication channel between the first client and the external device Wherein the external device comprises an external device connection software means configured to provide the unique device identification, the unique identification device identification to the control server, and the content of the data transmitted over the direct communication channel to the hearing aid Wherein the control server comprises interface means configured to provide the direct communication channel between the first client and the external device based on a corresponding user identification and device identification, the hearing aid fitting comprising a hearing aid fitting System.

The prior art discloses a remote fitting system or a method of communicating an earphone and an electronic device, but does not disclose a handset or a hearing aid to which the hearing aid is applied. It is advantageous for the hearing aid to have the function of protecting or enhancing the hearing ability of the user while having the function of the earphone. However, the prior art does not disclose a method for enabling such a function to be applied to a hearing aid connected to a mobile device.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art and has the following purpose.

Prior Art 1: Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0143474 (published on Dec. 17, 2014, Donut System, Inc.) Communication system using transmitting device and mobile earphone port Prior Art 2: Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0067311 (published on June 21, 2014, Vidax A / S) Hearing aid system and method for fitting a hearing aid system Prior Art 3: Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0122750 (published October 20, 2014, Videx A / S) Hearing aid fitting system and method for fitting a hearing aid system

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for applying individual hearing improvement functions in a hearing device connected to a mobile device and capable of receiving various playback tones including communication tones, and a similar hearing device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for setting a hearing improvement function of a hearing device comprises the steps of installing an application for operating a hearing device in a mobile device; Preparing hearing test data in the mobile device; Determining an application environment for the hearing test data to produce environment adaptation data; Transmitting the environment application data to the hearing device; Transmitting a sound signal to the hearing device by wireless communication from the mobile device; And applying the environmental adaptation data to the sound signal to be transmitted to the earphone.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of transmitting the environment application data to the hearing device further includes the step of introducing environmental sound into the hearing device.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hearing device has a function of transmitting a communication start signal to the mobile device.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a hearing device having a hearing enhancement function is provided with a call unit capable of data communication with a mobile device by close range communication; A control unit for establishing a connection to the mobile device; An environmental unit for processing environment sounds and conversation sounds input from the outside; An adaptive processing unit for applying individual hearing data received from a mobile device to a sound signal transmitted from the mobile device; And an earphone for receiving the processed signal in the adaptation processing unit.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hearing device further includes a call initiation unit for starting communication in the mobile device and a storage unit for storing the call situation.

The method of applying the individual hearing enhancement function according to the present invention allows a hearing device connected to a mobile device to protect the hearing of the individual by making the reception sound adaptable to the hearing or use environment of the individual. The hearing device according to the present invention improves the usability of the mobile device.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a process of applying a hearing improvement function according to the present invention to a hearing device.
2A and 2B show an embodiment of a heating device according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the operating structure of the hearing device according to the present invention.
Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the operating process of the hearing device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the following description, components having the same reference numerals in different drawings have similar functions, so that they will not be described repeatedly unless necessary for an understanding of the invention, and the known components will be briefly described or omitted. However, It should not be understood as being excluded from the embodiment of Fig.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a process of applying a hearing improvement function according to the present invention to a hearing device.

Referring to FIG. 1, a method for setting a hearing improvement function of a hearing device according to the present invention includes the steps of: (P11) installing an application for operating a hearing device in a mobile device; A step (P222, P223) of preparing hearing test data in the mobile device; A step (P24) in which an application environment for the hearing inspection data is determined to produce environment adaptation data; Transmitting the environment application data to the hearing device; Transmitting a sound signal to the hearing device by wireless communication from the mobile device; And a step (P26) in which the environmental adaptation data is applied to the sound signal and transmitted to the earphone.

Herein, the hearing device 10 is a device that can perform data communication through a short distance communication with a portable electronic device having a communication function, for example, a smart phone, a portable audio device, a notebook, a wearable smart device, Portable devices. The hearing device is capable of wireless communication with the above-described device through a short-range communication means such as Bluetooth communication, for example, and can be wired as needed. The hearing device 10 receives a sound signal from the portable electronic device, processes the sound signal to suit the user's environment or user, and transmits the sound signal to the user through a device such as an earphone. And various applications installed in the portable electronic device can be used to receive necessary information or to perform necessary functions. In addition, the external environment sound may be received and appropriately processed according to the situation, and transmitted to the user, portable mobile device, or other communicable device through the earphone. In addition, the hearing device 10 has a function of processing a sound signal or another signal inputted from an external or electronic device to suit the environment of use or hearing of the user, and transmitting it to the user. The hearing device 10 has a hearing aid function, but is not limited thereto. The hearing device 10 may have a function of improving the hearing environment of all users by processing the sound signal or environment sound of the portable electronic device in accordance with the use environment.

The portable electronic device generally has a communication function and a multimedia reproduction function, and the multimedia reproduction function refers to making a voice or image signal including music and a moving picture electronically viewable or audible by a person.

The hearing device 10 may be paired with at least one mobile device. A Bluetooth module may be embedded in the hearing device 10, which can be registered by searching a Bluetooth module of the device 10 in a mobile device such as a smart phone. After the hearing device 10 has been paired with the mobile device, it can be connected to the paired mobile device by turning on each device and operating the button on the hearing device 10. [

The hearing device 10 can be paired with different mobile devices, and the pairing hearing device can perform data communication with each mobile device and selectively determine whether to connect or not.

The application AP for operating the hearing device 10 may be installed in the mobile device M and the method of operating the hearing device 10 may be implemented by executing the application AP in the mobile device M Can be set. The installation, execution and operation of the application (AP) can be done according to any method known in the art.

The hearing test can be performed by the executed application (AP). The application AP may include a hearing test program so that a hearing test is performed for the user (P221) and hearing test data may be generated (P222). Further, the application AP may receive the hearing data of the user stored in another place using the communication of the mobile device M (P23). For example, hearing data may be received from the server of the hearing care institution and whether the received hearing data is appropriate for the user may be tested. Supplementation of the received hearing data can be made if necessary. When the hearing aid data is generated by executing the application in the mobile device M (P222, P23), the environment adaptation to the hearing data can be performed (P24). Environmental adaptation of the hearing data can be achieved, for example, by dividing the use environment of the hearing device 10 into a standard setting, an indoor environment, an outdoor environment, a public transportation environment or a public place environment and reducing noise Or supplementing the hearing data, such as adding a user preference tone in the form of a noise. And automatically adjusting the volume or volume of the sound delivered to the user depending on the usage environment. When environmental adaptation to the hearing data is applied (P24), the hearing data can be stored in the mobile device M or the hearing device 10 (P25). And the generated environmental adaptation data may be transmitted to the control unit 31 of the hearing device 10. [ Environment adaptation data may be applied to all sound signals which are then input to the hearing device 10 and transmitted to the earphone.

The hearing device 10 can perform close range communication with the mobile device M and a sound signal such as a playback sound or a call sound reproduced due to the reproduction of multimedia from the mobile device M can be transmitted to the hearing device 10 . At the same time, the external sound obtained by the environmental unit 33 can be transmitted to the hearing device 10 (P27). According to the setting, the hearing device 10 can detect the use environment from the external environment sound flowing into the environment unit 33. [ Then, the control unit 31 can set the environment adaptation data to correspond to the detected use environment. When the sound signal is received by the mobile device M, the hearing device 10 can apply environmental adaptation data to the sound signal and transmit it to the earphone. As described above, the sound signal transmitted through the earphone is supplemented to suit the individual hearing data and the use environment so that the hearing ability can be improved while protecting the hearing function of the user.

The hearing device 10 can be made of an electronic device independent of the mobile device M that can be worn at both ends.

2A and 2B show an embodiment of a heating device 10 according to the present invention.

Referring to Figs. 2A and 2B, the heating device 10 includes a wear unit 21 formed with adjustment boxes 212a and 212b for receiving operating parts; At least one external microphone (23a, 23b) connected to the control box (212a, 212b); At least one earphone (22a, 22b) coupled to the wearing unit (21) and whose operation is controlled by the adjustment boxes (212a, 212b); A battery accommodated in the adjustment boxes 212a and 212b; And at least one call microphone 231 disposed in the wearer unit 21 and a control unit 31 disposed in a circuit board housed inside the wearer unit 21 can be accommodated.

The wearing unit 21 is provided with a wearing member 211 which can be worn on both ears and an adjusting box 212a which is integrally formed with the wearing member 211 and in which a part necessary for operation of the herring device 10 is accommodated , And 212b. The hearing device 10 can be made in a structure that can be worn on one end or both ears and the wearing member 211 can be made of a hearing device such as an earphone 22a or 22b or a printed circuit board, It may have a suitable structure in which parts such as a battery can be placed.

The adjustment boxes 212a and 212b may be formed on a part of the wear member 211 or the adjustment boxes 212a and 212b separately manufactured from the wear member 211 may be combined. The adjustment boxes 212a and 212b may have a variety of configurations in which parts can be accommodated or an operation or selection button can be installed. A variety of components, elements, chips or substrates can be disposed within the control boxes 212a, 212b associated with the operation of the smart hearing device 10, such as, for example, a microchip, a communication chip or a synchronic sound generator. Various function buttons such as a call button 241 and a music play button 242 may be disposed on the surfaces of the control boxes 212a and 212b. The adjustment boxes 212a and 212b may be formed or joined at both ends of the wear member 211, but the formation positions of the adjustment boxes 212a and 212b are not particularly limited. Further, the function buttons can be formed at various positions of the wearing unit 21, and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

At least one external microphone (23a, 23b) may be installed in the hearing device (10). The external microphones 23a and 23b are for inputting sound signals and can be installed in the respective control boxes 212a and 212b and can have a volume adjustable structure. Also, a call microphone 231 may be installed in the adjustment boxes 212a and 212b. The call microphone 231 may have a function of delivering a call voice to the mobile device M when the mobile device M is a talkable device such as a smartphone. On the other hand, the external microphones 23a and 23b allow conversation sounds to be introduced. Also, the external microphones 23a and 23b allow external environment sounds to be introduced. Therefore, the signal input through the talk microphone 231 is transmitted to the mobile device M by the control unit 31 and the sound introduced into the external microphones 23a and 23b is transmitted to the earphones 22a and 22b via the adaptive processor. Lt; / RTI > The sound signal flowing into the call microphone 231 can be transmitted to the mobile device M via the inherent filter unit. For example, a sound signal other than the user voice characteristic or the voice frequency characteristic may be pre-stored and the user's voice or voice frequency characteristic may be removed by the intrinsic filter unit. And the operation of such a function can be selected by a selection button. On the other hand, the external microphones 23a and 23b may have a registration signal filtering function. If a conversation is made between a person with another hearing device 10 and a registration signal filter function is activated, only signals transmitted through the other hearing device 10 can be transmitted to the earphones 22a, 22b. Such a function can be selected by a selection button. In this manner, the calling microphone 231 or the external microphones 23a and 23b can be set to have various functions in the hearing device 10.

The battery can be disposed in the hearing device 10 and the state of the battery can be detected by the control unit 31. [ The battery may be a rechargeable secondary battery and may be charged with an adapter made independently through charging port 251 or charged to a USB port. The battery condition can be detected by the control unit 31 and the battery condition can be displayed on the display installed on the hearing device 10 or on the display of the multimedia reproducing device.

Playback sounds such as music received from the mobile device M, communication voice, and environmental sounds introduced from the outside can be transmitted to the earphones 22a and 22b. The earphones 22a and 22b may be paired so as to be connected to the respective control boxes 212a and 212b and may be installed so as to be adjustable in length to the inside of the wearing unit 21. [ An earphone function button 261 for volume control and mode adjustment of the earphones 22a and 22b can be installed in the control boxes 212a and 212b and a function button 261 is provided for each earphone 22a and 22b . The earphones 22a, 22b may be in any form known in the art. The contact detection unit can be installed in the earphones 22a and 22b and the information detected by the contact detection unit can be transmitted to the control unit 31 or the adaptive processor. The control unit 31 or the adaptive processor can determine the transmission method of the various reception signals depending on whether the earphones 22a and 22b are worn. For example, if the earphones 22a and 22b are not worn, the volume of the reproduced sound can be lowered and the volume of the talk signal can be increased. Various additional functions can be added to the earphones 22a and 22b.

The hearing device 10 may be constructed in various structures that can apply fitting data to a sound signal received from the mobile device M and transmit the fitting data to the earphone. The application of the fitting data includes phonetic variations on the sound signal which can improve the hearing function of the user including the hearing loss. For example, the fitting data may include such things as a user's tinnitus treatment function or a preference tone. The hearing device 10 may also have the ability to detect and store a user's hearing change history. Such hearing history data can be transmitted to the treatment institution through the mobile device M in the future. Thus, the hearing device 10 may include various functions for fitting a hearing aid, changing the hearing ability of the user, or improving hearing.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the operating structure of the heating device 10 according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the operation switch is turned on in the pairing device 10, the pairing device 10 receives all the sound signals generated in the mobile device M through short- can do. A signal or data can be transmitted from the herring device 10 to the mobile device M as needed. For example, a call initiation signal may be transmitted from the hearing device 10 to the mobile device M, and the communication number may be transmitted. Also, information related to the interruption can be stored in the hearing device 10 when the call is temporarily interrupted during the call process. A signal or information for the initiation of the interrupted call may then be transmitted to the mobile device M at the option of the user. In this way, the mobile device M and the hearing device 10 can be connected to perform various data communication including sound signals. The sound signal transmitted from the mobile device M can be detected by the control unit 31 and the control unit 31 can determine the adaptation method based on the individual hearing data according to the type of the sound signal. The sound signal may be such as a communication signal, a playback sound, or a telephone sound, and the control unit 31 may classify the type of sound to be received and transmit it to the adaptation processing unit 34.

A reproduction sound according to a music, a moving picture, a broadcasting medium or a reproduction medium can be wirelessly transmitted to the hearing device 10 from the mobile device M and the reproduction sound transmitted to the hearing device 10 is transmitted to the adaptation processing unit 34. [ And can be transmitted to the earphone 35. The adaptation processing unit 34 may convert the reproduced sound into a sound signal suitable for the user by referring to the hearing data of the individual or the environment adaptation data stored in the individual data unit 341 and may transmit the sound signal to the earphone 35. The control unit 31 can determine the use environment based on the environmental sound or the position information transmitted from the mobile device M from the environment unit 33 and transmit it to the adaptation processing unit 34. [ In addition, if a conversation sound is input through the environment unit 33 in the course of the introduction of the reproduced sound, the adaptation processing unit 34 may apply the environment adaptation data to the earphone 35 so that the conversation sound is adapted to the hearing power of the user. You can adjust the relative volume of playback and talk as needed. Or the playback sound may be temporarily stopped according to the environmental sound or the conversation sound. The fitting data applied to the playback sound and the fitting data applied to the conversation sound may be different from each other and the environment adaptation data applied to the playback sound and the environment adaptation data applied to the playback sound may be different from each other. For example, in the case of a reproduction sound such as music, environmental adaptation data can be created in such a manner that appropriate noise is added while transforming it into a user's preferred tone or waveform. On the other hand, the environment adaptation data applied to the conversation sound can be generated in such a manner that the frequency adaptation data is changed to a frequency band most likely to be recognized by the user based on the hearing loss area of the user. And all possible environmental noise can be eliminated.

In the process of transmitting the playback sound or the conversation sound, a call signal is transmitted, and information such as a telephone number related to the call signal can be transmitted. For example, the screen may be placed on the side of the earphone 35, the external microphone 23, or other suitable location, and such information may be displayed. At the same time, the reception device 10 can determine whether or not to receive, and if the reception is rejected, an appropriate message can be set to be transmitted to the other party. On the other hand, when the call is made, the transmission of the reproduction sound can be temporarily stopped. The call can be initiated by the user as needed. For the initiation of a call, the user can also temporarily stop transmitting the playback sound, and the call signal can be selected by the call unit 32 and transmitted to the mobile device M. [ The speech tone may be processed by the adaptation processing unit 34 and transmitted to the earphone 35. Likewise, the conversation sound introduced through the environment unit 33 can be fitted by the adaptation processing unit 34 and transmitted to the earphone 35.

The user's satisfaction with each sound signal to which the environmental adaptation data received at the earphone 35 is applied can be displayed to the control unit 31. [ The control unit 31 may search for and select new environmental adaptation data in the individual data unit 341 or may generate new environmental adaptation data through audiometry. The generated environmental adaptation data may be stored in the individual data unit 341. [

The hearing device 10 may have a suitable structure for applying appropriate environmental adaptation data according to the kind of the incoming sound signal, and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the operating process of the heating device 10 according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the operation of the hearing device 10 according to the present invention includes establishing a connection with a mobile device and executing an application installed in the mobile device to prepare hearing data (S41); A step S42 of receiving a sound signal from the mobile device through local communication; A step (S43) of applying a suitable individual hearing supplement according to the type of the received sound signal; A step S44 of detecting whether an interruption sound is input in the process of transmitting the sound signal to the earphone; A step S45 in which the transfer priority is determined according to the type of the stop sound when the stop sound is detected; And a step S46 for establishing a connection to the stopping sound.

The hearing device 10 may receive a playback signal, a communication start sound, or a communication sound from the mobile device in a state of being paired with the mobile device (S42). Appropriate environmental adaptation data may be applied according to the type of the received signal and the use environment (S43). It is possible to detect whether an interruption sound is input in the process of receiving the playback sound or the communication sound (S44). If no interrupted sound is input (NO), the playback sound currently being reproduced can be continuously transmitted to the earphone. Otherwise, if the inflow of the interrupted sound is detected (YES), the type of the interrupted sound can be judged. The stopping tone may be, for example, a danger signal, a dialogue tone or a communication signal. The transfer priority may be determined depending on the kind of the stop sound (S45). If it does not need to be delivered, the stopping tone can be removed. On the other hand, if priority is given to the reproduction sound or the communication sound being currently reproduced, the reproduction or the call may be temporarily stopped and the interruption sound may be preferentially transmitted to the earphone. And the playback or call state can be saved. For example, if a call initiation signal is transmitted in the course of receiving a playback sound, the transmission of the playback sound may be temporarily interrupted and the call initiation signal may be preferentially delivered. The priority between the incoming sound signals can be predetermined and stored in the control unit 31. [ When the process for the stop sound is finished, the connection can be set to the state before the interruption again (S46).

The hearing device 10 according to the present invention can process received sound signals in various ways and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown.

The method of applying the individual hearing improvement function according to the present invention allows the hearing device 10 connected to the mobile device to protect the hearing of the individual by making the reception sound adapt to the hearing or use environment of the individual. The hearing device according to the present invention improves the usability of the mobile device.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . The invention is not limited by these variations and modifications, but is limited only by the claims appended hereto.

10: Hearing device 21: Wearing unit
22a, 22b: earphone 23a, 23b: external microphone
31: control unit 32: call unit
33: environmental unit 34: adaptive processing unit
35: Earphone 211: Wear member
212a, 212b: Adjustment box 231: Telephone microphone
241: Call button 242: Music play button
251: Charging port 261: earphone function button
341: Individual data unit AP: Application
M: Mobile devices

Claims (5)

(AP) for operation of the hearing device (10) is installed in the mobile device (M);
The pairing of the hearing device and the mobile device (M);
Wherein the application (AP) is executed and a method of operating the hearing device (10) is set;
Preparing hearing test data in the mobile device (M);
Determining an application environment for the hearing test data to produce environment adaptation data;
Transmitting the environmental adaptation data to the hearing device (10);
Transmitting a sound signal to the hearing device (10) by wireless communication from the mobile device (M); And
Applying the environmental adaptation data to the sound signal and transmitting it to the earphone 22,
Wherein the hearing device (10) has a function of transmitting a call initiation signal to the mobile device (M). The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental adaptation data is transmitted to the hearing device (10), the environment sound being input to the hearing device (10). delete A communication unit 32 capable of data communication with the mobile device M by close range communication;
A control unit (31) for establishing a connection to the mobile device (M);
An environmental unit (33) for processing environmental sounds and conversation sounds input from the outside;
An adaptation processing unit 34 for applying individual hearing data received from the mobile device by distinguishing a conversation sound, a communication signal transmitted from the mobile device M, a playback sound or a voice signal;
An earphone 35 for receiving the processed signal in the adaptation processing unit 34;
A screen on which information transmitted together with a call signal transmitted from the mobile device (M) is displayed; And
A call initiation unit for starting communication in the mobile device (M), and a storage unit for storing the communication situation.

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