KR20110011394A - The wireless hearing aid where the frequency range by output control is possible - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A wireless hearing aid is provided to help a user to select optimum frequency by dividing an input sound into each frequency band. CONSTITUTION: A microphone part(110) receives an external voice signal. A transform unit(120) converts the analog signal inputted from the microphone into a digital signal. First and second frequency controlling elements(131,132) divide the digital signal into each frequency. First and second output controlling elements(141,142) control the output at each frequency. First and second radio frequencies(151,152) transmit a combined digital signal to a receiver module. A user interface receives a command from a user. A microphone module controller(160) controls each part through the command of a user interface. A wireless receiving unit(250) receives the digital signal of the microphone module. . A receiver module control part(210) changes the digital signal into an electric signal.

Description

The wireless hearing aid where the frequency range by output control is possible}

The present invention relates to a hearing aid, and more specifically, by using a microphone to collect the sound and amplify it to adjust the output degree for each frequency to compensate for the sound according to the hearing loss band, the microphone module and receiver module The present invention relates to a wireless hearing aid capable of controlling output by frequency band to minimize the size of the part worn by the ear and to wirelessly connect various parts.

In general, a hearing aid is a device that is attached to the ear to compensate for hearing loss, and collects a microphone, amplifies it, and delivers it to the ear.

Most of the hearing aids used in the past are integrally formed with a receiver, a microphone, an amplifier, and a speaker at one time, and due to size constraints, various technical implementations are difficult, physical and psychological burden to the wearer, and manufacturing costs increase.

On the other hand, in some people, deafness is expressed in both ears, but in others, it is expressed in only one ear. In addition, when hearing loss occurs in both ears, it is common for the hearing loss and the degree of hearing loss to be different.

Recently, hearing aids are mainly used for electric hearing aids that electrically amplify the sound to an appropriate state. In order to use a hearing aid, the amplification degree of the hearing aid should be adjusted according to the hearing loss of the hearing aid. The hearing loss of the deaf person is measured through a hearing test. Since the hearing loss is different for each frequency band, the hearing loss is measured according to the frequency band and the hearing aid is manufactured accordingly.

Conventionally, the hearing loss of each hearing band and the amplification degree of the hearing aid are stored in a database to obtain an average value. And, if any deaf person fits the hearing aid, the hearing loss is measured by hearing test for each frequency band, and the database is based on the amplification degree of the hearing loss of those with similar hearing loss to the hearing aid. Determine the degree of amplification.

That is, conventionally, the hearing aid amplification degree of the hearing loss was set based on the average value of the hearing aid amplification of people with similar hearing loss without directly measuring the loudness of the hearing loss individual.

However, even though hearing loss of each hearing band is the same as the hearing loss result of hearing loss, amplification according to hearing loss by frequency band is because the judgment of subjective feeling is different according to individual's acoustic recognition characteristics. When the amplification degree of the individual hearing aids is adjusted based on the average value of the individual, the amplification degree is not matched personally, which causes a lot of complaints.

In order to solve this problem, in the case of hearing loss wearing a hearing aid with an initial fit, the hearing loss after wearing it for a certain period of time reflects the individual hearing characteristics and discomfort of the hearing loss by frequency band, and clinically The method of resetting the amplification degree of the hearing aid was used. However, since the amplification degree reset is also arbitrarily adjusted without a certain rule, it is difficult to optimally adjust to the individual acoustic recognition characteristics of the hearing impaired, there is a problem that causes the inconvenience of the hearing impaired people, such as the need to adjust again after the reset.

The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, by separating the microphone module and the receiver module by wireless connection to reduce the size of the receiver module to minimize the physical and psychological burden of the user, there is no restriction in size In the microphone module, various functions can be implemented in a wider space, and the frequency band allows easy adjustment of the output according to the frequency band as needed so that the hearing loss material can be easily improved even if the hearing loss status or degree of hearing loss is different. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wireless hearing aid capable of adjusting output.

The present invention for achieving the above object is a microphone unit for receiving an external voice signal; A converter for converting an analog voice signal input from the microphone into a digital signal and removing noise; A first frequency adjusting unit and a second frequency adjusting unit for dividing a channel for each frequency band by receiving the digital signal generated by the converting unit; A first output control unit and a second output control unit for adjusting output for each frequency band of a channel divided from each frequency control unit; A frequency summing unit for adding up the divided frequencies for each channel; A first wireless transmitter and a second wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the digital signals summed from the frequency adder to a receiver module; A user interface unit for selecting a frequency band and receiving an output control command by a user; A microphone module control unit controlling each unit through a command by the user interface unit; And a microphone module power supply unit for supplying power required for operation of each unit of the microphone module; and a wireless receiver unit for receiving a digital signal wirelessly transmitted from the microphone module. A receiver module control unit for converting the digital signal transmitted from the wireless receiver into an electrical signal by analyzing and processing the signal; A speaker unit for converting an electrical signal transmitted from the receiver module controller into a sound recognizable by a human ear; And a receiver module power supply unit supplying power required for the operation of each unit of the receiver module.

On the other hand, the user interface is a selection button to select the first frequency control unit and the second frequency control unit, a frequency control dial to adjust the frequency of the selected frequency control unit, the first output control unit and the second output control A selection button for selecting the unit, an output control dial for adjusting the output of the selected output control unit, a storage button for storing the control state, and a connection button for allowing the wireless transmitter to select and connect the wireless receiver. Include.

In addition, the storage unit for storing the adjusted output value for each frequency band; It further includes a display unit for displaying the frequency and output, the status of the radio transmitter.

In addition, the microphone module may be manufactured in a watch type, a necklace type, a belt type, a hair band type or the like, or various personal information communication devices such as a conventional commercial mobile terminal and a personal digital assistant (PDA). To be coupled to the terminals.

In addition, two microphones may be installed, and one of the selected microphones may be connected with a wired or wireless connection to adjust the length of the microphone module to improve directionality.

As described above, according to the present invention, the microphone module and the receiver module can be separated and connected wirelessly, so that the size of the receiver module can be made small, thereby minimizing the exposure to the outside, thereby improving aesthetics and ease of use. The restriction on the size of the microphone module is eliminated than the one-piece type, so that it is possible to add various technologies.

In addition, due to the small size of the receiver module may not block all of the ears can implement a variety of effects, such as improving the ear occlusion or whistle ventilation, as well as improve the hearing direction.

In addition, by dividing the input sound into frequency bands can be amplified by directly selecting the frequency band that the hearing loss does not hear well, and by adjusting the output degree can be easily adjusted directly according to the degree of hearing loss of the hearing loss, there is a convenient effect in use.

In addition, by installing two microphones, one of them is connected to the microphone module, wired / wireless, it is possible to adjust the length, and by installing the microphone on both sides, there is an effect to improve the direction of the sound.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of a wireless hearing aid capable of output adjustment for each frequency band according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a frequency adjusting unit, an output control unit and a summation unit of a wireless hearing aid capable of controlling output according to the frequency band according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of a wireless hearing aid capable of adjusting the output of each frequency band according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exemplary view illustrating the use of the hearing aid according to the block diagram of FIG.

According to the present invention, the apparatus includes: a microphone module 100 for receiving an external sound, converting it into electrical sound information, and wirelessly transmitting it; And a receiver module 200 for receiving, interpreting, and signal-processing electrical sound information wirelessly transmitted from the microphone module and outputting the sound as a sound. Each receiver is inserted into both ears at the microphone unit through the microphone module 100. The frequency for each sound transmitted to the band can be adjusted.

The microphone module 100 collects the external sound and performs signal processing such as filtering to produce electrical sound information, and then converts the frequency of the electrical sound information to match the characteristics of the hearing impaired. The microphone unit 110, the converter unit 120, the first and second frequency control units 131 and 132, the first and second output control units 141 and 142, the first and second wireless transmitters 151 and 152, and the user The interface unit 160, the display unit 170, the microphone module control unit 180, the storage unit 190 is divided into a microphone module power supply 191.

The microphone unit 110 includes a power source for operating a microphone, including a microphone.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, the microphone may use two microphones 111 and 112 or more as necessary. By using two or more microphones, you can achieve better effects such as noise reduction, directionality improvement and sound amplification. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, one of two microphones may be selected to be connected to the microphone module 100 and wired / wireless, and the wired case may be hidden inside the main body.

On the other hand, by placing the respective conversion unit for each microphone to process the sound signal for each microphone by separately processing the sound coming into the microphone of the microphone and the wired or wirelessly connected microphone to enhance the directional recognition function of the sound. That is, when the microphone is worn in the opposite direction to the microphone module 100, that is, the microphone module is worn on the right side of the waist, the microphone is connected to the microphone module 100 by wearing the microphone on the left side to select an appropriate position so that the direction of the sound can be known. It is.

The converting unit 120 converts a voice signal input from the microphone unit 110 into a digital signal from which noise is removed, and separates the converted signal into two, and thus, the first frequency adjusting unit 131 and the second frequency adjusting unit. Enable signal transmission to 132. On the other hand, when a plurality of microphones are used, the conversion unit 120 may be installed as the number of used microphones, and the first frequency control unit 131 and the second frequency by changing each voice signal according to the position of the microphone The control unit 132 to be transmitted.

The first frequency adjusting unit 131 and the second frequency adjusting unit 132 divide the digital signal from the converter 120 into multiple channels such as low, middle, and high frequencies based on the frequency band, respectively, to each channel. To generate an output signal. The user may select a divided channel through the user interface unit 160 and transmit an output control command of the selected channel through the user interface unit 160.

Each channel divided by the first frequency adjusting unit 131 and the second frequency adjusting unit 132 is selected, and the first output adjusting unit 141 and the second output adjusting unit for adjusting the output of the selected channel. The unit 142 is provided.

The first output control unit 141 and the second output control unit 142 to adjust the amplification degree for each channel divided from the first frequency control unit 131 and the second frequency control unit 132, the user interface The unit 160 selects a frequency channel to adjust the output and adjusts the amplification degree of the selected channel to suit the user. On the other hand, it stores the final amplification degree adjusted to the degree of hearing loss of the user so that it can be used continuously in the future.

The adder 143 separates a plurality of channels and adds signals of each frequency band whose amplification degree is determined for each channel, and sums the signals of each channel to restore the voice signal input from the microphone unit. .

The first wireless transmitter 151 and the second wireless transmitter 152 to transmit a radio frequency and the output signal is adjusted, the wireless receiver of the receiver module 200 to be connected through the user interface 160 ( 250) to set up the connection. That is, if the wireless receiver 250 is searched by the first wireless transmitter 151 and the wireless receiver 250 is found, the first wireless transmitter 251 connects to the first wireless receiver 251 so that only one wireless transmitter and one wireless receiver are connected to signal the signal. It is to be able to deliver.

Meanwhile, as a wireless transmission protocol between the first and second wireless transmitters 151 and 152 of the microphone module 100 and the wireless receiver 250 of the receiver module 200, Zigbee and Bluetooth have been commercialized. It may be a wireless communication protocol of various methods, and a wireless communication protocol developed later may also be applied. Here, Zigbee is a communication protocol based on the 802.15 standard approved by IEEE-SA, and is a wireless personal area network standard operating in the 868 MHz, 902 to 928 MHz, and 2.4 GHz bands, and when using Zigbee, it is usually within 50m within the wireless personal area network. You can send and receive data at speeds of up to 250kbps between peripheral devices at distances of up to. Bluetooth is the industry standard for personal local area communications (PANs), first developed by Ericsson in 1994, also known as the IEEE 802.15.1 standard, which supports short-range wireless communications between various devices using the 2.45 GHz frequency band.

The user interface unit 160 selects the first frequency controller 131 and the second frequency controller 132 or selects a button for selecting a frequency-specific channel of the selected frequency controller, and outputs a frequency output of the channel for each selected frequency. An output control dial that can be adjusted, a storage button for storing the adjustment state, and a wireless connection button for allowing the wireless transmitter to select and connect the wireless receiver.

The microphone module controller 180 receives a signal input from a selection button and a frequency control dial of the user interface unit 160 and transmits the signal to a selected frequency control unit and an output control unit to perform frequency adjustment and output adjustment, Send the adjustment status to the display for display in pictures or numbers. In addition, in order to store the finally adjusted state to receive the signal of the storage button of the user interface unit 160 and transmits the formed frequency and the degree of output to the storage to be stored.

That is, the user interface unit 160 selects the frequency controller using a button for selecting one of the first frequency controller and the second frequency controller, and the selected state is indicated through the display unit 170. In addition, it is possible to adjust the frequency through the dial for adjusting the frequency, and to display the conversion degree of the frequency on the display unit 170 through the microphone module control unit 180. The user can select and adjust a frequency suitable for themselves while looking at the display unit 170, and store the frequency value in the storage unit 190 by using the save button.

In addition, the output control unit is selected using a button for selecting one of the first output control unit 141 and the second output control unit 142 in the same manner as described above, and adjusts the output through a dial for adjusting the output accuracy. To help. In addition, the output degree is displayed through the display unit 170 to allow the user to conveniently adjust the output. In addition, the adjusted output value may be stored in the storage unit 190 by using the storage button.

The storage unit 190 may store the frequency value and the output value adjusted by the user, so that the user can use the frequency value and the output value any time through the microphone module controller 180 later.

The microphone module power supply unit 430 serves to supply power required for the operation of the microphone module.

On the other hand, the microphone module 100 may be manufactured in a watch type, necklace type, belt type, hair band type or the like, or various kinds of existing commercially available mobile communication terminals and personal digital assistants (PDAs). It can also be coupled to personal digital assistants. That is, since the existing mobile communication terminal has a built-in microphone and has a wireless transmission function capable of communicating with the receiver module, when the microphone module of the hearing aid device of the present invention is embedded in a personal information communication terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA, personal information communication The terminal may also perform the function of the microphone module.

On the other hand, Figure 5 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of another embodiment of a wireless hearing aid capable of adjusting the output of the frequency band according to the present invention, as shown in the drawing, the microphone module for receiving an external voice signal; A conversion unit for converting the analog audio signal input from the microphone unit into a digital signal; A frequency adjusting unit for dividing a channel for each frequency band by receiving the digital signal generated by the converting unit; An output control unit for adjusting output for each frequency band of the channel divided from the frequency control unit; An adder for adding up the divided frequencies for each channel; A wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the digital signal summed from the adder to a receiver module; A user interface unit for selecting a frequency band and receiving an output control command by a user; A microphone module control unit controlling each unit through a command by the user interface unit; And a microphone module power supply unit for supplying power required for the operation of each unit of the microphone module.

The receiver module 200 is responsible for a function of receiving electrical sound information transmitted wirelessly from the microphone module 100, converting the sound into a sound, and then transmitting the sound to the airway of the ear. The receiver 200 and the speaker unit 220 are large. It is divided into a receiver module control unit 210 and a receiver module power supply unit 291.

The wireless receiver 250 is selected by the microphone module 100 and is connected to only one transmitter of the first wireless transmitter 151 or the second wireless transmitter 152 and serves to receive a signal from the wireless transmitter. In other words, it is connected to one transmitter at a time to transmit and receive signals.

The speaker unit 220 provides a sound to the wearer, wherein the sound is a signal in which the receiver module controller 210 converts the electrical sound information received from the wireless receiver 250 into a sound, and the sound information is deafness. The sound signal is frequency-converted to meet the degree of hearing loss.

The receiver module controller 210 drives the speaker 220, the wireless receiver 250, and the receiver module power supply 291, controls the operation of each unit, and converts wirelessly received electrical sound information into sound.

The receiver module power supply unit 291 serves to supply power required for the operation of the receiver module 200.

The receiver module 200 is worn on both ears of the hearing impaired, respectively, and the wireless receiver of the worn receiver module is a transmission signal connected to one of the first wireless transmitter 151 and the second wireless transmitter 152 of the microphone module. Make sure each bay accepts. That is, if the wireless receiver 250 connected to the first wireless transmitter 151 is called the first unattended receiver, it is converted from the converter of the microphone module and the frequency is adjusted through the first frequency controller 131, and the first output. The output is adjusted through the adjusting unit 141 to receive only the signal transmitted through the first wireless transmitter 151. In the same manner, if the wireless receiver 250 connected to the second wireless transmitter 152 is called the second unattended receiver, the frequency is controlled by the second frequency controller 132 after being converted from the converter, and the second output controller The output is adjusted through 142 to receive only the signal transmitted through the second wireless transmitter 152 so that there is no interference and crosstalk between the two signals.

That is, when the degree of hearing loss of both ears is different, each receiver receives and transmits the voice signal converted to the degree of hearing loss to each ear so that the deaf person can hear the same volume sound with both ears. It is.

Referring to the effect of the present invention made of such a configuration and steps as follows.

The microphone module includes a microphone unit to which an external voice signal is input, a frequency adjusting dial for allowing a user to adjust a frequency, an output adjusting dial for adjusting an output, and a storage button for storing the adjusted frequency and output information. Equipped with.

There are two frequency control dials and two output control dials. The reason is that when the hearing loss state of both ears is different, each frequency and output can be adjusted to fit each ear, and stored so that it can be stored once. This reduces the inconvenience of having to match the frequency and output each time.

In addition, by storing a plurality of frequency and output control information in the storage unit can be made available to a number of people, not just one.

That is, after collecting the sound from the outside through the microphone, it removes the noise and converts it into a digital signal. The sound converted into a digital signal is divided into channels for each frequency band, and the output level of each separated frequency band is displayed on the display unit.

The user selects the frequency band by using the select button and then adjusts the selected frequency to the output level that is heard best. In the case of adjusting the output, basic music or speech is generated to adjust the output of the frequency band, and the user can basically change the frequency so that he or she can hear best while listening to the recorded sound.

On the other hand, when two microphones are used, the sound coming from each microphone is analyzed and the microphone mounted on the right side is transmitted to the right receiver and the microphone mounted on the left side is transmitted to the left receiver. have. This is not a hearing aid that only amplifies the sound, but also the hearing aid with the effect of knowing the direction of the sound.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, if one of the microphones is connected to the microphone module in a wired manner, if the microphone module is mounted on the right waist, the other wired microphone is mounted on the left waist to process sound coming from each direction. This allows the user to know the direction of the sound.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

1 is a block diagram of a wireless hearing aid capable of adjusting the frequency band according to the present invention,

2 is a block diagram illustrating a frequency adjusting unit, an output adjusting unit, and a summation unit of a wireless hearing aid capable of adjusting output for each frequency band according to the present invention;

3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of a wireless hearing aid capable of adjusting output for each frequency band according to the present invention;

4 is an exemplary use of the hearing aid according to the block diagram of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of another embodiment of a wireless hearing aid capable of adjusting output according to a frequency band of the present invention;

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: microphone module 110: microphone

120: conversion unit 131: first frequency control unit

132: second frequency control unit 141: first output control unit

142: second output control unit 143: summing unit

151: first wireless transmitter 152: second wireless transmitter

160: user interface unit 170: display unit

180: microphone module control unit 190: storage unit

191: microphone module power supply unit 200: receiver module

210: receiver module control unit 220: receiver unit

250: wireless receiver 291: receiver module power supply

Claims (6)

A microphone unit for receiving an external voice signal; A conversion unit for converting the analog audio signal input from the microphone unit into a digital signal; A first frequency adjusting unit and a second frequency adjusting unit for dividing a channel for each frequency band by receiving the digital signal generated by the converting unit; A first output control unit and a second output control unit for adjusting output for each frequency band of a channel divided from each frequency control unit; An adder for adding up the frequencies divided by the respective channels; A first wireless transmitter and a second wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the digital signals summed from the respective frequency adders to a receiver module; A user interface unit for selecting a frequency band and receiving an output control command by a user; A microphone module control unit controlling each unit through a command by the user interface unit; And a microphone module power supply unit supplying power required for operation of each unit of the microphone module. A wireless receiver for receiving a digital signal wirelessly transmitted from the microphone module; A receiver module control unit for converting the digital signal transmitted from the wireless receiver into an electrical signal by analyzing and processing the signal; A speaker unit for converting an electrical signal transmitted from the receiver module controller into a sound recognizable by a human ear; And a receiver module power supply unit for supplying power required for operation of each unit of the receiver module. A microphone unit for receiving an external voice signal; A conversion unit for converting the analog audio signal input from the microphone unit into a digital signal; A frequency adjusting unit for dividing a channel for each frequency band by receiving the digital signal generated by the converting unit; An output control unit for adjusting output for each frequency band of the channel divided from the frequency control unit; An adder for adding up the divided frequencies for each channel; A wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the digital signal summed from the adder to a receiver module; A user interface unit for selecting a frequency band and receiving an output control command by a user; A microphone module control unit controlling each unit through a command by the user interface unit; And a microphone module power supply unit supplying power required for operation of each unit of the microphone module. A wireless receiver for receiving a digital signal wirelessly transmitted from the microphone module; A receiver module control unit for converting the digital signal transmitted from the wireless receiver into an electrical signal by analyzing and processing the signal; A speaker unit for converting an electrical signal transmitted from the receiver module controller into a sound recognizable by a human ear; And a receiver module power supply unit for supplying power required for operation of each unit of the receiver module. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The user interface may include a selection button for selecting a first frequency control unit and a second frequency control unit or a channel for each selected frequency control unit, an output control dial for adjusting a frequency output of a channel for each selected frequency, and the adjustment. A wireless hearing aid capable of amplifying by frequency band including a storage button for storing a state and a wireless connection button for allowing a wireless transmitter to select and connect a wireless receiver. The method according to claim 1 or 2, A storage unit configured to store the adjusted frequency band output value; A display unit for displaying the frequency and output, the status of the radio transmitter; Wireless hearing aid capable of amplifying by frequency band further comprising a. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The microphone module may be manufactured in a watch type, a necklace type, a belt type, a hair band type, or various personal information communication terminals such as a conventional commercial mobile communication terminal and a personal digital assistant (PDA). Wireless hearing aids capable of amplifying by frequency band, which can be coupled to The method of claim 1, A wireless hearing aid capable of amplifying frequency bands by installing two microphone units, one of which is selected to connect the microphone module and its length to be adjustable.

Images