KR20180095343A - Hearing aid device with easy fitting and body temperature monitoring function and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hearing aid device with easy fitting and a body temperature monitoring function, and a control method thereof. Especially, the present invention relates to a hearing aid device with easy fitting and a body temperature monitoring function which can be fit through a mobile terminal wirelessly connected to a device and can monitor a temperature of a skin surface behind an ear through which an auricular artery of a hearing aid wearer passes by sensing the temperature and transferring the temperature to a mobile terminal of the wearer, a guardian or a medical person concerned so as to notify an abnormal health state when the temperature passes a normal body temperature range, and a control method thereof. The hearing aid device comprises: a hearing aid unit for receiving a voice signal and outputting an electrical signal corresponding to a corrected voice level of a hardness-of-hearing frequency of a wearer; first and second receivers for receiving the electrical signal to output a played voice signal; first and second wearing sensing units formed to be turned on and off in insertion and separation at an external auditory canal; first and second body temperature sensing units for sensing the temperature on the skin surface in the back of ears; a mode selecting unit for outputting a mode selecting signal; a control unit for outputting a control signal to the hearing aid unit; and a wireless communication unit for wirelessly communicating the control unit and the mobile terminal.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hearing aid having a simple fitting function and a temperature monitoring function,

The present invention relates to a hearing aid having a fitting function and a body temperature monitoring function and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a hearing aid which can be fitted through a mobile terminal interlocked with a wireless device, A hearing aid which is easy to fit and has a temperature monitoring function, which enables the user to monitor the temperature of the surface and transmit it to a mobile terminal of a person, a caregiver or a healthcare person to monitor the abnormality, .

The hearing aid converts the external voice signal into an electric signal, amplifies the converted electric signal, and at the same time, appropriately converts the frequency characteristics and the like according to the auditory characteristics of the hearing impaired person and outputs it to the external auditory canal of the hearing impaired person. And is widely used as a device for assisting hearing.

On the other hand, prevention of the hauling phenomenon is indispensable in order that the performance of the hearing aid can be exercised properly and the unpleasant feeling is not caused to the hearing-impaired person. The howling phenomenon occurs in various environments. After the audio signal outputted from the ear-type hearing aid is fed back through the ventilation hole of the ear-type hearing aid, it is reflected on a reflection object such as a wall, a hand or a cell phone disposed near the ear, And the re-input of such a voice signal is repeated, and the voice signal is rapidly amplified. Conventionally, a signal processing technique has been mainly used to prevent the hauling phenomenon.

A conventional hearing aid includes a housing installed in the ear and formed with a ventilation hole penetrating one side and the other side so that the outside of the ear and the ear are communicated with each other, as disclosed in, for example, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-0080287. A hearing aid performance unit installed in the housing for receiving a voice signal from the outside of the ear, converting the received voice signal into a digital signal, converting the converted digital signal into a voice signal using a predetermined signal processing algorithm, and outputting the voice signal to the ear; A sensing unit coupled to the housing and disposed on the outside of the ear to sense a reflection reflected from the ear and reflecting a voice signal traveling to the outside of the ear through the vent to the housing; And a closing operation part that operates to close the ventilating opening when the reflected object is sensed.

The conventional hearing aid thus configured has an effect in that it can effectively prevent a howling phenomenon caused by a voice feedback signal. However, since it is an external ear type, it is inconvenient for the person , There is a problem that it is troublesome to visit the after-sales service agency to perform the frequency fitting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to facilitate fitting of a hearing aid wirelessly through a mobile terminal, The present invention provides a hearing aid having a fitting function and a temperature monitoring function and a control method thereof, which enables a user to easily monitor the temperature of the skin surface of the ear behind the ear artery and transmit it to a mobile terminal of a person, a guardian, .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hearing aid which can easily function as a wireless earphone and has a body temperature monitoring function and a control method thereof.

In order to achieve the above object, a hearing aid which is easy to fit and has a body temperature monitoring function according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a storage unit for receiving a voice signal, correcting the hearing loss frequency voice level of the wearer, and outputting an electric signal corresponding thereto ; An earphone type first and second receivers configured to receive an electric signal from the storage unit and output a reproduced audio signal to be worn on both ears; A first and a second wear sensing part mounted inside the elastic material of the first and second receivers and configured to be turned on / off when inserting and separating the ear canal; A first and second body temperature sensing units respectively mounted on the first and second receivers and configured to sense a temperature of the surface of the skin behind the ear passing through the posterior canal of the wearer; A mode selection unit configured to output a mode selection signal corresponding to the selection of the driving / ending mode, the fitting mode, or the earphone mode; A control unit configured to receive a sensing signal from the first and second wear sensing units and the first and second body temperature sensing units and output a corresponding control signal to the storage unit, the mode being selected by the mode selection unit; And a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with the controller and the mobile terminal.

The hearing aid includes first and second microphones configured to convert a voice signal received on both left and right sides into an electrical signal; First and second amplifiers configured to receive electrical signals from the first and second microphones and amplify the electrical signals to a predetermined level; An A / D converter configured to convert an electric signal amplified at a level set by the first and second amplifiers into a digital signal; A filtering and equalizing unit configured to receive and filter a digital signal in the A / D converter and to adjust an overall frequency level of a voice signal; And a D / A converter configured to convert a signal output from the filtering and equalizing unit into an analog signal.

In the hearing aid having an easy fitting and a body temperature monitoring function according to the embodiment, when the earphone mode is selected by the mode selection unit, the control unit stops the operation of the filtering and equalizing unit of the storage unit, And provides the voice signal to the first and second receivers through the D / A converter.

The hearing aid having an easy fitting function and a body temperature monitoring function according to the present invention is characterized in that, when the fitting mode is selected by the mode selecting unit, the control unit inputs a test voice signal for each frequency into the filtering and equalizing unit, And when the frequency level control signal is inputted from the mobile terminal, the corresponding frequency level of the filtering and equalizing unit may be controlled.

In order to achieve the above object, a method of controlling a hearing aid having an easy fitting and having a body temperature monitoring function according to another embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that when the first and second wearing sensors are on, body temperature is sensed through the first and second body temperature sensors And providing a sensing signal corresponding to the sensing signal to the mobile terminal; Determining whether the sensed body temperature belongs to the set range; Determining whether the current mode is a fitting mode if the body temperature sensed in the sensing body temperature determination step falls within a set range; A test voice signal providing step of providing frequency-dependent test voice signals to the storage unit if the fitting mode is determined in the first fitting mode determination step; A frequency level control step of controlling a corresponding frequency level of the filtering and equalizing unit of the storage unit in response to the input of the frequency level control signal by the mobile terminal; A second fitting mode determining step of determining whether the current mode is a fitting mode; Determining whether the current mode is the ending mode if it is not the fitting mode in the second fitting mode determination step; And ending the operation if the end mode is determined in the end mode determination step.

 According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a hearing aid having an easy fitting function and a body temperature monitoring function, the method comprising the steps of: informing the mobile terminal of a health condition of the wearer if the body temperature sensed in the sensing body temperature determination step does not fall within a set range; As shown in FIG.

 The control method of the hearing aid which is easy to fit and has the body temperature monitoring function according to another embodiment of the present invention may proceed to the sensing signal providing step if it is not the fitting mode in the one fitting mode determination step.

The control method of the hearing aid which facilitates the fitting according to another embodiment of the present invention and has the body temperature monitoring function may proceed to the test speech signal providing step if it is the fitting mode in the second fitting mode determination step.

According to the hearing aid which is easy to fit according to the embodiments of the present invention and has the body temperature monitoring function and the control method thereof, the hearing aid accepts the voice signal to correct the hearing loss frequency voice level of the wearer and outputs the corresponding electric signal And the first and second receivers are configured to receive electric signals from the storage unit and output reproduced audio signals to be worn on both ears. The first and second wearing sensors are disposed inside elastic materials of the first and second receivers And the first and second body temperature sensing units are mounted on the first and second receivers respectively to detect the temperature of the surface of the skin behind the ear through which the hypogastric artery of the wearer passes, And outputs a mode selection signal corresponding to selection of the additional driving / ending mode, the fitting mode, or the earphone mode, And a controller for receiving a sensing signal from the first and second wear sensing units and the first and second body temperature sensing units and outputting a corresponding control signal to the storage unit, It is possible to facilitate fitting of a hearing aid wirelessly through a mobile terminal and it is recognized that the earphone is recognized as an earphone so that there is no sense of irritation and the temperature of the skin surface behind the ear passing through the posterior canal of the wearer is sensed To the mobile terminal of the person himself / herself, the caregiver or the healthcare person.

In addition, according to the hearing aid device and the control method thereof having the function of easily fitting and monitoring the body temperature according to the embodiments of the present invention, when the earphone mode is selected by the mode selection unit, the control unit stops the filtering and equalizing unit The mobile terminal receives the voice signal and provides the voice signal to the first and second receivers through the D / A converter. Thus, it is possible to perform the wireless earphone function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a view showing the appearance of a hearing aid which is easy to fit and has a body temperature monitoring function according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
FIG. 1B is a view showing the configuration of the first and second wearing sensors mounted on the first and second receivers.
2 is a detailed circuit diagram of a hearing aid which is easy to fit and has a body temperature monitoring function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a hearing aid which is easy to fit and has a body temperature monitoring function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 1A is a view showing an external appearance of a hearing aid having an easy fitting function and a body temperature monitoring function according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a view showing a configuration of first and second wearing sensors mounted on first and second receivers And FIG. 2 is a detailed circuit diagram of a hearing aid which is easy to fit and has a body temperature monitoring function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, a hearing aid main body 10 includes a storage unit 100, a mode selection unit 110, A controller 220, a controller 400, and a wireless communication unit 500 are mounted. The first and second temperature sensors 210 and 210 'are connected to the left and right ears of the left and right ears of the ear canal, It is mounted on the back skin surface and serves to detect the temperature. The first and second wearing sensors 200 and 200 'are mounted on the first and second receivers 300 and 300' to sense whether the receiver is worn.

The storage unit 100 receives the voice signal, corrects the hearing loss frequency level of the wearer, and outputs the corresponding electric signal. The storage unit 100 includes first and second microphones 110 and 110 ', first and second microphones 110 and 110', which are respectively installed at both ends of the hearing apparatus body 10 and are configured to convert audio signals received on both the left and right sides into electrical signals, The first and second amplifiers 120 and 120 'and the first and second amplifiers 120 and 120' amplify the electric signal to a level set by the first and second amplifiers 120 and 120 ' The A / D converter 130 receives an input signal and converts it into a digital signal. The A / D converter 120 filters and receives two digital signals. The controller 400 controls the overall frequency level of the audio signal. And an equalizer 140 and a D / A converter 150 for converting the two signals output from the filtering and equalizer 140 into an analog signal. When the earphone mode is selected by the mode selection unit 220, the control unit 400 stops the filtering and equalizing unit 140 of the storage unit 100, And provides the received signals to the first and second receivers 300 and 300 'through the D / A converter 150 to perform the wireless earphone function.

In the above description, the first and second microphones 110 and 110 'are provided at both ends of the main body 10 of the hearing aid. However, the first and second microphones 110 and 110' It is possible to take a form to be used by hanging on both sides of the wearer's ear or to wear it on the head. Also, the first and second microphones 110 and 110 'are two, but one microphone may be used or three or more microphones may be used.

The first and second receivers 300 and 300 'receive the audible frequency audio level electrical signal from the storage unit 100 and output the reproduced audio signal. The first and second receivers 300 and 300 'reproduce a voice signal provided from the mobile terminal M through the D / A converter 150 during earphone mode operation. The first and second receivers 300 and 300 'include third and fourth amplifiers 310 and 310' for amplifying an analog signal input from the D / A converter 150 of the storage unit 100 to a predetermined level, And first and second audio output units 320 and 320 'that reproduce and output analog signals amplified by the set level inputted from the third and fourth amplifiers 310 and 310' as audio signals. The first and second receivers 300 and 300 'are configured to enclose the inner covers 300a and 300a' and the inner covers 300a and 300a ', and the elastic materials 300b and 300b' , And 300b '.

The first and second wear sensing portions 200 and 200 'are mounted between the inner covers 300a and 300'a of the first and second receivers 300 and 300' and the elastic materials 300b and 300'b, And is turned on / off when inserted into and separated from the ear canal of the wearer.

The mode selection unit 220 outputs a mode selection signal corresponding to the driving / ending mode, the fitting mode, or the earphone mode to the control unit 400.

The control unit 400 is a microcomputer that controls all the components of the present invention. The control unit 400 receives a mode selection signal from the mode selection unit 220 and selects a mode. The first and second wear detection units 200 and 200 ' And receives a sensing signal from the first and second body temperature sensing units 210 and 210 'and outputs a corresponding control signal to the storage unit 100. The control unit 400 stops the operation of the filtering and equalizing unit 140 of the storage unit 100 when the mode selection unit 220 selects the earphone mode and receives the voice signal from the mobile terminal M, A converter 150 to the first and second receivers 300 and 300 '. When the fitting mode is selected by the mode selection unit 220, the control unit 400 inputs frequency-specific test voice signals to the filtering and equalizing unit 140. When a frequency level control signal is input from the mobile terminal M, And controls the corresponding frequency level of the filtering and equalizing unit 140.

The wireless communication unit 500 enables the controller 400 and the mobile terminal M to perform wireless communication. The manner in which the control unit 400 and the mobile terminal M perform wireless communication may be, for example, GSM, CDMA2000, WiMAX, WiFi, Bluetooth, LTE, and the like.

The power supply unit 600 supplies power to each component through the control unit 400 and can use a chargeable and dischargeable battery or a chargeable and non-dischargeable disposable battery.

Hereinafter, a control method of the correction device having the function of easily fitting and monitoring the body temperature according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 3 is an operation flow chart for explaining a method of controlling a hearing aid which is easy to fit and has a body temperature monitoring function according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein S represents a step.

First, the controller 400 determines whether the first and second wearing sensors 200 and 200 'are turned on (S10).

If all of the first and second wearing sensors 200 and 200 'are not turned on (NO) in step S10, this step S10 is repeatedly performed.

If all of the first and second wearing sensors 200 and 200 'are turned on in step S10, the controller 400 controls the first and second body temperature sensors 210 and 210' And senses the body temperature and provides a corresponding sensing signal to the mobile terminal M (S20).

Next, the control unit 400 determines whether the body temperature sensed in step S20 belongs to the set range (S30).

If the body temperature detected in step S30 is within the set range (YES), the control unit 400 determines whether the current mode is the fitting mode (S40).

If YES in step S40, the control unit 400 provides frequency-specific test audio signals to the filtering and equalizing unit 140 of the storage unit 100 in step S50.

When the mobile terminal M inputs a frequency level control signal to the control unit 400 in step S60, the control unit 400 controls the filtering and equalizing unit 140 of the storage unit 100, (S70).

Then, the control unit 400 determines whether the current mode is the fitting mode (S80).

If it is determined in step S80 that the mode is not the fitting mode (NO), the control unit 400 determines whether the current mode is the end mode (S90).

If it is the end mode (YES) in the step S90, all the operations are ended.

On the other hand, if the body temperature sensed in the step S30 does not belong to the set range (N0), the controller 400 informs the mobile terminal M of the health condition of the wearer (S100). The mobile terminal M may be carried by a hearing aid wearer, a guardian, a medical person, or the like.

On the other hand, if it is not the fitting mode in the step S40 (NO), the process proceeds to the step S20.

On the other hand, if it is the fitting mode in the step S80 (YES), the process proceeds to the step S50.

On the other hand, if it is not the termination mode in the step S90 (NO), the process goes to the step S10.

According to the hearing aid having a function of easily fitting and monitoring the body temperature according to an embodiment of the present invention and a control method thereof, the hearing aid accepts a voice signal to correct the hearing loss frequency voice level of the wearer and outputs an electric signal corresponding thereto, Wherein the first and second receivers are mounted on the inner side of the elastic material of the first and second receivers so that the first and second receivers receive electric signals from the storage unit and output reproduced audio signals to be worn on both ears. And the first and second body temperature sensing units are respectively mounted on the first and second receivers to sense the temperature of the surface of the skin behind the ear passing through the posterior canal of the wearer, A mode selection signal corresponding to the selection of the driving / ending mode, the fitting mode, or the earphone mode, The first and second wear sensors and the first and second body temperature sensors receives the detection signal and outputs a corresponding control signal to the refresher. The wireless communication unit controls the control unit and the mobile terminal By making wireless communication possible, it is possible to facilitate fitting of a hearing aid wirelessly through a mobile terminal, and it is recognized that the earphone is recognized as an earphone. Therefore, , And transmits it to a guardian or a healthcare individual's mobile terminal for monitoring.

In addition, according to the hearing aid apparatus and the control method thereof, which are easy to fit and have a body temperature monitoring function according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the earphone mode is selected by the mode selection unit, the control unit stops the filtering and equalizing unit of the speech unit , The mobile terminal receives the voice signal and provides it to the first and second receivers through the D / A converter, thereby functioning as a wireless earphone.

Although the best mode has been shown and described in the drawings and specification, certain terminology has been used for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the invention and is not intended to be limiting or to limit the scope of the invention described in the claims. It is not. Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and equivalent embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the appended claims.

10: Body of hearing aid
100:
110, 110 ': first and second microphones
120, 120 ': first and second amplifiers
130: A / D converter
140: Filtering and equalizing unit
150: D / A converter
200, 200 ': first and second wearing sensors
210, 210 ': first and second body temperature sensing units
220: Mode selection unit
300, 300 ': first and second receivers
310, 310 ': third and fourth amplifiers
320, 320 ': First and second audio output units
400:
500:
600: Power supply
M: Mobile terminal

Claims (8)

A storage unit for receiving a voice signal and correcting the hearing loss frequency level of the wearer and outputting an electric signal corresponding thereto;
An earphone-type first and second receivers configured to receive an electric signal from the storage unit and output a reproduced audio signal to be worn on both ears;
A first and a second wear sensing part mounted inside the elastic material of the first and second receivers and configured to be turned on / off when inserting and separating the ear canal;
A first and second body temperature sensing units respectively mounted on the first and second receivers and configured to sense a temperature of the surface of the skin behind the ear passing through the posterior canal of the wearer;
A mode selection unit configured to output a mode selection signal corresponding to the selection of the driving / ending mode, the fitting mode, or the earphone mode;
A control unit configured to receive a sensing signal from the first and second wear sensing units and the first and second body temperature sensing units and output a corresponding control signal to the storage unit, the mode being selected by the mode selection unit; And
And a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with the control unit and the mobile terminal. The method according to claim 1,
The hearing aid
First and second microphones configured to convert a voice signal received on both the left and right sides into an electric signal;
First and second amplifiers configured to receive electrical signals from the first and second microphones and amplify the electrical signals to a predetermined level;
An A / D converter configured to convert an electric signal amplified at a level set by the first and second amplifiers into a digital signal;
A filtering and equalizing unit configured to receive and filter a digital signal in the A / D converter and to adjust an overall frequency level of a voice signal; And
And a D / A converter configured to convert a signal output from the filtering and equalizing unit into an analog signal. 3. The method of claim 2,
When the earphone mode is selected by the mode selector,
The control unit
The operation of the filtering and equalizing unit of the storage unit is stopped,
Wherein the mobile terminal receives the voice signal and provides the voice signal to the first and second receivers through the D / A converter. 3. The method of claim 2,
When the fitting mode is selected by the mode selection unit,
The control unit
A frequency-dependent test voice signal is input to the filtering and equalizing unit,
And controlling the corresponding frequency level of the filtering and equalizing unit in response to a frequency level control signal input from the mobile terminal. A control method for a hearing aid which facilitates fitting and has a body temperature monitoring function according to claim 1,
A sensing signal providing step of sensing the body temperature through the first and second body temperature sensing units and providing a corresponding sensing signal to the mobile terminal when the first and second wearing sensing units are on;
Determining whether the sensed body temperature belongs to the set range;
Determining whether the current mode is a fitting mode if the body temperature sensed in the sensing body temperature determination step falls within a set range;
A test voice signal providing step of providing frequency-dependent test voice signals to the storage unit if the fitting mode is determined in the first fitting mode determination step;
A frequency level control step of controlling a corresponding frequency level of the filtering and equalizing unit of the storage unit in response to the input of the frequency level control signal by the mobile terminal;
A second fitting mode determining step of determining whether the current mode is a fitting mode;
Determining whether the current mode is the ending mode if it is not the fitting mode in the second fitting mode determination step; And
And terminating the operation if the mode is the end mode in the end mode determination step, wherein fitting is easy and the body temperature monitoring function is performed. 6. The method of claim 5,
If the body temperature sensed in the sensing body temperature determination step does not belong to the set range
Further comprising the step of informing the mobile terminal of the health condition of the wearer, wherein the fitting is easy and the temperature monitoring function is performed. 6. The method of claim 5,
If it is not the fitting mode in the one-fitting mode determination step
The method of controlling a hearing aid which is easy to fit and has a body temperature monitoring function, 6. The method of claim 5,
If the fitting mode is determined in the second fitting mode determination step
Wherein the test voice signal is provided to the test voice signal providing step.

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