U.S. patent application number 14/452625 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-12 for control of low power or standby modes of a hearing assistance device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Starkey Laboratories, Inc.. Invention is credited to Stephen Paul Flood, Michael Helgeson, Jeffrey Paul Solum.
Application Number | 20150071469 14/452625 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44760943 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150071469 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Solum; Jeffrey Paul ; et
al. |
March 12, 2015 |
CONTROL OF LOW POWER OR STANDBY MODES OF A HEARING ASSISTANCE
DEVICE
Abstract
Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods
to provide improved control of hearing aids and hearing aid
applications. In one embodiment, a hearing assistance device
includes a microphone, a receiver for playing sound to a wearer, a
processor connected to the microphone and the receiver, and a radio
connected to the processor. The processor is adapted to enter a low
power or standby mode upon receipt of a predetermined command from
one or more of the microphone or the radio. The processor is
further adapted to exit a low power or standby mode upon receipt of
a predetermined command from one or more of the microphone or the
radio. Other embodiments are possible without departing from the
scope of the present subject matter.
Inventors: |
Solum; Jeffrey Paul;
(Shorewood, MN) ; Helgeson; Michael; (New
Richmond, WI) ; Flood; Stephen Paul; (Eden Prairie,
MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. |
Eden Prairie |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
44760943 |
Appl. No.: |
14/452625 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12981035 |
Dec 29, 2010 |
8804988 |
|
|
14452625 |
|
|
|
|
61323520 |
Apr 13, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
381/315 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R 2225/023 20130101;
H04R 25/558 20130101; H04R 25/30 20130101; H04R 2225/021 20130101;
H04R 2225/61 20130101; H04R 2225/025 20130101; H04R 2460/03
20130101; H04R 25/554 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
381/315 |
International
Class: |
H04R 25/00 20060101
H04R025/00 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A method of controlling a hearing assistance device, the method
comprising: receiving a predetermined command at a hearing
assistance device processor from one or more of a hearing
assistance device microphone or a radio connected to the processor;
exiting a standby mode of the radio of the hearing assistance
device upon receipt of the command; and enabling audio processing
of the hearing assistance device upon exiting the standby mode.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving a predetermined command
includes receiving a DTMF tone sequence.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein receiving the DTMF tone sequence
includes receiving the sequence from a cellular phone.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein entering standby mode includes
disabling wireless radio frequency transmission.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving a predetermined command
includes receiving a voice activation command.
7. A hearing assistance device for a wearer, comprising: a
microphone; a receiver for playing sound to the wearer; a processor
connected to the microphone and the receiver; and a radio connected
to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to remove the
radio from a low power or standby mode upon receipt of a
predetermined command from one or more of the microphone or the
radio, wherein removing the radio from a low power or standby mode
includes enabling audio processing of the hearing assistance
device.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to
exit the radio from the low power mode upon receipt of a
predetermined audio command from the microphone.
9. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to
exit the radio from the standby mode upon receipt of a
predetermined audio command from the microphone.
10. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to
exit radio from the low power mode upon receipt of a predetermined
wireless command from the radio.
11. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to
exit radio from the standby mode upon receipt of a predetermined
wireless command from the radio.
12. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to
receive the predetermined command via dual tone multifunction
(DTMF) tones from the microphone or from the radio.
13. The device of claim 7, wherein the hearing assistance device
includes a cochlear implant.
14. The device of claim 7, wherein the hearing assistance device
includes a hearing aid.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes an
in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid.
16. The device of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes a
behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid.
17. The device of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes an
in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid.
18. The device of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes a
receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid.
19. The device of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes a
completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid.
20. The device of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes a
receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit
of priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 to U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/981,035, filed Dec. 29, 2010, which application claims
the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 120 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/323,520, filed on Apr. 13, 2010, which
applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present subject matter relates generally to controlling
functions in a hearing assistance device, and in particular to
control of low power or standby modes of a hearing assistance
device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Modern hearing assistance devices, such as hearing aids,
typically include a digital signal processor in communication with
a microphone and receiver. Such designs are adapted to perform a
great deal of processing on sounds received by the microphone. More
and more hearing aids include a wireless communication option which
provides a way to communicate with the hearing aid using another
device. Such devices may have their own wireless protocols for
communications or may use an industry standard protocol. However,
there are situations where the wireless function of the hearing
assistance device should be disabled, such as when flying
(according to existing FAA rules). There are also situations where
the energy consumption could be greatly reduced by placing the
wireless radio functions in a hearing assistance device in a low
power or standby state.
[0004] Hearing assistance device designs typically have a very
limited amount of available volume to hold the electronics. A
persistent problem is the placement of means to control the device.
Hearing assistance devices have limited space to place controls.
The limited space issues also magnify the need to conserve power in
a hearing assistance device. Accordingly, there is a need in the
art for apparatus and methods to provide improved control of a
hearing assistance device, including a provision for low power or
standby modes of operation of the device.
SUMMARY
[0005] Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and
methods to provide improved control of hearing aids and hearing aid
applications. In one embodiment, a hearing assistance device
includes a microphone, a receiver for playing sound to a wearer, a
processor connected to the microphone and the receiver, and a radio
connected to the processor. The processor is adapted to enter a low
power or standby mode upon receipt of a predetermined command from
one or more of the microphone or the radio. The processor is
further adapted to exit a low power or standby mode upon receipt of
a predetermined command from one or more of the microphone or the
radio.
[0006] In one embodiment, a method of controlling modes of a
hearing assistance device is provided. A predetermined command is
received at a hearing assistance device processor from one or more
of a hearing assistance device microphone or a radio connected to
the processor. A low power or standby mode of the hearing
assistance device is entered or exited upon receipt of the command.
Other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of
the present subject matter.
[0007] This Summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the
present application and not intended to be an exclusive or
exhaustive treatment of the present subject matter. Further details
about the present subject matter are found in the detailed
description and appended claims. The scope of the present invention
is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a hearing assistance device
and a remote control according to one embodiment of the present
subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] The following detailed description of the present subject
matter refers to subject matter in the accompanying drawings which
show, by way of illustration, specific aspects and embodiments in
which the present subject matter may be practiced. These
embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those
skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter.
References to "an", "one", or "various" embodiments in this
disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such
references contemplate more than one embodiment. The following
detailed description is demonstrative and not to be taken in a
limiting sense. The scope of the present subject matter is defined
by the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal
equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a hearing assistance device
and a remote control according to one embodiment of the present
subject matter. Many hearing assistance devices 110, such as
hearing aids, include a processor 116 that receives signals from a
transducer, such as microphone 112 and processes those signals to
be played over a speaker 114 (also known as a receiver in the
hearing aid art). The hearing assistance device 110 includes at
least one control 122, which can be monitored by processor 116 and
operations can be performed according to the control operation.
More frequently, hearing assistance devices 110 also include a
wireless communications aspect, such as radio 118 and an antenna
120. Radio 118 in various embodiments is a receiver, a transmitter,
or a transceiver. Various radio frequencies and modulation
techniques can be employed without departing from the scope of the
present subject matter. It is understood that the radio 118 and
antenna 120 are optional in some embodiments set forth in this
disclosure. It is further understood that embodiments that use
radio 118 and antenna 120 may only require a reception function to
work properly. It is further understood that in bidirectional radio
communications that a transceiver function is required.
[0011] Optional remote control 130 is a device adapted to perform
wireless communication with hearing assistance device 110. In
various embodiments it is understood that remote control 130 can be
a dedicated remote control device. In various embodiments, remote
control 130 is a cellular phone, personal data assistant, iPOD,
iPhone, Google Android phone, Blackberry, computer, or other
personal wireless device that can be used as set forth herein to
perform the remote control function. It is understood that in
various embodiments a software or firmware program can be loaded on
the device to facilitate its use for the present subject
matter.
A. Hearing Assistance Device Standby and/or Low Power Modes
[0012] In various embodiments, a user may wish to extend the
battery life of his or her hearing assistance device, such as a
hearing aid, by putting the hearing aid into a standby or low power
mode. In one embodiment, standby mode disables most or all
processing of audio information, thus muting the hearing assistance
device (hearing aid). The device will enter a low power mode of
operation and require another command or condition to wake the
device up and return to normal operating mode. Various approaches
can be used to enter and exit a low power or standby mode,
including, but not limited to the following:
[0013] 1. Hearing Assistance Device Control
[0014] Control 122 can be configured to place the hearing
assistance device 110 in standby mode and to return the device to
normal operating mode. In one embodiment control 122 is used to
toggle the device between operating mode and standby mode. In
various embodiments control 122 is a button. In various embodiments
control 122 is a touch sensor. In various embodiments control 122
is a proximity sensor. Other controls may be used without departing
from the scope of the present subject matter. It is understood that
different control operation sequences, including extended operation
of the control and delays between operation of the control may be
employed to perform mode selection. It is also possible that
different controls can be used to change between standby and normal
operating modes. For example, any of the wireless commands
discussed herein can be used to exit standby mode and enter normal
operating mode.
[0015] 2. Wireless Radio Frequency Command from Remote Control
[0016] In one embodiment of the present subject matter, a wireless
command is issued from remote control 130 that puts the hearing
assistance device 110 in standby mode. In radio frequency wireless
applications, radio 118 includes a receiver configured to receive
the command, decode it, and to place the hearing assistance device
110 into a form of standby mode. In various embodiments, radio 118
is further configured to periodically or occasionally listen for
another command which returns the device to normal operation. Such
modes are typically low power modes, such as, but not limited to,
the reception mode set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/643,540 application incorporated by reference herein. Other
methods of exiting the standby state and returning to normal
operating mode are possible in combination or in the alternative.
In various embodiments, a control on the hearing assistance device
110 is operated to return the device to normal operating mode. For
example, a control 122 can be used to sense one or more manual
operations (including but not limited to one or more button press,
touch sense, or proximity sense) to exit standby mode. Control 122
in various embodiments is a touch or proximity sensor. In various
embodiments a return to normal operating mode is performed by
opening and closing the battery compartment of the device 110. In
various embodiments device 110 returns to a normal operating mode
upon certain triggering occurrences, such as a programmable timer
reaching a setpoint, or multiple power cycles. In various
embodiments a voice command can be detected to change modes.
Another remote control approach is set forth in the following
commonly owned patent application which is incorporated by
reference in its entirety: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 61/220,994, filed Jun. 25, 2009, titled REMOTE CONTROL FOR A
HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE. Other triggering occurrences are
possible without departing from the scope of the present subject
matter.
[0017] 3. DTMF Commands to Change Modes
[0018] In various embodiments dual tone multifunction (DTMF) tones
are received by the hearing assistance device 110 and operating
modes are changed based on the DTMF tones. Such tones can be
received acoustically by microphone 112 from any audio source
capable of generating such tones. The DTMF tones can also be send
via a radio frequency message, received by radio 118, decoded and
processed by processor 116 to perform mode changes. It is
understood that various tone sequences and combinations can be used
to change modes from normal operating mode to standby mode or vice
versa. Thus, it is understood that a single tone, pair of tones, or
sequence if tones can be employed without departing from the scope
of the present subject matter.
[0019] In one embodiment a unique DTMF tone or sequence is used to
enter standby mode and another unique tone or sequence is used to
enter normal operating mode. In further embodiments, the same
message could be used to toggle between the modes. In various
embodiments, the duration of a tone is used to change modes of the
hearing assistance device 110.
[0020] In various embodiments, the DTMF tones or sequence of tones
is generated by a cellular phone or other telephone device. The
cellular phone may include a software or firmware application
downloaded to it to convert the cellphone into a multi-function
remote that includes the capability of producing the necessary DTMF
tones. Other platforms such as personal digital assistants PDA's,
computers, or dedicated DTMF hardware equipped with audio outputs
may be used to perform the remote control function. When two
hearing aids are worn by a user, to ensure that both aids are
enabled or disabled via DTMF it may be necessary to relay that
information from one aid to the other via wireless transmissions
prior to disabling the transmitter.
[0021] In one embodiment the hearing assistance device 110 may use
the DTMF detection approach set forth in the following commonly
owned patent application: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 61/176,734, filed May 8, 2009, titled CELL PHONE DETECTION FOR
HEARING AIDS. Other DTMF approaches may be used without departing
from the scope of the present subject matter.
B. Radio Standby and/or Low Power Modes
[0022] Modern hearing assistance devices capable of radio frequency
wireless communications may require a method to disable the
transmit function in certain circumstances. For example, whenever a
passenger is aboard an aircraft the device's transmission function
may have to be turned off. The Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) and other international air travel administrations restrict
the use of electronic devices that emit electromagnetic information
while in flight.
[0023] Also, when traveling outside their country of origin if
communications are not compliant with other devices used in the
destination country that the person is visiting it may be
beneficial to disable a radio frequency wireless function.
Industrial scientific and medical bands (ISM) are set aside for
unlicensed operation of radio frequency communication in most
countries. These bands differ from country to country in many
cases. This makes it necessary for a traveler to be able to disable
radio frequency wireless features when traveling outside of a
particular regulatory domain.
[0024] One type of low power communication approach includes, but
is not limited to, the low power approach set forth in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/643,540, filed Dec. 21, 2009, titled LOW
POWER INTERMITTENT MESSAGING FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES, which
is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0025] Various approaches can be used to enter and exit a low power
or standby mode, including, but not limited to the following:
[0026] 1. Hearing Assistance Device Control
[0027] Control 122 can be configured to place the radio 118 in
standby mode and to return the device to normal operating mode. In
one embodiment control 122 is used to toggle the device between
operating mode and standby mode. In various embodiments control 122
is a button. In various embodiments control 122 is a touch sensor.
In various embodiments control 122 is a proximity sensor. Other
controls may be used without departing from the scope of the
present subject matter.
[0028] It is understood that different control operation sequences,
including extended operation of the control and delays between
operation of the control may be employed to perform mode selection.
It is also possible that different controls can be used to change
between standby and normal operating modes. For example, any of the
wireless commands discussed herein can be used to exit standby mode
and enter normal operating mode.
[0029] 2. Wireless Radio Frequency Command from Remote Control
[0030] In one embodiment of the present subject matter, a wireless
command is issued from remote control 130 that puts the radio 118
in standby mode. In radio frequency wireless applications, radio
118 includes a receiver configured to receive the command, decode
it, and to place the radio 118 into a form of standby or low power
mode. In various embodiments, radio 118 is further configured to
periodically or occasionally listen for another command which
returns the device to normal operation. Such modes are typically
low power modes, such as, but not limited to, the reception mode
set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/643,540
application incorporated by reference herein. Other methods of
exiting the standby state and returning radio 118 to normal
operating mode are possible in combination or in the alternative.
In various embodiments, a control on the hearing assistance device
110 is operated to return the radio 118 to normal operating mode.
For example, a control 122 can be used to sense one or more manual
operations (including but not limited to one or more button press,
touch sense, or proximity sense) to exit standby mode. Control 122
in various embodiments is a touch or proximity sensor. In various
embodiments a return to normal operating mode is performed by
opening and closing the battery compartment of the device 110. In
various embodiments radio 118 returns to a normal operating mode
upon certain triggering occurrences, such as a programmable timer
reaching a setpoint, or multiple power cycles. In various
embodiments a voice command can be detected to change modes of
radio 118. Another remote control approach is set forth in the
following commonly owned patent application which is incorporated
by reference in its entirety: U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 61/220,994, filed Jun. 25, 2009, titled REMOTE CONTROL FOR
A HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE. Other triggering occurrences are
possible without departing from the scope of the present subject
matter.
[0031] 3. DTMF Commands to Change Modes
[0032] In various embodiments dual tone multifunction (DTMF) tones
are received by the hearing assistance device 110 and operating
modes of radio 118 are changed based on the DTMF tones. Such tones
can be received acoustically by microphone 112 from any audio
source capable of generating such tones. The DTMF tones can also be
send via a radio frequency message, received by radio 118, decoded
and processed by processor 116 to perform mode changes. It is
understood that various tone sequences and combinations can be used
to change modes from normal operating mode to standby mode or vice
versa. Thus, it is understood that a single tone, pair of tones, or
sequence if tones can be employed without departing from the scope
of the present subject matter.
[0033] In one embodiment a unique DTMF tone or sequence is used to
enter standby mode and another unique tone or sequence is used to
enter normal operating mode. In further embodiments, the same
message could be used to toggle between the modes. In various
embodiments, the duration of a tone is used to change modes of the
radio 118.
[0034] In various embodiments, the DTMF tones or sequence of tones
is generated by a cellular phone or other telephone device. The
cellular phone may include a software or firmware application
downloaded to it to convert the cellphone into a multi-function
remote that includes the capability of producing the necessary DTMF
tones. Other platforms such as personal digital assistants PDA's,
computers, or dedicated DTMF hardware equipped with audio outputs
may be used to perform the remote control function. When two
hearing aids are worn by a user, to ensure that both aids are
enabled or disabled via DTMF it may be necessary to relay that
information from one aid to the other via wireless transmissions
prior to disabling the transmitter.
[0035] In one embodiment the hearing assistance device 110 may use
the DTMF detection approach set forth in the following commonly
owned patent application: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 61/176,734, filed May 8, 2009, titled CELL PHONE DETECTION FOR
HEARING AIDS. Other DTMF approaches may be used without departing
from the scope of the present subject matter.
[0036] In various embodiments, a voice activation algorithm is used
to disable or re-enable the wireless transmissions or standby mode
of a hearing aid. The wearer can disable wireless transmissions by
using a voice command such as "deactivate wireless" or "wireless
off" or conversely "Activate wireless" or "wireless on." Similar
commands may used for entering or exiting standby mode. The
commands may be processed and interpreted by a digital signal
processing unit (DSP), central processing unit (CPU), or other
hardware on the hearing aid. Upon processing, the CPU carries out
the command to disable/enable the functions present in voice
command.
[0037] The following commonly owned patent documents are each
hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety: U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/643,540, filed Dec. 21, 2009, titled LOW
POWER INTERMITTENT MESSAGING FOR HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICES; U.S.
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/687,707 filed Jun. 5, 2005, titled
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR WIRELESS AUDIO DEVICES; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/447,617, titled COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR
WIRELESS AUDIO DEVICES; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 61/176,734, filed May 8, 2009, titled CELL PHONE DETECTION FOR
HEARING AIDS; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/220,994, filed Jun. 25, 2009, titled REMOTE CONTROL FOR A
HEARING ASSISTANCE DEVICE.
[0038] The present subject matter can be used for a variety of
hearing assistance devices, including but not limited to, tinnitus
masking devices, cochlear implant type hearing devices, hearing
aids, such as behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal
(ITC), or completely-in-the-canal (CIC) type hearing aids. It is
understood that behind-the-ear type hearing aids may include
devices that reside substantially behind the ear or over the ear.
Such devices may include hearing aids with receivers associated
with the electronics portion of the behind-the-ear device, or
hearing aids of the type having receivers in the ear canal of the
user, such as receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) or receiver-in-the-ear
(RITE) designs. It is understood that other hearing assistance
devices not expressly stated herein may fall within the scope of
the present subject matter.
[0039] This application is intended to cover adaptations or
variations of the present subject matter. It is to be understood
that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not
restrictive. The scope of the present subject matter should be
determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the
full scope of legal equivalents to which such claims are
entitled.
* * * * *