Adaptive multi-band hearing device

Abstract

A hearing device configured for audio communication is disclosed. The hearing device comprises a wireless communication unit and a processing unit, the wireless communication unit being configured to receive and transmit audio signals. The processing unit is configured to receive and/or transmit the audio signal from/to the wireless communication unit, process the audio signal in a first frequency band or in a second frequency band, and detect the quality of the audio communication. If the audio signal is processed in the first frequency band, the processing unit is switching to processing in the second frequency band if the quality of the audio communication is below a first predetermined threshold. If the audio signal is processed in the second frequency band, the processing unit is switching to processing in the first frequency band if the quality of the audio communication is above the first predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. A hearing device configured for audio communication, the hearing device comprising a wireless communication unit and a processing unit, the wireless communication unit being configured to receive and transmit audio signals, the processing unit being configured to: receive and/or transmit the audio signal from/to the wireless communication unit; process the audio signal in a first frequency band or in a second frequency band; detect the quality of the audio communication; and if the audio signal is processed in the first frequency band, switch to the second frequency band if the quality of the audio communication is below a first predetermined threshold; if the audio signal is processed in the second frequency band, switch to the first frequency band if the quality of the audio communication is above the first predetermined threshold; and wherein the processing unit is configured to monitor the quality of the audio communication for a predetermined time period and wherein the switching occurs after the predetermined time period.

2. A hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the quality of the audio communication is determined based on a signal quality and/or based on a wireless connection quality.

3. A hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the quality of the audio communication is quantified by a bit-error rate, a packet-error rate, or a cyclic redundancy check.

4. A hearing device according to claim 1 wherein the processing comprises sampling the audio signal with a predetermined sampling frequency.

5. A hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to process the audio signal in a third frequency band and configured to switch to the third frequency band if the quality of the audio communication is above a second predetermined threshold.

6. A hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the first frequency band has a sampling frequency in the range of 10 kHz to 17 kHz, the second frequency band has a sampling frequency in the range of 1 kHz to 9 kHz, and the third frequency band has a sampling frequency in the range above 30 kHz.

7. A hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the audio communication is a phone call with a far-end caller.

8. A hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the audio signal comprises a speech signal.

9. A hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the hearing device is a headset.

10. A method for audio communication in a hearing device, the hearing device comprising a wireless communication unit and a processing unit, the method comprising: receiving and/or transmitting, by the wireless communication unit, an audio signal; processing, by the processing unit, the audio signal in a first frequency band or in a second frequency band; detecting the quality of the audio communication; monitoring the quality of the audio communication for a predetermined time period; if the audio signal is processed in the first frequency band, switching to the second frequency band if the quality of the audio communication is below a first predetermined threshold for said predetermined periods of time; if the audio signal is processed in the second frequency band, switching to the first frequency band if the quality of the audio communication is above the first predetermined threshold for said predetermined periods of time.

11. A system comprising a hearing device and a first electronic device, the first electronic device being paired with the hearing device, the hearing device comprising a wireless communication unit and a processing unit, the wireless communication unit being configured to receive and transmit audio signals from/to the first electronic device, the processing unit being configured to receive and/or transmit the audio signal from/to the wireless communication unit; process the audio signal in a first frequency band or in a second frequency band; detect the quality of the audio communication; monitoring the quality of the audio communication for a predetermined time period; if the audio signal is processed in the first frequency band, switch to the second frequency band if the quality of the audio communication is below a first predetermined threshold for said predetermined periods of time; if the audio signal is processed in the second frequency band, switch to the first frequency band if the quality of the audio communication is above the first predetermined threshold for said predetermined periods of time.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the system further comprises a second electronic device, the hearing device being paired with the second electronic device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above and other features and advantages will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art by the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary hearing device according to a first aspect of the present invention,

(3) FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary method according to a second aspect of the present invention,

(4) FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary system according to a third aspect of the present invention,

(5) FIG. 4 graphically illustrates a single connection range comparison between processing in a wideband and in a narrowband,

(6) FIG. 5 graphically illustrates a dual connection range comparison between processing in a wideband and in a narrowband, and

(7) FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a narrowband (a) and a wideband (b) processing of an audio signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.

(9) Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts.

(10) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a hearing device 2 configured for audio communication. The hearing device 2 comprises a wireless communication unit 4 and a processing unit 6. The wireless communication unit 4 is configured to receive and is transmit audio signals 8. The processing unit 6 is configured to receive and/or transmit the audio signal 8′ from/to the wireless communication unit 4. The processing unit 6 is further configured to process the audio signal in a first frequency band or in a second frequency band and to detect the quality of the audio communication. If the audio signal is processed in the first frequency band, the processing unit 6 will switch to processing in the second frequency band if the quality of the audio communication is or falls below a first predetermined threshold. If the audio signal is processed in the second frequency band, the processing unit 6 will switch to processing in the first frequency band if the quality of the audio communication is or rises above the first predetermined threshold.

(11) The hearing device 2 may comprise a speaker 10 which receives processed audio signal 8′ from the processing unit 6. The speaker 10 delivers sound signal 12 to a user of the hearing device 2.

(12) The wireless communication unit 4 is configured to receive and transmit audio signals 8 from one or more host devices. The one or more host devices may be e.g. a smartphone and a softphone in a pc. The wireless communication unit 4 may receive and transmit the audio signals 8 from the one or more host devices via one or more antennas 5 connected with the wireless communication unit 4.

(13) The hearing device 2 may comprise a microphone 14 which may receive the user's voice 16 and send it to the processing unit 6 for processing. The processing unit 6 may, based on the quality of audio communication between the hearing device and a host device, process the voice 16 in the first or in the second frequency band.

(14) When the hearing device 2 receives audio signals 8, these signals are typically delivered to the user in the form of sound signal 12. When the hearing device 2 transmits audio signals 8, these signals typically contain the user's voice 16.

(15) Thanks to automatic switching in signal processing in either the first or the second frequency band, good quality of both received and transmitted audio signals is achieved all times.

(16) FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example of a method 20 for audio communication in a hearing device, the hearing device comprising a wireless communication unit and a processing unit. The method is defined by a number of steps. In the first step 22, an audio signal is received and/or transmitted, by the hearing device, i.e. by the wireless communication unit. The processing unit is then processing 24 the audio signal in a first is frequency band 24a or in a second frequency band 24b. The processing unit is detecting 26 the quality of the audio communication, i.e. quality of service (QoS). The processing unit compares 28 the detected quality of the audio communication with a first predetermined threshold (TH.sub.1). If the audio signal is processed in the first frequency band and the quality of the audio communication is or falls below a first predetermined threshold, the processing unit will switch 21 processing to the second frequency band. If the audio signal is processed in the first frequency band and the quality of the audio communication is not below the first predetermined threshold, the processing unit will continue processing 21a in the first frequency band. If the audio signal is processed in the second frequency band and the quality of the audio communication is not below but above the first predetermined threshold, the processing unit will switch 23 processing to the first frequency band. If the audio signal is processed in the second frequency band and the quality of the audio communication is below the first predetermined threshold, the processing unit will continue processing 23a in the second frequency band.

(17) FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an example of a system 30 comprising a hearing device 2 and a first electronic device 32. The first electronic device 32 may be a host device for the hearing device 2. The first electronic device 32 is paired with the hearing device 2 and thereby a first wireless communication link 34 for audio communication is established there between. The system 30 may further comprise a second electronic device 33. The second electronic device 33 may also be a host device for the hearing device 2. The hearing device 2 is paired with the second electronic device 33 and a second wireless communication link 35 is established there between.

(18) The hearing device 2 comprises a wireless communication unit and a processing unit (not shown), the wireless communication unit being configured to receive and transmit audio signals from/to the first electronic device 32. The processing unit is configured to receive and/or transmit the audio signal from/to the wireless communication unit, process the audio signal 8 in a first frequency band or in a second frequency band, and to detect the quality of the audio communication. If the audio signal 8 is processed in the first frequency band, the hearing device 2 will switch to processing in the second frequency band if the quality of the audio communication is or falls below a first predetermined threshold. If the audio signal is processed in the second frequency band, the hearing device 2 will switch to processing in the first frequency band if the quality of the audio communication is or rises above the first predetermined threshold.

(19) The system 30 may comprise a dongle 36 which may establish wireless connection with the hearing device 2 automatically and there may be no need for pairing between the second electronic device 33 and the hearing device 2, as the dongle may physically be connected to the second electronic device 33. Alternatively or additionally, the dongle 36 may be physically connected to the first electronic device 32.

(20) FIG. 4 graphically illustrates a single connection range comparison between processing in a wideband and in a narrowband. FIG. 4a illustrates a single connection range test when audio signals are processed in the wideband. In the test, a hearing device is in audio communication with only one host device and the audio signals are processed in the wideband. The dark grey area shows operational range of the hearing device when a user wearing the hearing device is facing the host device (F). The light grey area shows operational range of the hearing device when the user is with his back facing the host device (B). These positions are the best and the worst positions with respect to the host device. In this test, an antenna of the hearing device is positioned on the back of the user's neck. Within the shaded areas, the quality of transmitted/received audio signals is on an acceptable level. By comparing the graphs on FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b it can be seen that when the audio signals are processed in the narrowband (FIG. 4b), the operational range is larger for both front-facing (F) and back-facing (B) directions. This means that by switching from processing in wideband to processing in narrowband, greater ranges can be achieved while optimizing the quality of the audio signals.

(21) FIG. 5 graphically illustrates a dual connection range comparison between processing in a wideband and in a narrowband. Similar to FIG. 4a, FIG. 5a illustrates a dual connection range test when audio signals are processed in the wideband. In this test, a hearing device is in audio communication with two host devices and the audio signals are processed in the wideband. The dark grey area shows operational range of the hearing device when a user wearing the hearing device is facing one of the host devices (F). The light grey area shows operational range of the hearing device when the user is with his back facing the same host device (B). These positions are the best and the worst positions with respect to the host device. In this test, an antenna of the hearing device is positioned on the back of the user's neck. Within the shaded areas, the quality of transmitted/received audio signals is on an acceptable level. By comparing the graphs on FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b it can be seen that when the audio signals are processed in the narrowband (FIG. 5b), the operational range is larger for both front-facing (F) and back-facing (B) directions. This means that by switching from processing in wideband to processing in narrowband, significantly greater ranges can be achieved while optimizing the quality of the audio signals.

(22) FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a narrowband (a) and wideband (b) processing of an audio signal. FIG. 6(a) illustrates that processing in the narrowband defines lower data flow and sample rate. The audio signal is transmitting slowly with longer time slot that allows the hearing device to retransmit the package for data correction without taking up the full communication capacity of the audio communication channel when/if a packet is lost. FIG. 6(b) illustrates that processing in the wideband defines higher data flow and sample rate. The audio signal is transmitting fast with much shorter time slot for data correction when/if a packet is lost.

(23) In the real time audio system, the hearing device as the transmitter may not always retransmit the data on time, if the packet is badly lost due to noise interference, short RF range, high density, etc. The lost data will cause the poor sound quality and even worse the sound may not be recognized. The hearing device can transmit and retransmit the data during the longer time slot in the narrowband processing. It will secure a proper sound quality in the worst cases with bad connectivity. And it would bring better user experience in harsh electromagnetic environment and longer ranges.

(24) Although particular features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents.

LIST OF REFERENCES

(25) 2 hearing device 4 wireless communication unit 5 antenna 6 processing unit 8 audio signals 10 speaker 12 sound signal 14 microphone 16 user's voice 20 method for audio communication in a hearing device 21 switching to a 2.sup.nd frequency band 21a continue processing in a 1.sup.st frequency band 22 receiving/transmitting an audio signal 23 switching to a 1.sup.st frequency band 23a continue processing in a 2.sup.nd frequency band 24 processing of an audio signal by a processing unit 24a processing in a 1.sup.st frequency band 24b processing in a 2.sup.nd frequency band 26 detecting the quality of the audio communication 28 comparing detected quality of the audio communication with a 1.sup.st threshold 30 system 32 first electronic device 33 second electronic device 34 first wireless communication link 35 second wireless communication link 36 dongle