METHOD FOR INITIALIZING A LONG-TERM-STORAGE MODE FOR A HEARING INSTRUMENT AND HEARING INSTRUMENT

Abstract

A method for initializing a long-term-storage mode for a hearing instrument having a rechargeable battery cell includes predetermining an upper limiting value of a parameter for a state of charge of the rechargeable battery cell for long-term storage of the hearing instrument. An actual value, actually present, of the parameter for the state of charge is measured within an activation routine for long-term storage. The measured actual value of the parameter for the state of charge is compared with the upper limiting value of the parameter for the state of charge, and if the measured actual value of the parameter lies above the upper limiting value, the battery cell is discharged at least until the parameter has reached the predetermined upper limiting value, and the hearing instrument is placed into a long-term-storage mode. A hearing instrument is also provided.

Claims

1. A method for initializing a long-term-storage mode for a hearing instrument having a rechargeable battery cell, the method comprising: predetermining an upper limiting value of a parameter for a state of charge of the rechargeable battery cell for a long-term storage of the hearing instrument; and carrying out an activation routine for long-term storage by: measuring an actual value, actually present, of the parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell, comparing the measured actual value of the parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell with the upper limiting value of the parameter for the state of charge, and when the measured actual value of the parameter lies above the upper limiting value for the parameter, discharging the battery cell at least until the parameter for the state of charge has reached the predetermined upper limiting value, and entering the hearing instrument into the long-term-storage mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises placing the hearing instrument into the long-term-storage mode when the measured actual value of the parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell lies below the upper limiting value for the parameter.

3. The method according to claim 2, which further comprises: predetermining a lower limiting value of the parameter for the state of charge of the rechargeable battery cell for long-term storage of the hearing instrument; and outputting a prompt to a user of the hearing instrument for recharging the battery cell when the measured actual value of the parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell lies below the lower limiting value for the parameter.

4. The method according to claim 3, which further comprises placing the hearing instrument into the long-term-storage mode when the measured actual value of the parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell lies between the upper limiting value and the lower limiting value for the parameter.

5. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises initiating the activation routine for long-term storage by a user of the hearing instrument using a user input.

6. The method according to claim 5, which further comprises entering the user input by the user of the hearing instrument through an appropriate application by using an auxiliary device capable of being connected to the hearing instrument for data-processing.

7. The method according to claim 6, which further comprises using the auxiliary device to output a prompt to the user of the hearing instrument for recharging the battery cell.

8. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises: repeatedly checking a utilization of the hearing instrument; and automatically initiating the activation routine for long-term storage as soon as no utilization of the hearing instrument has occurred for at least a first time-period.

9. The method according to claim 3, which further comprises: repeatedly comparing the measured actual value of the parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell with the predetermined lower limiting value for the parameter, outside of the activation routine for long-term storage; and outputting the prompt for recharging the battery cell to the user of the hearing instrument when the measured actual value lies below the lower limiting value.

10. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises switching off the hearing instrument, for placing the hearing instrument into the long-term-storage mode.

11. The method according to claim 10, which further comprises isolating the battery cell by using circuitry from a circuit for power management of the hearing instrument, for placing the hearing instrument into the long-term-storage mode.

12. The method according to claim 10, which further comprises connecting the battery cell to a battery-protection circuit in the long-term-storage mode.

13. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises measuring or predetermining a voltage applied to the battery cell as the parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell.

14. The method according to claim 13, which further comprises using an analog-to-digital converter to ascertain the voltage applied to the battery cell.

15. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises deactivating at least one of a communication device or an output transducer of the hearing instrument within the activation routine for long-term storage, to discharge the battery cell at least until the parameter for the state of charge reaches the upper limiting value.

16. A hearing instrument, comprising: a rechargeable battery cell; a measuring device for measuring an actual value of a parameter for a state of charge of said battery cell; a comparing device for comparing the measured actual value of the parameter with an upper limiting value of the parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell, the upper limiting value being predetermined for a long-term storage of the hearing instrument; a discharging device configured to discharge said battery cell at least until the parameter for the state of charge has reached the upper limiting value, within an activation routine for a long-term storage of the hearing instrument when the measured actual value for the parameter of the state of charge of the battery cell lies above the upper limiting value; and the hearing instrument configured to assume a long-term-storage mode within the activation routine for long-term storage upon attaining a state of charge corresponding to the predetermined upper limiting value of the parameter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, cross-sectional view and block diagram of a hearing instrument configured as a hearing aid;

[0038] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a method for placing the hearing aid according to FIG. 1 into a long-term-storage mode; and

[0039] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an alternative method for initializing the long-term-storage mode according to FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Referring now in detail to the figures of the drawings, in which parts and quantities corresponding to one another have been provided with the same reference symbols, and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen a hearing instrument 1, which in the present case is embodied by a hearing aid 2, and is represented schematically in a block diagram. The hearing aid 2 has a microphone 4 which has been set up to generate a corresponding electrical input signal (not represented) from an acoustic signal pertaining to an environment of the hearing aid 2. The microphone 4 is connected to a processor unit 6 which, in particular, has a signal processor, with at least one processor core, and a working memory that is capable of being addressed by the processor core (none of these being represented in any detail). In particular, a non-volatile memory has also been implemented in the processor unit 6, in which basic functions, operating programs and operating modes of the hearing aid 2 have been stored for operation. The input signal generated by the microphone 4 is processed in the processor unit 6 in accordance with the audiological requirements of the user of the hearing aid 2 for the purpose of compensating for the auditory weakness, and, in particular, is amplified or compressed in a frequency-dependent manner. In this process, an output signal is generated in the processor unit 6, which is output to an electroacoustic output transducer 8 of the hearing aid 2, which for this purpose has been connected appropriately to the processor unit 6. The electroacoustic output transducer 8 is embodied in the present case by a loudspeaker, and converts the output signal generated by the processor unit 6 into a corresponding acoustic output signal (not represented) which is supplied to the auditory system of the user of the hearing aid 2.

[0041] For operation, the hearing aid 2 has a rechargeable battery cell 10 which in the present case is embodied by a lithium-ion cell. The battery cell 10 is connected through a protective circuit 13 to a PMIC 12 which has been set up for functions of battery management, voltage regulation, power-flow and charging of the battery cell 10. The connection of the battery cell 10 to the PMIC 12 in this case has been configured, in particular, in such a manner that the battery voltage that is applied to the two poles of the battery cell 10 is capable of being tapped and, in particular, measured. The connection of the PMIC 12 to the protective circuit 13 (represented by a dashed line) may, in addition, be interrupted by the PMIC 12 (for example, through an appropriate switching logic).

[0042] The PMIC 12 is connected to the processor unit 6, in order to supply the processor unit with energy for the signal-processing. A supply of energy to the output transducer 8 can be effected, in particular, through the processor unit 6, but the output transducer 8 may also draw its power for generating the acoustic output signal directly from the PMIC 12 separately (not represented). The hearing aid 2 has, in addition, a communication device 14 which in the present case is provided as a Bluetooth-capable antenna 15 which is connected to the processor unit 6 and which has been set up to establish a connection to an external auxiliary device (not represented) such as a smartphone, or even to a further hearing aid (not represented) in the case of a binaural hearing aid system. For this purpose, the antenna 15 has been connected to the processor unit 6, in order to receive a corresponding transmitted signal (not represented) from the processor unit. The power supply for the antenna 15 is likewise effected through the processor unit 6.

[0043] In the case where the user of the hearing aid 2 would like to store it for a relatively long period after initial operation, so that, in particular, no operation of the hearing aid 2 whatever occurs, the hearing aid 2 is placed into an appropriate long-term-storage mode in a manner yet to be described. This long-term-storage mode is characterized, in particular, in that a state of charge of the battery cell 10 is set to a value that has been optimized for a long-term storage of the hearing aid 2 (and consequently for a long period without charging and without appreciable discharging of the battery cell 10 beyond leakage currents), to the effect that after a termination of the storage—for example, after a few weeks or even months—the battery cell 10 retains as high a charging capacity as possible.

[0044] In FIG. 2 a method is represented schematically in a block diagram, through the use of which the hearing aid 2 according to FIG. 1 can be placed into a long-term-storage mode. A user (not represented) transmits a command 22 for initiating an activation routine 24 for long-term storage to the hearing aid 2 through an auxiliary device 20 which in the present case has been configured as a smartphone 21 (a configuration as a smartwatch, tablet or similar is likewise conceivable) and which is capable of being used with the hearing aid 2 according to FIG. 1 through the antenna 15 thereof. This can be effected, for instance, by an app 25 that has been set up for controlling certain functions of the hearing aid 2, and, in particular, for entering the command 22, having been implemented on the smartphone 21, so that the command is passed on appropriately to the hearing aid 2. The activation routine 24 for long-term storage is started up accordingly in the hearing aid 2.

[0045] For this purpose, a voltage V applied to the battery cell 10 is drawn upon as a parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell 10. First of all, an actual value Vist, actually present, of the voltage V applied to the battery cell 10 is ascertained. This actual value Vist is compared with a predetermined lower limiting value Vmin for the voltage V as a parameter of the state of charge of the battery cell, with the lower limiting value Vmin being predetermined in such a manner that, as a consequence of the state of charge of the battery cell 10 corresponding to the lower limiting value Vmin in the case of relatively long-term storage, a deep discharge that might totally damage the battery cell 10 is effectively prohibited.

[0046] If it is now established that the actual value Vist of the voltage V measured on the basis of the voltage V lies below the predetermined lower limiting value Vmin, and correspondingly the state of charge of the battery cell 10 lies below the state of charge regarded as minimal for long-term storage of the hearing aid 2 (which corresponds to the lower limiting value Vmin for the voltage V), an appropriate charging message 26 is transmitted from the hearing aid 2 to the smartphone 21, and thereupon a prompt 28 for a recharging of the battery cell 10 is output to the user by the smartphone 21 through the screen. The output can, in particular, be effected within the scope of the app 25 which has been installed and implemented on the smartphone 21 for the purpose of controlling the hearing aid 2.

[0047] If, however, the measured actual value Vist of the parameter for the state of charge—that is to say, of the voltage V—is greater than the predetermined lower limiting value Vmin, a further comparison of the measured actual value Vist with a predetermined upper limiting value Vmax for the voltage V takes place. This upper limiting value Vmax for the voltage is predetermined in such a manner that, as a consequence of the state of charge of the battery cell 10 corresponding to the upper limiting value Vmax in the case of a relatively long-term storage, a deterioration of the enduring charging capacity is minimized as far as possible.

[0048] Now if the measured actual value Vist of the voltage V lies below the predetermined upper limiting value Vmax (and consequently the actual state of charge of the battery cell 10 lies below the state of charge considered to be maximally permissible for long-term storage), a switching off 32 of the hearing aid 2 is undertaken. This switching off 32 involves, in particular, an isolating of the processor unit 6, and, if required separately, also of the further loads from the PMIC 12. Subsequently an isolation 34 of the battery cell 10 from the PMIC 12 takes place. This isolation 34 takes place in such a manner through the protective circuit 13 that the battery cell 10 is thereupon only connected to the protective circuit 13 according to FIG. 1. The protective circuit 13 has been set up to protect the battery cell 10 additionally against short circuits or even against deep discharges during the long-term storage of the hearing aid 2, and displays negligible leakage currents, particularly in comparison with the PMIC 12. After the isolation 34 of the battery cell 10 from the PMIC 12 and the switching off 32 of the hearing aid 2, a long-term-storage mode 36 for the hearing aid 2 has been attained in the present case.

[0049] If, on the other hand, the measured actual value Vist of the voltage V lies above the predetermined upper limiting value Vmax, a discharging 30 of the battery cell 10 occurs. The discharging 30 occurs subject to a continuous or repeated checking of the respective actual value Vist of the voltage V at the respective time in comparison with the predetermined upper limiting value Vmax. If the upper limiting value Vmax is reached by the actual value Vist (or if the actual value Vist no longer lies above the upper limiting value Vmax), the switching off 32 of the hearing device 2 described above is undertaken.

[0050] By virtue of the measures undertaken in the hearing aid 2 as described, it can be ensured that in the case of a long-term storage of the hearing aid 2, in particular over several months, the battery cell 10 is stored in a (maximum) state of charge optimized for this purpose with regard to the retention of the charging capacity (the upper limiting value Vmax of the voltage V corresponds to this maximum state of charge). In addition, a creeping discharge due to leakage currents is prohibited as far as possible, so that the actual state of charge during storage can be kept permanently above a state of charge predetermined as minimal with regard to a deep discharge (to which the lower limiting value Vmin of the voltage V corresponds).

[0051] In FIG. 3, an alternative configuration of the method according to FIG. 2 is represented schematically along a timeline 40, in which the activation routine 24 for long-term storage is initiated automatically. At times T1, T2, T3, T4 with a periodicity ΔT, in this configuration an automatic check 42 of a utilization of the hearing aid 2 is effected for this purpose by the hearing aid 2 itself. At the same time, a check 44 of the actual value Vist of the voltage V applied to the battery cell 10 is likewise effected, as described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0052] The actual value Vist of the voltage V ascertained at the individual times T1, T2, T3, T4 is compared in each instance with the lower limiting value Vmin predetermined for a long-term storage. If the actual value Vist always lies above the lower limiting value Vmin (that is to say, Vmin<Vist) in the course of the checks 44, no further action takes place. If, however, at one of the times—for instance, at time T3—the measured actual value Vist of the voltage V applied to the battery cell 10—which, after all, constitutes the parameter for the state of charge of the battery cell 10—lies below the lower limiting value Vmin for the voltage V predetermined for long-term storage (that is to say, Vmin>Vist), then a prompt 28 for charging the hearing aid 2 is output, as represented on the basis of FIG. 2.

[0053] If, in addition, no utilization of the hearing aid 2 whatever is established in the course of the check 42, at least for a first time-period 46, which in the present example is intended to correspond in an exemplary manner to the time-interval from T1 to T4=3.Math.ΔT (but may also encompass a different period to be suitably chosen by a person skilled in the art), the activation routine 24 for long-term storage according to FIG. 2 is initiated automatically. In this connection, the repeated checking 44 of the actual value Vist of the voltage V is particularly advantageous, since it has to be assumed that in the course of a regular utilization of the hearing aid 2 the user will receive the prompt 28 for charging in the case where the actual value Vist lies below the lower limiting value Vmin, and will also put it into effect accordingly. Even in the case of non-utilization over the first time-period 46, which according to the present embodiment results in the automatic initiation of the activation routine 24 for long-term storage, it may therefore be assumed that the actual value Vist at least does not fall short of the predetermined lower limiting value Vmin (and consequently the actual state of charge of the battery cell 10 does not fall short of the state of charge regarded as minimal for long-term storage, which corresponds to the lower limiting value Vmin), so that in the activation routine 24 for long-term storage according to FIG. 2 the long-term-storage mode 36 can also actually be attained.

[0054] The checking 44 of the actual value Vist of the voltage V may also take place at different times than the checking 42 of the utilization of the hearing aid 2. This can be set accordingly, in particular as a function of the usage habits of the user of the hearing aid 2. However, a simultaneous check has the advantage that only one periodic process has to be implemented for both checks 42, 44.

[0055] In the preceding embodiments, the hearing instrument 1 has been configured as a hearing aid 2 which has been provided and set up for providing care for an auditory weakness of its user. However, another configuration is readily possible. Accordingly, the hearing instrument 1 according to FIG. 1 may be embodied by an earplug-shaped headphone, wherein voice commands of the user for actuating functions of the headphone are picked up through the microphone 4 and are recognized and processed appropriately in the processor device 6 (from the associated input signal). Similarly, configurations of a hearing instrument 1 without a microphone are also conceivable.

[0056] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not restricted by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0057] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0058] 1 hearing instrument [0059] 2 hearing aid [0060] 4 microphone [0061] 6 processor unit [0062] 8 output transducer [0063] 10 battery cell [0064] 12 PMIC [0065] 13 protective circuit [0066] 14 communication device [0067] 15 antenna [0068] 20 auxiliary device [0069] 21 smartphone [0070] 22 command [0071] 24 activation routine for long-term storage [0072] 25 app, application [0073] 26 charging message [0074] 28 prompt for charging [0075] 30 discharging [0076] 32 switching off [0077] 34 isolation [0078] 36 long-term-storage mode [0079] 40 timeline [0080] 42 checking (of utilization) [0081] 44 checking (of the actual value) [0082] Vist actual value of the voltage [0083] Vmax upper limiting value of the voltage [0084] Vmin lower limiting value of the voltage [0085] T1-T4 times [0086] V voltage