Hearing device assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a hearing device assembly comprising a behind-the-ear base unit and an in-the-ear transducer module, which communicate via a single wire interface and wherein the base unit is configured to take on a communication role in response to a signal asserted by the transducer module.

Claims

1. A hearing device assembly comprising: a behind-the-ear unit; and an in-the-ear transducer module; the behind-the-ear unit and the transducer module being configured to electronically communicate via an interface connecting the behind-the-ear unit and the transducer module; wherein the transducer module is configured to assert a first signal via the interface during boot of the behind-the-ear unit and/or when the transducer module is coupled to the behind-the-ear unit; wherein the behind-the-ear unit is configured to detect the first signal asserted by the transducer module; and wherein the behind-the-ear unit has a role that is assigned after a detection of a presence or absence of a second signal from the transducer module.

2. A hearing device assembly comprising: a behind-the-ear unit; and an in-the-ear transducer module; the behind-the-ear unit and the transducer module being configured to electronically communicate via a single wire interface connecting the behind-the-ear unit and the transducer module; wherein the transducer module is configured to assert a first signal on the single wire interface during boot of the behind-the-ear unit and/or when the transducer module is hot plugged to the behind-the-ear unit; wherein the behind-the-ear unit is configured to detect the first signal asserted by the transducer module and to supply power to the transducer module following detection of the first signal; and wherein the behind-the-ear unit is configured to take on a communication role based on a presence or an absence of a second signal asserted by the transducer module on the single wire interface.

3. The hearing device assembly according to claim 2, wherein the behind-the-ear unit is configured to: wait a predetermined time after supplying power to the transducer module, and determine that the second signal is absent if the second signal is not detected within a predetermined time.

4. The hearing device assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second signal is for indicating that the transducer module comprises a microcontroller.

5. The hearing device assembly according to claim 2, wherein the transducer module comprises a microcontroller, the microcontroller configured to boot when the power is supplied by the behind-the-ear unit.

6. The hearing device assembly according to claim 2, wherein the behind-the-ear unit is configured to take on the communication role of a slave based on a detection of the second signal asserted by the transducer module on the single wire interface, and the transducer module is configured to be a master.

7. The hearing device assembly according to claim 2, wherein the behind-the-ear unit is configured to take on the communication role of a master based on the absence of the second signal.

8. A hearing device assembly comprising: a behind-the-ear unit; and an in-the-ear transducer module; the behind-the-ear unit and the transducer module being configured to electronically communicate via a single wire interface connecting the behind-the-ear unit and the transducer module; wherein the transducer module is configured to assert a first signal on the single wire interface during boot of the behind-the-ear unit and/or when the transducer module is hot plugged to the behind-the-ear unit; wherein the behind-the-ear unit is configured to detect the first signal asserted by the transducer module and to supply power to the transducer module following detection of the first signal; and wherein the behind-the-ear unit is configured to enter a first communication mode when taking a communication role as a slave, and after the transducer module has indicated that data transfer is not required, and wherein the behind-the-ear unit is configured to enter a second communication mode when requested to do so by the transducer module.

9. The hearing device assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first communication mode is associated with a first power level, the second communication mode is associated with a second power level, and wherein the first power level is lower than the second power level.

10. The hearing device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the transducer module comprises one or more receivers, one or more microphones, one or more sensors, or any combination of the foregoing.

11. The hearing device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the behind-the-ear unit is configured to determine whether the transducer module comprises a microcontroller or not.

12. A method performed by a hearing device assembly that includes a behind-the-ear unit and an in-the-ear transducer module, the behind-the-ear unit and the transducer module being configured to electronically communicate via an interface connecting the behind-the-ear unit and the transducer module, the method comprising: asserting a first signal via the interface by the transducer module, wherein the first signal is asserted by the transducer module during boot of the behind-the-ear unit or when the transducer module is coupled to the behind-the-ear unit; and detecting, by the behind-the-ear unit, the first signal asserted by the transducer module via the interface; wherein the method further comprises: detecting a presence or absence of a second signal from the transducer module; and assigning a role for the behind-the-ear unit after the presence or the absence of the second signal from the transducer module is detected.

13. A method performed by a hearing device assembly that includes a behind-the-ear unit and an in-the-ear transducer module, the behind-the-ear unit and the transducer module being configured to electronically communicate via a single wire interface connecting the behind-the-ear unit and the transducer module, the method comprising: asserting a first signal on the single wire interface by the transducer module, wherein the first signal is asserted by the transducer module during boot of the behind-the-ear unit or when the transducer module is hot plugged to the behind-the-ear unit; detecting, by the behind-the-ear unit, the first signal asserted by the transducer module on the single wire interface; supplying power, by the behind-the-ear unit to the transducer module following detection of the first signal; and taking on a communication role by the behind-the-ear unit based on a presence or an absence of a second signal asserted by the transducer module on the single wire interface.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the behind-the-ear unit takes on the communication role of a slave if the second signal is present, wherein the transducer module is a master.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the behind-the-ear unit takes on the communication role of a master if the second signal is absent.

16. The method according to claim 13, further comprising waiting a predetermined time, by the behind-the-ear unit, after supplying the power to the transducer module; wherein the second signal is determined by the behind-the-ear unit as absent if it is not detected within the predetermined time.

17. A method performed by a hearing device assembly that includes a behind-the-ear unit and an in-the-ear transducer module, the behind-the-ear unit and the transducer module being configured to electronically communicate via a single wire interface connecting the behind-the-ear unit and the transducer module, the method comprising: asserting a first signal on the single wire interface by the transducer module, wherein the first signal is asserted by the transducer module during boot of the behind-the-ear unit or when the transducer module is hot plugged to the behind-the-ear unit; detecting, by the behind-the-ear unit, the first signal asserted by the transducer module on the single wire interface; and supplying power, by the behind-the-ear unit to the transducer module following detection of the first signal; wherein the behind-the-ear unit has taken on the communication role as a slave, and wherein the method further comprises: entering a first communication mode by the behind-the-ear unit when the transducer module has indicated that data transfer is not required; and entering a second communication mode by the behind-the-ear unit when requested to do so by the transducer module.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first communication mode is associated with a first power level, the second communication mode is associated with a second power level, and wherein the first power level is lower than the second power level.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein the transducer module comprises a microcontroller, the microcontroller configured to boot when power is supplied by the behind-the-ear unit.

20. The method according to claim 12, further comprising determining, by the behind-the-ear unit, whether the transducer module comprises a microcontroller or not.

21. The hearing device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the interface comprises a single wire interface that is configured to transmit the first signal and is also configured for pulse transmission to change an operation mode of the behind-the-ear unit.

22. The hearing device assembly according to claim 21, wherein the operation mode comprises a power mode of the behind-the-ear unit, and wherein the single wire interface is configured to transmit the first signal and is also configured for pulse transmission to change the power mode of the behind-the-ear unit.

23. The hearing device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the role of the behind-the-ear unit is based on whether the transducer module has a microcontroller or not.

24. The method according to claim 12, wherein the interface comprises a single wire interface that is configured to transmit the first signal and is also configured for pulse transmission to change an operation mode of the behind-the-ear unit, and wherein the method further comprises transmitting a pulse from the transducer module via the single wire interface to change the operation mode of the behind-the-ear unit.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the operation mode comprises a power mode of the behind-the-ear unit.

26. The method according to claim 12, wherein the role of the behind-the-ear unit is based on whether the transducer module has a microcontroller or not.

27. A hearing device assembly comprising: a behind-the-ear unit; and an in-the-ear transducer module; the behind-the-ear unit and the transducer module being configured to electronically communicate via an interface connecting the behind-the-ear unit and the transducer module; wherein the transducer module is configured to assert a signal via the interface during boot of the behind-the-ear unit and/or when the transducer module is coupled to the behind-the-ear unit; wherein the behind-the-ear unit is configured to detect the signal asserted by the transducer module; and wherein the role of the behind-the-ear unit is based on whether the transducer module has a microcontroller or not.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following, exemplary embodiments are described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically illustrate a hearing device assembly in accordance with exemplary embodiments,

(3) FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically illustrate another hearing device assembly in accordance with exemplary embodiments,

(4) FIG. 3 is a flow diagram in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

(5) FIG. 4 is another flow diagram in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(6) 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.

(7) FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B schematically illustrate a hearing device assembly 1 having a base unit 3 and a transducer module 5. During use, the base unit 3 is placed behind the ear of the user and it has one or more microphones 7 and an audio processing unit 9, which processes any audio signals 8 received from the one or more microphones 7 or, optionally, via a wireless or wired communication interface (not shown). Processed audio signals 10 are transmitted to a receiver 11 in the transducer module 5 so that audible sound may be generated and/or provided to the user. When the hearing device assembly 1 is in use, the transducer module 5 is located at or in the ear of the user and the audible sound generated by the receiver 11 is generated close to or in the ear canal of the user.

(8) In the hearing device assembly 1 shown in FIG. 1A the transducer module 5 has a non-volatile memory (NVM) 13, such as an EEPROM, which can communicate electronically with the base unit 3 via a single wire interface 15 connecting the base unit 3 and the transducer module 5 and/or connecting the base unit 3 directly with the NVM 13.

(9) The hearing device assembly shown in FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment, wherein the hearing device assembly 1 is a receiver-in-ear-type hearing aid. The transducer module 5 comprises a connector 21, a wire 23 and an earpiece 25. The connector 21 may be a plug connector. The connector 21 may be configured for mechanical and/or electrical connection with the base unit 3. The connector 21 may be configured for detachable connection with the base unit 3. The wire 23 may run through a wire tube. The earpiece 25 may be configured to be located at or in the ear canal of a user. The connector 21 comprises the NVM 13 and is connected by the wire 23 and optionally by the wire tube to the earpiece 25, which comprises the receiver 11.

(10) In the hearing device assembly 1 shown in FIG. 2A the transducer module 5 has a microcontroller 17, which comprises an NVM 13. Thus, the transducer module 5 in FIG. 2 is a microcontroller-based transducer module 5. The microcontroller 17 can communicate electronically with the base unit 3 via a single wire interface 15 connecting the base unit 3 and the transducer module 5 and/or connecting the base unit 3 directly with the microcontroller 17.

(11) The hearing device assembly shown in FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment, wherein the hearing device assembly 1 is a receiver-in-ear-type hearing aid. The transducer module 5 comprises a connector 21, a wire 23 and an earpiece 25. The connector 21 may be a plug connector. The connector 21 may be configured for mechanical and/or electrical connection with the base unit 3. The connector 21 may be configured for detachable connection with the base unit 3. The wire 23 may run through a wire tube. The earpiece 25 may be configured to be located at or in the ear canal of a user. The connector 21 comprises the microcontroller 17 and is connected by the wire 23 and optionally by the wire tube to the earpiece 25, which comprises the receiver 11. Any sensors 19 comprised in the hearing device assembly shown in FIG. 2A may be located in the connector 21 and/or in the earpiece 25.

(12) The following applies to any hearing device assembly shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B unless specifically noted by referring to the microcontroller or to a microcontroller-based transducer module.

(13) The base unit 3 has its own power source (not shown), which may e.g. be a battery, and the base unit 3 supplies power to the transducer module 5. If the base unit 3 is turned off or if the transducer module 5 has been disconnected from the base unit 3, the supply of power from the base unit 3 to the transducer module 5 is turned off.

(14) If either the base unit 3 boots following it being turned on, for instance by the flip of a switch or other common means, or if a transducer module 5 is hot plugged to an already booted base unit 3, the transducer module 5 asserts a signal on the single wire interface 15. This signal is detected by the base unit 3, which responds to the detection of the signal by supplying power to the transducer module 5. Thus, by asserting a signal on the single wire interface 15, the transducer module 5 signals to the base unit 3 that it is connected.

(15) For example, while power to the transducer module 5 is turned off, because the base unit 3 is either turned off or because the transducer module 5 is disconnected, the base unit 3 can provide a permanent weak pull-up of the single wire signal. The transducer module 5, however, provides a strong pull-up of the single wire signal, but because power to the transducer module 5 is turned off this will work as a strong pull-down, which will drive the single wire signal low. The base unit 3 detects the low level and concludes that a transducer module 5 must be connected and in response the base unit 3 supplies power to the transducer module 5. The supply of power from the base unit 3 to the transducer module 5 will then drive the single wire signal high.

(16) The base unit 3 is configured such that the communication role it assumes is dictated by the transducer module 5. If the transducer module 5 has a microcontroller 17, the microcontroller 17 will boot when power is supplied by the base unit 3 to the transducer module 5. The microcontroller-based transducer module 5 will assert a second signal on the single wire interface 15, for example by asserting the single wire signal low for a specific period of time. If the transducer module 5 does not comprise a microcontroller the single wire signal will remain high. The base unit 3 can then take on a communication role in response to a determination of the presence or absence of the second signal.

(17) If the second signal, e.g. the asserted low level of the single wire signal, is detected by the base unit 3 it will take on the communication role of slave and the microcontroller 17 will take on the communication role of master. If the second signal is not detected by the base unit 3 it will take on the communication role of master and in this case, the NVM 13 in the transducer module 5 will act as slave. Thus, a microcontroller-based transducer module 5 will take the communication role of master, whereas a transducer module 5, which does not have a microcontroller 17, will be relegated the communication role of slave and the base unit 3 will then act as master.

(18) The base unit 3 may be programmed to wait a predetermined time after supplying power to the transducer module 5 so as to wait for the second signal from the microcontroller 17, if present, and if the second signal has not been detected within the predetermined time, the base unit 3 will determine that a second signal is not present. The predetermined time that the base unit waits may be 5 ms or less than 5 ms or less than 4 ms or less than 3 msec. The skilled person will understand that a reasonable predetermined time within which the base unit 3 waits can be selected based on experiments and various criteria.

(19) After the communication roles have been taken on, the master will initiate, time and control exchange of data. Further, the master role may also include controlling the data transfer speed.

(20) In the case, where the base unit 3 takes on the communication role of master, it will issue a command to retrieve the information stored on the NVM 13 in the transducer module 5 such as e.g. transducer module identification data and production calibration offsets of various parameters of the transducer module 5, particularly of the receiver 11. This is advantageous in the situation, where the transducer module 5 has been exchanged for another transducer module. After receiving the stored information, the base unit 3 can make appropriate changes to the signal processing to match the altered parameters of the receiver 11. In case of a discrepancy, the base unit 3 can even choose to e.g. not send signals to the transducer module 5 or to send signals that it can be certain will result in low volume audible sound by the receiver 11 to ensure that the user is not distressed or harmed by loud sounds.

(21) When the microcontroller 17 takes on the communication role of master and the base unit 3 takes on the communication role as slave, the base unit 3 can advantageously be configured to enter a low-power communication mode when the microcontroller-based transducer module 5 indicates that data transfer is not required. It will then also be configured to power the communication mode up again when requested to do so by the microcontroller-based transducer module, for example by the transducer module 5 pulsing the single wire signal. The low-power communication mode is one in which the functionality handling the communication enters a sleep mode. Once data is ready to transfer from the microcontroller-based transducer module 5 to the base unit 3, the functionality handling communication within the base unit 3 wakes up and data can now be transferred initiated by the transducer module 5. The same mechanism can be used at regular intervals to transfer any commands from the base unit 3 to the microcontroller-based transducer module 5, for example by the transducer module 5 transferring a query to the base unit 3 that then responds with a command.

(22) The transducer module 5 may comprises a number of auxiliary units 19 such as one or more sensors 19. The one or more sensors 19 may provide one or more of a free fall detection signal, an environmental signal e.g. indicative of temperature or humidity, a capacitive switch signal e.g. indicative of whether the transducer module 5, i.e. the earpiece 25, is in an ear, a pressure signal, a heart-beat rate signal, a snore detection signal, a gyroscope sensor signal e.g. from a gyro sensor, a movement detection signal e.g. from an as acceleration sensors and/or a tactile feedback signal e.g. from a user interface sensor. It may also have more than one receiver 11 and/or one or more microphones 19. If the transducer module 5 is a microcontroller-based transducer module the one or more sensors 19 can be controlled by the microcontroller 17. The microcontroller 17 may then also be configured to process the sensor data and to forward them to the base unit 3.

(23) FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a method of assigning communication roles between a behind-the-ear base unit 3 and an in-the-ear transducer module 5 in a hearing device assembly 1 such as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, where the base unit 3 and the transducer module 5 are configured to electronically communicate via a single wire interface 15 connecting the base unit 3 and the transducer module 5.

(24) In step S10 the base unit 3 boots after being turned on, for instance by the flip of a switch or other common means, or a transducer module 5 is hot plugged to an already booted base unit 3.

(25) In step S20 the transducer module 5 asserts a signal on the single wire interface 15 connecting the base unit 3 and the transducer module 5.

(26) In step S30 the base unit 3 detects the signal asserted by the transducer module 5 and responds to the detection of the signal by supplying power to the transducer module 5.

(27) In step S40 the base unit 3 takes on a communication role in response to the signal asserted by the transducer module 5. Thus, the communication role is dictated by the transducer module 5.

(28) FIG. 4 shows another flow diagram of a method of assigning communication roles between a behind-the-ear base unit 3 and an in-the-ear transducer module 5 in a hearing device assembly 1 such as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, where the base unit 3 and the transducer module 5 are configured to electronically communicate via a single wire interface 15 connecting the base unit 3 and the transducer module 5. Steps S10-S30 are the same as described above.

(29) If the transducer module 5 comprises a microcontroller 17 it is said to be a microcontroller-based transducer module and the microcontroller 17 is configured to boot when power is supplied by the base unit 3 to the transducer module 5.

(30) In step S50 the microcontroller-based transducer module 5, if present, asserts a second signal on the single wire interface 15 and the base unit 3 determines the presence or absence of the second signal. If the base unit 3 determines that the second signal is present, the method proceeds to step S60A, whereas if the base unit 3 determines that the second signal is not present, the method proceeds to step S60B.

(31) In step S50 the determination of the presence or absence of the second signal may further entail the base unit waiting a predetermined time after supplying power to the transducer module, and the base unit determining that a second signal is not present if it is not detected within the predetermined time.

(32) In steps S60A and S60B the base unit 3 takes on a communication role in response to the determination of the presence or absence of the second signal.

(33) In step S60A the base unit 3 takes on the communication role of slave in response to detection of the second signal, and the microcontroller 17 takes on the communication role of master.

(34) In step S60B the base unit 3 takes on the communication role of master in response to not detecting the second signal.

(35) Thus, a microcontroller-based transducer module 5, or rather the microcontroller 17 in the microcontroller-based transducer module 5, will take the communication role of master, whereas a transducer module 5, which does not have a microcontroller 17, will be relegated the communication role of slave and the base unit 3 will then act as master.

(36) In step S70, where the base unit 3 has taken on the communication role as slave, the base unit 3 enters a low-power communication mode when the microcontroller-based transducer module 5 has indicated that data transfer is not required, and the base unit 3 powers the communication mode up again when requested to do so by the microcontroller-based transducer module 5.

LIST OF REFERENCES

(37) 1 Hearing device assembly 3 Base unit 5 Transducer module/microcontroller-based transducer module 7 Microphone 8 Audio signals 9 Audio processing unit 10 Processed audio signals 11 Receiver 13 Non-volatile memory (NVM) 15 Single wire interface 17 Microcontroller 19 Auxiliary unit/sensor/microphone 21 Connector 23 Wire 25 Earpiece