HEARING SYSTEM COMPRISING A HEARING AID AND A PROCESSING DEVICE

Abstract

A hearing aid comprises an input transducer configured to convert sound around a user to at least one electrical input signal representing the sound; an output transducer for providing an audible signal based on the at least one electrical input signal; transceiver circuitry configured to establish a wireless audio communication link with a secondary device; and a processor configured to operate the hearing aid in a system mode or a device mode. The hearing aid is configured to initiate establishment of the wireless audio communication link in dependence of a mode control signal. A non-wearable device comprising transceiver circuitry configured for establishing a wireless audio communication link with a hearing aid comprises a processor configured to receive and process at least one electrical input signal from a hearing aid to at least partially compensate for hearing impairment of a user; a power supply interface. The non-wearable device is integrated with another device having a specific other function.

Claims

1. A hearing aid comprising: an input transducer configured to convert sound around the user to at least one electrical input signal representing the sound; an output transducer for providing an audible signal based on the at least one electrical input signal; transceiver circuitry configured to establish a wireless audio communication link with a secondary device; and a processor configured to operate the hearing aid in a system mode or a device mode; wherein the processor is configured to receive a mode control signal for controlling whether the hearing aid is in the system mode or in the device mode; and wherein the hearing aid is configured to initiate establishment of the wireless audio communication link in dependence of the mode control signal.

2. The hearing aid of claim 1, wherein the secondary device is a non-wearable device.

3. The hearing aid of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to change one or more settings of the hearing aid based on whether the hearing aid is in the system mode or in the device mode.

4. The hearing aid of claim 1, wherein the wireless audio communication link has a latency that is below 8 ms.

5. The hearing aid of claim 1, wherein when the hearing aid is in the device mode, the hearing aid is configured to process the at least one electrical input signal, and wherein when the hearing aid is in the system mode, the hearing aid is configured to receive a processed signal from the secondary device and output the audible signal based on the processed signal.

6. The hearing aid of claim 1, wherein the hearing aid is constituted by or comprises an air-conduction type hearing aid, a bone-conduction type hearing aid, or a combination thereof.

7. A non-wearable device configured for establishing a wireless audio communication link with a hearing aid, the non-wearable device comprising: a processor configured to receive at least one electrical input signal from the hearing aid and process the at least one electrical input signal to at least partially compensate for hearing impairment of a user of the hearing aid; a power supply interface configured to provide power to the processor; and transceiver circuitry configured to establish the wireless audio communication link with the hearing aid; wherein the non-wearable device is integrated with another device having a specific other function, wherein the specific other function is at least one of: an audio interface to a television, a telephone, or other audio device; and a charging interface to the wearable device.

8. The non-wearable device of claim 7 wherein the power supply interface is configured to be electrically connected to an electricity network.

9. The non-wearable device of claim 7, wherein the non-wearable device comprises a user interface configured for operating the non-wearable device and the hearing aid.

10. The non-wearable device of claim 7, wherein the non-wearable device comprises a local energy source.

11. The non-wearable device of claim 7, wherein the specific function is the audio interface to a television, a telephone, or other audio device.

12. The non-wearable device of claim 7, wherein the specific function is the charging interface to the wearable device.

13. The non-wearable device of claim 7, wherein the wireless audio communication link has a latency that is below 8 ms.

14. A non-wearable device configured for establishing a wireless audio communication link with a hearing aid, the non-wearable device comprising: a processor configured to receive at least one electrical input signal from the hearing aid and process the at least one electrical input signal to at least partially compensate for hearing impairment of a user of the hearing aid; a power supply interface configured to provide power to the processor; and transceiver circuitry configured to establish the wireless audio communication link with the hearing aid; wherein the non-wearable device is configured to charge the hearing aid.

15. The non-wearable device of claim 14, wherein the non-wearable device comprises a user interface configured for operating the non-wearable device and the hearing aid.

16. The non-wearable device of claim 14, wherein the non-wearable device comprises a microphone configured to receive an audio signal, and wherein the non-wearable device is configured to process the at least one electrical input signal based on the audio signal.

17. The non-wearable device of claim 14, wherein the non-wearable device is configured to be electrically connected to an electricity network.

18. The non-wearable device of claim 14, wherein the non-wearable device is configured to store the hearing aid.

19. The non-wearable device of claim 14, wherein the wireless audio communication link has a latency that is below 8 ms.

20. The non-wearable device of claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to receive a mode control signal for controlling whether the hearing aid is in a system mode or in a device mode of operation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0102] The aspects of the disclosure may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they just show details to improve the understanding of the claims, while other details are left out. Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts. The individual features of each aspect may each be combined with any or all features of the other aspects. These and other aspects, features and/or technical effect will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the illustrations described hereinafter in which:

[0103] FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a hearing aid system according to the present disclosure in a ‘system mode’ of operation;

[0104] FIG. 1B shows an embodiment of a hearing aid system according to the present disclosure in a first ‘device mode’ of operation (a); and

[0105] FIG. 1C shows an embodiment of a hearing aid system according to the present disclosure in a second ‘device mode’ of operation (b),

[0106] FIG. 2A shows a first use case of a hearing aid system according to the present disclosure, where the non-wearable device comprises an audio interface to a TV; and

[0107] FIG. 2B illustrates a second use case a hearing aid system according to the present disclosure, where the non-wearable (but portable) device comprises a charging station,

[0108] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a hearing aid system according to the present disclosure in a system mode of operation,

[0109] FIG. 4A shows a user wearing a binaural hearing aid system and an auxiliary device, the auxiliary device being configured to implement a user interface for the hearing aid system as an APP,

[0110] FIG. 4B illustrates the auxiliary device running an APP for configuring the hearing aid system in relation to various processing modes of operation,

[0111] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a wearable device (hearing aid) according to the present disclosure,

[0112] The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they just show details which are essential to the understanding of the disclosure, while other details are left out. Throughout, the same reference signs are used for identical or corresponding parts.

[0113] Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only. Other embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0114] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. Several aspects of the apparatus and methods are described by various blocks, functional units, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). Depending upon particular application, design constraints or other reasons, these elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer program, or any combination thereof.

[0115] The electronic hardware may include micro-electronic-mechanical systems (MEMS), integrated circuits (e.g. application specific), microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, printed circuit boards (PCB) (e.g. flexible PCBs), and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure, e.g. sensors, e.g. for sensing and/or registering physical properties of the environment, the device, the user, etc. Computer program shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0116] The present application relates to the field of hearing aids. A hearing aid has limited computing resources due to its small size. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Deep Learning (Deep Neural Networks (DNN)) and networking may enhance hearing but cannot be realized in state-of-the-art hearing aids. Heat dissipation, physical space and battery life all constrain hearing aid functionality.

[0117] Due to improved data transmission technology, it is now possible to (realistically) move the audio processing from the hearing aid to an external processor. The hearing aid can stream its microphone signal(s) to the external processor and receive an audio signal ready for presentation to the user via the hearing aid receiver (e.g. a loudspeaker).

[0118] By combining a hearing aid with an external processing unit, computing resources are no longer limiting for advanced processing functionality (e.g. using AI, DNN for speech recognition, etc.).

[0119] A hearing system according to the present disclosure may comprise some of the following elements: [0120] An external processing device (also termed the non-wearable device in the present disclosure), e.g. connected to a mains power supply (e.g. 110V/220V/240 V AC at 50 Hz or 60 Hz). [0121] Super-low latency audio streaming between an ear-worn part of a hearing aid (also termed the ‘wearable device’ in the present disclosure) and the external processing device (termed the ‘non-wearable device’ in the present disclosure) and other devices. [0122] The external processing device may comprise a data network interface allowing connection to the internet, e.g. for software updates and AI/DNN updates. [0123] The external processing device may work as an external sound processor with vast computing resources (compared to the hearing aid) and support for AI-technology, e.g. deep learning. [0124] The external processing device may provide interfacing to external microphones, e.g.

[0125] placed around a house (e.g. the user's house or typical office surroundings, etc.) to provide extra speech understanding, sound localization, etc. [0126] The external processing device may comprise an audio interface for the hearing aid to an audio delivery device, e.g. a TV. [0127] The external processing device may comprise interfaces to TV-Video and subtitles to capture meta-data for sound enhancements. [0128] The external processing device may comprise interfaces to external video cameras for sound enhancements. [0129] The external processing device may comprise an interface to charging of hearing aid batteries. [0130] The external processing device may comprise multiple internal microphones (e.g. a microphone array). The external device may stream the audio from the internal microphones to the hearing devices (or combined with electric input signals received from the wearable device) for improved signal quality (e.g. signal to noise ratio (SNR), e.g. using beamforming). The microphones may be automatically activated based on information from the hearing aid or be activated by the user (e.g. via a user interface).

[0131] The non-wearable device may be a multi-function product. The non-wearable device may comprise an accessory device to a hearing aid. The non-wearable device may comprise or consist of a charging station (e.g. a contact charger or a wireless charger) for the hearing aid (e.g. ‘the wearable device’). The wireless charger may provide enhanced processing capabilities, that can augment the existing hearing system when “connected”. Specifically, the charging station may be enhanced with a DSP chip optimized for audio processing, and/or Neural Network applications. The charging station may further comprise a microphone (or a microphone array) and networking (e.g. WiFi) capabilities, e.g. providing access to servers on the Internet (cloud computing).

[0132] The extended capabilities may comprise: [0133] A voice interface, e.g. using a specific processor, e.g. an ARM chip, capable to solve more complex key word recognition tasks than what is possible with a normal hearing aid DSP chip. [0134] The non-wearable device may function as a WiFi hub that will connect the wearable device (e.g. the hearing aid) to the internet (or the cloud), e.g. using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or UWB (between the wearable and non-wearable devices). Thereby an even better neural network processing than when processed offline may be provided. [0135] An onboard microphone (or microphone array) in the non-wearable device may be used to provide table microphone functionality. [0136] An onboard microphone (or microphone array) in the non-wearable device may be used to provide acoustic environment classification (without the need for an APP or smart phone).

[0137] In the following (e.g. FIG. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 3), different configurations of a hearing aid system according to the present disclosure are shown, wherein [0138] WD represents a Wearable Device, e.g. a hearing aid, [0139] NWD represents a Non-Wearable Device, e.g. a TV-sound interface device, or other ‘stationary’ device, e.g. a charger. [0140] FWD represents a Further Wearable Device, e.g. a telephone or other portable processing device, e.g. a remote control device for the hearing aid system.

[0141] FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a hearing aid system according to the present disclosure in a ‘system mode of operation’. The hearing aid system may be configured to compensate for a hearing impairment of a user. The hearing aid system comprises a wearable device (WD), e.g. a hearing aid, or an earpiece of a hearing aid, adapted for being worn by the user, and a non-wearable device (NWD). The user is indicated by the solid enclosure (denoted U) around the wearable device (WD).

[0142] The wearable device (WD), e.g. a hearing aid, comprises a forward path for processing an audio signal from an input stage (IU) to an input stage (OU). The input stage (IU) comprises at least one input transducer (e.g. a microphone) for converting sound around the user to at least one electric input signal representing the sound. The input stage (OU) is configured to provide stimuli representative of a processed version of the least one electric input signal to the user, where the stimuli are perceivable by the user as sound. The wearable device (WD) comprises a local energy source (e.g. a battery, BAT) for energizing electronic components of the device.

[0143] The non-wearable device (NWD) comprises a processor (PRO) and a power supply interface (PSIF) for providing power to the processor (and to possible other electronic components of the non-wearable device). The processor (PRO) of the non-wearable device (NWD) comprises an audio processor configured to process the at least one electric input signal from the wearable device, or a signal originating therefrom, to at least partially compensate for the hearing impairment of the user and to provide a processed version of the at least one electric input signal.

[0144] The wearable device (WD) and the non-wearable device (NWD) comprise respective wireless interfaces (WLIF) comprising appropriate transceiver circuitry for establishing a wireless audio communication link (LLWL) between them. The transceiver circuitry may include an antenna as appropriate for the application in question. The wireless audio communication link (LLWL) may be a low latency wireless link, e.g. based on Bluetooth technology or ultra-wide band technology (UWB). The latency of the wireless audio communication link (LLWL), including the circuitry associated with transmission and reception of the audio signal to/from the non-wearable device, is configured to be sufficiently low to allow at least a part of the signal processing of the at least one electric input signal to be performed in the non-wearable device (NWD), while still presenting the thus processed signal to the user via the input stage (OU) of the wearable device (WD) with an acceptable delay. The hearing aid system (in the system mode of operation) is configured to provide that the latency of the signal processing path from input to output of the wearable device (WD), including wireless audio communication link (LLWL) and processing in the non-wearable device (NWD), is below 10 ms, e.g. below 8 ms. A latency below 10 ms is preferable because of possible interference between acoustically propagated sound at the eardrum and the output sound from the output unit (OU, e.g. a loudspeaker) of the wearable device (WD). A latency of more than 10 ms may result in an increasingly “roomy” sound-effect like in a church (like reverberation). Even more latency gives an “echo”/ouble sound effect. The physical distance between the user (i.e. the wearable device) and the non-wearable device is indicated as D. In the system mode of operation, the wireless audio communication link (LLWL) is configured to exhibit an acceptable quality (e.g. bit error rate) and latency. The wireless audio communication link (LLWL) may e.g. be configured to have a functional range below the distance (transmission range) D.sub.LLWL. The distance D.sub.LLWL may e.g. be larger than 5 m, e.g. less than 50 m, such as less than 20 m, e.g. less than 10 m (e.g. dependent on blocking objects between the wearable and the non-wearable devices). In the system mode of operation, D ≤D.sub.LLWL. The transmission range D.sub.LLWL may be dependent on a power setting in the transceiver circuitry, e.g. limited by power consumption of the wearable device (to keep it at an acceptable level considering the capacity of the local energy source of the wearable device, e.g. a battery, BAT). The transmission range from the non-wearable device to the wearable device may be larger than the transmission range from the wearable device to the non-wearable device (e.g. achieved by controlling a maximum transmit power in the respective devices). The maximum physical distance D between the wearable device (WD) and the non-wearable device (NWD) in the system mode of operation may thus be controlled by a setting of the maximum transmit power in the transceiver of the wearable device.

[0145] The hearing aid system may comprise a further data link (or channel) between the wearable and non-wearable devices to allow the exchange of control signals between them. The data link may be a low power link (e.g. based on Bluetooth low energy) that can be used to repeatedly check the presence of the other device, e.g. initiated by the non-wearable device. The data link may be configured to have a longer range of operation than the wireless audio communication link (LLWL). Thereby the presence of the wearable device, e.g. a hearing aid, can be determined before an audio link with acceptable quality and/or power consumption can be established between the wearable and non-wearable devices. The further data link (or channel) may form part of the wireless audio communication link (LLWL).

[0146] The power supply interface (PSIF) of the non-wearable device (NWD) is electrically connected to an electricity network (El-Net, or other stable source of sufficient power to allow the non-wearable device to provide its full functionality). The electrical connection may comprise an electric cable (E-CAB). The non-wearable device, or a device which the non-wearable device is integrated with or form part of, may comprise a connector (e.g. a plug) for electrically connecting the device to the electricity network (e.g. via a socket, e.g. as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, in a wall (Wall) of a house or apartment, e.g. in a living room or in an office of the user, U). The power supply interface (PSIF) may comprise a transformer of power from a (single phase voltage) of the electricity net (e.g. 220 Volt AC at 50 Hz) to a lower voltage. The power supply interface (PSIF) may further comprise an AC to DC converter to transform an AC voltage to a DC voltage, e.g. 12 Volt or 5 Volt or lower. The power supply interface (PSIF) may further comprise a DC to DC converter to generate DC-voltages appropriate for the various electronic components of the non-wearable device.

[0147] The non-wearable device (NWD) may e.g. comprise an interface (DIF) to a data network. The data interface (DIF) may e.g. comprise a cabled connection to the data network (D-Net), the data connection e.g. comprising a data cable (D-CAB) from the non-wearable device (NWD) and a connector (e.g. a plug-socket connector) in another device or in the wall (as illustrated in FIG. 1A, D-Net, Wall). The data interface (DIF) may e.g. comprise a wireless connection (WLDL) to the data network (denoted Internet, ‘The Cloud’ in FIG. 1A).

[0148] The wearable device (WD) may e.g. further comprise a processor (HA-PRO) configured to—at least in a device mode of operation—process the at least one electric input signal (from the input stage IU), or a signal originating therefrom, to at least partially compensate for the hearing impairment of the user and to provide a processed version thereof to the input stage (OU), e.g. via an intermediate unit, here combiner (CU), e.g. a selector or mixer. Thereby a full forward path for processing an input signal representing sound to stimuli perceivable as sound presented to the user is implemented in the wearable device (WD). Thereby, the wearable device can still function as a hearing aid, if/when the user (U) wearing the wearable device (WD) gets out of transmission range of the wireless audio communication link (LLWL) (i.e. if D >D.sub.LLWL) and thus loses connection to the non-wearable (stationary) device (NWD) comprising the (external) processor (e.g. when the user moves away from where the non-wearable device is located). This can e.g. be when the user leaves home, as described in connection with FIG. 1B, 1C below. In the system mode of operation, however, where processing of the electric input signal(s) is performed in the non-wearable device (NWD), processing in the wearable device (WD) can be dispensed with (as indicated by the dotted output from the processor (HA-PRO) to the combiner (CU)). In the system mode of operation, the combiner (CU) receives its input from the processor (PRO) of the non-wearable device (NWD) and feeds it to the output stage (OU) of the wearable device (WD), e.g. for presentation to the user (U).

[0149] FIG. 1B and 1C show embodiments of a hearing aid system according to the present disclosure in respective first (a) and second (b) device modes of operation. In a ‘device mode of operation’, the user (U) wearing the wearable device (WD) may be out of transmission range (D.sub.LLWL) of the wireless audio communication link (LLWL) (i.e. D >D.sub.LLWL) and no connection to the non-wearable device (NWD) can be (or is) established.

[0150] In the first device mode of operation (a) illustrated in FIG. 1B, the audio processing is performed in the forward path of the wearable device (WD, i.e. mainly in the hearing aid processor HA-PRO). The processed signal from the hearing aid processor is fed to the combiner and further to the output stage (OU) for presentation to the user (U), e.g. via an output transducer, e.g. a loudspeaker. This is a normal function of a ‘stand-alone hearing aid’. The non-wearable device (NWD) is schematically shown a distance D away, where D >D.sub.LLWL, as indicated by the double waved symbol≈crossing the distance arrow (the two devices being thereby ‘out of range of the link).

[0151] In the second device mode of operation (b) illustrated in FIG. 1C, the audio processing is performed in a further wearable device (FWD), e.g. a smartphone or a remote control device, or other wearable device (with increased processing power compared to the wearable device), in communication with the wearable device, e.g. a hearing aid. Again, as in FIG. 1A, 1B, the user is indicated by the solid enclosure denoted U circumventing the wearable device (WD) and (here additionally) the further wearable device (FWD). As in FIG. 1B, the non-wearable device (NWD) is schematically shown a distance D away from the wearable devices (WD, NWD), where D >D.sub.LLWL, as indicated by the double waved symbol crossing the distance arrow (and thus out of reach of the non-wearable device), so that the communication between the wearable and non-wearable device is limited or absent.

[0152] The further wearable device (FWD) comprises a processor (PRO) allowing processing of the at least one electric input signal and providing the thus processed signal. The wearable device and the further wearable device each comprises appropriate transceiver circuitry allowing the at least one electric input signal, or a signal originating therefrom, to be transmitted from the wearable device to the further wearable device and allowing the thus processed signal to be transmitted from the further wearable device to the wearable device. The transceiver circuitry may be the same that is used to communicate with the non-wearable device, e.g. based on Bluetooth or UWB technology, or similar technology providing a low power, low latency wireless link. Thereby essential processing tasks of a hearing aid (e.g. compensating for a user's hearing impairment) can be taken over by a processor of the further wearable device, when the user is away from the non-wearable device. The further wearable device (FWD) may comprise an energy source (BAT, e.g. a battery, such as a rechargeable battery) that is larger than the energy source (BAT) of the wearable device, e.g. an earpiece of a hearing aid. The further wearable device may e.g. be a smartphone, or a smart watch, or a remote control running a dedicated application (APP) related to the wearable device, e.g. a hearing aid APP. The application may be configured to update its parameters from the non-wearable device when connected to it. The APP may be configured to run a subset of the processing algorithms (or less complicated versions of the processing algorithms) of the processor of the non-wearable device (NWD). The configuration of the hearing aid system may be performed via the APP, see e.g. FIG. 4B. The further wearable device (FWD) comprises an interface (DIF) to a data network, e.g. to the internet or ‘The Cloud. The further wearable device may be configured to communicate with the non-wearable device via the data network. The further wearable device may be configured to inform the non-wearable device about its current location (e.g. via the APP, e.g. user-initiated). Thereby the non-wearable device may determine a current distance to the further wearable device (and thus to the wearable device). Based thereon, the non-wearable device may initiate the establishment of the low latency wireless link (LLWL) to the wearable device to enter the system mode of operation, where audio processing is performed in the non-wearable device (when the two devices are estimated to be within a transmission range of the low latency wireless link (LLWL). This represents a “handover” of processing from the wearable device (e.g. a hearing aid) to non-wearable device. It may happen when the non-wearable device and/or the further wearable device detects that the further wearable device (and therefore the user with the wearable device(s)) is in range to benefit from processing of the non-wearable device.

[0153] FIG. 2A shows a first use case of a hearing aid system according to the present disclosure, where the non-wearable device (NWD) comprises an audio interface (AIF), e.g. an interface to an audio or audio & video delivery device (TV), e.g. to a TV or other video device providing images accompanied by sound. FIG. 2A shows an embodiment of the hearing aid system wherein an external processor (PRO) of the non-wearable device (NWD) is connected to a TV set (TV), both located on a support structure (Support), e.g. a table or shelf (same or different). In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the non-wearable device (NWD) provides an audio interface between a TV-set and the hearing aid system, e.g. to a ‘monaural’ hearing aid (HA1) or to a pair of hearing aids (HA1, HA2) of a binaural hearing aid system. In addition to the audio interface, the non-wearable device (NWD) comprises a processing interface to the hearing aid(s) of the hearing aid system allowing an enhanced processing capability for the hearing aid system to be provided,

[0154] The non-wearable device comprises an audio interface (AIF) configured to receive an audio stream from an AV-device or system (here from the TV) and to stream the audio content from the AV-device (TV) to the wearable device, e.g. an earpiece, e.g. of a hearing aid (or hearing aids (HA1, HA2)). A low latency wireless link (LLWL) between the external processor (PRO) of the non-wearable device and the earpiece(s) exchanges data (including audio data). The electric input signals provided by input transducers (M.sub.BTE1, M.sub.BTE2) of the earpiece(s) is/are transmitted to the non-wearable device where they are continually processed in the external processor (PRO) and the resulting processed signal(s) is/are transmitted back to the earpiece(s) (HA1, HA2). The low latency wireless link (LLWL) is implemented by appropriate antenna and transceiver circuitry in the wearable and non-wearable devices (cf. antenna (ANT) and wireless interface (WLIF) comprising transceiver circuitry (and possibly including the antenna (ANT) in the non-wearable device (NWD)). The non-wearable device may—in addition to (or as an alternative to) the (cabled, E-CAB) interface to the electricity net (El-Net)—comprise a local energy source, e.g. a battery, such as a rechargeable battery (cf. combined block BAT/PSIF). The local energy source may be used in situations where no connection to the electricity net is available. The processor (PRO) may be specifically adapted to support algorithms based on supervised learning, e.g. implementing one or more (e.g. trained) neural networks. Such enhanced processing supporting so-called artificial intelligence features may be implemented as a specifically adapted kernel of the processor (e.g. a digital signal processor), or it may be implemented in a dedicated processor (e.g. a Syntiant Neural Decision Processor™). Further, such processing demanding tasks may be supported by a (wired or wireless) high speed data link (WLDL) to a data network (e.g. facilitating cloud services). Thus, tasks that have to be executed fast (to be immediately reflected in the processed audio signal presented to the user) may be taken care of in the processor of the non-wearable device, whereas other tasks (whose results may be provided with a certain delay) can be taken care of remotely on a server connected to the non-wearable device via a data-connection (‘cloud service’).

[0155] The hearing aid system may comprise one or more wearable devices, here e.g. one hearing aid (HAI), or two hearing aids (HA1, HA2) of a binaural hearing aid system. In FIG. 2A (and 2B) the second hearing aid (HA2) is indicated in dashed outline to reflect this option. The hearing aids are illustrated as a ‘receiver in the ear’ style, comprising a BTE part adapted for being located behind an ear of the user and an ITE part adapted for being located in an ear canal of the user. Other styles may be used, e.g. comprising only an ITE-part. The basic components of the hearing aids are illustrated in the first hearing aid (HAI) of FIG. 2A (and described in more detail in connection with FIG. 5). The hearing aid (here the BTE-part) comprises two input transducers (e.g. microphones (M.sub.BTE1, M.sub.BTE2), each providing an electric input signal representing sound in the environment of the hearing aid. The hearing aid (here the ITE-part) comprises an output transducer, here a loudspeaker (SPK), for presenting sound to the user's ear drum when operationally mounted on the user. The hearing aid (here the BTE-part) further comprises two wireless transceivers (WLR.sub.1, WLR.sub.2), one e.g. for implementing the low latency wireless link (LLWL) to the non-wearable device, the other e.g. for implementing a wireless link (WLDL) to another device, e.g. the other hearing aid (HA2) of a binaural hearing aid system or to a phone or other communication device, e.g. for providing a connection to a data network (e.g. 4G or 5G, etc.), and thus e.g. to the Internet and ‘Cloud services’. The hearing aid (here the BTE-part) further comprises a substrate whereon electronic components (here FE, DSP, MEM) are mounted and interconnected (mutually as well as with the input and output transducers and transceivers). In the embodiment of FIG. 2A (and FIG. 2B and FIG. 5) the substrate comprises the basic components front end interface (FE), digital signal processor (DSP) (comprising a hearing aid processor (cf. e.g. HA-PRO in FIG. 1A, 1B, 1C) and memory (MEM), which are further described in connection with FIG. 5. The hearing aid (here the BTE-part) further comprises a battery (BAT) for energizing electronic components of the hearing aid, possibly including such components located in the ITE-part.

[0156] As in the embodiments of FIG. 1A, 1B and 1C, a distance D between the wearable device(s) (HA1, HA2) and the non-wearable device (NWD) is indicated. When the distance D is smaller than a maximum range of the low latency wireless link (LLWL), the system can be in a system mode of operation, where hearing aid processing is performed in the non-wearable device as described above. When the distance D is larger than a maximum range of the low latency wireless link (LLWL) (or on demand from the user), the system can be in a device mode of operation, where hearing aid processing is performed in the wearable device, cf. FIG. 1B (or optionally in a further wearable device, e.g. smartphone or the like, cf. FIG. 1C) as described above.

[0157] Binaural processing adds a more natural “soundscape”, it avoids the “tunnel” feeling of a mono signal by making slight differences between the left and right channels. To provide this, we need e.g. to process sound from a partner microphone for left and right ear, to reflect the direction to the microphone, seen from the user's perspective (e.g. to apply head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) to the respective wirelessly received signals). Therefore, to provide such feature, we need (in the non-wearable device) to know (or determine) the current placements of both external microphones(s) and the wearable device (e.g. a hearing aid) relative to sound source.

[0158] In case of a binaural hearing aid system comprising first and second hearing aids (wearable devices) configured to be located at left and right ears of the user, the non-wearable device (NWD) is configured to receive one or more electric input signals from both earpieces (hearing aids), here e.g. from two BTE-microphones (M.sub.BTE1, M.sub.BTE2) of each of the hearing aids (HA1, HA2). In such case the processor (PRO) of the non-wearable device may be configured to process the electric signals from each of the hearing devices in two audio processing paths. In such case binaural effects may be easily utilized, e.g. binaural beamforming using microphone signals from both ears (hearing aids). Likewise, values of signal levels and/or SNR at the respective ears may be used in various processing algorithms, e.g. in a level compression algorithm, in a noise reduction algorithm, etc. In such case, the processed signals transmitted from the non-wearable device to the left and right hearing aids (HA1, HA2) may be different to reflect the different acoustic environments at the left and right ears of the user (e.g. due to the shadowing effect of the user's head and body).

[0159] FIG. 2B illustrates a hearing aid system according to the present disclosure, wherein the external processor is built-into a charging station. The charging station may be a pocket-size, portable, device comprising an interface to an electricity network, and/or to a local (e.g. rechargeable) battery for charging a battery or batteries of the wearable device(s), e.g. earpieces. The charging station may further be or comprise the, or a, storage facility for the wearable device(s), e.g. hearing instruments. The storage facility may e.g. be at the location of contacts for charging as indicated in the top, left part of the non-wearable device in FIG. 2B, where two hearing instruments (HA1, HA2) are positioned in contact with the charging interface (CHA). The charging station further comprises a microphone array (MIC, here two microphones are shown) for providing additional electric input signals representing sound in the environment. The microphone signals may be used as inputs to the wearable device (either as sensor inputs of the acoustic environment or as ordinary electric inputs (together with the microphone inputs of the wearable device), e.g. for being used in beamforming, e.g. for picking up sound from a person in the environment (used as a ‘partner’ or ‘spouse’ microphone) or a sensor of background noise, depending on the exact location of the non-wearable device relative to the user (wearer) and other sound sources in the environment of the user. The charging station (NWD) comprises (antenna and) transceiver circuitry (WLIF, ANT) for establishing a low latency wireless audio communication link (LLWL) to the wearable device(s) (HA1, HA2).

[0160] The processor (PRO) of the charging station (NWD) is configured to have a larger processing power than a processor of the wearable device. The processor (PRO) may in a system mode of operation (via the low latency wireless link) be electrically connected to the wearable device(s) (HA1, HA2) and configured to perform audio processing of electric input signals of the wearable device (possibly including or comprising or constituting electric input signal(s) originating from microphone(s) of the charging station) and to provide a resulting processed signal that is transmitted to the wearable device (via the low latency wireless link) for presentation to the user. The charging station may be located on a support (Support), e.g. a table, in an appropriate place with a view to being accessible to the wearable device when the user moves around.

[0161] In a specific ‘partner microphone mode’ of operation, the charging station has the function of a partner (or table) microphone, and is configured to transmit an electric signal picked up by the microphone array (e.g. a beamformed signal focused on a nearby sound source, e.g. a talker) to the wearable device for presentation to the user, e.g. alone, or in combination with signal(s) from the microphone(s) of the wearable device. In such mode, the charging station may be located on a support (Support), e.g. placed near one or more persons expected to provide sound of interest to the user.

[0162] In addition to the charging function, the charging station may comprise an interface to a TV for providing streaming of TV-sound to the wearable device(s), e.g. hearing aid(s). In a specific TV-mode of operation, the charging station has the function of a TV-interface, and is configured to transmit an electric signal representing (current) sound from the TV (e.g. corresponding to TV-images currently being presented by the TV) to the wearable device for presentation to the user, e.g. alone, or in combination with signal(s) from the microphone(s) of the wearable device.

[0163] The (e.g. portable) charging station comprises a local (e.g. rechargeable) battery, e.g. as an alternative to, or in addition to a connector to the electricity network (cf. unit BAT/PSIF in FIG. 2B). Thereby the charging station can provide its function (at least its function as an external processor and/or as table microphone for the wearable device) for a limited time, even in the absence of access to the electricity network. The battery of the charging station is assumed to have a significantly larger capacity than a battery of the wearable device (e.g. a hearing aid), e.g. ≥ a factor 10-100.

[0164] The non-wearable device may, in addition to charging the non-wearable device, provide a (possibly supplementary or alternative) user interface (UI) for the hearing aid system, e.g. implemented as a graphical user interface, e.g. using a touch sensitive screen, or individual activation elements or indicators. The user interface may e.g. allow a user to control functions of the charging process, as well as functionality of the processing related to the wearable device(s), e.g. control of volume, control of hearing aid programs, etc. The user interface may e.g. allow a user to control the use of the microphone(s) of the non-wearable device, e.g. either as a table microphone to be a) a partner microphone whose signal is forwarded to the wearable device(s) for presentation to the user, or b) an own voice microphone whose signal is forwarded to a remote device or system, or c) as a noise estimation microphone whose signal is be processed in a beamformer noise reduction system of the processor of the non-wearable device to contribute to the processed signal (e.g. together with microphones of the wearable device(s)) to be delivered to the wearable device(s) for presentation to the user. The user interface may e.g. allow a user to control functions of processing to take place in the wearable device during charging (e.g. when the user is asleep), e.g. to check for (and possibly download) software or firmware updates via a network server, to offload logged data from the wearable device(s), to update (customize) parameters of learning algorithms of the hearing aid system, etc.

[0165] The charging station may further comprise an interface (DIF) to a data network. The interface is configured to establish a (here wireless) connection to the data network (cf. link WLDL, e.g. WiFi) e.g. to provide access to servers on the Internet (cloud computing).

[0166] Access to the Internet is an important feature of modern wearable devices (e.g. hearing aids), e.g. to enable firmware (FW) updates of the non-wearable device and the wearable device(s). Likewise, for updates of processing parameters, or access to external ‘server farms’ for “heavy” AI processing.

[0167] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a hearing aid system according to the present disclosure in a system mode of operation. The embodiment of FIG. 3 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2A, wherein the non-wearable device comprises an audio interface (AIF) to a sound delivery device (here a TV). The embodiment of FIG. 3 further comprises a user interface implemented as an APP of a further wearable device (FWD/Phone) (e.g. a smartphone), cf. e.g. auxiliary device (AD) in FIG. 4A, 4B and the description in connection therewith. Compared to the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the non-wearable device further includes a microphone array (MIC, as described in connection with FIG. 2B). The signals from the microphone array (MIC) may, as described in FIG. 2B, be used in the processing of the electric input signals of the wearable device (WD) (for directionality or other noise reducing tasks, and/or as a partner microphone). The further wearable device (FWD/Phone) is connected to the non-wearable device (NWD) via a cabled or wireless interface (UIF).

[0168] The internal microphone array of the non-wearable device is an “easy to deploy” solution for extra microphones. These microphones can help to detect ambient noise or other speakers.

[0169] Combined with the location and sound from the hearing aid microphones, the non-wearable device has access to more sound information and can e.g. thereby exclude more noise.

[0170] FIG. 4A shows a user (U) wearing a binaural hearing aid system and an auxiliary device (AD), the auxiliary device being configured to implement a user interface (UI) for the hearing aid system as an APP. FIG. 4A shows an embodiment of a head-worn binaural hearing aid system comprising left and right wearable devices in the form of hearing aids (HA.sub.1, HA.sub.r) in communication with a portable (handheld) auxiliary device (AD) functioning as a user interface (UI) for the binaural hearing aid system. The binaural hearing aid system may comprise the auxiliary device AD (and the user interface UI). The user interface (e.g. the APP) may form part of the hearing aid system. An exemplary screen of the user interface (UI) of the auxiliary device (AD) is shown in FIG. 4B. The auxiliary device (AD) may comprise a cellular telephone, e.g. a smartphone. In the embodiment of FIG. 4A, the hearing aids and the auxiliary device are configured to establish wireless links (WL-RF) between them, e.g. in the form of digital transmission links, e.g. according to the Bluetooth standard (e.g. Bluetooth Low Energy, or equivalent technology), or to the ultra-wide band technology (UWB). The links may alternatively be implemented in any other convenient wireless and/or wired manner, and according to any appropriate modulation type or transmission standard, possibly different for different audio sources. The hearing aids (HA.sub.1, HA.sub.r) are shown in FIG. 4A as devices mounted at the ear (behind the ear) of a user (U), cf. also FIG. 5. Other styles may be used, e.g. located completely in the ear (e.g. in the ear canal), fully or partly implanted in the head, etc. As indicated in FIG. 4A, each of the hearing instruments may comprise a wireless transceiver to establish an interaural wireless link (IA-WL) between the hearing aids, e.g. based on inductive communication or RF communication (e.g. Bluetooth technology). Each of the hearing aids further comprises a transceiver for establishing a wireless link (WL-RF, e.g. based on radiated fields (RF)) to the auxiliary device (AD), at least for receiving and/or transmitting signals, including audio signals (ASr, ASO and possibly control signals or information signals. The transceivers are indicated by RF-IA-Rx/Tx-r and RF-IA-Rx/Tx-1 in the right (HA.sub.r) and left (HA.sub.1) hearing aids, respectively.

[0171] FIG. 4B illustrates the auxiliary device (AD) running an APP for configuring the hearing aid system in relation to various processing modes of operation. The user interface (UI) comprises a display (e.g. a touch sensitive display) displaying guidance to the user to select an appropriate mode of operation of the hearing aid system (in particular related to the audio processing of the input (sound) signal(s) of the hearing aid(s)). The user interface is implemented as an APP on the auxiliary device (e.g. a smartphone). The APP is denoted ‘Hearing aid system Configuration control’. Via the display of the user interface (upper box on the screen, denoted ‘Select mode:’), the user U is instructed to select a processing mode of operation, either the ‘system mode’, the ‘device (a) mode’ or the ‘device (b) mode’ (denoted ‘System (incl. TV-box)’, ‘Device (stand-alone)’ and ‘Device (incl. Phone)’ in FIG. 4B). The mode is selected by pressing the ‘button’ in question, which when selected is indicated by a solid square in front of the mode in question (here the ‘System (incl. TV-box)’ mode is selected as also indicated by boldface, italic letters. The non-selected modes are indicated by an open square in front of the mode in question. Further system features (relevant for the chosen mode of operation) are listed in the lower box denoted ‘System mode features:’. The further features in the system mode of operation (where the wearable device (here the left and right hearing aids) is in communication with the non-wearable device (here a TV-box comprising an audio interface to a TV, see e.g. FIG. 3)) are individually selectable (as indicated by the square ‘tick-boxes’ in front of each further feature), here exemplified by the features: ‘Use external microphone’, ‘Use directional information’, ‘Check for SW updates’. Here, the feature ‘Use directional information’ has been selected by the user (indicating that directional information provided by the non-wearable device (here the TV-Box) is utilized in the processing of the electric input signal(s) captured by the wearable device(s), e.g. in that microphone signals of the TV-Box (cf. MIC in FIG. 3) are included as inputs to a beamformer, e.g. to focus on a particular speaker in the environment, e.g. a communication partner. Even further features may be available by pressing the grey shaded button ‘Further features’. In addition to the beamformer, frequency filtering can also be used, e.g. to filter away low- or high-frequency non-voice noise.

[0172] The APP may e.g. be used to localize a smartphone of a person (name, etc.) in the environment of the user (e.g. family or friends or other persons having installed the APP on their smartphones). The APP may be configured to send identification and voice characteristics (e.g. voice samples) of the given person to the non-wearable device. This can e.g. be used to apply frequency shaping to the voice of said person or to train a neural network to improve speech intelligibility of said person's voice for the user of the hearing aid system. Such processing of the voice date of a given person or persons (to determine settings of a filter (or optimized weights of a neural network) to provide improved speech intelligibility for the user) may e.g. be carried out in the non-wearable device during selected time periods. Such selected time periods may e.g. include a nightly processing session, e.g. where the hearing aid system, e.g. earpieces are being charged in a non-wearable device comprising a charging station (providing processing power to the hearing aid system).

[0173] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a wearable device (hearing aid) according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 shows a hearing aid (HA) of the receiver in the ear type according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 shows a BTE/RITE style hearing aid (BTE=‘Behind-The-Ear’; RITE=Receiver-In-The-Ear’) comprising a BTE-part (BTE) adapted for being located at or behind an ear of a user, and an ITE-part (ITE) adapted for being located in or at an ear canal of the user's ear and comprising a receiver (=loudspeaker, SPK). The BTE-part and the ITE-part are connected (e.g. electrically connected) by a connecting element (IC) and internal wiring in the ITE- and BTE-parts (cf. e.g. wiring Wx in the BTE-part). The connecting element may alternatively be fully or partially constituted by a wireless link between the BTE- and ITE-parts. Other styles, e.g. where the ITE-part comprises or is constituted by a custom mould adapted to a user's ear and/or ear canal, may of course be used.

[0174] In the embodiment of a hearing aid in FIG. 5, the BTE part comprises an input stage comprising two input transducers (e.g. microphones) (MBTE.sub.1, MBTE.sub.2), each for providing an electric input audio signal representative of an input sound signal (SBTE) (originating from a sound field S around the hearing aid). The input stage further comprises two wireless receivers (WLR.sub.1, WLR.sub.2) (or transceivers) for providing respective directly received auxiliary audio and/or control input signals (and/or allowing transmission of audio and/or control signals to other devices, e.g. a remote control or processing device (e.g. the non-wearable device NWD of FIG. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 3), or a telephone (e.g. the further wearable device of FIG. 1C, or the auxiliary device of FIG. 4A, 4B), or another hearing aid (see e.g. FIG. 4A). The hearing aid (HA) comprises a substrate (SUB) whereon a number of electronic components are mounted, including a memory (MEM), e.g. storing different hearing aid programs, e.g. including programs for different modes of operation according the present disclosure (e.g. including user specific data, e.g. related to an audiogram, or parameter settings derived therefrom, e.g. defining such (user specific) programs, or other parameters of algorithms, e.g. beamformer filter weights, and/or fading parameters) and/or hearing aid configurations, e.g. input source combinations (MBTE.sub.1, MBTE.sub.2 (M.sub.ITE), WLR.sub.1, WLR.sub.2), e.g. optimized for a number of different listening situations or modes of operation (see e.g. FIG. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B, 3). The substrate (SUB) further comprises a configurable signal processor (DSP, e.g. a digital signal processor), e.g. including a processor for applying a frequency and level dependent gain, e.g. providing beamforming, noise reduction, filter bank functionality, and other digital functionality of a hearing aid, e.g. implementing features according to the present disclosure. The configurable signal processor (DSP) is adapted to access the memory (MEM) e.g. for selecting appropriate parameters for a current configuration or mode of operation and/or listening situation and/or for writing data to the memory (e.g. algorithm parameters, e.g. for logging user behavior). The configurable signal processor (DSP) is further configured to process one or more of the electric input audio signals and/or one or more of the directly received auxiliary audio input signals, based on a currently selected (activated) mode of operation (and corresponding hearing aid program/parameter settings). The mode of operation may e.g. be either automatically selected, e.g. based on one or more sensors, or wireless link quality parameters, selected based on inputs from a user interface (see e.g. FIG. 4A, 4B). The mentioned functional units (as well as other components) may be partitioned in circuits and components according to the application in question (e.g. with a view to size, power consumption, analogue vs. digital processing, acceptable latency, etc.), e.g. integrated in one or more integrated circuits, or as a combination of one or more integrated circuits and one or more separate electronic components (e.g. inductor, capacitor, etc.). The configurable signal processor (DSP) provides a processed audio signal, which is intended to be presented to a user. The substrate further comprises a front-end IC (FE) for interfacing the configurable signal processor (DSP) to the input and output transducers, etc., and typically comprising interfaces between analogue and digital signals (e.g. interfaces to microphones and/or loudspeaker(s), and possibly to sensors/detectors). The input and output transducers may be individual separate components, or integrated (e.g. MEMS-based) with other electronic circuitry.

[0175] The hearing aid (HA) further comprises an output stage (e.g. an output transducer) providing stimuli perceivable by the user as sound based on a processed audio signal from the processor or a signal derived therefrom. In the embodiment of a hearing aid in FIG. 5, the ITE part comprises (at least a part of) the output stage in the form of a loudspeaker (also termed a ‘receiver’) (SPK) for converting an electric signal to an acoustic (air borne) signal, which (when the hearing aid is mounted at an ear of the user) is directed towards the ear drum (Ear drum), where sound signal (SED) is provided. The ITE-part further comprises a guiding element, e.g. a dome, (DO) for guiding and positioning the ITE-part in the ear canal (Ear canal) of the user. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the ITE-part further comprises a further input transducer, e.g. a microphone (MITE), for providing an electric input audio signal representative of an input sound signal (SITE) at the ear canal. Propagation of sound (SITE) from the environment to a residual volume at the ear drum via direct acoustic paths through the semi-open dome (DO) are indicated in FIG. 5 by dashed arrows (denoted Direct path). The directly propagated sound (indicated by sound fields &fir) is mixed with sound from the hearing aid (HA) (indicated by sound field SHI) to a resulting sound field (SED) at the ear drum. The ITE-part may comprise a (possibly custom made) mould for providing a relatively tight fitting to the user's ear canal. The mould may comprise a ventilation channel to provide a (controlled) leakage of sound from the residual volume between the mould and the ear drum (to manage the occlusion effect).

[0176] The electric input signals (from input transducers MBTE.sub.1, MBTE.sub.2, M.sub.ITE) may be processed in the time domain or in the (time-) frequency domain (or partly in the time domain and partly in the frequency domain as considered advantageous for the application in question).

[0177] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the connecting element (IC) comprises electric conductors for connecting electric components of the BTE and ITE-parts. The connecting element (IC) may comprise an electric connector (CON) to attach the cable (IC) to a matching connector in the BTE-part. In another embodiment, the connecting element (IC) is an acoustic tube and the loudspeaker (SPK) is located in the BTE-part. In a still further embodiment, the hearing aid comprises no BTE-part, but the whole hearing aid is housed in the ear mould (ITE-part).

[0178] The embodiment of a hearing aid (HA) exemplified in FIG. 5 is a portable (wearable) device comprising a battery (BAT), e.g. a rechargeable battery, e.g. based on Li-Ion battery technology, e.g. for energizing electronic components of the BTE- and possibly ITE-parts. In an embodiment, the hearing aid is adapted to provide a frequency dependent gain and/or a level dependent compression and/or a transposition (with or without frequency compression of one or more frequency ranges to one or more other frequency ranges), e.g. to compensate for a hearing impairment of a user. The BTE-part may e.g. comprise a connector (e.g. a DAI or USB connector) for connecting a ‘shoe’ with added functionality (e.g. an FM-shoe or an extra battery, etc.), or a programming device, or a charger, etc., to the hearing aid (HA). Alternatively, or additionally, the hearing aid may comprise a wireless interface for programming and/or charging the hearing aid.

[0179] An exemplary application scenario of the present disclosure may comprise two hearing aids of a binaural hearing aid system (wearable devices) and a non-wearable device (e.g. a TV-interface device or a charging station for the hearing aids) comprising an internal microphone array and a connection to a TV and/or a charging interface, e.g. located in a room in the user's home. The user wearing the binaural hearing aid system may further possess a smartphone (further wearable device), Further, external, e.g. wall-mounted, microphones in communication with the non-wearable device, may be installed in the room. Camera(s) and

[0180] PIR-sensors in communication with the non-wearable device, and one or more partner microphone(s) worn by possible other person's in the room may be connectable to the hearing aid(s), e.g. via the non-wearable device,.

[0181] It is intended that the structural features of the devices described above, either in the detailed description and/or in the claims, may be combined with each other.

[0182] As used, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well (i.e. to have the meaning “at least one”), unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, but an intervening element may also be present, unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The steps of any disclosed method are not limited to the exact order stated herein, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0183] It should be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “an aspect” or features included as “may” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined as suitable in one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

[0184] The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more.

REFERENCES

[0185] U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,783 (James Anderson) 24.02.1998