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EP1511357B1 - Hearing instrument with individually configurable hardware interface - Google Patents

Hearing instrument with individually configurable hardware interface Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1511357B1
EP1511357B1 EP04019750.1A EP04019750A EP1511357B1 EP 1511357 B1 EP1511357 B1 EP 1511357B1 EP 04019750 A EP04019750 A EP 04019750A EP 1511357 B1 EP1511357 B1 EP 1511357B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hearing device
hearing aid
facility
interface
hearing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP04019750.1A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1511357A3 (en
EP1511357A2 (en
Inventor
Stefan Aschoff
Jörg Bindner
Matthias Lechner
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Sivantos GmbH
Original Assignee
Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1511357A2 publication Critical patent/EP1511357A2/en
Publication of EP1511357A3 publication Critical patent/EP1511357A3/en
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Publication of EP1511357B1 publication Critical patent/EP1511357B1/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/556—External connectors, e.g. plugs or modules
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/35—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using translation techniques
    • H04R25/356—Amplitude, e.g. amplitude shift or compression
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/50—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics
    • H04R25/505—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics using digital signal processing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/558—Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a hearing device with a memory device for storing adjustment data of the hearing device and an interface device for data communication with the memory device. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for adapting such a hearing aid.
  • Hearing aids are being developed by implementing new signal processing knowledge in circuits housed on an integrated circuit (IC) in the hearing aid.
  • IC integrated circuit
  • the time span between the development of a circuit and its successor generation is generally a few years.
  • several hearing aid families and generations are constantly on the market.
  • High-end hearing aid platforms are developed by implementing all the capabilities of state-of-the-art signal processing on an IC.
  • the IC is provided with an interface which provides access to the signal processing units housed on the IC, i. H. a read and also a setting of the same, allow.
  • the interface is designed so that contiguous cut-outs are handled as a hearing aid device, which already reproduce the above-mentioned concepts of signal processing.
  • these hearing aid actuators are not only present in large numbers according to their number, but also every single one of the hearing aid actuators has a widely designed, extensive adjustment range.
  • a universal software container is created which is not only able to map all hearing aid actuators to their full extent, but which can also be configured in such a way that it follows the configuration only makes use of a limited selection of hearing aid users and, where appropriate, only a limited adjustment range under these.
  • This configuration process therefore specializes in providing a universal platform for a specific hearing aid on which the software performs all actions initiated by the end user.
  • the software described is built up in layers, so that in a first layer, the reduction of the platform's own Hearing aid whilrraums on the device's own hearing aid user space is made.
  • the device's own controller space is made available on an interface of another software layer.
  • a second software layer houses an interpreter that processes sequences of program instructions by modifying the current position of the hearing aid in accordance with these program instructions. For this purpose, explicit reference is made to the document ( EP 109 16 20 A1 ) of the Applicant.
  • the second software layer is superordinate to a third software layer, which displays a user interface for the end user and accepts input commands from the user. Such an input command can, for example, cause a loading of a program command sequence, which is executed in the second layer by the interpreter.
  • a concrete example of this would be the dialogue unit implemented in an adaptation software, which lists as menu selection a number of typical hearing situations and their corresponding, frequently named hearing problems. Each of the selection points causes the interpreter to execute a program instruction sequence that adjusts the hearing aid according to the named problem in order to achieve an improvement in the hearing sensation.
  • Such a method is in the document US 6,574,340 B1 described.
  • each hearing aid has its own communication protocol. Furthermore, each hearing aid has its own, individual register model. Approaches to standardizing communication protocols and register models are not yet known. Only freely programmable hearing aids would offer such an approach at the expense of a very high area and power consumption with high complexity. Also in the already mentioned document US 6,574,340 B1 Only external software is presented that provides a generalized interface in the form of macros and converts them into IC-specific register modifications and communication signals.
  • the hearing aid has a memory which can be programmed via an interface of a control logic.
  • the control logic can be manually operated by a magnetic switch.
  • the control logic itself is externally programmable to change its functionality.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to be able to use a command set for hearing aids that is unified across hearing aid families and generations, whereby a requirement for small and specialized software modules for hearing aid control, for example by means of a smartphone, can be created.
  • a hearing device having a first memory device for storing setting data of the hearing device and an interface device for data communication of an external device with the first memory device, wherein the interface device is implemented in the hearing device as hardware and the interface device is individually configurable.
  • the interface device has a masking unit with which a predetermined part of the data transferable via the interface device can be masked.
  • a method of adjusting such a hearing aid by providing the hearing aid, providing a universal instruction set, interpreting a universal instruction set instruction, masking the interpreted instruction according to the type of hearing aid, and accessing the first storage means according to the masked interpreted instruction.
  • the interface device provided in the hearing device according to the invention can have an allocation unit with which data packets can be assigned semantically to or from the first memory device.
  • access to the register or the first memory device by means of hardware by a uniform registry language .
  • a computing device which is connected to the interface device can be integrated for executing program instructions.
  • the program commands to be performed for adaptation can be executed directly in the hearing aid, and it can be dispensed with an external PC for this purpose.
  • a second memory device for storing program commands integrated into the hearing aid.
  • macro commands can be stored in a domain-specific language.
  • the computing device should then have interpreter functionality.
  • a hearing aid instruction set is provided, to whose central component is an adjustment of signal processing manipulated variables, such as gain, compression concept, knee point, compression ratio, etc., belongs.
  • this hearing aid instruction set is designed for expandability from the beginning, so that signal processing manipulated variables that are only defined in the future can be replaced by a simple supplement to the vocabulary, but usually without Neudefi or Extension of the syntax in which the instruction set can be included.
  • the signal processing variables can be assigned to the operators of a hearing device. This assignability is guaranteed across all software layers.
  • hearing aid actuators that assume the same function as in the precursor generation are currently being addressed differently.
  • the format of such a hearing device is other than that of its predecessor generation. For example, a larger number of bits is used in the corresponding hardware register.
  • the invention therefore further provides for defining a uniform but expandable system of addresses and formats for hearing aid users and for implementing this on the IC. This system could then be maintained from a first hearing aid generation for each subsequent generation.
  • the invention provides that now also the interpreter is implemented in such a way that, triggered by corresponding program instructions, it modifies or reads out the hearing device actuators in this unified system.
  • the invention provides for the interpreter implemented on the IC to be provided with an outbound interface through which hearing aid programs or individual hearing aid program instructions may be provided, there is a domain specific interface (ie, language associated with terminology of FIG Application area) programming instruction set.
  • This interface makes the development of smaller, possibly multi-platform, intergenerational and possibly multi-vendor software modules economically interesting.
  • a register 1 in which the adjustment values of the various hearing aid actuators are stored is manipulated by means of a user interface 2 installed on a PC.
  • a user interface 2 installed on a PC.
  • each bit stands for a configuration of a signal processing module.
  • the register 1 is arranged on the IC of the hearing aid.
  • a conventional HIPRO interface 3 for hearing aids ensures the access of an external Software, controlled by the user interface 2, on the register 1. All components between the HIPRO interface 3 and the user interface 2 are executed according to the prior art as PC software.
  • a large part of the data processing components between the register 1 and the user interface 2 is executed as hardware.
  • only one abstraction unit 4, which is connected downstream of the user interface 2 is implemented as software.
  • This abstraction unit then communicates directly with a HIPRO interface 3 'or optionally with a wireless interface.
  • This interface 3 'establishes a connection to a computing unit 5 and an associated memory unit 6, both of which are installed on the hearing aid IC.
  • program instructions or macros from the memory unit 6 are processed. These macros or commands are formulated in a domain-specific language for manipulating a hearing aid control or global access control. The desired commands are triggered by the abstraction unit 4.
  • the hearing device-specific commands are assigned to the standardized instruction set.
  • the command for setting the gain in a certain frequency band for a high-end device with many setting possibilities consists of five data units (see FIG.
  • the same command may exist for a low-end hearing aid of fewer data units 7, since this device has fewer settings.
  • the unused data units 8 are therefore masked when read from the register 1 by a masking unit 9. Therefore, the unused data units 8 in accessing the register 1 to use the standardized command syntax at the low-end device in the reversal of the masking process again be supplemented.
  • the standardized instruction 10 thus obtained is assigned semantically to the register units in an allocation unit 11.
  • the arithmetic unit 5 and the memory unit 6 are arranged on the hearing aid IC, it is possible to accomplish complex optimization tasks with the hearing aid itself without the aid of an external PC. For example, if a hearing aid wearer perceives dishwashing or newspaper rustling through his hearing aid as too loud, the group of reinforcements relevant to these situations can be reduced with the hearing aid itself.
  • the HIPRO interface or wireless interface 3 is then arranged immediately after the masking unit 9.
  • this instruction set is uniformly standardized across hearing aid families and generations, the complexity of the fitting software is significantly reduced. This creates a requirement to provide small and specialized software modules for hearing aid control (for example, smart assistant on smartphone).
  • the hearing aid combines the advantages of a freely programmable device with those of a power-saving and area-saving device. With the possible enforcement even the customer request for uniform software can be fulfilled. In addition, research is facilitated.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Stored Programmes (AREA)
  • Communication Control (AREA)

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Hörgerät mit einer Speichereinrichtung zum Speichern von Einstelldaten des Hörgeräts und einer Schnittstelleneinrichtung zur Datenkommunikation mit der Speichereinrichtung. Darüber hinaus betrifft die vorliegende Erfindung ein Verfahren zum Anpassen eines derartigen Hörgeräts.The present invention relates to a hearing device with a memory device for storing adjustment data of the hearing device and an interface device for data communication with the memory device. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for adapting such a hearing aid.

Hörgeräte werden weiterentwickelt, indem neue Erkenntnisse in der Signalverarbeitung in Schaltungen implementiert werden, die auf einer integrierten Schaltung (IC) im Hörgerät untergebracht sind. Die Zeitspanne zwischen der Entwicklung einer Schaltung und ihrer Nachfolgegeneration beträgt im Allgemeinen wenige Jahre. Folglich befinden sich ständig mehrere Hörgerätefamilien und -generationen auf dem Markt.Hearing aids are being developed by implementing new signal processing knowledge in circuits housed on an integrated circuit (IC) in the hearing aid. The time span between the development of a circuit and its successor generation is generally a few years. As a result, several hearing aid families and generations are constantly on the market.

Zur patientenspezifischen Anpassung von Hörgeräten nimmt ein Fachmann (Akustiker) Einstellungen am Hörgerät vor, indem er Signalverarbeitungskonzepte versteht und anwendet. Er denkt dabei in den durch die Signalverarbeitungslehre geprägten Begrifflichkeiten wie z. B. Verstärkung, Kompressionskonzept, Kniepunkt, Kompressionsverhältnis usw. Es zeigt sich, dass diese Signalverarbeitungsbegriffe langlebiger sind als die Zeitspanne zwischen der Entwicklung aufeinander folgender Hörgerätegenerationen. Beispielsweise werden Hörgerätesteller, die solche Signalverarbeitungsbegriffe abbilden, in mehreren aufeinander folgenden Hörgerätegenerationen implementiert.For the patient-specific adaptation of hearing aids, a specialist (acoustician) makes settings on the hearing aid by understanding and applying signal processing concepts. He thinks in terms of the signal processing theory coined terminology such. Amplification, compression concept, knee point, compression ratio, etc. It will be seen that these signal processing terms are more durable than the time between the development of successive hearing aid generations. For example, hearing aid actuators that map such signal processing terms are implemented in several consecutive generations of hearing aids.

Ferner führt eine Weiterentwicklung der Signalverarbeitungstechnik erfahrungsgemäß dazu, dass neue Begriffe geprägt werden (z. B. voice activity detection VAD oder fast attack noise cancellation FANCY), die zuerst als Neuentwicklung in einer Hörgerätegeneration implementiert werden, sich etablieren und in gleicher Form ebenfalls in den Nachfolgegenerationen implementiert werden. Zudem zeigt sich, dass viele Signalverarbeitungsbegriffe branchenweit etabliert sind und damit von einem größeren Umfeld gebraucht werden, als es dem Kundenkreis eines einzelnen Hörgeräteherstellers entspricht.Furthermore, a further development of signal processing technology has led, according to experience, to the emergence of new terms (eg voice activity detection VAD or fast attack noise cancellation FANCY), which were first developed as a new development in one Hearing Aid Generation are implemented, established and implemented in the same form also in the successor generations. It also shows that many signal processing terms are established in the industry and are therefore needed by a larger environment than the customer base of a single hearing aid manufacturer.

High-End-Hörgeräteplattformen werden entwickelt, indem auf einem IC alle Möglichkeiten der im Allgemeinen dem neuesten Stand der Forschung entsprechenden Signalverarbeitung implementiert werden. Der IC ist mit einer Schnittstelle versehen, die den Zugriff auf die auf dem IC untergebrachten Signalverarbeitungseinheiten, d. h. ein Auslesen und auch ein Einstellen derselben, ermöglichen. Die Schnittstelle ist so konzipiert, dass zusammenhängende Ausschnitte als Hörgerätesteller gehandhabt werden, die bereits obengenannte Begrifflichkeiten der Signalverarbeitung abbilden.High-end hearing aid platforms are developed by implementing all the capabilities of state-of-the-art signal processing on an IC. The IC is provided with an interface which provides access to the signal processing units housed on the IC, i. H. a read and also a setting of the same, allow. The interface is designed so that contiguous cut-outs are handled as a hearing aid device, which already reproduce the above-mentioned concepts of signal processing.

Entsprechend dem Konzept einer universellen Hörgeräteplattform sind diese Hörgerätesteller nicht nur nach ihrer Anzahl im großen Umfang vorhanden, auch jeder einzelne der Hörgerätesteller hat einen weit ausgelegten, umfangreichen Stellbereich. Um nun unter Verwendung einer Hörgeräteplattform verschiedene Hörgeräte auf den Markt zu bringen, wird ein universeller Softwarecontainer erstellt, der nicht nur in der Lage ist, alle Hörgerätesteller in jeweils ihrem vollen Umfang abzubilden, sondern der ebenfalls dahingehend konfiguriert werden kann, dass er infolge der Konfiguration nur noch von einer eingeschränkten Auswahl von Hörgerätestellern und gegebenenfalls unter diesen nur von einem eingeschränkten Stellbereich Gebrauch macht. Durch diesen Konfigurationsvorgang wird daher eine universelle Plattform zu einem konkreten Hörgerät spezialisiert, auf dem die Software alle Aktionen, die durch den Endanwender veranlasst werden, vornimmt.According to the concept of a universal hearing aid platform, these hearing aid actuators are not only present in large numbers according to their number, but also every single one of the hearing aid actuators has a widely designed, extensive adjustment range. In order to bring various hearing aids onto the market using a hearing aid platform, a universal software container is created which is not only able to map all hearing aid actuators to their full extent, but which can also be configured in such a way that it follows the configuration only makes use of a limited selection of hearing aid users and, where appropriate, only a limited adjustment range under these. This configuration process therefore specializes in providing a universal platform for a specific hearing aid on which the software performs all actions initiated by the end user.

Die beschriebene Software ist in Schichten aufgebaut, so dass in einer ersten Schicht die Reduktion des plattformeigenen Hörgerätestellerraums auf den geräteeigenen Hörgerätestellerraum vorgenommen wird. Der geräteeigene Stellerraum wird an einem Interface einer weiteren Softwareschicht zur Verfügung gestellt. In einer zweiten Softwareschicht ist ein Interpreter untergebracht, der Sequenzen von Programmbefehlen abarbeitet, indem er entsprechend diesen Programmbefehlen die aktuellen Hörgerätestellerpositionen abändert. Hierzu wird ausdrücklich auf die Druckschrift ( EP 109 16 20 A1 ) der Anmelderin verwiesen. Der zweiten Softwareschicht ist eine dritte Softwareschicht übergeordnet, die für den Endanwender ein User Interface abbildet und von ihm Eingabekommandos entgegennimmt. Ein solches Eingabekommando kann beispielsweise ein Laden einer Programmbefehlssequenz bewirken, die in der zweiten Schicht vom Interpreter abgearbeitet wird. Ein konkretes Beispiel hierzu wäre die in einer Anpasssoftware implementierte Dialogeinheit, die als Menüauswahl eine Reihe typischer Hörsituationen und diesen entsprechenden, häufig benannten Hörproblemen auflistet. Jeder der Auswahlpunkte bewirkt, dass der Interpreter eine Programmbefehlssequenz abarbeitet, die das Hörgerät entsprechend dem benannten Problem nachstellt, um eine Verbesserung im Hörempfinden zu erreichen. Ein derartiges Verfahren ist in der Druckschrift US 6,574,340 B1 beschrieben.The software described is built up in layers, so that in a first layer, the reduction of the platform's own Hearing aid Stellerraums on the device's own hearing aid user space is made. The device's own controller space is made available on an interface of another software layer. A second software layer houses an interpreter that processes sequences of program instructions by modifying the current position of the hearing aid in accordance with these program instructions. For this purpose, explicit reference is made to the document ( EP 109 16 20 A1 ) of the Applicant. The second software layer is superordinate to a third software layer, which displays a user interface for the end user and accepts input commands from the user. Such an input command can, for example, cause a loading of a program command sequence, which is executed in the second layer by the interpreter. A concrete example of this would be the dialogue unit implemented in an adaptation software, which lists as menu selection a number of typical hearing situations and their corresponding, frequently named hearing problems. Each of the selection points causes the interpreter to execute a program instruction sequence that adjusts the hearing aid according to the named problem in order to achieve an improvement in the hearing sensation. Such a method is in the document US 6,574,340 B1 described.

Ferner ist festzustellen, dass im Allgemeinen jedes Hörgerät ein eigenes Kommunikationsprotokoll aufweist. Weiterhin hat jedes Hörgerät ein eigenes, individuelles Registermodell. Ansätze zur Standardisierung der Kommunikationsprotokolle und Registermodelle sind bislang nicht bekannt. Allein frei programmierbare Hörgeräte würden einen solchen Ansatz auf Kosten eines sehr hohen Flächen- und Stromsverbrauchs bei hoher Komplexität bieten. Auch in dem bereits genannten Dokument US 6,574,340 B1 wird lediglich eine externe Software dargestellt, die eine generalisierte Schnittstelle in Form von Makros bereitstellt und diese in IC-spezifische Registermodifikationen und Kommunikationssignale umwandelt.It should also be noted that in general each hearing aid has its own communication protocol. Furthermore, each hearing aid has its own, individual register model. Approaches to standardizing communication protocols and register models are not yet known. Only freely programmable hearing aids would offer such an approach at the expense of a very high area and power consumption with high complexity. Also in the already mentioned document US 6,574,340 B1 Only external software is presented that provides a generalized interface in the form of macros and converts them into IC-specific register modifications and communication signals.

Aus der Druckschrift US 5 553 152 A ist ein Gerät und ein Verfahren zur magnetischen Steuerung eines Hörgeräts bekannt. Das Hörgerät besitzt einen Speicher, welcher über eine Schnittstelle von einer Steuerlogik programmiert werden kann. Die Steuerlogik kann durch einen Magnetschalter manuell betätigt werden. Die Steuerlogik selbst ist von außen programmierbar, um ihre Funktionalität zu verändern. From the publication US 5 553 152 A a device and a method for the magnetic control of a hearing aid is known. The hearing aid has a memory which can be programmed via an interface of a control logic. The control logic can be manually operated by a magnetic switch. The control logic itself is externally programmable to change its functionality.

Die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung besteht somit darin, einen für Hörgerätefamilien und -generationen übergreifend vereinheitlichten Befehlssatz zum Anpassen von Hörgeräten verwenden zu können, wodurch eine Voraussetzung für kleine und spezialisierte Softwaremodule zur Hörgerätesteuerung beispielsweise mittels Smartphone geschaffen werden kann.The object of the present invention is therefore to be able to use a command set for hearing aids that is unified across hearing aid families and generations, whereby a requirement for small and specialized software modules for hearing aid control, for example by means of a smartphone, can be created.

Erfindungsgemäß wird diese Aufgabe gelöst durch ein Hörgerät mit einer ersten Speichereinrichtung zum Speichern von Einstelldaten des Hörgeräts und einer Schnittstelleneinrichtung zur Datenkommunikation eines externen Geräts mit der ersten Speichereinrichtung, wobei die Schnittstelleneinrichtung in dem Hörgerät als Hardware implementiert ist und die Schnittstelleneinrichtung individuell konfigurierbar ist. Die Schnittstelleneinrichtung besitzt eine Maskierungseinheit, mit der ein vorbestimmter Teil der über die Schnittstelleneinrichtung übertragbaren Daten maskierbar ist. Damit können einheitliche Programmbefehle für High-End-Geräte und Low-End-Geräte beispielsweise in ihrer Länge abhängig vom Hörgerätetyp unterschiedlich maskiert werden.According to the invention, this object is achieved by a hearing device having a first memory device for storing setting data of the hearing device and an interface device for data communication of an external device with the first memory device, wherein the interface device is implemented in the hearing device as hardware and the interface device is individually configurable. The interface device has a masking unit with which a predetermined part of the data transferable via the interface device can be masked. Thus, uniform program commands for high-end devices and low-end devices, for example, in their length depending on the hearing aid type masked differently.

Ferner ist erfindungsgemäß vorgesehen ein Verfahren zum Anpassen eines derartigen Hörgeräts durch Bereitstellen des Hörgeräts, Bereitstellen eines universellen Befehlssatzes, Interpretieren eines Befehls des universellen Befehlssatzes, Maskieren des interpretierten Befehls entsprechend dem Typ des Hörgeräts und Zugreifen auf die erste Speichereinrichtung gemäß dem maskierten, interpretierten Befehl.Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of adjusting such a hearing aid by providing the hearing aid, providing a universal instruction set, interpreting a universal instruction set instruction, masking the interpreted instruction according to the type of hearing aid, and accessing the first storage means according to the masked interpreted instruction.

Erfindungsgemäß werden somit Aufgaben, die bisher von dem Softwarecontainer vorgenommen wurden, im konkreten Fall in den IC des Hörgeräts verlagert. Somit lässt sich die Konfiguration einer universellen Plattform für ein einzelnes Hörgerät und der Interpreter in dem IC implementieren. Die Aufgaben, die dann noch von der Software zu bewältigen sind, sind vergleichsweise klein, so dass beispielsweise ein Fittingassistent (Dialogeinheit der Anpasssoftware) auf einer mobilen Hardware (Smartphone / Handy) implementiert werden kann.Thus, according to the invention, tasks which have hitherto been carried out by the software container are shifted in the concrete case into the IC of the hearing device. Thus, the configuration of a universal platform for a single hearing aid and the interpreter in the IC can be implemented. The tasks that are still to be handled by the software are relatively small, so that, for example, a fitting assistant (dialog unit of the fitting software) can be implemented on a mobile hardware (smartphone / mobile phone).

Die in dem erfindungsgemäßen Hörgerät vorgesehene Schnittstelleneinrichtung kann eine Zuordnungseinheit, mit der Datenpakete von der oder für die erste Speichereinrichtung semantisch zuordenbar sind, aufweisen. Dadurch kann der Zugriff auf das Register bzw. die erste Speichereinrichtung mittels Hardware durch eine einheitliche Registersprache erfolgen. The interface device provided in the hearing device according to the invention can have an allocation unit with which data packets can be assigned semantically to or from the first memory device. As a result, access to the register or the first memory device by means of hardware by a uniform registry language .

Darüber hinaus kann in ein erfindungsgemäßes Hörgerät eine Recheneinrichtung, welche an die Schnittstelleneinrichtung angeschlossen ist, zur Ausführung von Programmbefehlen integriert sein. Damit können beispielsweise die zur Anpassung durchzuführenden Programmbefehle direkt im Hörgerät ausgeführt werden, und es kann auf einen externen PC hierfür verzichtet werden. In addition, in a hearing aid according to the invention, a computing device which is connected to the interface device can be integrated for executing program instructions. Thus, for example, the program commands to be performed for adaptation can be executed directly in the hearing aid, and it can be dispensed with an external PC for this purpose.

Bei im Hörgerät integrierter Recheneinrichtung ist günstigerweise auch eine zweite Speichereinrichtung zum Speichern von Programmbefehlen in das Hörgerät integriert. In dieser zweiten Speichereinrichtung lassen sich Makrobefehle in einer domänenspezifischen Sprache abspeichern. Die Recheneinrichtung sollte dann Interpreterfunktionalität besitzen.When integrated in the hearing aid computing device is conveniently also a second memory device for storing program commands integrated into the hearing aid. In this second memory device, macro commands can be stored in a domain-specific language. The computing device should then have interpreter functionality.

Für die Entwicklung von hörgerätegenerationsübergreifenden Befehlssätzen sollten langlebige Signalverarbeitungsbegriffe (vergleiche Einleitung) verwendet werden. Daher ist erfindungsgemäß ein Hörgerätebefehlssatz vorgesehen, zu dessen zentralen Bestandteil eine Einstellung von Signalverarbeitungsstellgrößen, wie beispielsweise Verstärkung, Kompressionskonzept, Kniepunkt, Kompressionsverhältnis etc., gehört. Dabei ist dieser Hörgerätebefehlssatz von Beginn an auf Erweiterbarkeit ausgelegt, so dass Signalverarbeitungsstellgrößen, die erst in Zukunft definiert werden, durch eine einfache Ergänzung des Vokabulars, aber in der Regel ohne Neudefi-oder Erweiterung der Syntax, in den Befehlssatz mit aufgenommen werden können.Long-term signal processing terms (see introduction) should be used for the development of hearing aid generation-independent instruction sets. Therefore, according to the invention a hearing aid instruction set is provided, to whose central component is an adjustment of signal processing manipulated variables, such as gain, compression concept, knee point, compression ratio, etc., belongs. In the process, this hearing aid instruction set is designed for expandability from the beginning, so that signal processing manipulated variables that are only defined in the future can be replaced by a simple supplement to the vocabulary, but usually without Neudefi or Extension of the syntax in which the instruction set can be included.

Wie bereits erwähnt, lassen sich die Signalverarbeitungsstellgrößen den Stellern eines Hörgeräts zuordnen. Diese Zuordenbarkeit ist über alle Softwareschichten gewährleistet. Im Gegensatz dazu werden gegenwärtig mit der Entwicklung einer neuen Hörgerätegeneration Hörgerätesteller, die die gleiche Funktion wie in der Vorläufergeneration übernehmen, anders adressiert. Gegebenenfalls ist auch das Format eines solchen Hörgerätestellers ein anderes als das seiner Vorgängergeneration. Beispielsweise wird in dem entsprechenden Hardwareregister eine größere Anzahl von Bits verwendet. Die Erfindung sieht daher ferner vor, ein einheitliches, aber erweiterbares System von Adressen und Formaten für Hörgerätesteller zu definieren und dieses auf dem IC zu implementieren. Dieses System könnte dann ab einer ersten Hörgerätegeneration für jede nachfolgende Generation beibehalten werden. Außerdem sieht die Erfindung vor, dass nun auch der Interpreter derart implementiert ist, dass er, veranlasst durch entsprechende Programmbefehle, die Hörgerätesteller in diesem vereinheitlichten System abändert beziehungsweise ausliest.As already mentioned, the signal processing variables can be assigned to the operators of a hearing device. This assignability is guaranteed across all software layers. In contrast, with the development of a new generation of hearing aids, hearing aid actuators that assume the same function as in the precursor generation are currently being addressed differently. Optionally, the format of such a hearing device is other than that of its predecessor generation. For example, a larger number of bits is used in the corresponding hardware register. The invention therefore further provides for defining a uniform but expandable system of addresses and formats for hearing aid users and for implementing this on the IC. This system could then be maintained from a first hearing aid generation for each subsequent generation. In addition, the invention provides that now also the interpreter is implemented in such a way that, triggered by corresponding program instructions, it modifies or reads out the hearing device actuators in this unified system.

Die kongruente Konzeption des Adress/Formatsystems für Hörgerätesteller mit dem Vokabular der Hörgeräteprogrammiersprache bietet folgende Vorteile:

  1. 1. Vorwärtskompatibilität:
    • Das System schafft einen Standard für Hörgerätesteller etablierter Signalverarbeitungsstellgrößen, der beginnend ab der ersten Implementierung auf dem Hörgeräte-IC in gleicher Form in jeder Hörgerätegeneration wieder verwendet werden kann.
  2. 2. Erweiterbarkeit:
    • Das System ist auf Erweiterbarkeit um neue Hörgerätesteller angelegt, ohne den Vorteil der Vorwärtskompatibilität aufzugeben.
  3. 3. Attraktivität zur Schaffung von herstellerübergreifenden Standards:
    • Da das System Hörgerätesteller vereinheitlicht, die zum Teil Signalverarbeitungsstellgrößen abbilden, die branchenweit etabliert sind, besteht die Voraussetzung, einen herstellerübergreifenden Standard zu schaffen.
The congruent design of the address / format system for hearing aid users with the vocabulary of the hearing aid programming language offers the following advantages:
  1. 1. forward compatibility:
    • The system provides a standard for hearing aid manufacturers of established signal processing manipulated variables, which can be reused in the same form in every generation of hearing aids starting from the first implementation on the hearing aid IC.
  2. 2. Expandability:
    • The system is designed for expandability to new hearing aid devices, without giving up the advantage of forward compatibility.
  3. 3. Attractiveness to the creation of manufacturer-independent standards:
    • Since the system standardizes hearing device actuators, some of which represent signal processing manipulated variables that are established in the industry, it is essential to create a manufacturer-independent standard.

Da die Erfindung ferner vorsieht, dass der auf dem IC implementierte Interpreter mit einer nach außen führenden Schnittstelle versehen ist, über den Hörgeräteprogramme oder einzelne Hörgeräteprogrammbefehle übergeben werden können, steht an dieser Stelle eine Schnittstelle für einen domänenspezifischen (d. h. eine Sprache, die mit Begrifflichkeiten des Anwendungsgebiets arbeitet) Programmierbefehlssatz zur Verfügung. Diese Schnittstelle macht die Entwicklung kleiner, gegebenenfalls auf verschiedene Plattformen verfügbarer, generationsübergreifender und eventuell herstellerübergreifender Softwaremodule wirtschaftlich interessant.Further, because the invention provides for the interpreter implemented on the IC to be provided with an outbound interface through which hearing aid programs or individual hearing aid program instructions may be provided, there is a domain specific interface (ie, language associated with terminology of FIG Application area) programming instruction set. This interface makes the development of smaller, possibly multi-platform, intergenerational and possibly multi-vendor software modules economically interesting.

Die vorliegende Erfindung wird nun anhand der beigefügten Zeichnung näher erläutert, die ein prinzipielles Blockschaltbild der funktionellen Einheiten für die Anpassung eines Hörgeräts gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung zeigt.The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows a basic block diagram of the functional units for the adaptation of a hearing aid according to the present invention.

Die nachfolgend näher aufgeführten Ausführungsbeispiele stellen bevorzugte Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Erfindung dar.The embodiments detailed below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Wenn ein Hörgerät an einen Hörgeräteträger anzupassen ist, wird ein Register 1, in dem die Einstellwerte der verschiedenen Hörgerätesteller abgespeichert sind, mittels eines User Interface 2, das auf einem PC installiert ist, manipuliert. Gemäß dem hier standardisierten Registermodell des Hörgeräts steht jedes Bit für eine Konfiguration eines Signalverarbeitungsbausteins.When a hearing aid is to be adapted to a hearing aid wearer, a register 1 in which the adjustment values of the various hearing aid actuators are stored is manipulated by means of a user interface 2 installed on a PC. According to the here standardized register model of the hearing aid, each bit stands for a configuration of a signal processing module.

Gemäß dem Stand der Technik ist das Register 1 auf dem IC des Hörgeräts angeordnet. Eine bei Hörgeräten übliche HIPRO-Schnittstelle 3 gewährleistet den Zugriff einer externen Software, gesteuert durch das User Interface 2, auf das Register 1. Sämtliche Komponenten zwischen der HIPRO-Schnittstelle 3 und dem User Interface 2 sind gemäß dem Stand der Technik als PC-Software ausgeführt.According to the prior art, the register 1 is arranged on the IC of the hearing aid. A conventional HIPRO interface 3 for hearing aids ensures the access of an external Software, controlled by the user interface 2, on the register 1. All components between the HIPRO interface 3 and the user interface 2 are executed according to the prior art as PC software.

Erfindungsgemäß wird nun, um die Softwaregröße zu reduzieren und eine Standardisierung des Registermodells und des Kommunikationsprotokolls zu erreichen, ein Großteil der Datenverarbeitungskomponenten zwischen dem Register 1 und dem User Interface 2 als Hardware ausgeführt. Bei einer ersten Ausführungsform ist lediglich eine Abstraktionseinheit 4, die dem User Interface 2 nachgeschaltet ist, noch als Software implementiert. Diese Abstraktionseinheit kommuniziert dann direkt mit einer HIPRO-Schnittstelle 3' oder gegebenenfalls mit einer drahtlosen Schnittstelle. Diese Schnittstelle 3' stellt eine Verbindung zu einer Recheneinheit 5 und einer damit verbundenen Speichereinheit 6, die beide auf dem Hörgeräte-IC installiert sind, her. In der Recheneinheit 5 werden Programmbefehle bzw. Makros aus der Speichereinheit 6 abgearbeitet. Diese Makros bzw. Befehle sind in einer domänenspezifischen Sprache zur Manipulation einer Hörgerätesteuerung oder Global-Access-Steuerung formuliert. Die gewünschten Befehle werden durch die Abstraktionseinheit 4 angestoßen.According to the invention, in order to reduce the software size and to achieve standardization of the register model and the communication protocol, a large part of the data processing components between the register 1 and the user interface 2 is executed as hardware. In a first embodiment, only one abstraction unit 4, which is connected downstream of the user interface 2, is implemented as software. This abstraction unit then communicates directly with a HIPRO interface 3 'or optionally with a wireless interface. This interface 3 'establishes a connection to a computing unit 5 and an associated memory unit 6, both of which are installed on the hearing aid IC. In the arithmetic unit 5 program instructions or macros from the memory unit 6 are processed. These macros or commands are formulated in a domain-specific language for manipulating a hearing aid control or global access control. The desired commands are triggered by the abstraction unit 4.

Zur Abarbeitung der Befehle in der Recheneinheit 5 sind die hörgerätespezifischen Befehle dem standardisierten Befehlssatz zuzuordnen. Beispielsweise besteht der Befehl zur Einstellung der Verstärkung in einem bestimmten Frequenzband für ein High-End-Gerät mit vielen Einstellmöglichkeiten aus fünf Dateneinheiten (vgl. FIG). Der gleiche Befehl kann für ein Low-End-Hörgerät aus wenigeren Dateneinheiten 7 bestehen, da dieses Gerät weniger Einstellmöglichkeiten besitzt. Die nicht genutzten Dateneinheiten 8 sind daher beim Auslesen aus dem Register 1 durch eine Maskiereinheit 9 maskiert. Daher müssen die nicht genutzten Dateneinheiten 8 beim Zugriff auf das Register 1 zur Nutzung der standardisierten Befehlssyntax bei dem Low-End-Gerät in Umkehrung des Maskierungsprozesses wieder ergänzt werden. Der so erhaltene standardisierte Befehl 10 wird in einer Zuordnungseinheit 11 den Registereinheiten semantisch zugeordnet.To process the commands in the arithmetic unit 5, the hearing device-specific commands are assigned to the standardized instruction set. For example, the command for setting the gain in a certain frequency band for a high-end device with many setting possibilities consists of five data units (see FIG. The same command may exist for a low-end hearing aid of fewer data units 7, since this device has fewer settings. The unused data units 8 are therefore masked when read from the register 1 by a masking unit 9. Therefore, the unused data units 8 in accessing the register 1 to use the standardized command syntax at the low-end device in the reversal of the masking process again be supplemented. The standardized instruction 10 thus obtained is assigned semantically to the register units in an allocation unit 11.

Mit dieser ersten Ausführungsform, bei der die Recheneinheit 5 und die Speichereinheit 6 auf dem Hörgeräte-IC angeordnet ist, ist es möglich, komplexe Optimierungsaufgaben mit dem Hörgerät selbst ohne Zuhilfenahme eines externen PC zu bewerkstelligen. Beispielsweise kann, wenn ein Hörgeräteträger Geschirrklappern oder Zeitungsrascheln durch sein Hörgerät als zu laut empfindet, die für diese Situationen maßgebliche Gruppe von Verstärkungen mit dem Hörgerät selbst reduziert werden.With this first embodiment, in which the arithmetic unit 5 and the memory unit 6 are arranged on the hearing aid IC, it is possible to accomplish complex optimization tasks with the hearing aid itself without the aid of an external PC. For example, if a hearing aid wearer perceives dishwashing or newspaper rustling through his hearing aid as too loud, the group of reinforcements relevant to these situations can be reduced with the hearing aid itself.

Falls jedoch der Bedarf besteht, lediglich einfache Verstellmöglichkeiten am Hörgerät bereitzustellen, wie z. B. laut, leise oder das An- und Abschalten von Signaltönen, so reicht es gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung, wenn lediglich die Zuordnungseinheit 11 und die Maskierungseinheit 9 zusätzlich zum Register 1 auf dem Hörgeräte-IC hardwaremäßig realisiert sind. Entsprechend ist dann die HIPRO-Schnittstelle oder drahtlose Schnittstelle 3" unmittelbar nach der Maskierungseinheit 9 angeordnet.However, if there is a need to provide only simple adjustment options on the hearing aid, such. B. loud, quiet or the switching on and off of signal tones, it is sufficient according to a second embodiment of the present invention, when only the allocation unit 11 and the masking unit 9 in addition to the register 1 on the hearing aid IC are implemented in terms of hardware. Accordingly, the HIPRO interface or wireless interface 3 "is then arranged immediately after the masking unit 9.

In dem in der unteren Hälfte der Figur wiedergegebenen konkreten Syntaxbeispiel ist ein Befehl zum Ändern einer Verstärkung in der Syntax der jeweiligen Datenverarbeitungseinheit wiedergegeben. Der Maskierungs- bzw. Demaskierungsschritt lässt sich in diesem Beispiel jedoch nicht erkennen, da durch ihn lediglich eine Auswahl aus einer Vielzahl von Befehlen bzw. eine Rückzuordnung zu einer Vielzahl von Befehlen erfolgt.In the concrete syntax example shown in the lower half of the figure, a command for changing a gain is reproduced in the syntax of the respective data processing unit. However, the masking or unmasking step can not be recognized in this example, since only a selection of a plurality of instructions or a return to a plurality of instructions takes place through it.

Das im DSP/ASIC des Hörgeräts vorhandene Registermodell besitzt somit ein standardisiertes Interface. Das Hörgerät erhält an der Kommunikationsschnittstelle dann nicht mehr wie bisher Befehle wie "Schreibe in Register Nr. 99 die Inhalte 10111000101001010...", sondern den standardisierten Befehl "G1, Steps up, 1" und setzt dies in interne Registerinhalte um. Damit ist ein anwendungsspezifischer, universeller, generischer Befehlssatz definiert, der über die Kommunikationsschnittstelle übertragen wird. Dieser Befehlssatz kann über Hörgerätefamilien, IC-Generationen und herstellerübergreifend vereinheitlicht werden, so dass eine universelle Software zur Anpassung von Hörgeräten geschaffen werden kann. Die genannten Befehlssatzeigenschaften sind dabei wie folgt definiert:

  • anwendungsspezifisch: An der Schnittstelle für den audiologischen Bereich werden spezialisierte Befehle empfangen und interpretiert.
  • universell: Für jede Funktionalität der Anpasssoftware und für jede kommende Hörgerätefamilie und -generation kann der Befehlssatz verwendet werden.
  • generisch: Der Befehlssatz ist so gestaltet, dass er über Generationen von Hörgeräten gleiche Funktionen gleich abbildet, Funktionserweiterungen aber zulässt.
The register model in the DSP / ASIC of the hearing aid thus has a standardized interface. The hearing aid then no longer receives commands at the communication interface, such as "Write in register No. 99, the contents 10111000101001010 ... "but translates it into internal register content, which defines an application-specific, universal, generic instruction set that is transmitted through the communication interface. IC generations and manufacturer-independent, so that a universal software for the adaptation of hearing aids can be created.The mentioned instruction rate characteristics are defined as follows:
  • Application-specific: Specialized commands are received and interpreted at the interface for the audiological area.
  • universal: The instruction set can be used for every functionality of the fitting software and for every upcoming hearing aid family and generation.
  • generic: The instruction set is designed so that the same functions can be reproduced over generations of hearing aids, but functional extensions are permitted.

Ist dieser Befehlssatz über Hörgerätefamilien und - generationen übergreifend vereinheitlicht, wird die Komplexität der Anpasssoftware deutlich verringert. Dies schafft eine Voraussetzung, kleine und spezialisierte Softwaremodule zur Hörgerätesteuerung (beispielsweise Anpass-Assistent auf Smartphone) bereitzustellen. Das Hörgerät vereinigt Vorteile eines frei programmierbaren Geräts mit denen eines strom- und flächensparenden Geräts. Bei der möglichen Durchsetzung kann sogar der Kundenwunsch nach einheitlicher Software erfüllt werden. Darüber hinaus werden Forschungsarbeiten erleichtert.If this instruction set is uniformly standardized across hearing aid families and generations, the complexity of the fitting software is significantly reduced. This creates a requirement to provide small and specialized software modules for hearing aid control (for example, smart assistant on smartphone). The hearing aid combines the advantages of a freely programmable device with those of a power-saving and area-saving device. With the possible enforcement even the customer request for uniform software can be fulfilled. In addition, research is facilitated.

Claims (10)

  1. Hearing device having
    - a first storage facility (1) for storing setting data of the hearing device and
    - an interface facility for data communication between an external device and the first storage facility, wherein
    - the interface facility is implemented in the hearing device as hardware and
    - the interface facility can be configured individually, characterised in that
    - the interface facility has a masking unit (9), with which a predetermined part of the data which can be transmitted by way of the interface facility can be masked.
  2. Hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the interface facility has an assignment unit (11), with which data packets from or for the first storage facility (1) can be assigned semantically.
  3. Hearing device according to one of the preceding claims, which has a computing facility (5), which is connected to the interface facility, for executing program commands.
  4. Hearing device according to claim 3, which has a second storage facility (6) for storing program commands for the computing facility (5).
  5. Hearing device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the computing facility (5) has interpreter functionality.
  6. Hearing device according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the program commands can be extended with an unchanged syntax.
  7. Hearing device according to claim 6, wherein the program commands are user-specific, universal and generic.
  8. Hearing device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data which can be transmitted by way of the masking unit (9) includes hearing device manufacturer data, which has uniform addresses and formats for a number of devices of different types and which can be masked as a function of the hearing device type.
  9. Method for adjusting a hearing device according to claim 1, by
    - providing the hearing device,
    - providing a universal command set,
    - interpreting a command of the universal command set,
    - masking the interpreted command according to the type of hearing device and
    - accessing the first storage facility (1) according to the masked, interpreted command.
  10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the universal command set is user-specific and generic.
EP04019750.1A 2003-08-27 2004-08-19 Hearing instrument with individually configurable hardware interface Expired - Lifetime EP1511357B1 (en)

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DE602007012159D1 (en) * 2007-09-05 2011-03-03 Phonak Ag METHOD FOR INDIVIDUALLY ADJUSTING A HEARING EQUIPMENT OR A HEARING AID
US8073150B2 (en) * 2009-04-28 2011-12-06 Bose Corporation Dynamically configurable ANR signal processing topology
US8085946B2 (en) * 2009-04-28 2011-12-27 Bose Corporation ANR analysis side-chain data support
US8073151B2 (en) * 2009-04-28 2011-12-06 Bose Corporation Dynamically configurable ANR filter block topology
US8165313B2 (en) * 2009-04-28 2012-04-24 Bose Corporation ANR settings triple-buffering
US8090114B2 (en) * 2009-04-28 2012-01-03 Bose Corporation Convertible filter
US8345888B2 (en) * 2009-04-28 2013-01-01 Bose Corporation Digital high frequency phase compensation
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US6236731B1 (en) * 1997-04-16 2001-05-22 Dspfactory Ltd. Filterbank structure and method for filtering and separating an information signal into different bands, particularly for audio signal in hearing aids
EP0917397A1 (en) * 1997-10-14 1999-05-19 Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH Method of determining a set of parameters of a hearing aid
EP1091620A1 (en) * 1999-10-08 2001-04-11 Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH Device for adjusting a hearing aid

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