HEARING SYSTEM WITH NETWORK TIME

• US 20070269049A1
• Filed: 05/16/2006
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonova AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Phonak AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Knaus, Micha, Glatt, Raoul, Laich, Rolf
• Granted Patent: US 8,588,443 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/23.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0644 External master-clock
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/55 Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/552 Binaural
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/70 Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

The method of operating a hearing system comprising at least two devices comprises the step of establishing a common network time among said at least two devices. Said at least two devices can be provided with information on the number of network time units that passed since a time zero point of said common network time. Information on the common network time can be communicated from one device to another device. A wireless link can be used for establishing said common network time. The common network time not only allows for a precise synchronization of events within the hearing system, but also for ordering and sequencing events. A priorization of events, like tasks and actions, is enabled, based on the common network time. Doubly-received or obsolete commands can be recognized and deleted, and tasks can be scheduled.

Claims

1. Method of operating a hearing system comprising at least two devices, said method comprising the step of

a) establishing a common network time among said at least two devices.

2. Method according to claim 1, comprising the step of

k) transmitting, by a first of said at least two devices, information on the current network time.

3. Method according to claim 2, comprising the step of

l) receiving, by at least one other of said at least two devices, said information on the current network time.

4. Method according to claim 1, comprising the step of

b) providing said at least two devices with information on the number of network time units that passed since a time zero point of said common network time.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein step a) and/or step b) and/or step k) and/or step l) is carried out via a wireless link.

6. Method according to claim 1, comprising the step of

c) providing at least one of said at least two devices with the current network time during its boot-time or when it starts to receive messages from another device of the hearing system.

7. Method according to claim 1, comprising the step of

d) providing at least one of said at least two devices with the current network time frequently during its operation.

8. Method according to claim 1, comprising the steps of

e) receiving, in at least one of said at least two devices, the current network time;

and

f) using an internal clock of said at least one device for generating time information at least approximately indicating the current network time.

9. Method according to claim 8, furthermore comprising the step of

g) resynchronizing, after step f), to the common network time upon again receiving the current network time in said at least one device.

10. Method according to claim 1, comprising the step of

h) generating said common network time within said hearing system.

11. Method according to claim 1, comprising the step of

i) receiving information on said common network time from a reference time base external to said hearing system.

12. Method according to claim 1, comprising the step of

m) transmitting, by a first of said at least two devices, a message comprising a network time reference.

13. Method according to claim 12, comprising the step of

n) receiving, by at least one other of said at least two devices, said message.

14. Method according to claim 12, wherein said message comprises, in addition, a command.

15. Method according to claim 12, wherein said network time reference is a time reference for identifying said message, in particular a time reference, which indicates the point in time of generation of said message or of said transmitting of said message.

16. Method according to claim 12, wherein said network time reference indicates a point in time, at which said command is to be executed.

17. Method according to claim 12, wherein said transmitting of said message is carried out in form of broadcasting.

18. Hearing system comprising at least two devices and means for establishing a common network time among said at least two devices.

19. System according to claim 18, wherein said means comprise, in at least a first of said at least two devices, a transmitter adapted to transmitting information on the current network time.

20. System according to claim 19, wherein said means comprise, in at least one other of said at least two devices, a receiver adapted to receiving said information on the current network time.

21. System according to claim 18, wherein said means comprise a communication link functionally interconnecting said at least two devices, in particular a wireless link.

22. System according to claim 18, wherein said means comprise a receiver for receiving information on said common network time from a reference time base external to said hearing system.

23. System according to claim 18, wherein said means comprise, in at least one of said at least two hearing devices, a timepiece for generating said common network time.

24. System according to claim 18, which comprises, in at least one of said at least two devices, an internal clock for generating time information at least approximately indicating the current network time.

25. System according to claim 18, wherein at least one of said at least two devices is a hearing aid.

26. System according to claim 18, which is a binaural hearing system.