Control device and method for wireless audio signal transmission within the context of hearing device programming

• US 20080031478A1
• Filed: 07/25/2007
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sandra Baker, Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Lotter, Thomas, Alber, Daniel, Reithinger, Jurgen
• Granted Patent: US 8,194,901 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/315
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/55 Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/30 Monitoring or testing of hearing aids, e.g. functioning, settings, battery power
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/505 using digital signal processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/558 Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency

Abstract

A method for programming a hearing device is described, in which audio data and programming data is transmitted from a programming device to the hearing device, with the audio data and the programming data being converted into data packets and transmitted via a common channel of a digital radio connection from the programming device to the hearing device.

Claims

1-17. -17. (canceled)

18. A method for controlling a hearing device, comprising:

setting a transmission characteristic of the hearing device by transmitting a control data from a control device to the hearing device over a radio connection; and

testing the transmission characteristic of the hearing device by jointly transmitting an audio data with the control data from the control device to the hearing device over the radio connection.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the audio data and the control data are transmitted in different data packets.

20. The method as claimed in claim 18,

wherein the audio data and the control data are transmitted in a joint data packet comprising a payload data block and a packet header preceding the payload data block, and

wherein the audio data is transmitted in the payload data block and the control data is transmitted in the packet header.

21. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the radio connection is a digital radio connection.

22. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the radio connection is an inductive short-range radio link.

23. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the radio connection uses frequencies in a HF range.

24. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the audio data and the control data are transmitted within a framework of hearing device programming and a controller of the hearing device that controls the transmission characteristics of the hearing device is programmed based on the control data.

25. A control device for controlling a hearing device, comprising:

a transmitter that;

transmits a control data from the control device to the hearing device over a radio connection, and

jointly transmits an audio data from the control device to the hearing device over the radio connection.

26. The control device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the audio data and the control data are transmitted in different data packets.

27. The control device as claimed in claim 25,

wherein the audio data and the control data are transmitted in a joint data packet comprising a payload data block and a packet header preceding the payload data block, and

wherein the audio data is transmitted in the payload data block and the control data is transmitted in the packet header.

28. The control device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the radio connection is a digital radio connection.

29. The control device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the transmitter is an inductive transmitter that transmits the control data and the audio data by a magnetic radio connection.

30. The control device as claimed in claim 25, wherein an interface is provided for connecting the control device to a data processing system wirelessly or by a cable.

31. The control device as claimed in claim 25, further comprising a battery or a rechargeable cell for power supply.

32. The control device as claimed in claim 25, further comprising a tone generator to create the audio signal.

33. A hearing device, comprising:

an receiver that receives a control data and an audio data,

wherein the control data and the audio data are jointly transmitted from an external control device to the receiver over a radio connection.

34. The hearing device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the audio data and the control data are transmitted in different data packets.

35. The hearing device as claimed in claim 33,

wherein the audio data and the control data are transmitted in a joint data packet comprising a payload data block and a packet header preceding the payload data block, and

wherein the audio data is transmitted in the payload data block and the control data is transmitted in the packet header.

36. The hearing device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the radio connection is a digital radio connection.

37. The hearing device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the receiver is an inductive receiver that receives the audio data and the control data by a magnetic radio connection.