METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING AIR PRESSURE INSIDE THE EAR OF A PERSON WEARING AN EAR-WEARABLE DEVICE

• US 20150092971A1
• Filed: 09/24/2014
• Published: 04/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: KIM, Yangwook
• Granted Patent: US 9,402,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/025 In the ear hearing aids [ITE] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/61 Aspects relating to mechanical or electronic switches or control elements, e.g. functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/05 Electronic compensation of the occlusion effect
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/30 Monitoring or testing of hearing aids, e.g. functioning, settings, battery power
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/603 of mechanical or electronic switches or control elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/70 Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

A method is provided including: receiving a signal for regulating a valve of an ear-wearable device; and changing a state of the valve based on the signal, the changing including at least one of opening and closing the valve.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a signal for regulating a valve of an ear-wearable device; and

changing a state of the valve based on the signal, the changing including at least one of opening and closing the valve.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the valve controls a passage of air through a vent hole of the ear-wearable device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is received through an input unit that is part of the ear-wearable device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal is received from an electronic device connected to the ear-wearable device via a wired or wireless connection.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving, from the electronic device, a request for identifying an air pressure in a space between the hearing aid device and a tympanic membrane of a wearer of the ear-wearable device;

measuring the air pressure by the ear-wearable device; and

transmitting an indication of the air pressure to the electronic device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a first value of an air pressure in a space between the ear-wearable device and a tympanic membrane of a wearer of the ear-wearable device;

detecting a second value of the air pressure after the first value is detected; and

outputting an alarm in response to detecting that the first value and the second value belong in different predetermined air pressure ranges.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting an air pressure in a space between the ear-wearable device and a tympanic membrane of a wearer of the ear-wearable device; and

comparing the air pressure with a threshold value, and

outputting an alarm in response to the air pressure exceeding the threshold value.

8. A method comprising:

transmitting a first request for a measurement of an air pressure in a space between an ear-wearable device and a tympanic membrane of a wearer of the ear-wearable device;

receiving the measurement of the air pressure from the ear-wearable device; and

outputting, by an output device, a first indication of the measurement.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the outputting of the indication of the measurement includes outputting an alarm indicating that the air pressure exceeds a threshold value.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving a second request for adjusting the air pressure;

generating a regulation signal based on the request; and

transmitting the regulation signal to the ear-wearable device.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving information indicating a state of a valve in response to the regulation signal; and

outputting a second indication of the state of the valve.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving current atmospheric pressure information; and

outputting a second indication of the atmospheric pressure.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving, from the ear-wearable device, information indicating a state of a valve of the ear-wearable device; and

outputting a second indication of the state of the valve of the ear-wearable device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the indication of the state of the valve indicates a degree to which a vent hole in the ear-wearable device is opened or closed.

15. An ear-wearable device comprising:

an air pressure sensor configured to measure air pressure in a space between the ear-wearable device and a tympanic membrane of a wearer of the ear-wearable device;

an air pressure valve configured to adjust the air pressure in the space between the ear-wearable device and the tympanic membrane of the wearer of the ear-wearable device; and

a controller configured to, when a regulation signal is received, open or close the air pressure valve in response to the regulation signal.

16. The hearing aid device of claim 15, further comprising:

a communication unit configured to communicate with an electronic apparatus, and wherein the regulation signal is received from the electronic apparatus through the communication unit.

17. The hearing aid device of claim 15, further comprising an input unit for inputting the regulation signal.

18. The hearing aid device of claim 15, wherein the air pressure valve is arranged to open or close a vent hole of the ear-wearable device.

19. The hearing aid device of claim 15, further comprising a memory configured to store an air pressure threshold, wherein the controller is further configured to repeatedly measure the air pressure and output an alarm when the air pressure exceeds the air pressure threshold.

20. An electronic device comprising a processor configured to:

transmit a request for a measurement of an air pressure in a space between an ear-wearable device and a tympanic membrane of a wearer of the ear-wearable device;

receive the measurement of the air pressure from the ear-wearable device; and

output, by an output device, an indication of the measurement.

21. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein the outputting of the indication of the measurement includes outputting an alarm indicating that the air pressure exceeds a threshold value.

22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the outputting of the alarm includes at least one of outputting a text, a number, a sign, an emoticon, a graph, a vibration alarm, a fragrance, and a sound.