Programmable hearing aid device and method for operating a programmable hearing aid device

• US 6,556,686 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2000
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sivantos Gmbh (WS Audiology A/S)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbH (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Weidner, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Duc
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ni, Suhan
• Application Number:
  US09/532,072
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• Field of Search: 381/312, 381/314, 381/315, 381/322, 381/323, 381/324, 381/60, 600/559, 181/130, 181/135
• US Class Current: 381/312
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/068 using time-dependent keys, e.g. periodically changing keys cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for controlling usage of secret information H04L9/088
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/021 Behind the ear [BTE] hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/556 External connectors, e.g. plugs or modules H04R25/607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/04 Key management, e.g. using generic bootstrapping architecture [GBA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security

Abstract

In a programmable hearing aid device, keys are provided for enabling and/or disenabling functions, performance features or programmable adjustments. Hardware keys and software keys are used in order to prevent an inexpert, defective or unauthorized usage of the hearing aid device.

Claims

1. A programmable hearing aid device adapted to be worn by a user, comprising:

an acoustoelectric input transducer arrangement which receives incoming audio signals and which emits an electrical input signal corresponding thereto;

an adjustable signal processing circuit connected to said input transducer arrangement, and supplied with said electrical input signal, for processing said electrical input signal dependent on an adjustment status of said signal processing circuit, and which emits a processed signal;

an electroacoustic output transducer connected to said signal processing circuit and supplied with said processed signal, and emitting an output audio signal corresponding to said processed signal;

said acoustoelectric input transducer arrangement and said signal processing circuit forming a combination having a number of properties selected from the group consisting of functions, performance features and programmable adjustments of said signal processing circuit; and

at least one installed key software that is incapable of actuation by said user, which generates a key signal supplied to said signal processing circuit for performing a key function which alters the number of said properties available to said user so that at least one of said properties is not available to and is incapable of being selected by said user.

2. A programmable hearing aid device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of different software keys respectively for performing a key function for disabling different ones of said properties.

3. A programmable hearing aid device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a source for said software key, and a hardwired connection from said source at least to said signal processing circuit.

4. A programmable hearing aid device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a source for said software key, and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting said software key from said source at least to said signal processing circuit.

5. A programmable hearing aid device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said software key includes a unique hearing aid device identification.

6. A programmable hearing aid device as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a memory for storing said unique hearing aid device identification.

7. A programmable hearing aid device as claimed in claim 5 further comprising validation circuitry for allowing said software key to perform said key function only upon validation of said unique hearing aid device identification.

8. A programmable hearing aid device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said validation circuitry disenables said key function, at least for a limited time, after a predetermined number of invalid software keys are attempted.

9. A programmable hearing aid device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said validation circuitry includes means for emitting a validity signal indicating validity of said software key.

10. A programmable hearing aid device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said validity circuit includes a timer which sets a time limit on validity of a currently employed software key.

11. A programmable hearing aid device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a signal transmitter which emits a signal indicating a presence of said software key.

12. A programmable hearing aid device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a signal transmitter which emits a signal indicating a type of said software key.

13. A programmable hearing aid device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a circuit allowing said at least one property to be enabled without said software key for a predetermined period of time.

14. A programmable hearing aid device as claimed in claim 13 comprising a circuit for emitting a signal for identifying and marking a plurality of keys for enabling selected programs of said signal processing circuit.

15. A programmable hearing aid device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one software key for disenabling at least one of said properties during programming of at least said signal processing circuit.

16. A programmable hearing aid device as claimed in claim 15 further comprising a signal transmitter which emits a signal upon an attempt to program a property which has been disenabled.

17. A method for operating a programmable hearing aid device, to be worn by a user, comprising the steps of:

providing said hearing aid device with a plurality of available properties selected from the group consisting of functions, performance features and programmable adjustments;

installing a software key in said hearing aid device that is incapable of actuation by said user, which generates a key signal which performs a key function in said hearing aid device; and

selectively enabling and disenabling at least one of said properties with said key function to alter the number of said properties available to said user thereby making at least one of said properties unavailable to and incapable of being selected by said user.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 comprising enabling and disenabling different ones of said properties with respectively different software keys.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17 comprising transferring said software key from an external software key source to said hearing aid device as a code word.