Microphone device with an orientation sensor and corresponding method for operating the microphone device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A microphone device for a hearing aid, comprising:
- at least two microphones arranged on a single structure in a straight line for enabling a directional effect of the microphone device; and
a control device permanently connected to the single structure, wherein the control device selects an operation mode of the microphones, wherein the operation mode comprises an omni-directional operation mode and a directional operation mode, the control device comprising an orientation sensor functionally and mechanically connected to the microphones, the orientation sensor configured to;
detect an orientation of a current absolute main pick-up direction; and
generate an orientation signal based on the detected orientation,wherein the control device selects the operation mode of the microphones at least partially based on the orientation signal.
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Abstract
A directional microphone for a hearing device should be easy for the user to operate. To this end it is equipped with an orientation sensor, such that it can be controlled as a function of orientation. It is for example possible in this manner to switch it to directional operation, when it is aligned horizontally. When it is aligned vertically, the directional microphone is for example switched automatically to omni-directional operation.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A microphone device for a hearing aid, comprising:
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at least two microphones arranged on a single structure in a straight line for enabling a directional effect of the microphone device; and a control device permanently connected to the single structure, wherein the control device selects an operation mode of the microphones, wherein the operation mode comprises an omni-directional operation mode and a directional operation mode, the control device comprising an orientation sensor functionally and mechanically connected to the microphones, the orientation sensor configured to; detect an orientation of a current absolute main pick-up direction; and generate an orientation signal based on the detected orientation, wherein the control device selects the operation mode of the microphones at least partially based on the orientation signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11)
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7. A method of operating a microphone device for a hearing aid, comprising:
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assigning a directional mode of operation to a first orientation and an omni-directional mode of operation to a second orientation; aligning a main pick-up direction of a line of microphones arranged on the microphone device according with a selected orientation; determining the main pick-up direction using an orientation sensor fixed to the microphone device; determining which orientation the main pick-up direction essentially matches; selecting an operation mode of the microphone device using a control device fixed to the microphone device based on the mode of operation assigned to the matched orientation. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 12)
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Specification