Processing Signals Representative of Sound Based on the Identity of an Input Element

• US 20090279723A1
• Filed: 06/25/2009
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics LLC (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: SEGEL, Philip A., KARUNASIRI, Tissa, MISHRA, Lakshmi N.
• Granted Patent: US 8,265,286 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/312
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/70 Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

Systems and techniques for processing signals representative of sound for conveyance to the auditory system of a subject based on the identity of an input device. In one implementation, a method includes identifying an input element to an audiological system that conveys sound information directly to a subject'"'"'s auditory system, automatically setting parameters for processing the signal based on the identity of the input element, and processing the signal in accordance with the processing parameters. The input element is configured to generate a signal representative of sound.

Claims

1. An audiological system configured to convey sound information to a user'"'"'s auditory system comprising:

an input element configured to generate a signal representative of sound;

a library of programs, each program comprising processing parameters that are coordinated to improve processing of certain classes of signals representative of sound; and

a processor configured to automatically select a program based at least in part on an identity of the input element and to process the signal representative of sound in accordance with the selected program.

2. The audiological system of claim 1, wherein the programs in the library belong to different program categories.

3. The audiological system of claim 2, wherein the audiological system includes a user selection input configured to receive a user selection of a program category.

4. The audiological system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the programs comprises processing parameters for processing sound from an audio frequency induction loop receiver.

5. The audiological system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the programs comprises processing parameters for processing sound from a low source impedance signal generator.

6. The audiological system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the programs comprises processing parameters for processing sound from a direct input, pressure-sensitive element.

7. An audiological system configured to convey sound information to a user'"'"'s auditory system comprising:

a plurality of input elements each configured to generate a signal representative of sound;

a library of programs, each program comprising processing parameters relating to a class of input elements; and

a processor configured to;

identify an active one of the plurality of input elements,

automatically select a program corresponding to the class of the identified input element, and

process a signal representative of sound in accordance with the selected program.

8. The audiological system of claim 7, wherein the programs in the library belong to different program categories.

9. The audiological system of claim 7, wherein the audiological system includes a user selection input for selecting a program category.

10. The audiological system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the programs comprises processing parameters for processing sound from an audio frequency induction loop receiver.

11. The audiological system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the programs comprises processing parameters for processing sound from a low source impedance signal generator.

12. The audiological system of claim 7, wherein at least one of the programs comprises processing parameters for processing sound from a direct input, pressure-sensitive element.

13. The audiological system of claim 7, wherein the audiological system further comprises a device configured to stimulate a user'"'"'s cochlear nerve cells.

14. An audiological system configured to convey sound information to a user'"'"'s auditory system comprising:

an input element configured to generate a signal representative of sound;

a library of programs, each program comprising processing parameters;

a user selection input for receiving a user selection of a program category; and

a processor configured to;

identify the input element;

select a program from the library, wherein the selection of the program is based on the identity of the input element and the user'"'"'s program category selection; and

process the signal representative of sound in accordance with the selected program.

15. The audiological system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the programs comprises processing parameters for processing sound from an audio frequency induction loop receiver.

16. The audiological system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the programs comprises processing parameters for processing sound from a low source impedance signal generator.

17. The audiological system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the programs comprises processing parameters for processing sound from a direct input, pressure-sensitive element.

18. The audiological system of claim 14, wherein processing the signal in accordance with the selected program comprises processing the signal for electrical stimulation of a cochlea in the user'"'"'s auditory system.

19. The audiological system of claim 14, wherein the input element is identified by recognizing an electrical characteristic of the input element and comparing the recognized electrical characteristic of the input element to a library of expected responses.

20. The audiological system of claim 14, wherein the program category is a collection of one or more programs that share one or more common characteristics.