Wireless beacon system to identify acoustic environment for hearing assistance devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- storing a plurality of acoustic environment codes in a portable beacon device, each of the plurality of acoustic environment codes associated with an acoustic environment;
sensing acoustic signals about the beacon device using a microphone in the beacon device;
storing the plurality of acoustic environment codes and acoustic environments in a hearing assistance device, wherein the hearing assistance device is configured to learn to associate acoustic environment codes with acoustic environments; and
transmitting an acoustic environment code of the plurality of acoustic environment codes from the portable beacon device to the hearing assistance device adapted to be placed in or about an ear canal of a hearing impaired wearer, wherein the acoustic environment code is associated with an acoustic environment and sensed acoustic signals about the portable beacon device and is adapted for use in the hearing assistance device to adjust an operational mode of the hearing assistance device to provide improved hearing of the wearer in the acoustic environment.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A beacon device adapted to wirelessly communicate with a hearing assistance device, the beacon device comprising a sensor to sense a signal related to determination of an acoustic environment, a memory to store information relating to the signal, a processor in communication with the memory and the sensor, the processor adapted to process the information, a wireless transmitter in communication with the memory and an antenna coupled to the wireless transceiver to transmit information to the hearing assistance device.
21 Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
-
storing a plurality of acoustic environment codes in a portable beacon device, each of the plurality of acoustic environment codes associated with an acoustic environment; sensing acoustic signals about the beacon device using a microphone in the beacon device; storing the plurality of acoustic environment codes and acoustic environments in a hearing assistance device, wherein the hearing assistance device is configured to learn to associate acoustic environment codes with acoustic environments; and transmitting an acoustic environment code of the plurality of acoustic environment codes from the portable beacon device to the hearing assistance device adapted to be placed in or about an ear canal of a hearing impaired wearer, wherein the acoustic environment code is associated with an acoustic environment and sensed acoustic signals about the portable beacon device and is adapted for use in the hearing assistance device to adjust an operational mode of the hearing assistance device to provide improved hearing of the wearer in the acoustic environment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
12. A method, comprising:
-
wirelessly receiving an acoustic environment code associated with an acoustic environment and associated with sensed acoustic signals about a portable beacon device, the portable beacon device including a microphone to sense acoustic signals, wherein the acoustic environment code is received from the portable beacon device using a hearing assistance device adapted to be worn in or about an ear canal of a hearing impaired wearer, wherein the acoustic environment code is one of a plurality of acoustic environment codes and acoustic environments pre-programmed in the hearing assistance device, wherein the hearing assistance device is configured to learn to associate acoustic environment codes with acoustic environments; and upon receipt of the acoustic environment code, processing the acoustic environment code and adjusting an operational parameter of the hearing assistance device to provide improved hearing of the wearer in the acoustic environment. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27)
-
Specification