Communication system

• US 9,781,524 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2014
• Issued: 10/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oticon A/S (William Demant Fonden)
• Original Assignee: Oticon A/S (William Demant Fonden)
• Inventors: Olsen, Thor Hjlund, Hansen, Maria Thorborg, Christensen, Camilla, Voorwinden, Emanuela, Jensen, Jesper Vermehren, Birch, Astrid
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Huyen D
• Application Number:
  US14/546,448
• Publication Number:
  US 20150139459A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 381 231, 381312, 381314, 381315, 381326, 381328, 381330, 381331, 607 55, 607 56, 607 57, 455 412, 455501, 455509, 4555501
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/55 Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/552 Binaural
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/556 External connectors, e.g. plugs or modules H04R25/607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/558 Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency

Abstract

The present invention regards a communication system (10; 10a; 10b; 10c) comprising at least one communication device (36, 36a, 36b, 36c) configured to connect to other communication devices (36, 36a, 36b, 36c) via an audio and data link (52). The communication device (36, 36a, 36b, 36c) comprises at least a receiver unit (40), an output transducer (32), a microphone (22, 22′), a transmitter unit (42), and a control unit (38). The receiver unit (40) is adapted to receive audio signals and data signals via the audio and data link (52). The output transducer (32) is adapted to stimulate the hearing of the user (12, 20, 30) according to the audio signals received via the audio and data link (52). The microphone (22, 22′) is adapted to receive input sound (44) and generate an audio signal from the received input sound (44). The transmitter unit (42) is adapted to transmit audio signals and data signals via the audio and data link (52). The control unit (38) is connected to the receiver unit (40), to the output transducer (32), to the microphone (22, 22′), and to the transmitter unit (42). The control unit (38) is adapted to control the signal transmission between the receiver unit (40), the output transducer (32), the microphone (22, 22′), and the transmitter unit (42). The control unit (38) is further adapted to generate a data signal corresponding to the communication device (36, 36a, 36b, 36c) for identifying the communication device (36, 36a, 36b, 36c). And the control unit (38) comprises a processor (46) which is adapted to process audio signals and data signals. The communication device (36, 36a, 36b, 36c) is connectable to an attachable digital receiver (26) via the audio and data link (52). The attachable digital receiver (26) has a shape that matches a shape of a hearing aid (28) in order to be attached to the hearing aid (28). The communication devices (36, 36a, 36b, 36c) of the communication system (10; 10a; 10b; 10c) can be Smartphones.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a master communication device; and

a slave communication device, wherein said master communication device is configured to connect to said slave communication device via an audio and data link, wherein the master communication device is configured to;

receive audio signals and data signals from said slave device via the audio and data link,

transmit audio signals and data signals to said slave device via the audio and data link, and

control transmission of audio signals and data signals to said slave communication device, such that said master communication device functions as a host for the communications system,

wherein said slave communication device is configured to;

receive audio and data signals from said master device and transmit such audio and data signals to a hearing aid, said hearing aid having a digital receiver configured to receive the audio and data signals from said slave communication device.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the digital receiver has a shape that matches a shape of a hearing aid in order to be attached to the hearing aid.

3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the digital receiver is integrated with theft hearing aid.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the hearing aid includes an output transducer.

5. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the master communication device and the slave communication device of the communication system are mobile devices.

6. The communication system according claim 1, wherein the master communication device comprises a memory and wherein the memory is adapted to store audio signals and data signals.

7. The communication system according to claim 6, wherein the master communication device and the slave communication device are each a Smartphone.

8. The communication system according claim 1, wherein at least one of the master communication device and slave communication device is connected to an external microphone, which is adapted to be worn by a user.

9. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the master communication is device is further configured to determine if an audio signal comprises a voice signal and to automatically transmit the audio signal, when a voice signal is detected in the audio signal.

10. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the audio and data link is a digital link which forms a wireless network.

11. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the master communication device and the slave communication device of the communication system is adapted to connect to other media initially not forming part of the communication system.

12. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said communication system comprises multiple slave communication devices and said master communication device is configured to prioritize transmission of audio signals and data signals to at least one of said slave communication devices.