(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY(PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`9 November 2006 (09.11.2006)
`
` (10) International Publication Number
`
`WO 2006/117365 Al
`
`(51) International Patent Classification:
`HOAR 25/00 (2006.01)
`HO4M 1/05 (2006.01)
`HO4B 1/20 (2006.01)
`HO4L 29/06 (2006.01)
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`PCT/EP2006/06 1964
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`2 May 2006 (02.05.2006)
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`05103686.1
`
`English
`
`English
`
`3 May 2005 (03.05.2005)
`
`EP
`
`(71) Applicant(for all designated States except US): OTICON
`A/S [DK/DK]; Kongebakken 9, DK-2765 Smgrum (DK).
`
`(72) Inventors; and
`(75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): SOMMER,Peter
`[DK/DK]; c/o Oticon A/S, Kongebakken 9, DK-2765
`Smgrum (DK). B@GH, Carsten Trygve [DK/DK]; c/o
`Oticon A/S, Kongebakken 9, DK-2765 Smgrum (DK).
`
`CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EB, EG, KS, FI,
`GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU,ID,IL, IN,IS, JP, KE,
`KG, KM,KN,KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV,
`LY, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW,MX, MZ, NA, NG, NI,
`NO, NZ, OM,PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RU, SC, SD, SE, SG,
`SK, SL, SM, SY, TJ, TM, TN, TR, VL, UZ, UA, UG, US,
`UZ, VC, VN, YU, ZA, ZM, ZW.
`
`(84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
`GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM,
`ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM),
`European (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE,ES,FI,
`TR, GB, GR, HU,IE,IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, MC, NL, PL, PT,
`RO, SE, SI, SK, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CL CM, GA,
`GN, GQ. GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`Declarations under Rule 4.17:
`
`as to applicant’s entitlement to apply for and be granted a
`patent (Rule 4.17(ii))
`of inventorship (Rule 4.17(iv))
`
`Published:
`with international search report
`
`(81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
`AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG,BR, BW,BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN,
`
`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid-
`ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations” appearing at the begin-
`ning of each regular issue of the PCT Gazette.
`
`(54) Title: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHARING NETWORK RESOURCES BETWEEN HEARINGDEVICES
`
` 128
`
`
`
`6/117365ADTINIIMUTANEIADANMICAHA
`
`(57) Abstract: This invention relates to a system (100, 200) for enabling a hearing device (106, 202) wireless access lo acommunica-
`& tion network (114) . The system (100, 200) comprisesa first transceiver unit (108) in said hearing device (106, 202) communicating
`© according to a first communication protocol. The system (100, 200) further comprises a server device (112, 204) comprising an
`input/output unit (122), which is connected to the communication network (114) and communicates according to a second commu-
`nication protocol, a second transceiver unit (118), which is connected wirelessly to the first transceiver unit (108) and communicates
`according to the first communication protocol, and comprising a translator unit (120), which interconnects the second transceiver
`unit (118) and the input/output unit (122) and translates between the first and second communication protocol.
`
`S
`
`HIMPP 1005
`
`HIMPP 1005
`
`

`

`WO 2006/117365
`
`PCT/EP2006/061964
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` BETWEEN
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHARING NETWORK RESOURCES B
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HEARING DEVICES
`
`
`Field of invention
`
`This invention relates to a system and method for sharing
`
`In part
`icular,
`this
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ck enabling one or
`
`network resources between hearing devices.
`
`invention relates to a communications netwo1
`
`
`
`more hearing devices to access shared services.
`
`This invention
`
`further relates to a gateway device enabling hearing devices
`
`
`and user’s thereof to utilise the system
`
`
`for sharing resources.
`
`
`
` Background of invention
`
`
`
`hearing aids and
`Wireless communication between a pair of
`
`various electrical apoliances is known from Huropean patent
`
`
`
`
`application no.: EP 1 460 769.
`
`This patent application
`
`
`
`
`discloses a mobile transceiver comprising a number of receivers
`
`receiving electrical or electro-magnetic signal
`Ss carrying audio
`
`
`further comprises a
`signals. The mobile transceiver
`
`prioritising module assigning a priorit
`
`
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`
`
` ure that essential
`ty to audio signals
`the ty value to a
`
`received by the receivers so as to ens
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tion.
`In one
`informa
`information is communicated before general
`
`
`embodiment of the mobile transceiver comprises a positioning
`
`
`
`
`
`means determining current geographic position and
`
`25
`
`prioritising module is designed
`
`received audio signal according
`
`geographic position.
`
`
`
`to assign a priori
`
`to determined current
`
`

`

`WO 2006/117365
`
`PCT/EP2006/061964
`
`2
`
`Further, German patent application no.
`
`discloses a hearing aid system with a
`
`communication with external household
`
`
`
`
`
`: D
`
`A
`
`102 22 408,
`
`
`radio interface
`
`appliances. The
`
`enabling
`
`disclosed
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`system enables a plurality of hearing aid users to connect
`
`through their hearing aids to a communication bus
`
`
`for
`
`The hearing aids connect wirelessly
`
`information from the
`
`
`
`elephone call” or
`
`
`
`the
`
`to the
`
`
`
`individually controlling household appliances through
`
`communication bus.
`
`
`
`communication bus and receive status
`
`household devices,
`
`such as “incoming t
`
`10
`
`“heating on”.
`
`The hearing aids in addition may transmit
`
`control
`
`
`signals to the household devices by depression of
`
`button on
`
`hearing aids or by vocal control.
`
`
`Even though the above hearing aid systems provide extended
`
`Lo
`
`possibilities
`
`
`for the hearing impaired,
`
`
`further advances may be
`
`achieved. For example,
`
`the problem still remains in providing a
`
`wirelessly communicating module or uni
`
`t within the limited
`
`
`space of a hearing aid. This problem is not addressed in the
`
`above patent applications,
`
`
`
`re the hearing aids in
`
`and therefo
`
`
`
`20
`
`
`the context of
`
`
`the above referred systems still require
`
`physical add-on technology.
`
`
`Summary of
`
`the invention
`
`25
`
`An object of the present
`
`invention is theret
`
`Fore to provide a
`
`hearing device system overcoming the above problems by
`
`
`providing a wireless communication between a plurality of
`
`hearing devices and a communications network.
`
`30
`
`A particular
`
`
`advantage of the present invention is the
`
`
`provision of access to common services
`for hearing devices,
`
`
`such as updating hearing aid software with new
`
`features,
`
`
`
`
`accessing a multimedia event, or accessing service int
`
`
`
`Formation.
`
`

`

`WO 2006/117365
`
`PCT/EP2006/061964
`
`
`
`
`feature of the present invention is the provision
`A particular
` of a gateway translating
`
`communication specific protocol and
`
`
`from a hearing devices protocol to a
`
` from a communication
`
`
`specific protocol to a hearing device protocol.
`
`The above object,
`
`advantage and feature together with numerous
`
`other objects, advantages and
`
`
`features,
`
`evident
`
`
`from below detailed description,
`
`which will become
`
`are obtained according
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to a first aspect of
`
`the present invention by a system
`
` for
`
`enabling a hearing device wireless access to a communication
`
`network, and comprising a
`
`
`first transceiver unit in said
`
`
`
`communication
`hearing device communicating according to a first
`
`unit
`a server device comprising an input/output
`
`protocol;
`
`connected to said communication network and adapted
`
`
`
`to
`
`to a second communication protocol,
`
`a
`
`second transceiver unit connected wirelessly
`
`
`to said first
`
`to communicate according to said
`
`and a translator unit
`
` ransceiver unit
`
`
`and said
`
` first
`
`
`
`
`
`input/output unit and adapted to translate between said
`
`
`
`and second communication protocol;
`
`device is adapted to upload and download data to and
`
`and wherein said hearing
`
` from said
`
`communication network through
`
`said server device.
`
`25
`
`YN
`The term “a” or “an
`
`mn”
`
`or more,
`
`a plurality,
`
`1s in this context to
`
`be construed as one
`
` parts.
`or a multiplicity of
`
`Further,
`
`the term “hearing device” is in this context to be
`
`30
`
`construed as a hearing aid,
`
`a headset,
`
`a headphone, an ear-
`
`level hearing device,
`
`rh
`or any combinations thereot
`
`
`
`10
`
`Lo
`
`20
`
`communicate according
`
`
`transceiver unit and adapted
`
`first communication protocol,
`
`interconnecting said second t
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`WO 2006/117365
`
`PCT/EP2006/061964
`
`the term “server device”
`
`is
`
`in this context to be
`
`4
`
`Additionally,
`
`
`
`construed as a personal device
`
`
`for handling a single hearing
`
`device as well as a shared device
`
`
`
`for handling a number of
`
`hearing devices. That is,
`
`the server device may be a body worn
`
`mobile device or a stationary public device.
`
`The system according to the first aspect of the present
`
`
`
`
`invention provides further advances in
`
`
`possibilities for hearing devices and,
`
`10
`
`hearing impaired using hearing devices.
`
`
`user of
`
`communication
`
`in particular,
`
` for
`
`The system enables a
` from,
`
`the hearing device to access and download data
` for example,
`
`
`the Internet or a local area network.
`
`Thus the
`
`
`
`communication network may comprise a wired or wireless
`
`telephone network,
`
`such as public switched telephone network
`
`
`(PSTN), global system for mobil
`
`data GSM environment
`
`
`
`
`telecommunications (DECT),
`
`a computer network,
`
`such as
`
`
`
`e communication
`
`(GSM),
`
`enhanced
`
`(EDGE),
`
`digital enhanced cordless
`
`
`
`dedicated line,
`
`a local area network (LAN),
`
`a metropolitan area
`
`network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), an inter-netwo1
`
`rk (e.g.
`
`
`
`Lo
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`
`
`
`
`the Internet),
`
`a media network,
`
`such as a cable or satellite
`
`television or radio network,
`
`or any combination thereof.
`
`Thus
`
`the communication network may advantageously comprise a wide
`
`
`variety of network compositions,
`
`which enable audio as well
`
`
`
` the
`
`The data according to
`
`first aspect
`
`control communication
`
`to the hearing device.
`
` of
`
`the present invention
`
`may comprise a data package,
`
`such as digital data conti
`
`
`
`Figured in
`
`a transmission block,
`
`a data packet,
`
`a
`
`data parcel,
`
`datagram,
`
`and the like.
`
` for
`the communication between the
`
`The data package may have a
`
`
`
`
`
`units and a second configuration
`
`communications network.
`
`
`first and second transceiver
`
`
`for the communication on the
`
`
`first configuration
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`WO 2006/117365
`
`PCT/EP2006/061964
`
`The data package according to the
`
`
`
`first aspect of
`
`the present
`
`5
`
`invention may comprise a header sect
`
`tion comprising routing and
`
`addresses,
`
`and a data section comprising data payload. Hence
`
`such as
`
`transmitting and receiving
`
`
`
`
`
` transmission control data,
`
`
`the data package may be self-contained,
`
`
`data carrying information to be routed
`
`to the server device or from the server device to
`
`
`independent entity of
` from the hearing device
`
` the hearing
`
`device without reliance on earlier exchanges.
`
`10
`
`The wireless communication between the first and second
`
`transceiver elements may be implemented by capacitive or
`
`inductive coupling.
`
`The wi
`
`reless communication may
`
` further be
`
`implemented using a modulat
`
`Lion technique,
`
`a multiplexing
`
`
`
`technique,
`
`a coding technique,
`
`The
`
`
`or any combination thereof.
` frequency modulation (FM),
`
`The communication between the
`
` first
`
`and second transceiver
`
`elements may be accomplished in a
`
`between 800 MHz to 3 GHz.
`
`high frequency range,
`
`
`
`first and second
`
`tor and a demodulat
`
`such as
`
`transceiver
`
` tor adapted
`
`to high
`
`Signals communicated
`
`and second transceiver.
`
`
`The first and second
`
`Thus the
` element may each comprise a modulat
` frequency
`
`
`
`
`
`to transform data
`
`
`between the first
`
`
`
`transceiver element may
`
`
`
`further each comprise a CODEC adapted
`
`wireless communication may comprise
`
`
`
`
`first and second transceiver elements may comprise a coil
`
`
`amplitude modulation
`
`(AM) ,
`
`code-division multiple access
`
`
`(CDMA),
`
`The
`
`phase shif
`
`t keying
`
`(PSK),
`
`or any combination thereof.
`
`antenna,
`
`80 as to provide means
`
` for
`
`communicating inductively
`
`
`between a coil antenna of
`
`the
`
` first
`
`transceiver element anda
`
`
`coil antenna of
`
`the second
`
`transceiver element.
`
`
` link protocol,
`
`The
`first communication prot
`
`tocol according to the
`
` first aspect
`
`
`of the present invention may comprise
`
`25
`
`proprietary wireless
`
` Bluetooth, CDMA protocol,
`
`or any combination thereof.
`
`Lo
`
`20
`
`30
`
`

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`PCT/EP2006/061964
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`6 T
`
`he term
`
`
`
`“CODEC” is in this
`
`to generate said data package.
`
`context to be construed as an encoder/decoder and/or a
`
`compressor/de-compressor.
`
`The second communicat
`
`tion protocol according to the second
`
`
`
`
`invention may comprise CDMA,
`aspect of the present
`
`control
`transmission protocol
`
` transmission control
`
`(SCTP),
`
`telephone system's
`
`stream
`
`
`
`
`
`(TCP/IP), serial line Internet
`
`
`
`
`
`protocol
`
`
`(SLIP),
`
`protocol
`
`(UDP),
`
`signalling system 7
`(SS7),
`
`
`
`protocol/Internet protocol
`
`
`
`point-to-point protocol
`
`
`Internet control message protocol
`
`
`
`(PPP), user datagram
`
` (ICMP),
`
`interior gateway protocol
`
`
`IGP),
`
`(
`
`exterior gateway protocol
`
`
`(EGP),
`
`border gateway protocol
`
`(
`
`BGP), or any combination
`
`
`
`the second com
`nunication protocol may
`
`
`I°C, proprietary wireless
`link protocol, or
`
`Hence the second communication
`
` The service providers
`
`
`
` handling all required
`protocol may encompass the task of
`
`network operations being general,
`
`telephone-related,
`
`computer-—
`
`such as IP telephony.
`
`related,
`
`or any combinations thereof,
`
`The server device according to the
`
`
`
`
`first aspect of the present
`
`
`
`to buffer said
`
`
`
`invention may comprise memory element adapted
`
`
`
`data
`
`to be up- and downloaded on said communication network.
`
`The server device may comprise access to a plurality of service
`
`providers in the communication network.
`
`
`
`services
`for the hearing
`types of
`
`advantageous]
`
`ly provide all
`
`device users.
`
`For example,
`
`the service providers may provide
`
`
`
`
`
`updated hearing aid software with
`
`access service in
`multimedia event,
`
`
`
`combination thereof.
`In addition,
`
`
`
`
`access to a
`
`telephone,
`
`or a wired PSTN telephone,
`
`
`
`assistant,
`
`a television,
`
`
`or any combination thereot
`
`new features, access to a
` formation, or any
`
`the server unit may comprise
`
`
`
`such as a mobile or cellul
`
`a computer,
`
`ar telephone
`
`
`
`a personal digital
`
`
`thereof.
`
`Further,
`
`comprise
`
`Bluetooth,
`
`any combination thereof.
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`Lo
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`
`WO 2006/117365
`
`PCT/EP2006/061964
`
`
`
`The server device according to the first aspect of the present
`
`invention may further comprise a location iden
`
`
`
`
`tifying element
`
`
`
`The
`adapted to identify present location of the server device.
`
`
`location identifying element may thus advantageously identify a
`
`
`location of the server device, which location may include
`
`associations to particular hearing device programs.
`
`
`
`
`
`The term
`
`“program” is in this context to be construed as a setting of
`
`the hearing device determining the gain transf
`
`er function.
`
`
`
`
`gain transfer function may be established according to a
`
`particular hearing loss or impairment or may be established
`
`
`
`The
`
`
`
`
`
`according to a particular acoustic environment. Hence the
`
`
`
`
`
`
`location identifying element may assist in selecting an
`
`
`appropriate program for a hearing aid communicating wit
`
`
`to a plurality of hearing aids
`
`server or,
`
`
`in fact,
`
`communicating with the server device.
`
`th the
`
`
`
`The server device according to the first aspect of
`
`the present
`
`invention may be incorporated in a mobile or cellular
`
`
`
`telephone. Thus the location identifying element may utilise
`
`
`
`triangulation for determining location of the server device.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Alternatively,
`
`the server device may comprise a global
`
`positioning system (GPS) module adapted to determine the
`
`
`
`
`location of the server device.
`
`The server device according to the first aspect of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`fF the present
`
`such as an
`
`
`invention may be fixed at a permanent location,
`
`airport, an aeroplane,
`
`a bus,
`
`
`
`a cinema and the like.
`a train,
`
`
`Thus the server device may be utilised for controlling one or
`
`
`
`more hearing devices in the same location with common external
`
`noise reduction schemes. That is,
`
`the server device may ensure
`
`that hearing aids in an aeroplane are controlled so as to
`
`reduce the noise experienced by the wearer of
`
`the hearing
`
`
`
`10
`
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`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
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`

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`WO 2006/117365
`
`PCT/EP2006/061964
`
`device.
`
`Similarly,
`
`8
`
`the server device may also provide audio
`
` from the in-t
`
`flight video as well as service messages to the
`
`
`
`
`wearer of the hearing device.
`
`
`
`
`The hearing device according to the first aspect of the present
`
`
`invention may further comprise an acoustic environment
`
` y
`
`detector
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`adapted to generate an environment
`
`Signal to be forwarded as
`
`data payload in a data package to an environment service
`
`provider in the communication network. The environment
`
`signal
`
`may comorise amplitude and
`
`
`frequency data rel
`
`lating to acoustic
`
`
`
`background noise of location of hearing device.
`
`The environment
`
`service provider may comprise a controller el
`
`lement adapted to
`
`generate an environment compensation signal to be forwarded as
`
`data payload in a data package to the hearing device.
`
`The
`
`hearing device may be adapted to u
`
`tilise the environment
`
`
`
`compensation signal for increasing signal-to-noise ratio of an
`
` of the hearing device. The
`
`audio signal presented to the user
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`environment compensation signal may comprise a phase shifted
`
`ve
`rsi on
`of the environment signal.
`
`Hence the environment
`v~
`provider may utilise the environment signal
`fo
`
`be incorporated in the audio
`
`
`
`
`
` rv Ce
`generating a phase shifted copy to
`
`se
`
`
`
`
`signal presented to the user of the hearing device so as to
`
`mask the acoustic background noise.
`
`The environment service
`
`provider according to the
`
`
`
`may comprise an environment bank memory adapted to st
`
`invention
`
`LOre d.
`
`
`first aspect of the present
`
`
`number of environment compensation signals each associated with
`
`a prede!
`
` fined noise situation.
`
`The server device according to the
`
`
`
`first aspect of the
`
`tion may incorporate the environme
`
`nt service provider.
`
`
`Thus
`
`invent
`
`present
`
`
`the server device may establish a s
`
`tand alone service for
`
`hearing devices connecting thereto.
`
`Further,
`
`the server device
`
`may comprise a broadcasting element adapt
`
`ted to broadcast to any
`
`
`
`10
`
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`WO 2006/117365
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`PCT/EP2006/061964
`
`9
`
`
`
`hearing devices in a predefined area of the location of the
`
`server device. Thus the environment compensation signal may be
`
`
`utilised for reducing background noise,
`
`for example,
`
`in an
`
`
`aeroplane for passengers wearing hearing devices.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The above objects, advantages and features together with
`
`numerous other objects, advantages and features, which will
`
`
`
`
`
`become evident
`
`
`
`from below detailed description, are obtained
`
`according to a second aspect of
`
`the present invention by a
`
`10
`
`server device adapted to operate in the system according to the
`
`
`
`first aspect of the present invention.
`
`The server device according to the second
`
`invention may incorporate any features of
`
`Lo
`
`particular the server device according to
`
`aspect of the present
`
`the system and in
`
`
` first aspect of
`
`the
`
`
`
`the present invention.
`
`
`
`
`Brief description of
`
`the drawings
`
`20
`
`The above, as
`
`well as additional objects,
`
`
`
`features and
`
`
`
`advantages of
`
`the present invention,
`
`will
`
`be bet
`
`tter understood
`
`following illustrative and non-limiting detailed
`through the
`
`
`
`
`ferred embodiments of
`description of pret
`
`the present invention,
`
`with reference to the appended drawing,
`
`wherein:
`
`25
`
`
` figure 1,
`
`
`
`shows a system according to a
`
`
`
`first embodiment of
`
`the
`
`present invention;
`
`and
`
` figure 2,
`
`shows a system according to a
`
`
`second embodiment of
`
`30
`
`the present
`
`invention.
`
`

`

`WO 2006/117365
`
`PCT/EP2006/061964
`
`
`
`
`
`Detailed description of preferred embodiments
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`In the fol
`lowing description o
`
` reference
`is made to the
`
`
`llustration how
`way of i
`
`
`
`to be understood that othe
`
`
`
`
`
` f the various embodiments,
`
`accompanying figures, which show by
`
`the invention may be practiced.
`
`
`It is
`
`
` r embodiments may be utilised and
`
`
`
`structural
`
`
`
`departing from the
`
`and functional
`
`modifications may be made without
`
`scope of the present invention.
`
`10
`
`Figure 1 i
`
`
`
`
`shows a system according to a first embodiment of the
`
`present invention,
`
`numeral 100.
`
`
`which is designated in entirety by reference
`
`
`The system 100 comprises one or more wearers of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fined area 104.
`hearing devices 102 in a det
`
`Lo
`
`
`The hearing devices are designated in entirety by reference
`
`numeral 106 and are shown in figure 1 as three sets of hearing
`
`devices.
`
`hearing aids,
`
`The hearing devices 106 may be headsets, headphones,
`or any combination thereof.
`
`20
`
`
`Fach of the hearing devices 106 comprises an antenna, which may
`
`be an inductive coil 108 or a dipole antenna 110. The antenna
`
`108, 110 enable the hearing devices 106 to receive and transmit
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`signals with a server 112. The
`
`
`server 112 enables each of the
`
`connecting hearing devices 106 to access a communications
`
`25
`
`network 114, which may comprise a@ computer network, media
`
`network,
`
`telecommunications network, or any combinations
`
`
`thereof.
`
`The server 112 comprises one or more antennas 116, 118 for
`
`30
`
`transmitt
`
`which dat
`
`protocol especially developed
`
`Ling and receiving data from the hearing devices 106,
`ta are coniFigured acco
`
`
`rding to a wireless proprietary
`
`
`
` for hearing devices in particular
`
`hearing aids.
`
`
`The server 112 comprises a gateway unit 120 for
`
`
`
`

`

`WO 2006/117365
`
`PCT/EP2006/061964
`
`11
`
`converting data from the an
`
`Lennas
`
`
`from the wireless proprietary
`
`protocol to a general commu
`
`nications
`
`protocol.
`
`The general
`
`| may
`
`UDP,
`
`
`ICMP,
`
` [GP, EGP,
`
`
` SLIP, PPP,
`
`
`proprietary protocol,
`
`comprise
`communications protocol]
`CDMA,
`
`
`
`Bluetooth,
`BGP,
`or in fact any
`
`SCTP,
`
`SS7, TCP/I P,
`
`
`I°C,
`
`a second
`
`
`combination thereof.
`
`The term “gateway” is in this context to be construed as a
`
`translator translating from one
`
`and/or data configuration to another.
`
`
`transmission configuration
`
`server 112
`
`further comprises an input/output
`
`connecting to
`
`the communications network 114.
`
`
`(I/O) unit 122
`
`
`The I/O unit
`
`
`
`thus may connect to a wide variety of
`
`such as a public switched telephone
`
`In
`or a computer
`
`
`
`services in the
`
` 128.
`
` 124,
`
`communication network 114,
`
`a cellular or mobil
`
` e telephone 126,
`
`addition the communications network 114 comprises access to a
`plurality of services provided by service providers 130. The
`
`service provides 130 comprise an environment service provider
`
`132 for
`
`devices reducing background noise experienced by the hearing
`
`106.
`
`The hearing devices 106 comprise acoustic environment detectors
`
`generating environment signals
`
`
`forwarded as a data payload ina
`
`data package to the environment service provider 132
`
`in the
`
`communication network 114.
`
`The environment signals comprise
`
`
`
`
`amplitude and frequency data relating to acoustic background of
`
`
`
`hearing devices 106.
`
`
`environment of
`
`the defined area 104.
`
`The server 112 generates
`
`
`an environment signal based on the acoustic environment of
`
`the
`
`Further,
`
`
`
`the I/O unit 122 of
`
`microphone
`
`which may be applied as a
`134,
`
`detector
`environment
`for commonly determini
`
`
`
`the server 112 connects to a
`
`
`further acoustic
`
`
`ng the acoustic
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`Lo
`
`20
`
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`
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`
`

`

`WO 2006/117365
`
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`
`defined area 104, and forwards the environment signal as a data
`
`payload in a data package to the environment service provider
`
`12
`
`132.
`
`
`
`The environment service provider 132 generates an environment
`
`compensation signal based on the environment
`
`signals, which
`
`
`
`environment compensation signal
`
`is forwarded as a data payload
`
`in a data package to the hearing devices 106.
`
`The hearing
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`increasing signal-to-noise ratio of an audio signal presented
`
`
`to the wearers 102 of the hearing devices 106.
`
`
`devices 106 utilise the environment compensation signal for
`
`
`The environment compensation signal comprises a phase shifted
`
`
`version of the environment signal. Hence the environment
`
`service provider 132 may utilise the environment
`
`
`signal for
`
`ted in the audio
`
`
`
`generating a phase shifted copy to be incorporat
`
`
`Signal presented to the wearers 102 of the hearing devices 106
`
`so as to mask the acoustic background noise.
`
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`Lo
`
`25
`
`30
`
`
`
`
`20
`In a further embodiment of the present
`
`
`
`invention the microphone
`
`
`t of the
`
` the hearing
`
`this
`
`
`134 is used for categorising the acoustic environmen
`
`
`position of the microphone 134. The server 112 uses
`
`
`categorisation for broadcasting a control signal to
`
`
`devices 106 in the defined area 104.
`
`
`
`
`
`The server 112 further comprises a memory 136 wherein the
`
`server 112 stores signal processing settings controlling the
`
`Signal processing of the hearing devices 106.
`
`
`
`may thus firstly determine an acoustic environment of the
` defined area 104 and broadcast a setting to the hearing devices
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`acoustic environment.
`
`106, which setting processes the sound in accordance with the
`
`The server 112
`
`
`
`
`

`

`WO 2006/117365
`
`PCT/EP2006/061964
`
`Similarly,
`
`the communical
`
`provider 138 operable by
`
`
`
`communicate an appropriat
`
`te setting to the hearing devices
`
`13
`
`Lions network 114 comprises a storage
`
`the server 112 to store and
`
`106.
`
`
`
`the
`
` Figure 1
`
`to a second embodiment of
`
`present invention and designated in enti
`rety by reference
`
`Figure 2 shows a system according
`
`numeral 200.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Elements described with reference to
`
`
`
`having an identical
`
`
`function are designat
`
` reference numeral in
`
`
`figure 2.
`
`10
`
`ted with the same
`
`The system 200 comprises a hearing device 202 communicating
`
`with a personal server 204
`
`personal
`
`server 204 further
`
`enabling
`
`wireless communicat
`
`tion with a wireless access service
`
`Lo
`
`provider
`
`210 connecting to
`
`the communication network 114.
`
`The
`
`comprises a second antenna 206
`
`118. The
`
` through antennas 108,
`
`wireless
`
`access service provider 210 communicates with the
`
`personal
`
`server 204 through an antenna 212.
`
`The personal server
`
`204 has a size,
`
`which makes it particularly advantageous as a
`
`body-worn device.
`
`20
`
`The wireless access service provider 210 thus enables the
`
`
`hearing device access to a wide variety of
`
`service provided on
`
`the communication network 114.
`the hearing device
`For example,
`
`
`travel
`may receive audio streams of
`information,
`
`position data,
`
`
`
`25
`
`or media content
`
`(e.q.
`
`
`radio or sound track of
`
`Le
`
`levision).
`
`which
`
`As in the server 112,
`
`described with ret
`
`
`ference CO
` figure 1,
`
`personal server 204 comprises a memory 136,
`Fic datca
`
`
`utilised storing hearing device 202 specii
`
`
`
`30
`
`environmental acoustic dat
`
`wearer’s reactions
`
`to the
`
`
`
`ta logged during a period,
`
`and the
`
`
`hearing device’s selections of
`
`
`
`programs in certain acoustic environments.
`
`Further,
`
`the
`
`personal server 204 comprises a processor 214 adapted to
`
`assist
`
`the
`
`may be
`
`such as
`
`
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`WO 2006/117365
`
`PCT/EP2006/061964
`
`and/or support a signal processor of the hearing device in
`
`
`calculations performed on the environmental acoustic data.
`
`14
`
`
`
`The personal server 204 comprises a user interface (UI) 216
`
`
`allowing the wearer of the hearing device 202 to control the
`
`
`
`hearing device 202 and allowing the wearer to control access to
`
`
`
`the communication network 114. The UI 216 may comprise a
`
`
`display and keypad for displaying either services provided by
`
`the service providers 130 in the communication network 114 or
`
`
`
`explanatory information from the operation of
`
`
`
`
`fF the hearing
`
`device 202.
`
`The second antenna 206,
`
`
`in a further embodiment of the present
`
`invention, connects directly to cellular or mobile phone 126
`
`through antenna 218.
`
`
`
`In this embodiment of the present
`
`invention,
`
`the personal server 204 utilises the cellular or
`
`
`
`mobile phone 126 for accessing the communication network 114.
`
`
`
`
`
`In a third embodiment of the present
`
`
`
`invention,
`
`server 204 is incorporated in the cellular or mobile phone 126,
`
`
`
`thus enabling accesses to the service providers 130 or devices
`
`124, 128 connecting to the communication network 114 by means
`
`
`of the cellular or mobile phone 126. The cellular or mobile
`
`
`
`the features of the server 112 and
`phone 126 incorporates all
`
`
`personal server 204, described with reference
`
`to the figures.
`
`
`The second and third embodiments of the present invention
`
`advantageously may thus provide a wearer of a hearing device
`
`
`
`streaming etc.
`
`the personal
`
`
`
`such as a hearing aid with positioning informa tion, audio
`
`
`
`In addition,
`the second and third embodiment may
`
`
`
`
`provide an improved user interface for a wea
`
`device such as a hearing aid since the weare!
`
`is presented with
`
`~ rer of a hearing
`
`
`
`10
`
`Lo
`
`20
`
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`
`30
`
`

`

`WO 2006/117365
`
`PCT/EP2006/061964
`
`15
`
`a display and keypad, either directly on the personal server
`
`204 or indirectly on the cellular or wireless phone 126.
`
`
`
`
`The second and third embodiments of the present invention may
`
`further advantageously utilise the microphone 134 as a
`
`
`
`conference microphone recording the voice of the wearer and
`
`transmitting the voice to other wearers of hearing devices.
`
`
`
`
`
`Finally,
`
`
`the first, second
`
`
`and third embodiments of the present
`
`10
`
`invention may support the hearing devices 106 in signal
`
`processing,
`
`
`for example,
`
`in accordance with a hearing
`
`
`
`directionality of acoustic
`
`
`impairment, and in calculation of features such as
`
`
`
`signal detected by the hearing
`
`devices 106 or noise reduction schemes.
`
`

`

`WO 2006/117365
`
`PCT/EP2006/061964
`
`Claims
`
`16
`
`
`
`system for enabling a hearing device wireless access to a
`
`unication network, and
`
`
`comprising a first transceiver unit
`
`in said
`
`hearing device communicating according to a
`
`
`first
`
`unication protocol; a se
`
`t/foutput unit connected
`
`ted to communicate according to a second communication
`
`rver device comprising an
`
`to said communication network and
`
`
`
`1. A
`
`comm
`
`comm
`
`inpu
`
`adap
`
`
`
`
` first and second comm
`
`
`
`protocol,
`
`a second transceiver unit connected wirelessly to
`
`10
`
`said
`
`first transceiver unit and adapted to communicate
`
`
`according to said first communication protocol,
`
`and a
`
`translator unit
`
`interconnecting said second transceiver unit
`
`and said input/output unit
`
`said
`
`hearing device is adapted
`
`and adapted to translate between
`
`
`
`unication protocol; and wherein said
`
`to upload and download data to and
`
`
`
`from
`
`said communication net
`
`twork through said server device.
`
`wherein said communication
`
`2. A system according to claim 1,
`
`network comprises a wired or wireless telephone network, a
`or any combination thereof.
`
`
`
`
`
`computer network, media network,
`
`Lo
`
`20
`
`
`3. A system according to any of claims 1 to 2, wherein said
`
`data comprises a data package,
`
`
`such as digital data configured
`
`in a transmission block,
`
`a
`
`data packet,
`
`a data parcel, or
`
`25
`
`datagram.
`
`4. A system according to claim 3,
`
`wherein said data package
`
`comprises a header section comprising routing and transmission
`
`control data, and a data section comprising data payl
`
`load.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to 4, wherein said
`
`
`
`system according to any of claims 1
`
`
`wireless communication between said first and second
`
`30
`
`5. A
`
`

`

`WO 2006/117365
`
`PCT/EP2006/061964
`
`transceiver elements comprises capacitive or inductive
`
`cou
`
`pling.
`
`17
`
`6.
`
`A system according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said
`
`
`first and second transceiver elements each comprise a coil
`
`antenna adapted to communicate inductively with one another.
`
`Ta
`
`A system according to claims 1 to 6,
`
`wherein said
`
`
`communication network comprising connections to a plurality of
`
`10
`
`ser
`
`vice providers
`
`in said communication network.
`
`8.
`
`A system according to claim 7,
`
`
`
`pro
`
`viders are adapted
`
`to provide all
`
`whe
`
`rein said service
`
`
`
`
`types of services for the
`
`ring device users,
`
`
`such as updated hearing aid software with
`
`
`
`
`
`features,
`
`ormation,
`
`access to a multimedia event,
`
`access service
`
`or any combination thereof.
`
`
`
`20
`
`tel
` tel
`
`ephone,
`
`evision,
`
`a computer, a personal
`
`digital
`
`assistant,
`
`a
`
`or any combination thereof.
`
`10.
`
`ser
`
`
`
`Cl
`A system according to any of
`aims 1
`
`to 9, wherein said
`
`ver device
`
`
`further comprises a
`
`location identifying element
`
`
`
`25
`
`ada
`
`
`
`pted to identify present location o