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Publication Number
US-12028687-B2
Publication Date
2024-07-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
A hearing aid configured for handsfree control. The hearing aid comprising one or more microphones configured to receive an input signal from the surroundings and a signal processor configured to process the input signal from the surroundings and a receiver configured to emit at least a part of said processed input signal into an ear of a hearing aid user, wherein the signal processor is further configured to process a gestural signal from a user of the hearing aid and make a control change to the hearing aid based on the gestural signal.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a handsfree-controlled hearing aid in which one or more microphones receive an input signal from the surroundings and a signal processor processes the input signal, while a receiver emits at least a part of the processed input signal into an ear of a hearing aid user. The signal processor further processes a gestural signal forming part of the input signal and received by the one or more microphones, and communicates the gestural signal with a program selector and/or settings processor so that the gestural signal controls a program selection and/or a setting of the signal processor.
The processor separates the gestural signal from the sounds received by the microphone during processing of the sounds in the hearing aid processor. In one disclosed form, the hearing aid includes an ultrasonic emitter configured to emit an ultrasound wave into the surroundings of the hearing aid, and the one or more microphones receive the ultrasonic wave reflected back from a gesture presented in close proximity to the hearing aid. The gestural control uses gesture-related information to produce commands for controlling hearing aid processing.
The disclosed gestural signal may be realized as a sound pattern caused by a movement of an object or hand of a person in close proximity to the hearing aid, where the sound pattern is picked up by the one or more microphones and detected by the signal processor. Specific sound patterns control specific commands such as program selection and/or a setting in the hearing aid processing. The disclosure further includes user feedback by transmitting a pre-defined sound upon command execution and optionally includes a training unit to train recognition of different gestures or sound patterns for commands.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims. Across both independent claims, the inventive features comprise microphone-based capture of surrounding input, processing to form and separate a gestural signal from microphone sounds, and communication of that gestural signal to a program selector and/or settings processor to control program selection and/or signal processor settings, with one claim further requiring an ultrasonic emitter to use reflected ultrasound from a nearby gesture, and the other claim further specifying the gestural signal as a sound pattern caused by object or hand movement and detected by the signal processor.
Microphones, signal processor, and program selection/settings control via a gestural signal
One or more microphones configured to receive an input signal from the surroundings; a signal processor configured to process the input signal; and the signal processor further configured to process a gestural signal forming part of the input signal and received by the one or more microphones and to communicate with a program selector and/or settings processor so as to transmit the gestural signal to control a program selection and/or setting of the signal processor based on the gestural signal.
Separating the gestural signal from microphone sounds
The processor is configured to separate the gestural signal from the sounds received by the microphone in the processing of the sounds in the hearing aid processor.
Ultrasonic emitter with reflected ultrasound from a nearby gesture
The hearing aid further comprises an ultrasonic emitter configured to emit an ultrasound wave into the surroundings of the hearing aid, and wherein the one or more microphones is configured to receive the ultrasonic wave reflected back from a gesture presented in close proximity to the hearing aid.
Gestural signal as a sound pattern from object or hand movement detected by microphones
The gestural signal is configured as a sound pattern caused by a movement of an object or hand of a person in close proximity to the hearing aid, wherein the sound pattern is picked up by the one or more microphones and detected by the signal processor.
Both independent claims share microphone-received surroundings input, gestural-signal formation and separation from microphone sounds, and communication of the gestural signal to a program selector and/or settings processor for program selection and/or signal processor settings. One independent claim additionally requires ultrasonic emission with microphones receiving reflected ultrasound from a nearby gesture, while the other specifies gestural control via a detected sound pattern caused by nearby object or hand movement.
Stated Advantages
Handsfree control of a hearing aid by controlling program selection and/or a setting of the signal processor based on a gestural signal.
Avoidance of interference by separating the gestural signal from the sounds received by the microphone during processing.
Gesture-related control may be implemented using ultrasound with reflected ultrasound from a gesture presented in close proximity to the hearing aid.
Gesture-related control may be implemented using a sound pattern caused by a movement of an object or hand in close proximity to the hearing aid.
User feedback is provided by transmitting a pre-defined sound indicating command execution.
Documented Applications
Controlling a hearing aid program selection and/or settings based on gestures or movement-related gestural signals.
Operating gesture-related command control using an ultrasonic emitter and microphones receiving reflected ultrasound from a nearby gesture.
Operating gesture-related command control using sound patterns caused by movement of an object or hand in close proximity to the hearing aid.
Transmitting a pre-defined sound upon detected gestural signal to indicate command execution.
Training recognition of gestures or sound patterns in a training unit for commands.
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