Hearing device assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hearing device assembly comprising a behind-the-ear base unit and an in-the-ear transducer module, which communicate via a communication interface, and the base unit is configured to detect whether the transducer module comprises a microcontroller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention discloses a hearing device assembly having a postauricular basic unit and an intraauricular transducer module, which communicate with each other via a communication interface. The transducer module is activated / activated upon startup or hot-plugging by a signal on the interface. The basic unit detects the activated / activated signal and supplies power to the transducer module upon detection. The basic unit is also configured to detect whether the transducer module includes a microcontroller.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for assigning communication roles / functions between a postauricular basic unit and an intraauricular transducer module in a hearing device assembly. Background Technology

[0003] Hearing device components can be head-mounted devices, headphones, earphones, hearing aids, or other head-mounted hearing device components. Such components will contain multiple electronic components and circuits that provide audible sound to one or both of the user's ears. En route to the user's ears, some or all of the sound can be digitized and altered by one or more components and circuits; for example, the sound can be amplified, filtered, softened, equalized, adjusted, etc. To this end, the hearing device component will include an audio processing unit (typically a so-called digital signal processor (DSP)) that processes signals received from one or more microphones, one or more accelerometers and / or sensors, or via wireless or wired communication interfaces / bus systems, where sensors pick up vibrations generated by sound. The processed sound signal is then transmitted to a speaker or receiver to produce audible sound in or near the user's ear canal. The processed sound signal may undergo digital-to-analog (D / A) conversion before being transmitted to the speaker or receiver.

[0004] In some hearing aid components, the receiver is placed in the user's ear, i.e., in the ear canal. For example, in in-ear receiver headphones or in-ear receiver (RIE) hearing aids, the basic unit containing the audio processing unit is located behind the user's ear. The receiver receives electronic signals from the audio processing unit and then converts them into audible sound. The receiver may be included in a transducer module, possibly along with one or more additional transducers, such as sensors. The transducer module is located in the user's ear canal and is held in the correct position using a dome or a custom mold. The custom mold may fit a particular user's ear and / or may surround the receiver. The dome may be made of a flexible material and / or placed at one end of the transducer module. One end is the end of the transducer module closest to the eardrum when placed in the user's ear canal.

[0005] The transducer modules can be replaceable, allowing one transducer module to be replaced with another. This provides users with many benefits, such as allowing users to upgrade to newer, better receivers, receivers with more functions when combined with the distributor, etc.

[0006] If an in-ear receiver-type hearing aid has a detachable transducer module and more than one type of receiver configured to be detachably connected to the base unit, there is a risk that the signal processing settings in the base unit may not match the connected or inserted receiver. Different types of receivers can include one or more of low-power, medium-power, high-power, and ultra-power receivers. If the signal processor is configured to transmit the processed audio signal to a low-power receiver, and a high-power receiver is connected, the user may be harmed by loud noise. However, this drawback can be reduced or eliminated by incorporating a non-volatile memory (NVM) element in the transducer module that contains stored information, such as transducer module characteristics including, for example, transducer module identification data, particularly for the receiver. When an exchange is made, the base unit can detect what has happened, initiate communication with the transducer module, read the contents of the NVM, and make appropriate changes to the output to match the changed parameters of the receiver. If an inconsistency, i.e., a configuration mismatch, occurs, the base unit can choose, for example, not to send a signal to the transducer module, or to send a signal that can be determined to cause the receiver to emit a low-volume audible sound, to ensure that the user is not bothered or harmed by loud noise. In cases of inconsistency, i.e., configuration mismatch, the basic unit can send additional warnings to the user, such as audible alerts. This may be relevant both during and after assembly if the user replaces the transducer module themselves.

[0007] In the case of in-ear receiver-type hearing aids with detachable receivers, each receiver can have characteristics within predetermined tolerances. Another advantage of incorporating a non-volatile memory (NVM) element containing stored information (such as transducer module characteristics including, for example, transducer module identification data, and various performance parameters including, for example, production calibration offsets) into the transducer module is that, when a receiver is connected or inserted, the basic unit can initialize communication with the transducer module, read the contents of the NVM, and make appropriate modifications to the signal processing by reading the contents of the NVM to match the actual properties of the connected or inserted receiver. Therefore, the production calibration offset in the NVM can be used to reduce receiver-to-receiver tolerances.

[0008] In such a component with a transducer module that includes an NVM, the base unit initiates communication and acts as the master device, while the NVM acts as the slave device. After the initial communication occurs when the transducer module is connected / installed, no further communication is required between the base unit and the transducer module, except for the processed audio signal.

[0009] However, to allow for greater functionality in hearing device assemblies, the base unit can advantageously be configured to act as either a master or slave device, as this would allow for the use of more advanced transducer modules capable of assuming a master communication role. For example, such advanced transducer modules could include auxiliary components such as sensors that generate data that the transducer module wants to transmit to the base unit and / or electromechanical devices. A drawback of the base unit only acting as a master device is the need for frequent checks on the transducer module to check if it has data to share with the base unit. This frequent checking consumes battery power and can introduce noise into the delicate audio processing circuitry of the hearing device assembly, especially if the transducer module's additional functionality includes one or more microphones. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a hearing device assembly that can mitigate or eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0010] In the hearing device components disclosed herein, the transducer module indicates whether the basic unit acts as a master or slave device. The transducer module may contain a microcontroller, which may include an NVM and act as a controller for many additional functions, such as one or more sensors and / or electromechanical devices within the transducer module.

[0011] Preferably, the basic unit in this hearing device assembly can act as a slave device when connected to a transducer module configured to act as a master device, and can act as a master device when connected to a transducer module configured not to act as a master device. Summary of the Invention

[0012] A first aspect of the present invention provides a hearing device assembly, and a second aspect provides a method for assigning communication roles in such a hearing device assembly.

[0013] In a first aspect, the hearing device assembly includes a postauricular base unit and an in-ear transducer module, wherein both the base unit and the transducer module are configured to electrically communicate with each other via a communication interface / bus connecting the base unit and the transducer module. The transducer module is further configured to activate / enable a signal on the communication interface / bus during base unit startup or when the transducer module is hot-plugged into the base unit, and the base unit is further configured to detect the signal activated by the transducer module and supply power to the transducer module upon detecting the signal. The base unit is also configured to detect whether the transducer module includes a microcontroller.

[0014] Setting to active indicates signal activation. The communication interface / bus will be used to facilitate communication between two or more devices. One of the devices will act as the master device, initiating activity on the device communication interface to simplify conflict avoidance. The communication interface / bus can be implemented with one or more lines, i.e., 1, 2, 3, ..., N lines. The actual signal on the wiring or one or more wirings may be low or high. As is known to those skilled in the art, activation or setting to active means high for some system configurations and low for others. If the communication interface / bus includes multiple wirings, allowing a signal to be set to active / active on one or more of the multiple lines, one or more signals will be selected, i.e., one or more lines will be active, to convey communication between the base unit and the transducer module.

[0015] In this embodiment, the communication interface / bus is a single-wire or 1-Wire interface, a well-known device communication interface / bus system that typically has a master device, i.e., a device that acts as the master device for overall control. The master device initiates activities on the interface / bus, simplifying the avoidance of conflicts on the interface / bus.

[0016] The basic unit is activated when power is supplied to one or more electronic components or circuits within it. This can be achieved in several ways. For example, a switch on the basic unit can be toggled, allowing power from the battery to be electrically connected to one or more electronic components or circuits within the basic unit. When the basic unit is activated, the transducer module may or may not be connected. If the transducer module is connected, when the hearing aid is activated, the basic unit can begin supplying power to the transducer module after activation; that is, powering the transducer module can be done in a second step after powering the basic unit, which can begin after the basic unit has been activated. If the transducer module is not connected at this time, it may be hot-plugged when the basic unit is activated. Hot-plugging the transducer module to the basic unit means that the transducer module is electrically connected to the basic unit when it is already powered on. Hot-plugging can also occur by disconnecting the transducer module from a powered hearing aid assembly and connecting another or the same transducer module.

[0017] The transducer module may include a connector, such as a plug connector, configured to provide a mechanical and / or electrical and / or acoustic connection between the transducer module and the base unit. The connector may be configured to provide a detachable connection between the transducer module and the base unit. Where the transducer module includes a plug connector, the base unit may include a receptacle connector configured to connect to the plug connector. For example, the connector may include one or more pads connected via one or more springs in a receptacle of the base unit. The transducer module may also include wiring and / or a sound tube, as well as headphones, wherein the wiring and / or sound tube connects the connector and the headphones.

[0018] In this embodiment, the basic unit is also configured to assume a slave communication role in response to the detection of a microcontroller in the transducer module, and to assume a master communication role in response to the absence of a microcontroller in the transducer module. Therefore, the basic unit's communication role depends, at least initially, on whether a microcontroller is detected within the transducer module. The basic unit can detect the presence of a microcontroller in various ways; for example, the microcontroller can be configured to activate a second signal on the communication interface / bus.

[0019] In this embodiment, the basic unit is also configured to assume a communication role in response to determining whether a second signal, set as valid by the transducer module, is present. Therefore, the communication role of the basic unit is indicated by the transducer module.

[0020] In an asymmetric communication setup between paired / connected electronic entities, one entity can act as a slave or master, and typically one entity acts as the master while the others act as slaves. The master entity can initiate, time, and control data exchange; that is, the entity acting as the master can initiate, time, and control data exchange. Furthermore, the master entity can control the data transmission rate. Data transmitted via the communication interface / bus between the transducer module and the base unit can include identification data (e.g., base unit identification data and transducer module identification data), transducer calibration data, sensor data (e.g., real-time sensor data), processed sensor data (e.g., real-time processed sensor data), commands, and status.

[0021] The non-volatile memory (NVM) located in the transducer module includes data and may include, for example, identification data and other data. When the base unit is powered on or the transducer module is hot-plugged into the base unit, the base unit requires identification information from the transducer module. As described above, a base unit that does not support a transducer module including a microcontroller will simply initialize communication and read the contents of the NVM. In improved hearing device assemblies, the base unit may additionally receive identification data sent by the microcontroller in the transducer module. Therefore, in one embodiment, the base unit is further configured to: receive identification data sent by the microcontroller in the transducer module in response to the detection of the presence of the microcontroller in the transducer module, and read identification data from the non-volatile memory (NVM) within the transducer module in response to the absence of a microcontroller in the transducer module.

[0022] The basic unit may later transition from a slave device to a master device, for example, after receiving identification data from the microcontroller in the transducer module. In this case, the basic unit only acts as a slave device during the initial communication of the microcontroller-based transducer module. Therefore, in one embodiment, the basic unit is also configured to assume the communication role of a master device after receiving identification data from the microcontroller in the transducer module. When the basic unit initially acts as a slave device, it can perform other tasks, such as other DSP tasks, while waiting for data from the transducer module, which must start up first. This allows the basic unit, and the entire component, to start up faster. If the basic unit acts as a master device, it will have to wait for the transducer module when it starts up and is ready to transmit data, potentially polling the transducer module frequently, which could interfere with the execution of other tasks, such as other DSP tasks.

[0023] Hearing device components can be head-mounted devices, headphones, earphones, hearing aids, or other head-mounted hearing device components, wherein the hearing aids are configured to compensate for the user's hearing loss.

[0024] In an embodiment, if the transducer module includes a microcontroller, the microcontroller is configured to start when the base unit is powered on. The microcontroller-based transducer module (if present) is also configured to enable / activate a second signal on the communication interface / bus, and the base unit is further configured to assume a communication role in response to determining whether the second signal is present. That is, the base unit is configured to act as a master or slave device in response to determining whether the second signal is present.

[0025] A microcontroller is one of the following: an off-the-shelf microcontroller, an ASIC logic controller, or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), optionally with supporting circuitry such as non-volatile memory (NVM) (e.g., EEPROM, programmable logic unit, etc.).

[0026] If the transducer module includes a microcontroller, it is a microcontroller-based transducer module and is referred to as such. Microcontroller startup is a different event from the startup of the basic unit described above, because it occurs only when the transducer module is a microcontroller-based transducer module, and it happens after the basic unit detects the presence of the transducer module and powers it on.

[0027] The transducer module may include an NVM containing transducer module identification data. If the transducer module is a microcontroller-based transducer module, the NVM containing the transducer module identification data may be contained in and / or embedded in the microcontroller.

[0028] In an embodiment, the transducer module includes one or more receivers, and / or one or more microphones, and / or one or more sensors and / or electromechanical devices. One or more sensors may provide one or more free fall detection signals, environmental signals (e.g., indicating temperature or humidity), capacitive switching signals (e.g., indicating whether the transducer module, i.e., the transducer module's earpiece, is in the ear), pressure signals, heart rate signals, snoring detection signals, gyroscope sensor signals (e.g., from a gyroscope sensor), motion detection signals (e.g., from an accelerometer sensor), and / or haptic feedback signals (e.g., from a user interface sensor). In a microcontroller-based transducer module, one or more sensors may be configured to forward sensor data, such as real-time sensor data, to the base unit. In a microcontroller-based transducer module, one or more sensors may be controlled by a microcontroller, and the microcontroller may be configured to process the sensor data, such as real-time sensor data, before forwarding it to the base unit.

[0029] If the transducer module is a microcontroller-based transducer module, it can be configured to activate a second signal on the communication interface / bus. The base unit can detect this second signal to determine its presence. Therefore, the presence or absence of the second signal can be used to indicate to the base unit whether the transducer module is microcontroller-based. Subsequently, the base unit can respond by assuming a communication role in response to determining the presence or absence of the second signal. Thus, the communication role is indicated by the transducer module.

[0030] In this embodiment, the basic unit is further configured to assume the communication role of a slave device in response to the detection of a second signal, and the microcontroller is configured to assume the communication role of a master device. If the basic unit detects the second signal, this means that the transducer module is a microcontroller-based transducer module, the basic unit assumes the communication role of a slave device, and the microcontroller assumes the role of a master device.

[0031] The advantage of using a microcontroller-based transducer module as the master device is that data is transmitted only when it is available and ready in the transducer module. This contrasts with polling methods (e.g., frequent checks), where the basic unit needs to periodically check if the data is ready, and if not, it must be checked again later. Such frequent checks consume battery power and can lead to noise, such as artifacts in the delicate audio processing circuitry of hearing aid components. Therefore, acoustic artifacts caused by digital transmission can be reduced by minimizing the number of data exchanges, such as communication events and / or communication bursts.

[0032] In this embodiment, the basic unit is also configured to assume the communication role of the master device in response to the absence of a second signal (i.e., if the transducer module is not a microcontroller-based transducer module), with the basic unit acting as the master device and the transducer module acting as the slave device.

[0033] In this embodiment, the basic unit is further configured to wait for a predetermined time after power is supplied to the transducer module, and if the second signal is not detected within the predetermined time, it is determined that the second signal does not exist. The predetermined waiting time for the basic unit may be 5 milliseconds, less than 5 milliseconds, less than 4 milliseconds, or less than 3 milliseconds. Those skilled in the art will know that a reasonable predetermined waiting time for the basic unit can be determined experimentally.

[0034] In this embodiment, the basic unit is further configured to enter a low-power communication mode when acting as a slave device and the microcontroller-based transducer module has indicated that data transmission is not required, and the basic unit is also configured to restart the communication mode when requested by the microcontroller-based transducer module. This can also be described as the basic unit's communication processing function entering a sleep mode. Once data is ready to be transmitted from the transducer module to the basic unit, the transducer module can transmit a wake-up signal via the communication interface / bus, or, in the case of a single-wire signal, a pulsed single-wire signal, which wakes up the communication processing function in the basic unit, allowing data transmission. Therefore, data transmission is initiated by the transducer module. During the low-power communication mode, battery power is conserved. The request to wake up the basic unit from the microcontroller-based transducer module can be in the form of an interrupt request generated within the basic unit.

[0035] In this embodiment, the microcontroller-based transducer module provides the basic unit with the option to send commands to the transducer module. For example, if the basic unit needs to control functions in the transducer module according to a hearing aid user's request, the microcontroller-based transducer module, acting as the master device, can provide a way for the basic unit, acting as the slave device, to send one or more commands to the transducer.

[0036] In a second aspect, a method for assigning communication roles between a postauricular base unit and an intraauricular transducer module in a hearing device assembly, wherein the base unit and the transducer module are configured to communicate electrically via a communication interface / bus connecting the base unit and the transducer module, comprising the following steps: Basic unit startup or transducer module hot-plugging into basic unit. The transducer module sets the signal on the communication interface to active. The basic unit detection is set as an effective signal by the transducer module. The basic unit supplies power to the transducer module after detecting a signal, and The basic unit detects whether the transducer module includes a microcontroller.

[0037] In the second aspect, the terms and features refer to the terms and features that have the same names in the first aspect, and therefore the descriptions and explanations of the terms and features given above also apply to the second aspect.

[0038] In one embodiment, the method further includes, in response to detecting the presence of a microcontroller in the transducer module, the basic unit assuming a communication role, wherein the step of the basic unit assuming the communication role includes: If a microcontroller is detected, the basic unit assumes the role of slave device communication, and If no microcontroller is detected, the basic unit assumes the role of master device communication.

[0039] In one embodiment, the method further includes assuming a communication role in response to determining the presence or absence of a second signal set valid by the transducer module.

[0040] In one embodiment, if the transducer module includes a microcontroller, the microcontroller is configured to start when the basic unit is powered on, and the method further includes: If a microcontroller-based transducer module is present, the microcontroller-based transducer module will set the second signal on the communication interface to active. The basic unit determines whether the second signal exists, and The basic unit assumes a communication role in response to determining the presence or absence of a second signal.

[0041] If the transducer module includes a microcontroller, it is referred to as a microcontroller-based transducer module. The condition "if the transducer module includes a microcontroller" applies only to the presence and configuration of the microcontroller, and not to the subsequent method steps.

[0042] In one embodiment, the method further includes: In response to the detection of the second signal, the basic unit assumes the communication role of the slave device, and The microcontroller takes on the communication role of the master device.

[0043] In one embodiment, the method further includes, in response to the absence of a second signal, the basic unit assuming the communication role of the master device.

[0044] In one embodiment, the method further includes: The basic unit waits for a predetermined time after supplying power to the transducer module, and If the second signal is not detected within the predetermined time, the basic unit determines that the second signal does not exist.

[0045] In some embodiments, the method further includes, in response to the detection of the presence of a microcontroller in the transducer module, the basic unit obtains identification data that identifies the transducer module, and the step of obtaining the identification data includes: If a microcontroller is detected, the basic unit receives identification data sent by the microcontroller in the transducer module, or If the microcontroller is not detected, the basic unit reads the identification data from the non-volatile memory (NVM) within the sensor module.

[0046] In some embodiments, the method further includes: after receiving identification data sent by the microcontroller in the transducer module, the basic unit assumes the communication role of the master device.

[0047] In one embodiment, if the basic unit acts as a slave device in communication, the method further includes: When the microcontroller-based transducer module indicates that data transmission is not required, the basic unit enters a low-power communication mode, and The basic unit is powered again for communication mode when an operation is requested by a microcontroller-based transducer module.

[0048] In some embodiments, the microcontroller-based transducer module includes one or more sensors, and the method further includes the one or more sensors forwarding sensor data, such as real-time sensor data, to the base unit.

[0049] In some embodiments, the microcontroller-based transducer module includes one or more sensors, and the method further includes: the microcontroller controlling one or more sensors, and / or the microcontroller receiving sensor data (e.g., real-time sensor data) from one or more sensors and processing the sensor data and / or forwarding the sensor data to the base unit.

[0050] One or more sensors may provide one or more drop detection signals, free fall detection signals, environmental signals (e.g., indicating temperature or humidity), capacitive switch signals (e.g., indicating whether the transducer module's earphone 25 is in the ear), pressure signals, heart rate signals, snoring detection signals, gyroscope sensor signals (e.g., from a gyroscope sensor), motion detection signals (e.g., from an accelerometer sensor), and / or haptic feedback signals (e.g., from a user interface sensor). Attached Figure Description

[0051] In the following description, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1A and Figure 1B A hearing device assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically; Figure 2A and Figure 2B Another hearing device component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically; Figure 3A and 3B An example of a communication scheme between the basic unit and the transducer module is shown; Figure 4 This is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is another flowchart according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 1 Hearing device components 3 Basic Units 5. Transducer Module / Microcontroller-Based Transducer Module 7 microphones 8. Audio signals 9 Audio Processing Units 10. Processed audio signals 11 Receivers 13. Non-volatile memory (NVM) 15 Communication Interface 17 Microcontrollers 19 Auxiliary Units 21 Connectors 23 Wiring / Cables 25 headphones 27. Basic Unit Power 29. Transducer module power 31 Communication Interface (Signals) Arrow 33 indicates a higher level. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Various exemplary embodiments of the hearing device assembly are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that, for clarity, the drawings are schematic and simplified, and therefore only details essential for understanding the invention are shown, while other details are omitted. The same reference numerals always refer to the same elements. Therefore, it is not necessary to describe the same elements in detail for each drawing.

[0054] Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2A and Figure 2B A hearing device assembly 1 having a basic unit 3 and a transducer module 5 is schematically shown. During use, the basic unit 3 is placed behind the user's ear and has one or more microphones 7 and an audio processing unit 9 that processes any audio signals 8 received from the one or more microphones 7 or optionally via a wireless or wired communication interface / bus (not shown). The processed audio signals 10 are transmitted to a receiver 11 in the transducer module 5, thereby generating and / or providing audible sound to the user. When the hearing device assembly 1 is used, the transducer module 5 is located at or inside the user's ear, and the audible sound generated by the receiver 11 is produced near or within the user's ear canal.

[0055] In the hearing device assembly 1 shown in FIG1A, the transducer module 5 has a non-volatile memory (NVM) 13 (e.g., EEPROM) that can communicate electrically with the base unit 3 via a communication interface / bus 15, such as a single-wire interface or multi-wire interface 15 that connects the base unit 3 and the transducer module 5 and / or directly connects the base unit 3 to the NVM 13.

[0056] Figure 1B The illustrated hearing device assembly shows one embodiment, wherein hearing device assembly 1 is an in-ear receiver type hearing aid. Transducer module 5 includes connector 21, wiring or cable 23, and earphone 25. Connector 21 may be a plug connector. Connector 21 may be configured for mechanical and / or electrical and / or acoustic connection to base unit 3, such as a sound tube. Connector 21 may be configured for detachable connection to base unit 3. Wiring 23 may pass through a wiring conduit. Earphone 25 may be configured to be located at or within the user's ear canal. Connector 21 includes an NVM 13 and is connected to earphone 25 via wiring 23 and optionally via a wiring conduit. Earphone 25 includes a receiver 11.

[0057] In the hearing device assembly shown in Figure 2A, the transducer module 5 has a microcontroller 17, which includes an NVM 13. Therefore, Figure 2AThe transducer module 5 is a microcontroller-based transducer module 5. The microcontroller 17 can communicate electrically with the basic unit 3 via a communication interface / bus 15, for example, a single-wire interface or multi-wire interface 15 that connects the basic unit 3 and the transducer module 5 and / or directly connects the basic unit 3 to the microcontroller 17.

[0058] Figure 2B The illustrated hearing device assembly shows one embodiment, wherein hearing device assembly 1 is an in-ear receiver type hearing aid. Transducer module 5 includes connector 21, wiring 23, and earphone 25. Connector 21 may be a plug connector. Connector 21 may be configured for mechanical and / or electrical connection to base unit 3. Connector 21 may be configured for detachable connection to base unit 3. Wiring 23 may pass through wiring conduit. Earphone 25 may be configured to be located in or within the user's ear canal. Connector 21 includes a microcontroller 17 and is connected to earphone 25 via wiring 23 and optionally via wiring conduit, earphone 25 including receiver 11. Figure 2A Any sensors included in the hearing device assembly shown may be located in connector 21 and / or earphone 25.

[0059] Unless otherwise specified in the reference to a microcontroller or a microcontroller-based transducer module, the following applies. Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 2A and Figure 2B Any of the hearing device components shown.

[0060] The basic unit 3 has its own power source (not shown), such as a battery, and the basic unit 3 supplies power to the transducer module 5. If the basic unit 3 is turned off or if the transducer module 5 is disconnected from the basic unit 3, the power supply from the basic unit 3 to the transducer module 5 is disconnected.

[0061] If the base unit 3 is activated upon its connection, for example via a changeover switch or other common device, or if the transducer module 5 is hot-plugged into the already activated base unit 3, the transducer module 5 asserts / activates a signal on the communication interface / bus 15, i.e., a communication interface signal such as a single-wire signal or one or more signals on a multi-wire interface. This signal is detected by the base unit 3, which responds to the detection by supplying power to the transducer module 5. Thus, by asserting the signal on the communication interface / bus 15, the transducer module 5 signals the base unit 3 that it is connected.

[0062] For example, when power to transducer module 5 is disconnected, basic unit 3 can provide a permanent weak pull-up to the communication interface signal due to basic unit 3 being off or due to transducer module 5 being disconnected. However, while transducer module 5 provides a strong pull-up to the communication interface signal, the disconnection of power to transducer module 5 will act as a strong pull-down, driving the communication interface signal low. Basic unit 3 detects the low level and determines that transducer module 5 must be connected, and in response, basic unit 3 supplies power to transducer module 5. Supplying power to transducer module 5 then drives the communication interface signal high.

[0063] The communication role configured for basic unit 3 depends on transducer module 5. If transducer module 5 has microcontroller 17, the microcontroller 17 is activated when basic unit 3 supplies power to transducer module 5. The microcontroller-based transducer module 5 will be configured to effectively activate a second signal on communication interface / bus 15, for example, by setting the communication interface signal low for a specific time period. If transducer module 5 does not include a microcontroller, the communication interface signal remains high. Basic unit 3 can then assume the communication role in response to determining the presence or absence of the second signal.

[0064] If basic unit 3 detects the second signal (e.g., the communication interface signal set to a low level), it will assume the communication role of a slave device, while microcontroller 17 will assume the communication role of a master device. If basic unit 3 does not detect the second signal, it will assume the communication role of a master device, and in this case, NVM 13 in transducer module 5 will act as a slave device. Therefore, the microcontroller-based transducer module 5 will assume the communication role of a master device, while the transducer module 5 without microcontroller 17 will be downgraded to a slave device communication role, and then basic unit 3 will act as the master device.

[0065] Basic unit 3 can be programmed to wait for a predetermined time after power is supplied to transducer module 5 for a second signal from microcontroller 17 (if present), and if the second signal is not detected within the predetermined time, basic unit 3 will determine that the second signal does not exist. The predetermined waiting time for basic unit 3 can be 5 milliseconds or less than 5 milliseconds, less than 4 milliseconds, or less than 3 milliseconds. Those skilled in the art will understand that a reasonable predetermined waiting time for basic unit 3 can be selected based on experiments and various criteria.

[0066] After assuming the communication role, the master device will initiate, time, and control data exchange. In addition, the master device may also include the ability to control the data transmission rate.

[0067] When the basic unit 3 assumes the communication role of the master device, it will issue commands to retrieve information stored on the NVM 13 in the transducer module 5, such as transducer module identification data and production calibration offsets of various parameters of the transducer module 5 (specifically, the receiver 11). This is advantageous if the transducer module 5 is replaced with another transducer module. After receiving the stored information, the basic unit 3 can make appropriate changes to the signal processing to match the changed parameters of the receiver 11. In the event of inconsistency, the basic unit 3 can even choose, for example, not to send a signal to the transducer module 5 or to send a signal that is certain to cause the receiver 11 to produce a low-volume audible sound, to ensure that the user is not disturbed or harmed by loud noise.

[0068] When microcontroller 17 assumes the communication role of the master device and basic unit 3 assumes the communication role of the slave device, basic unit 3 can advantageously be configured to enter a low-power communication mode when the microcontroller-based transducer module 5 indicates that data transmission is not required. It is also configured to re-energize the communication mode when requested by the microcontroller-based transducer module (e.g., via a pulsed communication interface signal from transducer module 5). Low-power communication mode is a mode in which the communication processing function enters a sleep mode. Once data is ready to be transmitted from the microcontroller-based transducer module 5 to basic unit 3, the communication processing function within basic unit 3 is awakened, and data transmission can then be initiated by transducer module 5. The same mechanism can be used periodically to transmit any command from basic unit 3 to microcontroller-based transducer module 5, for example, by transmitting a query from transducer module 5 to basic unit 3, and then basic unit 3 responding to the command.

[0069] The transducer module 5 may include multiple auxiliary units 19, such as one or more sensors 19 and / or electromechanical devices 19. The one or more sensors 19 may provide one or more drop detection signals, free-fall detection signals, environmental signals (e.g., indicating temperature or humidity), capacitive switching signals (e.g., indicating whether the transducer module 5 (i.e., earphone 25) is in the ear), pressure signals, heart rate signals, snoring detection signals, gyroscope sensor signals (e.g., from a gyroscope sensor), motion detection signals (e.g., from an accelerometer sensor), and / or haptic feedback signals (e.g., from a user interface sensor). It may also have more than one receiver 11 and / or one or more microphones 7. One or more receivers 11 and one or more microphones 7 may preferably be arranged in the earphone 25. If the transducer module 5 is a microcontroller-based transducer module, the one or more sensors 19 may be controlled by a microcontroller 17. The microcontroller 17 may then also be configured to process sensor data and forward them to the base unit 3.

[0070] Figure 3A and Figure 3B An example of a communication scheme between the basic unit and the transducer module as described herein is shown, wherein the communication process has been illustratively divided into stages (P1-P10). Figure 3A An example of communication between the basic unit and the microcontroller-based transducer module is shown, while Figure 3B An example of communication between a basic unit and a transducer module that does not contain a microcontroller is shown. Figure 3A and Figure 3B In the example shown, these stages occur sequentially as time moves from P1 to the right side of the diagram (i.e., the top of the page). From each stage to the next, the basic unit power 27, the transducer module power 29, and the communication interface signal 31 are shown as a line, indicating that the level is higher the further left on the page, as shown by arrow 33.

[0071] In the first phase P1, the base unit is powered on after being switched on, and the base unit power 27 increases from the idle state to the operating level. The transducer module power 29 is idle during phase P1 because it is not yet switched on. When switched on, the base unit provides a permanent weak pull-up to the communication interface signal 31, i.e., a permanent weak pull-up on the communication interface. If no transducer module is connected to the base unit via the communication interface / bus, this weak pull-up will drive the communication interface signal 31 high. However, if a transducer module is connected to the base unit via the communication interface, the transducer module will provide a strong pull-up to the transducer module power 29 on one or more selected signals 31 of the communication interface, or, in the case of a single wire, a strong pull-up from the single-wire signal, but since the transducer module power 29 is off, the strong pull-up will act as a strong pull-down to drive the selected signal / single-wire signal on the communication interface low. This is illustrated by the bifurcation of the two possibilities for the communication interface signal 31 during phase P1.

[0072] In stage P2, the communication interface signal 31 is driven to a low level by the transducer module as described above, and the low communication interface signal is detected by the basic unit.

[0073] Upon detecting a low communication interface signal (the first signal from the transducer module), the base unit determines that the transducer module must be connected. Therefore, in stage P3, the base unit is used to turn on and / or supply power to the transducer module power supply 29. A strong pull-up of the selection signal for the communication interface / bus from the transducer module subsequently drives the communication interface signal 31 high. Up to this point, neither the base unit nor the transducer module is communicating, and the base unit is used to detect the presence of a microcontroller within the transducer module. Figure 3A and Figure 3B In the example shown, the basic unit first waits for a predetermined time period T1 to give the microcontroller in the transducer module time to start.

[0074] exist Figure 3A In stage P4A, the basic unit waits for a signal on the communication interface / bus for a second time period T2. During time period T2, the now-started microcontroller drives the communication interface signal 31 low, thereby sending a signal to the basic unit.

[0075] Following this, the transducer module enters a neutral state relative to the communication interface, i.e., it returns to the pull-up state, as shown in stage P5. During time period T2, the basic unit detects the second signal initiated by the microcontroller, assumes the communication role of the slave device, and waits to receive commands from the transducer module.

[0076] In phase P6A1, the microcontroller-based transducer module, acting as the master device communication unit, transmits data, initially likely identification data and / or sensor calibration data. The base unit responds in phase P7A by transmitting data to the transducer module, and in phase P6A2, the transducer module again transmits data to the base unit, such as sensor data, processed sensor data, commands, and status.

[0077] After the data exchange between the basic unit and the transducer module is completed, the communication interface signal 31 enters a neutral state relative to the communication interface, that is, it returns to the pull-up state as shown in stage P8A, and the basic unit can enter a low-power communication mode while waiting for further communication from the transducer module.

[0078] In phase P9, the transducer module signals the base unit to restart the communication mode by driving the communication interface signal 31 low, and a series of new transmissions can begin between the base unit and the transducer module. Alternatively, after the initial communication, where the transducer module is the master and the base unit is the slave, the communication roles can be switched, allowing the base unit to take over the communication role as the master.

[0079] exist Figure 3B In this phase, the transducer module lacks a microcontroller, and communication interface signal 31 remains identical during stage P4B, leading the basic unit to infer the absence of a microcontroller in the transducer module. The basic unit assumes the communication role of the master device and initiates communication with the transducer module in stage P7B, for example, by reading identification data from the non-volatile memory (NVM) within the transducer module. Figure 3B Throughout the communication process shown, the transducer module acts as a slave device in its communication with the base unit. In phase P6B, the transducer module responds to communication initiated by the base unit. After data transmission from the transducer module is completed in phase P6B, the communication interface signal 31 enters a neutral state relative to the communication interface / bus, i.e., it returns to the pull-up state shown in phase P8B.

[0080] Figure 4 A flowchart is shown of a method for assigning communication roles between a postauricular basic unit 3 and an intraauricular transducer module 5 in a hearing device assembly 1 such as those shown in Figures 1 and 2, wherein the basic unit 3 and the transducer module 5 are configured to communicate electrically via a communication interface / bus 15 connecting the basic unit 3 and the transducer module 5.

[0081] In step S10, the basic unit 3 is activated after being switched on, for example by a changeover switch or other common device, or by hot-plugging the transducer module 5 into the already activated basic unit 3.

[0082] In step S20, the transducer module 5 is configured to activate the signal on the communication interface 15 connecting the basic unit 3 and the transducer module 5.

[0083] In step S30, the basic unit 3 detects the signal set to be valid by the transducer module 5 and responds to the detection of the signal by supplying power to the transducer module 5.

[0084] In step S40, the basic unit 3 assumes a communication role in response to the presence or absence of a signal set as valid by the transducer module 5. Therefore, the communication role is indicated by the transducer module 5.

[0085] Figure 5 Another flowchart illustrates a method for assigning communication roles between the postauricular basic unit 3 and the intraauricular transducer module 5 in a hearing device assembly 1 such as those shown in Figures 1 and 2, wherein the basic unit 3 and the transducer module 5 are configured to communicate electrically via a communication interface / bus 15 connecting the basic unit 3 and the transducer module 5. Steps S10-S30 are the same as described above.

[0086] If the transducer module 5 includes a microcontroller 17, it is referred to as a microcontroller-based transducer module, and the microcontroller 17 is configured to start when the basic unit 3 supplies power to the transducer module 5.

[0087] In step S50, the microcontroller-based transducer module 5 (if present) is set to enable / activate the second signal on the communication interface 15, and the basic unit 3 determines whether the second signal exists. If the basic unit 3 determines that the second signal exists, the method proceeds to step S60A; if the basic unit 3 determines that the second signal does not exist, the method proceeds to step S60B.

[0088] In step S50, the step of determining whether the second signal exists can also cause the basic unit to wait for a predetermined time after powering the transducer module, and if the second signal is not detected within the predetermined time, the basic unit determines that the second signal does not exist.

[0089] In steps S60A and S60B, basic unit 3 assumes a communication role in response to the presence or absence of the second signal.

[0090] In step S60A, in response to the detection of the second signal, the basic unit 3 assumes the communication role of the slave device, while the microcontroller 17 assumes the communication role of the master device.

[0091] In step S60B, basic unit 3 assumes the communication role of the master device in response to the absence of a second signal.

[0092] Therefore, the microcontroller-based transducer module 5, or more precisely, the microcontroller 17 in the microcontroller-based transducer module 5, will assume the communication role of the master device, while the transducer module 5 without the microcontroller 17 will be downgraded to the communication role of the slave device, and then the basic unit 3 will act as the master device.

[0093] In step S70, the basic unit 3 has already assumed the communication role as a slave device. When the microcontroller-based transducer module 5 indicates that data transmission is not required, the basic unit 3 enters a low-power communication mode. When the microcontroller-based transducer module 5 issues a request, the basic unit 3 restarts the communication mode.

Claims

1. A hearing device assembly, comprising: The basic unit behind the ear, and In-ear transducer module, The basic unit and the transducer module are configured to communicate electrically via a communication interface connecting the basic unit and the transducer module, wherein The transducer module is also configured to enable signals on the communication interface during startup of the base unit or when the transducer module is hot-plugged into the base unit, and The basic unit is also configured to detect a first signal set as valid by the transducer module and to supply power to the transducer module after detecting the first signal. Wherein, if the transducer module includes a microcontroller, the transducer module is configured to enable the second signal on the communication interface. The basic unit is capable of detecting the second signal and thereby determining whether the second signal exists. Based on determining whether the second signal exists, the basic unit is configured to detect whether the transducer module includes a microcontroller; The basic unit is further configured as follows: In response to the detection of a microcontroller in the transducer module, it assumes the communication role of a slave device, and In response to the absence of a microcontroller detected in the transducer module, it assumes the communication role of the master device.

2. The hearing device assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The basic unit is further configured as follows: After supplying power to the transducer module, wait for a predetermined time, and If the second signal is not detected within the predetermined time, it is determined that the second signal does not exist.

3. The hearing device assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The basic unit is further configured as follows: In response to detecting the presence of a microcontroller in the transducer module, identification data sent by the microcontroller in the transducer module is received, and In response to the absence of a microcontroller detected in the transducer module, identification data is read from the non-volatile memory (NVM) within the transducer module.

4. The hearing device assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The basic unit is also configured to assume the communication role of the master device after receiving identification data sent by the microcontroller in the transducer module.

5. The hearing device assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The basic unit is further configured to: when the basic unit is acting as a slave device in communication and the microcontroller-based transducer module has indicated that data transmission is not required, the basic unit enters a low-power communication mode, and The basic unit is also configured to power the communication mode again when requested by the microcontroller-based transducer module.

6. The hearing device assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The transducer module includes one or more receivers, and / or one or more microphones, and / or one or more sensors and / or electromechanical devices.

7. A method for assigning communication roles between a postauricular base unit and an in-ear transducer module in a hearing device assembly, the base unit and the transducer module being configured to communicate electrically via a communication interface connecting the base unit and the transducer module, the base unit being further configured to detect whether the transducer module includes a microcontroller, the method comprising the following steps: The basic unit is activated or the transducer module is hot-plugged into the basic unit. The transducer module sets the signal on the communication interface to be valid. The basic unit detection is set as a valid first signal by the transducer module. The basic unit supplies power to the transducer module after detecting the first signal, and If the transducer module includes a microcontroller, the transducer module will set the second signal on the communication interface to active, and The basic unit is capable of detecting the second signal and thereby determining whether the second signal exists. Based on determining whether the second signal exists, the basic unit detects whether the transducer module includes a microcontroller; The method further includes responding to the detection of the presence of a microcontroller in the transducer module, wherein the basic unit plays a communication role. The steps by which the basic unit assumes the communication role include: If a microcontroller is detected, the basic unit assumes the role of slave device communication, and If no microcontroller is detected, the basic unit assumes the role of master device communication.

Images