Method for transmitting information about a hearing device to an external device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for transmitting information about a hearing device (2), in particular a hearing aid, to an external device (1), wherein the hearing device (2) is placed in the immediate surrounding (14) of the external device (1), wherein the hearing device (2) sends a generally receivable unencrypted first information (18) that contains metadata and / or access data about the hearing device (2), wherein the unencrypted first information (18) is received by the external device (1), and wherein, directly or indirectly due to the first information (18), the external device (1) changes its operating mode and continues to operate in the changed operating mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for transmitting information about a hearing device to an external device, wherein the hearing device is placed in the immediate surrounding of the external device, and wherein the hearing device transmits an unencrypted first information that can be generally received (or is generally easily receivable), which first information contains metadata about the hearing device, and wherein the unencrypted first information is received by the external device. Or is generally easily receivable) unencrypted first information, which first information contains metadata about the hearing device, and wherein the unencrypted first information is received by the external device. Background Art

[0002] The term "hearing device" is generally understood as a device for outputting a sound signal to the auditory organ or more generally to the hearing center of the user of the corresponding device (also referred to as the "hearing device wearer"). Hearing aids in particular fall within this term. Persons with hearing impairment use hearing aids to at least partially compensate for the hearing loss caused by this hearing impairment. For this purpose, hearing aids typically have at least one electroacoustic input transducer (usually in the form of a microphone) for detecting acoustic (ambient) noise and converting it into an electrical input signal. In addition, such hearing aids typically have a signal processing unit that is arranged to analyze one or more input signals with respect to interfering components (such as noise, ambient noise, etc.), filter and / or attenuate these interfering components, and amplify the remaining signal components as useful signals (such as especially speech and / or music).

[0003] In order to output the input signal processed in this way to the auditory organ, hearing aids typically include an electroacoustic output transducer, for example in the form of a loudspeaker (also referred to as a receiver or "earpiece"), by means of which the processed input signal is converted into an output sound signal and output into the auditory organ of the hearing device wearer. Alternatively, the hearing aid has a cochlear earpiece or a bone conduction earpiece for outputting the output signal to the auditory organ in electrical or mechanical form.

[0004] However, the term "hearing device" generally and especially hereinafter also includes so-called tinnitus maskers, which typically output user-specific noise to the hearing center, or other devices for sound output, such as headphones ("earphones"), wireless earphones with and without active noise cancellation, so-called "hearable" devices, etc.

[0005] In particular, device-specific and relatively complex algorithms for signal processing of input signals are usually stored in the signal processing unit of a hearing aid. In order to be able to individually match (or adjust) the corresponding hearing aid to the hearing device wearer, these algorithms are based on variable parameters, and when matching the hearing aid to the hearing impairment of the hearing device wearer, the limits of these variable parameters are preset in a wearer-specific manner.

[0006] In particular, when combined with multimedia devices such as televisions, home theater devices or stereo devices, it is generally advantageous to adapt the signal processing of the hearing device accordingly to such a source. On the one hand, this can be done by means of corresponding parameters for amplification (especially band by band), compression, noise suppression or directional microphones. On the other hand, some multimedia devices also offer the possibility of directly streaming the electronic audio signal to the hearing aid (e.g. via Bluetooth etc.), such that an output sound signal is generated for the user of the hearing aid based on the signal streamed in this way. In order to simplify the operation of the hearing aid in relation to external devices such as multimedia devices, but also for example in relation to audiological devices used for analysis or adaptation at the hearing aid acoustician's place, it would be advantageous to transmit data about the hearing aid as simply as possible. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method by which an external device can match its operation with a hearing device, especially a hearing aid, in the simplest possible way, wherein the security of the data to be transmitted is ensured according to its sensitivity and / or usage authorization.

[0008] According to the present invention, the technical problem is solved by a method for transmitting information about a hearing device, especially a hearing aid, to an external device, wherein the hearing device is placed in the immediate vicinity, especially in the immediate surrounding environment, of the external device, wherein the hearing device transmits an unencrypted first information that can be generally received, which first information contains metadata and / or access data about the hearing device, wherein the unencrypted first information is received by the external device, and wherein, directly or indirectly due to the first information, the external device changes its operating mode and continues to operate in the changed operating mode. Advantageous and in part inventive design aspects are the subject of the following description.

[0009] If the external device is fixedly installed in a space in a building, the surrounding environment, especially the immediate surrounding environment, especially includes the same space, i.e. for example a room in a residential building, an office or open-plan office, a meeting room, a hotel room, a shop etc., but also the duty room or treatment room of a hearing aid acoustician, audiologist or doctor. The immediate surrounding environment of the external device can also especially be provided by a space in a museum, a waiting room in a railway station or airport etc. Here in particular, the immediate surrounding environment can be characterized in that the presence of the hearing device can be recognized by the communication device of the external device, which communication device is for example arranged to receive by means of Bluetooth or wireless local area network (WLAN).

[0010] Here, the external device is an electronic device for which the originally specified processing of the audio signal is preferably also carried out. Here, the external device can in particular be provided by a multimedia device, such as a television set, a home theater device or a stereo device, or can also be provided by a communication device for teleconferencing. The external device can also be provided by a device used by an audiologist for audiological analysis or for fitting hearing devices. In addition, it can be an audio device for the general dissemination of information, but also music, for example used in museums, shops or railway stations and airports.

[0011] The sending of the generally receivable, unencrypted first information should in particular be understood as the hearing device providing the first information such that the first information can preferably be received by an electronic device in its immediate surroundings in a standardized protocol for unencrypted information transmission. In particular, the hearing device can be "recognizable" for other devices in its immediate surroundings, for example, where the existence can be identified based on the first information, so that the external device can already extract metadata about the hearing device from the first information when the presence of the hearing device is recognized. In the case of a binaural hearing device, the sending of such first information can be carried out by one of the two local units, for example, or the two local units preferably send the first information redundantly and at the same sending frequency.

[0012] The reception of the unencrypted first information by the external device should in particular be understood here as the external device receiving the signal for transmission as specified by the transmission protocol and, if necessary, decoding it corresponding to the protocol, where a private key is not required for decoding, but information about the protocol that is freely available in any case.

[0013] Here, the metadata can in particular include the product name, product type, manufacturer, firmware version and / or device type. The access data can in particular contain a reference to the storage space, for example in the form of a network link or as a reference to data stored on the internal memory of the hearing device itself.

[0014] The change in the operating mode of the external device directly due to the first information in particular includes the external device matching the parameters of its operation, preferably the parameters of audio signal processing, in the manner directly specified in the first information, or identifying the device type of the hearing device based on the metadata of the first information and setting the parameter values stored accordingly for that device type, and thereby changing the operating mode. In particular, in the first-mentioned case, the first information can contain, for example, one or more frequency resolutions desired by the user of the hearing device. Level curves (Pegelkurven) and / or volume curves and / or amplification curves such that the external device outputs a sound signal with a corresponding level change curve or volume change curve via an output sound transducer, or streams an audio signal with a corresponding amplification change curve to the hearing device. In particular, a stream can also be sent directly and automatically from the external device to the hearing device here as a response to the first information. However, an adjustment of the operating mode can also be implemented during a modified, in particular emphasized, playback of the speech content of the audio signal. When the first information contains the corresponding information, the external device can, in response to (or based on) the first information, slightly raise (anheben) any speech content, or moderately emphasize the high frequencies.

[0015] The parameters for the audio signal processing of the external device preferably include broadband or frequency-bandwise (frequenzbandweiser) amplification factors, compression ratios, compression knees, directional microphone settings, settings regarding the degree of reverberation suppression (especially in the case of a communication device as the external device), etc. In addition, preferably included as parameters are also time constants for speech recognition and / or feedback suppression, limit values for the noise background or for the speech component, etc. Here, a change in the operating mode means that, directly or indirectly due to the first information (or as a result of the first information), specific values are determined for the individual parameters, i.e., in the case where the amplification factor depends on the frequency band, the amplification value for the frequency band in question is determined as a parameter.

[0016] A change in the operating mode can here in particular also require additional confirmation by the user of the hearing device, i.e., due to the first information, a change in operation (such as a change in the parameters of the audio signal processing, or also the start of a stream) is first only proposed to the user and is actually applied by the user only in the case of the corresponding confirmation.

[0017] An indirect change in the operating mode of the external device due to the first information in particular includes the first information providing a reference to a storage space for a second information that may be encrypted and / or password-protected, where, as a response to the received first information, the external device performs measures for obtaining the second information and changes its operating mode based on the second information, for example, by matching the parameters of the audio signal processing according to the specifications of the second information or according to calculations (or corresponding look-up tables in the external device) performed locally in the external device based on the data values of the second information.

[0018] The proposed method enables, when the presence of a hearing device is detected, the external device to automatically coordinate its operation with the hearing device based on the first information, without the user of the hearing device having to intervene to actively match the operating settings of the external device. Similarly, a second level of information can be defined, which the external device can access (zugreifen, or come into contact with) under the corresponding authorization according to the previously defined access criteria. The second level of information, which is protected by the authorization process and not generally accessible to the external device, can also be used to automatically change the operating settings.

[0019] If there are more than one hearing device wearers in the immediate vicinity of the external device, such that the external device receives the corresponding first information from more than one hearing device, then in particular, stratification can be performed based on the first information, i.e., either by the first information itself or by means of additional information accessible based on the first information. Thus, the audio signal processing is, for example, set such that it is still sufficient for a hearing device wearer with severe hearing impairment, while at the same time not already causing interference to another hearing device wearer with a smaller hearing impairment. In particular, depending on the type of matching of the operation of the external device, an average value or a maximum value or a minimum value can be used according to the corresponding presets for the two hearing device wearers to form the corresponding operating parameters of the external device.

[0020] Preferably, the first information includes an indication of the first preferences of the user of the hearing device in terms of audio signal processing and / or hearing loss assistance, where the audio signal processing or hearing loss assistance of the external device is performed according to the preferences in the changed operating mode. Here, the external device is in particular provided by a multimedia device and / or a communication device. In the proper operation of the external device, audio signal processing is performed on the internal audio signals of the external device, i.e., for example, the signal processing and / or signal reproduction (Signalwiedergabe) of at least one audio track of the media content, or the signal recording and / or signal processing and / or signal reproduction of the voice signal. The external device can here coordinate the processing of the audio signals with the first preferences of the user, which can, for example, include indications in terms of frequency-resolved amplification or in terms of per-band compression (which can also include the per-band maximum output level). In particular, in the case of a television device as the external device, subtitles and, if necessary, the associated language options for the subtitles can be considered as preferences for hearing loss assistance. As a result of the exchanged first information, the television device can then automatically gradually display the subtitles corresponding to the language options for the subtitles indicated in the first preferences.

[0021] Advantageously, the first information includes a reference to a physical storage space as access data, wherein the second information stored on the physical storage space is retrieved by an external device, and wherein the changed operating mode is set and / or matched based on the second information. This particularly means that the first information only refers to the storage space in which the second information is stored, and the actual information required for an external device to match the operating mode of the hearing device is only included or at least also included in the second information. The reference to the physical storage space is particularly understood here as an indication such that the storage space in which the second information is stored can be addressed based on this reference, and thus, if the access is not restricted by an additional authorization, the second information can be retrieved directly, or an authorization for retrieving the second information stored in the storage space can be requested based on the reference. Here, the storage space is physically implemented on a system that can be addressed based on the reference, i.e., for example, on a server, on the hearing device itself, or also on a smartphone (or smartwatch) that can be connected to the hearing device and is preferably provided with an application for communicating with the hearing device.

[0022] Here, the setting of the changed operating mode can particularly include: a computer or analysis device of the hearing device acoustician outputs a transmission request as an external device for matching the hearing device in order to obtain additional data for matching the hearing device by using the second information, and when these particularly user-specific audiological data are obtained, the matching is correspondingly performed by the computer or analysis unit of the hearing device acoustician in accordance with the data. However, it is particularly also possible to consider a matching setting similar to the already described manner, particularly in terms of audio signal processing, multimedia devices, or a communication device as an external device.

[0023] Preferably, an external device makes a transmission request for second information to a system including a physical storage space. The transmission request includes identification information (Identifikationsinformation, or identification information) of the first device and / or the transmission purpose of the second information. The second information is transmitted to the external device by the system including the physical storage space based on the identification information or the transmission purpose, especially in an encrypted manner. This especially means that: through the first information, the external device obtains a reference to the storage space of the second information and, if necessary, also obtains the data type contained therein. The external device now sends the transmission request to the system specified via the reference (i.e., for example, to a server or to the hearing device itself) to request the second information. Here, the external device authenticates itself or states the transmission purpose for the requested second information, i.e., especially the planned usage purpose. The file format for verifying or the transmission purpose can be described especially by a standardized protocol or also by an additional description of the first information (if necessary, regarding the protocol to be used). Through the system including the physical storage space of the second information, it is now possible to make a decision especially regarding the output of the second information based on the data transmitted from the external device in the transmission request and accordingly transmit the second information to the external device.

[0024] It has also proven to be further advantageous here that a user of the hearing device or the user defines specific identification information or a specific transmission purpose as permitted, and if the identification information or the transmission purpose in the transmission request is recognized as permitted, the second information is preferably transmitted to the external device in an encrypted manner by the system including the physical storage space. The definition by the user here can especially be carried out in advance and stored accordingly in the system including the physical storage space, or it can also be carried out specifically, for example, in the form of confirming the identification information or the transmission purpose in the transmission request. Here, the identification information or the transmission purpose contained in the transmission request can preferably be transmitted to the user's smartphone (or smartwatch, etc.) for confirmation by the system, and the user can make the confirmation with the help of the smartphone (or smartwatch, etc.).

[0025] Advantageously, different identification information or transmission purposes are defined as permitted for different manifestations of the second information This especially means that for different device types of the external device (such as a television, a communication device, an analysis device for a hearing device acoustician), different data types can be respectively arranged in the second information (partial overlap of different data is conceivable). For different device types, different identification information and transmission purposes are accordingly regarded as permitted here, so that the external device can respectively receive the second information required for operation without transmitting additional, possibly sensitive data.

[0026] An external device sends a transmission request to a hearing device that is part of a system including physical storage space in a suitable manner. In particular, in the sense of confirmation, here the user, in response to the transmission request (auf die hin), defines the identification information or the transmission purpose in the transmission request as permitted, for example by means of a smartphone (or smartwatch) connected to the hearing device via Bluetooth or the like and a correspondingly configured application installed thereon. However, the definition of permitted can also be carried out globally in advance. If the second information contains a smaller amount of data, it can be particularly advantageous to store the second information on the hearing device. In this case, transmitting the second information by the hearing device itself can offer advantages in terms of retrieval time.

[0027] Advantageously, the identification information or the transmission purpose in the transmission request is defined as permitted by the user and this definition is transmitted to and stored on a cloud server, where the external device sends the transmission request to the cloud server that is part of a system including physical storage space, and where, if the identification information or the transmission purpose in the transmission request is recognized as permitted according to the definition stored on the cloud server, the second information is preferably transmitted encrypted to the external device by the cloud server. The cloud server should in particular be understood as any server that can be addressed via an Internet connection and that is provided and set up for storing data, for carrying out specific predefined data processing operations with the stored data, and for outputting the data processed accordingly if necessary.

[0028] In an advantageous design, data is transmitted in the second information that specifically characterizes the hearing device, and / or that characterizes at least one setting of the hearing device, and / or that contains biometric information about the user, where the specific characterization of the hearing device is achieved by product name, product type, manufacturer, firmware version, and / or device type, where the setting of the hearing device is achieved by hearing program, adaptation, and / or signal processing algorithm, and where the biometric information characterizes hearing impairment and / or non-audiological conditions and / or includes an audiogram and / or age indication. Depending on the device type of the external device, the data from this category can be particularly suitable for enabling the external device to operate in coordination with the hearing device.

[0029] In particular, preferably on an as-needed basis in terms of permissibility In the case of authorizing a transmission request for checking in terms of the aspect, the second information may further include the user's personal preferences, which relate to the user's diet and / or his leisure time behavior (such as the type of sport or other activities). In this case, for example, an external device arranged in a store or shopping mall can transmit information corresponding to him regarding his meals (such as regarding shopping possibilities or restaurants) or the possibilities of his leisure activities.

[0030] Preferably, data is transmitted in the first information, which specifically characterizes the hearing device, and / or the data characterizes at least one setting of audio signal processing. Wherein, the specific characterization of the hearing device is provided by the product name, product type, manufacturer, firmware version, and / or device type, and wherein the setting of audio signal processing is provided by frequency-resolved amplification and / or in particular frequency-resolved compression. The said data can enable external devices of a wide number of device types to achieve coordinated operation with the hearing device without endangering the security of potentially sensitive data here.

[0031] The invention also mentions a hearing device, in particular a hearing aid, which includes a physical storage space, a first communication device, and a control unit. Wherein, the hearing device is arranged to send the first information by means of the first communication device, receive a transmission request from an external device by means of the first communication device, check by means of the control unit whether the transmission request contains identification information and / or a transmission purpose, and check whether the contained identification information or the contained transmission purpose is allowed (or has permissibility) according to a preset or to-be-preset definition, and when the identification information or the transmission purpose is recognized as allowed, transmit the second information contained in the physical storage space, in particular encryptedly, to the external device that sent the transmission request by means of the first communication device. The hearing device according to the invention shares the advantages of the method according to the invention. The advantages described for the method and for its extended design can be reasonably transferred to the hearing device here.

[0032] Furthermore, the invention also mentions an electronic device, which includes a second communication device. Wherein, the electronic device is arranged to receive the unencrypted first information from a hearing device, in particular a hearing aid, by means of the second communication device, send a transmission request for the second information to the system specified according to the first information in response to the first information by means of the second communication device, wherein the transmission request contains the identification information of the first device and / or the transmission purpose of the second information, receive the second information, in particular encryptedly, by means of the second communication device of the said system, and change the operating mode, in particular audio signal processing, according to the second information, and continue to operate with such a changed operating mode, in particular changed audio signal processing. The electronic device according to the invention shares the advantages of the method according to the invention. The advantages described for the method and for its extended design can be reasonably transferred to the electronic device here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Here, block diagrams are schematically shown respectively:

[0034] Figure 1 A television is shown, which operates automatically in coordination with a hearing device,

[0035] Figure 2 as shown according to Figure 1 a television, which matches its operation with a hearing device by means of information from a cloud server,

[0036] Figure 3 as shown according to Figure 2 a variant of the television, where authorization is carried out by the cloud server,

[0037] Figure 4 a television is shown, whose operation is automatically coordinated with a hearing device by means of access protection information stored in the hearing device, and

[0038] Figure 5 a computer of an audiologist of the hearing device is shown, which can automatically request information about the hearing device and / or its user to match the hearing device.

[0039] Components and parameters corresponding to each other in all the drawings are respectively provided with the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0040] In Figure 1 the operation of an external device 1 is schematically shown in a block diagram, which automatically coordinates with a hearing device 2. In this embodiment, the external device 1 is provided by a television 4 having in particular an Internet function, but can in particular also be provided by another multimedia device such as a stereo device, a radio or a home theater device. Here, the hearing device 2 is in particular designed as a hearing aid 6 in the narrow sense, which is specified and accordingly arranged to correct the hearing impairment of a user 8 of the hearing device 2. The user 8 now enters a space 10, in which the television 4 is fixedly arranged (the double arrow 12 is intended to indicate the corresponding movement), where at least the space 10 can be regarded as the immediate surrounding environment 14 of the television 4, because within the space 10, the television 4 can communicate electronically with other devices, for example via Bluetooth.

[0041] The hearing device 2 can now be recognized in the space 10 for the television set 4. For example, the television set 4 sends out separate beacons 16 at regular time intervals, and such beacons 16 are received by the hearing device 2. Here, the hearing device 2 responds to the beacon 16 by sending an unencrypted first message 18, which is particularly characterized by metadata 20 for the hearing device, for example, by listing the product name, product type, manufacturer, firmware version if necessary, or also the device type of the hearing device 2.

[0042] By receiving the first message 18, the television set 4 can thus not only recognize the presence of the hearing device 2, but also automatically match its operation with that of the hearing device 2 due to the metadata 20, and thereby change its operating mode. Currently, this can preferably be done by sending a stream signal 22 to the hearing device 2, in which the audio tracks of the media content played by the television set respectively are encoded (for example, the right and left audio tracks), so that in the hearing device 2, a sound signal is generated for the user 8 based on the stream signal 22, and in particular, the microphone signal of the hearing device 2 can be attenuated or completely turned off. In particular, before starting to send the stream signal 22, the television set 4 can also suggest the sending to the user 8 for confirmation, and if necessary, also by voice command for confirmation.

[0043] The first message 18 can contain a first preference 24 of the user 8 regarding audio signal processing, which can be provided in particular by amplifying and / or compressing band by band (which can be characterized according to respective nodes and / or compression ratios and if necessary according to time constants). When receiving the first preference 24, the television set 4 can match its audio signal processing accordingly. On the one hand, this can be achieved by performing corresponding preprocessing on the stream signal 22 according to the first preference 24, that is, for example, by increasing or decreasing specific frequency bands or also by compressing or completely cutting off particularly loud signal components, or preferably also by modifying the output of the sound signal via the loudspeakers (not shown) of the television set 4 according to the first preference 24. This can be particularly advantageous when the user 8 does not want to transmit the stream signal 22. In an embodiment not shown in more detail, the matching of the operation of the television set 4 with the recognition of the presence of the hearing device 2 can also include, for example, gradually displaying subtitles (if necessary according to the language defined by the first message 18), and if necessary, suggesting the gradual display to the user 8 for confirmation. The automatic matching of the operation of the external device 1 (i.e., currently the television 4) with the recognized hearing device 4 according to the preset contained in the first message 18 or derivable from the first message 18 and described here and according to further embodiments is particularly advantageous in cases where it is not always immediately possible for the user 8 to ensure direct access to the control of the external device 1.

[0044] In Figure 2in which, a block diagram schematically shows how the television set 4 according to Figure 1 can automatically operate to match with the hearing device 2 according to the preset of the user 8, and another possibility according to Figure 2 The first information 18 sent from the hearing device 2 to the television set 4 (the beacon 16 is not shown in Figure 2 ) herein includes a reference 26 to the storage space 28 in the cloud server 30. The cloud server 30 is herein particularly regarded as a system 32 in which the storage space 28 is physically implemented. Herein, the reference 26 can be designed, for example, as a corresponding link through which the physical storage space 28 in the cloud server 30 can be addressed. Stored in the storage space 28 is the second information 34, and the television set 4 can obtain the retrieval of the second information by means of a corresponding inquiry with the reference 26.

[0045] In the embodiment according to Figure 2 , herein the second information 34 can be accessed unencrypted for each inquiry only according to the link given by the reference 26. Since the reference 26 is output unencrypted by the hearing device 2 in the first information 18, in the embodiment according to Figure 2 , the second information 34 can also be accessed unencrypted and especially without additional authorization. Thus, the second information 34 according to Figure 2 preferably includes metadata 20 and / or a first preference 24 for audio signal processing according to Figure 1 . As a response to the received second information 34, the change of the operating mode of the television set 4 can now be carried out in a manner similar to that in the embodiment shown according to Figure 1 , for example, by automatically applying the per-band amplification given by the first preference 24.

[0046] In Figure 3 , a block diagram schematically shows an extended design of the automatic matching of the operation of the television set 4 according to Figure 2 with the hearing device 2. As in the embodiment according to Figure 2 , the hearing device 2 sends the first information 18 to the television set 4, which includes a reference 26 to the storage space 28 in the cloud server 30 (the beacon 16 is not shown either). However, different from Figure 2Differently, the second information 34 stored in the storage space 28 of the cloud server 30 is now no longer universally accessible, but is protected by a special authorization 35, which is symbolically shown here. To retrieve the second information 34, the television set 4 sends a transmission request 36 to the cloud server 30 after receiving the first information 18 containing the reference 26. Here, the transmission request 36 can be implemented in a standardized file format, which can be preset for the television set 4 by additional information of the first information 18. Here, the transmission request 36 can especially include the identification information of the television set 4 (i.e., for example, the form and / or type of the external device 1 that issues the request, the manufacturer, the product name / model, etc.). The transmission request 36 can also contain the planned transmission purpose for the requested second information 34, that is, especially the use of the received second information 34 planned by the external device 1, which must be provided in accordance with the standardized file type if necessary.

[0047] For the physical memory 28 of the cloud server 30 assigned to the user 8 of the hearing device 2 and storing the second information 34 for its hearing device 2, the user 8 of the hearing device 2 has previously specifically defined the second information 34, for example, specifically defined which identification information and / or which transmission purpose of the transmission request 36 can be regarded as permitted through a corresponding network application (which can be operated by a smartphone, etc. if necessary). Therefore, if the identification information or the transmission purpose in the transmission request 36 sent by the television set 4 to the cloud server 30 for the purpose of outputting the second information 34 is permitted in the sense of the definition made by the user 8, the corresponding output of the second information 34 to the television set 4 is performed. In the manner already described, the television set 4 can coordinate its operation with the hearing device 2 according to the second information 34. If the identification information or the transmission purpose of the television set 4 is not judged as permitted by the cloud server 30 (because the corresponding transmission request 36 does not contain the definition previously made by the user 8), the output of the second information 34 is not performed.

[0048] In Figure 4 a block diagram schematically shows an alternative for the automatic matching of the operation of the television set 4 shown according to Figure 3 with the hearing device 2. As in accordance with Figure 3In an embodiment as described above, when the hearing device 2 reaches the space 10 and thus also reaches the immediate surrounding environment 14 of the television set 4, the hearing device 2 sends a first message 18 to the television set 4. However, the reference 26 included in the first message 18 now does not refer to the storage space 28 in the cloud server 30, but to the physical storage space 38 allocated in the memory of the hearing device 2. Currently, the hearing device 2 thus forms a system 32 including the physical storage space 38. Similar to the storage space 28 on the cloud server 30, this storage space 38 of the hearing device 2 is also protected by a mechanism for authorization 35 (symbolically shown). The authorization 35 is again carried out according to a transmission request 36 sent by the television set 4 to the hearing device 2 (the television set 4 sends this transmission request according to the identification of the hearing device 2 and according to the first message 18 received by the same television set). As in the embodiment according to Figure 3 the transmission request 36 may include identification information of the television set 4 and / or the planned transmission purpose for the requested second message 34.

[0049] The definition of which identification information and / or which transmission purpose of the transmission request 36 is considered permitted is preferably pre - carried out by the user 8. As an alternative thereto, or also in the case of a transmission request 36 that is initially classified as not permitted with respect to a pre - made definition, the user 8 can also specifically define the identification information or the transmission purpose of the transmission request 36 as permitted by a corresponding confirmation (for example, by means of a dedicated application installed on a smart phone connected to the hearing device 2). In the manner already described, the television set 4 can coordinate its operation according to the second message 34 with the hearing device 2.

[0050] In Figure 5 a block diagram schematically shows how the external device 1 automatically coordinates its operation with the hearing device 2, and in the current case, the external device is provided by the computer 40 of the hearing device acoustician 42. Here, the computer 40 can in particular be generally regarded as the overall analysis instrument available to the hearing device acoustician 42 for matching the hearing device 2. The program for transmitting information is basically similar to the embodiment shown according to Figure 3 however, for the automatic coordination of the computer 40 of the hearing device acoustician 42 shown here, other transmission forms can also be considered, especially the transmission of the second message 34 by the hearing device 2 itself according to Figure 4 shown.

[0051] The computer 40 transmits a beacon 16. When the user 8 is located in the space 10 and thus also in the immediate surrounding environment 14 of the computer 40, the hearing device 2 responds to the beacon by transmitting an unencrypted first message 18 in which a reference 26 is included on a physical memory 28 in the cloud server 30. In response to receiving the first message 18, the computer 40 sends a transmission request 36 to the cloud server 30, in which the following identification information is obtained, namely that the transmission request 36 originates from the hearing device acoustician 42, and the following transmission purpose of the second message 34 requested by the computer 40 and to be transmitted to this computer, namely that the hearing device acoustician 42 plans to use the second message 34 to match the hearing device 2.

[0052] Authorization 35 is carried out by the cloud server 30 according to a definition pre-made by the user 8 of the hearing device 2 as to which identification information or which transmission purpose provided in the transmission request 36 can be considered permitted, and thus the second message 34 is sent to the computer 40. Here, the second message 34 can in particular include audiometric data (for example, the audiogram of the user 8), but also contains biometric data, such as the age of the user 8 or other medical data related to the matching of the hearing device 2. In response to receiving the second message 34 with the said data, the computer 40 can perform a match according to the received audiometric data and, if necessary, additional data, whereby it can be said that the operating mode of the computer 40 has been changed due to the second message 34 (i.e., the coordination of the matching process is coordinated separately with the user 8).

[0053] Respectively in Figure 3 and Figure 5 The second message 34 symbolically shown includes different data types, because in the embodiment according to Figure 3 the television 4 will operate in coordination with the hearing device 2, while in the embodiment according to Figure 5 the matching should be carried out at the hearing device acoustician 42, for which generally different information is required. Accordingly, the definition of the permissibility of the data transmitted in the respective transmission request 36 (identification information and / or transmission purpose) can be designed differently for the two cases.

[0054] Although the present invention is further illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Those skilled in the art can thus derive other variants without departing from the protection scope of the present invention.

[0055] List of reference numerals

[0056] 1 External device

[0057] 2 Hearing device

[0058] 4 Television set

[0059] 6 Hearing aid

[0060] 8 User

[0061] 10 Space

[0062] 12 Double arrow

[0063] 14 Immediate surrounding environment

[0064] 16 Beacon

[0065] 18 First information

[0066] 20 Metadata

[0067] 22 Streaming signal

[0068] 24 First preference

[0069] 26 Citation

[0070] 28 Storage space

[0071] 30 Cloud server

[0072] 32 System

[0073] 34 Second information

[0074] 35 Authorization

[0075] 36 Transmission request

[0076] 38 Storage space

[0077] 40 Computer

[0078] 42 Hearing device acoustician

Claims

1. A method for transmitting information about a hearing device (2) to an external device (1), Among them, wherein the external device is provided by a multimedia device, or by a communication device for teleconferencing, or by a device used by a hearing device acoustician for audiological analysis or for adapting a hearing device, or by an audio device for general dissemination of information or music, wherein the hearing device (2) is placed in the surrounding environment (14) of the external device (1), wherein the hearing device (2) sends an unencrypted first information (18) that can be generally received, the first information including metadata and / or access data about the hearing device (2), wherein the metadata includes a product name, a product type, a manufacturer, a firmware version, and / or a device type, and wherein the access data includes a reference to a storage space, wherein the unencrypted first information (18) is received by the external device (1), and wherein, directly or indirectly due to the first information (18), the external device (1) changes its operating mode and continues to operate in the changed operating mode, wherein the first information (18) includes a description of a first preference (24) of a user (8) of the hearing device (2) in terms of audio signal processing and / or hearing loss assistance, and the audio signal processing or hearing loss assistance of the external device (1) is performed according to the first preference (24) in the changed operating mode, or wherein the first information (18) includes, as access data, a reference (26) to a physical storage space (28, 38), and the external device (1) retrieves a second information (34) stored in the physical storage space (28, 38) and sets and / or matches the changed operating mode based on the second information (34).

2. The method according to claim 1, Among them, wherein the external device (1) sends a transmission request (36) for the second information (34) to a system (32) including a physical storage space (28, 38), the transmission request including identification information of the external device (1) and / or the transmission purpose of the second information (34), and wherein the second information (34) is transmitted to the external device (1) by the system (32) including the physical storage space (28, 38) according to the identification information or the transmission purpose.

3. The method according to claim 2, Among them, a user (8) of the hearing device (2) or the user (8) defines specific identification information or a specific transmission purpose as permitted, and wherein, if the identification information or the transmission purpose in the transmission request (36) is recognized as permitted, the second information (34) is transmitted to the external device (1) by the system (32) including the physical storage space (28, 38).

4. The method according to claim 3, Among them, different identification information or transmission purposes are defined as permitted for different manifestations of the second information (34).

5. The method according to claim 3 or claim 4, Among them, The external device (1) sends the transmission request (36) to the hearing device (2) which is part of a system (32) including a physical storage space (38).

6. The method according to claim 5, Among them, In response to the transmission request (36), the user (8) defines the identification information or the transmission purpose in the transmission request (36) as permitted.

7. The method according to claim 3 or claim 4, Among them, The identification information or the transmission purpose in the transmission request (36) is defined as permitted by the user, and the definition is transmitted to and stored in the cloud server (30), wherein the external device (1) sends the transmission request (36) to the cloud server (30) which is part of a system (32) including physical storage spaces (28, 38), and wherein if the identification information or the transmission purpose in the transmission request (36) is recognized as permitted according to the definition stored in the cloud server (30), the second information (34) is transmitted to the external device (1) by the cloud server (30).

8. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, Among them, Data is transmitted in the second information (34), the data specifically characterizing the hearing device (2), and / or the data characterizing at least one setting of the hearing device (2), and / or the data containing biometric information about the user (8), wherein the specific characterization of the hearing device (2) is achieved by product name, product type, manufacturer, firmware version, and / or device type, wherein the setting of the hearing device (2) is achieved by a hearing program, adaptation, and / or signal processing algorithm, and wherein the biometric information characterizes hearing impairment and / or non-audiological conditions and / or includes an audiogram and / or an age indication.

9. The method according to claim 1, Among them, Data is transmitted in the first information (18), the data specifically characterizing the hearing device (2), and / or the data characterizing at least one first preference (24) for audio signal processing, wherein the specific characterization of the hearing device (2) is provided by product name, product type, manufacturer, firmware version, and / or device type, and wherein the first preference (24) for audio signal processing is provided by frequency-resolved amplification and / or frequency-resolved compression.

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