Selection of communication connections for hearing aids

The present invention relates to a hearing device with a Radio interface for receiving radio signals from signal sources and converting the radio signals into acoustic signals and a memory device for storing address data with respect to one of the signal sources. In addition, concerns The present invention provides a corresponding method. Especially The present invention relates to a method for individual selection of communication links for Bluetooth transmission systems in hearing aids applications.

From DE 195 44 546 A1 discloses a hearing aid with a microphone, Means for signal processing and a receiver and a method for operating a digital hearing aid is known wherein the hearing aid comprising a digital input. For feeding signals of digital signal sources, the digital input be activated via a switch. Let it be to a CD player or DAT signals or radio signals import into the hearing aid.

The growing number of multimedia and telecommunications applications takes the use of so-called headsets (Hörsprecheinrichtungen) and headphones increasingly in Foreground. To further simplify the use of Headsets are amplified wireless transmission systems in particular used according to the Bluetooth standard to unkomfortable Cable connections to other communication interfaces to replace.

also entail the need hearing impaired such wireless use means of communication. For example, a hearing device with a wireless communication interface equipped according to the Bluetooth standard, and thus as a universal Communication interface used.

When using a Bluetooth interface as well as other Interfaces in hearing arises, however, the following Problem. A Bluetooth interface is normally for the establishment of point-to-point and point-to-multi-point transmissions suitable. Prerequisite for building the transmission path is, however, the actual achievable Bluetooth transceiver basis of their characteristic to recognize and address this filter if necessary can. This generally requires a complicated user interface with keyboard and display elements. To this Example, a Bluetooth transceiver selectively with certain Bluetooth communication interface to communicate. For integrated in a hearing device interface are, however, Such controls and indicators are not available.

With Bluetooth headset available to date is limited therefore. on a very limited communication function The headsets log in to a fixed, predetermined and once stored address, so that a clearly defined point-to-point connection prepared, for example to a mobile telephone can be. The storage of this address, for example, be achieved in that the headset is in direct brought close to the desired station and a Pushbutton is pressed on the headset.

For an application of Bluetooth technology in hearing aids it would be desirable, however, simultaneously or sequentially connect to multiple communication points z. B. build of a phone, PC, TV, stereo, etc. to. The object of the present invention is thus is to provide a hearing aid and a respective method, with which to communicate with multiple communication interfaces is facilitated.

This object is achieved by a hearing aid Claim 1.

Further, the above object is achieved by a method of claim 7.

Advantageous developments of the invention will be made the subclaims.

Advantageously, it is the carrier of a hearing aid so possible that addresses multiple sources, in particular with analog devices, the channel data or channels, store in advance or dynamically as needed and appropriate Communication link based on the channel or prepare mailing list. Preferably, the channel is carried out or address management priority driven, so that the individual Needs of the hearing aid wearer better fulfilled can be.

The selection of the signal source can be manually or automatically done. For example, a special transmitter in a Space be provided for the hearing in this room in a particular hearing program or to a particular source to switch.

The present invention will now reference to the accompanying explained drawings, in the process of the invention The method schematically illustrated in an embodiment is.

The following embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the drawing is a hearing device 1 shown, the two transmitters 2, 3, 4 receives radio signals. A radio receiver which preferably includes a Bluetooth interface 5, registers all Radio signals and forwards them to a transducer 6 on.

In an address register 7, the addresses of possible transmitter or signal sources 2, 3, 4 and stored in each case with a Priority provided. The addresses and / or priorities are inputted by an input unit 8 in the hearing aid.

Based on the priority of the address register 7 decides the Converter 6, which transmitted the signal of the sources 2, 3, 4 Signal in the hearing aid 1 to an acoustic signal for a must be converted output unit. 9 Moreover, Alternatively or additionally, a manual selection of the signal source for example, provided a key switch be.

Below is the detailed operation of the present invention Device with optional connection to multiple communication interfaces set out in more detail.

Typically, a Bluetooth transmission system a high-frequency portion of the analog front end, which at a digital baseband part is coupled. In this are generally the different layers of the Bluetooth communication model by using suitable software implementations implemented on a processor system. The top Layer is the application layer, in which on the one hand the functionalities of the system defined, on the other hand the Mechanism for identifying the addresses of the communication partners are realized.

The above already indicated priority-driven contact management applications knows several addresses of sources and can thus selectively communicating with multiple interfaces to. Existence as the means for storing three addresses, they could in the first two memory positions the two highest-priority addresses from Acousticians are stored in the hearing aid programming (eg. As telephone and television). The third memory location on the other hand could dynamically to use a key switch be awarded as common for headset applications is. With a fixed assignment of priorities, the hearing aid system at a given access by the communication interface communicate that moment the highest priority is assigned.

In the case of reception of signals from a signal source of higher Priority during a communication of a Bluetooth interface lower priority, the hearing aid wearer An acoustic signal on this signal reception, z. B. from a phone to draw attention. The hearing aid wearer could then using the above-mentioned key switch between the identified on the basis of addresses select communication partners sequentially.

In addition, there is the possibility that signals from several Data or audio sources simultaneously in acoustic to convert signals. This could include the sound level to the respective Signals the priorities of signal sources automatically be or adjusted via the key switch.

The present invention allows therefore advantageously , The use of an address list with a prioritization and different methods for address assignment to Extension of the communication capability of a Bluetooth interface in hearing aids.