Patent ID: 6658307
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: H04R

Abstract:
A method for configuring the functional properties of an audiological device and distributing these configured devices, comprising the steps of:a) providing said audiological device with an IC that can be differently configured in view of functional properties of said IC; b) providing a configuration upgrading information in a suitable data store; c) initially configuring said IC at a manufacturing facility, resulting in said audiological device comprising minimal possible properties in a basic version, and distributing said basic version of said device at a basic price to a middleman or dealer; d) obtaining upgrade information in a manner selected from the group consisting of: 1) loading configuration upgrading information onto a separate data carrier at said manufacturing facility and distributing said loaded data carrier, to a middleman or dealer, at a price that is dependent on a type and number of configuration upgrading information packages contained on said data carrier for use on a programming station located at said middleman or dealer, and 2) transmitting configuration upgrading information in an online operation from a software memory of a manufacturer at said manufacturing facility, to a buffer memory of a programming station located at said middleman or dealer; e) introducing said IC into said programming station and at least partially reading-in said configuration upgrading information from a source selected from the group consisting of said separate data carrier and said online operation, into said programming station for programming and upgrading said IC to a customized, higher function level; and f) distributing and billing customers for an audiological device upgraded in this manner resulting in said billing reflecting additional functional properties over said basic version.