Patent ID: 8289990
Filing Date: 2012-10-16
Classification: H04R

Abstract:
1. A hearing instrument reconfigurable processing unit for a digital hearing instrument, comprising: an instruction set (IS) processor module that receives a hearing instrument configuration based at least in part on hearing characteristics of a specific user; processing modules, wherein each of the processing modules is configured to process audio signals received by the digital hearing instrument upon receipt of a sample enable signal; and a crosspoint switch matrix coupled to the IS processor module and each of the processing modules, wherein the crosspoint switch matrix includes a crosspoint switch that is configured to route said audio signals and sample enable signals between the processing modules; wherein the IS processor module uses the hearing instrument configuration to program a configuration of the crosspoint switch and thereby control how the crosspoint switch matrix routes said audio signals and said sample enable signals; and wherein said crosspoint switch matrix outputs a first sample enable signal with a first one of said audio signals to a first one of said processing modules, said first one of said processing modules outputting a second sample enable signal back to said crosspoint switch matrix after processing said first one of said audio signals and wherein said crosspoint switch matrix outputs said second sample enable signal to a second one of said processing modules, wherein said processing modules process said audio signals based on receipt of said sample enable signals and are not tied to a universal sampling clock.