Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to detachable speaker units for hearing aid devices, and the hearing aid devices having detachable speaker units. The detachable speaker unit have at least an output transducer for providing a signal perceivable as sound to a user. The detachable speaker unit includes a memory unit storing information relating to characteristics of the output capabilities of the detachable speaker unit, such as transfer function of output transducer and/or transfer function of the entire, or parts of, assembly.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to hearing devices having a speaker unit that may be detached. Further, the present disclosure relates to speaker units that may be removably attached to hearing devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    As the market for ‘Receiver in the Ear’ (RITE) hearing devices, in particular for hearing aids (HA&#39;s), increases, even more RITE modules with different receivers, included in a so-called speaker unit, will come to co-exist in the coming years. A strategy for identifying and distinguishing these RITE modules is needed to ensure that future HA solutions will not impose damage and/or distorted sound and/or produce uncomfortable, i.e. too loud, or too weak, sound levels to the end user in case of attaching to a hearing device a wrong speaker unit, e.g. one with a higher or lower sensitivity than expected during fitting. A mechanical differentiation between different modules is possible, e.g. by having different connectors with different mechanical properties, e.g. form factors, is possible. Such solution is, however, not attractive due to cost of production and the complexity of handling of several different variants of ‘the same’ component/module. 
         [0003]    In practice, each speaker unit will have different physical properties, e.g. frequency response, depending firstly on receiver type and secondly on product variations within a given type. Knowledge of the exact properties, in particular but not limited to the frequency response, of a given receiver can be used to obtain a more precise amplification, possibly without requiring that the type is known in advance. Knowledge of the properties of a particular receiver is useful not only in a hearing device where the receiver is located in a separate body but also in a hearing aid, where the receiver is implemented in the hearing aid-body, e.g. in the same housing as a processing unit. 
         [0004]    The present disclosure provides at least an alternative to the prior art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present disclosure relates to hearing devices having speaker units that may be removably attached to the hearing devices, i.e. attached and later detached. This may be useful for various reasons. As a user may need to replace a speaker unit with a similar speaker unit or have a replacement speaker unit with different characteristics, e.g. a larger/smaller receiver, longer connection member. In the present context, the speaker unit is meant to be a unit including at least a receiver, a connection member having a conducting element and a connector for connecting to a hearing device. 
         [0006]    According to an aspect the present disclosure provides a hearing device. The hearing device may comprise a hearing device housing including an input transducer, a signal processor adapted to process signal from the input transducer, a hearing device connector. The hearing device may further comprise a detachable speaker unit. The detachable speaker unit may further comprise a connector part having a set of contact pins for contacting the hearing device connector. The detachable speaker unit may further comprise a connecting element having an electrically conductive member, the connecting element connected to the connector part. The detachable speaker unit may further comprise a speaker unit housing configured to be positioned at least partly in the ear canal of the user. The detachable speaker unit may further comprise an output transducer included in the speaker unit housing, the output transducer being configured to provide an acoustic signal based on the processed signal from the signal processor, the speaker unit housing being connected to the connecting element. The detachable speaker unit may further comprise a memory unit arranged in the connector part, the memory unit configured to store data relating to the acoustic properties of the output transducer and/or speaker unit housing. The memory device may comprise information regarding the output transducer so that the hearing device is able to adapt the output signal to achieve an improved audio signal for the user. The types of information as discussed elsewhere in the present disclosure. 
         [0007]    According to an aspect, the present disclosure relates to a hearing aid device comprising a hearing aid device housing to be arranged behind the ear of a user. The hearing aid device may include an input transducer, a signal processor adapted to process signal from the input transducer to compensate for the user&#39;s hearing loss. The hearing aid may further comprise a hearing device connector. The hearing aid may further be configured to be attached to a detachable speaker unit. The detachable speaker unit may comprise a connector part having a set of contact pins for contacting the hearing device connector. The detachable speaker unit may comprise a connecting element having an electrically conductive member. The connecting element may be connected to the connector part. The detachable speaker unit may comprise a speaker unit housing configured to be positioned at least partly in the ear canal of the user. The detachable speaker unit may comprise an output transducer included in the speaker unit housing, the output transducer may be configured to provide an acoustic signal based on the processed signal from the signal processor. The speaker unit housing may be connected to the connecting element. The detachable speaker unit may comprise a memory unit arranged in the connector part. The memory unit may be configured to store data relating to the acoustic properties of the output transducer and/or speaker unit housing. The detachable speaker unit may comprise a speaker unit input transducer. 
         [0008]    The detachable speaker unit may further comprises a speaker unit input transducer. This may be a microphone unit having its primary sound reception directed at the ambient surroundings of the user during use, or having its primary sound reception directed at the ear canal of the user, e.g. so as to pick up own voice of the user and/or detect signal used for feedback compensation and/or reducing occlusion effects or any other purpose. Even further, the detachable speaker unit may further comprises additional speaker unit input transducers, e.g. so that the detachable speaker unit comprises a combination of one or more input transducers picking up ambient sound and one or more input transducers picking up sound from the ear canal. The signal from the one or more input transducers are then forwarded to an appropriate processor for sound processing or other processing. 
         [0009]    The memory unit may be configured to provide the stored data to the hearing device upon receiving an interrogation signal from the hearing device. This may e.g. be when the hearing device is powered on, or when the hearing device detects that the detachable speaker unit is attached while the hearing device is powered on, or at any time during use of the hearing device. 
         [0010]    The memory unit may be constituted by a micro EEPROM. This could allow the memory unit to have a suitable size for arrangement in the connector. 
         [0011]    As mentioned, the memory unit may be configured to store information relating to right/left identification, output transducer-size, length of connecting element, a unique identifier, output transducer calibration data, and/or microphone data or any combination hereof. This will allow the hearing instrument to retrieve relevant data at any point in time as discussed above. 
         [0012]    The hearing device connector may comprise a slot and the connector part of the detachable speaker unit comprises a tab mating the slot, the connector part comprises a plurality of contact regions and the hearing device connector comprises a corresponding number of connector arms. The plurality of contact regions constitutes the set of contact pins. 
         [0013]    The hearing device connector may comprise a plurality of sockets and the connector part of the detachable speaker unit comprises a corresponding plurality of mating pins. 
         [0014]    Advantageously the hearing device may be a hearing aid. 
         [0015]    In another aspect the present disclosure relates to a speaker unit for use with a hearing device, the speaker unit being detachable and reconnectable to the hearing device. The speaker unit may comprise a connector part having a set of contact pins for contacting to a hearing device connector. The speaker unit may comprise a connecting element having an electrically conductive member, the connecting element connected to the connector part. The speaker unit may comprise a speaker unit housing configured to be positioned at least partly in the ear canal of the user. The speaker unit may comprise an output transducer included in the speaker unit housing, the output transducer being configured to provide an acoustic signal based on the processed signal from the signal processor. The speaker unit housing may be connected to the connecting element. The speaker unit may comprise a memory unit arranged in the connector part, and the memory unit may be configured to store data relating to the acoustic properties of the output transducer and/or speaker unit housing. 
         [0016]    The speaker unit may further comprise an input transducer. This may be a microphone unit having its primary sound reception directed at the ambient surroundings of the user during use, or having its primary sound reception directed at the ear canal of the user, e.g. so as to pick up own voice of the user and/or detect signal used for feedback compensation and/or reducing occlusion effects or any other purpose. Even further, the detachable speaker unit may further comprises additional speaker unit input transducers, e.g. so that the detachable speaker unit comprises a combination of one or more input transducers picking up ambient sound and one or more input transducers picking up sound from the ear canal. The signal from the one or more input transducers are then forwarded to an appropriate processor for sound processing or other processing. 
         [0017]    The memory unit may be configured to provide the stored data to the hearing device upon receiving an interrogation signal from the hearing device. This may e.g. be when the hearing device is powered on, or when the hearing device detects that the detachable speaker unit is attached while the hearing device is powered on, or at any time during use of the hearing device. 
         [0018]    The memory unit may be constituted by a micro EEPROM. This could allow the memory unit to have a suitable size for arrangement in the connector. 
         [0019]    As mentioned, the memory unit may be configured to store information relating to right/left identification, output transducer-size, length of connecting element, a unique identifier, output transducer calibration data, and/or microphone data or any combination hereof. This will allow the hearing instrument to retrieve relevant data at any point in time as discussed above. 
         [0020]    The connector part may comprises a tab configured to be received in a slot of the hearing device connector part, the hearing device connector part comprises a plurality of contact regions and the hearing device connector comprises a corresponding number of connector arms. 
         [0021]    The hearing device connector may comprises a plurality of sockets and the connector part of the detachable speaker unit comprises a corresponding plurality of mating pins. 
         [0022]    The detachable speaker unit is advantageously configured to use with a hearing aid. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The aspects of the disclosure may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they just show details to improve the understanding of the claims, while other details are left out. Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts. The individual features of each aspect may each be combined with any or all features of the other aspects. These and other aspects, features and/or technical effect will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the illustrations described hereinafter in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a speaker unit and a hearing device; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates connector part of a speaker unit; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates a speaker unit and a hearing device, 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  illustrates a tab of a connector, and 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates a connector having three pins. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practised without these specific details. Several aspects of the apparatus and methods are described by various blocks, functional units, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). Depending upon particular application, design constraints or other reasons, these elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer program, or any combination thereof. 
         [0030]    The electronic hardware may include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure. Computer program shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. 
         [0031]    A hearing device may include a hearing aid that is adapted to improve or augment the hearing capability of a user by receiving an acoustic signal from a user&#39;s surroundings, generating a corresponding audio signal, possibly modifying the audio signal and providing the possibly modified audio signal as an audible signal to at least one of the user&#39;s ears. Such audible signals may be provided in the form of an acoustic signal radiated into the user&#39;s outer ear. 
         [0032]    The hearing device is adapted to be worn by arranging a unit of the hearing device behind the ear with a receiver/loudspeaker arranged close to or in the ear canal such as in a Behind-the-Ear type hearing aid. 
         [0033]    A “hearing system” refers to a system comprising one or two hearing devices, and a “binaural hearing system” refers to a system comprising two hearing devices where the devices are adapted to cooperatively provide audible signals to both of the user&#39;s ears. The hearing system or binaural hearing system may further include auxiliary device(s) that communicates with at least one hearing device, the auxiliary device affecting the operation of the hearing devices and/or benefitting from the functioning of the hearing devices. A wired or wireless communication link between the at least one hearing device and the auxiliary device is established that allows for exchanging information (e.g. control and status signals, possibly audio signals) between the at least one hearing device and the auxiliary device. Such auxiliary devices may include at least one of remote controls, remote microphones, audio gateway devices, mobile phones, public-address systems, car audio systems or music players or a combination thereof. The audio gateway is adapted to receive a multitude of audio signals such as from an entertainment device like a TV or a music player, a telephone apparatus like a mobile telephone or a computer, a PC. The audio gateway is further adapted to select and/or combine an appropriate one of the received audio signals (or combination of signals) for transmission to the at least one hearing device. The remote control is adapted to control functionality and operation of the at least one hearing devices. The function of the remote control may be implemented in a SmartPhone or other electronic device, the SmartPhone/electronic device possibly running an application that controls functionality of the at least one hearing device. 
         [0034]    In general, a hearing device includes i) an input unit such as a microphone for receiving an acoustic signal from a user&#39;s surroundings and providing a corresponding input audio signal, and/or ii) a receiving unit for electronically receiving an input audio signal. The hearing device further includes a signal processing unit for processing the input audio signal and an output unit for providing an audible signal to the user in dependence on the processed audio signal. 
         [0035]    The input unit may include multiple input microphones, e.g. for providing direction-dependent audio signal processing. Such directional microphone system is adapted to enhance a target acoustic source among a multitude of acoustic sources in the user&#39;s environment. In one aspect, the directional system is adapted to detect (such as adaptively detect) from which direction a particular part of the microphone signal originates. This may be achieved by using conventionally known methods. The signal processing unit may include amplifier that is adapted to apply a frequency dependent gain to the input audio signal. The signal processing unit may further be adapted to provide other relevant functionality such as compression, noise reduction, etc. The output unit may include an output transducer such as a loudspeaker/receiver for providing an air-borne acoustic signal transcutaneously or percutaneously to the skull bone or a vibrator for providing a structure-borne or liquid-borne acoustic signal. In some hearing devices, the output unit may include one or more output electrodes for providing the electric signals such as in a Cochlear Implant. 
         [0036]    Now referring to  FIG. 1 , which schematically illustrates a hearing device  10  having a connector part  12  configured to establish contact to a mating connector part  14  of a speaker unit  16 . The hearing device  10  comprises an input transducer, not illustrated here, for receiving ambient sound and converting it to an electrical signal. The electrical signal is processed in the hearing device  10  by a signal processor, not illustrated, so as to compensate for a users hearing loss. The processor provides an processed signal. The processing usually comprises one or more of frequency dependent amplification, frequency transpositioning, frequency compression, filtering etc. 
         [0037]    The speaker unit  16  comprises a receiver  18 , which is configured to be positioned at or at least partly in an ear canal of a user. The receiver  18  provides an acoustical output signal based on the processed signal. A connecting element  20  connects the connector part  14  and the receiver  18 . The connecting element  20  comprises a number of conductors. As illustrated later the number of conductors could be three, or even more. 
         [0038]    As there is no standard size cars for humans, a variety of lengths of connecting element  20  may be provided, e.g. as a set of connecting elements  20  from which a best match is chosen. Further, not all users have the same need for types of receiver  18 , some users may need a high sound pressure level in order to hear, whereas others does not require the same level. 
         [0039]    For ensuring that the hearing device  10  outputs a suitable signal to the user, a paring of the speaker unit  16  and the hearing device  10  is advantageous. For this purpose a memory device  22 , here in the form of a micro-EEPROM is provided. The memory device  22  is illustrated as being positioned in the connector part  14 , i.e. the plug, as it reduces the need for additional conductors in the connecting element  20  needed to communicate with the memory device  22  to/from the hearing device  10 . 
         [0040]    When the speaker unit  16  is attached to the hearing device  10 , the electrical connection via the connecting element  20  enables the hearing device  10  to read from the memory unit  22 . Besides providing identification information, such as speaker type, and possibly left/right speaker unit identification, the memory unit  22  is able to store information regarding speaker unit size and/or wire length, receiver calibration data, e.g. specifically measured transfer function/frequency response for the particular speaker unit, microphone data to improve directional performance. These data may be read by the hearing device  10  from the memory device  22 . The data may be read each time the hearing device  10  is powered on, but if the hearing device  10  is able to detect that the speaker unit  16  has been detached in the period where the hearing device  10  was not in operation, the need to read the data is lessened. The hearing device  10  preferably stores the last know speaker unit  16  connected to the hearing device  10 . The hearing device  10  may then only confirm the identity of the speaker unit, e.g. by reading only part of the data stored in the memory device, thereby shortening the time needed to read data. This could for instance be unique identification data. 
         [0041]    By the hearing device  10  knowing specifics about the receiver  18  the processor is able to more accurately take into considerations about the transfer function of that particular receiver  18 , thereby increasing the acoustic performance for the user. 
         [0042]    The memory device  22  is a single-wired, I/O powered serial EEPROM which is configured so that it will not take up much space in the connector part  14 . Compared to a plug not having such a memory device, the plug, connector part  14 , needs at least one extra pin so that the data may be accessed. The memory device  14  may be positioned at the other end of the spear unit  16 , i.e. near the receiver  18 . This, however, requires an extra wire in the connecting element  20   
         [0043]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a connector part  24  having three contact pins  26 ,  28  and  30 . The contact pins  26 ,  28  and  30  are formed so as to mate with corresponding socket in a hearing device. Corresponding litz wires are arranged in the connecting element  32 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a connector part  34 , where a tab  36  extends or projects from the connector  34 . The tab  36  is shown as having a partial rectangular geometry, but other geometries could be envisioned. The tab  36  may be characterized as a strip of material extending or projecting from the connector. The tab  36  have electrically conductive areas  38  and  40  on two sides. In other cases, the tab  36  includes only electrically conductive areas on one side. The lab  36  is here a printed circuit board.  FIG. 4  is a schematic zoomed view where part of the tab  36  inside the connector part  34 . In  FIG. 4  it is seen that part of the tab  36  extends perpendicular to a surface  42  of the connector part  34 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 3  further schematically illustrates that the hearing device  44  comprises a socket  46  having a number of conducting arms, here seen with the reference numerals  48  and  50 , configured to establish electrical connection to the electrically conductive areas  38  and  40 . The number of conducting arms match the number of conductive areas, however, in case the conductive areas on the tab are only present on one side the number of conducting arms in the socket may be either the same or double, so that the tab could be inserted in either orientation. Presently it is preferred that there is only one way of inserting the plug into the socket. The conducting arms  48  and  50  act as spring-like elements which are pressed into a firm position when then tab  36  is inserted. When not loaded by the presence of a tab  36 , the conducting arms  48  and  50  have some degree of movement, limited by a grating or combed structure ensuring that the arms do not move into a neighboring area. 
         [0046]    On the tab  36 , a memory device  37  is positioned. The part of the tab  36  including the memory device  37  is embedded in a plastic part constituting the main part of the connector part  34 . Litz wires are attached to the tab  36  to establish electrical connection to a receiver. 
         [0047]      FIG. 5  schematically illustrate the inside of a plug or connector part of the same type as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Here three contact pins  52 ,  54  and  56  are fixated by a part  58  made from plastic. Other non-conductive/electrically insulating material may be used. 
         [0048]    A PCB  60 , printed circuit board, holds the contact pins  52 ,  54  and  56 . The contact pins  52 ,  54  and  56  are connected to respective litz wire  62 ,  64 ,  66 . The litz wires  62 ,  64 ,  66  are coated to protect and keep the wires assembled. A memory device  68  is attached to one side of the PCB  60 . Here it is shown that the memory device  68  is attached opposite the side facing the hearing device during use. It is possible to place the memory device elsewhere, e.g. at the side near the hearing device during use. 
         [0049]    It is intended that the structural features of the devices described above, either in the detailed description and/or in the claims, may be combined with steps of the method, when appropriately substituted by a corresponding process. 
         [0050]    As used, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well (i.e. to have the meaning “at least one”), unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element but an intervening elements may also be present, unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The steps of any disclosed method is not limited to the exact order stated herein, unless expressly stated otherwise. 
         [0051]    It should be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “an aspect” or features included as “may” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined as suitable in one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. 
         [0052]    The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. 
         [0053]    Accordingly, the scope should be judged in terms of the claims that follow.