Patent Description:
Example hearing prostheses include traditional hearing aids, vibration-based hearing devices, cochlear implants, and auditory brainstem implants. A traditional hearing aid, which is an acoustic stimulation device, typically includes a small microphone to detect sound, an amplifier to amplify certain portions of the detected sound, and a speaker to transmit the amplified sounds into the person's ear canal.

A vibration-based hearing device, which is also an acoustic stimulation device, typically includes a microphone to detect sound and a vibration mechanism to apply mechanical vibrations corresponding to the detected sound directly to a person, thereby causing vibrations in the person's inner ear. Vibration-based hearing devices include, for example, bone conduction devices, middle ear devices, and direct acoustic cochlear stimulation devices. A bone conduction device transmits vibrations corresponding to sound via the teeth and/or skull. A so-called middle ear device transmits vibrations corresponding to sound via the middle ear (i.e., the ossicular chain), without using the teeth or skull. A direct acoustic cochlear stimulation device transmits vibrations corresponding to sound via the inner ear (i.e., the cochlea), without using the teeth, skull or middle ear.

A cochlear implant provides a person with the ability to perceive sound by stimulating the person's auditory nerve via an array of electrodes implanted in the person's cochlea. A microphone coupled to the cochlear implant detects sound waves, which are converted into a series of electrical stimulation signals that are delivered to the implant recipient's cochlea via the array of electrodes. An auditory brainstem implant may use technology similar to a cochlear implant, but instead of applying electrical stimulation to a person's cochlea, the auditory brainstem implant applies electrical stimulation directly to a person's brain stem, bypassing the cochlea altogether. Electrically stimulating auditory nerves in a cochlea with a cochlear implant or electrically stimulating a brainstem may enable persons with hearing loss to perceive sound.

Further, some persons may benefit from a hearing prosthesis that combines two or more characteristics of a traditional hearing aid, vibration-based hearing device, cochlear implant, or auditory brainstem implant (e.g., two or more modes of stimulation) to enable the person to perceive sound. Such hearing prostheses can be referred to as bimodal hearing prostheses. Still other persons benefit from two hearing prostheses, one for each ear (e.g., a so- called binaural system generally or a bilateral system for persons with two cochlear implants).

<CIT> relates to a battery-powered wireless audio device capable of wirelessly transmitting an audio signal to a remote hearing device. A battery monitoring unit determines the power level of the battery and provides a battery state signal indicative of the power level of the battery to the power management unit. Based on the battery state signal the power management unit determines whether it is necessary to deactivate a unit.

<CIT> relates to a hearing instrument including an electro-acoustic or electromechanical output transducer. When a low battery status of the hearing instrument is detected, a low power audio signal processing mode is selected to extend a lifetime of a battery.

These as well as other aspects and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings.

The following detailed description describes various features, functions, and attributes with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described herein are not meant to be limiting. For illustration purposes, some features and functions are described with respect to medical devices, such as hearing prostheses. However, the features and functions disclosed herein may also be applicable to other types of devices, including other types of medical and non-medical devices.

Referring now to <FIG>, an example electronic system <NUM> includes a first unit <NUM> and a second unit <NUM>. The system <NUM> includes a hearing prosthesis, such as a cochlear implant, a bone conduction device, a direct acoustic cochlear stimulation device, an auditory brainstem implant, a bimodal hearing prosthesis, a middle ear stimulating device, or any other type of hearing prosthesis configured to assist a prosthesis recipient to perceive sound.

In this context, the first unit <NUM> is configured to be generally external to a recipient and communicate with the second unit <NUM>, which is configured to be implanted in the recipient. Generally, an implantable element or device can be hermetically sealed and otherwise adapted to be at least partially implanted in a person.

In <FIG>, the first unit <NUM> includes a data interface <NUM> (such as a universal serial bus (USB) controller), one or more transducers <NUM>, one or more processors <NUM> (such as digital signal processors (DSPs)), an output signal interface or communication electronics <NUM> (such as an electromagnetic radio frequency (RF) transceiver), data storage <NUM>, a power supply <NUM>, a user interface module <NUM>, and one or more sensors <NUM>, all of which are coupled directly or indirectly via a wired conductor or wireless link <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the second unit <NUM> includes an input signal interface or communication electronics <NUM> (such as an RF receiver), one or more processors <NUM>, stimulation electronics <NUM>, data storage <NUM>, a power supply <NUM>, one or more transducers <NUM>, and one or more sensors <NUM>, all of which are illustrated as being coupled directly or indirectly via a wired or wireless link <NUM>.

Generally, the transducer(s) <NUM>, <NUM> of the first and second units <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, are configured to receive external acoustic signals or audible sounds <NUM>. Although, in practice, the transducers <NUM>, <NUM> may not be configured to receive sounds <NUM> for further processing simultaneously. The transducer <NUM>, <NUM> may include combinations of one or more omnidirectional or directional microphones configured to receive background sounds and/or to focus on sounds from a specific direction, such as generally in front of the prosthesis recipient. Alternatively or in addition, the transducers <NUM>, <NUM> may include telecoils or other sound transducing components that receive sound and convert the received sound into electronic signals. Further, the system <NUM> may be configured to receive sound information from other sound input sources, such as electronic sound information received through the data interface <NUM> and/or through the input signal interface <NUM>.

In one example, the processor <NUM> of the first unit <NUM> is configured to process, amplify, encode, or otherwise convert the audible sounds <NUM> (or other electronic sound information) into encoded electronic signals that include audio data representing sound information, and to apply the encoded electronic signals to the output signal interface <NUM>. In another example, the processor <NUM> of the second unit <NUM> is also configured to process, amplify, encode, or otherwise convert the audible sounds <NUM> (or other electronic sound information) into encoded electronic signals that include audio data representing the sound information, and to apply the encoded electronic signals to the stimulation electronics <NUM>. Generally, the processors <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to convert the audible sounds or other electronic sound information into the encoded electronic signals in accordance with configuration settings or data for a prosthesis recipient. The configuration settings allow a hearing prosthesis to be configured for or fitted to a particular recipient. These configuration settings can be stored in the data storage <NUM>, <NUM>, for example.

The output signal interface <NUM> of the first unit <NUM> is configured to transmit encoded electronic signals as electronic output signals <NUM> to the input signal interface <NUM> of the second unit <NUM>. As discussed above, the encoded electronic signals may include audio data representing sound information. The encoded electronic signals may also include power signals either with the audio data or without the audio data. Illustratively, the interfaces <NUM>, <NUM> include magnetically coupled coils that establish an RF link between the units <NUM>, <NUM>. Accordingly, the output signal interface <NUM> can transmit the output signals <NUM> encoded in a varying or alternating magnetic field over the RF link between the units <NUM>, <NUM>.

Further, the processors <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to transmit signals between the first and second units in accordance with a communication protocol, the details of which may be stored in the data storage <NUM>, <NUM>, for example. The communication protocol defines how the stimulation data is transmitted from the first unit <NUM> to the second unit <NUM>. Illustratively, the communication protocol may be an RF protocol that is applied after the stimulation data is generated to define how the stimulation data will be encoded in a structured signal frame format of the output signals <NUM>. In addition to the stimulation data, the communication protocol defines how power signals are supplied over the structured signal frame format to provide a power flow to the second unit <NUM>.

Illustratively, the structured signal format includes output signal data frames for stimulation data and additional output signal power frames. In one example, the output signal power frames include pseudo-data to fill in partially a dead time associated with the signal, which facilitates a more continuous power flow to the second device when the encoded electronic signals include data and power. However, in other examples, additional output signal power frames are not necessary to transmit sufficient power along with stimulation data to the second device, because there may be enough "one" data cells of the stimulation data to provide power and/or a carrier wave of the output signals <NUM> may provide sufficient power. When the first unit <NUM> transmits only power to the second unit <NUM>, the structured signal format may include only output signal power frames that are configured to provide a suitable amount of power to the second unit <NUM> (e.g., for charging the power supply <NUM> and/or for providing operating power to the various components of the second element).

Once the processor <NUM> encodes the stimulation data and/or power signals using the communication protocol, the processor <NUM> may then provide the encoded stimulation data and/or power signals to the output signal interface <NUM>, which in one example includes an RF modulator. The RF modulator is configured to modulate the encoded stimulation data and/or power signals with a carrier signal, e.g., a <NUM> carrier signal, and the modulated <NUM> carrier signal is transmitted over the RF link from the output signal interface <NUM> to the input signal interface <NUM>. In various examples, the modulations can include OOK or frequency-shift keying (FSK) modulations based on RF frequencies between about <NUM> and <NUM>.

The second unit <NUM> receives the output signals <NUM> via the input signal interface <NUM>. In one example, the input signal interface <NUM> is an RF receiver system or circuit that includes a receiving coil and associated circuitry for receiving RF signals. The processor <NUM> is configured to decode the received output signals <NUM> and extract the encoded electronic signals. As discussed above, the processor <NUM> is also configured generate encoded electronic signals directly from the sounds <NUM> received by the transducer <NUM>. The second unit <NUM> is configured to apply the encoded electronic signals to the stimulation electronics <NUM>. The stimulation electronics <NUM> use the encoded electronic signals to generate an output that allows a recipient to perceive the encoded electronic signals as sound. In the present example, the stimulation electronics <NUM> include a transducer or actuator that provides auditory stimulation to the recipient through one or more of electrical nerve stimulation, audible sound production, or mechanical vibration of the cochlea, for instance.

The first and second units <NUM>, <NUM> are also configured for backlink communications exchanged between the signal interfaces <NUM>, <NUM>. Such backlink communications can be used to control the electrical signals provided to the second unit <NUM>, and to communicate other data between the first and second units <NUM>, <NUM>.

Referring back to the power supplies <NUM>, <NUM>, each power supply provides power to various components of the first and second units <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. In another variation of the system <NUM> of <FIG>, one of the power supplies may be omitted, for example, the system may include only the power supply <NUM> or the power supply <NUM>, which is used to provide power to other components. The power supplies <NUM>, <NUM> can be any suitable power supply, such as one or more non-rechargeable or rechargeable batteries. In one example, one or more of the power supplies <NUM>, <NUM> are batteries that can be recharged wirelessly, such as through inductive charging. Generally, a wirelessly rechargeable battery facilitates complete subcutaneous implantation of a device to provide a fully or at least partially implantable prosthesis. A fully implanted hearing prosthesis has the added benefit of enabling the recipient to engage in activities that expose the recipient to water or high atmospheric moisture, such as swimming, showering, saunaing, etc., without the need to remove, disable or protect, such as with a water/moisture proof covering or shield, the hearing prosthesis. A fully implanted hearing prosthesis also spares the recipient of stigma, imagined or otherwise, associated with use of the prosthesis.

Further, the data storage <NUM>, <NUM> may be any suitable volatile and/or non-volatile storage components. The data storage <NUM>, <NUM> may store computer-readable program instructions and perhaps additional data. In some embodiments, the data storage <NUM>, <NUM> stores data and instructions used to perform at least part of the processes disclosed herein and/or at least part of the functionality of the systems described herein. Although the data storage <NUM>, <NUM> in <FIG> are illustrated as separate blocks, in some embodiments, the data storage can be incorporated, for example, into the processor(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively.

The user-interface module <NUM> may include one or more user-input components configured to receive an input from the recipient, or perhaps another user, to control one or more functions of the system <NUM>. The one or more user-input components may include one or more switches, buttons, capacitive-touch devices, and/or touchscreens, for instance. The user-interface module <NUM> may also include one or more output components, such as one or more light emitting diode (LED) arrays or displays, liquid crystal displays, and/or touchscreens. The display output may provide a visual indication or notification of a power supply life of the system. More particularly, the display output may provide visual indication of a power supply life of the second unit associated with one or more operating modes. Other example displays are also possible.

The system <NUM> can also include one or more sensors <NUM>, <NUM> that are included in one or more of the first unit <NUM> or the second unit <NUM>. In embodiments disclosed herein, these sensors are used to detect or monitor a state of the system <NUM>. For instance, the sensors are configured to generate data, and one or both of the processors <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to use the generated data to determine whether a user or recipient of the system <NUM> is asleep or awake. In one example, the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> include a temperature sensor that measures body temperature of the recipient. In this example embodiment, the processors are configured to detect a drop in body temperature, which corresponds to a determination that the recipient is asleep.

In another example, the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> include an orientation sensor (e.g., a MEMS accelerometer and/or gyroscope) that is used to determine an orientation or changes in orientation of one or more of the first or second units <NUM>, <NUM>, which corresponds to an orientation of the recipient's body. For instance, if an orientation sensor generates data that is indicative of the recipient being horizontal for longer than a threshold period (e.g., thirty minutes), the processors may determine that the recipient is sleeping.

The system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> further includes a computing device <NUM> that is configured to be communicatively coupled to the first unit <NUM> and/or the second unit <NUM> via a connection or link <NUM>. The link <NUM> may be any suitable wired connection, such as an Ethernet cable, a Universal Serial Bus connection, a twisted pair wire, a coaxial cable, a fiber-optic link, or a similar physical connection, or any suitable wireless connection, such as BEUETOOTH, WI-FI, WiMAX, inductive or electromagnetic coupling or link, and the like.

In one example, the computing device <NUM> and the link <NUM> are configured to receive data from the first unit <NUM> and/or the second unit <NUM>. In this example, the received data relates to a power supply life, and the computing device generates a display output that provides a visual indication or notification of a power supply life of the system. In one example, the display output provides a visual indication of a power supply life of the second unit associated with one or more operating modes.

In other examples, the computing device and link are also configured to adjust various parameters of the hearing prosthesis. For instance, the computing device and the link may be configured to load a recipient's configuration settings on the hearing prosthesis, such as via the data interface <NUM> and/or the input signal interface <NUM>. In another example, the computing device and the link are configured to upload other program instructions and firmware upgrades to the hearing prosthesis. In yet other examples, the computing device and the link are configured to deliver data (e.g., sound information) and/or power to the hearing prosthesis to operate the components thereof and/or to charge a power supply. Still further, various other modes of operation of the prosthesis can be implemented by utilizing the computing device and the link.

Generally, the computing device <NUM> includes various components, such as a processor, a storage device, and a power source. In one example, the computing device also includes a user interface module or other input/output devices (e.g., buttons, dials, a touch screen with a graphic user interface, and the like) that can be used to generate a display, turn the prosthesis on and off, adjust the volume, or adjust or fine tune the configuration data or parameters. Thus, the computing device can be utilized by the recipient or a third party, such as a guardian of a minor recipient or a health care professional, to monitor and control operating conditions of the hearing prosthesis.

<FIG> shows a block diagram of an example of the computing device <NUM>. Illustratively, the computing device <NUM> can be a smart phone, a remote control, or other device that is communicatively coupled to the system <NUM> of <FIG>. As illustrated, the computing device <NUM> includes a user interface module <NUM> or other input/output devices (e.g., a display. buttons, dials, a touch screen with a graphic user interface, and the like), a communications interface module <NUM>, one or more processors <NUM>, and data storage <NUM>, all of which may be linked together via a system bus or other connection mechanism <NUM>.

The user interface module <NUM> is configured to send data to and/or receive data from external user input/output devices. For example, the user interface module <NUM> may be configured to send/receive data to/from user input devices such as a keyboard, a keypad, a touch screen, a computer mouse, a track ball, a joystick, and/or other similar devices, now known or later developed. The user interface module <NUM> may also be configured to provide output to or otherwise include a display device, such as one or more cathode ray tubes (CRT), liquid crystal displays (LCD), light emitting diodes (LEDs), displays using digital light processing (DLP) technology, printers, light bulbs, and/or other similar devices, now known or later developed. The user interface module <NUM> may also be configured to generate audible output(s) or otherwise include an audio output device, such as a speaker, speaker jack, audio output port, audio output device, earphones, and/or other similar devices, now known or later developed.

The communications interface module <NUM> may include one or more wireless interfaces <NUM> and/or wired interfaces <NUM> that are configurable to communicate via a communications connection to the system <NUM>, to another type of hearing prosthesis, or to other computing devices. The wireless interfaces <NUM> may include one or more wireless transceivers, such as a BLUETOOTH transceiver, a WI-FI transceiver, a WiMAX transceiver, and/or other similar type of wireless transceiver configurable to communicate via a wireless protocol. The wired interfaces <NUM> may include one or more wired transceivers, such as an Ethernet transceiver, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) transceiver, or similar transceiver configurable to communicate via a twisted pair wire, a coaxial cable, a fiber-optic link or a similar physical connection.

The one or more processors <NUM> may include one or more general purpose processors (e.g., microprocessors manufactured by Intel or Advanced Micro Devices) and/or one or more special purpose processors (e.g., digital signal processors, application specific integrated circuits, etc.). The one or more processors <NUM> may be configured to execute computer-readable program instructions <NUM> that are contained in the data storage <NUM> and/or other instructions based on algorithms described herein.

The data storage <NUM> may include one or more computer-readable storage media that can be read or accessed by at least one of the processors <NUM>. The one or more computer-readable storage media may include volatile and/or non-volatile storage components, such as optical, magnetic, organic or other memory or disc storage, which can be integrated in whole or in part with at least one of the processors <NUM>. In some embodiments, the data storage <NUM> may be implemented using a single physical device (e.g., one optical, magnetic, organic or other memory or disc storage unit), while in other embodiments, the data storage <NUM> may be implemented using two or more physical devices.

The data storage <NUM> may include computer-readable program instructions <NUM> and perhaps additional data. In some embodiments, the data storage <NUM> may additionally include storage required to perform at least part of the herein-described methods and algorithms and/or at least part of the functionality of the systems described herein.

Various modifications can be made to the system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and the computing device <NUM> in <FIG>. For example, a user interface or input/output devices can be incorporated into the first unit <NUM> and/or the second unit <NUM>. Generally, the system <NUM> may include additional or fewer components arranged in any suitable manner. In some examples, the system <NUM> may include other components to process external audio signals, such as components that measure vibrations in the skull caused by audio signals and/or components that measure electrical outputs of portions of a person's hearing system in response to audio signals.

Referring now to <FIG>, example methods are illustrated, which can be implemented by the system <NUM> of <FIG> and the computing device <NUM> of <FIG>, for instance. Generally, the illustrated methods may include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks. Although the illustrated blocks are shown in a particular order, these blocks may also be performed in a different order than illustrated, and some blocks may even be omitted and other blocks may be added according to certain implementations.

In addition, one or more of the illustrated blocks may represent a module, a segment, or a portion of program code, which includes one or more instructions executable by a processor for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process. The program code may be stored on any type of computer readable medium or storage device including a disk or hard drive, for example. The computer readable medium may include non-transitory computer readable medium, such as computer-readable media that stores data for short periods of time like register memory, processor cache, and Random Access Memory (RAM). The computer readable medium may also include non-transitory media, such as secondary or persistent long term storage, like read only memory (ROM), optical or magnetic disks, compact-disc read only memory (CD-ROM), etc. The computer readable media may also include any other volatile or non-volatile storage systems. The computer readable medium may be considered a computer readable storage medium, for example, or a tangible storage device. In addition, one or more of the blocks may represent circuitry, e.g., an application specific integrated circuit, configured to perform the logical functions of the illustrated methods.

In <FIG>, a method <NUM> includes a block <NUM>, at which the processor <NUM> is configured to continuously or periodically monitor or determines a charge level of the power supply or battery <NUM>. In one example, the processor determines a voltage of the power supply, and correlates the voltage to a remaining charge level of the battery. In another example, the processor measures a current of the power supply and uses an integration technique (e.g., coulomb counting) to estimate the charge level of the power supply.

At block <NUM>, the processor <NUM> uses the determined charge level to estimate a remaining power supply life associated with operating the second unit <NUM> according to one or more operating modes. Example operating modes include a first mode that is used while the recipient is awake, and a different second mode that is used while the recipient is asleep. The second unit may operate in the awake mode, the sleeping mode, or another another mode based on a user selection received at a user interface module, for instance. Generally, these awake and sleeping modes are associated with different power consumption characteristics based on various operational variables that are programed for a particular recipient. Example operational variables in the context of a hearing prosthesis include threshold hearing levels, stimulation levels, dynamic ranges, FM or powered antenna range, and other signal processing strategies.

In an operating mode used while the recipient is asleep, for example, the threshold hearing level may be higher than in an operating mode used while the recipient is awake. This higher threshold hearing level is determined so that loud noises (e.g., an alarm clock, a baby crying, a smoke detector alarm, and the like) trigger the processor to generate stimulation signals that are applied to the recipient, while softer noises do not result in the generation of stimulation signals.

The stimulation levels relate generally to gain or amplification that is used to generate stimulation signals that are applied to the recipient. Higher gain or amplification results in the recipient perceiving an applied stimulation signal as a louder sound. In one example, the stimulation level is greater in the operating mode used while the recipient is awake than in the operating mode used while the recipient is asleep.

The dynamic range relates generally to the range of frequencies that trigger the processor to generate stimulation signals. In one example, the dynamic range is larger in the operating mode used while the recipient is awake than in the operating mode used while the recipient is asleep.

In a hearing prosthesis that includes an FM system configured with a powered antenna, the range of the FM system can be increased or decreased (or turned off) based on an operating mode, which in turn affects power consumption. For instance, the FM system range can be increased in the operating mode used while the recipient is awake, and decreased or turned off in the operating mode used while the recipient is asleep.

Examples of other signal processing strategies include the use of a tinnitus suppression algorithm, which may be selectively implemented by the processor. In one example, when the second unit is operating in the sleeping mode, the processor implements the tinnitus suppression algorithm to help mask ringing or other perceived sounds when no external sound is present, as associated with tinnitus. When the second unit is operating in the awake mode, the processor may deactivate or otherwise adjust the tinnitus suppression algorithm.

The present disclosure contemplates that combinations of one or more of these operational variables and other signal processing strategies that affect power consumption characteristics can be used in different operating modes. At block <NUM>, the processor <NUM> is configured to process data related to the power consumption characteristics associated with one or more operating modes and data related to the determined charge level to estimate the remaining power supply life associated with the respective one or more operating modes.

At block <NUM>, the processor is configured to generate data or other information that is used to provide an indication or notification of the remaining power supply life associated with the respective one or more operating modes. The indication is a visual indication. In one example, these indications related to the remaining power supply life are generated on a continuous or periodic basis.

<FIG> illustrates a method <NUM> that is similar to the method <NUM> of <FIG>, but includes an additional block <NUM>, at which the processor is also configured to determine that the remaining power supply life is below a threshold. In response to determining that the power supply life is below the threshold (e.g., less than <NUM> minutes of power remaining), the processor is configured to generate information that can be used to provide the indication of block <NUM> and/or a separate notification (audible and/or visible) that the power supply is nearly depleted and should be recharged.

<FIG> illustrates another method <NUM> that is similar to the methods <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>, respectively, but may include an additional block <NUM>. At block <NUM>, the processor monitors operating conditions of the system. Such operating conditions include, for instance, an orientation or changes in orientation of the one or more components of the system, user interactions between the internal unit, the external unit, and other computing devices.

In one example, the processor monitors the orientation of or changes in orientation of one or more of the first or second units, which corresponds to an orientation of the recipient's body. For instance, if an orientation sensor generates data that is indicative of the recipient being horizontal for longer than a threshold period (e.g., thirty minutes), the processor may determine that the recipient is sleeping, and the processor may responsively switch to the sleeping mode (or continue operation in the sleeping mode).

In another example, the processor monitors user interactions of the internal unit, the external unit, and other computing devices. If, for example, the processor identifies a user input received by one or more of the internal unit, the external unit, or another computing device communicatively coupled to the internal or external units, the processor may determine that the recipient is awake. The processor may then responsively switch to an awake mode (or continue operation in the awake mode).

Alternatively or in combination, the processor may be configured to detect that the internal unit is communicatively coupled with the external unit or another computing device. If, for example, the processor identifies that the internal unit is communicatively coupled to the external unit or another computing device, the processor may determine that the recipient is awake, and responsively switch to an awake mode (or continue operation in the awake mode). Further, the processor may also be configured to determine characteristics of the communicative coupled external unit or computing device. Illustratively, the processor may be configured to determine that the internal unit is communicatively coupled with different types of external units. For example, a first type of external unit may be used when recipient is awake, and a second type of external unit may be used when the recipient is asleep (e.g., a soft external unit that is designed for use while the recipient is asleep).

In another example, the processor monitors the received sounds and determines if the recipient's own voice is present in the received sounds. In this example, the processor is configured to identify particular frequency, amplitude, and/or other characteristics that correspond to the recipient's own voice. If the processor identifies the recipient's voice in the received sounds, the processor may determine that the recipient is awake. The processor may then responsively switch to an awake mode (or continue operation in the awake mode).

In a further example, the processor monitors historical information regarding operation in one or more modes. This historical information includes, for example, the current operating mode, the time in the current operating mode, the time since the last sleeping mode, and the like. If, for example, the system is currently operating in an awake mode, then additional (or a greater degree of) identified conditions may be needed to trigger a transition to the sleeping mode (e.g., the user's voice has not been detected for one hour and the orientation of the internal units indicates that the recipient has been laying down for thirty minutes). In another example, if the processor determines that the internal unit has been operating in the awake mode for the last fourteen hours, then a sleep cycle of the recipient is more likely to occur soon, which in turn can cause the processor to transition to the sleeping mode based on fewer (or a lesser degree of) identified conditions (e.g., the user's voice has not been detected for twenty minutes and the orientation of the internal units indicates that the recipient has been laying down for fifteen minutes). In a further example, if the processor determines that the internal unit has recently transitioned from a sleeping mode to an awake mode (such as less than one hour ago), then the processor may require additional (or a greater degree of ) identified conditions to transition to the sleeping mode (e.g., the user's voice has not been detected for one hour, the orientation of the internal units indicates that the recipient has been laying down for thirty minutes, and no other user input has been received in the last thirty minutes).

The present disclosure contemplates other examples of monitored operating conditions and other combinations of one or more operating conditions to trigger a transition from one operating mode to another. The present disclosure also contemplates monitoring operating conditions associated with other modes besides the described awake mode and the sleeping mode. Generally, the one or more operating modes may include a mode that utilizes an external sound processor (such as in the external unit <NUM>), a mode that utilizes only the internal sound processor (e.g., a totally implantable hearing prosthesis mode utilizing only the internal unit <NUM>), and/or other modes that utilize the external sound processor in different configurations.

One example operating mode includes an activity mode (such as a swimming mode), which is characterized by its own set of operating variables that affect a respective power consumption characteristic. In this example, the processor may monitor operating conditions of the system, and responsively transition to the activity mode. For instance, the processor may transition to the activity mode when the external unit is decoupled from the internal unit, or when the processor detects that the external unit is disposed within a waterproof housing and communicatively coupled to the internal unit (e.g., in the case of a swimming mode).

In the method <NUM>, blocks <NUM> and <NUM> are similar to the blocks described in relation to method <NUM>. More particularly, at block <NUM> the processor monitors a charge level of the power supply or battery, and at block <NUM> the processor estimates the remaining power supply life.

Block <NUM> of the method <NUM> is similar to block <NUM> of the method <NUM>. At the block <NUM>, the processor is also configured to use the monitored operating conditions from block <NUM> to generate information that can be used to provide the indication of block <NUM> and/or a separate notification (audible and/or visible) that the power supply is nearly depleted and should be recharged. For example, at block <NUM>, the processor is configured to determine if the remaining power supply life is sufficient to operate the system through the next anticipated sleep period. This determination is based on how long the recipient has been awake, a typical awake/sleep cycle of the recipient, and the estimated power supply life, for example.

As needed, at block <NUM>, the processor is configured to generate the notification information to alert the recipient to the need for recharging the power supply. As the remaining power supply life becomes depleted further, the notification may become more severe (e.g., louder, more visible, more frequent, and the like). If, for instance, the recipient has been awake for a long time (such as longer than sixteen hours), less time is available to charge the battery before the next anticipated sleep period, during which charging the power supply may not be a convenient option. This would be an example of when the processor would generate begin to increase the severity of the notification.

At block <NUM>, if the power supply life becomes depleted below a predetermined threshold, the processor is configured to, based on user preference, switch the operating mode to conserve the power supply life. Various options are contemplated to switch the operating mode to conserve the power supply life. For instance, the processor may switch to the sleeping mode (which is typically a lower power consumption mode as compared to the awake mode). The processor may also adjust one or more operating parameters to transition to the sleeping mode instead of transitioning directly to the sleeping mode (or other lower power mode). For example, the processor may transition to a lower power mode by reducing the number of channels that are being stimulated, lowering the individual channel stimulation rates, and/or lowering the operating voltage of the current sources driving the electrodes. Other techniques for reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate levels of hearing are also possible.

<FIG> illustrate example visual notification that can be displayed, for instance, by the computing device <NUM>. The visual notifications illustrates a remaining power supply life associated with different operating modes or programs, e.g., an awake mode, a sleeping mode, a mode that utilizes an external sound processor (such as in the external unit <NUM>), and a mode that utilizes only the internal sound processor (e.g., a totally implantable hearing prosthesis mode utilizing only the internal unit <NUM>). In <FIG>, for instance, the remaining power supply life associated with the sleeping mode is shorter than the remaining power supply life associated with the awake mode. In this example, this shorter power supply life in the sleeping mode may be caused by the use of signal processing strategies that are not used in the awake mode (e.g., the tinnitus suppression algorithm). In other examples, however, the remaining power supply life associated with the sleeping mode may generally be longer than the remaining power supply life associated with the awake mode.

<FIG> shows an example of a not claimed article of manufacture <NUM> including computer readable media with instructions <NUM> for program shifting of a device. In <FIG>, the example article of manufacture <NUM> includes computer program instructions <NUM> for executing a computer process on a computing device that is arranged according to at least some embodiments described herein, such as the methods of <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A method of operating a hearing prosthesis (<NUM>), comprising:
operating the hearing prosthesis according to a first mode;
determining (<NUM>), by a first computing device (<NUM>), a charge level of a power supply (<NUM>) configured to supply power to hearing prosthesis (<NUM>);
estimating (<NUM>), by the first computing device (<NUM>), based on the charge level of the power supply (<NUM>), a first power supply life for operating the hearing prosthesis (<NUM>) according to a first mode,
estimating (<NUM>), by the first computing device (<NUM>), based on the charge level of the power supply (<NUM>), a second power supply life for operating the hearing prosthesis (<NUM>) according to a second mode, wherein operating the hearing prosthesis (<NUM>) according to the second mode has a different power consumption characteristic from operating the hearing prosthesis (<NUM>) according to the first mode;
determining that the power supply life associated with operating in the first and the second mode is less than a threshold for a remaining power supply life; and
responsive to determining that the power supply life associated with operating in the first or the second mode is less than the threshold,
generating (<NUM>, <NUM>) information for providing at least one of a visual indication or an audible indication that the power supply life is less than the threshold, generating (<NUM>, <NUM>) information to provide a visual indication of the remaining power supply life associated with the respective first and second operating modes
and
operate the hearing prosthesis (<NUM>) in the first mode, the second mode, or another mode based on a user selection received at a user interface module.