Adaptive tapping for hearing devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10959008-B2
Application number	US-201916368880-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 29, 2019
Priority date	Mar 28, 2019
Publication date	Mar 23, 2021
Grant date	Mar 23, 2021

Abstract

The disclosed technology generally relates to adaptive tap control for a hearing device. In some implementations, the disclosed technology includes a hearing device configured to detect tapping of the hearing device based on learned tapping parameters. To learn an individual's tapping parameters for a hearing device, the disclosed technology can use a method that includes providing a tap task to a hearing device user; detecting a single tap or multiple taps in response to providing the tap task to the hearing device user; determining tap detection parameters associated with the single or multiple taps; and providing adjusted tap detection parameters for the hearing device based on the determined tap parameters. The hearing device can use the adjusted tap detection parameters to control the hearing device or perform operations by tap control.

First claim

We claim:

1. A method for tap control adjusting of a hearing device, the method comprising:
providing a tap task to a hearing device user;
receiving a single tap or multiple taps in response to providing the tap task to the hearing device user;
determining a tap parameter associated with the single or multiple taps,
wherein the tap parameter is a magnitude of a slope of acceleration of a tap, wherein the magnitude of the slope of the acceleration of the tap is based on √{square root over (x 2 +y 2 +z 2 )}, wherein x is associated with slope of acceleration in the x direction, y is slope of associated with acceleration in the y-direction, and z is associated with slope of acceleration in the z-direction;

providing a tap detection parameter for the hearing device based on the determined tap parameter, wherein the tap detection parameter is used to adjust detection of a hearing device user tapping gesture;
providing a second tap task to the user, wherein the second tap task is the same as the first tap task;
detecting another single tap or other multiple taps in response to providing the second tap task; and
updating the tap detection parameter based on the second tap task.

2. The method of claim 1 , the method further comprises:
providing a survey to user prior to, during, or after the tap task, and wherein determining the tap parameter further comprises determining the tap parameter based also on answers associated with the survey.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
transmitting, by a fitting station, a request to detect tapping at the hearing device.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
transmitting, by a mobile application, a request to detect tapping at the hearing device.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
determining the hearing device user wears glasses; and
adjusting the provided tap detection parameter based on the determining that the hearing device user wears glasses.

6. The method of 5 , wherein determining the user wears glasses further comprises:
receiving a response to a questionnaire; or
detecting an acceleration pattern that indicates the hearing device user is wearing glasses based on the single tap or multiple taps.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
transmitting, by a mobile device, a request to detect tapping at the hearing device.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:
associating the tap detection parameters with a hearing device profile or hearing device setting.

9. A hearing device, the hearing device comprising:
a microphone configured to receive sound and convert the sound into audio signals;
an accelerometer configured to detect a change in acceleration of the hearing device;
a processor configured to receive the audio signals from the microphone and receive information from the accelerometer;
a memory, electronically coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that cause the hearing device to perform operations, the operations comprising:
receive a single tap or multiple taps in response to a tap task to the hearing device user;
determine a tap parameter associated with the single or multiple taps,
wherein the tap parameter is a magnitude of a slope of acceleration of a tap wherein the magnitude of the slope of acceleration of the tap is based on √{square root over (x 2 +y 2 +z 2 )}, wherein x is associated with acceleration in the x direction, y is associated with acceleration in the y-direction, and z is associated with acceleration in the z-direction;
provide a tap detection parameter for the hearing device based on the determined tap parameter;
provide a second tap task to the user, wherein the second tap task is the same as the first tap task;
detect another single tap or other multiple taps in response to providing the second tap task; and
update the tap detection parameter based on the second tap task.

10. The hearing device of claim 9 , the operations further comprising:
adjust a tapping period based on determining that a quiet period or shock period time has expired before detecting the second tap.

11. The hearing device of claim 9 , wherein the tap task further includes: request that the hearing device user provide a first tap and a second tap, wherein the request indicates the first tap should be stronger than the second tap.

12. The hearing device of claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise:
determine a difference between the tap parameters for the first tap and the second tap; and
store the difference in a memory of the hearing device.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that when executed by a processor cause a hearing device to perform operations, the operations comprising:
provide a tap task to a hearing device user;
receive a single tap or multiple taps in response to providing the tap task to the hearing device user;
determine a tap parameter associated with the single or multiple taps,
wherein the tap parameter is a magnitude slope of acceleration of a tap wherein the magnitude of the slope of acceleration of the tap is based on √{square root over (x 2 +y 2 +z 2 )}, wherein x is associated with acceleration in the x direction, y is associated with acceleration in the y-direction, and z is associated with acceleration in the z-direction;

provide tap detection parameter for the hearing device based on the determined tap parameter;
provide a second tap task to the user, wherein the second tap task is the same as the first tap task;
detect another single tap or other multiple taps in response to the second tap task;
update the tap detection parameter based on the second tap task; and
provide an updated detection parameter for the hearing device.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13 , wherein in the tap task is associated with a request from a mobile device, fitting station, or in response to a mobile device program request.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13 , the operations further comprise:
provide a survey to user prior to, during, or after the tap task, and wherein determining the tap parameter further comprises determining the tap parameter based also on answers associated with the survey.

Assignees

• Sonova Ag

Inventors

• El Guindi Nadim
• Stumpf Nina

Classifications

• G06F2200/1636

  Sensing arrangement for detection of a tap gesture on the housing · CPC title

• G06F1/3278

  Power saving in modem or I/O interface · CPC title

• G06F1/3215

  Monitoring of peripheral devices · CPC title

• G06F1/3231

  Monitoring the presence, absence or movement of users · CPC title

• G06F1/1656

  Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories (mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203) · CPC title