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EP-4074064-B1 - HEARING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR PAIRING EAR-WORN DEVICES

EP4074064B1EP 4074064 B1EP4074064 B1EP 4074064B1EP-4074064-B1

Inventors

  • HIGGINS, SIDNEY A.
  • FABRY, DAVID ALAN

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20201119

Claims (14)

  1. A hearing assistance system (100) comprising: a first ear-wom device (106) and a second ear-worn device (108), wherein each of the ear-wom devices (106, 108) comprises: a speaker, a microphone, a processor, a non-transitory computer memory, a rechargeable battery, a charging contact, and a wireless communication device; and a case (102) comprising: a case battery (302), a case inertial measurement unit 'IMU' (1216), a first case charging contact (326) and a second case charging contact (446), a case processor (1212), and a case non-transitory computer memory (1224), wherein the first ear-worn device (106) is configured to be positioned within the case (102) so that the charging contact of the first ear-worn device (106) is in electrical communication with the first case charging contact (326) within the case (102), wherein the second ear-worn device (108) is configured to be positioned within the case (102) so that the charging contact of the second ear-worn device (108) is in electrical communication with the second case charging contact (446) within the case; characterised in that one or more of the memories in the first ear-worn device (106), second ear-worn device (108), or case (102) stores computer instructions for instructing one or more of the processors in the first ear-worn device (106), second ear-worn device (108), or case (102) to perform: while the first and second ear-worn devices (106, 108) are positioned within the case (102), detecting a vibration sequence at the case IMU (1216); and deciding whether to pair the wireless communication devices of the first and second ear-worn devices (106, 108) based on the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU (1216), wherein: the memory of the case (102) storing instructions to input the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU (1216) to the processor of the first ear-worn device (106) and to the processor of the second ear-worn device (108); the memory of each of the ear-worn devices storing instructions to: compare the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU (1216) to an expected vibration sequence; and if the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU (1216) sufficiently matches the expected vibration sequence, pairing the wireless communication device of the first ear-worn device (106) to the wireless communication device of the second ear-worn device (108).
  2. The system (100) of claim 1, the memory of each of the ear-worn devices storing instructions to receive the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU (1216) via the charging contact; or the memory of the case (102) storing instructions to accept a user input vibration sequence to define the expected vibration sequence and communicate the expected vibration sequence to the memory of the ear-worn devices.
  3. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein one or more of the memories in the first ear-worn device (106), second ear-worn device (108), or case stores computer instructions for instructing one or more of the processors in the first ear-worn device (106), second ear-worn device (108), or case (102) to perform: pairing the first and second ear-worn devices; after pairing the first and second ear-worn devices, lighting a positive indicator light on the case (102) to indicate to a user that the first and second ear-worn devices are paired; and if the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU (1216) does not sufficiently match the expected vibration sequence, lighting a negative indicator light on the case (102) to indicate to the user that the first and second ear-worn devices are not paired.
  4. The system (100) of any of claims 1-3, wherein the memory in the first ear-worn device (106) and the memory in the second ear-worn device (108) stores computer instructions to perform: while the ear-worn devices are positioned in the case (102), the ear-worn devices detecting an open/close sequence comprising making an electrical connection in response to closing the case and unmaking an electrical connection in response to opening the case, wherein the open/close sequence is detected at the charging contact of the first ear-worn device (106) and the charging contact of the second ear-worn device (108); and in response to detecting the open/close sequence, the first and second ear-worn devices entering a pairing mode.
  5. The system (100) of claim 4, wherein the open/close sequence comprises opening and closing the case (102) three times; or wherein the open/close sequence is detected at the charging contact of the first ear-worn device (106) and the charging contact of the second ear-worn device (108).
  6. The system (100) of any of claims 1-5, wherein one or more of the memories in the first ear-worn device (106) or second ear-worn device (108) stores computer instructions for instructing one or more of the processors in the first ear-worn device (106) or second ear-worn device to perform the steps of detecting the vibration sequence at the case IMU (1216) and deciding whether to pair the wireless communication devices of the first and second ear-worn devices based on the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU (1216).
  7. The system (100) of any of claims 1-6, further comprising a smart phone comprising an IMU, a processor, a non-transitory computer memory, a user input device, a wireless communication device, and a display device, wherein the memory of the smart phone stores computer instructions for instructing the processor in the smart phone to perform: placing the smart phone into a pairing mode; at a same time as the vibration sequence is detected at the case IMU (1216), detecting the vibration sequence by the smart phone IMU; and based on the vibration sequence detected by the smart phone IMU, deciding whether to pair the wireless communication device of the smart phone with the wireless communication devices of the first and second ear-worn devices.
  8. The system (100) of any of claims 1-7, wherein the memory of the smart phone stores computer instructions for instructing the processor in the smart phone to perform: inputting the vibration sequence detected at the smart phone IMU to the processor of the smart phone; comparing the vibration sequence detected at the smart phone IMU to an expected vibration sequence; and if the vibration sequence detected at the smart phone IMU sufficiently matches the expected vibration sequence, pairing the wireless communication device of the smart phone with the wireless communication devices of the first and second ear-worn devices.
  9. The system (100) of claim 7, wherein the memory of the smart phone stores computer instructions for instructing the processor in the smart phone to perform: if the vibration sequence detected at the smart phone IMU does not sufficiently match the expected vibration sequence, presenting a message to a user on a display device of the smart phone indicating that the smart phone has not been paired to the first and second ear-worn devices.
  10. The system (100) of any of claims 1-8, wherein the case IMU (1216) is configured to detect a vibration sequence generated by: placing the case (102) on a hard surface, wherein the case (102) is in a closed position and the first and second ear-worn devices are within the case (102); and after placing the case on the hard surface, generating the vibration sequence by knocking on a hard surface with the case laying on the hard surface; and/or wherein the vibration sequence is generated by tapping the case (102) on a hard surface, wherein the case is in a closed position and the first and second ear-worn devices are within the case (102).
  11. A method of pairing a first ear-worn device (106) and a second ear-worn device (108), wherein each of the ear-worn devices comprises: a speaker, a microphone, a processor, a non-transitory computer memory, a rechargeable battery, a charging contact, and a wireless communication device, wherein the first ear-worn device (106) is configured to be positioned within a case (102) so that the charging contact of the first ear-worn device (106) is in electrical communication with a first case charging contact (326) within the case (102), wherein the second ear-worn device (108) is configured to be positioned within the case (102) so that the charging contact of the second ear-worn device (108) is in electrical communication with a second case charging contact (446) within the case (102), wherein the case (102) comprises: a battery (302) and a case inertial measurement unit 'IMU' (1216); the method being characterised by comprising: while the first and second ear-worn devices (106, 108) are positioned within the case, detecting a vibration sequence at the case IMU (1216) after the first and second ear-worn devices (106, 108) enter a pairing mode; and deciding whether to pair the wireless communication devices of the first and second ear-worn devices (106, 108) based on the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU (1216).
  12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: inputting the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU (1216) to the processor of the first ear-worn device (106) and to the processor of the second ear-worn device (108); each of the ear-worn devices comparing the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU (1216) to an expected vibration sequence; and if the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU (1216) sufficiently matches the expected vibration sequence, pairing the wireless communication device of the first ear-worn device (106) to the wireless communication device of the second ear-worn device (108).
  13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the memory of each of the ear-worn devices receiving the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU (1216) via the charging contact; or further comprising the memory of the case (102) receiving a user input vibration sequence to define the expected vibration sequence and communicating the expected vibration sequence to the memory of the ear-worn devices; or further comprising: after pairing the wireless communication devices of the first and second ear-worn devices (106, 108), lighting a positive indicator light on the case to indicate to a user that the first and second ear-worn devices (106, 108) are paired; and if the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU (1216) does not sufficiently match the expected vibration sequence, lighting a negative indicator light on the case (102) to indicate to the user that the first and second ear-worn devices (106, 108) are not paired.
  14. The method of any of claims 11-13, further comprising: while the ear-worn devices are positioned in the case (102), the ear-worn devices detecting an open/close sequence comprising making an electrical connection in response to closing the case (102) and unmaking an electrical connection in response to opening the case (102); and in response to detecting the open/close sequence, the first and second ear-worn devices (106, 108) entering the pairing mode; or further comprising pairing the first and second ear-worn devices (106, 108) with a smart phone, comprising: placing the smart phone into a pairing mode; detecting the vibration sequence by a smart phone IMU at a same time as the vibration sequence is detected at the case IMU (1216); and based on the vibration sequence detected by the smart phone IMU, a processor of the smart phone deciding whether to pair a wireless communication device of the smart phone with the wireless communication devices of the first and second ear-worn devices (106, 108).

Description

Field Embodiments herein relate to pairing of ear-worn devices, such as hearing aids, for radio frequency communication. Background Many ear-worn devices, including hearing aids, have the ability to be paired with another device for wireless communication, such as radio frequency communication. For example, a first ear-worn device can be paired with a second ear- worn device as a binaural counterpart. One or more ear-worn devices can be paired with a smart phone or other accessory device. During the pairing process, the devices exchange identification and authentication data. Current pairing methods can be cumbersome, especially where multiple ear-worn devices are paired with a smart phone or other accessory. Some current pairing methods for ear-worn devices rely on the presence of and user interface of a smart phone or computer to accomplish the pairing. These methods leave the user without any option to reestablish pairing if the ear-worn devices become unpaired while the user is away from a smart phone or computer. In that scenario, the user will be without hearing assistance until they again have access to a smart phone or computer. US 2019/268703 A1 relates to a portable case for storing hearing assistance devices that includes at least one retention structure configured to retain at least part of a hearing assistance device, one or more communication units configured to exchange information between the portable case and one or more external devices, and at least one processor. CN 108 848 429 A relates to a pairing connection method of a wireless transceiving device, and the wireless transceiving device. EP 3 151 584 A2 relates to earbuds with acoustic insert, wherein an earbud includes a housing having an ear portion and a stem portion, the housing comprises a driver assembly positioned within the housing forming a front volume in front of the driver and a back volume behind the driver. US 2018/132287 A1 relates to a method, an electronic apparatus, and a recording medium for establishing a wireless connection through vibration. US 2015/341973 A1 relates to a method and system of establishing a wireless network for audio data transmission with a first and second audio devices having first and second transceivers, the first audio device being an audio signal transmission unit with a user operable switch, and the first and second audio devices being assistive listening devices. US 2016/254868 A1 and US 9 949 124 B1 show the use of detection of a vibration sequence for pairing purposes for electronic devices. Summary The present invention provides a hearing assistance system according to claim 1 and a method of pairing a first ear-worn device and a second ear-worn device according to claim 11. Further embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. The disclosure includes the following aspects: In a first aspect, a hearing assistance system is included having a first ear-worn device and a second ear-worn device, wherein each of the ear-worn devices includes: a speaker, a microphone, a processor, a non-transitory computer memory, a rechargeable battery, a charging contact, and a wireless communication device. The hearing assistance system also includes a case having a case battery, a case inertial measurement unit (IMU), a first case charging contact and a second case charging contact, a case processor, and a case non-transitory computer memory. The first ear-worn device is configured to be positioned within the case so that the charging contact of the first ear-worn device is in electrical communication with the first case charging contact within the case. The second ear-worn device is configured to be positioned within the case so that the charging contact of the second ear-worn device is in electrical communication with the second case charging contact within the case. One or more of the memories in the first ear-worn device, second ear-worn device, or case stores computer instructions for instructing one or more of the processors in the first ear-worn device, second ear-worn device, or case to perform: detecting a vibration sequence at the case IMU, and deciding whether to pair the wireless communication devices of the first and second ear-worn devices based on the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU. In a second aspect, in addition to one or more of the preceding or following aspects, or in the alternative to some aspects, the memory of the case stores instructions to input the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU to the processor of the first ear-worn device and to the processor of the second ear-worn device. The memory of each of the ear-worn devices stores instructions to: compare the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU to an expected vibration sequence, and if the vibration sequence detected at the case IMU sufficiently matches the expected vibration sequence, pairing the wireless communication device of the first ear-worn device to the wireless communication device of the