Title of Invention

A HEARING PROGRAMMING INTERFACE.

Abstract TITLE: A HEARING AID PROGRAMMING INTERFACE. THIS INVENTION RELATES TO A HEARING AID PROGRAMMING INTERFACE, COMPRISING A HOUSING CONTAINING INTERFACE CIRCUITRY; A CONNECTOR ELEMENT CONFORMING TO THE PCMCIA COMPACT FLASH INTERFACE STANDARD, MOUNTED TO THE HOUSING AND PERMITTING THE INTERFACE CIRCUITRY TO BE CONNECTED TO A HOST COMPUTER; MEANS MOUNTED ON THE HOUSING, FOR CONNECTING THE INTERFACE CIRUCUITRY TO AT LEAST ONE HEARING AID; A POWER SUPPLY, THE POWER SUPPLY BEING CONTAINED WITH THE HOUSING AND SUPPLYING ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE INTERFACE CIRCUITRY THEREIN; THE CIRCUITRY, CONNECTING MEANS, AND POWER SUPPLY BEING ELECTRICALLY ISOLATED FROM THE HOST COMPUTER TO PREVENT UNDESIRED STRAY CURRENTS FROM ENTERING THE PATIENT WHILE THE HOST COMPUTER IS CONNECTED TO AN UNISOLATED POWER SOURCE, THE PATIENT IS WEARING SAID AT LEAST ONE HEARING AID, AND SAID AT LEAST ONE HEARING AID IS CONNECTED TO THE INTERFACE CIRCUITRY.
Full Text PATTFNT ISOLATING PROGRAM INTERFACE
FOR PROGRAMMING HEARING
Background of the Invention
The invention relates to programmable hearing aids,
a hearing programming interface
and more particularly relates to a hearing programing interface
programmable hearing aids. In its most immediate sense,
the invention relates to hearing aid programming
interfaces that are designed for use with hand-held
computers.
Programmable hearing aids are programmed by
connecting them to a programming unit. One type of
programming unit is a dedicated device that can only be
used to program hearing aids. Another type of
programming unit is a programming interface. A
programming interface is a device connected between a
computer and the hearing aids to be programmed. When a
programming interface is used, the computer is loaded
with appropriate software and the audiologist uses the
software to issue commends to the programming interface.
The programming interface then issues signals to the
hearing aids, thereby programming them. The hearing aids
are generally worn by the patient while they are
connected to the programming interface.
At present, programming interfaces are of two
general types. One type, which is the HI-PRO programming
interface presently sold by the assignee Siemens Hearing
Instruments, Inc., is designed for connection to a
personal computer. Another type, which is exemplified by
the EXPRESSfit programming interface now being sold by
Sonic Innovations, Inc., is designed for connection to a
battery-powered hand-held computer (the Palm Pilot, in
this instance). These two types of programming
interfaces are subject to different regulatory
requirements. In the case of the Siemens HI-PRO
programming interface, the personal computer can be
connected to an unprotected source, e.g. the computer
power supply can be connected to the electrical mains,
and the computer modem can be connected to an unprotected
telephone jack. Because of this, lightning strikes,
electrical malfunctions within the computer, etc. can
subject the programming interface to dangerously high
currents, which in turn can shock or even electrocute the
patient. For this reason, regulatory agencies require
that this type of programming interface electrically
isolate the patient from the computer.
In the case of the EXPRESSfit programming interface,
applicable regulatory requirements are more lenient.
Although the Palm Pilot computer can itself be connected
to an unprotected source via a female jack for a modem
connection or via a jack for a DC adapter, the EXPRESSfit
device covers over these jacks when it is put into
service. As a result, it is impossible for the Palm
Pilot computer to be connected to an unprotected source
while it is connected to the programming interface. For
this reason, it is highly unlikely that any malfunctions
in the Palm Pilot computer could produce any significant
risk to the patient. For this reason, this type of
programming interface need not isolate the patient from
the computer.
Recent developments in the field of programming
interfaces have brought about unanticipated problems.
For example, Micro Ear Technology, Inc. of Plymouth MN
makes a programming interface sold under the MICROCARD
trademark. This programming interface is packaged as a
PCMCIA card so it can fit into a hand-held computer such
as the Apple MessagePad 2000. When so installed, the
programming interface need not isolate the patient from
the computer. However, PCMCIA cards can also be used
with conventional personal computers (laptop and desktop
units). Because audiologists and other hearing aid
dispensers make extensive use of personal computers in
their practices, dispensers can install the MICROCARD
programming interface in a PCMCIA port in a laptop
computer or in a PCMCIA adapter that is connected to a
desktop computer. When so installed, the patient is not
isolated from the computer and the dispenser is not in
compliance with applicable regulations.
There is now a need for a programming interface that
can be used with computers of all types. This is because
dispensers use different types of computers for different
purposes. For example, a dispenser may use a desktop
computer when working in the office, may use a laptop
computer when travelling to a factory to carry out a
hearing conservation program, and may use a hand-held
computer when working with patients at a nursing home.
It would be advantageous if the dispenser could lawfully
use the same programming interface with each of these
computers, thereby eliminating the need to carry
different devices for use with different computers.
One object of the invention is to provide a hearing
aid programming interface that can be lawfully used with
computers of all types.
Another object is, in general to improve on known
hearing aid programming interfaces.
In accordance with the invention, a hearing aid
programming interface is provided. The housing contains
interface circuitry. A connector element conforming to
the PCMCIA compact flash interface standard is mounted to
the housing and permits the interface circuitry to be
connected to a host computer. Means, mounted to the
housing, are provided for connecting the interface
circuitry to at least one hearing aid. A power supply is
contained within the housing and supplies electrical
power to the interface circuitry therein. The circuitry,
the connecting means, and the power supply are
electrically isolated from the host computer to prevent
undesired stray currents from entering the patient while
the host computer is connected to an unisolated power
source, the patient is wearing said at least one hearing
aid, and said at least one hearing aid is connected to
the interface circuitry.
By using a connector element that complies with the
PCMCIA compact flash interface standard, the invention
can be used with hand-held computers because they all
accept PCMCIA compact flash cards. And, because the
compact flash standard is a subset of the PCMCIA
standard, a compact flash card can be connected to a
laptop computer through a PCMCIA slot using a compact
flash adapter (which is quite inexpensive). (A compact
flash adapter is an electrical connector mounted in a
frame. The frame is sized to receive a compact flash
card so that it is mated to the connector, and is also
sized to fit into a standard PCMCIA slot so that the
connector is mated to the PCMCIA port.) Furthermore,
cards in PCMCIA format can be made available to the
hardware in desktop computers by using commonly-available
peripheral devices known as PCMCIA card readers. Hence,
the invention makes it possible to easily and
inexpensively connect a single programming interface to
desktop, laptop, and hand-held computers, while remaining
compliant at all times with applicable patient isolation
requirements.
In the preferred embodiment, the power supply draws
electrical power from the host computer to which the
programming interface is connected. This avoids the need
to have a separate power supply that must e.g. be
connected to the electrical mains. Advantageously, in
instances where the programming interface draws more
power than can conveniently be taken from the host
computer, a battery can be provided to supplement the
power supply.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will be better understood with the aid
of the illustrative and non-limiting drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a known programming interface in PCMCIA
format;
Fig. 2 shows the mechanical packaging of the
preferred embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of the preferred
embodiment of the invention.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
The following description assumes that
fitting/programming software (such as that marketed
through Siemens Hearing Instruments, Inc. under the
CONNEXX trademark) is running on a computer. It is also
assumed that a hearing aid dispenser wishes to use that
software in the process of fitting the patient with at
least one, but usually two, properly-programmed hearing
aids. To do this, a programming interface is connected
between the computer and the aid(s) to be programmed.
Then, the dispenser operates the computer and causes the
aid(s) to be programmed (and reprogrammed, if necessary)
until the patient has been properly fitted.
Persons skilled in the art are familiar with such
software and with the methods by which hearing aids are
fit to the patient and programmed. For this reason,
neither the software_nor the fitting methodology will be
described.
Referring first to Fig. 1, it can be seen that a
programming interface 2 in the format of a PCMCIA card
can be plugged into a PCMCIA slot 4 in a desktop computer
6 or in a hand-held computer 8. Two hearing aids 10 and
12 can be connected to the programming interface 2 via
cables 14 and a male connector 16 that can be plugged
into a corresponding female connector (not visible)
located in the programming interface 2.
This known programming interface 2, which is
available from Micro Ear Technology, Inc. under the
MICROCARD trademark, draws its power from the host
computer (6 or 8) to which it is connected. While this
poses no regulatory issues if the host computer is a
hand-held computer 8, it does pose a regulatory issue if
the host computer is a desktop computer 6. This is
because a) the programming interface is not sufficiently
well electrically isolated as to satisfy patient safety
requirements established by IEC 60601-1, type BF in
Europe and UL 2601-1 in the U.S. and b) the desktop
computer 6 can be connected to unprotected sources. For
example, the desktop computer 6 can be connected to a
telephone line 20 via a modem 22 or to the electrical
mains 24 via a power cord 26. Let it for example be
assumed that lightning strikes the telephone line 20 or
the electrical mains 24 while a patient (not shown) is
wearing the hearing aids 10 and/or 12. In that event, a
high voltage spike can propagate through the circuitry in
the desktop computer 6, into and through the programming
interface 2, into the hearing aids 10 and 12, and thence
into the patient"s body. This poses a risk of injury to
the patient.
Although it might be possible to re-engineer the
programming interface 2 so as to electrically isolate the
patent in accordance with the above-identified
regulations, this would certainly be very difficult and
very expensive. This is because the above-identified
regulations require that the programming interface 2
withstand a specific high voltage without any current
leakage into the cables 14. To do this at a reasonable
cost, an isolation transformer is required, and a
conventional isolation transformer suitable to this task
cannot be packaged in a PCMCIA format.
The preferred embodiment of the invention will now
be discussed with reference to Figs. 2 and 3. Turning
first to Fig. 2, a housing generally indicated by
reference number" 100 has an intromittent connector
element 102 and an exterior element 104. The connector
element 102 conforms to the PCMCIA compact flash standard
and when introduced into a PCMCIA compact flash compliant
slot 106 in a host computer 108 is electrically connected
thereto. The preferred embodiment may optionally contain
a battery compartment 119 in which a battery 121 (see
Fig. 3) may be installed. A battery 121 may be required
if design power requirements exceed host supply
capabilities. Two female connectors 110 (which are
advantageously of the 6 pin, mini DIN type) are mounted
to the exterior element 104. Mating male connectors 112
and cables 114 can be used to connect one or two hearing
aids 10, 12 to the preferred embodiment through the
female connectors 110. Interface circuitry (not shown in
Fig. 2) is used to program one or both of the hearing
aids 10, 12. If the preferred embodiment is to be used
with a laptop or desktop computer, it can be plugged into
a conventional PCMCIA flash card adapter 123, which in
turn can be plugged into the laptop or desktop computer
125 containing a PCMCIA compliant slot 127.
To satisfy the requirements of the above-identified
regulations, the preferred embodiment must be able to
withstand specified high voltage without any leakage
current into the cables 114 when the male connectors 112
are connected to the female connectors 110. This is
accomplished by using the circuitry shown in Fig. 3.
The connector element 102 has a connector 118 at its
distal end to make an electrical connection with the host
computer 108. To provide electrical power for the
preferred embodiment of the invention, a switching power
supply 120 _is__ supplied with current from the host
computer 108 (not shown in Fig. 3). The switching power
supply 120 is connected to the primary winding of an
isolation transformer 122. The isolation transformer 122
provides the required electrical isolation. In this way,
voltage spikes etc. will not be propagated into the
preferred embodiment through the power supply circuitry,
thereby also isolating the patient as required by the
above-referenced regulations. Because the isolation
transformer 122 is comparatively bulky and therefore
cannot be mounted to the connector element 102, it is
located in the exterior element 104.
As stated above, the battery 121 can be provided
when the power requirements of the preferred embodiment
exceed the power available from the host computer. The
battery 121 is connected to power supply circuitry 144
and supplies electrical power thereto while the
programming interface is in use.
The preferred embodiment of the invention also
receives data from the host computer 108. This data
comes through the connector 118, bus interface circuitry
124, and a UART 126. To isolate the preferred
embodiment from voltage spikes propagated through the
data bus circuitry, one or more opto isolators 128 are
used. The opto isolator(s) 128 are located between the
UART 12 6 and a microcontroller 13 0, and like the
isolation transformer 122 they can easily provide
required isolation without current leakage into the
microcontroller 130.
It will thus be understood that in accordance with
the preferred embodiment all the circuitry (and therefore
the patient) is sufficiently isolated to meet the
requirements of the above-identified regulations.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
invention, only one hearing aid (10 or 12) is programmed
at one time. To program the hearing aids 10 and 12, a
multiplexer 132 is used to select the particular hearing
aid (10 or 12) to be programmed. Programming is carried
out by generating appropriate analog signals using
digital-to-analog converters 134, which supply the
necessary clock and data signals. These signals are
routed through multiplexers 136, which select a source
impedance appropriate to program the particular hearing
aids 10 and 12 that are to be programmed. (Different
models of hearing aids are programmed differently.) The
voltages across resistors 138 are used to read the input
impedance of the hearing aids 10 and 12 and to thereby
determine the models of the hearing aids 10 and 12 (so as
to select the appropriate protocols to program them). A
protective circuit 140 is used to prevent conducted EMI
from interfering with the surrounding environment and to
protect the circuitry from static discharge.
The preferred embodiment contains a provision for
input of data from an external source (such as a control
box operated by the patient during programming of the
hearing aids 10 and 12). So, too, the preferred
embodiment contains a provision for outputting data to an
external display (such as a display to be viewed by the
patient during programming of the hearing aids 10 and
12)•
Although one or more preferred embodiments have been
described above, the scope of the invention is defined
inly by the following claims:
WE CLAIM
1. A hearing programming interface, comprising:
a housing (100) containing interface circuitry;
a connector element 102) conforming to the PCMCIA compact
flash interface standard, mounted to the housing (100) and
permitting the interface circuitry to be connected to a host
computer (108);
means (110,112,114) mounted to the housing (100), for
connecting the interface circuitry to at least one hearing aid
(10,12);
a power supply (144), the power supply being contained with
the housing (100) and supplying electrical power to the interface
circuitry therein;
the circuitry, connecting means, and power supply being
electrically isolated from the host computer (108) to prevent
undesired stray currents from entering the patient while the host
computer (118) is connected to an unisolated power source, the
patient is wearing said at least one hearing aid, and said at
least one hearing aid is connected to the interface circuitry.
2. The programming interface as claimed in claim 1 comprising a
battery (121) connected to the interface circuitry (144) and
supplying electrical power thereto when the interface circitry is
turned on.
3. The programming interface as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
power supply (120) draws electrical power from a host computer
(108) to which the programming interface is connected.
This invention relates to a hearing aid programming
interface, comprising a housing (100) containing interface
circuitry a connector element (102) conforming to the PCMCIA
compact flash interface standard, mounted to the housing (100)
and permitting the interface circuitry to be connected to a host
computer (108); means (110,112,114), mounted on the housing
(100), for connecting the interface circuitry to at least one
hearing aid (10,12); a power supply (120), the power supply being
contained with the housing (100) and supplying electrical power
to the interface circuitry therein; the circuitry, connecting
means, and power supply being electrically isolated from the host
computer (108) to prevent undesired stray currents from entering
the patient while the host computer (108) is connected to an
unisolated power source, the patient is wearing said at least one
hearing aid, and said at least one hearing aid is connected to
the interface circuitry.

Documents:

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-abstract.pdf

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-claims.pdf

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-correspondence.pdf

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-description (complete).pdf

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-drawings.pdf

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-examination report.pdf

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-form 1.pdf

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-form 18.pdf

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-form 2.pdf

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-form 3.pdf

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-form 5.pdf

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-gpa.pdf

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-letter patent.pdf

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-specification.pdf

in-pct-2002-394-kol-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf


Patent Number 213998
Indian Patent Application Number IN/PCT/2002/00394/KOL
PG Journal Number 04/2008
Publication Date 25-Jan-2008
Grant Date 23-Jan-2008
Date of Filing 22-Mar-2002
Name of Patentee SIEMENS HEARING INSTRUMENTS, INC.
Applicant Address 10 CONSTITUTION AVENUE, PISCATAWAY, NJ 08855-1397 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 FAZIO JOSEPH D 633 AMWELL ROAD, NESHANIC STATION NJ 08853, U.S.A. A US CITIZEN.
PCT International Classification Number H04R,H04R 25/02
PCT International Application Number PCT/US00/31258
PCT International Filing date 2000-11-13
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 09/439,652 1999-11-12 U.S.A.