[0001] The invention relates to the field of hearing instrument systems. It relates to a
method for deploying hearing instrument fitting software, and to a hearing instrument
and an interface device adapted therefor, as described in the preamble of the corresponding
independent claims.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The term "hearing instrument" or "hearing device", as understood here, denotes on
the one hand hearing aid devices that are therapeutic devices improving the hearing
ability of individuals, primarily according to diagnostic results. Such hearing aid
devices may be Behind-The-Ear hearing aid devices or In-The-Ear hearing aid devices.
On the other hand, the term stands for devices which may improve the hearing of individuals
with normal hearing e.g. in specific acoustical situations as in a very noisy environment
or in concert halls, or which may even be used in context with remote communication
or with audio listening, for instance as provided by headphones.
[0003] The hearing devices as addressed by the present invention are so-called active hearing
devices which comprise at the input side at least one acoustical to electrical converter,
such as a microphone, at the output side at least one electrical to mechanical converter,
such as a loudspeaker, and which further comprise a signal processing unit for processing
signals according to the output signals of the acoustical to electrical converter
and for generating output signals to the electrical input of the electrical to mechanical
output converter. In general, the signal processing circuit may be an analog, digital
or hybrid analog-digital circuit, and may be implemented with discrete electronic
components, integrated circuits, or a combination of both.
[0004] The term "fitting" denotes the process of determining at least one audiological parameter
from at least one aural response obtained from a user of the hearing instrument, and
programming or configuring the hearing instrument in accordance with or based on said
audiological parameter. In this manner, parameters influencing the audio and audiological
performance of the hearing instrument are adjusted and thereby tailored or fitted
to the end user. For hearing instruments using software controlled analogue or digital
data processing means, the fitting process determines and/or adjusts program parameters
embodied in said software, be it in the form of program code instructions, algorithmic
parameters or in the form of data processed by the program.
[0005] WO 01/54458 A2 discloses a communication system linking e.g. a hearing instrument
to a programming device and further, via a mobile device such as a cellular phone,
to a communications network such as the internet, and to a server computer. The communication
system is used to provide instructions and program code to update the hearing instrument
software or its parameters. For example, an aural response is determined by executing
a program downloaded from the server to the mobile device, then response data is uploaded
from the mobile device to the server. A fitting program executing on the server determines
program or parameter updates which then are sent, via the mobile device and optionally
through the programming device, to the hearing instrument. In one embodiment, the
mobile device comprises all the software needed for fitting, so it must not be downloaded
from the server or executed on the server. However, in this as in all the other embodiments
presented, any use of updated fitting software requires a connection to the server
via the communication system.
[0006] US 2002054689 shows the downloading of hearing device software from a network to
a local client and then storing the software in the hearing device.
[0007] Despite the general enthusiasm for interconnecting all kinds of electronic devices,
the fact remains that a large percentage of hearing instrument users and also audiologists
do not have access to a communications network such as the internet today. As long
as this situation persists, deploying fitting software, that is, distributing and
applying modified fitting software remains cumbersome and will have to involve shipment
of some kind of data medium.
[0008] One consequence of this state of affairs is that different versions or releases of
the fitting software and of the hearing aid software, with which the fitting software
interacts, must be carefully synchronised. When hearing instruments with modified
internal software leave the factory, the fitting software in use by several thousands
of audiologists must be updated. This severely hampers the flexibility and the distribution
of new software releases, both in hearing instruments and of fitting software.
[0009] EP 0 794 687 A1 discloses a method for determining a transmission characteristic
of a hearing instrument. According to this method, a program to be executed by a hearing
instrument processor is generated by an external device. This generation process is
based, among others, on hardware parameters describing the physical setup of the hearing
device, which hardware parameters are stored in the hearing instrument and transmitted
to the external device together with data characterizing hearing situations encountered
and recorded during the use of the hearing instrument. The fitting software running
on the external device must be programmed to recognize the predetermined possible
hardware configurations and to generate a new software that works on said hardware
configuration.
[0010] The abovementioned problem of how to distribute new fitting software that is adapted
to the features of new hearing instrument software remains.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is therefore an object of the invention to create a method for deploying hearing
instrument fitting software, and a hearing instrument and an interface device adapted
therefor of the type mentioned initially, which overcomes the disadvantages mentioned
above.
[0012] These objects are achieved by a method for deploying hearing instrument fitting software,
and a hearing instrument and an interface device adapted therefor according to the
corresponding independent claims.
[0013] As a result, the hearing instrument itself comprises the information defining the
fitting software - be it the complete fitting software or an update or change to a
fitting software residing in an external device, such as a programming device, a personal
computer, digital assistant or the like.
[0014] When the hearing instrument software is modified, a new software release is incorporated
in hearing instruments being manufactured and distributed. Corresponding modifications
are made to the fitting program definition data which comprises at least one of meta-data,
fitting program code and fitting program data, and which is distributed together with
the new hearing instrument software, stored in the hearing instrument. In this manner,
the fitting software can be automatically modified to correspond precisely to the
hearing instrument's software, and preferably no additional communication or software
distribution channels are required.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fitting program definition data defines
fitting program code that is executable on a data processing device. In this manner,
a complete fitting software can be distributed from within the memory of the hearing
device.
[0016] In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the fitting program code is executable
by a data processing device arranged in the hearing instrument itself. In order to
interact with the user, the hearing instrument may communicate with an external device
or may make use of interface means provided as part of the hearing instrument itself.
[0017] In the latter case, when the fitting software communicates with the user by means
of the interface means of the hearing instrument itself, no external device is required.
In this case, for example,
- user input is acquired by having the user operate an existing hearing instrument button
a certain number of times, or
- user input is acquired by using audio input signals, generated by the user or with
an additional device (e.g. mobile phone, a dual-tone audio signal generator, a mechanical
device for generating clicks, etc....) operated by a user, or
- user input is acquired by using the means of the remote control, or
- user input is acquired by the user manipulating an analog input wheel otherwise used
for loudness control, and
- feedback to the user is done by the having the hearing instrument generate signal
tones.
The fitting process is, for example guided by written instructions and/or by audio
instructions distributed e.g. on an audio compact disc, DVD, VHS tape or booklet.
In an exemplary adjustment step, the instructions may ask the user to press a button
on the hearing instrument a certain number of times, then to say "hello" and then
to press the button once, if the sound was perceived to be too weak, and twice, if
it was perceived to be comfortable. In such a manner, perhaps with more measurement
and feedback steps, a basic adjustment of the hearing instrument can be performed
without any further device means, fitting it to the user's hearing capabilities. The
same principle may also be applied for self-guided fine adjustments. This process
may include signals from the CD or DVD, self-calibration of the environment using
the hearing instrument and/or sound from additional external devices.
[0018] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, an external device is arranged
to communicate with the hearing instrument, be it by wireless or wired means. A simple
version of the external device comprises at least one analog and/or at least one digital
input means. Thus, the external device may be a simple box with one or more potentiometers
and switches. The states of these input devices may be determined by an analog to
digital converter (ADC) in the hearing instrument itself, or the box may comprise
ADCs and communication circuits for communicating with the hearing instrument by means
of known digital communication protocols such as RS-232, I2C, etc. In order to provide
feedback to the user, the audio output of the hearing instrument and/or display means
such as light emitting diodes or an alphanumeric display arranged on the box.
[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the external device is a handheld
or mobile device such as a personal digital assistant, a mobile phone, a laptop computer
etc. The hearing instrument communicates with the external device by means of one
of the communication links mentioned above, or by wireless means such as Bluetooth
or other protocols. Depending on the nature and processing power of the external device
and of overall optimisation criteria, the tasks and the computational load of the
fitting software are distributed according to one of the following preferred embodiments:
- The external device provides a text based terminal function accepting text strings
from the hearing instrument and returning text strings.
- The external device comprises a web browser for displaying and returning information
provided according to the HTML (hypertext markup language) or a related protocol.
- The external device displays graphical information encoded in an appropriate graphic
description language received from the hearing instrument device. All interaction
with the user of the box is controlled by the language elements provided by the hearing
device. The fitting process itself is controlled by the processor in the hearing instrument.
[0020] In the above three cases, the fitting program definition data corresponds to the
code of the fitting program being executed in the hearing instrument. In the following
preferred variant of the invention, the fitting program definition data comprises
fitting program code that is executable and executed on a data processing device arranged
in the external device: Fitting program definition data is loaded from the hearing
instrument into the external device and executed therein, with
- the fitting program code comprising user interface software, or
- the fitting program interacting with standard user interface software such as a browser,
already residing in the external device.
The functionality of the fitting software may be also distributed among the hearing
instrument and the external device. For example, the external device may also or alternatively
comprise means for executing program components based on the paradigm of client based
computing. Such components may be implemented as JAVA applets or ActiveX components
or the like that are provided by the hearing instrument. Components or instructions
may also be transmitted to the external device and be executed on the external device
on demand, i.e. piecewise. The term "processor code" comprises both processor specific
code as well as target processor independent intermediate code, such as so-called
bytecode or intermediate language which is locally translated into processor code.
In both cases, the fitting program definition data may be stored in the hearing instrument
in compressed form, and be decompressed in the hearing instrument itself or in the
external device.
[0021] In a related set of further preferred embodiments of the invention, the fitting program
definition data defines code or data that is loaded into the external device and that
replaces, complements or defines program data and/or program code of the fitting software
that is already resident in the external device and/or has been or can be transferred
to the external device by other means.
[0022] In this manner, the resident software is updated or configured exactly according
to the software version running on the hearing instrument.
[0023] This update or configuration may be accomplished according to one or more of different
preferred procedures:
- The fitting program definition data comprises fitting program code representing a
software module that replaces an existing software module of the external device's
software. For example, such a module may be a Java class or a program module according
to the .net system.
- The fitting program definition data comprises a section of fitting program code that
is linkable to one or multiple predetermined program locations or "program hooks"
of the existing software in the external device.
- The fitting program definition data comprises fitting program data that replaces or
augments data residing in the external device.
- The fitting program definition data comprises meta-data that defines the current or
actual structure and parameters of flexibly configurable software residing on the
hearing instrument. In this manner, a structural change and other changes in the hearing
instrument software can be accounted for by the fitting software residing in the external
device.
- The fitting program definition data comprises program code and data that represents
complete fitting software, and is transferred to and executable on the external device.
- The fitting program definition data comprises a definition of a network location (e.g.
an IP address or URL) from which, in the case that a communication network connection
is available to the external device, further fitting program definition data is downloaded
to the external device. The further fitting program definition data can be of one
of the same types as the fitting program definition data described herein, and be
used in the same manner.
Preferably, the fitting program definition data defining the network location, after
being loaded from the hearing instrument to the external device, comprises code that
is executed thereon and initiates a network connection to a server providing the further
fitting program definition data, and causes said further fitting program definition
data to be downloaded to and installed in the external device.
[0024] Whichever the manner in which the software resident in the external device is updated
or configured, the software change may
- be volatile and revert back to its previous state after the fitting process, or
- be persistent and be maintained in the updated version, or
- cause the separate storage of the update or configuration information. Several sets
of such information may be stored. Each of them is associated with a specific hearing
instrument device, device type or series identification code, which is provided by
the hearing instrument. In this manner, if a device or type of device is encountered
whose fitting program definition data has already been transferred to the external
device in an earlier fitting session, then no new transfer is required, and the fitting
software is (temporarily) updated or configured according to the stored fitting program
definition data from the earlier session.
[0025] Furthermore, regardless of the exact nature of the fitting program definition data,
it may be stored in the hearing instrument and optionally also transferred to the
external device in compressed form. The term "fitting program definition data" therefore,
depending on the context, refers to the uncompressed or the compressed representation.
The compression scheme may take one of the following preferred forms:
- The fitting program definition data comprises a definition of specific data or program
code items along with replacement items. Said items may be single bytes, larger chunks
of code, subroutines or entire program components. A replacement item may also comprise
instructions that cause the original item to be deactivated. The update of the software
comprises the step of combining the fitting program definition data with data residing
in the external device by replacing one or more data items such as bytes, lines etc.
of data residing in the external device at locations specified by corresponding data
items contained in the fitting program definition data.
- The fitting program data may be compressed according to a known, commonly used data
compression scheme.
- The fitting program definition data may be compressed with such a compression scheme,
but based on references to the code and/or data already residing in the external device.
As an example, the commonly used ZIP compression scheme normally builds a dictionary
of commonly used data strings, along with a list of codes that define how to assemble
these data strings in order to reconstruct the uncompressed data. The same can be
done by using a dictionary that is generated from the "old" program residing in the
external device (and which is known to the hearing instrument at the time it is produced
and deployed), and by storing only the list of codes for the "new" program in the
hearing instrument. Since the "old" and "new" programs are to a large extent similar,
this is very efficient.
[0026] Further preferred embodiments are evident from the dependent patent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The subject matter of the invention will be explained in more detail in the following
text with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the
attached drawings, in which:
Figures 1 through 6 schematically show a conceptual structure of a hearing instrument
and optionally an external device, and associated information flows, according to
different preferred embodiments of the invention.
Figure 7 schematically shows a simple version of an external device; and
Figures 8 and 9 show exemplary covers to be used together with said external device.
[0028] The reference symbols used in the drawings, and their meanings, are listed in summary
form in the list of reference symbols. In principle, identical parts are provided
with the same reference symbols in the figures. Data transfer operations are represented
by thin arrows, and (physical) communication connections are represented by thick
arrows.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Figure 1 schematically shows a first preferred embodiment of the invention. A hearing instrument
1 comprises a hearing instrument data processing device or hearing instrument processor
11 and storage means storing fitting program definition data 3. The fitting program
definition data 3 comprises at least one of meta-data 12, fitting program code 13
and fitting program data 14. The hearing instrument processor 11 is configured to
execute the fitting program code 13. Execution of the code is optionally controlled
according to the meta-data 12 and uses and/or modifies the fitting program data 14.
The hearing instrument processor 11 is arranged to accept input data from a hearing
instrument input device 15 such as at least one push button or switch, and/or one
or more analog input devices such as control wheels or sliders. The hearing instrument
1 also comprises hearing instrument software, (not shown) that is, program code that
implements the actual audio data processing function of the hearing instrument 1 and
that is configured and/or parameterised by the fitting process.
[0030] When the hearing instrument processor 11 executes the fitting program code 13, user
interaction is accomplished by means of the hearing instrument input device 15 and
the hearing instrument output device 16.
[0031] Figure 2 schematically shows a second preferred embodiment of the invention. Here, as in the
following preferred embodiments of the invention, mainly the features of the respective
embodiment are shown and explained. However, the other features not shown in the respective
figures or mentioned in the description may be present as well.
[0032] In addition to the hearing instrument 1, an external device 2 is present, which in
this case is a simple box with insignificant data processing means, and comprising
one or more external device input devices 25 and optionally one or more external device
output devices 26, and interface means 27 to the communication link 17. An external
device input device 25 is e.g. a potentiometer, a latching or non-latching pushbutton
or a toggle switch. An external device output device 26 is e.g. a light emitting diode
or an alphanumeric liquid crystal display. The hearing instrument 1 and the external
device 2 are arranged to communicate through a communication link 17. If the external
device 2 comprises one or more analog potentiometers, their values can be determined
by an analog to digital converter (ADC) located in the hearing instrument. The interface
means 27 then preferably comprises a multiplexer arranged for sequentially connecting
the potentiometers to a line of the communication link 17. Alternatively, the interface
means 27 comprises ADC conversion means and a communication interface for exchanging
data with the hearing instrument 1 according to a predetermined communication protocol.
Alternatively, the resistor values for the potentiometers are spread by proper selection
of the potentiometer and/or additional resistors so that the state of multiple potentiometers
can be read out using one single ADC.
[0033] The communication with the user is accomplished in a similar manner as with the first
embodiment. However, the input means are more comfortable and easier to operate.
[0034] Figure 7 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the external device 2 is a
box 31 comprising a non-latching pushbutton 32 and a potentiometer 33. These serve
as digital and analog input devices respectively that are configured to provide input
signals readable by the hearing instrument 1. A set of covers or overlays 34, 37 is
provided, as shown in
Figure 8 and
Figure 9. The covers 34, 37 are shaped with openings or holes 35, 36 such that they can be
placed over a box surface with the openings 35, 36 fitting over the pushbutton 32
and the potentiometer knob 33. In this manner, the input elements 32, 33 can have
different meanings in different steps of the fitting process. As an example, the box
has one button 32 that is usually labelled SAVE. The said cover will then be replaced
every time the user has pressed said SAVE button 32. In a first step, for example,
the maximum output power (MPO) is fitted, with the first cover 34 being in place:
The user turns the knob 33 to a position according to the engravings of the first
cover. Then, he presses SAVE, replaces the first cover 34 by the second cover 37 and
continues with step two. In this step, the gain is configured using the same potentiometer
33. The second cover 37 for step two shows the possible gain values. In another embodiment
of the invention, the covers are also configured to indicate a label and/or a scale
for an output device 26.
[0035] Figure 3 schematically shows a third preferred embodiment of the invention. The external device
2 here comprises its own data processing device 21, and program storage means storing,
among others, browser or terminal emulator software 28. Thus, the external device
2 may be a handheld mobile or a stationary computing device such as a personal digital
assistant (PDA), cell phone, laptop or desktop computer etc., or a device dedicated
to hearing instrument applications. In this embodiment, the external device input
device 25 typically is a keyboard or keypad or touch screen, and the external device
output device 26 typically is an alphanumeric or graphics capable screen.
[0036] Again, the principles of interaction with the user are similar as in the preceding
preferred embodiments, but with increased flexibility and versatility of the user
interface. In particular, instructions guiding the user or an audiologist through
the fitting process may be displayed on the external device output device 26.
[0037] Figure 4 schematically shows a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention. Here, at least
one of the meta-data 12, the fitting program code 13, and the fitting program data
14 is transferred by means of the communication link 17 to a storage location in the
external device 2. The different types of code or data are stored as fitting program
definition data 3 in the hearing instrument, in plain or in compressed form, and may
be decompressed by the hearing instrument processor 11 or by the external device processor
21. The different types of code or data comprise information that specifies how and
where to combine it with program code or data that is already resident in the external
device 2.
[0038] For example, a complete fitting software can be transferred from the hearing instrument
1 to the external device 2. In another example, in which fitting program definition
data 3 is combined with code or data that is already resident in the external device
2: The maximum output power (MPO) is displayed on the screen, but the value is received
as metadata from the hearing instrument 1. Another example is, that the memory 3 of
the hearing instrument 1 stores program code 13 for the fitting process of a specific
hearing instrument feature, such as a specific feedback canceller. The code is transferred
to the external device 2 and executed by the processor 21. The code then generates
an additional graphical user interface control element such as a control slider for
the new parameter. As a result, the control has been introduced for this particular
hearing instrument only.
[0039] Figure 5 schematically shows a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention. Only meta-data
12 is transferred from the hearing instrument 1 to the external device 2. The use
of meta-data 12 is based on the fact that the hearing instrument software is modularised,
structured and parameterised, and that this is done in a fashion that different versions
of the software, differing in structure and parameters, can be represented by a set
of so-called meta-data items. Having the hearing instrument software structured in
this manner allows to manufacture different types of hearing instruments and their
associated software to a large extent in the same manner up to a late production stage.
Individual model types are then created by configuring the hardware and the software,
or even only the software, in accordance with the structural flexibility inherent
in the software, by setting values of meta-data parameters.
[0040] For example, meta-data items represent information such as
- feedback canceller software available or not
- noise canceller software available or not
- maximum output power
- maximum and minimum gain for each of a set of frequency ranges
- filter parameters
- configuration pararameters for the gain model, such as time constants and gain at
50 dB Sound Pressure Level (SPL) input. This value is also known as "G50".
[0041] The fitting software 23 that is already resident in the external device 2 is configured
to accept and properly process the meta-data description of the large variety of hearing
instruments corresponding to the variability of the different meta-data items. The
working of the fitting software and its interaction with the user or audiologist is
adapted according to the meta-data. Thus, the meta-data 12 may be considered as a
special type of fitting program data 14 that controls execution of the fitting software.
For example, if the meta-data 12 shows that a noise canceller software module or functionality
is present in the hearing instrument, then the fitting software
- displays, e.g. in a graphic user interface, parameters of the noise canceller function
and allow them to be modified, and
- incorporates the fact that a noise canceller is present into the computation of response
diagrams presented to the user, and into the computation of parameters of other software
components, such as filters, and/or
- displays, e.g. in a graphic user interface or in a appropriate fitting process flow
the controls for the parameters. The number of filter bands may be a parameter defined
by the meta data and may vary from device to device. The fitting software 23 is therefore
made in a way that it processes the metadata 12 and displays only the appropriate
number of controls, and/or
- behaves differently with respect to feature selection: Depending on the nature of
the device, the number of available limiters may vary and the fitting software 23
will only display and allow selections among the features available for this particular
device.
[0042] Figure 6 schematically shows a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment,
the external device 2 comprises a communication link via a computer network 18 such
as the internet to a server 19. In the hearing instrument 1, the fitting program definition
data 3 comprises a network location specification such as an URL (uniform resource
locator) 20. This URL 20 specifies the location of at least one of meta-data 12, fitting
program code 13 and fitting program data 14 to be downloaded from the server 19 to
the external device 2. The downloaded information of these different types is in a
form as essentially described in the above and is processed in the external device
2 in a like manner.
[0043] As an example, the embedded software of the hearing instrument 1 is of a later version
as the software 13 in the fitting device 2. The hearing instrument now transfers a
piece of code or metadata 20 to the external device 2, causing the external device
2 to request some kind of update from a third device or server 19, using the internet
or a dial up connection (18)
[0044] In all the preferred embodiments of the invention described so far, the storage means
arranged in the hearing instrument is a non-volatile memory. Suitable memory technologies
currently available are e.g.. FLASH memories, E2PROM memories, EPROM memories, fusable
link memories, PROM memories ROM memories and powered RAM memories
[0045] Current hearing devices already provide for a non-volatile memory capacity of e.g.
64 kBytes to begin with. For embodiments requiring a larger capacity, a correspondingly
larger memory is provided.
[0046] While the invention has been described in present preferred embodiments of the invention,
it is distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be
otherwise variously embodied and practised within the scope of the claims.
LIST OF DESIGNATIONS
[0047]
- 1
- hearing instrument
- 2
- external device
- 3
- fitting program definition data
- 4
- further fitting program definition data
- 11
- hearing instrument data processor (DP)
- 12
- meta-data (M)
- 13
- fitting program code (P)
- 14
- fitting program data (D)
- 15
- hearing instrument input device
- 16
- hearing instrument output device
- 17
- communication link
- 18
- computer network
- 19
- server
- 20
- network location specification, URL
- 21
- external device data processor (DP)
- 23
- resident external device program
- 25
- external device input device
- 26
- external device output device
- 27
- interface means
- 28
- browser or terminal software
- 31
- box
- 32
- pushbutton
- 33
- potentiometer
- 34
- first cover
- 35, 36
- holes
- 37
- second cover
1. A method for deploying hearing instrument fitting software wherein the fitting software
comprises executable fitting program code (13) configured to process fitting program
data (12,14) on a programmable data processor (11),
characterised in that the method comprises the steps of
• reading fitting program definition data (3) from data storage means provided in
the hearing instrument (1),
• determining, from the fitting program definition data (3), at least part of least
one of the fitting program data (12,14) and the fitting program code (13).
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fitting program definition data (3) comprises
fitting program code (13) that is executable on a data processing device (11;21).
3. The method according to claim 2, comprising the step of executing at least part of
the fitting program code (13) on a data processing device (11) arranged in the hearing
instrument (1).
4. The method according to claim 3, comprising the step of a fitting program represented
by the fitting program code (13) interacting with a user by means of interface means
(15, 16) that are provided as part of the hearing instrument (1).
5. The method according to one of claims 3 or 4, comprising the step of a fitting program
represented by the fitting program code (13) interacting with a user by means of interface
means (25,26) that are provided as part of an external device (2).
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the external device (2) comprises at least
one analog input means and at least one digital input means, and comprising the step
of the hearing instrument receiving a signal that is representative of a status of
at least one of the input means.
7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the external device (2) comprises a data
processing device (21) and comprising the step of executing external device software
(28) on said data processing device (21), emulating at least one of a terminal or
a browser communicating with the fitting program being executed on the data processing
device (11) on the hearing instrument (1).
8. The method according to claim 2, comprising the steps of transferring the fitting
program code (13) to a storage location in an external device (2) and of executing
the fitting program code (13) on a data processing device (21) arranged in the external
device (2).
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fitting program definition data (3) represents
code or data that is loadable into an external device (2) and that defines changes
to fitting software that is already resident in the external device (2), and comprising
the step of modifying the fitting software that is already resident in the external
device (2) in accordance with the fitting program definition data (3).
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of modifying the fitting software
that is already resident in the external device (2) comprises the step of replacing
an existing software module of the external device's (2) software by a software module
contained in the fitting program definition data (3).
11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of modifying the fitting software
that is already resident in the external device (2) comprises the step of inserting
a section of software code contained in the fitting program definition data (3) at
a predetermined program location in said fitting software.
12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of modifying the fitting software
that is already resident in the external device (2) comprises at least one of the
steps of replacing data or augmenting data contained in said fitting software by data
contained in the fitting program definition data (3).
13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step of modifying the fitting software
(23) that is already resident in the external device (2) comprises the step of configuring
said fitting software (23) in accordance with meta-data (12) contained in the fitting
program definition data (3), wherein said meta-data (12) defines at least part of
a structure and parameters of hearing instrument software residing in the hearing
instrument (1).
14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fitting program definition data (3) comprises
a description (20) of a network location and comprising the steps of loading, from
a computer network and according to said definition (20), at least part of further
fitting program definition data (4) to the external device (2), and generating fitting
software on the external device (2) that is modified in accordance with the further
fitting program definition data (4).
15. The method according to one of claims 8 to 14 wherein the fitting program definition
data (3) comprises compressed data and comprising the step of combining the compressed
data with data residing in the external device (2), and thereby generating a decompressed
representation of the fitting program definition data (3).
16. A hearing instrument (1) adapted to the deployment of fitting software, wherein the
fitting software comprises executable fitting program code (13) configured to process
fitting program data (12,14) on a programmable data processor (11), characterised in that the hearing instrument (1) comprises data storage means on which is stored fitting
program definition data (3) that specifies at least part of least one of the fitting
program data (12,14) and the fitting program code (13).
17. The hearing instrument (1) according to claim 16, wherein the fitting program definition
data (3) comprises fitting program code (13) that is executable on a data processing
device (11;21).
18. The hearing instrument (1) according to claim 17, wherein the fitting program code
(13) is executable by a data processing device (11) arranged in the hearing instrument
(1), and is configured to interact with a user by means of interface means (15,16)
provided as part of the hearing instrument (1).
19. The hearing instrument (1) according to claim 17, wherein the fitting program code
(13) is executable by a data processing device (11) arranged in the hearing instrument
(1), and is configured to interact with a user by means of an external device (2)
that provides at least one signal that is representative of an analog input, a digital
input, an analog output or a digital output.
20. The hearing instrument (1) according to claim 19, wherein the fitting program code
(13) is configured to interact with a user by means of at least one of a terminal
or a browser program.
21. The hearing instrument (1) according to claim 17, wherein the fitting program code
(13) is executable by a data processing device (21) arranged in an external device
(2) and comprising means for transferring the fitting program code (13) to the external
device (2).
22. The hearing instrument (1) according to claim 16, wherein the fitting program definition
data (3) represents code or data that is loadable into the external device (2) and
that defines changes to fitting software that is already resident in the external
device (2).
23. The hearing instrument (1) according to claim 22, wherein the fitting program definition
data (3) represents at least one of
• a software module designed to replace a software module located in the external
device (2),
• a section of software code designed to be inserted at a predetermined program location
in said fitting software in the external device (2),
• a section of data designed to be inserted at a predetermined data storage location
for said fitting software in the external device (2),
• an item of meta-data (12) designed for configuring said fitting software, wherein
said item of meta-data (12) defines at least part of a structure and parameters of
the software residing on the hearing instrument (1),
• a description (20) of a network location from which further fitting program definition
data (4) designed for modifying said fitting software in the external device (2) is
retrievable by the external device (2).
24. The hearing instrument (1) according to claim 23, wherein at least part of the fitting
program definition data (3) is in compressed form, and is configured to be decompressed
using data residing in said external device (2).
25. An interface device (2), configured to be used as an external device (2) interoperable
with a hearing instrument (1) according to claim 19, the interface device (2) comprising
at least one of an analog input, a digital input, an analog output or a digital output,
and further comprising means (27) for communicating at least one signal that is representative
of corresponding input and output values to or from the hearing instrument (1), respectively.
26. The interface device (2) according to claim 25, configured to provide at least one
analog input signal by means of a line of an analog communication link 17, to the
hearing instrument (1).
27. The interface device (2) according to claim 25, comprising analog to digital conversion
means and communication means (27) configured to transmit input values according to
a status of input means (25) by means of a predetermined communication protocol over
a communication link (17) to the hearing instrument(1).
28. The interface device (2, 31) according to one of claims 25 to 27, comprising a set
of covers (34, 37) that are configured to be placed around user interface elements
(32, 33), providing at least one of a description of a function of said user interface
elements (32, 33) and a scale for an analog user interface element (33).