FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a hearing device with model control and associated methods, and in particular to method of operating a hearing device and method of fitting a hearing device.

BACKGROUND

The developments within the hearing device industry leans towards using the same hardware for different hearing device models with different functionalities, e.g. in order to reduce production costs. Using the same hardware for different models however entails the need for hearing device manufacturers to be able to control and/or authorize the use of different models (software versions) in a selected hearing device.

SUMMARY

There is a need for a hearing device manufacturer to be able to control the configuration of hearing device hardware of a hearing device to operate as different models, e.g. with different software, e.g. in order to secure correct payment for a hearing device.

A hearing device is disclosed, the hearing device comprising a processing unit configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device; and a memory unit. The memory unit has stored therein/comprises a hearing device identifier and model data comprising model information data indicative of available model(s) for the hearing device, the model information data comprising first model information and/or a signature. The processing unit is configured to verify the model data, and proceed to a model update mode if verification of the model data fails.

A method of fitting a hearing device is disclosed. The hearing device comprises a processing unit and a memory unit, wherein the processing unit is configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device. The method comprises obtaining a hearing device identifier of the hearing device, e.g. with a fitting device; obtaining a model name, e.g. with the fitting device; obtaining a model identifier based on the model name and the hearing device identifier from a model identifier generator; and storing, e.g. with the fitting device, the model name and the model identifier in the memory unit.

Further, a method of fitting a hearing device is disclosed, the hearing device comprising a processing unit configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device, a memory unit and an interface, the memory unit having a hearing device identifier stored therein. The method comprises obtaining model data from the hearing device, e.g. with a fitting device; verifying the model data, e.g. with the fitting device; and fitting the hearing device if verification of the model data succeeds. The methods of fitting a hearing device may be performed with a fitting device.

Also a method of operating a hearing device comprising a processing unit configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device, a memory unit and an interface is disclosed. The memory unit/the hearing device has a hearing device identifier and model data comprising model information data indicative of available models for the hearing device stored therein. The model information data comprises first model information and/or a signature. The method comprises verifying the model data, e.g. at start-up; and proceeding to a model update mode if verifying the model data fails.

The disclosed methods and apparatus facilitate that hearing device operation/fitting is authorized/controlled by a hearing device manufacturer. Further, the risk of a dispenser performing unauthorized fitting/model update is heavily reduced.

Advantageously, the present disclosure enables model upgrade/downgrade of a hearing device with proper payment to the hearing device manufacturer. Further, a hearing device manufacturer is able to control/monitor the model settings of a specific hearing device.

Further, the present disclosure enables unauthorized fitting of a hearing device to operate as a non-authorized/unpaid model, e.g. in a case where a dispenser clones/copies model data from another hearing device.

A hearing device includes: a processing unit configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device; and a memory unit; wherein the memory unit has stored therein: a hearing device identifier, and model data comprising model information data indicative of available models for the hearing device, the model information data comprising first model information and a signature; and wherein the processing unit is configured to: verify the model data, and proceed to a model update mode if verification of the model data fails.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to verify the model data by verifying the signature of the model information data.

Optionally, the model data comprises a model name and/or a model identifier, and wherein the processing unit is configured to verify the model data based on the model name and/or the model identifier.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to verify the model data by determining if a verification criterion based on the hearing device identifier, the model name, and the model identifier is fulfilled, and wherein verification fails if the verification criterion is not met.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to verify the model data by performing a check function based on the hearing device identifier, the model name, and the model identifier.

Optionally, the processing unit is also configured to obtain the model information by selecting the model information from available model informations that corresponds to the model name, and to compare a result of the check function with the model information corresponding to the model name.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to determine that verification of the model data fails if a result of the check function does not match the corresponding model information.

Optionally, the memory unit has a manufacture unit identifier stored therein, and wherein the processing unit is configured to verify the model data based on the manufacture unit identifier.

A method of fitting a hearing device comprising a processing unit and a memory unit, wherein the processing unit is configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device, includes: obtaining a hearing device identifier of the hearing device; obtaining a model name; obtaining a model identifier from a model identifier generator based on the model name and the hearing device identifier; and storing the model name and the model identifier in the memory unit.

Optionally, the method further includes obtaining model information data based on the hearing device identifier and storing the model information data in the memory unit if a first update criterion is met.

A method of fitting a hearing device comprising a processing unit configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device, a memory unit, and an interface, the memory unit having a hearing device identifier stored therein, includes: obtaining model data from the hearing device; verifying the model data; and fitting the hearing device if the act of verifying results in a successful verification of the model data.

A method of operating a hearing device comprising a processing unit configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device, a memory unit, and an interface, the memory unit having a hearing device identifier and model data stored therein, the model data comprising model information data indicative of available models for the hearing device, the model information data comprising first model information and a signature, includes: verifying the model data; and proceeding to a model update mode if the act of verifying the model data results in a failed verification of the model data.

A hearing device includes: a processing unit configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device; and a memory unit, wherein the memory unit is configured to store model data comprising model information data indicative of available models for the hearing device, the model information data comprising first model information; wherein the processing unit is configured to: verify the model data, and reject the model data if verification of the model data fails.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to verify the model data by verifying a signature of the model information data.

Optionally, the model data comprises a model name and/or a model identifier, and wherein the processing unit is configured to verify the model data based on the model name and/or the model identifier.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to verify the model data by determining if a verification criterion based on the model name, and the model identifier is fulfilled, and wherein verification fails if the verification criterion is not met.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to verify the model data by performing a check function based on the model name, and the model identifier.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to obtain the first model information by selecting the first model information from available model informations that corresponds to the model name, and to compare a result of the check function with the first model information.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to determine that verification of the model data fails if the result of the check function does not match the first model information.

Optionally, the memory unit has a manufacture unit identifier stored therein, and wherein the processing unit is configured to verify the model data based on the manufacture unit identifier.

A hearing device includes: a processing unit configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device; and a memory unit, wherein the memory unit is configured to store model data comprising a signature; wherein the processing unit is configured to: verify the model data by verifying the signature of the model data, and proceed to a model update mode or to a non-operative mode of the hearing device if verification of the model data fails.

Optionally, the model data also comprises a model name and/or a model identifier, and wherein the processing unit is configured to verify the model data based on the model name and/or the model identifier.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to verify the model data by determining if a verification criterion based on the model name, and the model identifier is fulfilled, and wherein verification fails if the verification criterion is not met.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to verify the model data also by performing a check function based on the model name, and the model identifier.

Optionally, the processing unit is also configured to obtain a model information by selecting the model information from available model informations that corresponds to the model name, and to compare a result of the check function with the model information corresponding to the model name.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to determine that verification of the model data fails if a result of the check function does not match the corresponding model information.

Optionally, the memory unit has a manufacture unit identifier stored therein, and wherein the processing unit is configured to verify the model data based on the manufacture unit identifier.

A hearing device includes: a processing unit configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device; and a memory unit, wherein the memory unit is configured to store model data comprising model information data indicative of available models for the hearing device, the model information data comprising first model information; wherein the processing unit is configured to: verify the model data, and proceed to a non-operative mode of the hearing device if verification of the model data fails.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to verify the model data by verifying a signature of the model information data.

Optionally, the model data comprises a model name and/or a model identifier, and wherein the processing unit is configured to verify the model data based on the model name and/or the model identifier.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to verify the model data by determining if a verification criterion based on the model name, and the model identifier is fulfilled, and wherein verification fails if the verification criterion is not met.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to verify the model data by performing a check function based on the model name, and the model identifier.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to obtain the first model information by selecting the first model information from available model informations that corresponds to the model name, and to compare a result of the check function with the first model information.

Optionally, the processing unit is configured to determine that verification of the model data fails if the result of the check function does not match the corresponding first model information.

Optionally, the memory unit has a manufacture unit identifier stored therein, and wherein the processing unit is configured to verify the model data based on the manufacture unit identifier.

Other features, advantageous, and/or embodiments will be described below in the detailed description.

