IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,405,733
Granted Patent B2
US 11,405,733 · App. 16/758,539 · Granted Aug 2, 2022

Advanced assistance for prosthesis assisted communication

Inventors: Kenneth Oplinger (Macquarie University, AU); Rowan Christopher Page (Macquarie University, AU)
Assignee: Cochlear Limited
H04R25/554H04R2225/43H04R2225/67
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,405,733
App. No.
16/758,539
Granted
Aug 2, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system, including a signal input, a processor a signal output, wherein the processor is configured to generate an instruction related to data related to a recipient of a sensory prosthesis based on input into the signal input, and the signal output is configured to output data indicative of the instruction.

Claims (58)

1. A method, comprising:

capturing sensory input during an interaction between two or more persons, one of which is using a sensory prosthesis to at least enhance a sensory ability;

processing the captured sensory input to identify an indication for one or more of the persons in the interaction that enables the person using the sensory prosthesis to have at least one of an enhanced or adequate sense of a future sensory input; and

outputting the indication for the one or more of the persons.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the indication is an instruction to a participant in the conversation other than the person using the hearing prosthesis.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the indication indicates that one or more of the participants is speaking properly.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the indication is an indication received by all participants in the conversation.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the indication is a visual indicator that distracts from the conversation.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the indication is an instruction to a participant in the conversation other than the person using the hearing prosthesis to speak differently; and

the instruction is not directly prompted by the person using the hearing prosthesis.

7. An assembly, comprising:

a device configured to receive input indicative of a captured sensory stimulating phenomenon and provide output regarding the captured sensory stimulating phenomenon that enhances a future sensory input of a person from a future sensory stimulating phenomenon.

8. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein:

the captured sensory stimulating phenomenon is a sound of a conversation; and

the future sensory stimulating phenomenon is a future portion of the conversation.

9. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein:

the output is an indication that action should be taken by a person to improve the future sensory input.

10. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein:

the device is configured to be in signal communication with a sensory prosthesis;

the output regarding the captured phenomenon is a signal to the sensory prosthesis to at least one of adjust a setting thereof, inform a recipient to adjust a setting thereof or inform the recipient of a feature of the ambient environment in which the device is located.

11. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein:

the output regarding the captured phenomenon is a visual indicator via the display indicating at least one of that a person in sight distance of the display should take an action, a person in sight distance of the display is acting in a utilitarian manner, or a characteristic of the ambient environment.

12. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein:

the device is configured to receive input indicative of a presence of a person utilizing a sense prosthesis; and

the device is configured to indicate to the person that he or she is and/or is not speaking in a given utilitarian manner.

13. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein:

the device is configured to control a sensory prosthesis;

the device is configured to display control settings on the display screen to control the sensory prosthesis based on the analysis of the signal so that the recipient can adjust the sensory prosthesis based on the output.

14. A portable electronic device, comprising:

an visual indicator device; and

a wireless communication device, wherein

the portable electronic device is configured to display instructions in an interactive format, which instructions are to people in visual range of the visual indicator to take actions to enhance future sensory input of a recipient of a sensory prosthesis.

15. The portable electronic device of claim 14 , wherein:

the instruction is an instruction to at least one of turn of or adjust an output from a microphone that is receiving unwanted noise.

16. The portable electronic device of claim 14 , wherein:

the instruction is an instruction to speak in a different manner.

17. The portable electronic device of claim 14 , wherein:

the portable electronic device is configured to be in signal communication with a hearing prosthesis and at least one of receive a signal therefrom or send a signal thereto.

18. The portable electronic device of claim 14 , wherein:

the portable electronic device is configured to analyze input indicative of a captured sound and identify the instruction to be displayed on the display.

19. The portable electronic device of claim 14 , wherein:

the portable electronic device is configured to automatically identify that it is paired with a hearing prosthesis and automatically being displaying the instructions due to a result of the identification.

20. The portable electronic device of claim 14 , wherein:

the portable electronic device is configured to evaluate a conversation between a plurality of people, one of which is the recipient of the sensor prosthesis, and to at least one of prevent the display of the instructions or reduce the number of instructions relative to what would otherwise be the case based on a determination that the recipient of the sensory prosthesis is not interested in improving an ability to understand the conversation relative to that which might otherwise be the case.

21. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

automatically making an adjustment to the sensory prosthesis based on the captured sensory input, the action of making the adjustment being unrelated to the action of outputting the indication.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the action of outputting the indication for the one or more of the persons is executed while maintaining the sensory prosthesis in a non-adjusted state.

23. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the indication is an instruction and/or conveyance of information to one or more of the participants.

24. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein:

the device is configured to analyze the input and develop the output based on the analysis; and

the output is an instruction and/or conveyance of information to the person.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: OPLINGER, KENNETH; PAGE, ROWAN CHRISTOPHER
To: COCHLEAR LIMITED
Reel/Frame 059738/0212 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62575567 · Oct 23, 2017
Related Publication 20200344560A1 · Oct 29, 2020