# US 2014/0193007 A1 · System and method for obtaining an audio stream based on proximity and direction

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2014/0193007 A1
- Document ID: US20140193007A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/738,775
- Filed: 2013-01-10
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-10
- Assignees: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
- Applicants: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
- Inventors: Jeffrey Paul Solum
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193007A1

## CPC

- H04R 25/40: {Arrangements for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic}
- H04R 25/558: {Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency}
- H04W 4/023: {using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds}
- H04W 4/80: Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
- H04R 2225/55: Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
- H04R 2460/07: Use of position data from wide-area or local-area positioning systems in hearing devices, e.g. program or information selection
- H04W 4/025: {using location based information parameters}
- H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K)
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)

## Abstract

Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for obtaining an audio stream for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method comprising sensing proximity of a wearer of a hearing assistance device, and sensing direction of movement of the wearer of the hearing assistance device. Audio streaming to the hearing assistance device is activated or deactivated based on the sensed proximity and direction of movement, according to various embodiments.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method, comprising:
sensing proximity of a wearer of a hearing assistance device adapted for receiving audio streaming from an external source;
sensing direction of movement of the wearer of the hearing assistance device; and
activating or deactivating audio streaming to the hearing assistance device from the external source based on the sensed proximity and direction of movement.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein sensing proximity and sensing direction includes using multiple sensors.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein sensing proximity and sensing direction includes using multiple antennas.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein sensing proximity and sensing direction includes using a single receiver.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein sensing proximity and sensing direction includes using multiple receivers.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein sensing proximity and sensing direction includes using radar.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein sensing proximity and sensing direction includes using ultrasonic sonar.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein sensing proximity and sensing direction includes using infrared sensors.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein sensing proximity and sensing direction includes using radio frequency identification (RFID) sensors.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein sensing proximity and sensing direction includes using a proximity sensor profile within Bluetooth low energy.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein activating audio streaming to the hearing assistance device includes sending the device an address.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein activating audio streaming to the hearing assistance device includes sending the device a key.

### Claim 13

A system, comprising:
a hearing assistance device adapted to be worn by a wearer; and
an external device, the external device configured to:
sense proximity of the wearer;
sense direction of movement of the wearer; and
activate or deactivate audio streaming to the hearing assistance device from the external source based on the sensed proximity and direction of movement.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the external device is an assistive listening device (ALD).

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the external device includes at least one radio frequency (RF) sensor.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the first hearing assistance device includes a hearing aid.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, wherein the hearing aid includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid.

### Claim 21 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, wherein the hearing aid includes a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid.

### Claim 22 (depends on 16)

The system of claim 16, wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid.