IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0218813
(2002-08-14)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
4 인용 특허 :
81 |
초록
▼
A reconfigurable processing unit for a digital hearing instrument includes an IS processor module, a plurality of processing units and a crosspoint switch matrix. The IS processor module receives a hearing instrument configuration. Each of the processing modules are configured to process audio signa
A reconfigurable processing unit for a digital hearing instrument includes an IS processor module, a plurality of processing units and a crosspoint switch matrix. The IS processor module receives a hearing instrument configuration. Each of the processing modules are configured to process audio signals received by the digital hearing instrument. The crosspoint switch matrix is coupled to the IS processor module and each of the processing modules, and includes at least one crosspoint switch that is configured to route audio signals between processing modules and to combine at least two audio signals. In addition, the IS processor module uses the hearing instrument configuration to program the configuration of the crosspoint switch and thereby control how the crosspoint switch matrix routes and combines audio signals.
대표청구항
▼
The invention claimed is: 1. A reconfigurable processing unit for a digital hearing instrument, comprising: an instruction set (IS) processor module that receives a hearing instrument configuration; a plurality of processing modules, wherein each processing module is configured to process audio sig
The invention claimed is: 1. A reconfigurable processing unit for a digital hearing instrument, comprising: an instruction set (IS) processor module that receives a hearing instrument configuration; a plurality of processing modules, wherein each processing module is configured to process audio signals received by the digital hearing instrument; and a crosspoint switch matrix coupled to the IS processor module and each of the processing modules, wherein the crosspoint switch matrix includes at least one crosspoint switch that is configured to route audio signals between processing modules; wherein the IS processor module uses the hearing instrument configuration to program a configuration of the crosspoint switch and thereby control how the crosspoint switch matrix routes audio signals, and wherein at least one of the processing modules is configured to compensate for a hearing impairment of a user of the hearing instrument; and wherein at least one of the processing modules is a biquad filter. 2. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 1, wherein the crosspoint switch matrix is configured to combine at least two audio signals, and wherein the IS processor module uses the hearing instrument configuration to program the configuration of the crosspoint switch and thereby control how the crosspoint switch matrix mutes and combines audio signals. 3. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the processing modules generates a feedback signal, and wherein the IS processor module monitors the feedback signal to determine if the hearing instrument configuration is optimal, wherein if the IS processor module determines that the hearing instrument configuration is not optimal, then the IS processor module receives an alternate hearing instrument configuration and reprograms the configuration of the crosspoint switch matrix using the alternate hearing instrument configuration. 4. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 1, wherein the processing modules are self-timed. 5. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 1, wherein the processing modules are coarse-grained processing modules that are each configured to perform an independent processing function. 6. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the processing modules is a field programmable gate array (FPGA). 7. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the processing modules is a filter bank. 8. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 1, wherein the IS processor module is coupled to the processing modules and uses the hearing instrument configuration to program the processing modules. 9. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 1, further comprising: an input/output (I/O) interface that couples the crosspoint switch matrix to a microphone and a speaker in the hearing instrument. 10. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 9, wherein the I/O interface is coupled to an analog-to-digital conversion device that converts analog audio signals received by the microphone into digital audio signals input to the I/O interface. 11. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 9, wherein the I/O interface is coupled to a digital-to-analog conversion device that converts digital audio signals generated by at least one of the processing modules into analog audio signals for transmission by the speaker. 12. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 9, wherein the I/O interface couples the IS processor module to a nonvolatile memory device that stores the hearing instrument configuration, and wherein the IS processor module receives the hearing instrument configuration from the nonvolatile memory device via the I/O interface. 13. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 1, wherein the crosspoint switch matrix is a two-tiered hierarchical matrix that comprises: a second-level crosspoint switch; and a plurality of first-level cross point switches that are each coupled to the second-level crosspoint switch and at least two of the processing modules; wherein the second-level crosspoint switch is configured to route audio signals between the first-level crosspoint switches, and wherein the first-level crosspoint switches are configured to route audio signals between processing modules and between processing modules and the second-level crosspoint switch. 14. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 1, wherein the crosspoint switch comprises: a configuration register that stores a configuration received from the IS processor module; and a switching circuit coupled to the processing modules and the configuration register, wherein the switching circuit is configured to route the audio signals between the processing modules; wherein the configuration resister uses the configuration to control how the switching circuit routes the audio signals. 15. A reconfigurable processing unit for a digital hearing instrument, comprising: an instruction set (IS) processor module that receives a hearing instrument configuration; a plurality of processing modules, wherein each processing module is configured to process audio signals received by the digital hearing instrument; and a crosspoint switch matrix coupled to the IS processor module and each of the processing modules, wherein the crosspoint switch matrix includes at least one crosspoint switch that is configured to route audio signals between processing modules; wherein the IS processor module uses the hearing instrument configuration to program a configuration of the crosspoint switch and thereby control how the crosspoint switch matrix routes audio signals, and wherein at least one of the processing modules is configured to compensate for a hearing impairment of a user of the hearing instrument; and wherein at least one of the processing modules is a field programmable gate array (FPGA). 16. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 15, wherein the crosspoint switch matrix is configured to combine at least two audio signals, and wherein the IS processor module uses the hearing instrument configuration to program the configuration of the crosspoint switch and thereby control how the crosspoint switch matrix mutes and combines audio signals. 17. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 15, wherein at least one of the processing modules generates a feedback signal, and wherein the IS processor module monitors the feedback signal to determine if the hearing instrument configuration is optimal, wherein if the IS processor module determines that the hearing instrument configuration is not optimal, then the IS processor module receives an alternate hearing instrument configuration and reprograms the configuration of the crosspoint switch matrix using the alternate hearing instrument configuration. 18. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 15, wherein the processing modules are self-timed. 19. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 15, wherein the processing modules are coarse-grained processing modules that are each configured to perform an independent processing function. 20. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 15, wherein at least one of the processing modifies is a filter bank. 21. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 15, wherein the IS processor module is coupled to the processing modules and uses the hearing instrument configuration to program the processing modules. 22. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 15, further comprising: an input/output (I/O) interface that couples the crosspoint switch matrix to a microphone and a speaker in the hearing instrument. 23. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 15, wherein the crosspoint switch matrix is a two-tiered hierarchical matrix that comprises: a second-level crosspoint switch; and a plurality of first-level crosspoint switches that are each coupled to the second-level crosspoint switch and at least two of the processing modules; wherein the second-level crosspoint switch is configured to route audio signals between the first-level crosspoint switches, and wherein the first-level crosspoint switches are configured to route audio signals between processing modules and between processing modules and the second-level crosspoint switch. 24. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 15, wherein the crosspoint switch comprises: a configuration register that stores a configuration received from the IS processor module; and a switching circuit coupled to the processing modules and the configuration register, wherein the switching circuit is configured to route the audio signals between the processing modules; wherein the configuration resister uses the configuration to control how the switching circuit routes the audio signals. 25. A reconfigurable processing unit for a digital hearing instrument, comprising: an instruction set (IS) processor module that receives a hearing instrument configuration; a plurality of processing modules, wherein each processing module is configured to process audio signals received by the digital hearing instrument; and a crosspoint switch matrix coupled to the IS processor module and each of the processing modules, wherein the crosspoint switch matrix includes at least one crosspoint switch that is configured to route audio signals between processing modules; wherein the IS processor module uses the hearing instrument configuration to program a configuration of the crosspoint switch and thereby control how the crosspoint switch matrix routes audio signals, and wherein at least one of the processing modules is configured to compensate for a hearing impairment of a user of the hearing instrument; and wherein at least one of the processing modules is a filter bank. 26. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 25, wherein the crosspoint switch matrix is configured to combine at least two audio signals, and wherein the IS processor module uses the hearing instrument configuration to program the configuration of the crosspoint switch and thereby control how the crosspoint switch matrix routes and combines audio signals. 27. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 25, wherein at least one of the processing modules generates a feedback signal, and wherein the IS processor module monitors the feedback signal to determine if the hearing instrument configuration is optimal, wherein if the IS processor module determines that the hearing instrument configuration is not optimal, then the IS processor module receives an alternate hearing instrument configuration and reprograms the configuration of the crosspoint switch matrix using the alternate hearing instrument configuration. 28. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 25, wherein the processing modules are self-timed. 29. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 25, wherein the processing modules are coarse-grained processing modules that are each configured to perform an independent processing function. 30. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 25, wherein the IS processor module is coupled to the processing modules and uses the hearing instrument configuration to program the processing modules. 31. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 25, further comprising: an input/output (I/O) interface that couples the crosspoint switch matrix to a microphone and a speaker in the hearing instrument. 32. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 25, wherein the crosspoint switch matrix is a two-tiered hierarchical matrix that comprises: a second-level crosspoint switch; and a plurality of first-level crosspoint switches that are each coupled to the second-level crosspoint switch and at least two of the processing modules; wherein the second-level crosspoint switch is configured to route audio signals between the first-level crosspoint switches, and wherein the first-level crosspoint switches are configured to route audio signals between processing modules and between processing modules and the second-level crosspoint switch. 33. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 25, wherein the crosspoint switch comprises: a configuration register that stores a configuration received from the IS processor module; and a switching circuit coupled to the processing modules and the configuration register, wherein the switching circuit is configured to route the audio signals between the processing modules; wherein the configuration resister uses the configuration to control how the switching circuit routes the audio signals. 34. A reconfigurable processing unit for a digital hearing instrument, comprising: an instruction set (IS) processor module that receives a hearing instrument configuration; a plurality of processing modules, wherein each processing module is configured to process audio signals received by the digital hearing instrument; and a crosspoint switch matrix coupled to the IS processor module and each of the processing modules, wherein the crosspoint switch matrix includes at least one crosspoint switch that is configured to route audio signals between processing modules; wherein the IS processor module uses the hearing instrument configuration to program a configuration of the crosspoint switch and thereby control how the crosspoint switch matrix routes audio signals, and wherein at least one of the processing modules is configured to compensate for a hearing impairment of a user of the hearing instrument; and wherein the crosspoint switch matrix is a two-tiered hierarchical matrix that comprises: a second-level crosspoint switch; and a plurality of first-level crosspoint switches that are each coupled to the second-level crosspoint switch and at least two of the processing modules; wherein the second-level crosspoint switch is configured to route audio signals between the first-level crosspoint switches, and wherein the first-level crosspoint switches are configured to route audio signals between processing modules and between processing modules and the second-level crosspoint switch. 35. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 34, wherein the crosspoint switch matrix is configured to combine at least two audio signals, and wherein the IS processor module uses the hearing instrument configuration to program the configuration of the crosspoint switch and thereby control how the crosspoint switch matrix routes and combines audio signals. 36. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 34, wherein at least one of the processing modules generates a feedback signal, and wherein the IS processor module monitors the feedback signal to determine if the hearing instrument configuration is optimal, wherein if the IS processor module determines that the hearing instrument configuration is not optimal, then the IS processor module receives an alternate hearing instrument configuration and reprograms the configuration of the crosspoint switch matrix using the alternate hearing instrument configuration. 37. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 34, wherein the processing modules are self-timed. 38. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 34, wherein the processing modules are coarse-grained processing modules that are each configured to perform an independent processing function. 39. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 34, wherein the IS processor module is coupled to the processing modules and uses the hearing instrument configuration to program the processing modules. 40. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 34, further comprising: an input/output (I/O) interface that couples the crosspoint switch matrix to a microphone and a speaker in the hearing instrument. 41. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 34, wherein the second-level crosspoint switch is configured to combine at least two audio signals. 42. The reconfigurable processing unit of claim 34, wherein the crosspoint switch comprises: a configuration register that stores a configuration received from the IS processor module; and a switching circuit coupled to the processing modules and the configuration register, wherein the switching circuit is configured to route the audio signals between the processing modules; wherein the configuration resister uses the configuration to control how the switching circuit routes the audio signals.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.