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Charging protocol for rechargable hearing systems

  • US 10,306,381 B2
  • Filed: 12/19/2016
  • Issued: 05/28/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of charging a rechargeable battery in a hearing aid, the method comprising the steps of:

  • detecting the presence of a rechargeable hearing aid in a hearing aid charger;

    generating a unique random ID in the charger;

    transmitting the unique random ID to the hearing aid using an extremely low power protocol, wherein the charger waits a predetermined time after detecting a hearing aid in the charger before transmitting the unique ID to the hearing aid;

    demodulating the unique ID in the hearing aid;

    using the demodulated unique ID in a low power protocol to advertise the hearing aid on a network which includes the charger;

    associating the hearing aid to the charger when the charger which broadcast the unique ID receives that unique ID from a hearing aid using a wireless protocol;

    using the wireless protocol to communicate between the associated charging station and hearing aid;

    radiating power from the charger to the hearing aid, wherein the charger charges the hearing aid by oscillating a pulse wave modulation signal at approximately 744 kHz, wherein the pulse wave modulation signal is for at least a portion of the charging time toggled on for approximately 10 milliseconds and off for approximately 190 milliseconds;

    establishing the state of charge of the associated hearing aid prior to radiating power from the charger to the hearing aid; and

    ending the association when the hearing aid is removed from the charger.

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