Charging protocol for rechargable hearing systems
First Claim
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.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention include a method of charging a rechargeable battery, the method comprising the steps of: detecting the presence of a rechargeable hearing aid in a hearing aid recharger; generating a unique random ID in the charger; transmitting the unique random ID to the hearing aid using an extremely low power protocol; 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; and ending the association when the hearing aid is removed from the charger.
525 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of charging a rechargeable battery in a hearing aid, the method comprising the steps of:
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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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2. A method of charging a rechargeable battery in a hearing aid, the method comprising the steps of:
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detecting the presence of a rechargeable hearing aid in a hearing aid charger; generating a unique random ID in the charger; demodulating the unique ID in the hearing aid; transmitting the unique ID back from the hearing aid to the charger, wherein the charger waits a predetermined time after detecting a hearing aid in the charger before transmitting the unique ID to the 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 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. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification