Hearing aid adapted for wireless power reception
First Claim
1. A hearing aid system comprising:
- a hearing aid comprising;
a microphone;
an audio processing circuitry including an amplifier operatively coupled to the microphone, and a speaker configured to receive amplified signals from the amplifier and generate an amplified sound corresponding to the amplified signal;
a power supply circuitry configured to power the microphone, the amplifier, and the speaker;
a receiver comprising at least one coil operatively coupled to the audio processing circuitry and the power supply circuit, wherein the at least one coil is configured to receive wireless signals, and wherein the at least one coil comprises a magnetic metal core within a wire winding, the at least one coil having a receiver impedance; and
a switching circuit configured to generate first signals responsive to wireless signals in a first frequency range and couple the first signals to the audio processing circuitry and further configured to generate second signals responsive to wireless signals in a second frequency range and couple the second signals to the power supply circuitry; and
a base unit comprising a transmitter configured to transmit wireless signals in the second frequency range, wherein the transmitter comprises a transmitter coil having a transmitter impedance, wherein the transmitter impedance and the receiver impedance are optimally matched for;
a particular distance separation between the transmitter and the receiver, and non-optimized for all other separation distances;
ora particular relative orientation between the transmitter and the receiver, and non-optimized for all other relative orientations.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hearing aid system according to some examples includes a hearing aid which includes a microphone, amplifier, speaker, and a telecoil. In some examples, the hearing aid may include a battery or a capacitor for storing power wirelessly received from a distance separated wireless power transfer unit. The telecoil may be configured to receive audio signals and couple the audio signals to audio processing circuitry of the hearing aid. The telecoil may be further configured to receive power signals from the base unit and couple the power signals to power supply circuitry of the hearing aid, for example for charging the battery of the hearing aid. Examples of transmitter and receiver coils, and of distance and orientation optimization are described. Examples of wireless charging systems that may be used with hearing aids or other medical assistance devices are described.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A hearing aid system comprising:
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a hearing aid comprising; a microphone; an audio processing circuitry including an amplifier operatively coupled to the microphone, and a speaker configured to receive amplified signals from the amplifier and generate an amplified sound corresponding to the amplified signal; a power supply circuitry configured to power the microphone, the amplifier, and the speaker; a receiver comprising at least one coil operatively coupled to the audio processing circuitry and the power supply circuit, wherein the at least one coil is configured to receive wireless signals, and wherein the at least one coil comprises a magnetic metal core within a wire winding, the at least one coil having a receiver impedance; and a switching circuit configured to generate first signals responsive to wireless signals in a first frequency range and couple the first signals to the audio processing circuitry and further configured to generate second signals responsive to wireless signals in a second frequency range and couple the second signals to the power supply circuitry; and a base unit comprising a transmitter configured to transmit wireless signals in the second frequency range, wherein the transmitter comprises a transmitter coil having a transmitter impedance, wherein the transmitter impedance and the receiver impedance are optimally matched for; a particular distance separation between the transmitter and the receiver, and non-optimized for all other separation distances;
ora particular relative orientation between the transmitter and the receiver, and non-optimized for all other relative orientations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A hearing aid system comprising:
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a hearing aid that comprises; a microphone; an audio processing circuitry including an amplifier operatively coupled to the microphone, and a speaker configured to receive amplified signals from the amplifier and generate an amplified sound corresponding to the amplified signal; a power supply circuitry configured to power the microphone, the amplifier, and the speaker; a receiver operatively coupled to the audio processing circuitry and the power supply circuitry, wherein the receiver comprises at least one receiving coil having a receiver impedance, configured to receive wireless signals; and a switching circuit configured to generate first signals responsive to wireless signals in a first frequency range and couple the first signals to the audio processing circuitry and further configured to generate second signals responsive to wireless signals in a second frequency range and couple the second signals to the power supply circuitry; and a base unit comprising a transmitter configured to transmit wireless signals in the second frequency range, wherein the transmitter comprises a transmitter coil having a transmitter impedance, wherein the transmitter impedance and the receiver impedance are optimally matched for; a particular distance separation between the transmitter and the receiver, and non-optimized for all other separation distances;
ora particular relative orientation between the transmitter and the receiver, and non-optimized for all other relative orientations. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A hearing aid system comprising:
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a hearing aid comprising; a microphone; audio processing circuitry including an amplifier and a speaker configured to receive amplified signals from the amplifier and generate an amplified sound corresponding to the amplified signal; power supply circuitry configured to power the microphone, the amplifier, and the speaker; and a receiver operatively coupled to the audio processing circuitry and the power supply circuitry, wherein the receiver comprises a receiver coil configured to receive wireless signals, wherein the receiver coil comprises a magnetic metal core, a first winding connected to the audio processing circuitry, and a second winding connected to the power supply circuitry, wherein the first winding is configured to tune the receiver coil to receive signals in a first frequency range and the second winding is configured to tune the receiver coil to receive signals in a second higher frequency range; and a base unit comprising a transmitter configured to transmit the wireless signals in the second frequency range, wherein the transmitter comprises a transmitter coil having a transmitter impedance, wherein the receiver coil has a receiver impedance, wherein the transmitter impedance and the receiver impedance are optimally matched for;
a particular distance separation between the transmitter and the receiver, and non-optimized for all other separation distances;
or a particular relative orientation between the transmitter and the receiver, and non-optimized for all other relative orientations. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification