Radio frequency MEMS devices for improved wireless performance for hearing assistance devices
First Claim
1. A hearing assistance device, comprising:
- a microphone and hearing assistance electronics within a housing configured to be worn by a wearer, wherein the hearing assistance electronics include a hearing assistance processor adapted to process signals from the microphone for the wearer of the hearing assistance device;
an antenna; and
wireless communication electronics within the housing and electrically connected to the antenna and the hearing assistance processor, the wireless communication electronics including a plurality of radio frequency (RF) MEMS components, wherein at least one of the plurality of RF MEMS components includes a MEMS switch, wherein at least one of the plurality of RF MEMS components includes a MEMS filter and wherein at least one of the plurality of RF MEMS components includes a MEMS resonator.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for wireless electronics using a MEMS switch for a hearing assistance device. The present application relates to a hearing assistance device configured to be worn by a wearer. The hearing assistance device includes a housing for electronics of the hearing assistance device, including wireless electronics. The wireless electronics include a plurality of radio frequency (RF) MEMS switches, in various embodiments. A hearing assistance processor is adapted to process signals for the wearer of the hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the hearing assistance device includes an antenna, and a switchable capacitor bank configured for tuning the antenna, the switchable capacitor bank including one or more of the plurality of RF MEMS switches. The plurality of RF MEMS switches include an electrostatically deformed RF MEMS membrane, in an embodiment. Different configurations and approaches are provided.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hearing assistance device, comprising:
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a microphone and hearing assistance electronics within a housing configured to be worn by a wearer, wherein the hearing assistance electronics include a hearing assistance processor adapted to process signals from the microphone for the wearer of the hearing assistance device; an antenna; and wireless communication electronics within the housing and electrically connected to the antenna and the hearing assistance processor, the wireless communication electronics including a plurality of radio frequency (RF) MEMS components, wherein at least one of the plurality of RF MEMS components includes a MEMS switch, wherein at least one of the plurality of RF MEMS components includes a MEMS filter and wherein at least one of the plurality of RF MEMS components includes a MEMS resonator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of manufacturing a hearing assistance device, the method comprising:
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providing a microphone and hearing assistance electronics within a housing configured to be worn by a wearer, wherein the hearing assistance electronics include a hearing assistance processor adapted to process signals from the microphone for the wearer of the hearing assistance device; providing an antenna; and providing wireless communication electronics within the housing and electrically connected to the antenna and the hearing assistance processor, the wireless communication electronics including a plurality of radio frequency (RF) MEMS components, wherein at least one of the plurality of RF MEMS components includes a MEMS switch, wherein at least one of the plurality of RF MEMS components includes a MEMS filter and wherein at least one of the plurality of RF MEMS components includes a MEMS resonator. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification