Listening device with automatic mode change capabilities
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operating a listening device configured to be worn in a user'"'"'s ear, the method comprising:
- detecting a proximity of a user'"'"'s head to a casing of a listening device via a sensor carried by the casing; and
automatically switching the listening device, via at least one processor at the listening device, from a first operating mode associated with detecting the proximity of a user'"'"'s head to the casing of the listening device via the sensor, to a second operating mode, wherein the switching is in response to the listening device detecting a proximity of an electronic device, wherein the second operating mode is a direct input mode that includes wirelessly receiving an audio signal from the electronic device, and wherein the audio signal is representative of audio to be output by the listening device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hearing aid includes a casing configured to fit behind an ear of a user'"'"'s head and against a side of the user'"'"'s head. The hearing aid further includes a first proximity sensor associated with the casing and configured to generate a first signal that is proportional to a proximity of the casing to the ear and includes a processor coupled to the first proximity sensor and configured to select an operating mode from a plurality of operating modes in response to the first signal.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method of operating a listening device configured to be worn in a user'"'"'s ear, the method comprising:
-
detecting a proximity of a user'"'"'s head to a casing of a listening device via a sensor carried by the casing; and automatically switching the listening device, via at least one processor at the listening device, from a first operating mode associated with detecting the proximity of a user'"'"'s head to the casing of the listening device via the sensor, to a second operating mode, wherein the switching is in response to the listening device detecting a proximity of an electronic device, wherein the second operating mode is a direct input mode that includes wirelessly receiving an audio signal from the electronic device, and wherein the audio signal is representative of audio to be output by the listening device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A system comprising:
-
a mobile device; and a device configured to be worn in an ear of a user communicable with the mobile device, the device configured to be worn in the ear of the user comprising; a speaker and at least one microphone; a plurality of sensors including at least one sensor configured to determine a proximity to the ear of the user; and a processor coupled with the plurality of sensors; and a memory coupled with the processor, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including; determining, via the at least one sensor configured to determine a proximity to the ear of the user that the device should be operating in a first operating mode, and changing an operating mode of the device configured to be worn in the ear of the user from the first operating mode to a second operating mode in response to the device detecting a proximity of the mobile device within a proximity threshold, wherein the second operating mode is a direct input mode that includes wirelessly receiving an audio signal from the mobile device, and wherein the audio signal is representative of audio to be output by the device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A mobile device comprising:
-
a processor operable to communicate with a device configured to be worn in an ear of a user; a memory coupled with the processor, wherein the memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including; determine a proximity to the device configured to be worn in the ear of the user, wherein the device includes a plurality of sensors carried by a casing, a first of the plurality of sensors capable of determining a proximity to the mobile device and a second of the plurality of sensors capable of determining a proximity to a user'"'"'s head; and cause the device configured to be worn in the ear of the user to switch from a first operating mode to a second operating mode when the proximity is below a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification