Multi-mode radio for hearing assistance devices

• US 10,694,300 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2018
• Issued: 06/23/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Solum, Jeffrey Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Hamid, Ammar T
• Application Number:
  US15/963,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20180249260A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 381315, 381312
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/26 at least one of which is mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/51 Aspects of antennas or their circuitry in or for hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/558 Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the wireless communication of information for a hearing assistance device including a multi-mode radio adapted to provide communications at different frequencies using frequency control. In applications of hearing aids, the processor is adapted to perform correction of sound for a hearing impaired user. In certain examples the present subject matter provides an inductive portion for inductive communications. In various applications the multi-mode radio can be used for long range and short range communications.

Claims

1. A multi-mode radio system, comprising:

a first radio transceiver configured for long range communications;

a second radio transceiver configured for near range communications; and

an interface connected to the first and second radio transceivers, the interface including a processor configured to select the first radio transceiver or the second radio transceiver based on receipt of a control signal, the interface including a bidirectional information signal configured to provide input and output to and from the selected transceiver, wherein the information signal is configured to provide frequency control as the input to the selected transceiver and wherein the multi-mode radio system is configured to control antenna selection and matching and is configured to perform transmission and reception using different modulation techniques.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the multi-mode radio system performs transmissions controllable by the processor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmissions are programmable to include frequency shift keying (FSK) communications.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmissions are programmable to include frequency modulation (FM) communications.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmissions are programmable to include amplitude modulation (AM) communications.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmissions are programmable to include single sideband (SSB) communications.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmissions are programmable to include spread spectrum communications.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmissions are programmable to include, quaternary amplitude modulation (QAM) communications.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmissions are programmable to include phase shift keying (PSK) communications.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmissions are programmable to include quaternary phase shift keying (QPSK) communications.

11. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmissions are programmable to include pulse width modulation (PWM) communications.

12. A method, comprising:

providing a first radio transceiver configured for long range communications;

providing a second radio transceiver configured for near range communications; and

providing an interface for a multi-mode radio system connected to the first and second radio transceivers, the interface including a processor configured to select the first radio transceiver or the second radio transceiver based on receipt of a control signal, the interface including a bidirectional information signal configured to provide input and output to and from the selected transceiver, wherein the information signal is configured to provide frequency control as the input to the selected transceiver and wherein the multi-mode radio system is configured to control antenna selection and matching and is configured to perform transmission and reception using different modulation techniques.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to process signals to correct for the hearing impairment of a wearer of a hearing assistance device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the hearing assistance device includes a hearing aid.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes an in-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aid.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the hearing aid includes a receiver-in-the-canal (RIC) hearing aid.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the first radio transceiver and the second radio transceiver are programmable to provide separate communication channels supporting concurrent communications.