Systems and methods of facilitating communication between a first and second device

• US 20070250136A1
• Filed: 03/29/2006
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Bionics LLC (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Karunasiri, Rankiri, Chang, Diane
• Granted Patent: US 7,777,641 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/56
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36038 Cochlear stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source

Abstract

Systems for facilitating communication between a first and second device include a voltage level translator circuit configured to convert a voltage level of one or more digital signals that are transmitted from the first device to the second device to a voltage level substantially equal to a supply voltage level of the second device. The conversion is based on a first input voltage signal into the translator circuit. The systems further include a diode in series with a capacitor. The diode is configured to generate the first input voltage signal by charging the capacitor to a voltage level that is substantially equal to the voltage level of the one or more digital signals. Methods of facilitating communication between a first and second device include providing a voltage level translator circuit configured to convert a voltage level of one or more digital signals that are transmitted from the first device to the second device to a voltage level substantially equal to a supply voltage level of the second device. The conversion is based on a first input voltage signal into the translator circuit. The methods further include providing a circuit comprising a diode in series with a capacitor and generating the first input voltage signal by charging the capacitor to a voltage level that is substantially equal to the voltage level of the one or more digital signals.

Claims

1. A system for facilitating communication between a first device and a second device, said system comprising:

a voltage level translator circuit configured to convert a voltage level of one or more digital signals that are transmitted from said first device to said second device to a voltage level substantially equal to a supply voltage level of said second device, said conversion being based on a first input voltage signal into said translator circuit; and

a circuit comprising a diode in series with a capacitor;

wherein an input to said diode comprises one of said digital signals; and

wherein said diode is configured to generate said first input voltage signal by charging said capacitor to a voltage level that is substantially equal to said voltage level of said one or more digital signals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said conversion is further based on a second input voltage signal into said translator circuit, wherein said second input voltage signal has a voltage level substantially equal to said supply voltage level of said second device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said digital signal comprises a clock signal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said diode is configured to charge said capacitor during a number of positive cycles of said one or more digital signals.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said capacitor is configured to supply said first input voltage signal to said translator circuit.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said diode comprises a schottky diode.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said first device comprises a clinician'"'"'s programming interface and said second device comprises a behind-the-ear speech processor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said diode is included within said translator circuit.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said voltage level translator circuit is further configured to convert a voltage level of one or more signals generated by said second device to a voltage level substantially equal to a supply voltage level of said first device.

10. A voltage level translator circuit configured to facilitate communication between a first device and a second device, said translator circuit comprising:

a first circuit configured to convert a voltage level of one or more digital signals that are transmitted from said first device to said second device to a voltage level substantially equal to a supply voltage level of said second device, said conversion being based on a first input voltage signal into said first circuit; and

a second circuit comprising a diode in series with a capacitor;

wherein an input to said second circuit comprises one of said digital signals; and

wherein said diode is configured to generate said first input voltage signal by charging said capacitor to a voltage level that is substantially equal to said voltage level of said one or more digital signals.

11. The translator circuit of claim 10, wherein said conversion is further based on a second input voltage signal into said first circuit, wherein said second input voltage signal has a voltage level substantially equal to said supply voltage level of said second device.

12. The translator circuit of claim 10, wherein said digital signal comprises a clock signal.

13. The translator circuit of claim 10, wherein said diode is configured to charge said capacitor during a number of positive cycles of said digital signal.

14. The translator circuit of claim 10, wherein said diode comprises a schottky diode.

15. The translator circuit of claim 10, wherein said first device comprises a clinician'"'"'s programming interface and said second device comprises a behind-the-ear speech processor.

16. The translator circuit of claim 10, wherein said first circuit is further configured to convert a voltage level of one or more signals generated by said second device to a voltage level substantially equal to a voltage level of a supply voltage of said first device.

17. A method of facilitating communication between a first device and a second device, said method comprising:

providing a voltage level translator circuit configured to convert a voltage level of one or more digital signals that are transmitted from said first device to said second device to a voltage level substantially equal to a supply voltage level of said second device, said conversion being based on a first input voltage signal into said translator circuit;

providing a circuit comprising a diode in series with a capacitor; and

generating said first input voltage signal by charging said capacitor to a voltage level that is substantially equal to said voltage level of said one or more digital signals;

wherein an input to said diode comprises one of said digital signals.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said conversion is further based on a second input voltage signal into said translator circuit, wherein said second input voltage signal has a voltage level substantially equal to said supply voltage level of said second device.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said digital signal comprises a clock signal.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said diode is configured to charge said capacitor during a number of positive cycles of said digital signal.