Hearing Assistive System With Low Power Interface

• US 20100086154A1
• Filed: 10/15/2009
• Published: 04/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KommanditSelskabet Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Patent Partnership
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Frerking, Melvin, Hirvela, George
• Granted Patent: US 8,265,710 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/315
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/69 Spread spectrum techniques
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 15/00 Suppression or limitation of noise or interference by means associated with receiver H04B1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A communications interface provides for communication between a wireless communication device (WCD) and a hearing assistive device (HAD). In an exemplary embodiment the communications interface includes a communications module to receive an audio signal from the WCD. The communications interface transmits the audio signal to the HAD using a Low Power Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter. The HAD receives the Low Power RF signal and provides a voice signal to the HAD user via a speaker. In some embodiments, the HAD includes a microphone and a transmitter. The HAD transmits a voice signal generated by the microphone to the communications interface. Exemplary methods for using the WCD and the HAD are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A communications interface device comprising:

a communications module;

a low power radio frequency (RF) transmitter; and

a memory for storing instructions, executable by a processor to make the communications interface operable to;

receive an audio signal at the communications module;

generate a communication signal comprising the audio signal; and

transmit the communication signal to a hearing assistive device using the low power RF transmitter.

2. The communications interface device of claim 1, wherein the communications module is configured to receive the audio signal in a first communication protocol.

3. The communications interface device of claim 1, wherein the low power RF transmitter is configured to transmit the communication signal to the hearing assistive device using a low power RF protocol.

4. The communications interface device of claim 1, further comprising a receiver configured to receive control signals from the hearing assistive device.

5. The communications interface device of claim 1, further comprising a controller communicatively coupled to the communications module and the low power RF transmitter, the controller being configured to control operations of the communications module and the low power RF transmitter.

6. The communications interface device of claim 1, further comprising a communicatively coupled microphone, the microphone being configured to receive voice signals from a user of the hearing assistive device.

7. A hearing assistive device comprising:

a low power radio frequency (RF) receiver;

a speaker;

a processor; and

a memory for storing instructions, executable by the processor to make the hearing assistive device operable to;

receive a communication signal at the low power RF receiver; and

extract an audible signal from the communication signal.

8. The hearing assistive device of claim 7, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to make the hearing assistive device further operable to output the audible signal on the speaker.

9. The hearing assistive device of claim 7, further comprising a signal processor, wherein the signal processor is configured to manipulate the audible signal according to a user determined criterion.

10. The hearing assistive device of claim 7, further comprising a signal processor, wherein the signal processor is configured to manipulate the audible signal according to a hearing limitation associated with a user of the hearing assistive device.

11. The hearing assistive device of claim 7, further comprising a microphone.

12. The hearing assistive device of claim 11, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit a microphone signal received from the microphone to a wireless communications device.

13. The hearing assistive device of claim 12, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to make the hearing assistive device further operable to process the microphone signal prior to transmitting the microphone signal to the wireless communications device.

14. A method comprising:

receiving a low power radio frequency (RF) signal at a low power RF receiver of a hearing assistive device, the RF signal being received from a communications interface in communication with the hearing assistive device;

extracting an audible signal from the low power RF signal; and

outputting the audible signal to a speaker of the hearing assistive device for output to a user of the hearing assistive device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising manipulating the audible signal using a signal processor of the hearing assistive device, wherein the signal processor manipulates the audible signal in accordance with a criterion associated with the user of the hearing assistive device.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising manipulating the audible signal using a signal processor of the hearing assistive device, wherein the signal processor manipulates the audible signal in accordance with a hearing limitation associated with the user of the hearing assistive device.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising establishing, at the hearing assistive device, a communications link with the communications interface, wherein the hearing assistive device is configured to send control signals to the communications interface via the communications link.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising switching the hearing assistive device from a microphone mode to an RF mode, wherein:

the hearing assistive device receives input via a microphone of the hearing assistive device in the microphone mode; and

the hearing assistive device receives input via the low power RF receiver in the RF mode.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising receiving a voice signal at the hearing assistive device via a microphone associated with the hearing assistive device.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising transmitting the voice signal to the communication interface via a low power RF transmitter associated with the hearing assistive device.