COMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS

• US 20140018016A1
• Filed: 03/20/2012
• Published: 01/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Electroacoustics Private Limited
• Original Assignee: Advanced Electroacoustics Private Limited
• Inventors: Chang, Joseph Sylvester, Lee, Chai Lung, Ge, Tong
• Granted Patent: US 9,859,988 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/90.1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 15/00 Suppression or limitation of noise or interference by means associated with receiver H04B1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72478 for hearing-impaired users
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/003 Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/001 for loudspeakers H04R29/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

A versatile communications (comms) apparatus to provide a means to measure the audio (earphone) output of an electronic device (e.g. a music player in a smartphone), and/or to provide a means for wireless communications between a first electronic device (e.g. a smartphone) and a second electronic device (e.g. a hearing aid, pacemaker, etc). In some embodiments, the comms apparatus does not need power and in other embodiments, its power may be harvested from the first electronic device, or drawn from a battery that may be recharged by harvesting means or charged directly. The first electronic device typically includes an audio (earphone) output, a microphone input (with a voltage bias), a long-range communications transceiver (e.g. GSM), and where pertinent, a short-range transceiver (e.g. Bluetooth) and is internet enabled. In one embodiment, the comms apparatus provides a means where the audio output (earphone) of the electronic device is sampled by its microphone input, or by electronics in the comms apparatus. In other embodiments, the comms apparatus is an intermediary communications device between the first electronic device and the second electronic device. The communications therein may be simplex and/or duplex, via either the audio output (earphone), microphone input, short-range transceiver, and/or a combination thereof. The communications data (via the comms apparatus) may be transmitted elsewhere, including via the internet by means of the internet enabled electronic device.

Claims

1. A communications apparatus connected to an electronic device, wherein

said electronic device having an audio output,

said audio output having an electronic signal and connected to a loudspeaker, said loudspeaker having an acoustic output,

said communications apparatus having a means such that at least one indicative of said electronic signal is sampled, and said at least one indicative of said electric signal is processed to estimate the noise dosage arising from said acoustical output.

2. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein said electronic device having a microphone input, and said at least one indicative of said electronic signal is input to said microphone input.

3. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein said communications apparatus having an output and having processing means to obtain said estimated noise dosage, said electronic device having a microphone input, and said output of said communications apparatus is input to said microphone input.

4. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 3, wherein said means is obtained by at least a resistor connected between said audio output and said microphone input.

5. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein said means is obtained by at least a wireless transceiver. indicative of said sampled signal.

7. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 1 and embodied in a housing, wherein

said electronic device is embodied in an enclosure, and

said housing is adapted to be physically attached to at least part of said enclosure.

10. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein said electronic device is connected to the internet, and either said at least one indicative of said electronic signal or indicative of said noise dosage is communicated via the internet.

19. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 10, wherein said communication apparatus embodies a rechargeable battery, and said rechargeable battery is at least in part recharged by said at least in part energy harvested.

6. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

12. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 8, wherein first electronic device embodies at least one wireless transceiver.

15. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 8, wherein

said first electronic device having at least an audio output and at least one microphone line,

said at least audio output having an electronic signal, and

at least part of said in part energy harvested is obtained from either said at least one microphone line or said electronic signal.

20. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 8, wherein

said first electronic device having a microphone input, and

said communications apparatus having a means to input signals to said microphone input.

21. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 8 , wherein

said first electronic device having an audio output, and

said communications apparatus having an input connected to said audio output.

24. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 8, wherein the communications apparatus is configured to transmit a wireless signal, and wherein said wireless signal includes a signal indicative of control of said second electronic device.

25. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 8, wherein

said first electronic device embodies a wireless transceiver receiving signal indicative of an audio frequency signal, said communications apparatus transmits wireless signal, and

said wireless signal includes an indicative of said audio frequency signal.

26. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 8, wherein

said second electronic device having a transmitter transmitting wireless signals, and

said communications apparatus having a wireless receiver receiving said wireless signal.

27. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 26, wherein an indicative of said received wireless signal is input to said first electronic device.

28. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 8 having a loudspeaker, wherein said first electronic device having an audio output connected to said loudspeaker.

30. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 8, wherein the communications apparatus communicates with the first electronic device wirelessly.

9. (canceled)

11. A communications apparatus connected to first electronic device and connected to a second electronic device, wherein

said communications apparatus is embodied in a housing,

said first electronic device is embodied in an enclosure,

said housing is adapted to be physically attached to at least part of said enclosure, and

said connection between said communication apparatus and said second electronic device is wireless.

13. (canceled)

14. (Canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

31-36. -36. (canceled)

37. A communications apparatus connected to the first electronic device and connected to the second electronic device, wherein

said first electronic device is connected to a third electronic device via the internet,

said communications apparatus and said second electronic device communicates wirelessly,

an indicative of said wireless communications is communicated between said communications apparatus and said first electronic device, and

an indicative of said indicative communications between said communications apparatus and said first electronic device is communicated between said first electronic device and said third electronic device.