Standard-compatible, power efficient digital audio interface
First Claim
1. A method of augmenting the functions of a hearing device, the hearing device having a case including an external connector defining multiple signal lines not conventionally used to communicate bidirectional digital audio signals, the method comprising:
- providing an auxiliary device in an auxiliary case having a mating connector for engaging said external connector, the auxiliary device including interface circuitry and protocol instructions defining a protocol for communicating bidirectional digital audio signals through the external connector;
engaging the mating connector and the external connector and mechanically securing together said case and said auxiliary case such that a mating surface of said case adjoins a corresponding mating surface of said auxiliary case; and
communicating digital audio data bidirectionally between the auxiliary device and the hearing device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus provided for interfacing a hearing device and an auxiliary device to achieve a wireless communications link between the hearing device and a remote device. The hearing device has a case including an external connector defining signal lines including power, ground, clock, data, and a further signal line. Circuitry is provided within the auxiliary device for exchanging control data with the hearing device using the clock and data signal lines and for exchanging audio information with the hearing device using one of 1) the clock and data signal lines; and 2) the further input signal.
84 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of augmenting the functions of a hearing device, the hearing device having a case including an external connector defining multiple signal lines not conventionally used to communicate bidirectional digital audio signals, the method comprising:
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providing an auxiliary device in an auxiliary case having a mating connector for engaging said external connector, the auxiliary device including interface circuitry and protocol instructions defining a protocol for communicating bidirectional digital audio signals through the external connector; engaging the mating connector and the external connector and mechanically securing together said case and said auxiliary case such that a mating surface of said case adjoins a corresponding mating surface of said auxiliary case; and communicating digital audio data bidirectionally between the auxiliary device and the hearing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for interfacing a hearing device and an auxiliary device to be worn by a user with the hearing device, the hearing device having a case including an external connector defining multiple signals lines not conventionally used to communicate bidirectional digital audio signals, the auxiliary device being provided in an auxiliary case having a mating connector for engaging said external connector such that a mating surface of said case adjoins a corresponding mating surface of said auxiliary case, the apparatus comprising:
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interface circuitry and protocol instructions defining a protocol for communicating bidirectional digital audio signals through the external connector; wherein the interface circuitry operates in multiple modes including at least a first mode for exchanging program data with the hearing device using clock and data signal lines and at least a second mode for exchanging audio information with the hearing device using one of
1) the clock and data signal lines; and
2) a further input signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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28. A hearing device comprising:
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an earpiece housed in a first housing, the earpiece including a digital processor for processing sound signals and an external connector defining multiple signals lines not conventionally used to communicate bidirectional digital audio signals; an auxiliary device housed in a second housing and attached to the earpiece such that a mating surface of said first housing adjoins a corresponding mating surface of said second housing, the auxiliary device including a mating connector for engaging said external connector, and interface circuitry and protocol instructions defining a protocol for communicating bidirectional digital audio signals through the external connector.
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33. For use with a hearing device, an auxiliary device comprising:
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a housing including an external connector defining multiple signals corresponding to multiple signal lines of the hearing device that are not conventionally used to communicate bidirectional digital audio signals; and interface circuitry and protocol instructions defining a protocol for communicating bidirectional digital audio signals through the external connector.
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Specification