Wireless microphone

• US 7,551,894 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2003
• Issued: 06/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Phonak Communications AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Phonak Communications AG (Sonova Holding AG)
• Inventors: Gysin, Stefan, Gerber, Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson; Matthew D
• Assistant Examiner(s): GONZALES, APRIL GUZMAN
• Application Number:
  US10/680,518
• Publication Number:
  US 20050075149A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,086 Days
• Field of Search: 455/557, 455/41.2, 455/66.1, 455/556.1, 381/122
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• 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

A wireless microphone (1) comprises a radio transmitter for transmitting radio signals carrying audio signals to a hearing device. The wireless microphone (1) further comprises at least one coupling element (11) for detachably fixing one of various interchangeable functional modules (2) to the wireless microphone (1). The coupling element (11) is designed to fix the interchangeable functional module (2) to the wireless microphone (1) by mating with a coupling element (21) of the interchangeable functional module (2). The coupling elements (11, 21) comprise electrical contacts (12, 22) for electrically connecting the interchangeable functional module (2) to the wireless microphone (1) when the interchangeable functional module (2) is fixed to the wireless microphone (1) by means of said coupling elements (11, 21). The coupling element (11) constitutes a bidirectional electrical interface between the wireless microphone (1) and the interchangeable functional module (2). The wireless microphone (1) can be limited to an assistive listening device with basic functions and features, extendible by the user with extra functions and features as needed.

Claims

1. An assistive listening device, comprising:

a wireless microphone adapted to be carried by an individual, comprising a rechargeable battery for powering the wireless microphone, a microphone element for receiving audio signals from sound sources, a radio transmitter for transmitting radio signals carrying audio signals to a hearing aid carried by another individual who is located remote from the wireless microphone, and an antenna operatively connected to the radio transmitter,

wherein the wireless microphone comprises at least one coupling element for detachably fixing one of various interchangeable functional modules to the wireless microphone, said coupling element comprising electrical contacts for electrically connecting the interchangeable functional module to the wireless microphone when the interchangeable functional module is fixed to the wireless microphone by means of said coupling element, and

wherein the interchangeable functional modules include a charging module for recharging the rechargeable battery and communication modules for providing the assistive listening device with wireless communications over a plurality of networks, each communication module including a module antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless communications over a network, and wherein each communication module is adapted to communicate over a different network, and further wherein the charging module and the communication modules can be interchangeably operatively connected to the wireless microphone through said coupling element.

2. The assistive listening device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling element constitutes a bidirectional electrical interface between the wireless microphone and the interchangeable functional module fixed to the wireless microphone.

3. The assistive listening device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling element is designed to fix the interchangeable functional module to the wireless microphone by mating with a coupling element of the interchangeable functional module.

4. The assistive listening device according to claim 1, wherein electronic modules of the wireless microphone are connected to one or more of the electrical contacts for bidirectional exchange of electrical signals between said electronic modules and the interchangeable functional module fixed to the wireless microphone.

5. The assistive listening device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless microphone comprises an electronic control module, said electronic control module being connected to one or more of the electrical contacts for exchanging electrical control signals with the interchangeable functional module fixed to the wireless microphone.

6. The assistive listening device according to claim 5, wherein the wireless microphone comprises operating elements, said operating elements being connected to the control module, and said control module being designed for transferring electrical control signals to the interchangeable functional module fixed to the wireless microphone in response to operation of said operating elements.

7. The assistive listening device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless microphone comprises an electronic audio processing module, said electronic audio processing module being connected to one or more of the electrical contacts for exchanging electrical audio signals with the interchangeable functional module fixed to the wireless microphone.

8. The assistive listening device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless microphone comprises an electronic audio processing module, said electronic audio processing module being connected to one or more of the electrical contacts for receiving electrical control signals from the interchangeable functional module fixed to the wireless microphone.

9. The assistive listening device according to claim 1, wherein the radio transmitter is connected to one or more of the electrical contacts for exchanging electrical signals with the interchangeable functional module fixed to the wireless microphone.

10. The assistive listening device according to claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery is connected to one or more of the electrical contacts for supplying power to the interchangeable functional module fixed to the wireless microphone.

11. A wireless microphone comprising a rechargeable battery for powering the wireless microphone, a microphone element for receiving audio signals from sound sources, a radio transmitter for transmitting radio signals carrying audio signals to a hearing aid, and an antenna operatively connected to the radio transmitter,

wherein the wireless microphone comprises a coupling element for detachably fixing one of various interchangeable functional modules to the wireless microphone, said coupling element comprising electrical contacts for electrically connecting the interchangeable functional module to the wireless microphone when the interchangeable functional module is fixed to the wireless microphone by means of said coupling element, and

wherein said interchangeable functional modules include:

a receiver module for receiving wireless communications from a remote device that is remote from both of the wireless microphone and the hearing aid; and

a charging module for recharging the rechargeable battery,

wherein the receiver module and the charging module can be interchangeably operatively connected to the wireless microphone through said coupling element.