Radio frequency interference reduction in connection with mobile phones

• US 7,764,798 B1
• Filed: 07/21/2006
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chien, Herman, Prise, Michael E., Prather, Scott D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Duc
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rego; Dominic E
• Application Number:
  US11/459,041
• Time in Patent Office: 1,467 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90.3, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/67.11, 455/515, 381/23.1, 381/60, 381312-321, 381/97, 379/52, 600/559, 735/85
• US Class Current: 381/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/49 Reducing the effects of electromagnetic noise on the functioning of hearing aids, by, e.g. shielding, signal processing adaptation, selective (de)activation of electronic parts in hearing aid
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/67 Implantable hearing aids or parts thereof not covered by H04R25/606
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils

Abstract

A wireless communications apparatus comprises a monitor component that analyzes transmitter operating parameters of the wireless communications apparatus. A generator component generates an acoustic anti-phase burst based at least in part upon the analyzed transmitter operating parameters, wherein the acoustic anti-phase burst reduces effects of radio frequency interference received at a hearing aid.

Claims

1. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a monitor component that analyzes transmitter operating parameters of the wireless communications apparatus; and

a generator component that generates an acoustic anti-phase burst based at least in part upon the analyzed transmitter operating parameters to mitigate effects of radio frequency interference received at a hearing aid, wherein a timing of the anti-phase burst is determined according to timing parameters associated with a type of the hearing aid,

wherein the generator component accesses a profile associated with the type of the hearing aid to determine the timing parameters, the profile selected from a plurality of profiles that are each specific to a hearing aid type, and

wherein the profile accessed by the generator component is a default profile associated with the type of the hearing aid that defines approximate anti-phase burst timing parameters for mitigating radio frequency interference specific to the type of the hearing aid.

2. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 1, the generator component generates the acoustic anti-phase burst having a phase and amplitude substantially opposite that of the radio frequency interference received at the hearing aid.

3. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 1 being a mobile telephone.

4. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 1 being a device configured for use within a mobile telephone.

5. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a training component that receives user input relating to audible radio frequency interference perceived at the hearing aid and creates a profile based on the user input defining timing parameters utilized by the generator component in connection with generating the acoustic anti-phase burst.

6. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter component that transmits comfort noise.

7. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 1 being a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) compatible device.

8. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions for generating an anti-phase acoustic burst to reduce audible radio frequency interference perceived at a hearing aid;

a data store that maintains a plurality of profiles defining timing parameters for generating the anti-phase acoustic burst, the respective profiles of the plurality of profiles associated with a type of hearing aid; and

a processor that is configured to execute the instructions retained within memory and to select a profile from the plurality of profiles based on a type of hearing aid in use.

9. A method for offsetting audible radio frequency interference radiated from a mobile telephone, comprising:

storing a plurality of profiles that are each associated with a type of hearing aid;

analyzing operating parameters of a transmitter within the mobile telephone;

receiving input indicative of audible radio frequency interference received at a hearing aid from the transmitter;

determining a selected profile from the plurality of profiles associated with a type of hearing aid employed by a user of the mobile telephone, the selected profile including information relating to characteristics of the type of hearing aid employed by the user; and

generating an anti-phase acoustic burst in accordance with timing information contained in the selected profile that at least partially offsets effects of the audible radio frequency interference received at the hearing aid, the anti-phase acoustic burst generated based at least in part upon the analyzing and the input.

10. A mobile telephone configured to perform the method of claim 9.