Wireless communication system using custom earmold

• US 8,027,638 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2007
• Issued: 09/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Micro Ear Technology Incorporated (Starkey Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Sanguino, Jorge, Roberts, Randall W.
• Primary Examiner(s): ZEWDU, MELESS NMN
• Application Number:
  US11/692,763
• Publication Number:
  US 20070230727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,644 Days
• Field of Search: 455 411- 413, 455/66.1, 455/74, 455/88, 455/550.1, 455/552.1, 4555561-5562, 455557-558, 455/569.1, 455/575.2, 455 305-306, 455/575.6, 381/23.1, 381/26, 381/28, 381/59, 381/71.1, 381/74, 381/79, 381/91, 381/300, 381/309, 381311-312, 381/315, 381/322, 381/328, 381330-331, 381369-370, 381380-381, 381 56- 57, 381/390, 381/395, 181 20- 22, 181/135, 181/137, 181198-199, 181/288, 181128-130, 379/52, 379/55.1
• 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

An apparatus for an ear of a user comprising a custom-fitted, in-the-ear earmold, receiver electronics detachably connected to the earmold and amplifier electronics detachably and electrically connected to the receiver electronics. In some embodiments, the amplifier electronics include a wireless communications module with wireless communications electronics disposed in the wireless communications module, wherein the wireless communications electronics support wireless communications between the user and a device. Such teachings in various examples are applied to occluding and non-occluding hearing device embodiments. Additional systems and apparatus can be found in the specification and as provided by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An apparatus for ear of a user, the apparatus comprising:

an in-the-ear earmold, wherein the earmold is custom fitted for the ear of the user;

a receiver detachably connected to the earmold and adapted to operate with said earmold;

a wireless electronics adapter detachably and electrically connected to directly drive the receiver, wherein the wireless electronics adapter is adapted to communicate audio information and the apparatus does not include a microphone; and

a coupler to mechanically connect the receiver to the earmold.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless electronics adapter supports wireless 802.11 communications between the user and a device conducting 802.11 compatible communications.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless electronics adapter supports wireless 802.15 communications between the user and a device conducting 802.15 compatible communications.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless electronics adapter supports wireless 802.16 communications between the user and a device conducting 802.16 compatible communications.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless electronics adapter supports wireless 802.20 communications between the user and a device conducting 802.20 compatible communications.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless electronics adapter supports approximately 2.4 GHz wireless communications between the user and a device conducting approximately 2.4 GHz wireless communications.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the wireless electronics adapter supports wireless Bluetooth communications between the user and a device conducting Bluetooth compatible communications.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an indicator disposed at least partially in the wireless electronics adapter.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising at least one control button.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing adapted to enclose the wireless electronics adapter.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a connector between the receiver and the wireless audio adapter that is direct audio input compatible.

12. An apparatus for an ear of a user, the apparatus comprising:

an in-the-ear earmold, wherein the earmold is custom fitted for the ear of the user,

a coupler detachably coupled to the earmold;

a receiver module detachably coupled to the coupler; and

a wireless electronics module detachably and electrically connected to directly drive the receiver, wherein the apparatus does not include a microphone.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a housing, wherein the housing is adapted to enclose the receiver and amplifier electronics.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the wireless electronics module supports wireless 802.11 communications between the user and a device conducting 802.11 compatible communications.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the wireless electronics module supports wireless 802.15 communications between the user and a device conducting 802.15 compatible communications.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the wireless electronics module supports wireless 802.16 communications between the user and a device conducting 802.16 compatible communications.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the wireless electronics module supports wireless 802.20 communications between the user and a device conducting 802.20 compatible communications.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the wireless electronics module supports approximately 2.4 GHz wireless communications between the user and a device conducting approximately 2.4 GHz wireless communications.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the wireless electronics module supports wireless Bluetooth communications between the user and a device conducting Bluetooth compatible communications.