Wireless communication device employing controlled inter-part impedances for hearing aid compatibility

• US 8,145,144 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2007
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc. (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Krenz, Eric L., Vannatta, Louis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN HOANG
• Application Number:
  US11/966,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20090170450A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,551 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90.3, 381/330, 379/428.01, 379/428.02, 379/433.01
• US Class Current: 455/90.3
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/52 Means for reducing coupling between antennas; Means for reducing coupling between an antenna and another structure absorbing means H01Q17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3838 Arrangements for reducing RF exposure to the user, e.g. by changing the shape of the transceiver while in use
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 15/02 Reducing interference from electric apparatus by means located at or near the interfering apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72478 for hearing-impaired users

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing a hearing aid compatible wireless electronic device is disclosed. The apparatus may include a lower housing having a wireless transceiver, upper housing including an earpiece, hinge assembly, and a pair of reactive matching element along with predefined placement of the wireless transceiver. The reactive matching element can be implemented at different chassis inductances to achieve hearing aid compatibility within other design constraints. Implemented as a switched circuit or reactance filter circuit to create a reactance appropriate for a band of operation during transmission in that band.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device comprising:

a lower housing supporting a wireless transceiver, the wireless transceiver being capable of producing an electromagnetic field;

an upper housing positioned adjacent to the lower housing, wherein the upper housing includes an earpiece;

a first electrical element coupling the lower housing and the upper housing, wherein the first electrical element has a first electrical characteristic; and

a second electrical element coupling the lower housing and the upper housing, wherein the second electrical element has a second electrical characteristic,

wherein at least one of the first electrical element and the second electrical element comprises an impedance different than zero ohms such that a combined impedance of the first electrical element and the second electrical element is configured to be adjusted to a specific complex value such that currents are reduced on the upper housing.

2. A wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device further comprises:

a hinge assembly having a first knuckle and a second knuckle for coupling the lower housing to the upper housing.

3. A wireless communication device according to claim 2, wherein the first knuckle forms the first electrical element and the second knuckle forms the second electrical element.

4. A wireless communication device according to claim 3, wherein the first and second electrical elements are selected based on transceiver feed and lower housing and upper housing dimensions.

5. A wireless communication device according to claim 3, wherein the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic are a function of the width between the first and second knuckle.

6. A wireless communication device according to claim 2, wherein the transceiver is tuned to emit and receive radiation at a range of wavelengths and wherein the first electrical element or the second electrical element by their frequency-dependent nature can be tuned for the range of emitted or received wavelengths.

7. A wireless communication device according to claim 2, wherein the first knuckle includes an aperture through which to guide the first electrical element;

wherein the second knuckle includes an aperture through which to guide the second electrical element; and

wherein the first electrical element or the second electrical element is a switch circuit with selectable electrical characteristics.

8. A wireless communication device according to claim 7, wherein the switch circuit is responsive to a currently selected band of transmission.

9. A wireless communication device according to claim 7, wherein the switch circuit is responsive to a geographical bandset.

10. A wireless communication device according to claim 7, wherein the switch circuit is responsive to the position of the upper housing and the lower housing, wherein the position is open or close.

11. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the combined impedance of the first electrical element and the second electrical element forms an open circuit at least one operating frequency of the transceiver.

12. The wireless communication device according to claim 1,

wherein the upper housing comprises an upper housing ground plane, and

wherein the combined impedance of the first electrical element and the second electrical element induce an asymmetric current distribution in the upper housing ground plane.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the switch circuit is responsive to the position of the upper housing and the lower housing as being open or closed.

13. A method for providing a hearing aid compatible wireless electronic device, comprising:

providing a lower housing supporting a wireless transceiver, the wireless transceiver being capable of producing an electromagnetic field;

providing an upper housing positioned adjacent to the lower housing, wherein the upper housing includes an earpiece;

providing a first electrical element coupling the lower housing and the upper housing, wherein the first electrical element has a first electrical characteristic; and

providing a second electrical element coupling the lower housing and the upper housing, wherein the second electrical element has a second electrical characteristic,

wherein at least one of the first electrical element and the second electrical element comprises an impedance different than zero ohms such that a combined impedance of the first electrical element and the second electrical element is configured to be adjusted to a specific complex value such that currents are reduced on the upper housing.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first electrical element or the second electrical element is a switch circuit with selectable electrical characteristics.

16. A communication device comprising:

a lower housing supporting a wireless transceiver, the wireless transceiver being capable of producing an electromagnetic field;

an upper housing positioned adjacent to the lower housing, wherein the upper housing includes an earpiece;

a hinge assembly having a first knuckle and a second knuckle for mechanically coupling the lower housing to the upper housing;

a first electrical element electrically coupling the lower housing and the upper housing, wherein the first electrical element has a first electrical characteristic; and

a second electrical element electrically coupling the lower housing and the upper housing, wherein the second electrical element has a second electrical characteristic,

wherein a combined impedance of the first electrical element and the second electrical element forms an open circuit at least one operating frequency of the wireless transceiver.

17. The communication device of claim 16, wherein the first knuckle forms the first electrical element and the second knuckle forms the second electrical element.

18. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the transceiver is tuned to emit and receive radiation at a range of wavelengths and wherein the first electrical element or the second electrical element can be selected for the range of wavelengths.

19. The communication device of claim 16, wherein the first knuckle includes an aperture through which to guide the first electrical element;

wherein the second knuckle includes an aperture through which to guide the second electrical element; and

wherein the first electrical element or the second electrical element is a switch circuit with selectable electrical characteristics.

20. The communication device of claim 19, wherein the switch circuit is responsive a currently selected band of transmission.