Listening device with a rechargeable energy source adapted for being charged through an ITE-unit, or a connector connectable to, or a connector of, a BTE-unit

• US 8,462,972 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2010
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oticon A/S (William Demant Fonden)
• Original Assignee: Oticon A/S (William Demant Fonden)
• Inventors: Hastrup, Simon
• Primary Examiner(s): UHLIR, CHRISTOPHER J
• Application Number:
  US12/858,253
• Publication Number:
  US 20110069854A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 381/323
• US Class Current: 381/323
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/0213 Constructional details of earhooks, e.g. shape, material
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/31 Aspects of the use of accumulators in hearing aids, e.g. rechargeable batteries or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/03 Aspects of the reduction of energy consumption in hearing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/607 of earhooks
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/652 Ear tips; Ear moulds hybrid ear moulds or post-processing thereof for their customisation H04R25/659
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A listening device comprising an ITE part adapted for being located in an ear canal of a user and a BTE part adapted for being located behind an ear of the user, the ITE and BTE parts being at least mechanically connected by a connecting element, the listening device having a rechargeable energy source and electric charge terminals for allowing the charging of the rechargeable energy source when electrically connected to charging terminals of a charging station. Further, a method of charging a rechargeable energy source of a listening device and to a listening system. The electric charging terminals of the listening device are located in or on the ITE part, the connecting element or in an electrical connector of the connecting element connectable to the BTE part, or in an electrical connector of the BTE part connectable to the electrical connector of the connecting element.

Claims

1. A listening device comprising an ITE part adapted for being located in an ear canal of a user and a BTE part adapted for being located behind an ear of the user, the ITE and BTE parts being at least mechanically connected by a connecting element, the listening device comprising a rechargeable energy source and electric charge terminals for allowing charging of the rechargeable energy source when electrically connected to charging terminals of a charging station,

wherein the connecting element comprises a cable and an electrical connector,

wherein the electric charge terminals of the listening device are located in the electrical connector of the connecting element connectable to the BTE part,

wherein the rechargeable energy source is located in the connecting element,

wherein electrical contact between the listening device and the charging station is established via the cable with the electrical connector,

wherein the length and rigidity of the connecting element is adapted to allow a certain adaptation of its form to the anatomy of the user, so that the ITE and BTE parts can be appropriately located in the ear canal and at the ear of the user, respectively.

2. A listening device according to claim 1 wherein the ITE part comprises a receiver.

3. A listening device according to claim 1 wherein the electrical connector of the connecting element used for charging the rechargeable energy source in a charging station is adapted to be used for electrically connecting the connecting element to the BTE part during normal operation.

4. A listening device according to claim 1 wherein the BTE part comprises a hermetically closed outer housing.

5. A listening device according to claim 1 wherein the ITE part comprises a microphone.

6. A listening device according to claim 1 wherein the BTE part comprises a signal processing unit.

7. A listening device according to claim 1 wherein the ITE part or the connecting element comprises circuitry for managing the charging of the rechargeable energy source.

8. A listening device according to claim 1 wherein the electrical connector of the connecting element used for charging the rechargeable energy source in a charging station is adapted to mechanically and electrically connect the connecting element directly to the BTE part.

12. A listening system comprising a listening device according to claim 1 and a charging station, wherein the connecting element comprises a connector adapted to electrically connect the ITE part to a corresponding connector of the BTE part during normal operation of the listening device and where the charging station is adapted to use said connectors for electrically charging the rechargeable energy source of the listening device.

9. A method of charging a rechargeable energy source of a listening device comprising an ITE part adapted for being located in an ear canal of a user and a BTE part adapted for being located behind an ear of the user, the ITE and BTE parts being at least mechanically connected by a connecting element, the listening device comprising a rechargeable energy source and electric charge terminals for allowing charging of the rechargeable energy source when electrically connected to charging terminals of a charging station, the method comprising:

charging said energy source via said electric charge terminals located in an electrical connector of the connecting element connectable to the BTE part, wherein the rechargeable energy source is located in the connecting element.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the connecting element and/or the ITE part is adapted to be a rechargeable part for being regularly exchanged with a corresponding part.

11. A method according to claim 9 providing that the rechargeable energy source is located in the connecting element, and that the combined, rechargeable part is exchanged with a corresponding part when the rechargeable energy source is to be recharged.

13. A method according to claim 9 wherein the connecting element is adapted to be a rechargeable part for being regularly exchanged with a corresponding part.

14. A method according to claim 9 providing that the rechargeable energy source is located in the connecting element, and that the combined, rechargeable part is exchanged with a corresponding part when the rechargeable energy source is to be recharged.

15. A listening device comprising an ITE part adapted for being located in an ear canal of a user and a BTE part adapted for being located behind an ear of the user, the ITE and BTE parts being at least mechanically connected by a connecting element, the listening device comprising a rechargeable energy source and electric charge terminals for allowing charging of the rechargeable energy source when electrically connected to charging terminals of a charging station,

wherein the connecting element comprises a cable and an electrical connector,

wherein the electric charge terminals of the listening device are located in the electrical connector of the connecting element connectable to the BTE part,

wherein the rechargeable energy source is located in the connecting element,

wherein electrical contact between the listening device and the charging station is established via the cable with the electrical connector.