Wireless communication device for inductive coupling to another device

• US 8,526,879 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2008
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oticon A/S (William Demant Fonden)
• Original Assignee: Oticon A/S (William Demant Fonden)
• Inventors: Borregaard, Sune Pelle, Kristiansen, Niels Kristian, Filholm, Torkil
• Primary Examiner(s): Milord, Marceau
• Application Number:
  US12/594,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20100136905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,971 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.1, 455/41.2, 455/556.1, 455/575.5, 455/100, 455/95, 340/5.64, 340/825.72, 360/99.07, 360/99.08
• US Class Current: 455/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/24 Inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2474 Telephone terminals specially adapted for disabled people user interfaces for cordless or mobile telephones specially adapted for disabled users H04M1/72475; network based special services or facilities for hearing-impaired persons H04M3/42391; devices for conversing with the deaf-blind G09B21/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils

Abstract

A communications device for wireless communication with another device, the communications device having a) a first part having a first housing and a first induction coil for providing an inductive coupling to the other device, and b) a second part having a second induction coil adapted to be inductively coupled to said first induction coil and to said other device when mounted on or near said first housing. Provided is a relatively simple mechanical interface for an inductively coupled link between a communications device and another device. The second part is adapted to be detachably attachable to the first housing. An advantage is that no connector is needed whereby a simpler and more reliable device is provided. The consequences of wear of the connector leading to increased contact resistance and/or failure of the electrical connection is avoided.

Claims

1. A communications device for wireless communication with another device, the communications device comprising a) a first part comprising a first housing and a first inductive coil for providing an inductive coupling to, and adapted to communicate inductively with a third inductive coil in the other device, and b) a second part comprising a second inductive coil adapted to be inductively coupled to said first inductive coil and to said other device when mounted on or near said first housing, wherein said second part is adapted to be detachably attachable to said first housing, wherein the second inductive coil has the form of a neck strap adapted to be worn around the neck of a person, wherein the first and second parts are distinct, separate parts that only cooperate electromagnetically via the inductive connection between them, wherein the first part has a transmission range for communication with the other device, wherein the second device enhances the transmission range of the first device.

2. A communications device according to claim 1 wherein the first part is adapted to communicate directly with the other device without involving the second part, in case of sufficient coupling between the first inductive coil and the other device.

3. A communications device according to claim 1 wherein the first inductive coil is specifically adapted to provide direct inductive communication with the other device.

4. A communications device according to claim 1 adapted to provide that the mutual induction between the first and second inductive coils is adjustable.

5. A communications device according to claim 1 wherein the second part is attached to said first housing by any one of the means selected from the group consisting of a string, an elastic member, one or more tapes of cooperating hook and loop fasteners, and combinations thereof.

6. A communications device according to claim 1 wherein detachment is dependent on an activator.

7. A communications device according to claim 1 wherein the first part comprises a portable communications device.

8. A communications device according to claim 1 wherein the first part comprises an audio selection device in the form of a portable, body-worn communications device for wireless audio and data transmission to a head-worn listening device.

9. A communications device according to claim 1 wherein the second inductive coil is in the form of a closed loop comprising one or more turns.

10. A communications device according to claim 1 wherein the inductive coupling between the communications device and the other device is optimized to a predefined frequency range for the inductive communication.

11. A communications device according to claim 1 wherein the second part comprises a tuning circuit for the second inductive coil in the form of a resistor and/or a capacitor.

12. A communications device according to claim 11 wherein the attachment member comprises a printed circuit board with at least some of the tuning component(s).

13. A communications device according to claim 1 wherein the second coil comprises a safety mechanism adapted to break or recoverably release at a predefined tensile load to minimize damage to the wearer in case of an accident when the second coil is used as a neck strap.

14. A communications device according to claim 1 wherein the wire or wires constituting the second coil comprise a section that is deliberately made mechanically weak as a safety mechanism.

15. A communications device according to claim 1 wherein the safety mechanism comprises two parts that are adapted to connectingly engage with each other and are adapted to break or release at a predefined tensile load.

16. A communications device according to claim 15 wherein the safety mechanism comprises a pair of cooperating electrical conductors.

17. A communications device according to claim 1 wherein the second part comprises a regulation piece to provide that the length of the part of the second inductive coil adapted to be worn around the neck of a person can be reversibly modified.

18. A hearing aid system comprising a communications device according to claim 1 and another device, wherein the other device is adapted to communicate inductively with the communications device.

19. A hearing aid system according to claim 18 wherein the other device is a head-worn listening device.

20. second part of a communications device comprising a second inductive coil adapted to be inductively coupled to a first inductive coil of a first part of a communications device and to a third inductive coil of another device when mounted on or near a first housing of the first part wherein said second part is adapted to be detachably attachable to said first housing, wherein the second inductive coil has the form of a neck strap adapted to be worn around the neck of a person, wherein the first and second parts are distinct, separate parts that only cooperate electromagnetically via the inductive connection between them.

21. A second part of a communications device according to claim 20 wherein the length of the part of the second inductive coil adapted to be worn around the neck of a person can be reversibly modified.

22. A second part of a communications device according to claim 20 wherein the first part comprises a portable communications device.

23. A second part of a communications device according to claim 20 wherein the first part comprises an audio selection device in the form of a portable, body-worn communications device for wireless audio and data transmission to a head-worn listening device.