BTE/CIC auditory device and modular connector system therefor
First Claim
1. A communication device assembled from a plurality of pre-manufactured components to fit a particular user'"'"'s ear structure and to facilitate the configuration of the communication devices for the particular user'"'"'s intended use, the communication device comprising:
- a behind the ear (BTE) component of the plurality of pre-manufactured components, the BTE component including processing circuitry;
an in canal component of the plurality of pre-manufactured components, the in canal component including a speaker;
a connector of the plurality of pre-manufactured components, the connector being of sufficient length to couple the BTE component when placed behind an ear of the particular user with the in canal component when placed inside an ear canal of the particular user, wherein the connector includes an insulated fastener configured to provide detachable electrical connection of sufficient strength to facilitate removal of the communication device from the user'"'"'s ear by pulling on the connector; and
wireless communication circuitry adapted to provide wireless communication with a remote device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An earpiece auditory device is described which includes a behind-the-ear component shaped to fit behind the ear of a user. The behind-the-ear component can also have at least one microphone and processing circuitry, where the processing circuitry is used to processes audio signal from the microphone. The device also includes a speaker sized to fit in the ear canal of a user, and an ear mold holding the speaker in place. The ear mold can also be position to touch the bony portion of the ear canal and provide sound attenuation in the ear canal. A connector physically and electrically connects the behind-the-ear component to the speaker. The connector is capable of being used to insert and remove the speaker and ear mold from the ear canal of the user.
195 Citations
52 Claims
-
1. A communication device assembled from a plurality of pre-manufactured components to fit a particular user'"'"'s ear structure and to facilitate the configuration of the communication devices for the particular user'"'"'s intended use, the communication device comprising:
-
a behind the ear (BTE) component of the plurality of pre-manufactured components, the BTE component including processing circuitry; an in canal component of the plurality of pre-manufactured components, the in canal component including a speaker; a connector of the plurality of pre-manufactured components, the connector being of sufficient length to couple the BTE component when placed behind an ear of the particular user with the in canal component when placed inside an ear canal of the particular user, wherein the connector includes an insulated fastener configured to provide detachable electrical connection of sufficient strength to facilitate removal of the communication device from the user'"'"'s ear by pulling on the connector; and wireless communication circuitry adapted to provide wireless communication with a remote device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A communication device assembled from a plurality of pre-manufactured components to fit a particular user'"'"'s ear structure and to facilitate the configuration of the communication devices for the particular user'"'"'s intended use, the communication device comprising:
-
a behind the ear (BTE) component of the plurality of pre-manufactured components, the BTE component including processing circuitry; a completely-in-canal component of the plurality of pre-manufactured components, the completely-in-canal component including a speaker, wherein the completely in canal component is shaped to fit in the ear canal of the user so at least a portion fits within the inner third region of the ear canal of the user; and a connector of the plurality of pre-manufactured components, the connector being of sufficient length to couple the BTE component when placed behind an ear of the particular user with the completely-in-canal component when placed inside the user'"'"'s ear canal so that the at least a portion fits within the inner third region of the ear canal, wherein the connector includes an insulated coupling configured to provide detachable electrical connection of sufficient strength to facilitate removal of the communication device from the user'"'"'s ear by pulling on the connector. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A communication device assembled from a plurality of pre-manufactured components to fit a particular user'"'"'s ear structure and to facilitate the configuration of the communication devices for the particular user'"'"'s intended use, the communication device comprising:
-
a behind the ear (BTE) component of the plurality of pre-manufactured components, the BTE component including processing circuitry; a completely-in-canal component of the plurality of pre-manufactured components, the completely-in-canal component including a speaker and an ear tip, wherein the completely in canal component is shaped to fit in the ear canal of the user so at least a portion fits within the inner third region of the ear canal of the user; and a connector of the plurality of pre-manufactured components, the connector being of sufficient length to couple the BTE component when placed behind an ear of the particular user with the completely-in-canal component when placed inside the user'"'"'s ear canal so that'"'"'the at least a portion fits within the inner third region of the ear canal, wherein the connector includes an insulated coupling configured to provide detachable electrical connection of sufficient strength to facilitate removal of the communication device from the user'"'"'s ear by pulling on the connector. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
-
29. A device for providing auditory signals to a user, the device comprising:
-
a behind the ear component shaped to house one or more electrical components; an in canal component shaped house electrical circuitry comprising at least one speaker and being sufficiently small to allow said in canal component to be inserted completely in the ear canal of a user; a connector adapted to physically attach the said behind the ear component with the said in canal component; said connector facilitating an insulated communicative coupling for electrical signal transmission between the behind the ear component and the in canal component, wherein said connector comprises; a first portion shaped to facilitate an electrical coupling to the behind the ear component, a second portion shaped to fit within a user'"'"'s canal and facilitate an insulated electrical coupling to the in canal component, a third portion comprising a length extending between the first portion and second portion, wherein said third portion comprises the shape and dimensions to allow the length of the third portion to be taut against the users head when the device is inserted into a user'"'"'s ear; said coupling is configured to be sufficiently strong to allow the said behind the ear component and the said in canal component to be removed from the users ear by pulling on the length of the third portion of the said connector without disconnecting the electrical coupling between the said behind the ear component and said in canal component. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
-
Specification