Communications apparatus

• US 9,859,988 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2012
• Issued: 01/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advanced Electroacoustics Private Limited
• Original Assignee: Advanced Electroacoustics Private Limited
• Inventors: Chang, Joseph Sylvester, Lee, Chai Lung, Ge, Tong
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Tuan A
• Application Number:
  US14/006,234
• Publication Number:
  US 20140018016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,114 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 15/00 Suppression or limitation of noise or interference by means associated with receiver H04B1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72478 for hearing-impaired users
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/003 Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/001 for loudspeakers H04R29/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

A versatile communications (comms) apparatus to provide a means to measure the audio (earphone) output of an electronic device (e.g. a music player in a smartphone), and/or to provide a means for wireless communications between a first electronic device (e.g. a smartphone) and a second electronic device (e.g. a hearing aid, pacemaker, etc). In some embodiments, the comms apparatus does not need power and in other embodiments, its power may be harvested from the first electronic device, or drawn from a battery that may be recharged by harvesting means or charged directly. The first electronic device typically includes an audio (earphone) output, a microphone input (with a voltage bias), a long-range communications transceiver (e.g. GSM), and where pertinent, a short-range transceiver (e.g. Bluetooth) and is internet enabled. In one embodiment, the comms apparatus provides a means where the audio output (earphone) of the electronic device is sampled by its microphone input, or by electronics in the comms apparatus. In other embodiments, the comms apparatus is an intermediary communications device between the first electronic device and the second electronic device. The communications therein may be simplex and/or duplex, via either the audio output (earphone), microphone input, short-range transceiver, and/or a combination thereof. The communications data (via the comms apparatus) may be transmitted elsewhere, including via the internet by means of the internet enabled electronic device.

Claims

1. A communications apparatus comprising:

at least one transmission telecoil for transmitting wireless magnetic induction signals to a hearing aid, which is embodied in a housing,

said at least one transmission telecoil being connected to an electronic audio output and ground of an electronic device,

said hearing aid having a receiving telecoil for receiving wireless magnetic induction signals from said transmission telecoil,

said electronic device is embodied in an enclosure,

said housing is adapted to be physically attached to at least part of said enclosure, and

said communication apparatus can transmit said wireless magnetic induction signals via said transmission telecoil using power received from the electronic device without requiring a battery or external power source.

2. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein said electronic device embodies at least one wireless transceiver.

3. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein

said electronic device having a microphone input,

said communications apparatus having a means to input signals to said microphone input, and

said input signals are indication of functionality or diagnosis of said hearing aid.

4. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein

said electronic device having an audio output, and

said communications apparatus having an input connected to said audio output.

5. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein the communications apparatus is configured to transmit a first magnetic induction signal, and wherein said first magnetic induction signal includes a signal indicative of control of said hearing aid.

6. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein

said electronic device embodies a wireless transceiver receiving signal indicative of an audio frequency signal, said communications apparatus transmits a first magnetic induction signal, and

said first magnetic induction signal includes an indicative of said audio frequency signal.

7. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein

said hearing aid having a transmitter transmitting a first wireless signal, and

said communications apparatus having a wireless receiver receiving said first wireless signal.

8. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 7, wherein an indicative of said first received wireless signal is input to said electronic device.

9. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 1 having a loudspeaker, wherein said electronic device having an audio output connected to said loudspeaker.

10. A communications apparatus as cited in claim 1, wherein the communications apparatus communicates with the electronic device wirelessly.