Magnetic user interface controls
First Claim
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1. A medical device comprising:
- a first component that includes a magnetic field source that generates a rotationally asymmetric magnetic field;
a second component that includes;
a magnetic field sensor that generates a signal that is indicative of a position of the magnetic field sensor in the rotationally asymmetric magnetic field,a second magnetic field source that generates a second magnetic field that is complimentary to the first rotationally asymmetric magnetic field, wherein the first component and the second component are configured to be coupled together by attractive forces exerted between the first rotationally asymmetric magnetic field and the second complimentary magnetic field; and
a processor coupled to the magnetic field sensor, wherein the processor is configured to;
process the signal from the magnetic field sensor to identify a direction and a magnitude of movement of the magnetic field sensor in the rotationally asymmetric magnetic field;
use the direction and magnitude to control one or more operational settings of the medical device, andwherein the second component further includes a sound input component for receiving an electrical signal that represents an audio signal, and an output component for transmitting the electrical signal to the first component, and wherein the processor is configured to apply the electrical signal to the output component for transmission of the electrical signal to the first component.
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Abstract
A device includes a magnetic field source that generates a rotationally asymmetric magnetic field, a magnetic field sensor that generates a signal that is indicative of a position of the magnetic field sensor in the rotationally asymmetric magnetic field, and a processor coupled to the magnetic field sensor. The processor is configured to process the signal from the magnetic field sensor to control one or more operational settings of the medical device.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A medical device comprising:
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a first component that includes a magnetic field source that generates a rotationally asymmetric magnetic field; a second component that includes; a magnetic field sensor that generates a signal that is indicative of a position of the magnetic field sensor in the rotationally asymmetric magnetic field, a second magnetic field source that generates a second magnetic field that is complimentary to the first rotationally asymmetric magnetic field, wherein the first component and the second component are configured to be coupled together by attractive forces exerted between the first rotationally asymmetric magnetic field and the second complimentary magnetic field; and a processor coupled to the magnetic field sensor, wherein the processor is configured to; process the signal from the magnetic field sensor to identify a direction and a magnitude of movement of the magnetic field sensor in the rotationally asymmetric magnetic field; use the direction and magnitude to control one or more operational settings of the medical device, and wherein the second component further includes a sound input component for receiving an electrical signal that represents an audio signal, and an output component for transmitting the electrical signal to the first component, and wherein the processor is configured to apply the electrical signal to the output component for transmission of the electrical signal to the first component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 17)
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6. A hearing prosthesis comprising:
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an external component including; a magnetic field sensor; and a sound input component configured to receive an electrical signal that represents an audio signal, an implantable component including; an actuator configured to use the electrical signal to provide auditory stimulation to a recipient of the hearing prosthesis; and a magnetic field source configured to generate an asymmetric magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field sensor is configured to generate a signal that is indicative of a position of the magnetic field sensor in the asymmetric magnetic field; a processor coupled to the magnetic field sensor, wherein the processor is configured to process the signal from the magnetic field sensor to identify movement of the magnetic field sensor in the asymmetric magnetic field and control one or more operational settings of the hearing prosthesis based on the movement. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for controlling operational settings of a medical device comprising first and second components, wherein the first component includes a magnetic field source and the second component includes a magnetic field sensor and a sound input component that is configured to receive an electrical signal that represents an audio signal, the method comprising:
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generating a signal using the magnetic field sensor, wherein the signal is indicative of a changing position of the magnetic field sensor in a magnetic field and wherein the first component and the second component are configured to be coupled together by an attractive force exerted between the first component and the second component; using a processor, processing the signal from the magnetic field sensor to identify movement of the magnetic field sensor in the magnetic field; and controlling, using the processor, one or more operational settings of the medical device in response to the movement of the magnetic field sensor in the magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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18. A hearing prosthesis, comprising:
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an implantable component including; a magnetic field source configured to generate a magnetic field; and stimulation electronics; an external component including; a magnetic field sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a changing position of the magnetic field sensor in a magnetic field, a sound input component that is configured to receive an electrical signal that represents an audio signal, an output component configured to transmit the electrical signal to the implantable component for use by the stimulation electronics, and a processor configured to determine, based on the signal from the magnetic field sensor, movement of the magnetic field sensor in the magnetic field, and to control one or more operational settings of the hearing prosthesis in response to the movement of the magnetic field sensor in the magnetic field. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification