Method and apparatus for wireless communication using an inductive interface

• US 20060039577A1
• Filed: 08/18/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Starkey Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Sanguino, Jorge, Roberts, Randall W.
• Application Number:
  US11/207,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20060039577A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/315
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/51 Aspects of antennas or their circuitry in or for hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/55 Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/558 Remote control, e.g. of amplification, frequency

Abstract

A system including a hearing assistance device sized for fitting a human ear, and adapted to communicate with a wireless transceiver. The wireless transceiver enables the hearing assistance device to communicate with other wireless devices. In varying embodiments, the hearing assistance device works with a near field communication network. By using the hearing assistance device to communicate with wireless transceiver, which can also communicate with a remote device, the hearing assistance device becomes more compatible with, for instance, a cellular telephone, by disabling redundant speakers and microphones, and by transmitting voice data.

Claims

1. An apparatus for communication involving a hearing assistance device having a first antenna and a remote wireless device, comprising:

a first wireless circuit adapted for connection to a second antenna to conduct inductive communications with the first antenna;

a second wireless circuit adapted for radio frequency communications;

a controller in communication with the first wireless circuit and the second wireless circuit;

a microphone in communication with the controller; and

a power source to provide power to the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a direct audio input connector adapted for connection to the second antenna.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency communications are compatible with BLUETOOTH.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second antenna is a loop antenna.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a button adapted to control radio frequency communications.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a radio frequency communications indicator connected to the second wireless circuit.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted to conduct unidirectional communications from the hearing assistance device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted to conduct unidirectional communications to the hearing assistance device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is adapted to conduct bidirectional communications.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is further adapted to removably connect to a dock.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the dock includes a loop antenna.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the loop antenna is integrated with the dock at a first end, and is connected to the dock at a removable connector at a second end.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, including a switch adapted for answering a telephone call.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, including a switch adapted for terminating a wireless connection to the remote wireless device.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, including a switch adapted for pairing the apparatus to the remote device.

16. An apparatus for communication involving a hearing assistance device having a first antenna and a remote wireless device, comprising:

a first wireless circuit adapted for connection to a second antenna to conduct inductive communications with the first antenna;

a second wireless circuit adapted for radio frequency communications according to a BLUETOOTH protocol;

a controller in communication with the first wireless circuit and the second wireless circuit;

a microphone in communication with the controller; and

a power source to provide power to the apparatus.

17. The apparatus of claim 17 adapted to for conducting wireless communications with a telephone.

18. A method for assisting user communications from a hearing assistance device having a first antenna to a remote wireless device, the method comprising:

communicating using inductive communications from the hearing assistance device to a wireless transceiver, the wireless transceiver having a power source and an inductive loop antenna; and

communicating radio frequency communications from the wireless transceiver to the remote wireless device.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising communicating to a telephone as the remote device.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising answering a telephone call.