Patent Grant
8750548
The present application relates to listening devices, in particular listening devices adapted for being located in the ear canal of a user. The disclosure relates specifically to a miniature listening device comprising a housing for (fully or partially) enclosing an energy source and a number of functional and/or electronic components of the listening device.
The application moreover relates to use of a listening device, to a method of electrically connecting a listening device to an external device and to a listening system.
The disclosure may e.g. be useful in applications such as miniature hearing aids or ear phones or active ear plugs.
Space is a scarce resource in miniature listening devices adapted for being located at or in an ear of a user. An example of such devices is hearing aids. This is of course even more the case in a deep in the ear canal type hearing aid.
Direct (e.g. galvanic) electrical connection to a listening device may occasionally be necessary for particular purposes. A particular purpose may e.g. include the programming of the listening device or the charging of a rechargeable energy source (e.g. a battery) of the listening device. Typically, separate electrical connections are established in the listening device for such purposes.
A separate electrical connection to an external device may e.g. be implemented by a plug or (typically) a socket connector located in or on a housing of the listening device. The connector is adapted for electrically connecting the listening device to the external device via a connecting element comprising a connector of the opposite kind (socket or plug, respectively) in or on the external device (or, typically, in a connecting cable electrically connected to the external device).
DE 102008024515 B3 describes a hearing aid comprising a signal processing electronic circuit arranged in a housing that has an opening formed as a through-flow opening for sound or air. The opening is connected with a loudspeaker or a microphone as a sound outlet or sound inlet, or is formed as the through-flow opening guided through the housing, where the loudspeaker or microphone is arranged in the housing. An electrical contact is arranged in the opening, which is contactable from outside of the housing and is connected with the electronic circuit.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, an electric connection (e.g. a galvanic connection) to an electric part of a listening device from an external device is made via a connecting element (external to the listening device), e.g. a connector or a contacting pin, to an electrically conducting (e.g. metallic) part of one or more components of the listening device. An advantage thereof is that separate electrical connections adapted for a specific purpose can be avoided or reduced in number, and volume in the listening device thereby saved.
An object of the present application is to provide a scheme for electrically connecting a miniature listening device to an external device.
Objects of the application are achieved by the invention described in the accompanying claims and as described in the following.
A Miniature Listening Device:
An object of the application is achieved by a miniature listening device comprising a housing for enclosing an energy source and a number of functional and/or electronic components of the listening device, wherein a first functional component comprises an electric contact part, which is physically accessible from outside the housing, and wherein an electronic component and/or said energy source—at least in a specific connected mode—is electrically connected to said electric contact part of the first functional component, whereby an electric connection from an external device to said electronic component and/or to said energy source of the listening device can be established.
This has the advantage of providing a listening device that uses a minimum of space on electrical contacts to external devices.
In an embodiment, the first functional component is selected from the group comprising a wax-filter, a microphone, a speaker, a microphone inlet, a speaker outlet and combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, the listening device comprises a programmable component, e.g. a signal processing unit. In an embodiment, one of the electronic components is a programmable component, e.g. a signal processing unit.
In an embodiment, the listening device comprises a memory, e.g. a non-volatile memory, for permanently or temporarily storing data related to the functioning of the listening device, e.g. related to signal processing to be carried out by the listening device, e.g. various processing parameters related to one or more (e.g. manually or automatically) selectable programs of the listening device. In an embodiment, the memory is accessible from or form part of the programmable component, e.g. a signal processing unit.
In an embodiment, the electric contact part (of the functional component) does not otherwise form part of an electric connection related to the functionality of the functional component itself (possibly, other than fixing the casing of a component to a specific electric potential (e.g. grounding)) or other electronic circuitry of the listening device. In other words, the use of the electric contact part of the functional component in question has nothing to do with the normal way of operation of the component and ideally does not influence said operation.
In an embodiment, the listening device is adapted to be brought into a special connected mode intended for providing connectivity to an external device via the electric contact part of the first functional component. To implement such connected mode, the listening device may comprise a number of controllable switches that provides appropriate electrical connectivity between the electric contact part of the first functional component and the electronic component in question and/or the energy source of the listening device. In an embodiment, connectivity in the connected mode is controlled by the signal processing unit. In an embodiment, connectivity in the connected mode is controlled by a remote control. In an embodiment, connectivity in the connected mode is controlled by a user, e.g. via an activation element on the listening device or via a remote control. In an embodiment, such remote control capability form part of the external device (e.g. a programming device or a charging station) to which electrical connection is to be established. The controllable switch or switches may e.g. be implemented as transistor switches. Preferably, the switches are implemented as a part of a signal processing unit and e.g. controlled by it. In an embodiment, the listening device comprises a wireless receiver adapted for receiving control commands from a remote device, e.g. a remote control of the listening device, the control commands including instructions regarding the setting of the controllable switch or switches.
In a preferred embodiment, the electric connection is a galvanic connection. In other words, the electric connection is formed by a direct (as opposed to a wireless) connection between the two devices or parts to be connected.
In a preferred embodiment, the electric contact part is accessible through an opening in the housing of the listening device. In an embodiment, the opening in the housing of the listening device form part of the function of the first functional component of the listening device (or of another functional component). In an embodiment, the opening is specifically adapted to allow a galvanic connection to be established.
In a preferred embodiment, the first functional component comprises an electrically conductive part or section. In a preferred embodiment, the electrically conductive part is a housing of or form part of a housing of the first functional component. In an embodiment, the electric contact part of the first functional component is located on or form part of the electrically conductive part. In a preferred embodiment, the housing of the first functional component comprises or is constituted by a metallic part.
In an embodiment, the first functional component is specifically adapted to comprise an electrically conductive part, such as a metallic part. In an embodiment, an electrically conductive part is applied to the surface of an otherwise insufficiently conducting or electrically insulating material. In an embodiment, an electrically conductive part is applied by a coating technology, e.g. a deposition technique. In an embodiment, electrically conducting material is removed from the first functional component to create an island of electrically conductive material providing the electric contact part.
In an embodiment, a major part, such as all of the housing of the listening device is made of an electrically insulating material. In an embodiment, the housing of the listening device comprises one or more metallic parts.
In an embodiment, the listening device is adapted to provide a frequency dependent gain to compensate for a hearing loss of a user, thereby comprising functionality of a hearing instrument.
In an embodiment, the listening device comprises a forward path between an input transducer (microphone system and/or direct electric input (e.g. a wireless receiver)) for converting an input sound to an electric inputs signal and an output transducer for converting an electric signal to a stimulus perceived by the user as an acoustic signal (e.g. a speaker). In an embodiment, a signal processing unit is located in the forward path. In an embodiment, the signal processing unit is adapted to provide a frequency dependent gain according to a user's particular needs. In an embodiment, the listening device comprises an antenna and transceiver circuitry for receiving a direct electric input signal. In an embodiment, the listening device comprises demodulation circuitry for demodulating the received direct electric input to provide the direct electric input signal representing an audio signal and/or a control signal.
In an embodiment, the listening device further comprises other relevant functionality for the application in question, e.g. acoustic feedback suppression, etc.
In an embodiment, the frequency range considered by the listening device from a minimum frequency fmin to a maximum frequency fmax comprises a part of the typical human audible frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, e.g. a part of the range from 20 Hz to 12 kHz. In an embodiment, the frequency range fmm-fmax considered by the listening device is split into a number P of frequency bands, where P is e.g. larger than 5, such as larger than 10, such as larger than 50, such as larger than 100. In an embodiment, at least some of the frequency bands are processed individually.
A Listening System:
In a further aspect, a listening system is provided, the listening system comprising a listening device as described above, in the detailed description of ‘mode(s) for carrying out the invention’ and in the claims, and an external device for being electrically connected to the listening device, at least in a specific connected mode, via said functional component of the listening device.
In an embodiment, the external (connecting) device comprises or is connectable to a connecting element for establishing electrical connection to said listening device. In an embodiment, the connecting element is an integral part of the external device. In an embodiment, the connecting element is a specific part, separate from the external device.
In an embodiment, the connecting element comprises a specific connector, e.g. a plug and/or one or more contact pins.
In an embodiment, a contact pin comprises a conic tip of an electrically conductive material, e.g. comprising Cu, Ag or Au or a combination thereof.
Use of a Listening Device:
Use of a listening device as described above, in the detailed description of ‘mode(s) for carrying out the invention’ and in the claims is furthermore provided by the present application.
In an embodiment, use for recharging the energy source is provided. In an embodiment, use for transferring data to a memory of the listening device is provided. In an embodiment, use for programming a programmable component of the listening device is provided.
A Method of Electrically Connecting a Listening Device to an External Device:
A method of electrically connecting a listening device to an external device, the listening device comprising a housing for partially enclosing an energy source and a number of functional and/or electronic components of the listening device is moreover provided by the present application. The method comprises
a) Providing that a first functional component comprises an electric contact part, which is physically accessible from outside the housing,
b) Providing a connected mode of the listening device adapted for providing an electrical connection between the external device and an electronic component and/or said energy source of the listening device; and
in the connected mode
c) Providing that an electronic component and/or said energy source (of the listening device) is electrically connected to said electric contact part of the first functional component;
d) Providing an external connecting element, which is electrically connected to the external device and adapted for being electrically connected to the electric contact part of the first functional component;
e) Establishing an electric connection between the external connecting element and the electric contact part (of first functional component of the listening device).
It is intended that the structural features of the device described above, in the detailed description of ‘mode(s) for carrying out the invention’ and in the claims can be combined with the method, when appropriately substituted by a corresponding process and vice versa. Embodiments of the method have the same advantages as the corresponding devices.
In an embodiment, a rechargeable battery of a listening device is charged by an external current source via connections to a wax-filter and/or a microphone inlet or a speaker/receiver outlet and/or a speaker/receiver (e.g. a casing) and/or a microphone (e.g. a casing).
In an embodiment, a programmable component of the listening device is programmed by an external programming unit via connections to a wax-filter and/or a microphone inlet or a speaker/receiver outlet and/or a speaker/receiver (e.g. a casing) and/or a microphone (e.g. a casing).
Further objects of the application are achieved by the embodiments defined in the dependent claims and in the detailed description of the invention.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well (i.e. to have the meaning “at least one”), unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements maybe present, unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless expressly stated otherwise.
The disclosure will be explained more fully below in connection with a preferred embodiment and with reference to the drawings in which:
The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they just show details which are essential to the understanding of the disclosure, while other details are left out. Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts.
Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
In general, the embodiments of a listening device of
In the embodiment of
The embodiment of a listening device of
Similarly electric connection using a connecting element 40 from an external device to metallic parts of a variety of functional components of a listening device (e.g. a hearing aid) can be established as shown in
a shows a functional component in the form of a sound inlet 60. The sound inlet 60 can e.g. be used in connection with a microphone, to guide sound signals towards the active area of the microphone. The sound inlet may be of any material, e.g. a plastic material. In an embodiment, however, the sound inlet 60 comprises at least an electrically conductive part 61 suitable for making contact to a connecting element and to an electronic component and/or a local energy source of the listening device. Such electrically conductive part can e.g. be an electrical conductor 61 provided in the longitudinal direction of the sound inlet tube. Preferably, the sound inlet comprises an electrically conductive layer (e.g. a metallic layer). In an embodiment, the sound inlet is made of an electrically conductive material, e.g. comprising Al or Cu. A connecting element 40 comprising a contact pin 41 is shown to establish electrical contact to an electric contact part of the sound inlet.
b shows a functional component in the form of a sound outlet 70. The sound outlet 70 can e.g. be used for guiding sound from a speaker/receiver of the listening device towards an eardrum of a user. The same properties and embodiments as mentioned for the sound inlet 60 may prevail for the sound outlet, including the electrically conductive part 71 of the sound outlet.
c shows a functional component in the form of an output transducer 80 (e.g. a receiver/loudspeaker). In an embodiment, the output transducer is enclosed by a housing, e.g. a metallic housing. In an embodiment, the output transducer (e.g. the housing) comprises an electrically conductive part 81. In an embodiment, the output transducer (e.g. the housing) comprises a number of mutually electrically insulated electrically conductive parts 81. A connecting element 40 comprising a contact pin 41 is shown to establish electrical contact to an electric contact part 81 of the output transducer 80.
d shows a functional component in the form of an input transducer 90 (e.g. a microphone or a microphone system). In an embodiment, the input transducer is enclosed by a housing, e.g. a metallic housing. In an embodiment, the input transducer (e.g. the housing) comprises an electrically conductive part 91. In an embodiment, the input transducer (e.g. the housing) comprises a number of mutually electrically insulated electrically conductive parts 91. A connecting element 40 comprising a contact pin 41 is shown to establish electrical contact to an electric contact part 91 of the input transducer 90.
e and 2f show a functional component in the form of first and second wax-filter embodiments.
A wax-filter is typically used in front of a functional component to allow the functional component (such as a speaker, a microphone, or a vent channel) to be in communication (i.e. ‘capable of exchanging (acoustic) energy’) with the environment or the ear canal. Preferably, the wax-filter or a part of a wax-filter for a speaker (or a microphone) is adapted to allow appropriate acoustic propagation of sound from the speaker (or to the microphone) through the wax filter, at least when the wax filter is not tainted with wax. Similarly, the wax-filter or a part of a wax-filter for a vent is preferably adapted to allow at least a part of the sound pressure variations present in the volume facing the ear drum of a user to be relieved to the environment through the vent of the listening device (to minimize the occlusion effect), when the listening device is operationally mounted in the ear canal.
The embodiments of wax-filters 21 shown in
In the embodiment of
In embodiments of the present disclosure, electrical connection, such as a specific electrical connection, to an electronic component and/or to the energy source of the listening device is established using more than one functional component, such as 2, 3 or more functional components. In an embodiment a specific electrical connection for connecting an external device to an electronic component and/or to the energy source of the listening device is established using one or more of the components a wax-filter, a sound inlet, and a microphone, or using one or more of the components a wax-filter, a sound outlet and a receiver/speaker.
In an embodiment, the listening device comprises one or more switches allowing a specific electrical connection for connecting an external device to an electronic component and/or to the energy source of the listening device—at a given time—to be used either for connecting the external device to a specific electronic component or to the energy source of the listening device. Thereby the same physical connection from the electric contact part of the functional component(s) involved in establishing the connection in question to the switch in question can be used for establishing electrical contact to an external device from several different electronic components and the energy source at different times. In an embodiment, the listening device comprises a wireless receiver adapted for receiving control commands from a remote device, e.g. a remote control of the listening device, the control commands including instructions regarding the setting of the controllable switch or switches to implement a connection of an external device to specific electronic component(s) or to the energy source.
a-3c show various battery charging scenarios where an external power source 50 is electrically connected to a rechargeable battery 23 of the listening device 20 (e.g. a hearing aid) via electrical connections to various functional components accessible from outside of the listening device (hearing aid) housing, e.g. the metallic casings of the speaker and microphone, respectively, a microphone inlet, a speaker outlet, a filter, etc.
In
In
In
The embodiment of
The invention is defined by the features of the independent claim(s). Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. Any reference numerals in the claims are intended to be non-limiting for their scope.
Some preferred embodiments have been shown in the foregoing, but it should be stressed that the invention is not limited to these, but may be embodied in other ways within the subject-matter defined in the following claims.
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| 10174484 | Aug 2010 | EP | regional |
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| 61377996 | Aug 2010 | US |
