Power Supply Or Programming Interface Terminals Patents (Class 381/323)
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Patent number: 8107658Abstract: Hearing instruments and in particular hearing aids whose signal processing can be adjusted by the user are to be returned to a defined, individual state in a more convenient manner. For this purpose it is provided that at least one individual, current parameter value for ongoing operation of the hearing instrument is automatically stored in a first memory device. The at least one individual, current parameter value can also be stored manually or automatically in a second memory device. If the user wishes to revert to an earlier setting, he can manually reset the at least one parameter of the hearing instrument to the parameter value stored in the second memory device by actuating a button.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Markus Heerlein, Thomas Kasztelan, Bock Swee Joshua Tan
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Patent number: 8107640Abstract: A car-use extended device is applied to electrically communicate to a car-use audio device to form a car-use control system, so as to simulate a user-to-machine operation interface for controlling an electronic computing device installed with an operation system to execute at least one preset assignment. The car-use audio device comprises an operation interface comprising a trigger element and at least one working signal input element. The extended device comprises a micro control unit comprising an interface-function setting program. When the trigger element is triggered, a triggering signal is generated and sent to the micro control unit, and the interface-function setting program is provided to define the preset assignment that the working signal input element represents. Hereafter, when the working signal input element is triggered, the micro control unit outputs a working signal to the electronic computing device, so as to make the electronic computing device execute the preset assignment.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2008Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Inventor: Feng-Ching Chiu
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Patent number: 8103032Abstract: Hearing aid with a first housing part to accommodate an electrical energy source, a second housing part to accommodate an electronic component and a third housing part to transmit an acoustic stimulus into the ear of a user, wherein the housing parts have a detachable, fluid-tight connection to one another and a facility for selecting an operating state is present in the first or second housing part, having an operating element, which is arranged in a fluid-tight manner on the outside of the housing part.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte LtdInventors: Wai Kit David Ho, Wee Haw Koo, Beng Hai Tan
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Publication number: 20120014547Abstract: A hearing instrument may include an enclosure adapted for behind-the-ear placement that houses a microphone for converting an acoustical input signal to an electrical signal and a sound processing circuit for processing the electrical signal; an earpiece adapted for in-the-canal placement that includes a receiver for converting the processed electrical signal to an acoustical output signal; a replaceable battery housed in the enclosure for powering the microphone, sound processing circuit and receiver; and an electrical cable extending from the enclosure that electrically couples the processed electrical signal from the sound processing circuit to the receiver. The enclosure includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion and the bottom portion pivot about a hinge point at one end of the enclosure to open and closed positions. In the open position, the battery is accessible for replacement.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2009Publication date: January 19, 2012Inventors: Walter P. Sjursen, Michael DeSalvo, Hassan A. Mohamed, Michael C. Pereira, Daniel Nelsen, Son Luong, David Baker, Thomas Stuart
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Patent number: 8098861Abstract: A battery compartment door for an electronic device, said door being operable between open and closed conditions of use with respect to the device, including a cradle shaped to at least partially receive a terminal of a battery, wherein the cradle is adapted to electrically couple the terminal to an electric circuit of the device when the door is arranged in the closed condition of use.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2005Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Wai Kit David Ho, Wee Haw Koo, Beng Hai Tan
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Patent number: 8098862Abstract: Provisions to charge the battery of a hearing apparatus without having to remove the battery from the housing are provided. A hearing apparatus separates charging contacts, which are disposed on the surface of the housing and serve to charge the battery, from the battery and to connect the battery to an amplifier circuit, when the battery is not being charged. Otherwise, when the battery is being charged, the hearing apparatus connects the charging contacts to the battery and separates the battery from the amplifier circuit. This double switching function means that the amplifier circuit is protected from charging power surges and also in the normal operating state of the hearing apparatus electrochemical reactions at the charging contacts are avoided.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Frank Koch, Thomas Lotter, Uwe Rass
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Patent number: 8098860Abstract: Hearing apparatus and especially hearing devices are to be designed to be smaller. To this end there is provision for the shell or otoplastic to be worn in the auditory canal or for the housing of the hearing apparatus to be made of battery layers, so that the shell or otoplastic or the housing of the hearing apparatus itself represents the battery. Alternatively the hearing device battery can also be relocated from a conventional hearing device into a normal otoplastic, with this also reducing the volume of the hearing device. The reduction in volume allows the acceptance of wearing the hearing device to be greatly increased, and a variant of the hearing apparatus can be more easily implemented as a cymba device.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Geiger
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Patent number: 8098863Abstract: Hearing apparatuses and in particular hearing devices are to be designed smaller. To this end, provision is made to integrate an electrical control facility for controlling the hearing apparatus into the cover for covering a programming connection of the hearing apparatus. This multifunctionality of the cover allows installation space to be saved. It is particularly favorable if an actuating element of an electrical push button is mounted to the same bolt, to which the cover itself is also mounted.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2007Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Wai Kit David Ho, Wee Haw Koo, Beng Hai Tan
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Patent number: 8098858Abstract: The influence of interference from power supply lines in hearing devices is to be reduced. Thus a hearing device with an antenna for receiving and/or sending inductive signals, a signal processing device, to which the antenna is connected, a power supply unit for supplying power to the signal processing device and an electrical conductor for electrical connection of the power supply unit to the signal processing device is provided. The electrical conductor is L-shaped or U-shaped and closely follows the contours of the power supply unit. In addition the electrical conductor forms a part of an essentially round or rectangular ring, the axis of which has a main directional component perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the antenna. A magnetic field created by the conductor is thus perpendicular to the antenna, so that its magnetic interference influence is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2007Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Volker Gebhardt, Peter Nikles, Erika Radick
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Patent number: 8094848Abstract: An adjustable hearing assistive device that automatically configures to the hearing needs of a user. The adjustable hearing assistive device can be in the form of a hearing aid that includes a presence activated sensor adapted to receive setting data, hearing processing circuitry adapted to receive sound and manipulate an audio signal, and a controller adapted to configure the processing circuitry in response to the setting data so that sound output to a user is in accordance with the hearing needs of the user. The setting data can include settings for a default mode of operation or temporary settings for use when the user is in a particular environment. Setting data can be provided by a hearing profile tag in the form of an RFID tag and the presence activated sensor can be an RFID reader.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLCInventors: Melvin Duane Frerking, George O'Quinn Hirvela
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Publication number: 20120002831Abstract: An electrical hearing aid adapter is provided. The electrical hearing aid adapter may be configured to transfer programming data to a hearing aid having a first end portion formed in such a manner that it corresponds to the shape of a battery compartment receiving chamber being configured to receive a hearing aid battery compartment. The electrical hearing adapter may further include an interface configured to receive programming data and to transfer received programming data to an electrical contact portion arranged on the first end portion. The first electrical contact portion may be arranged such that it electrically contacts to a second electrical contact portion placed in the battery compartment receiving chamber, when the first end portion is inserted into the battery compartment receiving chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2009Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.Inventors: Chee Leong Chan, Lilyana Joeng, Kah Hoe Royston Lee, Cher Huat Lim, Meng Kiang Lim, Armand Kertoputro Santoso
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Patent number: 8085960Abstract: The object of the invention is to make sub-band processing in hearing aids less computationally intensive. For this purpose a filter bank system comprising an analysis filter bank (AFB) for decomposing an input signal into sub-band signals, a processing device for amplifying at least one of the sub-band signals, and a synthesis filter bank (SFB) for combining the processed sub-band signals into an output signal is provided. The sub-band signals are oversampled and downsampled compared to the input signal. The stopband attenuations of the individual filters of the AFB and SFB are at least as high as a predefined signal-to-noise ratio increased by an attenuation value which is a function of the oversampling factor, the downsampling factor and possibly the gain. The magnitude frequency response of the SFB is approximately matched to the magnitude frequency response of the AFB.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte LtdInventors: Daniel Alfsmann, Professor Heinz Goeckler
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Patent number: 8077889Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recording information in a hearing device and/or in a recording unit at least temporally operationally connected to the hearing device. The method consists in that a point in time of the recording and/or a recording frequency as well as the information to be recorded, as data and/or parameters and/or adjustments of the hearing device are adjusted freely or are programmable, respectively. Furthermore, a hearing device is described that is suitable to use the method. By the present invention, a multitude of the parameters being adjustable in a hearing device can be checked or surveyed all together or selectively in real, i.e. actually existing acoustic environments in order to optimally adjust or adapt the hearing device afterwards, that means after the analysis by the fitter, for example.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Herbert Bächler, Volker Kühnel, Silvia Allegro, Stefan Daniel Menzl, Hilmar Meier, Michael Boretzki, Stefan Launer, Ivo Hasler, Hans-Ueli Roeck, Christoph Widmer
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Patent number: 8077890Abstract: A user programmable hearing aid allows a user to select acoustical configuration programs that provide optimum performance for the user. The user may cycle through and evaluate various available programs by operating a single digital rocker switch on the hearing aid housing to switch from one program to the next. When a preferred program is active, the user can press and hold an up control or down control of the digital rocker switch for an extended time to select the currently active program. The user can then use the digital rocker switch to adjust the audio gain for the selected program. The hearing aid may also operate in a Configuration Mode wherein configuration settings may be changed by operating the up and down controls of the digital rocker switch. In the Configuration Mode, a clinician or patient may easily change configuration settings manually, with no need to connect the apparatus to a computer or other programming interface.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2009Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Inventor: Daniel R. Schumaier
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Patent number: 8073173Abstract: The hearing aid of the present invention comprises a main body case (1), a battery case (7), a control device (14), a microphone (4), a speaker (3), switching part (12, 16), and a lid portion (11a). The battery case (7) is provided so that it can be pulled from inside the main body case (1) to the outside of the main body case (1). The control device (14) is actuated by the electromotive force of the air battery (8) held in the battery case (7). The microphone (4) and the speaker (3) are electrically connected to the control device (14). The switching part (12, 16) cuts off the supply of power from the air battery (8) to the control device (14) when the at least part of the battery case (7) is pulled out of the main body case (1). The lid portion (11a) is provided either inside the main body case (1) or inside the battery case (7), and air holes (10) in the air battery (8) are opened and closed in conjunction with the operation of pulling at least part of the battery case (7) out of the main body case (1).Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2010Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Kouta Onodera
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Patent number: 8073172Abstract: A speaker includes a casing, a sound emitting portion, a conductive coil received in the casing, and a circuit board. The casing includes a side wall. The sound emitting portion received in the casing includes a diaphragm including a first end fixed to the casing and an opposite second end. The conductive coil includes a front end fixed to the side wall, and a rear end fixedly connected to the second end of the diaphragm. The circuit board includes an audio processing module, a charging module and a controlling module. The audio processing module is configured for receiving an audio signal and controlling the conductive coil to vibrate in response to the received audio signal. The charging module is configured for electrifying the conductive coil using alternating current. The controlling unit is configured for selectively connecting the conductive coil to the audio processing module electrically or to the charging module.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kim-Yeung Sip
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Publication number: 20110293125Abstract: A deep-ear-canal hearing device is worn deep in the ear canal of a user. The hearing device is easy to produce and use, has a small overall size, and can be comfortably worn deep within the auditory canal, in particular in the bony part of the auditory canal as well. The hearing device has a housing, a signal-processing apparatus, and a receiver. The signal-processing apparatus is arranged within the housing. The receiver is merely arranged partly within the housing and another part is arranged outside of the housing. The receiver only being arranged partly within the housing, it is thus not completely surrounded by the housing. Hence, the housing can have a smaller configuration. In the region where the receiver is arranged outside of the housing, the double wall in the form of, the receiver wall and, the housing wall can be dispensed with, which helps in reducing the size.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.Inventors: David Courtois, Anton Gebert, Que Huy Luu, Frank Naumann
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Patent number: 8068630Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide an enclosure for a metal-air battery assembly for an extended wear hearing aid. The enclosure includes a diffusion control element having a dimensional property configured for controlling oxygen and moisture diffusion into the metal-air battery assembly to maintain a minimum battery voltage when the hearing aid is operating and worn in an ear canal of a user over an extended period. In an embodiment, the enclosure can comprise a shell with a base end having an opening therein forming a cavity within the shell and a base cap for covering the opening of the base end. A diffusion element is disposed on the base cap. In an embodiment, the diffusion element comprises a laser drilled precision micro hole having an aspect ratio of least about four and a diameter in the range of about 10 to 15 microns.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2007Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: InSound Medical, Inc.Inventors: Richard Gable, Ross Baker, Tom O'Hara
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Patent number: 8068628Abstract: Data is exchanged between a hearing device and a connectable unit. The data, such as an identification code, may be read from the unit. Data may also be output to the connectable unit. The connectable unit may include a random access memory. Furthermore, the connectable unit may include a sequence control element.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Inventors: Hartmut Ritter, Tom Weidner
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Publication number: 20110280423Abstract: A hearing instrument includes a housing, a printed circuit board, a signal processor on the printed circuit board, wherein the signal processor is configured for generating an audio signal, and a receiver that is connected to an output of the signal processor for converting the audio signal into a sound signal, wherein the housing is configured to accommodate the receiver and the printed circuit board with the signal processor, and the housing has a trunk part that is coupled with a tip part, and wherein the printed circuit board forms a wall within the housing extending transversely relative to a longitudinal extension of the trunk part.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2008Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: GN RESOUND A/SInventor: Henrik Nielsen
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Patent number: 8050439Abstract: This hearing aid system comprises a first hearing aid (1) and the second hearing aid (2) mounted on the right ear. These each have a microphone (101) for inputting ambient sound, a hearing aid processor (102) for subjecting sound inputted from the microphone (101) to hearing aid processing, a speaker (103) for outputting sound that has undergone the hearing aid processing, a communication component (107) for performing wireless communication, and a battery (104) for supplying electrical power to the microphone (101), the hearing aid processor (102), the communication component (107), and the speaker (103). The first hearing aid (1) and the second hearing aid (2) have a battery charge detector (105) for detecting the remaining charge of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Junichi Inoshita, Yasushi Ueda, Yasushi Imamura, Hiroyoshi Inoshita
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Publication number: 20110261985Abstract: A hearing aid earpiece (1) is provided, that is custom fitted to the individual shape of the ear canal of a user and manufactured in a rapid prototyping process. The earpiece comprises a sound conduit (3) that is adapted for conveying an acoustic signal from an acoustic inlet port towards an acoustic outlet port and wherein the sound conduit is looped such that at least one geometrical plane will intersect the sound conduit at least three times thereby providing a length of the sound conduit exceeding a largest outer dimension of the hearing aid earpiece. The invention also relates to a hearing aid comprising such a hearing aid earpiece and a method for manufacturing such an earpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2008Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: WIDEX A/SInventors: Martin Rung, Peter Nordland Jensen, Jørgen Mejner Olsen, Klaus Henrik Vaarbroe, Inge Balling, Morten Agerbaek Nordahn
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Publication number: 20110261984Abstract: A hearing aid is provided with a casing where to a battery drawer or lid is movably attached for movement between a closed position and an open position, where the open position grants access to a battery, wherein a leverage tool is removably fastened to the battery drawer. By way of the leverage tool, a hearing aid user with poor dexterity may now easily open the battery drawer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: BERNAFON AGInventor: Monika Bertges REBER
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Patent number: 8031893Abstract: Supply of power is ensured on use without requiring troublesome works such as battery replacement work and charging work. Specifically, hearing aids, which collect sound, amplify the collected sound, and output the amplified sound, boosts electromotive force generated by the Peltier module derived from temperature difference between a human-body contact portion and an ambient-air contact portion, and causes sound collecting units, a controller IC, a speaker to operate by the boosted voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junji Imai, Hitoshi Makinaga, Hiroshi Inoue
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Publication number: 20110235834Abstract: A hearing aid is described. The hearing aid includes a control surface and a control element. The hearing aid further includes a plurality of components in addition to the control surface and the control element. A portion of the control surface is configured to engage a portion of the control element. The control surface at least partially circumscribes at least one of the plurality of components.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2010Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: SONIC INNOVATIONS, INC.Inventors: Owen D. Brimhall, Craig M. Collotzi
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Patent number: 8027496Abstract: Hearing aid fitted with a central processing unit (1) having peripherals (3E, 3A) connected to its input and output respectively. Each peripheral includes an identification unit (5) having an the output connected to a first input of a comparator (9). A second input of the comparator is connected to a read-only identification memory (11) containing identification features of the peripherals. An output of the comparator drives a configuration memory (15). As a result, the hearing aid self-identifies its current configuration based on the identification of the peripherals.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Herbert Bachler, Christian Berg
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Patent number: 8027497Abstract: A hearing device that is operated with a rechargeable battery pack has at least one contact element that is fashioned to accept a charging current in electrical connection with an external charging device. The contact element is resiliently mounted at the hearing device and can be pressed onto a charging contact of the external charging device during a charging state under the application of a positive force. The contact element is located in a first position in an operating state or rest state of the hearing device, and is moved into a second position in the charging state.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Harald Klemenz, Thomas Lotter, Benjamin Schmidt, Herve Schulz, Erwin Singer, Roland Weigert
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Publication number: 20110211718Abstract: In an embodiment, a hearing aid (102) is provided. The hearing aid (102) may include a hearing aid housing (104), the hearing aid housing (104) including a receiving portion; a battery chamber housing (106) coupled to the hearing aid housing; and a lock (112) positioned on the battery chamber housing (106). The lock (112) may include a first engaging portion; and a second engaging portion (116) coupled to the first engaging portion, the first engaging portion may include a material of a higher tensile strength than the second engaging portion; wherein the first engaging portion may be configured to be movable relative to the battery chamber housing (106) such that the first engaging portion may be coupled to the receiving portion to lock the battery chamber housing (106).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2008Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.Inventors: Swee Kim Chua, Wee Haw Koo
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Publication number: 20110211717Abstract: A power management system (1) for a digital processing core (12) of a battery-powered hearing aid is adapted for providing power to the hearing aid circuit in a particularly efficient manner. The power management system (1) comprises a first linear voltage regulator (25, 26, 28), and a second linear voltage regulator (25, 27) in series with a switched-capacitor 2:1 SC converter (21), a positive bulk biasing voltage supply (10), and a negative bulk biasing voltage supply (11), for controlling the switching speed, threshold voltage, and current leak from the semiconductor elements (13, 14) of the digital processing core (12) when the core (12) is operated at the reduced voltage provided by the power management system (1). The power management system (1) may save between 50% and 70% of the power consumed by the digital processing core (12) of the hearing aid circuit when compared to existing hearing aids, and may thus prolong the battery life.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2010Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: WIDEX A/SInventor: Per Flemming Hoevesteen
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Publication number: 20110200218Abstract: The hearing aid comprises a casing element enclosing electronic components and a battery drawer hingedly connected to the casing element for pivotal movement with respect to the casing element. Bushings in the casing element corresponding to seats in the battery drawer are provided co-axially with the desired pivotal axle and a metal hinge pin is provided coaxially with the desired pivotal axle and extends centrally through holes in the bushings, the battery drawer and the casing parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2011Publication date: August 18, 2011Applicant: OTICON A/SInventors: Sune Pelle BORREGAARD, Jens LUNDBY, Carsten RØMER
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Publication number: 20110188688Abstract: The hearing aid of the present invention comprises a main body case (1), a battery case (7), a control device (14), a microphone (4), a speaker (3), switching part (12, 16), and a lid portion (11a). The battery case (7) is provided so that it can be pulled from inside the main body case (1) to the outside of the main body case (1). The control device (14) is actuated by the electromotive force of the air battery (8) held in the battery case (7). The microphone (4) and the speaker (3) are electrically connected to the control device (14). The switching part (12, 16) cuts off the supply of power from the air battery (8) to the control device (14) when the at least part of the battery case (7) is pulled out of the main body case (1). The lid portion (11a) is provided either inside the main body case (1) or inside the battery case (7), and air holes (10) in the air battery (8) are opened and closed in conjunction with the operation of pulling at least part of the battery case (7) out of the main body case (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: August 4, 2011Inventor: Kouta Onodera
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Patent number: 7974427Abstract: A hearing aid is identified by storing a binary code in the hearing aid, receiving a transmitted code, reading out a subset of bits from the stored binary code, and comparing the transmitted code with the subset for identification. The reading step preferably reads the lowest order nibble, byte, or word of the binary code. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a charger for the hearing aid, a controller for the hearing aid, and a programmer for the hearing aid store the identification codes for two way communication among the devices.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Zounds Hearing, Inc.Inventors: Scott Raymond Fink, Samuel L. Thomasson
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Publication number: 20110103628Abstract: The invention refers to hearing devices (1) and methods of operating hearing devices (1). In one aspect, the hearing device (1) comprises a power supply unit (2) comprising a primary energy storing unit (3) and, in addition, a secondary energy storing unit (4). The power supply unit (2) is configured such that the secondary energy storing unit (4) is rechargeable by means of the primary energy storing unit (3). E.g., the primary energy storing unit (3) has a higher energy density than said secondary energy storing unit (4), and the secondary energy storing unit (4) has a lower internal resistance than said primary energy storing unit (3). This allows to provide electronic circuits (11;12;13;14) of the hearing device (1) with pulsed currents. In another aspect, the hearing device (1) comprises at least one processor (10;13;14), which is alternately operated in one of at least two operating modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2008Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: PHONAK AGInventor: Herbert Bachler
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Patent number: 7936893Abstract: In a hearing aid, a main body case has a fitting-use first communication terminal provided inside the main body case, so that the first communication terminal can be visually checked when the battery case is removed by turning, and the battery case has a first locking protrusion that is engaged with the main body case and a pressing protrusion that is opposite the first communication terminal, when the battery case is turned for installation.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2010Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Minoru Tada, Yosimasa Simogochi, Kazumasa Okamura
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Patent number: 7916885Abstract: A hearing aid (1) comprising a lid (31), an electronics module (4), and a microphone adapter (15), wherein the electronics module and the microphone adapter provides a groove (30) for sliding engagement with a pivot of the lid, the groove extending partially over the electronics module and partially over the adapter between a position where the lid is closed and a position where the lid is partially open.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: WIDEX A/SInventor: Dennis Brian Nielson
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Patent number: 7916883Abstract: The invention comprises a hearing aid with a casing and a battery with a battery access door in the casing. According to the invention: the door is hingedly connected to the casing to allow a pivotal motion between the battery door and the casing, a flexible locking latch having a proximal end and a distal end is provided in either casing or battery door, the distal end of the flexible locking latch is arranged to flex along a path in order to release the battery door when an opening force is applied to the door, and an arrest pin is insertable in the moving path of the distal part of the flexible locking latch to block the movement of the latch when a child-resistant battery enclosure is desired.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2006Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Bernafon AGInventor: Ben Crook
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Publication number: 20110069854Abstract: A listening device comprising an ITE part adapted for being located in an ear canal of a user and a BTE part adapted for being located behind an ear of the user, the ITE and BTE parts being at least mechanically connected by a connecting element, the listening device having a rechargeable energy source and electric charge terminals for allowing the charging of the rechargeable energy source when electrically connected to charging terminals of a charging station. Further, a method of charging a rechargeable energy source of a listening device and to a listening system. The electric charging terminals of the listening device are located in or on the ITE part, the connecting element or in an electrical connector of the connecting element connectable to the BTE part, or in an electrical connector of the BTE part connectable to the electrical connector of the connecting element.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: OTICON A/SInventor: Simon HASTRUP
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Publication number: 20110038500Abstract: A hearing aid has a housing, a signal-processing arrangement housed in the housing, an LED, an actuatable switching element arranged on the housing, and a battery. The LED is connected to a positive pole of the battery with its anode connector and to a first connector of the signal-processing arrangement with its cathode connector. The signal-processing arrangement is formed with a monitoring unit, which switches the first connector if there is a drop below a first threshold voltage such that the cathode connector can be connected to a negative pole of the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.Inventors: Markus Heerlein, Harald Klemenz
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Publication number: 20110033073Abstract: This hearing aid system comprises a first hearing aid (1) and the second hearing aid (2) mounted on the right ear. These each have a microphone (101) for inputting ambient sound, a hearing aid processor (102) for subjecting sound inputted from the microphone (101) to hearing aid processing, a speaker (103) for outputting sound that has undergone the hearing aid processing, a communication component (107) for performing wireless communication, and a battery (104) for supplying electrical power to the microphone (101), the hearing aid processor (102), the communication component (107), and the speaker (103). The first hearing aid (1) and the second hearing aid (2) have a battery charge detector (105) for detecting the remaining charge of the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Inventors: Junichi Inoshita, Yasushi Ueda, Yasushi Imamura, Hiroyoshi Inoshita
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Publication number: 20110026747Abstract: The hearing device comprises a battery door (20); a connector (2) having N?1 electrical contacts (6); and a user control (8). The user control (8) consists of a) an elastic actuation member (14); and operationally connected thereto b) a contact changing member (12), which can be different from or identical with the elastic actuation member (14); and operationally connected thereto c) at least one of the N electrical contacts (6). At least a portion of the elastic actuation member (14) forms at least a portion of the battery door (20). The connector (2) is a connector for providing a communication connection to the hearing device. The user control(8) can be a pushbutton switch. The elastic actuation member (14) comprises a body substantially made of elastomeric material and can hold the contact changing member (12). The contact changing member (12) is provided for changing the state of contacting of said at least one electrical contact (6), e.g., to establish or interrupt an electrical connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2008Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: PHONAK AGInventors: Andre Lucien Ochsenbein, Andre Simmler, Urs Zueger, Hans Georg Meier
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Patent number: 7881487Abstract: The invention is intended to simplify the operation of a hearing aid device. Toward that end, means are present in the hearing aid device for storing the value of a parameter which can be set by the hearing aid device wearer by actuation of a control element, which parameter value was valid before the hearing aid device was turned off, with the result that the value of the parameter that was valid before the hearing aid device was turned off will be set automatically as the current value of the parameter after the device is turned off and then turned back on again.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thomas Dickel, Thomas Kasztelan, Meng Kiang Lim
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Publication number: 20100316239Abstract: In a hearing aid, a main body case has a fitting-use first communication terminal provided inside the main body case, so that the first communication terminal can be visually checked when the battery case is removed by turning, and the battery case has a first locking protrusion that is engaged with the main body case and a pressing protrusion that is opposite the first communication terminal, when the battery case is turned for installation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2010Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: MINORU TADA, YOSIMASA SIMOGOCHI, KAZUMASA OKAMURA
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Patent number: 7853032Abstract: A hearing device with an audio shoe is to be designed in a simpler and less interference-susceptible manner. To this end, provision is made for an audio shoe to comprise contact springs of such type that directly contact the circuit boards of a hearing device. A contact intermediate piece between the audio shoe and the circuit board of the hearing device can thus be dispensed with. Furthermore, contact problems caused by the intermediate piece can hereby be avoided and the assembly cost for the hearing device reduced.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2006Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Siemens Audiologische Technik GmbHInventors: Markus Heerlein, Wai Kit David Ho, Thomas Kasztelan
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Publication number: 20100290655Abstract: A hearing aid (100) comprises a main body (10) and a battery holder (50) that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body by revolving around a revolving shaft. The main body (10) has a lock bar (12) provided so as to traverse the space in which the battery holder (50) is installed, and a protruding portion (14) that protrudes toward this installation space. The battery holder (50) has a first concave portion (62) and a second concave portion (64) that latch the lock bar and the protruding portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventors: Keiichi Takeda, Yosimasa Simogochi, Minoru Tada, Makoto Yagi, Fumihiro Asayama
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Publication number: 20100260367Abstract: A hearing instrument comprises an openable cover lid, the cover lid comprising at least one electrical input element and at least one lid contact terminal arranged to physically and electrically contact at least one corresponding device contact terminal when the lid is in a closed position. The cover lid further comprises at least two electrical input, each of the at least two input elements being functionally associated with the impedance between the lid contact terminal and a further terminal, and the hearing instrument comprises means to infer the state of the input elements from said impedance. In a preferred embodiment, the number of input elements is equal to or larger than the number of lid contact terminals. In a further embodiment, the lid is the lid of a battery compartment of the hearing instrument, and in a closed position of the lid at least one of the input elements is in electrical contact with one of the terminals of a battery lying in the battery compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2007Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: PHONAK AGInventors: Ivo Hasler, Andi Vonlanthen, Bruno Gabathuler
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Publication number: 20100260366Abstract: A hearing aid has a housing, a battery compartment, and a locking mechanism for the battery compartment. A shaft which is arranged on the housing or the battery compartment, and a slide having a hole which forms a fit with the shaft, such that the slide can be moved on the shaft in order to lock and unlock the battery compartment in the housing. The hole has a circular cross section, and the shaft has a cross section which is not a circle, with rotational symmetry when rotated through 360°/n, where n is an integer greater than 1. A battery compartment for a hearing aid has a locking mechanism such as this. Because a cross section of said shaft is different from the cross section of the hole in the battery compartment, the shaft is connected to the hole in the battery compartment only at a number of points. This ensures that the slide is held adequately on the shaft even in the event of a production tolerance on the one hand, while, on the other hand, the slide can move on the shaft with little resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.Inventors: Markus Heerlein, Markus Hubert, Harald Klemenz
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Publication number: 20100260368Abstract: Shells of hearing devices, and in particular for hearing aids, are frequently manufactured using an RSM method and battery flaps are injection-molded. Problems arise frequently due to the varying error tolerances of the two processes when the battery compartment is locked into position on the shell. For this reason a hearing device with a shell, which has a battery opening and a battery flap, which is injection-molded from plastic, is provided for closing the battery opening. The hearing device also has a module which is likewise injection-molded from plastic, on which the battery flap is pivotally supported and which has a detent mechanism via which the battery flap locks into place detachably in a closed position to prevent a pivot movement. Since the injection-molded battery flap locks into position with the injection-molded module, the error tolerances of the shell, often produced by an RSM method, play no part.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2008Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.Inventors: Markus Heerlein, Harald Klemenz, Daniel Reisse
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Patent number: 7813518Abstract: The invention relates to a method of current management in a battery powered audio device. According to the invention the method comprises the following steps: a—comparing the actual supply voltage from the battery with a fixed reference voltage, b—generating a control signal whenever the supply voltage is below the reference voltage, c—use the control signal to reduce the load current in the battery powered device, whereby the supply voltage from the battery will increase, d—repeat steps a, b and c whenever the supply voltage is below the reference voltage, and register the rate at which the sequence of steps are repeated, and e—activate an AGC to decrease the output level whenever repetition rate of the a, b and c steps is above a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Oticon A/SInventors: Finn Danielsen, Marinus Andersen
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Publication number: 20100246871Abstract: A hearing amplification system. The system has a rechargeable hearing amplifier and a portable charging system. The rechargeable hearing amplifier has a rechargeable battery, a sound amplification portion which will receive sound waves from between 200 to 6000 Hz amplifies sound waves to between 40 dB and 60 dB and broadcast the sound waves to a human user. The rechargeable hearing amplifier also has an ear engaging membrane which is designed to secure to a human ear. The amplification system also has a portable charging system to charge the rechargeable battery in the rechargeable hearing amplifier. The portable charging system has a single 1.5 V battery charger, and alternatively an AC adapter providing 3 V DC. The portable charging system has a seat for charging the rechargeable hearing amplifier and at least one seat for the ear engagement membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventor: Victor Kingsun Wai
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Publication number: 20100246865Abstract: A hearing aid (1) has means for entering or leaving a stand-by mode initiated by a remote control (14). During use, a dedicated stand-by command issued by the remote control is received and decoded in the hearing aid. When a stand-by command is recognized, a clock signal to the signal-processing parts (3) of the hearing aid (1) is disabled, effectively halting the signal processing. In the stand-by mode, the hearing aid circuitry draws very little power from the battery. Reception of a similar command in the hearing aid during the stand-by mode enables the clock signal to the signal-processing parts of the hearing aid, enabling signal processing. A method to manage the stand-by mode involves the step of calling a soft-boot routine when the hearing aid leaves stand-by mode and resumes normal operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: Widex A/SInventor: Morten SUURBALLE