WO2017024395A1 - Hearing assistance device - Google Patents

Hearing assistance device Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017024395A1
WO2017024395A1 PCT/CA2016/050924 CA2016050924W WO2017024395A1 WO 2017024395 A1 WO2017024395 A1 WO 2017024395A1 CA 2016050924 W CA2016050924 W CA 2016050924W WO 2017024395 A1 WO2017024395 A1 WO 2017024395A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hearing aid
aid device
coil antenna
antenna unit
inductive coil
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2016/050924
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Vladimir Ponomarev
Original Assignee
Vladimir Ponomarev
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vladimir Ponomarev filed Critical Vladimir Ponomarev
Publication of WO2017024395A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017024395A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J50/00—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
    • H02J50/10—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling
    • H02J50/12—Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling of the resonant type
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/554—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01F—MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
    • H01F38/00—Adaptations of transformers or inductances for specific applications or functions
    • H01F38/14—Inductive couplings
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/31—Aspects of the use of accumulators in hearing aids, e.g. rechargeable batteries or fuel cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/51—Aspects of antennas or their circuitry in or for hearing aids

Definitions

  • the present invention is related to hearing aids, and in particular to the hearing assistance devices having an earpiece worn in or at the ear with wireless charging capability.
  • Hearing aids are wearable hearing devices used to assist persons with impaired hearing. To meet the numerous individual requirements different designs of hearing aid have been developed, such as behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), completely-in- the-canal (CIC), and receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids.
  • BTE behind-the-ear
  • ITE in-the-ear
  • ITC in-the-canal
  • CIC completely-in- the-canal
  • RIC receiver-in-canal
  • the typical hearing aids (hearing assistance devices) mentioned are worn on the outer ear or in the auditory canal. There are also bone conduction and implantable hearing aids.
  • Hearing aids main components are a microphone, an amplifier or digital sound processor (usually combined with an amplifier), and an electroacoustic transducer converting an electrical signal to sound.
  • a power source is usually rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries of very small size that makes it difficult to replace and/or recharge in a charging device having metal contacts or coils for inductive charging.
  • Relatively high power demand from a digital sound processor results in larger batteries or more often re-charging.
  • Larger batteries increase the earpiece dimensions and compete for available space with other components inevitably reducing overall quality and efficiency of the hearing assistance devices due to size limitations. The more often re-charging process is inconvenient for the user.
  • the hearing aid of U.S. Patent Number 8,644,542, issued on February 4, 2014, to Harald Klemenz et al. describes a hearing aid device with wireless charging capability. It comprises a rechargeable battery, a coil and and receiving and rectifying circuitry that uses very limited space in the housing of the hearing aid.
  • the prior art does not address an issue of inconvenience for the user to recharge the hearing assistance device and having the hearing assistance device unavailable during the process. Re-charging also requires additional attention of the user and consumes valuable personal time.
  • the hearing assistance device of the present invention addresses the issue of inconvenience for the user to recharge the hearing assistance device and having the hearing assistance device unavailable during the process.
  • Audio signals from the environment received by a microphone are converted into an electrical signal that is directed to the sound signal processing unit, where the audio signal is converted to the electrical signal are amplified and modified according to the user's hearing ability requirements and further delivered to a transducer.
  • the inductive coil antenna unit is configured for inductive power transfer from an ambient source of a variable magnetic field, specifically from an electroacoustic transducer of a moving-coil loudspeaker type, that can be represented by a receiver of a telephone, a receiver of a cellular phone, a headphone, or a stationary loudspeaker (speaker).
  • the power supply unit comprises at least one
  • Moving-coil type loudspeakers consist of a voice coil (magnetic coil) positioned in a cylindrical magnetic gap of a permanent magnet.
  • a voice coil is attached to a lightweight diaphragm that is connected to a frame.
  • a variable magnetic field is created by the electric current in the voice coil, making it a variable electromagnet that is interacting with the magnetic field of a permanent magnet.
  • a resulting mechanical force causes the coil (and the attached diaphragm) to move back and forth, producing sound.
  • the variable magnetic field existing during operation of the external loudspeaker is used to provide power to the power supply unit of the hearing assistance device and recharge its battery (batteries). If a person uses a headphone, a telephone, or a cell phone for 20 to 30 minutes a day, it is enough to fully recharge the battery of the hearing assistance device.
  • a charger can be used that comprises an inductor and a generator of alternating electric current, electrically coupled with the inductor.
  • An electroacoustic transducer of a moving-coil loudspeaker type (for example, a headphone) can be used as an inductor.
  • the generator is connected to a headphone circuitry and produces an alternating electric current of a frequency being higher than a frequency capable of being heard by the user of the hearing assistance device (for example, 20 kHz), therefore having no effect on quality of sound coming from the headphone.
  • the inductive coil antenna unit comprises a high-pass filter or a band-pass filter allowing to pass an alternating current of a frequency being not lower than a frequency of an alternating current produced by the generator.
  • the inductive coil antenna unit comprises a resonant circuit (not represented on the drawings) having a resonance region and the generator is configured to produce an alternating current of a frequency being within the resonance region of the resonant circuit resulting in its operation having no effect on operation of the sound signal processing unit.
  • FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a hearing assistance device according to one embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a hearing assistance device according to an embodiment having a generator electrically coupled with a speaker.
  • FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a hearing assistance device according to an embodiment having a generator electrically coupled with a speaker and an inductive coil unit having a filter (a high-pass filter or a band-pass filter).
  • a filter a high-pass filter or a band-pass filter
  • a hearing assistance device comprises an earpiece module 1 being worn at the head of a user.
  • the earpiece module 1 comprises a transducer 2, converting an electrical output signal of the sound signal processing unit 3 (PU) to an acoustical signal (a transducer is also known as an electroacoustic transducer, a speaker, a loadspeaker, or an elecromechanical converter).
  • the transducer 2 is connected to the output of the sound signal processing unit 3 and generates an acoustic signal of the predetermined amplitude and frequency spectrum.
  • the sound signal processing unit 3 processes and modifies the electrical signal received from a microphone 5 where a sound signal is converted to the electrical signal.
  • An inductive coil antenna unit (ICAU) 6 comprises an inductive coil antenna and is electrically coupled with the rectifier 7 and produces an alternating current of various frequencies matching the sound spectrum of an external speaker 8 (a headphone, a receiver of a telephone or a cell phone, a stationary loudspeaker).
  • a power supply unit 4 is electrically coupled with the rectifier 7 and supplies the sound signal processing unit 3 with electrical power of the predetermined voltage necessary for its operation.
  • the inductive coil antenna unit 6 is configured for inductive power transfer from an ambient source of variable magnetic field, specifically from an electroacoustic transducer of a moving-coil loudspeaker type 8, that can be represented by a receiver of a telephone, a receiver of a cellular phone, a headphone, or a stationary loudspeaker (speaker).
  • the power supply unit 4 comprises at least one rechargeable battery and associated electronic circuitry (depending on selected design well known for specialists in this field).
  • the sound signal processing unit 3 is a processor modifying and amplifying the electrical signal coming from the microphone 5 to compensate for the hearing loss of the user as prescribed by a qualified specialist.
  • the processed signal is delivered to the transducer 2 where it is converted to the sound signal.
  • a hearing assistance device comprises an earpiece module 1 being worn at the head of a user.
  • a charger comprises a speaker (a headphone) 8, a source of a sound signal 9 (radio, TV, CD player, etc.) electrically or wirelessly coupled with the speaker 8, and a generator of an alternating current 10 electrically coupled with the speaker 8.
  • the generator 10 produces an alternating electric current of a frequency being higher than a frequency capable of being heard by the user of said hearing assistance device, therefore the generator signal does not interfere with the sound signal from the source 9.
  • the generator frequency can be in the range of 15 kHz to 20 kHz that is normally not being heard by the persons with limited hearing ability.
  • a hearing assistance device comprises an earpiece module 1 being worn at the head of a user.
  • the inductive coil antenna unit 6 comprises an inductive coil antenna 12 and a high-pass or band-pass filter 11 allowing to pass an alternating current of a frequency being not lower than a frequency of an alternating current produced by the generator.
  • the inductive coil antenna unit comprises a resonant circuit (not represented on the drawings) having a resonance region and the generator is configured to produce an alternating current of a frequency being within the resonance region of the resonant circuit resulting in its operation having no effect on operation of the sound signal processing unit
  • the inductive coil antenna unit 6 can be implemented as an inductive coil and a capacitor forming an LC resonant circuit.
  • the earpiece module 1 can further comprise a telecoil electrically coupled with a sound signal processing unit 3 (not illustrated).
  • a telecoil is widely used in the hearing assistance devices and is a small wire coil for receiving the voice signal from the electromagnetic field generated by compatible telephones or in public locations equipped with compatible transmitters. The same voice signal will induce an alternating current in the inductive coil antenna unit 6, electrically coupled with the rectifier 7 and providing recharging capability for the power supply unit 4.
  • the hearing assistance device can be provided with a remote control unit.
  • the remote control units are well known in the industry and, being practically a standard component of the hearing assistance devices, are used for various adjustments of the hearing assistance devices output such as volume and mode of operation that is outside of the scope of this invention.
  • the earpiece module (of ITE, ITC or CIC type) can be positioned in an ear canal of the user.
  • a hearing assistance device comprising: a sound signal processing unit,
  • a transducer configured to convert an electrical signal to sound and electrically coupled with said sound signal processing unit
  • a microphone electrically coupled with said sound signal processing unit
  • an inductive coil antenna unit electrically coupled with said rectifier
  • a power supply unit electrically coupled with said sound signal processing unit and with said rectifier
  • said inductive coil antenna unit is configured for inductive power transfer from an ambient source of variable magnetic field.
  • a hearing aid device configured for inductive power transfer from an electroacoustic transducer of a moving-coil loudspeaker type.
  • a hearing aid device configured for inductive power transfer from a receiver of a telephone.
  • a hearing aid device configured for inductive power transfer from a receiver of a cellular phone.
  • a hearing aid device configured for inductive power transfer from a headphone.
  • a hearing aid device further comprising a charger configured to supply power to said power supply unit by inducing an alternating electric current in said inductive coil antenna unit, said charger comprising an inductor and a generator of alternating electric current, electrically coupled with said inductor.
  • a hearing aid device wherein said inductor is an electroacoustic transducer of a moving-coil loudspeaker type.
  • a hearing aid device wherein said generator produces an alternating electric current of a frequency being higher than a frequency capable of being heard by the user of said hearing assistance device.
  • said inductive coil antenna unit further comprises a high-pass filter allowing to pass an alternating current of a frequency being not lower than a frequency of an alternating current produced by said generator.
  • said inductive coil antenna unit further comprises a band-pass filter allowing to pass an alternating current of a frequency of an alternating current produced by said generator.
  • a hearing aid device wherein said inductive coil antenna unit further comprises a resonant circuit having a resonance region, wherein said generator is configured to produce an alternating current of a frequency being within said resonance region of said resonant circuit.
  • a hearing aid device configured as part of an external headphone having a speaker.
  • a hearing aid device wherein said generator of alternating electric current of said charger is electrically coupled with said speaker of said headphone.

Abstract

The present invention is related to hearing aids, and in particular to the hearing assistance devices having an earpiece worn in or at the ear with wireless charging capability. The hearing assistance device consists of a microphone, a processor, and a transducer. Power supply unit has a rechargeable battery being recharged wirelessly by inductive power transfer from an ambient source of variable magnetic field, specifically from a moving-coil loudspeaker, that can be represented by a receiver of a telephone, a receiver of a cellular phone, or a headphone. If a person uses a headphone, a telephone, or a cell phone for 20 to 30 minutes a day, it is enough to fully recharge the battery of the hearing assistance device.

Description

Hearing Assistance Device
Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to hearing aids, and in particular to the hearing assistance devices having an earpiece worn in or at the ear with wireless charging capability.
Background of the Invention and Prior Art
Hearing aids are wearable hearing devices used to assist persons with impaired hearing. To meet the numerous individual requirements different designs of hearing aid have been developed, such as behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), completely-in- the-canal (CIC), and receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids. The typical hearing aids (hearing assistance devices) mentioned are worn on the outer ear or in the auditory canal. There are also bone conduction and implantable hearing aids.
Hearing aids main components are a microphone, an amplifier or digital sound processor (usually combined with an amplifier), and an electroacoustic transducer converting an electrical signal to sound.
A power source is usually rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries of very small size that makes it difficult to replace and/or recharge in a charging device having metal contacts or coils for inductive charging. Relatively high power demand from a digital sound processor results in larger batteries or more often re-charging. Larger batteries increase the earpiece dimensions and compete for available space with other components inevitably reducing overall quality and efficiency of the hearing assistance devices due to size limitations. The more often re-charging process is inconvenient for the user.
The hearing aid of U.S. Patent Number 8,644,542, issued on February 4, 2014, to Harald Klemenz et al., describes a hearing aid device with wireless charging capability. It comprises a rechargeable battery, a coil and and receiving and rectifying circuitry that uses very limited space in the housing of the hearing aid.
The hearing aid with wireless remote processor of Canadian Patent Number 2224106, issued on December 19, 1996, to James Anderson, describes a hearing aid device with a remote processor and wireless communication link. It requires a battery to process and amplify the signal from the remote processor, therefore must use either rechargeable batteries with a charging means or replaceable non-rechargeable batteries.
The closest prior art is the hearing aid of U.S. Patent Number 8,344,689, issued on May 12, 2012, to Mihail Boguslavskij, describes a hearing aid device with wireless charging capability. It comprises a signal processing unit, a rechargeable battery, a coil and and a receiving and rectifying circuitry that uses very limited space in the housing of the hearing aid.
The prior art does not address an issue of inconvenience for the user to recharge the hearing assistance device and having the hearing assistance device unavailable during the process. Re-charging also requires additional attention of the user and consumes valuable personal time.
Summary of the Invention
The hearing assistance device of the present invention addresses the issue of inconvenience for the user to recharge the hearing assistance device and having the hearing assistance device unavailable during the process.
Audio signals from the environment received by a microphone are converted into an electrical signal that is directed to the sound signal processing unit, where the audio signal is converted to the electrical signal are amplified and modified according to the user's hearing ability requirements and further delivered to a transducer.
The hearing assistance device being worn at the head of a user comprises a sound signal processing unit, a transducer, configured to convert an electrical signal to a sound output signal and being electrically coupled with the sound signal processing unit, a microphone, electrically coupled with the sound signal processing unit, a rectifier, an inductive coil antenna unit, electrically coupled with the rectifier, a power supply unit electrically coupled with the sound signal processing unit and with the rectifier. The inductive coil antenna unit is configured for inductive power transfer from an ambient source of a variable magnetic field, specifically from an electroacoustic transducer of a moving-coil loudspeaker type, that can be represented by a receiver of a telephone, a receiver of a cellular phone, a headphone, or a stationary loudspeaker (speaker). The power supply unit comprises at least one
rechargeable battery and associated electronic circuitry (depending on selected design well known to specialists in this field).
Moving-coil type loudspeakers (dynamic loudspeakers) consist of a voice coil (magnetic coil) positioned in a cylindrical magnetic gap of a permanent magnet. A voice coil is attached to a lightweight diaphragm that is connected to a frame. When an electrical signal is applied to the voice coil, a variable magnetic field is created by the electric current in the voice coil, making it a variable electromagnet that is interacting with the magnetic field of a permanent magnet. A resulting mechanical force causes the coil (and the attached diaphragm) to move back and forth, producing sound. The variable magnetic field existing during operation of the external loudspeaker is used to provide power to the power supply unit of the hearing assistance device and recharge its battery (batteries). If a person uses a headphone, a telephone, or a cell phone for 20 to 30 minutes a day, it is enough to fully recharge the battery of the hearing assistance device.
For improved efficiency and convenience, a charger can be used that comprises an inductor and a generator of alternating electric current, electrically coupled with the inductor. An electroacoustic transducer of a moving-coil loudspeaker type (for example, a headphone) can be used as an inductor. The generator is connected to a headphone circuitry and produces an alternating electric current of a frequency being higher than a frequency capable of being heard by the user of the hearing assistance device (for example, 20 kHz), therefore having no effect on quality of sound coming from the headphone. For further improvement, the inductive coil antenna unit comprises a high-pass filter or a band-pass filter allowing to pass an alternating current of a frequency being not lower than a frequency of an alternating current produced by the generator. As an option, the inductive coil antenna unit comprises a resonant circuit (not represented on the drawings) having a resonance region and the generator is configured to produce an alternating current of a frequency being within the resonance region of the resonant circuit resulting in its operation having no effect on operation of the sound signal processing unit.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a hearing assistance device according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a hearing assistance device according to an embodiment having a generator electrically coupled with a speaker.
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a hearing assistance device according to an embodiment having a generator electrically coupled with a speaker and an inductive coil unit having a filter (a high-pass filter or a band-pass filter).
On the drawings, the same numbers are assigned to similar components. The easier understanding of the invention is assured by using the acronyms in addition to the component numbers.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a hearing assistance device comprises an earpiece module 1 being worn at the head of a user. The earpiece module 1 comprises a transducer 2, converting an electrical output signal of the sound signal processing unit 3 (PU) to an acoustical signal (a transducer is also known as an electroacoustic transducer, a speaker, a loadspeaker, or an elecromechanical converter). The transducer 2 is connected to the output of the sound signal processing unit 3 and generates an acoustic signal of the predetermined amplitude and frequency spectrum. The sound signal processing unit 3 processes and modifies the electrical signal received from a microphone 5 where a sound signal is converted to the electrical signal.
An inductive coil antenna unit (ICAU) 6 comprises an inductive coil antenna and is electrically coupled with the rectifier 7 and produces an alternating current of various frequencies matching the sound spectrum of an external speaker 8 (a headphone, a receiver of a telephone or a cell phone, a stationary loudspeaker). A power supply unit 4 is electrically coupled with the rectifier 7 and supplies the sound signal processing unit 3 with electrical power of the predetermined voltage necessary for its operation. The inductive coil antenna unit 6 is configured for inductive power transfer from an ambient source of variable magnetic field, specifically from an electroacoustic transducer of a moving-coil loudspeaker type 8, that can be represented by a receiver of a telephone, a receiver of a cellular phone, a headphone, or a stationary loudspeaker (speaker). The power supply unit 4 comprises at least one rechargeable battery and associated electronic circuitry (depending on selected design well known for specialists in this field).
The sound signal processing unit 3 is a processor modifying and amplifying the electrical signal coming from the microphone 5 to compensate for the hearing loss of the user as prescribed by a qualified specialist. The processed signal is delivered to the transducer 2 where it is converted to the sound signal.
Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, a hearing assistance device comprises an earpiece module 1 being worn at the head of a user. In addition, a charger comprises a speaker (a headphone) 8, a source of a sound signal 9 (radio, TV, CD player, etc.) electrically or wirelessly coupled with the speaker 8, and a generator of an alternating current 10 electrically coupled with the speaker 8. The generator 10 produces an alternating electric current of a frequency being higher than a frequency capable of being heard by the user of said hearing assistance device, therefore the generator signal does not interfere with the sound signal from the source 9. As an example, the generator frequency can be in the range of 15 kHz to 20 kHz that is normally not being heard by the persons with limited hearing ability.
Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings, a hearing assistance device comprises an earpiece module 1 being worn at the head of a user. In addition, the inductive coil antenna unit 6 comprises an inductive coil antenna 12 and a high-pass or band-pass filter 11 allowing to pass an alternating current of a frequency being not lower than a frequency of an alternating current produced by the generator. As an option, the inductive coil antenna unit comprises a resonant circuit (not represented on the drawings) having a resonance region and the generator is configured to produce an alternating current of a frequency being within the resonance region of the resonant circuit resulting in its operation having no effect on operation of the sound signal processing unit, the inductive coil antenna unit 6 can be implemented as an inductive coil and a capacitor forming an LC resonant circuit.
The earpiece module 1 can further comprise a telecoil electrically coupled with a sound signal processing unit 3 (not illustrated). A telecoil is widely used in the hearing assistance devices and is a small wire coil for receiving the voice signal from the electromagnetic field generated by compatible telephones or in public locations equipped with compatible transmitters. The same voice signal will induce an alternating current in the inductive coil antenna unit 6, electrically coupled with the rectifier 7 and providing recharging capability for the power supply unit 4.
The hearing assistance device can be provided with a remote control unit. The remote control units are well known in the industry and, being practically a standard component of the hearing assistance devices, are used for various adjustments of the hearing assistance devices output such as volume and mode of operation that is outside of the scope of this invention. The earpiece module (of ITE, ITC or CIC type) can be positioned in an ear canal of the user.
It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims within their meaning and range of equivalency.
What is claimed is:
1 . A hearing assistance device, comprising: a sound signal processing unit,
a transducer, configured to convert an electrical signal to sound and electrically coupled with said sound signal processing unit,
a microphone, electrically coupled with said sound signal processing unit,
a rectifier,
an inductive coil antenna unit, electrically coupled with said rectifier,
a power supply unit electrically coupled with said sound signal processing unit and with said rectifier,
wherein said inductive coil antenna unit is configured for inductive power transfer from an ambient source of variable magnetic field.
2. A hearing aid device according to claim 1 , wherein said said inductive coil antenna unit is configured for inductive power transfer from an electroacoustic transducer of a moving-coil loudspeaker type.
3. A hearing aid device according to claim 1 , wherein said said inductive coil antenna unit is configured for inductive power transfer from a receiver of a telephone.
4. A hearing aid device according to claim 1 , wherein said said inductive coil antenna unit is configured for inductive power transfer from a receiver of a cellular phone.
5. A hearing aid device according to claim 1 , wherein said said inductive coil antenna unit is configured for inductive power transfer from a headphone.
6. A hearing aid device according to claim 1 , further comprising a charger configured to supply power to said power supply unit by inducing an alternating electric current in said inductive coil antenna unit, said charger comprising an inductor and a generator of alternating electric current, electrically coupled with said inductor.
7. A hearing aid device according to claim 6, wherein said inductor is an electroacoustic transducer of a moving-coil loudspeaker type.
8. A hearing aid device according to claim 7, wherein said generator produces an alternating electric current of a frequency being higher than a frequency capable of being heard by the user of said hearing assistance device.
9. A hearing aid device according to claim 8, wherein said inductive coil antenna unit further comprises a high-pass filter allowing to pass an alternating current of a frequency being not lower than a frequency of an alternating current produced by said generator.
10. A hearing aid device according to claim 8, wherein said inductive coil antenna unit further comprises a band-pass filter allowing to pass an alternating current of a frequency of an alternating current produced by said generator.
11 . A hearing aid device according to claim 8, wherein said inductive coil antenna unit further comprises a resonant circuit having a resonance region, wherein said generator is configured to produce an alternating current of a frequency being within said resonance region of said resonant circuit.
12. A hearing aid device according to claim 6, wherein said charger is configured as part of an external headphone having a speaker.
13. A hearing aid device according to claim 12, wherein said generator of alternating electric current of said charger is electrically coupled with said speaker of said headphone.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1 . A hearing assistance device, comprising: a sound signal processing unit,
a transducer, configured to convert an electrical signal to sound and electrically coupled with said sound signal processing unit,
a microphone, electrically coupled with said sound signal processing unit,
a rectifier,
an inductive coil antenna unit, electrically coupled with said rectifier,
a power supply unit electrically coupled with said sound signal processing unit and with said rectifier,
wherein said inductive coil antenna unit is configured for inductive power transfer from an ambient source of variable magnetic field.
2. A hearing aid device according to claim 1 , wherein said said inductive coil antenna unit is configured for inductive power transfer from an electroacoustic transducer of a moving-coil loudspeaker type.
3. A hearing aid device according to claim 1 , wherein said said inductive coil antenna unit is configured for inductive power transfer from a receiver of a telephone.
4. A hearing aid device according to claim 1 , wherein said said inductive coil antenna unit is configured for inductive power transfer from a receiver of a cellular phone.
5. A hearing aid device according to claim 1 , wherein said said inductive coil antenna unit is configured for inductive power transfer from a headphone.
6. A hearing aid device according to claim 1 , further comprising a charger configured to supply power to said power supply unit by inducing an alternating electric current in said inductive coil antenna unit, said charger comprising an inductor and a generator of alternating electric current, electrically coupled with said inductor.
7. A hearing aid device according to claim 6, wherein said inductor is an electroacoustic transducer of a moving-coil loudspeaker type.
8. A hearing aid device according to claim 7, wherein said generator produces an alternating electric current of a frequency being higher than a frequency capable of being heard by the user of said hearing assistance device.
9. A hearing aid device according to claim 8, wherein said inductive coil antenna unit further comprises a high-pass filter allowing to pass an alternating current of a frequency being not lower than a frequency of an alternating current produced by said generator.
10. A hearing aid device according to claim 8, wherein said inductive coil antenna unit further comprises a band-pass filter allowing to pass an alternating current of a frequency of an alternating current produced by said generator.
11 . A hearing aid device according to claim 8, wherein said inductive coil antenna unit further comprises a resonant circuit having a resonance region, wherein said generator is configured to produce an alternating current of a frequency being within said resonance region of said resonant circuit.
12. A hearing aid device according to claim 6, wherein said charger is configured as part of an external headphone having a speaker.
13. A hearing aid device according to claim 12, wherein said generator of alternating electric current of said charger is electrically coupled with said speaker of said headphone
PCT/CA2016/050924 2015-08-07 2016-08-05 Hearing assistance device WO2017024395A1 (en)

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CA2899767 2015-08-07
CA2899767A CA2899767A1 (en) 2015-08-07 2015-08-07 Hearing assistance device

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