U.S. patent application number 15/695566 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-15 for contact hearing systems, apparatus and methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is EarLens Corporation. Invention is credited to Mudhafar Hassan ALI, Kulbir SANDHU, Cem SHAQUER, Thanh TRAN, Louis WONG.
Application Number | 20180077504 15/695566 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61558810 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180077504 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHAQUER; Cem ; et
al. |
March 15, 2018 |
CONTACT HEARING SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND METHODS
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a hearing aid which
includes a lateral ear canal assembly and a medial ear canal
assembly. In embodiments of the invention the medial ear canal
assembly may include smart circuitry adapted to control parameters
and outputs of the medial ear canal assembly. In embodiments of the
invention various methods and circuitry are described, wherein the
methods and circuitry are adapted to improve the performance and
efficiency of the hearing aid.
Inventors: |
SHAQUER; Cem; (Saratoga,
CA) ; WONG; Louis; (Los Altos Hills, CA) ;
SANDHU; Kulbir; (Fremont, CA) ; ALI; Mudhafar
Hassan; (Menlo Park, CA) ; TRAN; Thanh;
(Houston, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EarLens Corporation |
Menlo Park |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61558810 |
Appl. No.: |
15/695566 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62385914 |
Sep 9, 2016 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R 2225/31 20130101;
H04B 5/0031 20130101; H04B 5/0037 20130101; H04R 25/552 20130101;
H04R 25/554 20130101; H04R 2225/023 20130101; H04R 25/656 20130101;
H04R 25/305 20130101; H04R 2460/15 20130101; H04R 25/604 20130101;
H04R 25/558 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04R 25/00 20060101
H04R025/00 |
Claims
1.-22. (canceled)
23. A smartlens system comprising: a lateral ear canal assembly
comprising a first transceiver including a first coil; a medial ear
canal assembly comprising a second transceiver including a second
coil, wherein the first coil is adapted to inductively couple to
the second coil; a vibratory load connected to the second coil and
adapted to vibrate in response to signals transmitted from the
first coil to the second coil through inductive coupling; and a
rectifying circuit connected between an output of the second coil
and the vibratory load.
24. A smartlens system according to claim 23, wherein the smartlens
transmits a signal having a push-pull format.
25. A smartlens system according to claim 23, wherein the smartlens
transmits a signal having a zero crossing.
26. A smartlens system according to claim 23, wherein the coil is
manufactured from conductive material.
27. A smartlens system according to claim 23 wherein the first and
second coils are elongated coils.
28. A smartlens system according to claim 23 wherein the medial ear
canal assembly includes a current sensor adapted to measure the
current in the second coil.
29. A smartlens system according to claim 23 wherein the medial ear
canal assembly includes a voltage sensor adapted to measure the
voltage across the second coil.
30. A smartlens system according to claim 23 wherein the medal ear
canal assembly includes power control circuitry connected between
the second coil and the vibratory load.
31. A smartlens system according to claim 30 wherein the power
control circuitry is further connected to an energy storage
device.
32. A smartlens system according to claim 31 wherein the energy
storage device is a capacitor.
33. A smartlens system according to claim 31 wherein the energy
storage device is a rechargeable battery.
34. A smartlens system according to claim 23 wherein the
transmission path between the first coil and the second coil
comprises air.
35. A smartlens system according to claim 34 wherein the
transmission path comprises a line of sight transmission path.
36. A smartlens system according to claim 34 wherein the
transmission path comprises air in the ear canal of a user.
37. A smartlens system according to claim 23 wherein the lateral
ear canal assembly is separated from the medial ear canal assembly
by air in the ear canal of a user.
38. A smartlens system according to claim 23 wherein the first and
second coils are stacked coils.
39. A smartlens according to claim 23 wherein the first and second
coils comprise wound inductors.
40. A smartlens according to claim 23 wherein the first coil is
wound around a first core and the second coil is wound around a
second core.
41. A smartlens according to claim 40 wherein the first core
comprises air.
42. A smartlens according to claim 41 wherein the first core has a
substantially fixed diameter along at least a portion of the length
of the first coil.
43. A smartlens according to claim 40 wherein the second core
comprises air.
44. A smartlens according to claim 43 wherein the second core has a
substantially fixed diameter along at least a portion of the length
of the second coil.
45. A smartlens according to claim 23 wherein the vibratory load is
a transducer.
46. A smartlens according to claim 45 wherein the transducer is a
balanced armature transducer.
47.-81. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120
to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/385,914, filed Sep. 9,
2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In contact hearing aid systems, the system, including a
contact hearing device, an ear tip and an audio processor, is
employed to enhance the hearing of a user. Depending upon the
contact hearing aid, the system may also include an external
communication device, such as a cellular phone, which communicates
with the audio processor. An example of such system is the Earlens
Light Driven Hearing Aid manufactured by Earlens Corporation. The
Earlens hearing-aid transmits an audio signal by laser to a
tympanic membrane transducer which is placed on an ear drum of a
user. In such systems, it may be beneficial to add smart components
to the contact hearing device in order to improve the overall
function and/or efficiency of the system. It may also be beneficial
to use alternative methods of transmitting the signal and/or the
energy required to power the contact hearing device and/or
electronic components on the contact hearing device.
[0003] As an example, in some prior contact hearing aid systems,
e.g., those using light to transmit sound to a contact hearing
device positioned on the tympanic membrane of a user, it was
beneficial to bias the transmitted signal in order to transmit both
positive and negative elements of the encoded data (e.g., sound
signal) from a lateral ear canal assembly positioned in the user's
ear canal to a medial ear canal assembly positioned on the user's
tympanic membrane. The transmitted signal was then received, by,
for example, a photodetector, and transmitted directly to the
vibratory load, e.g., a transducer assembly. In such systems, the
bias consumed a significant amount of energy in the transmitted
signal. In some devices, the amount of energy required for the bias
signal was reduced by using a sliding bias. In such systems, the
bias is changed according to the level of the incoming sounds, with
a smaller bias for lower level input sounds and a larger bias for
higher level input sounds. Unfortunately, the use of a sliding
bias, while reducing the amount of energy required for the bias,
does not eliminate the need for a bias signal, which consumes
energy, potentially resulting in a shorter battery life or the need
for a larger battery. Further, the use of a sliding bias may result
in sound artifacts which are audible to the hearing aid wearer.
Thus, it would be beneficial to design a system which does not
require a bias to transmit data and power to the lateral ear canal
assembly.
[0004] Further, in prior systems, the input from the lateral ear
canal assembly would be used to drive the output of the medial ear
canal assembly directly with the data and power signals remaining
combined. In these devices, the level of the output of the medial
ear canal assembly was a function of the level of the input to the
medial ear canal assembly. This arrangement could be
disadvantageous because the output of the medial ear canal assembly
was subject to change, by, for example, changes in the distance
between the medial and lateral ear canal assemblies, which may be
caused by, for example, the positioning of the lateral ear canal
assembly in the ear.
[0005] Further, in prior systems, such as those using light to
transmit sound through the ear canal of a user or from a lateral
hearing aid assembly to a medial hearing aid assembly, it may be
difficult to obtain and maintain alignment between the transmitting
element (e.g., a laser) on the lateral ear canal assembly and the
receiving element (e.g., a photodetector) on the medial ear canal
assembly. For example, the alignment may depend upon the placement
of transmitting and receiving elements in the ear canal, if they
are not properly placed, the alignment may be off and the
transmitted signal may be too low to be useable at the medial ear
canal assembly. Alternatively, or in addition, movements of, for
example, the jaw of a user, may result in changes to the alignment
caused by changes to the shape of the ear canal or position of the
transmitting or receiving elements. It would, therefore, be
advantageous to design a hearing aid system wherein alignment
between components on the lateral ear canal assembly and components
on the medial ear canal assembly had little or no effect on the
strength of a signal received at the medial ear canal assembly. It
would further be advantageous to design a hearing aid system
wherein changes in the shape or structure of the ear canal
resulting from, for example, movement of the user's jaw, would have
little or no impact on the strength of a signal received at the
medial ear canal assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present disclosure relates to improved contact hearing
aid systems, apparatuses, and methods and more particularly to
improved designs for such contact hearing aid systems and improved
methods for transmitting energy and information between components
of such systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
embodiments of the present inventive concepts will be apparent from
the more particular description of preferred embodiments, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference
characters refer to the same or like elements. The drawings are not
necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
illustrating the principles of the preferred embodiments.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a smartlens system, including a
lateral ear canal assembly and medial ear canal assembly according
to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a smartlens system, including a
lateral ear canal assembly and medial ear canal assembly according
to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a smartlens system which is
adapted for communication with external devices according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a medial ear canal assembly
(which may also be referred to as a smart lens) according to one
embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a further example of a medial ear canal assembly
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an optically coupled lateral
and medial ear canal assembly according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an inductively coupled medial
ear canal assembly according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of an RF smartlens system
according to the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a current driver driving a
transducer assembly which may be used in embodiments of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a rectifier and converter circuit
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a diagram of a rectifier and converter circuit
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a diagram of a rectifier and converter circuit
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a portion of a medial ear canal
assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a smartlens system 30 according
to one embodiment of the present invention, including lateral ear
canal assembly 12 (which may also be referred to as a light tip or
eartip in some embodiments) and medial ear canal assembly 100
(which may also be referred to as a tympanic lens or tympanic lens
transducer in some embodiments).
[0022] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, lateral ear canal assembly 12
includes a plurality of microphones 810 which are connected through
pre-amplifiers 820 to analog to digital (A to D) converters 830.
Analog to digital converters 830 may be connected to digital signal
processor 840. The output of digital signal processor 840 may be
connected to a circuit for modulating the output, such as, for
example, pulse density modulator 850. In the embodiment of the
invention, the output of pulse density modulator 850 may be
connected to radio frequency (RF) modulator 860. The output of RF
modulator 860 may be connected to power amplifier 870 and the
output of power amplifier 870 may be connected to antenna 880. In
the embodiment illustrated, signals radiated from antenna 880 may
be received by medial ear canal assembly 100.
[0023] In FIG. 1, medial ear canal assembly 100 may include antenna
890. The output of antenna 890 may be connected to monitor 900,
Power regulator 910 and RF demodulator 920. The output of monitor
900 may be connected to power regulator 910. The output of power
regulator 910 and RF demodulator 920 may be connected to driver
930. The output of driver 930 may be connected to actuator 940. The
output of actuator 940 drives umbo lens 960, using, for example, a
vibratory output.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a smartlens system 30,
including a lateral ear canal assembly 12 (which may also be
referred to as a processor) and medial ear canal assembly 100
according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2,
lateral ear canal assembly 12 may include an external antenna 802
adapted to send and receive signals from an external source such as
a cell phone (see FIG. 3). External antenna 802 may be connected to
a circuit for processing signals received from external antenna
802, such as blue tooth circuit 804, which, in some embodiments,
may be a blue tooth low energy circuit. The output of Bluetooth
circuit 804 may be connected to digital signal processor 840, which
may also include inputs from microphones 810. Ear canal assembly 12
may further include battery 806 and power conversion circuit 808
along with charging antenna 812 (which may be a coil) and wireless
charging circuit 814. Digital signal processor 840 may be connected
to interface circuit 816, which may be used to transmit data and
power from lateral ear canal assembly 12 to medial ear canal
assembly 100. In embodiments of the invention, power and data may
be transmitted between lateral ear canal assembly 12 and medial ear
canal assembly 100 over power/data link 818 by any one of a number
of mechanisms, including, radio frequency (RF), optical, inductive
and cutaneous (through the skin) transmission of the data and
power. Alternatively, separate modes of transmission may be used
for the power and data signals, such as, for example, transmitting
the power using radio frequency and the data using light.
[0025] In FIG. 2, power and data transmitted to medial ear canal
assembly 100 may be received by interface circuit 822. Interface
circuit 822 may be connected to energy harvesting and data recovery
circuit 824 and to electrical and biological sensors 823. In FIG.
2, medial ear canal assembly 100 may further include energy storage
circuitry 826, power management circuitry 828, data and signal
processing circuitry 832 and microcontroller 834. Medial ear canal
assembly 100 may further include a driver circuit 836 and a
microactuator 838. In the illustrated embodiment, data transmitted
from medial ear canal assembly 100 may be received by interface
circuit 816 on lateral ear canal assembly 12.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a smartlens system 30, adapted
for communication with external devices according to one embodiment
of the present invention. In FIG. 3, smartlens system 30,
illustrated previously in FIG. 2 is adapted to communicate with
external devices such as cell phone 844 or cloud computing services
842. Such communication may occur through external antenna 802 on
lateral ear canal assembly 12 or, in some embodiments directly from
medial ear canal assembly 100.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a medial ear canal assembly 100
according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4,
medial ear canal assembly 100 includes interface 720, clock
recovery circuit 730, data recovery circuit 740 and energy
harvesting circuit 750. In embodiments of the invention, interface
720 is adapted to transmit data from medial ear canal assembly 100
and to receive data transmitted to medial ear canal assembly 100.
Interface 720 may be a radio frequency (RF) interface, an optical
interface, an inductive interface or a cutaneous interface. Medial
ear canal assembly 100 may further include power management circuit
760, voltage regulator 770, driver 780, data processor encoder 790
and data/sensor interface 800.
[0028] In FIG. 4, upstream data 702 collected from data
processor/encoder 790 may be transmitted via interface 720 as a
part of upstream signal 700. Downstream signal 710 may be
transmitted to interface 720, which may extract the data portion
and may distribute downstream data 712 to data recovery circuit 740
and clock recovery circuit 730. Interface 720 may further transmit
at least a portion of downstream signal 705 to energy harvesting
circuit 750. The output of energy harvesting circuit 750 may be
transmitted to power management circuit 760, which may then
distribute energy to voltage regulator 770. Voltage regulator 770
may distribute its output to driver 780, which may also receive
input from data recovery circuit 740. The output of driver 780 may
be sent through matching network 831 to drive, for example,
microactuator 840.
[0029] Microactuator 840 may include sensors (not shown) which
generate data about the function of microactuator 840. This data
may be transmitted back to medial ear canal assembly 100 through
matching network 831 and to data/sensor interface 800, which, in
turn may transmit the sensor information to data processor/encoder
790, which generates upstream data 702. Data/sensor interface 800
may also receive information from other sensors (e.g., Sensor 1 to
Sensor n in FIG. 4), which data is, in turn, transmitted to data
processor/encoder 790 and becomes part of upstream data 702.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a further example of a medial ear canal assembly
100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
5, a circuit 510 (which may be a hybrid circuit) may be positioned
on medial ear canal assembly 100. Hybrid circuit 510 may include
smart chip 520, antenna 540, matching network 550 and capacitor
660. Smart chip 520 may include current bias circuitry 600, voltage
reference circuit 590, regulator 560 (which may be, for example, a
Class-G H-Bridge regulator), energy harvesting circuit 650, driver
570 (which may be, for example, a Pulse Density Modulation (PDM)
driver), current driver 620 (which may be a Class-G H-Bridge
current driver), data decoder 580, clock 640 and diagnostic circuit
610. In the illustrated embodiment, regulator 560 may be, for
example, a Class G H-Bridge Regulator which may be a push-pull
positive negative driver with a zero bias. Using a regulator with a
zero bias may reduce energy consumption by a factor of 10 or more
when compared to prior contact hearing aid systems which used light
to transmit the power and information.
[0031] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, antenna 540 may be adapted to
receive RF signals, inductively coupled signals or cutaneously
transmitted signals. Signals received by antenna 540 may include a
power component and/or a data component. Antenna 540 may also be
used to transmit data from medial ear canal assembly 100 to an
external device, such as, for example, a lateral ear canal assembly
12. In the illustrated embodiment, matching network 550 provides
matching between antenna 540 and smart chip 520. Driver 570 may
control the gain applied to the incoming signal, ensuring that the
output of microactuator is uniform for a given input. The gain
applied to a given signal will be a function of the gain required
by the user of the device. Amplified signals from current driver
620 are passed through a matching network, such as, for example,
capacitor 660, to transducer assembly 20 (which may be, for
example, a microactuator, such as, for example, a balanced armature
transducer), which may be used to vibrate the tympanic membrane of
a user.
[0032] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, data decoder 580
decodes and confirms the validity of data received by antenna 540,
performing functions such as error correction and data
verification. In embodiments of the invention, particularly those
using RF, inductive and/or cutaneously coupled data transmission,
interference from external sources could be a problem and it is
important to ensure that only verified data is used by the system.
In light based systems, interference is of less concern since the
light is confined to the ear canal where it was not subject to
interference from other light sources. In embodiments of the
invention, voltage reference circuit 590 and Current bias circuit
600 provide the appropriate voltage and current to drive transducer
assembly 20. In embodiments of the invention, diagnostic circuit
610 gathers data from sensors located on or connected to medial ear
canal assembly 100 to transmit that data back to lateral ear canal
assembly 12. In embodiments of the invention, current driver 620
supplies the current necessary to drive transducer assembly 100. In
embodiments of the invention, clock 640 supplies clock signals to
the digital components on medial ear canal assembly 100.
[0033] In embodiments of the invention, energy harvest circuit 650
harvests energy for use by the components of medial ear canal
assembly 100. Energy harvest circuit 650 may harvest energy from
the signals received by antenna 540 and/or from environmental
energy sources, which environmental energy sources may include, for
example, movement of the person wearing medial ear canal assembly
100 and/or movement of body parts, including the wearer's mouth. In
embodiments of the invention, capacitor 660 provides a matching
network between current driver 620 and transducer assembly 20.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an optically coupled medial ear
canal assembly 100 and lateral ear canal assembly 12 according to
one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, photo detector
150 may receive optical input signals from laser 864 on lateral ear
canal assembly 12. The received signals result in an output voltage
V.sub.1, which is measured at the output of photodetector 150 and
may be relayed to data acquisition circuit 846 and maximum power
point tracking ("MPPT") control circuit 848. Data acquisition
circuit 846 and MPPT control circuit 848 may also receive the
measured current at the output of photodetector 150 from current
sensor 852. In the illustrated embodiment, photo detector 150 may
be modeled as current source 152 and parasitic diode 853. In the
illustrated embodiment, capacitor 854 may be connected across the
output of photodetector 150. In FIG. 6, switch 856 may be
positioned between the output of photodetector 150 and the input of
converter 857. The output of converter 857 may be connected to load
882 and to storage device 869. Storage device 869 may be, for
example, a rechargeable battery.
[0035] In FIG. 6, switch 856 controls the connection of converter
857 to the output of photodetector 150. Switch 856 is controlled by
the output of MPPT control circuit 848. Converter 857 supplies
energy to and receives energy from storage device 869, which may
be, for example, a rechargeable battery. Data acquisition circuit
846 and converter circuit 857 drive load 882, with data acquisition
circuit 847 proving load 882 with control data (e.g. sound wave
information) and converter 857 providing load 882 with power. The
power provided by converter 857 is used to drive load 882 in
accordance with the control data from data acquisition circuit 846.
Load 882 may, in some embodiments of the invention, be a transducer
assembly, such as, for example, a balanced armature transducer.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an inductively coupled medial
ear canal assembly 100 and lateral ear canal assembly 12 according
to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the output
of lateral ear canal assembly 12 may be inductively coupled through
coil 858 to coil 862 on medial ear canal assembly 100. The
inductive coupling may induce a current in coil 862 on medial ear
canal assembly 100. The inductively induced current may be measured
by current sensor 852. The inductive coupling may further induce an
output voltage V.sub.1 across coil 862 which may be measured by a
voltage meter 863. The measured current and voltage may be used by
MPPT control 848 and data acquisition circuit 846. The output of
coil 862 may be further connected to a rectifier and converter
circuit 865 through capacitor 854. In embodiments of the invention,
coil 862 may be connected directly to rectifier and converter
circuit 865 (eliminating capacitor 854). In FIG. 7, capacitor 854
may be positioned between the output of coil 862, which may include
capacitor 872, and the input of rectifier and converter circuit
865. The output of rectifier and converter circuit 865 may be
connected to load 882 and to storage device 869. In embodiments of
the invention, rectifier and converter circuitry 865 may include
circuitry which provides power to storage device 869 and transmits
power from storage device 869 to load 882 when required. In
embodiments of the invention, storage device 869 may be connected
directly to coil 862 or to other circuity adapted to harvest energy
from coil 862 and deliver energy to load 882. Load 882 may be, for
example, a microactuator positioned on the medial ear canal
assembly 100 such that load 882 vibrates the tympanic membrane of a
user when stimulated by signals received by coil 862. Storage
device 869 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery.
[0037] In embodiments of the invention: coil 858 may comprise a
transmit coil and coal 862 may comprise a receive coil; coils 858
and 862 may be elongated coils manufactured from a conductive
material; coils 854 and 862 may be stacked coils; coils 854 and 862
may be wound inductors; coils 854 and 862 may be wound around a
central core; coils 854 and 862 may be wound around a core
comprising air; coils 854 and 862 may be wound around a magnetic
core; coils 854 and 862 may have a substantially fixed diameter
along the length of the wound coil.
[0038] In embodiments of the invention: rectifier and converter
circuit 865 may comprise power control circuitry; rectifier and
converter circuit 865 may comprise a rectifier; rectifier and
converter 865 may be a rectifying circuit, including, for example,
a diode circuit, a half wave rectifier or a full wave rectifier;
rectifier and converter circuit 865 may comprise a diode circuit
and capacitor.
[0039] In embodiments of the invention, energy storage device 869
may be a capacitor, a rechargeable battery or any other electronic
element or device which is adapted to store electrical energy.
[0040] In FIG. 7, the output of MPPT control circuit 848 may
control rectifier and converter circuit 865. Rectifier and
converter circuit 865 may supply energy to and receive energy from
storage device 869, which may be, for example, a rechargeable
battery. Data acquisition circuit 846 and rectifier and converter
circuit 865 may be used to drive load 882, with data acquisition
circuit 846 proving load 882 with control data (e.g., sound wave
information) and rectifier and converter circuit 865 providing load
882 with power. In embodiments of the invention, rectifier and
converter circuit 865 may be used to drive load 862 directly,
without information from a data circuit such as data acquisition
circuit 846. In embodiments of the invention rectifier and
converter circuit 865 may be used to drive load 862 directly
without energy from storage device 869. The power provided by
rectifier and converter circuit 865 is used to drive load 882 in
accordance with the control data from data acquisition circuit 846.
Load 882 may, in some embodiments of the invention, be a transducer
assembly, such as, for example, a balanced armature transducer.
[0041] In embodiments of the invention, information and/or power
may be transmitted from lateral ear canal assembly 12 to medial ear
canal assembly 100 by magnetically coupling coil 858 to coil 862.
When the coils are inductively coupled, the magnetic flux generated
by coil 858 may be used to generate an electrical current in coil
862. When the coils are inductively coupled, the magnetic flux
generated by coil 858 may be used to generate an electrical voltage
across coil 862. In embodiments of the invention, the signal used
to excite coil 858 on lateral ear canal assembly 12 may be a
push/pull signal. In embodiments of the invention, the signal used
to excite coil 858 may have a zero crossing. In embodiments of the
invention, the magnetic flux generated by coil 858 travels through
a pathway that includes a direct air pathway that is not obstructed
by bodily components. In embodiments of the invention, the direct
air pathway is through air in the ear canal of a user. In
embodiments of the invention, the direct air pathway is line of
sight between lateral ear canal assembly 12 and medial ear canal
assembly 100 such that medial ear canal assembly 100 is optically
visible from lateral ear canal assembly 100.
[0042] In embodiments of the invention, the output signal generated
at coil 862 may be rectified by, for example, rectifier and
converter circuit 865. In embodiments of the invention, a rectified
signal may be used to drive a load, such as load 882 positioned on
medial ear canal assembly 100. In embodiments of the invention, the
output signal generated at coil 862 may contain an information/data
portion which includes information transmitted to medial ear canal
assembly 100 by coil 858. In embodiments of the invention, at least
a portion of the output signal generated at coil 862 may contain
energy or power which may be scavenged by circuits on medial ear
canal assembly 100 to charge, for example, storage device 869.
[0043] In embodiments of the invention, wherein inductive coupling
is used in the transmission of data and/or power between components
of a hearing aid, advantages of inductive coupling over other
mechanisms of energy/data transfer may include: a reduced
sensitivity to directionality and motion of the hearing aid; a
reduced sensitivity to relative positioning of the components of
the hearing aid; a reduced sensitivity to the relative motion of
components of the hearing aid; improved user comfort, particularly
with respect to components of the hearing aid positioned in the ear
canal of the user; extended battery life; and a reduced sensitivity
to bodily fluids (e.g. cerumen) present in the ear canal of a
patient.
[0044] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of an RF smartlens system
according to the present invention. In FIG. 8, the output of
lateral ear canal assembly 12 may be coupled through antenna 880 to
antenna 890 on medial ear canal assembly 100. The RF coupling
induces a current in antenna 890, which may be measured by current
sensor 852 and further induces an output voltage V.sub.1 which may
be measured by voltage sensor 863. The measured current and voltage
V.sub.1 are used by MPPT control 848 and data acquisition circuit
846. The output of antenna 890 may be connected to a rectifier and
converter circuit 865 through capacitor 854. In FIG. 8, capacitor
854 may be positioned between the output of antenna 890, which may
include capacitor 872 and the input of rectifier and converter
circuit 865. The output of rectifier and converter circuit 865 may
be connected to load 882 and to storage device 869. Load 882 may,
in some embodiments of the invention, be a transducer assembly,
such as, for example, a balanced armature transducer. Storage
device 869 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery.
[0045] In FIG. 8, the output of MPPT control circuit 848 may
control rectifier and converter circuit 865. Rectifier and
converter circuit 865 may be used to supply energy to and receive
energy from storage device 869, which may be, for example, a
rechargeable battery. Data acquisition circuit 846 and rectifier
and converter circuit 865 may be used to drive load 882, with data
acquisition circuit 846 proving load 882 with control data (e.g.,
sound wave information) and rectifier and converter circuit 865
providing load 882 with power. The power provided by rectifier and
converter circuit 865 may be used to drive load 882 in accordance
with the control data from data acquisition circuit 846. Load 882
may, in some embodiments of the invention, be a transducer
assembly, such as, for example, a balanced armature transducer.
[0046] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of an H Bridge current driver
620 driving transducer assembly 20 which may be used in embodiments
of the present invention. FIG. 9 illustrates a current driver 620
which may be used in one embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 9,
the actuator driver is a full bridge, which may be, for example, an
H class amplifier. In this embodiment, the bridge consists of two
legs (or half bridge--left and right). Each leg is totem pole of
two MOSFET transistors 970.
[0047] In embodiments of the invention, the data fed into the
actuator driver is typically binary patterns with pulse wave
modulation (PWM) timing. In these embodiments, the voltage across
the actuator is based on the PWM pattern. In embodiments of the
invention, the H class topology uses a variable bias of the bridge
based on the audio level.
[0048] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a rectifier and converter circuit
according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10,
rectifier and converter circuit 865 may include diode 974 and
capacitor 972. In embodiments of the invention, the input to
rectifier and converter circuit 865 may be connected directly to
coil 862. In embodiments of the invention, the output of rectifier
and converter circuit 865 may be coupled directly to a load, such
as, for example, a transducer or a balanced armature transducer. In
embodiments of the invention, the output of rectifier and converter
circuit 865 may be coupled to the windings in a load, such as, for
example, a transducer or a balanced armature transducer.
[0049] FIG. 11 is a diagram of a rectifier and converter circuit
according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a
diagram of a rectifier and converter circuit according to one
embodiment of the present invention. In embodiments of the
invention, rectifier and converter circuit 865 may include diodes
974 and capacitors 972 which may form, for example, bridge circuits
such as, for example, half wave bridges or full wave bridges.
[0050] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a portion of a medial ear canal
assembly according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention. In embodiments of the invention, the input to rectifier
and converter circuit 862 may be connected to coil 862 through
additional circuitry, such as, for example, capacitor 854 or input
circuitry 976. In embodiments of the invention, the output of
rectifier and converter circuit 865 may be coupled to a load, such
as, for example, a transducer or a balanced armature transducer
through an output circuit 978. In embodiments of the invention,
output circuit 978 may be, for example, a capacitor, an inductor, a
combination of electrical or electronic components and/or a
matching circuit.
[0051] In embodiments of the invention, the lateral ear canal
assembly may use, for example, energy which is transmitted using RF
transmission, inductive coupling and/or cutaneous transmission to
transmit data and/or power to the medial ear canal assembly. The
use of RF transmission or inductively coupled energy to transmit
the data and/or power is beneficial because it eliminates the need
to bias the signal before it is transmitted, reducing the amount of
energy required to transmit a given signal and eliminating the need
to use a sliding bias to reduce the amount of energy required to be
transmitted. The use of RF or inductive coupled mechanisms for
transmitting the data and power signals without biasing the signal,
where the transmitted signal includes both a positive and a
negative component may be referred to as a Push/Pull driving
strategy.
[0052] In embodiments of the invention, a Push/Pull driving
strategy means that the output of the lateral ear canal assembly
can have both positive and negative components (unlike an optical
drive, which can only go positive and therefore, needs to
incorporate negative information into a positive signal), allowing
the system to transmit both positive and negative data (e.g. sound
wave information) without using a bias or offset signal. Thus,
using a push/pull driving strategy, it is only necessary to deliver
enough energy to: i) transmit the data; ii) power the medial canal
assembly circuitry, including any sensors; and iii) activate the
microactuator. This is advantageous because the system is only
using energy when it is necessary and eliminating the need for a
bias signal and the need for sliding bias to minimize the bias
signal.
[0053] In embodiments of the invention, no bias is required and the
signal may be transmitted directly, resulting in reduced energy
consumption and an increased battery life.
[0054] By using smart lens circuitry on the medial ear canal
assembly, power for operating the elements of the medial ear canal
assembly may be harvested from the transmitted signal and stored on
the medial ear canal assembly until needed (e.g., in a rechargeable
battery or supercapacitor). The harvested power may be used to
drive the medial ear canal assembly electronics (e.g., the smart
chip logic and/or sensors on the medical ear canal assembly) in
addition to providing power for the transducer assembly which
provides vibratory input to the tympanic lens. This harvested power
from the incoming signal may, in some embodiments, be supplemented
or replaced by power harvested directly from the wearer, e.g.,
through harvesting the energy generated by the motion of the
wearer's body, such as, for example, the motion of the wearer's jaw
when chewing or talking or the heat generated by the wearer.
[0055] In embodiments of the present invention, the output of the
medial ear canal assembly is regulated directly by the circuitry on
the medial ear canal assembly such that the output is not a
function of the power or intensity of the incoming signal from the
lateral ear canal assembly, which intensity may fluctuate as, for
example, a function of the distance between the medial ear canal
assembly and the lateral ear canal assembly. For example, in these
embodiments, loudness, as perceived by the wearer, will not be a
function of the distance between the lateral and medial ear canal
assemblies. Nor will it be a function of the intensity of the
signal transmitted by the lateral ear canal assembly to the medial
ear canal assembly, although the signal will have to be intense
enough to reach a threshold value. Once the threshold value is
reached, the medial ear canal assembly will be receiving a signal
which is strong enough to provide sufficient power to the medial
ear canal assembly to both power the assembly and transmit the
information (e.g., sound signals) carried by the received signal.
As long as the input reaches and remains above that threshold
value, the patient will not perceive any changes resulting from
fluctuations in the intensity of the input signal resulting from,
for example, fluctuations in the distance between the medial and
lateral ear canal assembly. In these embodiments, the output of the
medial ear canal assembly may be regulated by circuitry on the
medial ear canal assembly, rather than, for example, the intensity
of the incoming signal.
[0056] In embodiments of the invention, the medial ear canal
assembly may be adapted to include an energy storage system (e.g.,
a rechargeable battery or capacitor) to collect energy received
from the incoming signal and store it for use at a later time
(e.g., when the incoming signal drops below the threshold value).
In these embodiments, once the energy storage system is charged to
a predetermined level, the level of incoming signal required to run
the medial ear canal assembly is reduced since the power from the
incoming signal may be supplemented by the stored energy. In such
embodiments, the threshold level may be reduced to the minimum
level required to transmit the information in the input signal.
[0057] In embodiments of the invention, the information signal
(e.g., the signal representative of the sound received by
microphones on the processor and/or the lateral ear canal assembly)
is separated from the energy source after the incoming signal is
received by the medial ear canal assembly and prior to driving the
output of the lateral ear canal assembly. In other embodiments of
the invention, the incoming signal to the medial ear canal assembly
comprises only a data signal with the medial ear canal assembly
being powered by energy stored on the medial ear canal assembly
(e.g., in a rechargeable battery or capacitor) or scavenged from
the local environment (e.g., from movements of the user's jaw
muscles which move the tissue in the ear canal). In embodiments of
the invention, where the input signal reaches the threshold level
necessary to create user perceptible sound, the power in the
incident signal received by the medial ear canal assembly may be
used directly to drive the output of the medial ear canal assembly.
Once the input signal exceeds the threshold level, at least a
portion of the received power may be stored in a storage device on
the medial ear canal assembly (e.g., a battery), the stored power
may thereafter be used to provide power to components of the medial
ear canal assembly, allowing the medial ear canal assembly to
operate even when the input level drops below the threshold
level.
[0058] In embodiments of the invention, the output of the medial
ear canal assembly is a transducer assembly coupled to the
patient's tympanic membrane. With the power separated from the
data, the medial ear canal assembly requires only a minimum data
signal to provide an output (e.g., a vibratory output) to the
tympanic membrane. Once a minimum input signal level is reached,
the vibratory output may be regulated to the appropriate levels
regardless of the magnitude of the input signals, particularly
where the power signal has been harvested and/or stored by the
medial ear canal assembly.
[0059] Energy harvesting in addition to or instead of getting
energy directly from an outside source, such as, a lateral ear
canal assembly 12, may reduce the need for a lateral ear canal
assembly. Energy harvested could be used to provide power while
very little energy would be required to transmit the data. In such
a device, the data may be transmitted from outside the user's head,
using, for example, RF, inductive coupled or cutaneous transmission
mechanisms.
[0060] In embodiments of the invention, the lateral ear canal
assembly may be designed to harvest power from the input signal
before the acoustic data is transmitted to the load (e.g. the
microactuator). This harvested power may be put into a reservoir,
such as a battery. The stored power may then be modulated by the
incoming acoustic data to drive the output of the medial ear canal
assembly, e.g., to drive the microactuator coupled to the tympanic
membrane of the user. Control of the power also makes it possible
to limit the maximum range of vibration, protecting the user's
hearing.
[0061] In embodiments of the invention, the lateral ear canal
assembly may include a Wi-Fi power harvesting circuit which may be
uses to harvest power from Wi-Fi signals received by the lateral
ear canal assembly. The harvested Wi-Fi signals may be used to
power circuitry on the lateral ear canal assembly. The harvested
Wi-Fi signals may also be used to provide power to energy storage
devices, such as rechargeable batteries, located on the lateral ear
canal assembly. The stored energy may be used to power the lateral
ear canal assembly and to transmit signals, including data and
power components, to the medial ear canal assembly.
[0062] In embodiments of the invention, gain may be controlled on
the medial ear canal assembly, ensuring that the gain is not
subject to fluctuation resulting from, for example, fluctuations in
the input signal level. The gain may be optimized for each patient
by transmitting patient specific gain profiles to the medial ear
canal assembly as part of the data transmitted from the lateral ear
canal assembly. Such patent specific gain profiles may then be used
to determine the amount of gain to be applied to the incoming
signal from the lateral ear canal assembly, depending, for example,
on the strength of the signal received from the medial ear canal
assembly. Such patient specific gain profile may further be stored
on the medial ear canal assembly and used whenever a signal is
received to match the gain applied to the actual needs of the
patient. The application of the patient specific gain at the medial
ear canal assembly is beneficial because it allows the medial ear
canal assembly to compensate for losses or changing circumstances
in the transmission path through the ear canal which may be caused
by, for example, changes in the head position of the user or
movement of the user's jaw. The signal reaching the patient's
tympanic membrane will, therefore, more accurately reflect the gain
requirements of that patient. The gain may also be modified in real
time by sending modification data from the lateral ear canal
assembly to reflect, for example, the surroundings of the patient
and/or the geographic location of the patient, such as, for
example, increasing gain when the patient is in a noisy
environment.
[0063] In embodiments of the invention, wherein a microactuator
located on the medial ear canal assembly uses a drive post and/or
umbo platform to directly drive the tympanic membrane of a user,
changes in drive post location can be compensated automatically
(e.g., by looking for changes to back EMF measured at, for example,
the input to the microactuator). Such back EMF may be reflective
of, for example, generator effects resulting from movement of the
reed. In embodiments of the invention where back EMF can be
measured and such back EMF is reflective of the movement of the
drive post, such measurements may eliminate the need for regular
checkups with physicians. Such changes in back EMF may be
indicative of, for example, changes in the position or location of
the medial ear canal assembly. In embodiments of the invention,
notifications of changes in back EMF may be sent to a server
through a cell phone and from there to a physician who can then
determine whether to ask the patient to come in to have the
position or location of the medial ear canal assembly checked.
[0064] The described embodiments allow data collected by the medial
ear canal apparatus to be transmitted back to a receiver, such as a
lateral ear canal apparatus, where the data can be analyzed and,
where appropriate, transmitted back to a second device, such as a
BTE, a cell phone or directly to a cloud based computer. The type
of data collected may include biometric data relating to the person
wearing the device and/or data relating to the function of the
apparatus or components of the apparatus.
[0065] In embodiments of the present invention, sensors on the
medial ear canal assembly may be used to gather data, including,
for example, biometric data, which may then be transmitted from the
medial ear canal assembly to a suitable receiving device, such as a
lateral ear canal assembly, a BTE, a cell phone or some combination
of devices. Combinations of the preceding devices may also be used
to receive and process data from the medial ear canal assembly, for
example, data may be transmitted from the medial ear canal assembly
to a lateral ear canal assembly, which may then transmit the
received data to a BTE which processes the data and, where
appropriate, transmits the processed data to the wearer's cell
phone. The data may then be displayed on the cell phone and/or
transmitted by the cell phone to, for example, the wearer's
physician or a central data base.
[0066] Sensors on the medial ear canal assembly may be used to
measure many parameters, including parameters related to
physiological or characteristics of the wearer and/or operating
parameters of the system. For example, the sensors may measure lens
functionality, automatically regulating power levels. Further, the
system may include communication channels to send measurements
and/or data back to the lateral ear canal assembly, BTE processor
and/or, to a remote device, such as a cell phone, or a remote data
system, such as, for example, cloud storage. As further examples,
the sensors may be adapted to measure power consumption, and/or
back EMF, enabling the system to perform self-diagnostics.
[0067] In embodiments of the invention, a smartlens system may
include a lateral ear canal assembly and a medial ear canal
assembly, the medial ear canal assembly may include: a receiver
adapted to receive a signal which includes a power component and a
data component, wherein the data component includes sound data;
power harvesting circuitry being connected to the receiver and
adapted to harvest the power from the received signal; power
storage circuitry connected to the power harvesting circuitry and
adapted to receive power from the power harvesting circuitry,
wherein the power storage circuitry is adapted to store the
harvested power; and an actuator connected to the receiver and the
power storage circuitry, wherein the output of the actuator is
driven in accordance with saved data derived from the data
component. In further embodiments of the invention, the sound data
uses harvested power from the power storage circuit. In further
embodiments of the invention, the power storage circuitry is
selected from the group comprising: a rechargeable battery and a
capacitor. In further embodiments of the invention, the actuator is
a transducer. In further embodiments of the invention, the actuator
is a balanced armature transducer.
[0068] In embodiments of the invention, a smartlens system may
include a lateral ear canal assembly and a medial ear canal
assembly, the medial ear canal assembly may include: a transceiver
adapted to receive a signal which includes a power component and a
data component; data control circuitry connected to the transceiver
and adapted to manage data from the signals received by the medial
ear canal assembly wherein such data control circuitry includes
data storage; control circuitry for driving an output transducer
positioned on the medial ear canal assembly; and gain control
circuitry responsive to the data for managing the gain applied to
signals driving the transducer. In further embodiments of the
invention, the medial ear canal assembly may include power control
circuitry connected to the transceiver adapted to harvest energy
from the signals received by the medial ear canal assembly. In
further embodiments of the invention, the stored data includes data
specific to the hearing characteristics of a specific user. In
further embodiments of the invention, the stored data includes a
user's hearing thresholds at predetermined frequencies. In further
embodiments of the invention, the gain applied controls the output
of the output transducer. In further embodiments of the invention,
the output transducer is adapted to vibrate the tympanic membrane
of the user.
[0069] In embodiments of the invention, a method of transmitting
vibrations to a tympanic membrane of a user may include the steps
of: transmitting a first signal from a lateral ear canal assembly
to a medial ear canal assembly, wherein at least a portion of the
first signal comprises data which is generated from the hearing
characteristics of the user wearing the medial ear canal assembly;
storing the characteristic data on the medial ear canal assembly;
transmitting a second signal from the lateral ear canal assembly to
the medial ear canal assembly, wherein at least a portion of the
second signal comprises data which is indicative of sounds in the
proximity of the user; using the data which is generated from the
hearing characteristics of the user to control amplification
circuitry located on the medial ear canal assembly, wherein the
amplification circuitry is adapted to amplify a signal derived from
the data indicative of sounds in the proximity of the user's ear
and the amplification circuitry is adapted to drive a microactuator
attached to the medial ear canal assembly and in contact with the
user's tympanic membrane. In embodiments of the invention, a method
may further include a system wherein the amount of amplification
applied a given frequency is proportional to the amplification
required by the user at that frequency.
[0070] In embodiments of the invention, a smartlens system may
include a lateral ear canal assembly and a medial ear canal
assembly, the medial ear canal assembly may include: sensors
adapted to sense parameters related to the status of components of
the medial ear canal assembly; a transceiver positioned on the
medial ear canal assembly and adapted to receive a signal which
includes a power component and a data component; power control
circuitry connected to the transceiver, the power control circuitry
being adapted to harvest energy from signals received by the medial
ear canal assembly; data control circuitry connected to the
transceiver and adapted to manage data in the signals received by
the medial ear canal assembly; sensor control circuitry for
managing data from the sensors on the medial ear canal assembly;
and control circuitry for driving an output transducer positioned
on the medial ear canal assembly. In further embodiments of the
invention, the data control circuitry includes circuitry adapted to
manage sound data in the data in the signals received by the medial
ear canal assembly. In further embodiments of the invention, the
transceiver control circuitry is adapted to transmit data from the
sensor control circuitry to the lateral ear canal assembly. In
further embodiments of the invention, the lateral ear canal
assembly is adapted to relay data from the medial ear canal
assembly to a remotely located device. In further embodiments of
the invention, the remotely located device is a cell phone. In
further embodiments of the invention, the remotely located device
is a computer. In further embodiments of the invention, the sensors
on the medial ear canal assembly provide data on the output
transducer. In further embodiments of the invention, the data
provided is data related to the back EMF of the output transducer.
In further embodiments of the invention, the data managed by the
data control circuitry is data related to the physical
characteristics of the person wearing the smartlens.
[0071] In embodiments of the invention, a smartlens system may
include: a lateral ear canal assembly comprising a first
transceiver including a first coil; a medial ear canal assembly
comprising a second transceiver including a second coil, wherein
the first coil is adapted to inductively couple to the second coil;
a vibratory load connected to the second coil and adapted to
vibrate in response to signals transmitted from the first coil to
the second coil through inductive coupling; and a rectifying
circuit connected between an output of the second coil and the
vibratory load. In further embodiments of the invention, the
smartlens transmits a signal having a push-pull format. In further
embodiments of the invention, the smartlens transmits a signal
having a zero crossing. In further embodiments of the invention,
the coil is manufactured from conductive material. In further
embodiments of the invention, the first and second coils are
elongated coils. In further embodiments of the invention, the
medial ear canal assembly includes a current sensor adapted to
measure the current in the second coil. In further embodiments of
the invention, the medial ear canal assembly includes a voltage
sensor adapted to measure the voltage across the second coil. In
further embodiments of the invention, the medal ear canal assembly
includes power control circuitry connected between the second coil
and the vibratory load. In further embodiments of the invention,
the power control circuitry is further connected to an energy
storage device. In further embodiments of the invention, the energy
storage device is a capacitor. In further embodiments of the
invention, the energy storage device is a rechargeable battery. In
further embodiments of the invention, the transmission path between
the first coil and the second coil comprises air. In further
embodiments of the invention, the transmission path comprises a
line of sight transmission path. In further embodiments of the
invention, the transmission path comprises air in the ear canal of
a user. In further embodiments of the invention, the lateral ear
canal assembly is separated from the medial ear canal assembly by
air in the ear canal of a user. In further embodiments of the
invention, the first and second coils are stacked coils. In further
embodiments of the invention, the first and second coils comprise
wound inductors. In further embodiments of the invention, the first
coil is wound around a first core and the second coil is wound
around a second core. In further embodiments of the invention, the
first core comprises air. In further embodiments of the invention,
the first core has a substantially fixed diameter along at least a
portion of the length of the first coil. In further embodiments of
the invention, the second core comprises air. In further
embodiments of the invention, the second core has a substantially
fixed diameter along at least a portion of the length of the second
coil. In further embodiments of the invention, the vibratory load
is a transducer. In further embodiments of the invention, the
transducer is a balanced armature transducer.
[0072] In embodiments of the invention, a method of transmitting
data from a lateral ear canal assembly to a medial ear canal
assembly is described, the method including: modulating the data;
exciting a first coil on the lateral ear canal with the modulated
data such that the coil generates a magnetic field; receiving the
generated magnetic field at the medial ear canal assembly and
generating a received signal representative of the modulated
signal; and demodulating the received signal to generate a
demodulated signal; using the demodulated signal to generate a
drive signal; and using the drive signal to drive a microactuator
positioned on the medial ear canal assembly. In further embodiments
of the invention, the method may further include a step wherein the
received signal comprises an electrical current which is induced in
a coil by the magnetic field and wherein the coil is positioned on
the medial ear canal assembly. In further embodiments of the
invention, the method may further include a step wherein the
received signal comprises an electrical voltage induced across at
least one coil by the magnetic field and wherein the coil is
positioned on the medial ear canal assembly.
[0073] In embodiments of the invention, a method of transmitting
data from a lateral ear canal assembly to a medial ear canal
assembly is described, the method including: exciting a first coil
on the lateral ear canal assembly to generate a magnetic field;
receiving at least a portion of the generated magnetic field at a
second coil positioned on the medial ear canal assembly, wherein
the received magnetic field induces a received signal in the second
coil; rectifying the output of the second coil; and transmitting at
least a portion of the rectified output to a load positioned on the
medial ear canal assembly. In further embodiments of the invention,
the method may further include a step wherein the load comprises a
vibratory element adapted to vibrate in response to the rectified
output. In further embodiments of the invention, the method may
further include a step wherein the load comprises a balanced
armature transducer. In further embodiments of the invention, the
method may further include a step wherein the received signal
comprises a voltage induced across the second coil. In further
embodiments of the invention, the method may further include a step
wherein the received signal comprises a current induced in the
second coil. In further embodiments of the invention, the method
may further include a step wherein first coil is excited with a
signal having a push/pull format. In further embodiments of the
invention, the method may further include a step wherein the first
coil is excited with a signal having a zero crossing. In further
embodiments of the invention, the method may further include a step
wherein the first coil generates magnetic flux and the first coil
is coupled to the second coil by the magnetic flux. In further
embodiments of the invention, the method may further include a step
wherein the received signal comprises a data portion. In further
embodiments of the invention, the method may further include a step
wherein the received signal further comprises an energy portion. In
further embodiments of the invention, the method may further
include a step wherein at least a portion of the energy in the
received signal is used to charge an energy storage device. In
further embodiments of the invention, the method may further
include a step wherein at least a portion of the received signal
provides data to the medial ear canal assembly. In further
embodiments of the invention, the method may further include a step
wherein the medium between the lateral ear canal assembly and the
medial ear canal assembly comprises air. In further embodiments of
the invention, the method may further include a step wherein the
medium between the lateral ear canal assembly and the medial ear
canal assembly comprises air in the ear canal of a user. In further
embodiments of the invention, the method may further include a step
wherein the magnetic field travels between the first and second
coil through air. In further embodiments of the invention, the
method may further include a step wherein the air between the first
and second coil comprises air in the ear canal of the user. In
further embodiments of the invention, the method may further
include a step wherein the medial ear canal assembly is optically
visible from the lateral ear canal assembly. In further embodiments
of the invention, the method may further include a step wherein the
only material between the medial ear canal assembly and the lateral
ear canal assembly is air in the ear canal of a user.
[0074] In an embodiment of the invention, a smartlens system may
include: a lateral ear canal assembly comprising a first
transceiver including a first antenna; a medial ear canal assembly
comprising a second transceiver including a second antenna, wherein
the first antenna is adapted to couple to the second antenna using
radio frequency communications. In further embodiments of the
invention, the smartlens transmits a signal having a push-pull
format. In further embodiments of the invention, the smartlens
transmits a signal having a zero crossing.
[0075] In an embodiment of the invention, a smartlens system, may
include a lateral ear canal assembly and a medial ear canal
assembly, the medial ear canal assembly may include: sensors
adapted to sense parameters related to the status of components of
the medial ear canal assembly; a transceiver adapted to receive a
signal which includes a power component and a data component; power
control circuitry connected to the transceiver adapted to harvest
energy from signals received by the medial ear canal assembly; data
control circuitry connected to the transceiver and adapted to
manage data in the signals received by the medial ear canal
assembly; sensor control circuitry for managing data from the
sensors on the medial ear canal assembly; and control circuitry for
driving an output transducer positioned on the medial ear canal
assembly. In further embodiments of the invention, the transceiver
communicates using one or more of radio frequency, optical,
inductive and cutaneous transmission of the data and power.
[0076] In an embodiment of the invention, a method of transmitting
data and power from a lateral ear canal assembly to a medial ear
canal assembly, the method including the steps of: encoding the
data to be transmitted into a signal; driving a first coil
positioned on the lateral ear canal assembly using encoded data;
driving a second coil positioned on the medial ear canal assembly
by inductively coupling the first coil to the second coil.
[0077] In an embodiment of the invention, a method of transmitting
data and power from a lateral ear canal assembly to a medial ear
canal assembly is described, the method including the steps of:
encoding the data to be transmitted into a signal; driving a first
antenna positioned on the lateral ear canal assembly using encoded
data; driving a second antenna positioned on the medial ear canal
assembly by inductively coupling the first coil to the second
coil.
[0078] In an embodiment of the invention, a method of transmitting
data and power from a lateral ear canal assembly to a medial ear
canal assembly is described, the method including the steps of:
encoding the data to be transmitted into a signal; driving an
optical transmitter positioned on the lateral ear canal assembly
using encoded data; driving an optical receiver positioned on the
medial ear canal assembly by inductively coupling the first coil to
the second coil. In further embodiments of the invention, the
method may further include a step wherein the optical transmitter
comprises a laser. In further embodiments of the invention, the
method may further include a step wherein the optical receiver
comprises a photodiode.
[0079] In embodiments of the invention, a method of providing
energy to circuitry on a medial ear canal assembly is described,
the method including the steps of: radiating a signal from a
lateral ear canal assembly to the medial ear canal assembly;
receiving the radiated signal at the medial ear canal assembly
wherein the received signal includes a data component and a power
component; detecting the data in the detected signal; harvesting
the power in the detected signal; and storing the harvested power
on the medial ear canal assembly. In further embodiments of the
invention, the method may further include a step wherein the method
including the step driving a microactuator using the detected data
and the stored power.
[0080] In embodiments of the invention, a method of providing
energy to circuitry on a medial ear canal assembly is described,
the method including the steps of: harvesting Wi-Fi energy at a
lateral ear canal assembly; using the harvested Wi-Fi energy to
power the lateral ear canal assembly; radiating a signal from the
lateral ear canal assembly to the medial ear canal assembly;
receiving the radiated signal at the medial ear canal assembly
wherein the received signal includes a data component and a power
component; detecting the data in the detected signal; harvesting
the power in the detected signal; and storing the harvested power
on the medial ear canal assembly. In further embodiments of the
invention, the method may further include a step including driving
a microactuator using the detected data and the stored power.
[0081] In embodiments of the invention, where the data and power is
transmitted optically, such sensors may further be used for
automatically calibrating the light tip to the individual lens.
This calibration may be accomplished by providing feedback on the
output level from the photodetector to the light tip and comparing
that output level to the drive level for the laser on the light
tip. In embodiments of the invention, light calibration or other
calibration of the hearing aid to the unique requirements of the
hearing aid user is accomplished using data collected from the
medial ear canal assembly.
[0082] In embodiments of the invention, the invention includes a
method of inducing a detectable voltage in an electronic component
positioned on or attached to a medial ear canal assembly. In
embodiments of the invention, the invention includes a method of
inducing a detectable current in an electronic component positioned
on or attached to a medial ear canal assembly. In embodiments of
the invention, the electronic component may be a coil. In
embodiments of the invention, at least a portion of the power in a
signal received by a medial ear canal assembly may be used to
provide power to components on the ear canal assembly. In
embodiments of the invention, at least a portion of the energy in a
signal received by a medial ear canal assembly may be used to
provide power to components on the ear canal assembly. In
embodiments of the invention, at least a portion of the power in a
signal received by a medial ear canal assembly may be stored on the
medial ear canal assembly and thereafter used to provide power to
components on the ear canal assembly. In embodiments of the
invention, at least a portion of the energy in a signal received by
a medial ear canal assembly may be stored on the medial ear canal
assembly and thereafter used to provide power to components on the
ear canal assembly. In an embodiment of the invention, a signal
received at a medial ear canal assembly may include both data and
power. In an embodiment of the invention, a signal received at a
medial ear canal assembly may include both data and energy.
[0083] While the preferred embodiments of the devices and methods
have been described in reference to the environment in which they
were developed, they are merely illustrative of the principles of
the present inventive concepts. Modification or combinations of the
above-described assemblies, other embodiments, configurations, and
methods for carrying out the invention, and variations of aspects
of the invention that are obvious to those of skill in the art are
intended to be within the scope of the claims. In addition, where
this application has listed the steps of a method or procedure in a
specific order, it may be possible, or even expedient in certain
circumstances, to change the order in which some steps are
performed, and it is intended that the particular steps of the
method or procedure claim set forth herein below not be construed
as being order-specific unless such order specificity is expressly
stated in the claim.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0084] Number Element [0085] 12 Lateral Ear Canal Assembly [0086]
20 Transducer Assembly [0087] 30 Smartlens System [0088] 100 Medial
Ear Canal Assembly [0089] 150 Photodetector [0090] 152 Current
Source [0091] 510 Hybrid Circuit [0092] 520 Smart Chip [0093] 540
Antenna [0094] 550 Matching Network [0095] 560 Current Regulator
[0096] 570 Driver [0097] 580 Data Decoder [0098] 590 Voltage
Reference Circuit [0099] 600 Current Bias Circuit [0100] 610
Diagnostic Circuits [0101] 620 Current Driver [0102] 640 Clock
[0103] 650 Energy Harvesting Circuit [0104] 660 Capacitor [0105]
700 Upstream Signal [0106] 702 Upstream Data [0107] 710 Downstream
Signal [0108] 712 Downstream Data [0109] 720 Interface [0110] 730
Clock Recovery Circuit [0111] 740 Data Recovery Circuit [0112] 750
Energy Harvesting Circuit [0113] 760 Power management Circuit
[0114] 770 Voltage Regulator [0115] 780 Driver [0116] 790 Data
Processor Encoder [0117] 800 Data/Sensor Interface [0118] 802
External Antenna [0119] 804 Bluetooth Circuit [0120] 806 Battery
[0121] 808 Power Conversion Circuit [0122] 810 Microphones [0123]
812 Charging Antenna [0124] 814 Wireless Charging Circuit [0125]
816 Interface Circuit [0126] 818 Power/Data Link [0127] 820
Pre-Amplifiers [0128] 822 Interface Circuit [0129] 823 Biological
Sensors [0130] 824 Energy Harvesting and Data Recovery Circuit
[0131] 826 Energy Storage Circuitry [0132] 828 Power Management
Circuitry [0133] 830 A to D Converters [0134] 831 Matching Network
[0135] 832 Data/Signal Processing Circuitry [0136] 834
Microcontroller [0137] 836 Driver [0138] 838 Microactuator [0139]
840 Digital Signal Processors [0140] 842 Cloud Based Computer
[0141] 844 Cell Phone [0142] 846 Data Acquisition Circuit [0143]
848 MPPT Control Circuit [0144] 850 Pulse Density Modulator [0145]
852 Current Sensor [0146] 853 Parasitic Diode [0147] 854 Capacitor
[0148] 856 Switch [0149] 857 Converter [0150] 858 Coil [0151] 860
RF Modulator [0152] 862 Coil [0153] 863 Voltage Meter [0154] 864
Laser [0155] 865 Rectifier and Converter Circuit [0156] 868 Storage
Circuit [0157] 870 Power Amplifier [0158] 872 Parasitic Capacitance
[0159] 880 Antenna [0160] 882 Load [0161] 890 Antenna [0162] 900
Monitor [0163] 910 Power Regulator [0164] 920 RF Demodulator [0165]
930 Driver [0166] 940 Actuator [0167] 960 Umbo Lens [0168] 970 FET
Transistors [0169] 972 Capacitor [0170] 974 Diode [0171] 976 Input
Circuit [0172] 978 Output Circuit
* * * * *