A hearing device

Abstract

A hearing device comprising a housing configured to be positioned behind a person's ear, an in-ear portion, a connector, an antenna, a wireless interface disposed in the behind-the-ear housing, and a sensor disposed on a substrate in the in-ear portion, a first electrical conductor of the connector is configured to transmit electrical signals from circuitry in the housing to a receiver disposed in the in-ear portion, the receiver is disposed separately from the substrate, a second electrical conductor of the connector is configured to transmit electrical signals to / from the sensor or to / from a processor, at least a plurality of the electrical conductors are connected to a respective plurality of connection points disposed on the substrate in the housing of the in-ear portion, and the first electrical conductor is connected to the receiver via a first connection point of the plurality of connection points, a decoupling element is disposed on the substrate at the first connection point to reduce coupling between the first and second electrical conductors.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application 201910595432.4, filed on July 3, 2019, entitled "Hearing device including an external antenna portion and an internal antenna portion". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a hearing device comprising a first portion adapted to be disposed behind a user’s ear, wherein the first portion is connected to a coupling / connection element as part of an external antenna portion. Background Technology

[0003] Hearing aids are well known for compensating for hearing loss in wearers. This instruction manual relates particularly to these types of hearing devices. However, the contents of this instruction manual can also be applied to other types of hearing devices, hearing instruments, or hearing aids that include a coupling element between two physical parts of the device, such as headphones, headsets, earplugs, etc. Hereinafter, the terms "hearing device" or "hearing aid" generally refer to devices that provide acoustic signals to the user's ear.

[0004] Hearing devices, especially hearing aids, are very dense applications, and when integrating wireless applications, it can sometimes be difficult to find enough space for the required antenna components.

[0005] As is well known, integrating a wireless system into a hearing aid requires an integrated antenna structure to avoid bulky external antenna solutions. The efficiency of both the antenna and the wireless system is crucial, as low battery consumption is often a design parameter. As examples of hearing devices, various configurations of hearing aids are known, such as cochlear, in-the-ear (ITE), completely-in-the-canal (CIC), behind-the-ear (BTE), and in-the-ear receiver (RITE) (the latter sometimes referred to as "in-the-canal receiver").

[0006] The efficiency and bandwidth of antennas used for electromagnetic fields depend largely on the magnitude of the field relative to the signal wavelength. However, common hearing instruments are typically much smaller than the wavelength in their appropriate frequency bands, which adversely affects the efficiency and bandwidth of antennas built into common hearing devices.

[0007] Additionally, the antenna of a hearing device, such as a RITE hearing aid, may include multiple conductive elements. These conductive elements, as part of the antenna, may serve several other purposes, such as transmitting data and / or audio and / or power to a second part of the hearing aid or to an external part of the hearing aid. In this case, each of the conductive elements must be connected to a decoupler, such as a coil. As more conductive elements are added to the antenna, the antenna bandwidth decreases due to the decouplers connected to each conductive element. Furthermore, the size of the hearing aid becomes larger with the increase in the number of decouplers. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The objective of this invention is to provide an antenna within a hearing device that can increase the number of conductive elements that are part of the antenna while still maintaining bandwidth unaffected by the number of conductive elements.

[0009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a solution to the previous objectives without increasing the size of the antenna, so that the size of the hearing device is more or less unaffected by the increase in the number of conductive elements.

[0010] The objectives of this invention are achieved by the appended claims and the invention described below.

[0011] The objective of this invention is achieved by a hearing device comprising: a housing configured to be located behind a user's ear; an output transducer configured to be at least partially disposed within the user's ear canal; and a coupling element configured to provide a mechanical connection between an in-ear portion and a post-ear portion. In the coupling element, multiple electrical leads may be provided, either as multiple wires or provided as leads on a flexible substrate, or a combination thereof. The output transducer is typically present in the in-ear portion. In addition to the output transducer, or at the location of the output transducer, one or more sensors may be present. Such sensors may be, for example, one of the following: a temperature sensor, an accelerometer, a pulse sensor, a microphone, or an EEG sensor. Other types of sensors are also possible. Electrical conductors in the coupling element may be used to transmit electrical signals to the output transducer and / or to / from sensors or other elements in the in-ear portion. In addition, one or more of the electrical conductors may serve as at least a portion of an antenna configured to communicate with an external device. The antenna may be constructed using at least one electrical conductor that is not connected to any other element; that is, the electrical conductor used as part of the antenna serves only the antenna function, i.e., a dedicated electrical conductor.

[0012] In areas or at points where electrical conductors connect to the substrate carrying electrical components in the inner ear portion, such as at connection pins, there is a risk of large coupling between the connections. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an inner ear portion wherein a decoupling element is provided between at least two connection regions to reduce the coupling between them, at least at the operating frequency of the antenna function in the inner ear portion. The decoupling element may be or includes a capacitor or diode, such as a parasitic capacitance. It is foreseeable that, at least in the area where the electrical connector connects to the substrate, the antenna efficiency can be increased by reducing losses caused by coupling between electrical conductors.

[0013] The decoupling element may have a resonant frequency at the antenna's operating frequency, thereby providing maximum attenuation at that frequency, such as within an interval of the operating frequency range, for example, in an interval that at least overlaps with the operating frequency or a portion of the operating frequency range. Thus, the decoupling element can be tuned to the antenna's operating frequency or operating frequency range.

[0014] When the decoupling element is a capacitor, the decoupling element means that it has low impedance at the antenna's operating frequency. This means that when they have high capacitance, the impedance decreases as the capacitance increases, for example, |Z|=1 / (2*Pi*f*C), where f is the frequency, Z is the impedance, and C is the capacitance.

[0015] Further details will become apparent from this instruction manual.

[0016] The objective of this invention is achieved by a hearing device comprising a first portion adapted to be disposed behind a user's ear for providing a signal, an output converter for converting the signal into an acoustic output, and a coupling element coupled / connected to the first portion, wherein the coupling element is adapted to transmit at least the signal or the acoustic output. Furthermore, the hearing device includes an antenna comprising an external antenna portion and an internal antenna portion, wherein the internal antenna portion includes a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element being disposed at and connected to one end of the first antenna element, a second end of the second antenna element being connected to a ground plane, and a third antenna element being spaced apart from the second antenna element and connected to the first antenna element; a feed unit configured to supply current to the antenna via the third antenna element; a wireless interface for receiving and / or transmitting data by means of the antenna, wherein the coupling element includes the external antenna portion, wherein the external antenna portion is connected to the internal antenna portion, and wherein the coupling element includes a conductive element coupled to the wireless interface, wherein the conductive element is at least a portion of the external antenna portion.

[0017] Another objective of the present invention is achieved by a hearing device comprising a first portion adapted to be disposed behind a user's ear for providing a signal, an output converter for converting the signal into an acoustic output, a second portion adapted to be disposed away from the first portion and provide the acoustic output to the user, and a coupling element coupled to the first and second portions, wherein the second portion includes the output converter or a bone conduction device, and wherein the coupling element is adapted to at least transmit the signal to the output converter or the acoustic output to the second portion. Furthermore, the hearing device includes an antenna comprising an external antenna portion and an internal antenna portion, wherein the internal antenna portion includes a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element being disposed at and connected to one end of the first antenna element, a second end of the second antenna element being connected to the ground plane, and a third antenna element being spaced apart from the second antenna element and connected to the first antenna element; a feed unit configured to supply current to the antenna via the third antenna element; a wireless interface for receiving and / or transmitting data by means of the antenna, wherein the coupling element includes a conductive element coupled to the wireless interface, wherein the conductive element is at least a portion of the external antenna portion, and wherein the conductive element is connected to the first antenna element of the internal antenna portion.

[0018] In the following description, the internal antenna section may be referred to as an inverted-F antenna (IF antenna).

[0019] The objective of this invention is to provide an antenna within a hearing device that increases the number of conductive elements that are part of the antenna while still having bandwidth suitable for communication in a frequency range of about 2.45 GHz to about 5.5 GHz.

[0020] Another objective of the present invention is to use a coupling element comprising an increased number of conductive elements as an antenna.

[0021] The internal antenna section is an existing component of the hearing device. The advantage of combining the internal and external antenna sections is that decoupling from the external antenna section is unnecessary. This is because the antenna current from the external antenna section is "guided" to the ground plane through the internal antenna section, rather than through electrical components within the hearing device connected to the external antenna section. Therefore, the hearing device does not become bulky when more conductive components are added within the external antenna section, as a decoupler is not required. Furthermore, the antenna bandwidth is not reduced when more conductive components are added to the antenna because a decoupler is avoided.

[0022] Hearing devices can be cochlear, in-the-ear (ITE), deep-canal (CIC), behind-the-ear (BTE), and in-the-ear receiver (RITE) devices.

[0023] The first part can be placed behind the user's ear, for example, between the user's auricle and skull.

[0024] An output transducer used to convert a signal into an acoustic output can be a first part or a part of a second part, wherein the second part is connected to the first part via a coupling element. The output transducer can be a receiver (or speaker), a bone-anchored vibrator, or a cochlear implant.

[0025] The coupling element may be coupled to a first portion, and in another example, to a first portion and a second portion and / or to an external portion. The coupling element may be a hollow tube comprising at least a conductive element configured to direct / guide acoustic output and / or power and / or data to the second portion and / or the external portion, wherein the second portion may be, for example, an intracanal element. The external portion may include a transmitting coil for inductively transmitting power and / or data to an implanted stimulator. The intracanal element may be formed in a dome shape or any shape that improves the fit of the second portion to the user's ear canal.

[0026] The coupling element may include two or more conductive elements, such as between 2 and 12, between 2 and 10, or between 2 and 6.

[0027] The second part and / or the external part may include multiple sensors for acoustic signals, such as transducers (i.e., microphones or loudspeakers), and / or multiple sensors for monitoring the health of the user of the hearing device, wherein the multiple sensors may be accelerometers, electrodes, light-emitting diodes, or photodetectors. The second part may include an acoustic vibrator or a bone conduction vibrator.

[0028] The second part and / or external part may include memory and a processor for controlling the sensor and / or processing the signals detected or transmitted by the sensor.

[0029] The advantage of being able to provide multiple conductive elements within the coupling element is that the second and external parts become more intelligent compared to current solutions, leading to improved user comfort.

[0030] Another advantage is that, due to the availability of including more conductive elements within the coupling element, the size of the first part can be reduced by providing more structural components within the second and / or external parts, without affecting the bandwidth due to internal parasitic elements.

[0031] The second part can be adapted to be located away from the first part and close to the user's skin settings.

[0032] The coupling element may include an inner core and an outer core, wherein the outer core surrounds the inner core. The inner core may include air configured to guide acoustic output, and the outer core may include an external antenna portion in the form of a conductive element.

[0033] The coupling element may include a core, wherein the core may include an external antenna portion in the form of a conductive element.

[0034] The coupling element connected to the first part can be an ear hook that is securely attached to the first part of the hearing device. This coupling element can be configured for mechanical removal, enabling easy replacement of the ear hook in case of antenna element failure or when an alternative ear hook is needed.

[0035] The hearing device may include at least two coupling elements, wherein a first coupling element may be coupled to a first portion, or a first coupling element may be coupled to both a first portion and a second portion. A second coupling element may be coupled to both the first portion and an external portion. The external portion may include a transmitting coil for inductively transmitting power and / or data to an implanted stimulator. Both coupling elements include conductive elements, wherein an external antenna portion may be part of either or both coupling elements. In an example where the external antenna portion is part of both coupling elements, the first coupling element may include a first set of conductive elements, and the first external antenna portion may be part of the first set of conductive elements. The second coupling element may include a second set of conductive elements, and the second external antenna portion may be part of the second set of conductive elements.

[0036] Having multiple coupling elements results in a reduction in the size of the first part because the technical features of the first part can be transferred to the second part and / or external parts due to the possibility of implementing more conductive elements within the coupling elements. Additionally, having two coupling elements has the advantage that the hearing device can communicate with other external devices via multiple different or similar wireless communication protocol links with minimal interference between the two links. Because the distance between the coupling elements is much greater than it would be within the first part, interference between all two links is minimized. The multiple coupling elements may include a first coupling element and a second coupling element. The first coupling element may include a first set of conductive elements, and the second coupling element may include a second set of conductive elements. The first set of conductive elements may be connected to a first wireless interface configured to communicate using the Bluetooth protocol at approximately 2.45 GHz, and the second set of conductive elements may be connected to a second wireless interface configured to communicate using a second protocol at different frequencies, such as approximately 900 MHz or approximately 5.3 GHz. The first and second wireless interfaces may be located within the first part.

[0037] Importantly, it should be understood that the main portion of the external antenna section is located outside the first section. The external antenna section can be a conductive element, such as a wire or a flexible printed circuit board element. The conductive element can be connected to the wireless interface and terminated within the coupling element and / or the second section and / or the external section.

[0038] The external antenna section is at least adapted to transmit signals to the output converter during transmission.

[0039] The external antenna portion may be partially inside the first portion and partially outside the first portion. The portion inside the first portion connects to the wireless interface and the internal antenna portion.

[0040] The internal antenna section may include a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a third antenna element. The first end of the second antenna element may be located at and connected to one end of the first antenna element, and the second end of the second antenna element may be connected to the ground plane. The third antenna element is spaced apart from the second antenna element and connected to the first antenna element. The first antenna element may be horizontally oriented relative to the second and third antenna elements to form an inverted-F antenna. The electrical length of the first antenna element is λ / 4 or λ / 4 + x * λ / 2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.

[0041] The internal antenna section may be formed from conductive sheets and / or conductive wires and / or flexible printed parts.

[0042] The internal antenna section, namely the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the third antenna element, can be formed by conductive paths mounted on a conductive sheet, wherein the conductive paths are connected to the conductive elements of the external antenna section. These conductive paths can also be connected to the ground plane.

[0043] Additionally, the internal antenna section may include multiple conductive paths, and the external antenna section may include multiple conductive elements, wherein each conductive path is connected to a conductive element. The connection between each conductive path and the conductive element can be provided via a capacitor. The capacitor provides efficient coupling between the internal and external antenna sections, for example, ensuring efficient coupling of current received by the external antenna section from the feed unit and antenna current from the external antenna section to the ground plane. Thus, a decoupler is not required to couple to each conductive element.

[0044] In an alternative solution, when multiple conductive elements are present, at least one of these conductive elements can be coupled to a conductive path in the internal antenna section. In this solution, other conductive elements, i.e., those not coupled to the conductive path (or internal element), can receive current from the feed unit in any manner via magnetic coupling and / or capacitive coupling from a conductive element connected to the conductive path (or internal element). Furthermore, this solution has the advantage that only a single capacitor is required to achieve efficient coupling between the internal and external antenna sections.

[0045] Another advantage of this solution is that when more conductive components are added to the external antenna section, the size of the antenna (i.e., the hearing device) is minimally affected because the number of decouplers and capacitors is significantly reduced, thus avoiding the need for such a solution.

[0046] The distance between the third antenna element and the second antenna element is determined based on the ratio between the current distribution along the current distribution of the first antenna element and the voltage distribution along the voltage distribution. This ratio should be 50 ohms.

[0047] The location of the connection point between the feed unit and the internal antenna section is determined by the current and / or voltage distribution along the first antenna element. Ideally, the connection point should be located where the voltage-to-current ratio is 50 ohms.

[0048] The second antenna element can be connected to the ground plane. The electrical length of the ground plane can be λ / 4 or λ / 4 + x * λ / 2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc. The second antenna element can be a conductive element, such as a wire or a flexible printed circuit board element.

[0049] The internal antenna section may include a fourth antenna element and a fifth antenna element, wherein a first end of the fifth antenna element may be disposed at and connected to one end of the fourth antenna element, and a second end of the fifth antenna element may be connected to the first antenna element, wherein the fourth antenna element may be partially parallel to the first antenna element, and wherein the electrical length of the fourth antenna element may be greater than the electrical length of the first antenna element.

[0050] The advantage of the fourth and fifth antenna elements is that the antennas are configured to operate at multiple frequencies across multiple frequency ranges. In one specific embodiment, the antennas may be configured to communicate with multiple external devices using two communication protocol links, wherein the frequencies of the two links are in the frequency range of approximately 2.45 GHz to approximately 5.5 GHz, or between 2.44 GHz and 5.5 GHz, or at approximately 2.45 GHz or approximately 5.5 GHz.

[0051] The antenna may include internal parasitic elements, and the feed unit therein is also configured to supply current to the internal parasitic elements via wireless coupling, such as magnetic coupling or capacitive coupling.

[0052] The advantage of combining the external antenna section and the internal parasitic element is that the increased bandwidth of the antenna and the resulting bandwidth improvement are not achieved by increasing the size of the hearing device.

[0053] The internal parasitic element is preferably disposed within the first portion; however, in another embodiment of the invention, the internal parasitic element may be disposed within the outer portion and / or the second portion and / or the coupling element.

[0054] Internal parasitic elements can be supplied with current from the power supply unit via magnetic coupling and / or capacitive coupling. Importantly, it should be understood that this invention does not include solutions where internal parasitic elements receive current via current coupling or via a printed circuit board.

[0055] The internal parasitic element can be part of a printed circuit board connected to the ground plane, such that the internal parasitic element receives current only through magnetic coupling or capacitive coupling. Current from the feed unit can be transmitted through the ground plane and / or through the external antenna section and wirelessly coupled to the internal parasitic element.

[0056] Internal parasitic elements can be passive elements that are conductive and connected to the ground plane.

[0057] The electrical length of the internal parasitic element is λ / 4 or λ / 4 + x * λ / 2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc. The electrical length of the internal parasitic element can be adapted to the ground plane and / or the external antenna section. This electrical length can be any length, and impedance matching between the internal parasitic element and the external antenna is achieved through an impedance matching circuit. The impedance matching circuit may include one or more capacitors and / or one or more coils. The impedance matching circuit may be connected between the internal parasitic element and the ground plane or between the external antenna and the ground plane.

[0058] An antenna may be connected to a wireless interface configured to transmit and / or receive audio or data. The wireless interface may be part of a printed circuit board. The wireless interface may be adapted to receive and / or transmit audio or data via electromagnetic radiation in the following frequency ranges: approximately 2.45 GHz to approximately 5.5 GHz, or between 2.44 GHz and 5.5 GHz, or at a frequency of approximately 2.45 GHz or approximately 5.5 GHz.

[0059] The hearing device may include a second part and / or an external part adapted to be disposed remotely from the first part and to provide acoustic output to a user, wherein a coupling element is configured to couple the first part and the second part and / or the external part, and wherein the coupling element is adapted to at least transmit the signal to an output converter within the second part and / or at least transmit the acoustic output to the external part, and / or transmit the acoustic output provided by the output converter located within the first part to the second part, and wherein the coupling element includes a conductive element coupled to a wireless interface, wherein the conductive element is at least a portion of the external antenna part, and wherein the conductive element is connected to an internal antenna part.

[0060] The second part is placed in the user's ear canal, and / or the external part may be placed on the user's skin (including the user's skull).

[0061] The current within the feed unit is primarily magnetically coupled to the internal parasitic elements. This solution provides a more compact antenna where the internal components of the external antenna section and the internal parasitic elements are positioned close together. Current transfer between the feed unit and the internal parasitic elements may include capacitive coupling.

[0062] Additionally, at least a portion of the external antenna section and the internal parasitic elements may be disposed within the first section, thereby providing capacitive coupling between the internal parasitic elements and / or the external antenna section and / or the internal antenna section. Capacitive coupling improves the manufacturing tolerances of the antenna.

[0063] The antenna may include a ground plane that guides current from the feed unit along its length, and an internal parasitic element located within the hearing device such that the current guided by the ground plane is magnetically coupled to the internal parasitic element. By having a ground plane, the internal parasitic element can be located at a greater distance compared to previous antenna solutions where the internal parasitic element receives current wirelessly coupled directly to the feed unit.

[0064] The coupling element may include one or more shielding elements for shielding the external antenna portion, such that electrical components within the first portion, second portion, external portion and / or external device are not negatively affected by radiation from the antenna having frequencies outside the following frequency (range): a frequency range of about 2.45 GHz to about 5.5 GHz, or between 2.44 GHz and 5.5 GHz, or a frequency of about 2.45 GHz or about 5.5 GHz.

[0065] External devices can be mobile phones, computers, or any electronic devices that are not part of the hearing device.

[0066] The shielding element can be connected to the wireless interface via a bandpass filter, or the shielding element can be connected to the ground plane within the first section.

[0067] The shielding element can be a wire twisted around a conductive element or a wire mesh twisted around a conductive element. The coupling element may include a first group of conductive elements and a second group of conductive elements (and multiple other groups of conductive elements). A first shielding element may cover the first group, and a second shielding element may cover the second group, thereby preventing any interference that may occur between these groups of conductive elements. For example, the first group may be connected to a microphone, and the second group may be connected to a loudspeaker.

[0068] The feeding unit can be configured to supply current to a second antenna, which is at least part of the antenna, wherein the external antenna portion and the second antenna are electrically coupled together by capacitive coupling or magnetic coupling, such that the second antenna can extend the operation of the external antenna portion.

[0069] The second antenna may be located within the first part connected to the wireless interface, and may also be another electrical component within the first part.

[0070] The second antenna can be a conductive element, such as a wire or a flexible printed circuit board element.

[0071] A method for wirelessly receiving and / or transmitting data in a hearing device, the hearing device including an output converter, a coupling element coupling a first portion of the hearing device, a first portion providing a signal, and the output converter configured to convert the signal into an acoustic output, the method comprising the steps of:

[0072] - Provide an external antenna section within the coupling element;

[0073] - Provide an internal antenna section, the internal antenna section including a first antenna element, a second antenna element and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element is disposed at one end of the first antenna element and connected to it, a second end of the second antenna element is connected to the ground plane, and the third antenna element is spaced apart from the second antenna element and connected to the first antenna element;

[0074] - Connect the internal antenna section to the external antenna section;

[0075] - Current is supplied to the conductive elements through the feeding unit and the internal antenna section;

[0076] - Place the first part behind the hearing aid user's ear; and

[0077] - Receive and / or transmit data using an antenna.

[0078] A method for wirelessly receiving and / or transmitting data in a hearing device, the hearing device including a coupling element coupling a first portion and a second portion of the hearing device, a first portion providing a signal, and a second portion including an output converter for converting the signal into an acoustic output, the method comprising the steps of:

[0079] - A conductive element is provided in the coupling element, wherein the conductive element is at least a portion of the external antenna section;

[0080] - Provide an internal antenna section, the internal antenna section including a first antenna element, a second antenna element and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element is disposed at one end of the first antenna element and connected to it, a second end of the second antenna element is connected to the ground plane, and the third antenna element is spaced apart from the second antenna element and connected to the first antenna element;

[0081] - Connect the internal antenna section to the external antenna section;

[0082] - Current is supplied to the conductive elements through the feeding unit and the internal antenna section;

[0083] - Place the first part behind the hearing aid user's ear;

[0084] - Place the second part in the user's ear canal or on the user's skin; and

[0085] - Data is received and / or transmitted using the conductive element.

[0086] The hearing device includes a first portion adapted to be disposed behind a user's ear for providing a signal, an output converter for converting the signal into an acoustic output, a coupling element coupled to the first portion, and an antenna comprising an external antenna portion and an internal antenna portion, wherein the coupling element is adapted to transmit at least the signal or the acoustic output, wherein the internal antenna portion includes a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element being disposed at and connected to one end of the first antenna element, a second end of the second antenna element being connected to a ground plane, and a third antenna element being spaced apart from the second antenna element and connected to the first antenna element; a feed unit configured to supply current to the antenna via the third antenna element; a wireless interface for receiving and / or transmitting data by means of the antenna, wherein the coupling element includes an external antenna portion connected to the internal antenna portion, and wherein the coupling element includes a conductive element coupled to the wireless interface, wherein the conductive element is at least a portion of the external antenna portion.

[0087] The hearing device may include a second part adapted to be disposed away from the first part and to provide an acoustic output to a user, wherein a coupling element couples the first part and the second part, and wherein the coupling element is adapted to at least transmit the signal and / or the acoustic output.

[0088] The hearing device may include an external portion disposed away from the first portion, wherein the external portion includes an implanted stimulator, wherein the coupling element or the second coupling element couples the first portion and the external portion, and wherein the coupling element or the second coupling element is adapted to at least transmit the signal, wherein the second coupling element includes a conductive element coupled to a wireless interface, and wherein the conductive element is at least a portion of the external antenna portion.

[0089] The second part may be disposed in the user's ear canal, and the second part includes an output transducer, and / or the external part is disposed on the user's skin.

[0090] The first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the third antenna element can be formed by conductive paths mounted on a conductive sheet, wherein the conductive paths are connected to conductive elements of the external antenna portion.

[0091] The distance between the third antenna element and the second antenna element is determined based on the ratio between the voltage distribution along the voltage distribution of the first antenna element and the current distribution along the current distribution of the second antenna element.

[0092] The total electrical length of the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the external antenna section can be λ / 4 or λ / 4 + x * λ / 2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc. Alternatively, the total electrical length of the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the conductive element can be λ / 4 or x * λ / 4 + / - λ / 2, where x is an odd number such as 3, 5, 7, etc.

[0093] The electric length of the ground plane can be λ / 4 or λ / 4+x*λ / 2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.

[0094] The internal antenna section may include a fourth antenna element and a fifth antenna element, wherein a first end of the fifth antenna element is disposed at and connected to one end of the fourth antenna element, and a second end of the fifth antenna element is connected to the first antenna element, wherein the fourth antenna element is partially parallel to the first antenna element, and wherein the electrical length of the fourth antenna element is greater than the electrical length of the first antenna element.

[0095] The antenna may include internal parasitic elements, and the feed unit therein is also configured to supply current to the internal parasitic elements via wireless coupling, such as magnetic coupling or capacitive coupling.

[0096] The current within the power supply unit can be magnetically and / or capacitively coupled to internal parasitic elements.

[0097] The ground plane can guide current from the power supply unit along its length, and the internal parasitic elements located within the hearing device cause the current guided by the ground plane to be magnetically and / or capacitively coupled to the internal parasitic elements.

[0098] The electrical length of the internal parasitic element is λ / 4 or λ / 4+x*λ / 2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.

[0099] The internal parasitic element can be positioned such that capacitive coupling is provided between the internal parasitic element and the external antenna portion, wherein the capacitive coupling includes current flowing from the external antenna portion to the internal parasitic element.

[0100] The conductive element may be at least suitable for transmitting signals to the output converter based on transmission.

[0101] The external antenna portion may include multiple conductive elements, wherein two or more conductive elements are connected to one or more electronic devices installed in a second or external portion of the hearing device, and wherein each conductive element is at least adapted to transmit a signal provided by the first portion to the connected electronic device.

[0102] Two or more conductive elements may terminate within the second part, the outer part, or the coupling element (or within the second coupling element).

[0103] The electronic devices in the second part are converters such as another output converter or microphone, and / or sensors, and / or light-emitting diodes, and / or electrodes, and / or photodetectors.

[0104] The wireless interface may be adapted to receive and / or transmit data by electromagnetic radiation in the following frequency ranges: a frequency range of about 2.45 GHz to about 5.5 GHz, or between 2.44 GHz and 5.5 GHz, or a frequency of about 2.45 GHz or about 5.5 GHz.

[0105] The coupling element may include one or more shielding elements for shielding the external antenna portion.

[0106] The shielding element can be connected to the wireless interface via a bandpass filter, or the shielding element can be connected to the grounding element within the first part.

[0107] The feeding unit can be configured to supply current to a second antenna, which is at least part of the antenna, wherein the external antenna portion and the second antenna are electrically coupled together by capacitive coupling or magnetic coupling, such that the second antenna can extend the operation of the external antenna portion.

[0108] A method for wirelessly receiving and / or transmitting data in a hearing device, the hearing device including an output transducer, a coupling element coupling a first portion of the hearing device, and a first portion providing a signal, the output transducer being configured to convert the signal into an acoustic output, the method comprising the steps of:

[0109] - An external antenna portion is provided within the coupling element, wherein the external antenna portion is part of the antenna;

[0110] - Provide an internal antenna section as part of an antenna, the internal antenna section including a first antenna element, a second antenna element and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element being disposed at and connected to one end of the first antenna element, a second end of the second antenna element being connected to the ground plane, and a third antenna element being spaced apart from the second antenna element and connected to the first antenna element;

[0111] - Connect the internal antenna section to the external antenna section;

[0112] - Current is supplied to the external antenna section through the feeding unit and the internal antenna section;

[0113] - Place the first part behind the hearing aid user's ear; and

[0114] - Data is received and / or transmitted using the antenna.

[0115] The external antenna is similar to the external antenna section.

[0116] The hearing device may include a first portion adapted to be disposed behind a user's ear for providing a signal, an output converter for converting the signal into an acoustic output, a coupling element coupled to the first portion, and an antenna including an external antenna and an internal parasitic element disposed at least outside the first portion, a feed unit configured to supply current to the external antenna, and a wireless interface for receiving and / or transmitting data by means of the antenna, wherein the feed unit is further configured to supply current to the internal parasitic element via wireless coupling, and wherein the coupling element includes the external antenna, and wherein the coupling element includes a conductive element coupled to the wireless interface, and wherein the conductive element is at least a portion of the external antenna.

[0117] The hearing device may include a second part adapted to be disposed away from the first part and to provide an acoustic output to a user, wherein a coupling element couples the first part and the second part, and wherein the coupling element is adapted to at least transmit the signal and / or the acoustic output.

[0118] The hearing device may include an external portion disposed away from the first portion, wherein the external portion includes an implanted stimulator, wherein the coupling element or the second coupling element couples the first portion and the external portion, and wherein the coupling element or the second coupling element is adapted to at least transmit the signal, wherein the second coupling element includes a conductive element coupled to a wireless interface, and wherein the conductive element is at least a portion of an external antenna.

[0119] The second part is disposed in the user's ear canal, and the second part includes an output transducer, and / or the external part is disposed on the user's skin.

[0120] The current in the power supply unit can be magnetically coupled to the internal parasitic elements.

[0121] The antenna may include a ground plane that guides current from the feed unit along its length, and an internal parasitic element located within the hearing device such that the current guided by the ground plane is magnetically coupled to the internal parasitic element.

[0122] The electrical length of the internal parasitic element is λ / 4 or λ / 4+x*λ / 2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.

[0123] At least a portion of the external antenna may be disposed within the first portion, and the internal parasitic element may be positioned such that capacitive coupling is provided between the internal parasitic element and the external antenna.

[0124] The second part may include an output converter, and an external antenna element therein that is at least adapted to transmit a signal to the output converter based on transmission.

[0125] The external antenna may include multiple conductive elements, wherein two or more conductive elements are connected to one or more electronic devices installed in a second part of the hearing device, and wherein each conductive element is at least adapted to transmit a signal provided by the first part to the electronic devices in the second part.

[0126] Two or more conductive elements may terminate within the second part, the outer part, or the coupling element (or within the second coupling element).

[0127] The electronic devices in the second part may be converters such as another output converter or microphone, and / or accelerometers, electrodes, light-emitting diodes and / or photodetectors.

[0128] The wireless interface is adapted to receive and / or transmit data via electromagnetic radiation in the following frequency ranges: approximately 2.45 GHz to approximately 5.5 GHz, or between 2.44 GHz and 5.5 GHz, or at a frequency of approximately 2.45 GHz or approximately 5.5 GHz.

[0129] The coupling element may include one or more shielding elements for shielding the external antenna.

[0130] The shielding element can be connected to the wireless interface via a bandpass filter, or the shielding element can be connected to the ground plane within the first section.

[0131] The feeding unit can be configured to supply current to a second antenna, which is at least part of the antenna, wherein the external antenna and the second antenna are electrically coupled together by capacitive coupling or magnetic coupling, such that the second antenna can extend the operation of the external antenna.

[0132] A method for wirelessly receiving and / or transmitting data in a hearing device, the hearing device including a coupling element coupled to a first portion, a first portion providing a signal, and an output converter for converting the signal into an acoustic output, the method comprising the steps of:

[0133] - An external antenna is provided in the coupling element and at least outside the first part;

[0134] - Supply current to the external antenna through the feeding unit;

[0135] - Internal parasitic elements are provided inside the first part;

[0136] - Current is supplied to internal parasitic components via wireless coupling;

[0137] - Place the first part behind the hearing aid user's ear; and

[0138] - Data is received and / or transmitted using the external antenna. Attached Figure Description

[0139] Various aspects of the invention will be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For clarity, these drawings are schematic and simplified, showing only the details necessary for understanding the invention while omitting other details. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding parts. Features of each aspect may be combined with any or all features of other aspects. These and other aspects, features, and / or technical effects will be apparent from and illustrated in the following figures, wherein:

[0140] Figures 1a-1c Examples of hearing devices and antennas within hearing devices are shown.

[0141] Figure 2 An example of an antenna inside a hearing device is shown.

[0142] Figure 3 An example of an antenna inside a hearing device is shown.

[0143] Figures 4a-4b Another example of a hearing device including internal parasitic elements is shown.

[0144] Figures 5a-5c An example of a hearing device and a simulation of its resonant frequency are shown.

[0145] Figures 6a-6d Different examples of hearing devices are shown.

[0146] Figure 7 Another example of a hearing device including internal parasitic elements is shown.

[0147] Figures 8a-8c show different examples of hearing devices.

[0148] Figure 9 An example of a hearing device including a shielding element is shown.

[0149] Figure 10 An example of a hearing device including a shielding element is shown.

[0150] Figure 11 A flowchart of the method is shown.

[0151] Figure 12 Two connecting elements are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0152] The detailed description below, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, serves as a description of various different configurations. This detailed description includes specific details to provide a thorough understanding of several different concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be implemented without these specific details. Several aspects of the apparatus and method are described by various different blocks, functional units, modules, elements, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively, “elements”). Depending on the specific application, design constraints, or other reasons, these elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer programs, or any combination thereof.

[0153] Hearing devices can be hearing aids adapted to improve or enhance a user's hearing ability by receiving acoustic signals from the user's surroundings, generating corresponding audio signals, possibly correcting the audio signals, and providing the possibly corrected audio signals as audible signals to at least one ear of the user. "Hearing device" can also refer to devices such as headphones or headsets adapted to electronically receive audio signals, possibly correct the audio signals, and provide the possibly corrected audio signals as audible signals to at least one ear of the user. These audible signals can be provided in the form of acoustic signals radiated into the user's outer ear, or acoustic signals transmitted as mechanical vibrations through the bone structures of the user's head and / or through the user's middle ear to the user's inner ear, or electrical signals transmitted directly or indirectly to the user's cochlear nerve and / or auditory cortex.

[0154] Hearing devices are suitable for wearing in any known manner. This may include i) hearing device units with a tube that guides the transmission of acoustic signals through air behind the ear, or with a receiver / speaker disposed near the ear canal or disposed in the ear, such as in behind-the-ear hearing aids or in-the-ear receiver hearing aids, and / or ii) hearing devices disposed wholly or partially in the user's auricle and / or ear canal, such as in-the-ear hearing aids or in-the-canal / fully-in-the-canal hearing aids, or iii) hearing device units with a fixation device attached to an implanted skull, such as in bone-anchored hearing aids or cochlear implants, or iv) hearing device units disposed as a wholly or partially implanted unit, such as in bone-anchored hearing aids or cochlear implants.

[0155] Hearing devices may be part of a "hearing system," which refers to a system including one or two hearing devices disclosed in this specification, and a "binaural hearing system" refers to a system including two hearing devices, wherein the devices are adapted to provide audio signals to both ears of a user in a cooperative manner. A hearing system or a binaural hearing system may also include an auxiliary device that communicates with at least one hearing device, the auxiliary device influencing the operation of the hearing device and / or benefiting from the operation of the hearing device. A wired or wireless communication link is established between at least one hearing device and the auxiliary device, enabling the exchange of information (e.g., control and status signals, possibly audio signals) between at least one hearing device and the auxiliary device. These auxiliary devices may include at least one or a combination of a remote control, a remote microphone, an audio gateway device, a mobile phone, a public address system, a car audio system, or a music player. The audio gateway is adapted to receive a large number of audio signals, such as from an entertainment device like a television or music player, a telephone device like a mobile phone, or a computer or PC. The audio gateway is also adapted to select and / or combine a suitable one (or combination of signals) of the received audio signals for transmission to at least one hearing device. The remote control is adapted to control the function and operation of at least one hearing device. The remote control functionality can be implemented in a smartphone or other electronic device, which may run an application that controls the functionality of at least one hearing device.

[0156] In general, hearing devices include i) an input unit, such as a microphone, for receiving acoustic signals from the user's surroundings and providing a corresponding input audio signal, and / or ii) a receiving unit for electronically receiving the input audio signal. Hearing devices also include a signal processing unit for processing the input audio signal and an output unit for providing an audible signal to the user based on the processed audio signal.

[0157] The input unit may include multiple input microphones, for example, for providing direction-dependent audio signal processing. Such a directional microphone system is suitable for enhancing a targeted acoustic source among a large number of acoustic sources in a user's environment. In one aspect, the directional system is adapted to detect (e.g., adaptively detect) the direction from which a specific portion of the microphone signal originates. This can be achieved using methods conventionally known. The signal processing unit may include an amplifier adapted to apply a frequency-dependent gain to the input audio signal. The signal processing unit may also be adapted to provide other related functions such as compression, noise reduction, etc. The output unit may include an output converter, such as a speaker / receiver, for providing airborne acoustic signals transdermally or percutaneously to the skull, or a vibrator for providing structure-borne or fluid-borne acoustic signals. In some hearing devices, the output unit may include one or more output electrodes, such as those in a cochlear implant, for providing electrical signals.

[0158] It should be understood that the terms "an embodiment," "an embodiment," "an aspect," or "a feature" as used throughout this specification mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be suitably combined in one or more embodiments of the invention. The foregoing description has been provided to enable any person skilled in the art to implement the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

[0159] The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but should be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein, unless specifically indicated otherwise, the singular designation of an element is not intended to mean “one and only one,” but rather “one or more.” Unless otherwise specifically indicated, the term “some” means one or more.

[0160] Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined in accordance with the appended claims.

[0161] Figures 1a-1c An example of hearing device 1 and an example of antenna 8 within hearing device 1 are shown. Figure 1aThe hearing device 1 is shown to include a first portion 2 adapted to be disposed behind a user's ear for providing a signal, an output converter 10 for converting the signal into an acoustic output, a coupling element 6 coupled to the first portion 2, an antenna 8 including an external antenna portion 14 disposed at least outside the first portion 2 and an internal antenna portion 13 disposed within the first portion, and a feed unit 20 configured to supply current to the external antenna portion 14 via the internal antenna portion 13. The hearing device 1 also includes a wireless interface 16 configured to receive and / or transmit data and / or audio and / or power via the antenna. The coupling element 6 includes the external antenna portion 14, which is connected to the internal antenna portion 13. In this specific example, the hearing device 1 also includes a second portion 4 adapted to be disposed away from the first portion 2 and adapted to provide an acoustic output to the user, wherein the second portion 4 includes the output converter 10. The coupling element 6 couples the first part 2 and the second part 4, and the coupling element 6 is adapted to at least transmit the signal to the output converter 10, and the coupling element 6 includes a conductive element 18 coupled to the wireless interface 16, and the conductive element 18 is at least a part of the external antenna part 14.

[0162] Figure 1b Antenna 8 is shown, comprising an internal antenna portion 13 as part of a main plane 11 and conductive elements 18A-18C as at least a portion of an external antenna portion 14. In this specific example, the internal antenna portion 13 includes a first antenna element 13A, a second antenna element 13B, and a third antenna element 13C. A first end of the second antenna element 13B is disposed at and connected to one end of the first antenna element 13A, and a second end of the second antenna element 13B is connected to a ground plane 26. The third antenna element 13C is spaced apart from the second antenna element 13B and connected to the first antenna element 13A. Conductive elements 18A-18C are connected to the internal antenna portion 13 via the first antenna element 13A.

[0163] Figure 1c The antenna 8 of the hearing device 1 is shown, wherein the second antenna element 13B and the third antenna element 13C are formed by one or more conductive paths 9A in the main plane 11, wherein the conductive paths 9A of the inner antenna portion are connected to the conductive elements 18A-18C of the outer antenna portion 14. In this specific example, the conductive paths 9A are mounted on the conductive sheet 9.

[0164] Figure 2 The distance between the second antenna element 13B and the third antenna element 13C is shown to be determined based on the ratio between the voltage of the voltage distribution 39 along the first antenna element 13A and the current of the current distribution 38. In this specific example, the connection point between the feed unit 20 and the internal antenna section 13 is located where the voltage-to-current ratio is 50 ohms.

[0165] Figure 3 Antenna 8 is shown, wherein the internal antenna portion includes a fourth antenna element 13D and a fifth antenna element 13E, wherein a first end of the fifth antenna element 13E is disposed at and connected to one end of the fourth antenna element 13D, and a second end of the fifth antenna element 13E is connected to a first antenna element 13A, wherein the fourth antenna element 13D is partially parallel to the first antenna element 13A, and the electrical length of the fourth antenna element 13D is greater than the electrical length of the first antenna element 13A.

[0166] In this specific example, the internal antenna section 13 is a dual-band inverted-F antenna with at least two frequencies, i.e., operating frequencies. The first frequency is represented by the fourth and fifth antenna elements (13D, 13E) of the internal antenna section 13, and the second frequency is represented by the remaining antenna elements (13A-13C). If the fourth antenna element 13D has a longer electrical length than the first antenna element 13A, the first frequency will be lower than the second frequency.

[0167] Figures 4a-4b Hearing device 1 is shown, wherein antenna 8 includes internal parasitic element 12, internal antenna portion 13 and external antenna portion (14, 18). Figure 4a It shows the combination with Figure 1a The aforementioned hearing device, however, in this specific example, includes an internal parasitic element 12. Figure 4b The antenna 8 is shown to include an internal parasitic element 12. In this specific example, the feed unit is positioned such that current is supplied to the internal parasitic element via wireless coupling such as magnetic coupling 22 and / or capacitive coupling 23. The internal parasitic element 12 is connected to a ground plane 26.

[0168] Figures 5a-5c Simulations of hearing devices 1 with or without internal parasitic elements 12 are shown. Figure 5a A hearing device 1 without the internal parasitic element 12 is shown. Figure 5b A hearing device 1 with internal parasitic elements is shown, and Figure 5c Simulation results are shown for the hearing device 1 with and without the internal parasitic element 12. The results show that the 10 dB bandwidth of the antenna without the internal parasitic element 12 is less than the 10 dB bandwidth of the antenna 8 with the internal parasitic element 12. This clearly demonstrates that the solution with multiple conductive elements 18A-18E (used as the external antenna section 14) provides improved bandwidth when the internal parasitic element 12 is included in the design of the antenna 8.

[0169] Figures 6a-6d The hearing device 1 is shown being worn by user 30. Figure 6aA behind-the-ear hearing aid 1 is shown, wherein a first part 2 is located between the auricle of the user's ear and the skull of the user 30. A second part 4 is located within the ear canal of the user 30. The first part 2 and the second part 4 are coupled via a coupling element 6. The coupling element 6 can be configured to transmit acoustic output via air or to transmit signals via a conductive element 18. Figure 6b A cochlear hearing aid 1 is shown, wherein a first part 2 is connected to a second part 4 and an external part 4b, wherein the external part is an implanted stimulator. Connection 6 includes first and second coupling elements, wherein the first and second coupling elements may be similar to the coupling elements previously described. Figure 6c A cochlear hearing aid 1 is shown, wherein a first part 2 is connected to an external part 4b via a coupling element 6. Figure 6d Hearing device 1 is shown, wherein coupling element 6 is an ear hook that can be detachably mounted to first part 2.

[0170] Figure 7 Antenna 8 is shown, wherein the internal parasitic element is not part of the main plane 11, but is mounted away from the external antenna portion 14, for example, on a printed circuit board (PCB) 3 within the first portion 2. The internal parasitic element 12 receives current from the feed unit 20 via wireless coupling (22, 23) between the ground plane 26 and the internal parasitic element 12.

[0171] Figures 8a-8c show several different examples of the hearing device 1, wherein the coupling element 6 is either a hollow tube including one or more conductive elements, or a hollow tube including an inner core and an outer core, wherein the outer core surrounds the inner core. The inner core may include air configured to guide acoustic output, and the outer core may include a conductive element 18, i.e., an external antenna portion 14. Figure 8a shows the conductive element 18 terminating within a second portion 4 and connecting to an output converter 10. Figure 8b shows the conductive element 18 terminating within the coupling element 6. The first portion includes the output converter. Figure 8c Multiple conductive elements (18A-18C) within coupling element 6 are shown, wherein each conductive element (18A-18C) is connected to sensor 10A-10C within the second part.

[0172] Figure 9 The coupling element 6 is shown, wherein the shielding element 32 is twisted around the conductive elements (18A, 18B).

[0173] Figure 10 Different examples of shielding element 32 are shown. Figure 10 The upper part shows the ground 34 where the shielding element 32 terminates within the first part 2. Figure 10 The lower part shows the shielding element 32 connected to the wireless interface 16 via the bandpass filter 32.

[0174] Figure 11A method 100 for wirelessly receiving and / or transmitting data in a hearing aid 1 is illustrated. The hearing aid 1 includes an output converter 10, a coupling element 6 coupling a first portion 2 of the hearing aid 1, and a first portion for providing a signal. The output converter is configured to convert the signal into an acoustic output. The method 100 includes the steps of: providing an external antenna portion within the coupling element (step A); providing an internal antenna portion, wherein the internal antenna portion includes a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element being disposed at and connected to one end of the first antenna element, a second end of the second antenna element being connected to a ground element, and a third antenna element being spaced apart from the second antenna element and connected to the first antenna element (step B); connecting the internal antenna portion to the external antenna portion (step C); supplying current to a conductive element through a feeding unit and via the internal antenna portion (step D); placing the first portion behind the ear of the hearing aid user (step E); and receiving and / or transmitting data by means of the conductive element (step G). Alternatively, the method may also include the step of placing the second portion 4 in the user's ear canal or on the user's skin, wherein the second portion is coupled to the coupling element 6 (step F).

[0175] Figure 12 A connector with an inner ear portion is schematically shown; only the portion of the internal components is shown here.

[0176] exist Figure 12 On the left-hand side, the receiver, or output converter, can be connected to the housing (not shown) via two wires. This housing will be placed behind the ear of the person wearing the hearing aid device.

[0177] The output transducer is configured to be disposed in an in-ear portion, which is configured to be at least partially located in the ear canal of a person wearing the hearing aid device. The shell of the in-ear portion may be specially shaped to fit the person's ear canal, typically known as a custom earmold, or it may be a relatively small shell that fits most people and then fitted with a soft part having an open or closed dome shape, which ensures that wearing the in-ear shell in the ear canal is as comfortable as possible.

[0178] Besides the output converter, other components are located within the inner ear shell. Generally, these components can be one or more of the following: memory devices storing information such as identification and / or performance; sensors configured to provide signals representing physical properties, such as temperature, acceleration, orientation (e.g., tilt), EEG, pressure sensors, pulse sensors, optical sensors, or other types of sensors. Other examples of these components include RFID devices, sensing elements, signal processors, and filter banks.

[0179] The inner ear shell is connected to the rear ear shell via a connector. The connector extends between the inner ear shell and the rear ear shell. The connector thus provides a mechanical connection extending between the inner ear shell and the rear ear shell. The connector includes multiple electrical conductors, shown here as six wires. Here, two wires are connected to the output converter, and the remaining four wires are connected to other components.

[0180] Since the connector is not covered by the ear when the hearing aid device is worn and in its intended working state, it is an advantageous area for use as an antenna, providing a highly efficient antenna by using at least one electrical conductor as part of the antenna.

[0181] Generally, not all wires need to be connected to the substrate carrying the element in the inner ear shell, but at least several of the multiple conductors are connected to corresponding connection points on the substrate disposed in the inner ear shell. One or more conductors may not be connected to the substrate. This could be, for example, shielding wires or shielding elements, or even dedicated antenna wires or dedicated antenna elements or more dedicated antenna wires.

[0182] Since the antenna function established through at least one electrical conductor operates at relatively high frequencies, such as 2.4 GHz or about 5 GHz, there is some coupling between the electrical conductors. Surprisingly, significant coupling was found near the connection point, so at least one decoupling device was disposed between the first connection point and the second connection point among the multiple connection points.

[0183] exist Figure 12 On the right-hand side, decoupling devices are shown between each connection point; however, as mentioned above, fewer decoupling elements can be used.

[0184] The decoupling element can be tuned to the antenna's operating frequency or frequency range. This could be, for example, the decoupling element having a resonant frequency at or near the operating frequency. This means that if the antenna is functioning at 2.4 GHz, the decoupling element should have maximum attenuation at that frequency or at least within that frequency range.

[0185] exist Figure 12 In this context, the decoupling element is mainly or entirely a capacitive decoupling element, and is therefore shown as a capacitor.

[0186] exist Figure 12 In this context, decoupling elements are shown as the same decoupling element; however, decoupling elements can have different properties, such as different capacitances. For example, one group may have one property, while another group may have its own other properties.

[0187] When included in the antenna disclosed herein, it is advantageous for the decoupling element to have capacitance in the following ranges: 0.1 pF to 1000 pF; such as 0.5 to 250 pF; such as 0.75 pF to 100 pF; such as 1 pF to 50 pF; such as 3 pF to 10 pF; such as about 6 pF; such as about 50 pF; such as about 100 pF; such as about 200 pF; such as about 500 pF.

[0188] Figure 12 In this version, the decoupling element is a capacitor; however, in other versions, at least part of the decoupling element can be a diode, such as an ESD diode. The decoupling element can even be a parasitic capacitance.

[0189] The connection of the wire to the substrate described herein can be combined with an external antenna having the internal parasitic elements described above. Generally, the antenna established in the connector can be combined with other antenna elements located within a housing behind the user's ear. This can be further extended, such as establishing a dipole antenna, wherein one arm of the antenna is in the connector and the other arm is within the housing behind the ear. The portion of the antenna in the housing behind the ear can be at least partially coiled within the housing, and / or extends between the top and bottom of the housing. Alternatively, a portion of the antenna can be included in an inner ear housing, such as being at least partially coiled within the inner ear housing.

[0190] In addition to the antenna described above, the pickup coil can be provided in the hearing aid, such as in the housing located behind the ear.

[0191] In addition, a recharging system can be provided to allow the hearing aid's battery to be recharged, such as inductive recharging.

[0192] The hearing aid described above, for example, including a speaker unit, can be described, but is not necessarily described, as a hearing aid device comprising a first part and a second part, the first part being adapted to be disposed behind the user's ear for providing a signal, the second part being adapted to be disposed in or at the user's ear canal, wherein an output converter configured to convert the signal into an acoustic output is disposed in the second part, a coupling element is coupled to the first part, and wherein the coupling element is adapted to at least transmit a signal, wherein the second part is coupled to the coupling element at the end opposite to the first part, the antenna comprising an external antenna portion and an internal antenna portion, wherein the internal antenna portion comprises a first antenna element, a second antenna element, and a third antenna element, the first end of the second antenna element being disposed at... The first antenna element is located at one end and connected thereto, the second end of the second antenna element is connected to the ground plane, and the third antenna element is spaced apart from the second antenna element and connected to the first antenna element; the feeding unit is configured to supply current to the antenna via the third antenna element, the wireless interface receives and / or transmits data by means of the antenna, and the coupling element includes an external antenna portion, wherein the external antenna portion is connected to an internal antenna portion, and the coupling element includes a conductive element coupled to the wireless interface, wherein the conductive element is at least a part of the external antenna portion, wherein a plurality of connection points in the second portion receive corresponding plurality of conductive elements from the coupling element, and wherein a plurality of decoupling elements are disposed between the partial connection points.

[0193] Generally, the entity that includes the interface to the housing behind the ear, as well as the output converter and coupling elements, is usually called a speaker unit.

[0194] The speaker unit itself can be described, but must not be described, as a speaker unit including a coupling element for a hearing aid device, wherein the coupling element includes an interface configured to establish an electrical connection to a first portion of a housing configured to be disposed behind a user's ear, wherein the coupling element includes an in-ear portion of a housing configured to be at least partially disposed in the user's ear canal, and wherein the coupling element includes a connection portion connecting the interface to the in-ear housing, wherein the connection includes a plurality of electrical conductors and at least one electrical conductor being part of an antenna, at least a plurality of the plurality of electrical conductors being connected to corresponding plurality of connection points disposed on a substrate disposed in the in-ear housing, and a decoupling device being disposed between a first connection point and a second connection point among the plurality of connection points.

[0195] The present invention also relates to the following inventive points.

[0196] 1. Hearing device, including:

[0197] -Suitable for placement behind the user's ear as the first part for providing a signal;

[0198] - An output converter used to convert the signal into an acoustic output;

[0199] - A coupling element coupled to the first part, wherein the coupling element is adapted to transmit at least the signal or the acoustic output;

[0200] -An antenna comprising an external antenna portion and an internal antenna portion, wherein the internal antenna portion includes a first antenna element, a second antenna element and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element is disposed at one end of the first antenna element and connected thereto, a second end of the second antenna element is connected to the ground plane, and the third antenna element is spaced apart from the second antenna element and connected to the first antenna element;

[0201] - A feed unit configured to supply current to the antenna via a third antenna element;

[0202] - A wireless interface for receiving and / or transmitting data via an antenna; and

[0203] The coupling element includes an external antenna portion connected to an internal antenna portion, and includes a conductive element coupled to a wireless interface, wherein the conductive element is at least a portion of the external antenna portion.

[0204] 2. The hearing device according to point 1 of the invention includes a second part adapted to be disposed away from the first part and to provide an acoustic output to a user, wherein a coupling element couples the first part and the second part, and wherein the coupling element is adapted to at least transmit the signal and / or the acoustic output.

[0205] 3. The hearing device according to point 1 or 2 of the invention includes an external portion disposed away from the first portion, wherein the external portion includes an implanted stimulator, wherein the coupling element or the second coupling element couples the first portion and the external portion, and wherein the coupling element or the second coupling element is adapted to at least transmit the signal, wherein the second coupling element includes a conductive element coupled to a wireless interface, and wherein the conductive element is at least a portion of the external antenna portion.

[0206] 4. The hearing device according to point 2 or 3 of the invention, wherein a second part is disposed in the user's ear canal, and wherein the second part includes an output transducer, and / or an external part is disposed on the user's skin.

[0207] 5. The hearing device according to any of the preceding invention points, wherein the first antenna element, the second antenna element and the third antenna element are formed by conductive paths mounted on a conductive sheet, wherein the conductive paths are connected to conductive elements of the external antenna portion.

[0208] 6. The hearing device according to any of the preceding invention points, wherein the distance between the third antenna element and the second antenna element is determined based on the ratio between the voltage distribution along the voltage distribution of the first antenna element and the current distribution along the current distribution of the second antenna element.

[0209] 7. In the hearing device according to any of the preceding invention points, the total electrical length of the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the external antenna portion is λ / 4 or λ / 4 + x * λ / 2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc. Alternatively, the total electrical length of the first antenna element, the second antenna element, and the conductive element can be λ / 4 or x * λ / 4 + / - λ / 2, where x is an odd number such as 3, 5, 7, etc.

[0210] 8. The hearing device according to any of the preceding invention points, wherein the electrical length of the ground plane is λ / 4 or λ / 4+x*λ / 2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.

[0211] 9. The hearing device according to any of the preceding invention points, wherein the internal antenna portion includes a fourth antenna element and a fifth antenna element, wherein a first end of the fifth antenna element is disposed at and connected to one end of the fourth antenna element, and wherein a second end of the fifth antenna element is connected to the first antenna element, wherein the fourth antenna element is partially parallel to the first antenna element, and wherein the electrical length of the fourth antenna element is greater than the electrical length of the first antenna element.

[0212] 10. A hearing device according to any of the preceding invention points, wherein the antenna includes an internal parasitic element, and the feeding unit therein is further configured to supply current to the internal parasitic element via wireless coupling, such as magnetic coupling or capacitive coupling.

[0213] 11. The hearing device according to point 10 of the invention, wherein the current in the power supply unit is magnetically coupled to the internal parasitic element.

[0214] 12. A hearing device according to point 10 or 11 of the invention, wherein a ground plane guides current from a power supply unit along the length of the ground plane, and wherein an internal parasitic element is located within the hearing device such that the current guided by the ground plane is magnetically and / or capacitively coupled to the internal parasitic element.

[0215] 13. The hearing device according to any one of the invention points 10-12, wherein the electrical length of the internal parasitic element is λ / 4 or λ / 4+x*λ / 2, where x is a number such as 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.

[0216] 14. A hearing device according to any one of points 10-13 of the invention, wherein the internal parasitic element is positioned such that capacitive coupling is provided between the internal parasitic element and the external antenna portion, wherein the capacitive coupling includes current flowing from the external antenna portion to the internal parasitic element.

[0217] 15. A hearing device according to any of the preceding invention points, wherein the conductive element is at least adapted to transmit a signal to an output converter based on transmission.

[0218] 16. The hearing device according to point 2 or 3 of the invention, wherein the external antenna portion includes a plurality of conductive elements, wherein two or more conductive elements are connected to one or more electronic devices mounted in a second or external portion of the hearing device, and wherein each conductive element is at least adapted to transmit a signal provided by the first portion to the connected electronic device.

[0219] 17. The hearing device according to point 16 of the invention, wherein two or more conductive elements terminate within the second part, the outer part, or the coupling element (or the second coupling element).

[0220] 18. The hearing device according to point 16 of the invention, wherein the electronic components in the second part are transducers such as another output transducer or microphone, and / or sensors, and / or light-emitting diodes, and / or electrodes, and / or photodetectors.

[0221] 19. A hearing device according to any of the preceding invention points, wherein the wireless interface is adapted to receive and / or transmit data by electromagnetic radiation in the following frequency range: a frequency range of about 2.45 GHz to about 5.5 GHz, or between 2.44 GHz and 5.5 GHz, or a frequency of about 2.45 GHz or a frequency of about 5.5 GHz.

[0222] 20. The hearing device according to any of the preceding invention points, wherein the coupling element includes one or more shielding elements for shielding the external antenna portion.

[0223] 21. The hearing device according to point 20 of the invention, wherein the shielding element is connected to the wireless interface via a bandpass filter, or the shielding element is connected to the grounding element within the first part.

[0224] 22. A hearing device according to any of the preceding invention points, wherein a feeding unit is configured to supply current to a second antenna, which is at least part of an antenna, and wherein the external antenna portion and the second antenna are electrically coupled together by capacitive coupling or magnetic coupling such that the second antenna can extend the operation of the external antenna portion.

[0225] 23. A method for wirelessly receiving and / or transmitting data in a hearing device, the hearing device including an output transducer, a coupling element coupling a first portion of the hearing device, and a first portion providing a signal, the output transducer being configured to convert the signal into an acoustic output, the method comprising the steps of:

[0226] - An external antenna portion is provided within the coupling element, wherein the external antenna portion is part of the antenna;

[0227] - Provide an internal antenna section as part of an antenna, the internal antenna section including a first antenna element, a second antenna element and a third antenna element, a first end of the second antenna element being disposed at and connected to one end of the first antenna element, a second end of the second antenna element being connected to the ground plane, and a third antenna element being spaced apart from the second antenna element and connected to the first antenna element;

[0228] - Connect the internal antenna section to the external antenna section;

[0229] - Current is supplied to the external antenna section through the feeding unit and the internal antenna section;

[0230] - Place the first part behind the hearing aid user's ear; and

[0231] - Data is received and / or transmitted using the antenna.

Claims

1. A hearing device, comprising: The shell is configured to be located behind the human ear; An inner ear portion configured to be at least partially located in the human ear canal, wherein an output converter configured to convert a signal into an acoustic output is disposed in the inner ear portion; A connector configured to provide a mechanical connection extending between the shell in the inner ear portion and the shell behind the ear; Antenna, the antenna - Formed in the plurality of electrical conductors of the connector and inside the rear ear housing; or - A dipole antenna is formed in at least one electrical conductor of the connector and inside the rear ear housing, wherein one arm of the antenna is in the connector and the other arm is inside the rear ear housing; A wireless interface is disposed in the shell behind the ear, the wireless interface being configured to receive and / or transmit data via the antenna; and A sensor disposed on a substrate in the inner ear portion, the sensor being one of the following: a temperature sensor, an accelerometer, a pulse sensor, a microphone, an EEG sensor, an electrode, and a photodetector; The first electrical conductor of the connector is configured to transmit an electrical signal from the circuit in the housing to a receiver disposed in the inner ear portion, the receiver being disposed separately from the substrate; The second electrical conductor of the connector is configured to transmit electrical signals to / from the sensor or to / from the processor, wherein the processor is configured to perform at least one of the following: controlling the sensor, processing signals detected by the sensor, or processing signals transmitted by the sensor; Among them, a plurality of the plurality of electrical conductors are connected to corresponding plurality of connection points on the substrate disposed in the housing of the inner ear portion; and The first electrical conductor is connected to the receiver via a first connection point among the plurality of connection points, and a decoupling element is disposed on the substrate at the first connection point to reduce the coupling between the first and second electrical conductors.

2. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling element has maximum attenuation at the operating frequency of the antenna.

3. The hearing device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is configured to operate at a frequency of about 2.4 GHz or about 5 GHz.

4. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling element is a capacitor decoupling element.

5. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein a further decoupling element is disposed between a subset of the connection points of the plurality of connection points.

6. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling element is disposed between each of the connection points.

7. The hearing device of claim 1, wherein the decoupling element is a low-impedance decoupling element at radio frequencies.

8. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling element is a discrete capacitor having a capacitance in the range of 0.1 pF to 1000 pF.

9. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling element is an ESD diode.

10. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the decoupling element is a parasitic capacitor.

11. The hearing device of claim 1, wherein the decoupling element is tuned to the operating frequency of the antenna.

12. The hearing device of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface is configured to operate using the Bluetooth protocol.

13. The hearing device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a second antenna.

14. The hearing device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an internal parasitic element connected to the ground plane.

15. The hearing device of claim 14, wherein the internal parasitic element is formed on a printed circuit board.

16. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the intraauricular portion comprises a light-emitting diode.

17. The hearing device of claim 1, wherein the decoupling element has maximum attenuation in the operating frequency range of the antenna.

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