Charging device for hearing device

Abstract

The present application discloses a charging device for a hearing device, the charging device comprising a charger housing having a receiving member configured to receive at least a portion of a hearing device housing, the receiving member being separable from the charger housing, the receiving member forming a cavity complementary to a shape of at least a portion of the hearing device housing, the receiving member has a lower portion received in the charger housing and releasably secured to the charger housing via a snap member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a charging device configured to charge one or more hearing devices. More specifically, the present application relates to a charging device for wireless or wired charging of a hearing device, such as a single hearing device or a group of hearing devices. The hearing device may be a hearing aid, an earbud / hearable device, or a similar ear-level device. Background Art

[0002] When charging a device configured to be placed at a user's ear, such as a hearing aid, a hearing device, or an earbud, either via a wire or wirelessly, it is necessary to have a place to rest the device, such as an earbud, a hearing aid, or a set of hearing aids, while charging. This can be achieved in the charging device disclosed herein.

[0003] Furthermore, when charging small devices such as hearing devices, hearing aids, earbuds, the user would benefit from receiving some type of feedback that the respective device is correctly positioned, i.e., in a position where they can receive energy to charge / recharge the energy storage device in the housing of the device. This could be the wireless or wired charging mentioned above.

[0004] Hearing aids typically come in a range of different types, often referred to as behind-the-ear, receiver-in-the-ear, and in-the-ear. All of these types of hearing aids have different form factors, and even the same type can come in different sizes. This can result in the need for specially shaped chargers / energy storage devices. However, providing specialized / customized chargers for specific hearing devices / hearing aids can be costly and / or cumbersome.

[0005] Earbuds are typically shaped to be located at least partially in the user's / wearer's ear canal and partially shaped / formed toward the user's environment. When a user places a device in a charger to charge it, the user may accidentally misplace the device so that the device does not receive any charge.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to provide a solution that solves at least some of the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention at least provides an alternative to the prior art.

[0008] The present invention provides a charging device for (re)charging a hearing device. The charging device is powered by a mains connection. The charging device may include a battery configured to provide charging power to the hearing device when a mains connection is not present or unavailable, such as when the user is traveling. The internal battery can be charged when the charger is connected to an external power source, such as mains power. Mains power can be provided, for example, from a 12 / 24V car power supply, a 110 / 220V wall socket, or a 5V USB connection to a computer or other suitable power source. The charging device may include one or more visual indicators, such as LEDs and / or a graphical display. The visual indicators may convey information such as "device present," "device being charged," "device partially charged," or "device fully charged." The charging device may include a data interface configured to communicate with a server device for providing software / settings updates, such as firmware updates, to the hearing device, or the charging device may be configured to collect data, such as usage data, status data, crash data, etc., from the hearing device. The collected data may be stored in the charging device until the device is inspected / read by a hearing healthcare professional or attendant, or may be transferred from the charging device via a communication interface (e.g., WiFi direct, or via a connection through a smartphone) to, for example, a server, etc. In these cases, the charging device may include a wireless interface, such as WiFi and / or Bluetooth, or another suitable communication interface.

[0009] The present invention provides a charging device configured to receive a hearing device. The hearing device may include a hearing device housing having a side surface or at least an outer surface, wherein the hearing device is an ear-level device, such as a hearing aid or earplug. The charging device may include a charger housing having a receiving element configured to receive at least a portion of the hearing device housing, for example, conforming to at least a portion of the hearing device housing, such as at least partially conforming to at least a portion of the outer surface of the hearing device housing. The charging device may be configured such that the receiving element is detachable from the charger housing. This may be configured so that the end user cannot easily separate the plug-in from the housing. The charging device may be configured such that the receiving element forms a cavity shape that is complementary to at least a portion of the hearing device housing. Complementary means that the shape of the cavity matches the shape of the device to be charged. The charging device may be configured such that the receiving element has a lower portion that is received in the charger housing and releasably secured to the charger housing via a snap. The securing is advantageously within the housing, such that the upper portion of the plug-in is received in an opening in the charger housing, with the snap being located within the housing and distal to the opening.

[0010] The charging device may be configured such that, when the receptacle is installed in the charger housing, a top portion of the receptacle is substantially flush with an outer surface of the charger housing.

[0011] The charging device may be configured such that the latch member includes a latch ramp.

[0012] The charging device may be configured such that the charger housing includes snap ribs.

[0013] The charging device may be configured such that the receiving member is configured to slide into the snap lock in a direction substantially perpendicular to an insertion direction of a longitudinal axis of the cavity.

[0014] The charging device may be configured such that the receiving member is configured to move toward a surface of the charger housing after sliding toward the snap lock.

[0015] The charging device may be configured such that the charger comprises a charging power source configured to provide a charging current to the hearing device either via contact points or wirelessly.

[0016] The charging device may be configured such that the charger housing and / or the receiving element comprises one or more magnets configured to provide a retaining force between the hearing device and the receiving element and / or the charger housing.

[0017] The charging device may be configured such that the receiving member includes a window region configured to allow light from a light source in the charging device to shine therethrough.

[0018] The charging device may be configured to further include an invisible light source configured to provide a signal directed to a specific area of the hearing device inserted into the receptacle during charging, wherein the hearing device includes a luminescent material that emits light when exposed to the invisible light.

[0019] A hearing aid may be adapted to provide frequency-dependent gain and / or level-dependent compression and / or frequency transposition of one or more frequency ranges to one or more other frequency ranges (with or without frequency compression) to compensate for a user's hearing impairment. The hearing aid may include a signal processor for enhancing an input signal and providing a processed output signal. The hearing aid may include an output unit for providing stimulation perceived by the user as an acoustic signal based on the processed electrical signal. The output unit may be a vibrator in a bone conduction hearing aid. The output unit may include an output transducer. The output transducer may include a receiver (speaker) for providing the stimulation as an acoustic signal to the user (e.g., in an acoustic (air-conduction-based) hearing aid). The output transducer may include a vibrator for providing the stimulation as mechanical vibration of the skull (e.g., in a bone-attached or bone-anchored hearing aid). The output unit may (in addition or alternatively) include a (e.g., wireless) transmitter for transmitting sound picked up by the hearing aid (e.g., via a network, e.g., in telephone mode or in a headset configuration) to another device, such as a remote communication partner.

[0020] The hearing aid may include an input unit for providing an electrical input signal representing sound. The input unit may include an input transducer, such as a microphone, for converting the input sound into the electrical input signal. The input unit may include a wireless receiver for receiving a wireless signal including or representing sound and providing the electrical input signal representing the sound.

[0021] The wireless receiver and / or transmitter may be configured to receive and / or transmit electromagnetic signals in the radio frequency range (3 kHz to 300 GHz), for example. The wireless receiver and / or transmitter may be configured to receive and / or transmit electromagnetic signals in the optical frequency range (e.g., infrared light 300 GHz to 430 THz or visible light such as 430 THz to 770 THz), for example.

[0022] A hearing aid may include a directional microphone system adapted to spatially filter ambient sound to enhance a target sound source among multiple sound sources in the local environment of a user wearing the hearing aid. The directional system may be adapted to detect (e.g., adaptively detect) the direction from which a particular portion of the microphone signal originates. This can be achieved in a variety of different ways, such as those described in the prior art. In hearing aids, microphone array beamformers are commonly used to spatially attenuate background noise sources. The beamformer may include a linearly constrained minimum variance (LCMV) beamformer. Many beamformer variants are available in the literature. Minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) beamformers are widely used in microphone array signal processing. Ideally, an MVDR beamformer leaves the signal from the target direction (also known as the line-of-sight direction) unchanged while maximally attenuating sound signals from other directions. The generalized sidelobe canceler (GSC) structure is an equivalent representation of the MVDR beamformer, offering computational and digital representation advantages over a direct implementation of the original form.

[0023] The hearing aid may include an antenna and transceiver circuitry that enables a wireless link to an entertainment device (e.g., a television), a communication device (e.g., a telephone), a wireless microphone, a separate (external) processing device, or another hearing aid. The hearing aid may thus be configured to wirelessly receive a direct electrical input signal from another device. Similarly, the hearing aid may be configured to wirelessly transmit a direct electrical output signal to another device. The direct electrical input or output signal may represent or include an audio signal and / or a control signal and / or an information signal.

[0024] In general, the wireless link established by the antenna and transceiver circuitry of the hearing aid may be of any type. The wireless link may be a link based on near field communication, for example an inductive link based on inductive coupling between antenna coils of a transmitter part and a receiver part. The wireless link may be based on far-field electromagnetic radiation. Preferably, the frequency used to establish the communication link between the hearing aid and the other device is below 70 GHz, for example in the range from 50 MHz to 70 GHz, for example above 300 MHz, for example in the ISM range above 300 MHz, for example in the 900 MHz range or in the 2.4 GHz range or in the 5.8 GHz range or in the 60 GHz range (ISM = Industrial, Scientific and Medical, such standardized ranges are defined, for example, by the International Telecommunication Union ITU). The wireless link may be based on standardized or proprietary technologies. The wireless link may be based on Bluetooth technology (for example Bluetooth Low Energy technology, for example LE Audio) or Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology.

[0025] The hearing aid may consist of or form part of a portable (i.e. configured to be wearable) device, for example a device comprising a local energy source such as a battery, for example a rechargeable battery. The hearing aid may, for example, be a low-weight, easily wearable device, for example having a total weight of less than 100 g, such as less than 20 g, for example less than 5 g.

[0026] A hearing aid may include a "forward" (or "signal") path between the input and output of the hearing aid for processing audio signals. A signal processor may be located in this forward path. The signal processor may be adapted to provide frequency-dependent gain according to the specific needs of the user (e.g., hearing loss). The hearing aid may include an "analysis" path having functional components for analyzing signals and / or controlling processing of the forward path. Some or all of the signal processing in the analysis path and / or the forward path may be performed in the frequency domain, in which case the hearing aid includes appropriate analysis and synthesis filter banks. Some or all of the signal processing in the analysis path and / or the forward path may be performed in the time domain.

[0027] The analog electrical signal representing the acoustic signal can be converted into a digital audio signal in an analog-to-digital (AD) conversion process, where the analog signal is sampled at a predetermined frequency or sampling rate f. s Sampling, f s For example, in the range from 8 kHz to 48 kHz (adapted to the specific needs of the application) at discrete time points t n (or n) provides digital samples x n (or x[n]), each audio sample is passed through a predetermined N b The bit represents the sound signal at t n The value when N b For example, in the range from 1 to 48 bits, such as 24 bits. Each audio sample thus uses N bbit quantization (resulting in 2 Nb different possible values). A digital sample x has a 1 / f s The length of time, such as 50μs, for f s = 20kHz. Multiple audio samples can be arranged in time frames. A time frame can include 64 or 128 audio data samples. Other frame lengths can be used depending on the actual application.

[0028] The hearing aid may include an analog-to-digital (AD) converter to digitize an analog input (e.g., from an input transducer such as a microphone) at a predetermined sampling rate, such as 20 kHz. The hearing aid may also include a digital-to-analog (DA) converter to convert the digital signal into an analog output signal, such as for presentation to the user via an output transducer.

[0029] A hearing aid can be configured to operate in different modes, such as a normal mode and one or more special modes, which can be selected by the user or automatically. The operating modes can be optimized for specific acoustic situations or environments, such as a communication mode, for example, a telephone mode. The operating modes can include a low-power mode, in which the functionality of the hearing aid is reduced (e.g., to save energy), such as disabling wireless communication and / or disabling specific features of the hearing aid.

[0030] The hearing aid may include a plurality of detectors configured to provide status signals related to the current network environment of the hearing aid (e.g., the current acoustic environment), and / or the current state of the user wearing the hearing aid, and / or the current state or operating mode of the hearing aid. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the detectors may form part of an external device that communicates with the hearing aid (e.g., wirelessly). The external device may include, for example, another hearing aid, a remote control, an audio transmission device, a phone (e.g., a smartphone), an external sensor, etc.

[0031] The hearing aid may include a motion detector, such as an accelerometer. The motion detector may be configured to detect movement of a user's facial muscles and / or bones, such as that caused by speech or chewing (e.g., jaw movement), and provide a detector signal indicative of the movement. The hearing aid may be configured to enter certain modes based on the signal from the motion detector.

[0032] A hearing aid may comprise a hearing instrument, such as a hearing instrument adapted to be positioned at the ear of a user or fully or partially positioned in the ear canal, such as an earphone, a headset, an ear protection device, or a combination thereof. A hearing system may comprise a loudspeaker amplifier (comprising a plurality of input transducers (e.g. a microphone array) and a plurality of output transducers such as one or more loudspeakers, and one or more audio (and possibly video) transmitters, such as for use in an audio conferencing situation), such as comprising a beamformer filter unit, such as to provide multiple beamforming capabilities.

[0033] As used herein, a hearing aid, such as a hearing instrument, refers to a device adapted to improve, enhance, and / or protect a user's hearing ability by receiving acoustic signals from the user's environment, generating corresponding audio signals, possibly modifying the audio signals, and providing the possibly modified audio signals as audible signals to at least one ear of the user. The audible signals may be provided, for example, in the form of acoustic signals radiated into the user's outer ear and / or acoustic signals transmitted as mechanical vibrations through the bony structure of the user's head and / or through portions of the middle ear to the user's inner ear.

[0034] The hearing aid can be configured to be worn in any known manner, such as as a unit worn behind the ear (with a tube that directs the radiated acoustic signal into the ear canal or with an output transducer, such as a loudspeaker, arranged close to or in the ear canal), as a unit arranged entirely or partially in the auricle and / or ear canal, as a unit connected to a fixed structure implanted in the skull, such as a vibrator, etc. The hearing aid can comprise a single unit or several units that communicate with each other (e.g., acoustically, electrically, or optically). The loudspeaker can be arranged in the housing together with the other components of the hearing aid, or it can itself be an external unit (possibly in combination with a flexible guiding element, such as a dome-shaped element).

[0035] Hearing aids can be adapted to the needs of specific users, such as hearing loss. The configurable signal processing circuitry of the hearing aid can be adapted to apply frequency- and level-dependent compression and amplification of the input signal. The customized frequency- and level-dependent gain (amplification or compression) can be determined during the fitting process by the fitting system based on the user's hearing data, such as an audiogram, using basic fitting principles (e.g., adaptation to speech). The frequency- and level-dependent gain can, for example, be reflected in processing parameters, uploaded to the hearing aid via an interface to a programming device (fitting system), and used by a processing algorithm executed by the configurable signal processing circuitry of the hearing aid.

[0036] A "hearing system" refers to a system that includes one or two hearing aids. A "binaural hearing system" refers to a system that includes two hearing aids and is adapted to collaboratively provide audible signals to both ears of a user. A hearing system or binaural hearing system may also include one or more "auxiliary devices" that communicate with the hearing aids and influence and / or benefit from the hearing aids' functionality. Such auxiliary devices may include at least one of the following: a remote control, a remote microphone, an audio gateway device, an entertainment device such as a music player, a wireless communication device such as a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone) or a tablet, or another device, such as one that includes a graphical interface. A hearing aid, hearing system, or binaural hearing system may be used, for example, to compensate for the hearing loss of a hearing-impaired person, enhance or protect the hearing ability of a person with normal hearing, and / or transmit electronic audio signals to a person. A hearing aid or hearing system may, for example, form part of or interact with a public address system, active ear protection system, hands-free phone system, car audio system, entertainment (e.g., television, music playback, or karaoke) system, teleconferencing system, classroom amplification system, and the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Various aspects of the present invention will be best understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the drawings are schematic and simplified, showing only the details necessary for understanding the present invention and omitting other details. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts. The various features of each aspect may be combined with any or all features of the other aspects. These and other aspects, features, and / or technical effects will be apparent from and elucidated in conjunction with the following figures, in which:

[0038] Figure 1 A hearing aid is schematically shown;

[0039] Figure 2 Schematically shows a charger and a plug-in according to the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3 The steps of inserting the plug-in into the charger are schematically shown;

[0041] Figure 4 A charger with a light in the charging base is shown schematically.

[0042] By the detailed description provided below, the further scope of application of the present invention will be apparent. However, it should be understood that while the detailed description and specific examples indicate the preferred embodiments of the present invention, they are provided for illustrative purposes only. For those skilled in the art, based on the following detailed description, other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The detailed description presented below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings serves as a description of a variety of different configurations. The detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of a plurality of 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 a plurality of different blocks, functional units, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). Depending on the specific application, design limitations or other reasons, these elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer programs or any combination thereof.

[0044] The electronic hardware may include microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), (e.g., application specific) integrated circuits, microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), gating logic, discrete hardware circuits, printed circuit boards (PCBs) (e.g., flexible PCBs), and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functions described in this specification, such as sensors for sensing and / or recording physical properties of the environment, device, user, etc. A computer program shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, an instruction set, code, a code segment, program code, a program, a subroutine, a software module, an application, a software application, a software package, a routine, a subroutine, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, a function, or the like, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, a hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0045] The present application relates to the field of hearing aids, and in particular to the field of chargers for hearing aids.

[0046] Figure 1 A hearing device HD is schematically shown, wherein the hearing device is shaped as a behind-the-ear hearing aid. As disclosed herein, the hearing device can be provided in other form factors and without hearing loss compensation, i.e., as headphones, for example, as wireless headphones for music and / or phone calls. The hearing device HD includes an interconnection element IC that connects a behind-the-ear housing BTE with an inside-the-ear housing ITE. Two microphones constitute the hearing device's input system, which is connected to a processor SPU and a memory MEM arranged in conjunction with a substrate SUB. A battery BAT provides power to the hearing device. Here, the battery BAT is a rechargeable battery.

[0047] The hearing device HD includes a charging interface CI configured to receive energy from an external source during a recharging process and provide this energy as charging energy to the battery. The charging interface CI can be a wired interface and / or a wireless interface. The wired portion of the charging interface may include one or more, for example two, pins configured to connect to corresponding pads in a charging device. The wireless portion of the charging interface may include one or more coils configured to receive a wireless charging field emitted by a charging device having a charging coil. The charging interface CI can be connected via a converter to charge the battery BAT.

[0048] The hearing device HD may include an RF antenna connected to a suitable wireless interface, such as a radio configured to communicate using a data protocol such as Bluetooth / Bluetooth Low Energy. The hearing device HD may include an inductive communication interface having a coil, wherein the inductive communication interface is configured to communicate with a hearing device that is to be placed on the user's contralateral ear. The inductive communication interface may be configured to communicate with a device other than the other hearing device. The coil of the inductive communication interface may be the same coil as the charging interface coil used to harvest energy for wireless charging.

[0049] Insert assemblies are typically secured with screws, which is time-consuming to produce. We've also seen issues with cracked and broken screw heads. Therefore, an easier way to install and secure the inserts would be better for both production and reliability. This solution is also simpler to mold than conventional snap-on solutions.

[0050] Figure 2 A charging device 10 is schematically shown with a charger housing 20. In the charger housing, an insert 12 is provided. The insert 12 is a removable or releasable receiving element. The insert or receiving element is configured to receive a hearing aid / hearing device, e.g. Figure 1 A set of differently shaped receivers 12 can be provided to accommodate a variety of different types / shapes of hearing aids. The insert / receiver can be selected during the production of the charging device.

[0051] The hearing device comprises a hearing device housing having a side surface or a plurality of side surfaces connected to one another, at least the hearing device housing forming an outer geometric shape. The hearing device is an ear-level device such as a hearing aid or an earplug.

[0052] The charger housing has an opening configured to receive the receiver 12. The receiver 12 is preferably mounted in the charger housing so that it cannot be easily removed by a user. The receiver can be selected during production, meaning that a variety of different shapes of receivers can be formed to accommodate hearing aids of different shapes. That is, the basic parts (charger housing and associated electronic circuitry) are provided for a variety of different hearing aids, with only the receiver being the part that changes, thereby reducing production costs. Furthermore, even if different receivers and different housings need to be produced to accommodate different styles / types / shapes of hearing devices, the receiver and charger housing according to the present invention are advantageous because the receiver is secured to the charger housing in an efficient manner, which reduces the risk of the inserted part falling out when the user is expected to remove the hearing device in the charger.

[0053] The receiving element 12 forms a cavity of a complementary shape to at least a portion of the hearing device housing, thereby providing at least a somewhat tight fit so that the hearing device does not fall out during charging and a well-defined orientation of the hearing device relative to the charger, for example relative to the wireless power source or the contact points for contact charging, can be maintained. The receiving element has a lower portion which is received in the charger housing and is releasably fixed to the charger housing via a snap-fit, such as Figure 2 As shown in .

[0054] This is a snap-fit solution. The snap has been designed and implemented in an advantageous manner. Two snap ramps 14 are provided on either side of the receiver 12. Each of the snap ramps 14 engages with a corresponding snap rib 18 during insertion. The snap ramps 14 are slightly inclined so that when pushed into place, the receiver 12 is lifted upwards towards the opening in the charger housing. The snap on the receiver 12 comprises two snap ribs which are pressed away from each other during insertion due to the geometry of the ramp shape on the plug-in. When the plug-in is fully inserted (upwards), these snap arms move back to their original position under the plug-in, thereby locking the plug-in in place. The ramps will prevent the plug-in from moving downwards when the snap ribs are in the relaxed position.

[0055] Figure 3 The schematic diagram shows the three steps involved in inserting the receiver 12 into the charger housing. In the top illustration, the insert 12 is inserted in the direction of arrow 22. In the middle illustration, the insert is moved upward in the direction of arrow 24. In the bottom illustration, the insert is in place in the charger housing. The charger includes a replaceable battery 26 for charging the hearing aid. The charger may include a power inlet, such as a USB-type inlet, which charges the charger's internal battery.

[0056] Preferably, the charger housing and the insert / receiver are made of plastic material. The snap ribs are easy to mold compared to conventional snap solutions that require angled inserts or angled lifters in the molding tool.

[0057] The assembly process Figure 3 The insert is slid into place and then pressed upwards.

[0058] When charging a rechargeable hearing device in a charger, the user may want to see the charging status of the hearing device. Adding a light source, such as an LED, to the hearing device increases cost, space, and power in a system where all these parameters are constrained. Adding a light source to the charging device is a better solution, but there is a risk that the user will be confused as to whether the LED indicates the charger status or the hearing device status.

[0059] By using a UV LED in the charging device, which is configured to illuminate a fluorescent spot on the hearing device housing, the aforementioned problems are solved. The charger can illuminate the fluorescent spot on the hearing device. Furthermore, light indication on the hearing device is avoided.

[0060] You may also:

[0061] -Add multiple colored spots on the hearing device, illuminated by multiple UV LEDs;

[0062] - Adding specially shaped fluorescent markings such as squares, bars, and letters to hearing devices is simpler and less expensive than using hearing device light sources with specially shaped projections.

[0063] For the typical hearing aid end user, finger dexterity and feel are limited, as most hearing aid users are elderly and may have disabilities in addition to hearing loss. This makes properly inserting the hearing aid into the charger a challenge. Any solution that can facilitate inserting the hearing aid into the charger is welcome.

[0064] Additionally, the charger is best used with its lid closed, but this depends on the user remembering to close the lid after inserting / removing the hearing device. Personal experience has shown that users may forget to close the lid after use.

[0065] On some chargers, there are dots of colored paint next to each slot (red on the right, blue on the left). Adding these dots of paint is an extra painting step in the production process.

[0066] like Figure 4 As shown in , the illuminated slot will make it easier to find the slot when plugging in the hearing aid at night in a dark bedroom. The slot will illuminate when the charger lid is open, or based on a signal from the proximity sensor (if the charger has no lid), or in addition to the lid being open.

[0067] The illuminated slot (with the hearing aid inserted) would make it easier to find the hearing aid and charger in the morning in a dark or low-light bedroom.

[0068] A lighted slot will prompt the user to close the lid, much like the light in a refrigerator.

[0069] The illuminated slots may eliminate the need for dots of colored paint next to the slots (the right slot may illuminate red, the left slot may illuminate blue). Other colors may also be used to indicate, for example, incorrect charging, the hearing aid being incorrectly placed in the charger, or other errors.

[0070] In addition to not having to spray a dot of paint, the lighted slot is larger than a dot and is easier to see as a red or blue indicator, especially if the user also has a visual disability.

[0071] There are many possibilities for the use of the light slots:

[0072] - The slot can turn off the light or change color when the hearing device is being inserted, which helps to ensure correct insertion;

[0073] - a slot that turns off the light when the lid is closed;

[0074] - The slot can signal when the hearing aid is full. This feedback will appear faster than the hearing aid LED signaling, as the hearing aid usually needs to restart before signaling;

[0075] - The slot can flash the light to draw attention to the fact that "you should close the lid";

[0076] - The slot light gives direct feedback on the charging status as seen by the charger.

[0077] For charging devices whose user interface is just one or more LEDs, it's difficult to get more information from the charging device during an error condition. Adding an additional display increases cost and complexity. Requiring a computer interface (e.g., USB) also increases cost and complexity, and also makes it difficult for the typical end user to use.

[0078] Many modern users have smartphones with cameras and app support. By having the charging device "invisibly" output debug information that will be captured by the smartphone camera, the smartphone's large screen can be used to display more information. In addition, the end user can quickly and easily send debug information back to the developer from the smartphone.

[0079] An app and camera can record movies or clips of the LEDs and decode "hidden" messages in the LED output, such as patterns of flashes and pauses, such as sequences and / or pauses and / or intensity. This can be done using rapid changes that are imperceptible to the human eye. The LED output can be modulated slowly enough for the camera to detect the modulation, but faster than the eye can see. Even slightly unstable LED output will be perceived as an error signal.

[0080] When a charging device fails and enters safe mode, the "safe mode reason" is the most interesting data to know. For example, the charging device may have three LEDs arranged in a row. In safe mode, they might all flash orange. The intensity of the illuminated LEDs can be controlled using pulse-width modulation (PWM), where the LEDs are fully on for a few microseconds and then fully off for a few microseconds. The ratio of the on-time to the off-time determines the perceived LED intensity. The human eye is too slow to see the on and off periods, but these periods combine to form the perceived intensity.

[0081] To send bits / information to a smartphone app, the LED can be flashed at two slightly different PWM rates, modulated to approximately the average (expected) rate. A smartphone camera can capture 30 frames per second, making 10 bits / second a practical data transmission rate. A PWM modulation that gives a "1" for frames with a higher-than-average rate and a "0" for frames with a lower-than-average rate is quite robust.

[0082] Several extensions are possible, including but not limited to:

[0083] - encoding the bits for transmission using NRZ or 8 / 10 or other encoding to obtain a mean deviation of zero;

[0084] - Add error correction to messages;

[0085] - Emitting data in a "carousel" so that high-priority information is repeated more often, just like in TextTV;

[0086] - Use multiple LEDs for extra bandwidth;

[0087] - Modify the light pattern visible to humans to obtain more on time, or greater contrast, or more bandwidth;

[0088] - Adding "helper" graphics to the camera image presented to the user, such as a circle around where the LED must be;

[0089] - Perform partial (or full) decoding in the app and send some (or all) of the data to Demant for additional analysis;

[0090] - Sends not only debug information in error situations, but also continuously sends "interesting" information such as serial number, SW version, power-on hours, remaining battery capacity, etc.

[0091] Even funnier, this approach could be used to create "Easter eggs" that users would actively seek out and "collect" for new devices.

[0092] The structural features of the apparatus described above, described in detail in the "Detailed Description of the Invention" and defined in the claims may be combined with the steps of the method of the present invention when appropriately replaced by corresponding processes.

[0093] Unless expressly stated otherwise, the singular forms "a", "the" and "the" used herein include the plural form (i.e., having the meaning of "at least one"). It should be further understood that the terms "having", "including" and / or "comprising" used in the specification indicate the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or combinations thereof. It should be understood that, unless expressly stated otherwise, when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be an intermediate intervening element. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more listed related items. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed.

[0094] It should be understood that references in this specification to "an embodiment," "an embodiment," "an aspect," or features that "may" include, mean that the specific features, structures, or characteristics described in conjunction with that embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, or characteristics may be combined as appropriate in one or more embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0095] The claims are not limited to the aspects shown herein, but rather have the full scope consistent with the claim language in which, unless expressly stated otherwise, elements referred to in the singular do not mean "one and only one" but rather "one or more." Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term "some" means one or more.

Claims

1. A charging device configured to receive a hearing device, the hearing device having a hearing device housing, the hearing device housing having a side surface, the hearing device being an ear-level device, the charging device comprising: A charger housing having a receiving element configured to receive at least a portion of a hearing device housing, the receiving element being detachable from the charger housing, the receiving element forming a cavity having a shape complementary to at least a portion of the hearing device housing, the receiving element having a lower portion received in the charger housing and releasably secured to the charger housing via a snap fastener.

2. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: When the receiver is installed in the charger housing, the top of the receiver is substantially flush with the outer surface of the charger housing.

3. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The snap member includes a snap ramp.

4. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The charger housing includes snap ribs.

5. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving member is configured to slide into the snap lock member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction of the longitudinal axis of the cavity.

6. The charging device according to claim 5, wherein: The receiving member is configured to move toward a surface of the charger housing after sliding toward the snap lock.

7. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The charger comprises a charging power source configured to provide a charging current to the hearing device either via contacts or wirelessly.

8. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The charger housing and / or the receiving element may comprise one or more magnets configured to provide a holding force between the hearing device and the receiving element and / or the charger housing.

9. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving member includes a window area configured to allow light from a light source in the charging device to shine therethrough.

10. The charging device of claim 1, further comprising an invisible light source configured to provide a signal directed to a specific area of the hearing device inserted into the receptacle during charging, wherein the hearing device includes a luminescent material that emits light when exposed to the invisible light.

11. The charging device according to claim 1, further comprising a replaceable battery.

12. The charging device of claim 1, further comprising a cover and a sensor, wherein the charging device is configured to charge the hearing device only when the sensor indicates that the cover is closed.

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