Sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aid

Abstract

A sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aid is provided with a body removably connected to a wristband, and the body is adapted to have a main circuit powered by a battery (106) placed inside the body. The main circuit is connected to an embedded sound processor connected to a microphone (102) module capable of processing sound, a transmitter capable of transmitting the processed sound to the hearing aid device, and has a plurality of buttons for accessing the functions of the watch. A touch-operable display placed on the upper side (105) of the body is connected to the microprocessor and the control circuit, a short-range wireless communication module can provide connectivity to the watch (100), a USB charging port (103) located on the body is provided to charge and operate the battery (106) of the watch (100), the watch (100) acts as a transmitter, transmits the processed sound to the hearing aid device, and the sound is received indirectly and directly by the cochlea through the hearing aid device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application is an additional patent of Indian Patent Application No. 202021024454 with a filing date of June 10, 2020.

[0002] The present invention relates to a sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aids. More specifically, it is a watch for a bone conduction hearing device that transmits processed sound directly to the cochlea through the hearing device.

Background Art

[0003] A bone conduction microphone is, precisely, bone that uses a person, skin, muscles, etc. as a medium for conducting vibrations. Only the vibrating surface of the bone conduction microphone needs to be present near the user's body, such as at the position of the cheek, and the generated vibrations can be sent to the person by the bone conduction microphone.

[0004] Bone conduction is mainly the conduction of sound to the inner ear through the skull, which enables the listener to perceive the content of the sound without blocking the ear canal. Bone conduction transmission always occurs when sound waves vibrate the bone, specifically the bone inside the skull. For the average person, it is not easy to distinguish the sound transmitted through the bone from the sound transmitted through the ear canal via the air. Intentional sound transmission through the bone can be used by individuals with normal hearing, such as with bone conduction headphones, or as a treatment option for certain types of hearing impairments. Generally, bone transmits low-frequency sounds better than high-frequency sounds.

[0005] In this vibration transmission process, the vibration of the sound pressure in air transmission is significantly weakened, the factors affected by the environment are very small, the vibration is directly delivered to the inner ear, allowing the person to hear the sound. In this way, privacy is better, and it is possible to understand and hear the sound even in a noisy environment. Therefore, many of the above advantages are greatly extended by the application of bone conduction microphones.

[0006] In recent years, intelligent watch-style consumer electronics products have become extremely popular, and many manufacturers have successively announced their own intelligent watch schemes. Some of them even have a call function. This is because the size of intelligent watches has become smaller. As a result, the power of the electronic components inside the wristwatch is relatively reduced, and the sound evenly transmitted may become too small for people to catch. Especially for intelligent watches with a call function, since the wristwatch itself is small, it cannot be used as a mobile phone near the ear and face at the same time. Therefore, only the hands-free call mode can be adopted. In this way, the content of the conversation is more easily heard by others, making it difficult to guarantee privacy.

[0007] The objective of the present invention is to provide a kind of wrist-wearable bone conduction sound conduction device adopting the sound wave transmission method by bone conduction, which, when applied to an intelligent watch, solves the conventional technical problems of the intelligent wristwatch.

[0008] CN103135440A provides a Bluetooth smart watch comprising a watch body and a wireless charger. A Bluetooth module, a wireless charging module, a lithium battery, a small motor, a horn, a microphone, a micro control unit (MCU), and an electrophoretic display (EPD) module are integrated inside the watch body. The wireless charging module is connected to the lithium battery. The Bluetooth module, the lithium battery, the small motor, the horn, the microphone, and the EPD module are respectively connected to the MCU. The wireless charger is connected to the wireless charging module inside the watch body by wireless power transmission technology. Bluetooth technology is adopted for data interaction between the mobile phone and the watch, and wireless charging technology is utilized to charge the watch. The watch is thin and multifunctional. It saves the time for people to view messages, weather forecasts, and communications, and provides convenience when it is inconvenient for people to answer calls.

[0009] US9497307B2 discloses a smart watch having a telephone function module and dial keys. Each dial key corresponds to a fixed telephone number. After the Bluetooth connection between the smart watch and the primary mobile phone is established, when the smart watch and the primary mobile phone detect that the Bluetooth connection has been interrupted or the Bluetooth signal value is less than the set value, both the smart watch and the primary mobile phone will issue a buzzer warning. This smart watch is further provided with a temperature sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a GPS module. When the sensor detects that the change values of the temperature and acceleration exceed the current values, or when the geographical location of the smart watch is not within the set range, both the smart watch and the primary mobile phone will issue a buzzer warning.

[0010] CN102866623A provides an intelligent watch belonging to the field of watch devices. This intelligent watch includes a time counter, a controller, a display, a timer, and a pressure sensor. The time counter is electrically connected to the controller, and the controller is electrically connected to the display through the timer and the pressure sensor respectively. During use, the time counter and the pressure sensor always transmit time values and pressure values to the controller. The controller compares the time values and the pressure values. When the pressure value indicates that the user is trying to know the time, the controller controls the timer to start counting down, displays the time value on the display screen. When the timer counts down to zero, the controller controls the display to switch off, thereby saving electrical energy. This intelligent watch has beneficial effects such as a simple structure and convenience in use.

[0011] The patent application of WO2017062621A1 discloses a smart watch tracking system including a smart watch and a mobile phone that provide sensor data such as motion data to a server. The server analyzes and stores the detected sensor information and provides a related user interface to the smart watch and the mobile phone.

[0012] Many hearing devices are commercially available and operate in a conventional manner. Conventional hearing aids are non-invasive (do not require surgery) and are placed behind the ear or in the ear canal, or are body-worn. Invasive hearing aids, including bone-anchored hearing aids and cochlear implants, are excluded from the scope of this chapter. Most current hearing aids are amplifiers that function on the principle of amplification, in which the sound level is amplified and the amplified sound is made to impinge on the user's eardrum. These hearing aids are not very efficient for people with high degrees of hearing loss and are of no use to people with conductive hearing loss. Another important problem with current hearing aids is whistling noise and feedback loop noise. This is mainly caused by having the microphone and the audio speaker in the same body, which creates feedback noise and also whistling noise. Also, sound receiver watches for non-surgical hearing aids suffer from the fact that the sound sent is too low and it is difficult to guarantee the technical issues regarding privacy through telephone connections.

[0013] Conventionally, sound receiver watches for non-surgical hearing aids may need to be mobile for connection, which is entirely dependent on a mobile connection or some kind of electronic device connection. By itself, it does not function as a bone conduction hearing watch. Therefore, in order to function as a bone conduction hearing device, a wireless connection to a mobile device or some kind of electronic device is required.

[0014] The problem related to the prior art is that since the transmitter and the receiver are mounted on one circuit board in the sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aids, the hamming, which is a sound interference, may increase, making it difficult for people with hearing problems to hear. To solve this problem, the inventors of the present invention have come up with a new invention, which is a sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aids. In the watch of the present invention, since it functions as a transmitter and the bone conduction serves as the receiver, the transmitter is arranged in the watch and the receiver is arranged in the bone conduction hearing aid device. Therefore, the possibility of the occurrence of hamming, which is the interference of the whistle sound due to the sound feedback loop, is reduced. The user can clearly recognize the sound with the sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aids.

[0015] The present invention having a receiver that can be used as a hearing bone conduction hearing aid device together with a separate sound processor is useful for people with up to 100% conductive hearing loss (problems in the physical part of the ear) and up to 60 dB sensorineural hearing loss. The bone conduction listening device transmits sound in the form of vibrations through the cheekbone, and the cheekbone bypasses the ear of the body and sends the sound directly to the cochlea (inner ear), and then it is converted into an electrical signal and sent to the brain.

[0016] With the present invention, anyone with any hearing problem due to a physical problem of the ear can hear. The present invention has a separate ear band or pebble that acts as a sound processor having a microphone and a processor inside itself. This band captures sound from the surroundings using a microphone system, and then this sound is processed through the sound processor and then processed by digital signal processing. This sound is sent to a device via Bluetooth, and then, by bone conduction, a person can hear the surrounding environment, which is because by separating the sound processor, no feedback channel and feedback noise are generated. Also, the present invention does not require any mobile device or electronic device for connection. This hearing watch can function without any connectivity to a mobile device or any electronic device. The present invention is a more accurate, reliable, compact, and user-friendly device.

Summary of the Invention

[0017] The principal object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks and limitations associated with the prior art by providing a sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aid.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a watch that acts as a transmitter capable of transmitting the processed sound and through which the sound is bypassed and directly received by the cochlea through a hearing aid device.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aid having an embedded sound processor connected to a plurality of microphone modules capable of processing sound.

[0020] Another further object of the present invention is to provide a sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aid having a transmitter capable of transmitting sound within a hearing aid device.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aid, which has a wireless communication module capable of bringing connectivity to the watch.

[0022] Another further object of the present invention is to provide an LED capable of displaying functions in a sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aid.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aid that can operate without any electronic device or mobile device.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aid that is more accurate, reliable, compact, and user-friendly.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aid that is detachable from a list band and a body that function independently as a sound processor, and transmits the processed sound to the bone conduction hearing aid device.

[0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of microphone arrays that receive sound from 360°, and a sound processor in the watch can generate sound that provides a better user experience and noise cancellation.

[0027] The main aspect of the present invention is a sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aids having a body removably connected to a wristband, wherein the body is adapted to have a main circuit powered by a battery placed inside the body. The main circuit has an embedded sound processor connected to a plurality of microphone modules capable of processing sound, a transmitter capable of transmitting the processed sound to a hearing device, and a plurality of buttons for accessing the functions of the watch. A touch-operable display placed on the upper side of the body is connected to a microprocessor and the control circuit, a short-range wireless communication module can provide connectivity to the watch, a USB charging port located on the body is provided to charge and operate the watch battery, and the watch functions as a transmitter to transmit the processed sound to the hearing device, and the sound is received by the cochlea indirectly through the hearing device.

[0028] Another aspect of the present invention provides a sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aids that transmits sound to the cochlea without inserting the sound into the inner ear canal. The LED indicates the plurality of functions within the watch.

[0029] Another aspect of the present invention provides a sound receiver watch for non-surgical hearing aids that is removable from a wristband and a body that functions independently as a sound processor and transmits the processed sound to a bone conduction hearing device.

[0030] Another aspect of the present invention provides a plurality of microphone arrays that receive sound from 360°, wherein a sound processor within the watch can generate sound that provides a better user experience and noise cancellation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The foregoing summary and the following detailed description of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructs of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of method steps or structures referenced by numbers in the drawings is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by the same number in any subsequent drawings herein.

[0032]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The present invention solves the foregoing drawbacks, and here, other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be described in more detail. Also, the following description includes various specific details, which are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that there may be numerous variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure and its various embodiments without departing therefrom.

[0034] Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, in this specification and the appended claims, it should also be noted that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references. In the practice or testing of embodiments of the present invention, any system and method similar or equivalent to the systems and methods described herein may be used, but the preferred systems and methods are described herein.

[0035] The main embodiment of the present invention provides the following: An audio receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aid, comprising a body removably connected to a wristband, wherein the body is adapted to have a main circuit powered by a battery (106) placed inside the body. The main circuit is connected to a plurality of microphone (102) modules capable of processing sound, an embedded sound processor, a transmitter capable of transmitting the processed sound to a hearing aid device, and has a plurality of buttons for accessing the functions of the watch. An on / off slider switch, A touch-operable display placed on the upper side (105) of the body and connected to the microprocessor and the control circuit, A short-range wireless communication module capable of providing connectivity to the watch, A USB charging port (103) located on the body and provided to charge and operate the battery (106) of the watch (100). Comprising, The watch (100) acts as a transmitter and transmits the processed sound to the hearing aid device, and the sound is received indirectly and directly by the cochlea through the hearing aid device. An audio receiver watch.

[0036] Other embodiments of the present invention provide an embedded sound processor connected to a plurality of microphones (102) capable of processing sound, a transmitter capable of transmitting the processed sound to a hearing aid device, and a main body having a plurality of buttons for accessing the functions of the watch. Audio signal processing is a field of signal processing related to the electronic manipulation of audio signals. The processor captures the sound signals and sends them to a receiver implanted under the skin behind the ear. The receiver sends the signals to electrodes implanted in the cochlea-shaped inner ear (snail). The signals stimulate the auditory nerve, which then conducts the signals to the brain. The sound processor includes a plurality of microphones (102) that receive sound from the surroundings, and the band has one very small slot at the top of the band covered with a muffler.

[0037] One embodiment of the present invention is a sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aids, wherein the watch (100) functions as a transmitter, transmits the processed sound to a hearing aid device, and the sound bypasses and is received directly by the cochlea through the hearing aid device, providing a sound receiver watch. When the sound arrives, the watch (100) is capable of transmitting the sound to a bone conduction hearing aid device, and the user can hear the sound transmitted by the watch.

[0038] One embodiment of the present invention provides a sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aids that operates without any mobile device, laptop device, or electronic device. The watch (100) is wirelessly and directly connected to a bone conduction hearing aid device, and the user can hear sound from the watch (100) through the sound processor. The watch (100) is removable, and the user can place the watch (100) on a desk, table, etc. and hear the sound from the bone conduction sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aids.

[0039] One embodiment of the present invention provides a slider switch (101) on one side of the casing that is used to turn the Bluetooth mode on or off. The slide mechanism is used for the switch, and a slot for the switch (101) enters the main casing of the band. The slide mechanism configuration consisting of a plurality of mechanical parts converts linear motion into rotational motion. The watch (100) having wireless connectivity enables connection to a bone conduction hearing device.

[0040] One embodiment of the present invention provides a touch-operable display placed on the upper side (105) of the body and connected to the microprocessor and the control circuit. The touch-operable display has a plurality of functions within the watch (100) for the hearing device. The touch-operable display enables access to all functional features. The sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing transmits processed sound directly to the cochlea through the hearing device, and the processor executes instructions for the memory to store the watch (100) for the hearing device.

[0041] One embodiment of the present invention provides a USB charging port (103) provided to charge and operate the battery (106) of the watch (100). A short-range wireless communication module can provide connectivity to the watch.

[0042] One embodiment of the present invention is a sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aid, wherein the watch (100) is paired with a hearing aid device and transmits the processed sound to the hearing aid device, and the sound bypasses and is received directly by the cochlea through the hearing aid device, providing a sound receiver watch. There is an LED light (104) for indication, and the LED is accompanied by a blue and a red LED. The red LED indicates (104) that the band is charging and automatically turns off when the band is fully charged. The red LED blinks when the band is in pairing mode. The blue LED indicates that the band is paired with the device.

[0043] In another embodiment of the present invention, the watch (100) operates as a single sound processor to reduce the influence of noise. In the sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aid according to claim 1, the body is removable from the wristband, and the body functions independently as a sound processor and transmits the processed sound to the bone conduction hearing aid device.

[0044] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aid, wherein the PCB (107) has a PCB (107) having a plurality of components within the device.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, these drawings show a sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aid. On / Off Slide Switch: A slide switch (101) on one side of the casing is used to turn on or off the Bluetooth mode. Inside it, there are a plurality of microphones (102) and a processor. The plurality of microphones (102) are capable of receiving sound from the surroundings, and the band has one small slot at the top of the band covered with a muffler. The central processing unit (CPU), also called the central processor, is an electronic circuit that executes instructions within the sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aid. The USB port (103) is a charging slot.

[0046] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of microphones (102) are arranged to capture sound from 360°, and the sound processor processes it so that the user can obtain a perfect surround sound experience. The microphones (102) in the watch (100) generate sound, which is noise-canceled. Inside the sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aids, there are main parts and a battery (106). The main part is a cover body that includes the entire assembly, which includes the battery (106) and the PCB (107), and is mechanically press-fitted by the upper part (105). The rechargeable battery (106) is a power input, and there is a USB charging slot (103) in the main casing of the band.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the switch (101) of the sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aids is shown. On / Off slider switch: A slider switch (101) on one side of the casing is used to turn on or off the Bluetooth mode. The LED (104) for indicating the device. The LED indicator (104) has a blue and a red LED. The red LED indicates that the band is charging (104) and automatically turns off when the band is fully charged. The red LED blinks when the band is in pairing mode, and the blue LED indicates that the band is paired with the sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aids (104).

[0048] Without further elaboration, using the foregoing description and examples, one skilled in the art will be able to make, use, and practice the claimed methods. It should be understood that the foregoing discussion and examples merely present detailed descriptions of the preferred specific embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalents can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0049] 100 Watch 101 Switch 102 Microphone 103 USB Charging Port 104 LED Indicator 105 Upper Side 106 Battery 107 PCB

Claims

1. A sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aid, comprising a body removably connected to a list band, wherein the body is adapted to have a main circuit powered by a battery (106) placed inside the body, The main circuit is connected to a plurality of microphone (102) modules capable of processing sound, an embedded sound processor, a transmitter capable of transmitting the processed sound to a hearing aid device, and has a plurality of buttons for accessing the functions of the watch, An on / off slider switch (101), A touch-operable display placed on the upper side (105) of the body and connected to the microprocessor and the control circuit, A short-range wireless communication module capable of providing connectivity to the watch, A USB charging port (103) provided on the body and provided to charge and operate the battery (106) of the watch (100), Comprising, The watch (100) acts as a transmitter, transmits the processed sound to the hearing aid device, and the sound is received indirectly and directly by the cochlea through the hearing aid device, Sound receiver watch.

2. The sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the band is adapted to the hearing aid device which is a bone conduction hearing aid device that transmits sound to the cochlea without entering the inner ear canal.

3. The sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aid according to claim 1, further comprising at least one LED indicator (104) provided as an indicator for a plurality of functions of the watch.

4. The sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the watch (100) operates as a single sound processor to reduce the influence of noise.

5. The sound receiver watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aid according to claim 1, wherein the body is removable from the list band, the body functions independently as the sound processor, and transmits the processed sound to the bone conduction hearing aid device.

6. The array of the plurality of microphones (102) is capable of receiving the sound from 360°, and the sound in the watch is capable of generating a sound that provides a better user experience and noise cancellation, the sound receiving watch (100) for non-surgical hearing aid according to claim 1.

Images