Earphone charging case detection

Abstract

A system having earphones comprising a rechargeable earphone power supply and a case comprising a case power supply configured to interface with the earphones in an earphone power supply charging configuration and configured to recharge the earphone power supply. A detection circuit disposed partially within the earphone and partially within the case includes at least one earphone electrical contact configured to electrically couple to the at least one case electrical contact when the earphones interface with the case in the earphone power supply charging configuration. The detection circuit is configured to detect whether the earphones interface with the case in the earphone power supply charging configuration using the earphone and case electrical contacts, even when one of the earphone power supply and the case power supply does not have power.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to detecting when an earbud is in its charging case. [Background technology]

[0002] Wearable audio devices, including earbuds such as earphones and hearing aids, typically have rechargeable batteries. A carrying case for a wearable audio device can also recharge the battery of the wearable audio device when the wearable audio device is placed in the case. Summary of the Invention

[0003] All embodiments and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible manner.

[0004] In one aspect, a system includes an earphone with a rechargeable earphone power supply and a case with a case power supply configured to interface with the earphone in an earphone power supply charging configuration and to recharge the earphone power supply. A detection circuit disposed partially within the earphone and partially within the case includes at least one earphone electrical contact configured to electrically couple to the at least one case electrical contact when the earphone interfaces with the case in the earphone power supply charging configuration. The detection circuit is configured to detect whether the earphone interfaces with the case in the earphone power supply charging configuration using the earphone and case electrical contacts even when one of the earphone power supply and the case power supply does not have power.

[0005] Some embodiments include one of the above and / or the following features, or any combination thereof. In one example, the earphone is configured to be placed in an ear of a user. In one example, the earphone includes a hearing aid. In one example, the case is configured to house the earphone within a substantially closed case interior volume. In one example, the detection circuit includes a first voltage divider in the case and a second voltage divider in the earphone.

[0006] Some embodiments include one of the above and / or the following features, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the detection circuitry comprises a circuit within the earphone configured to detect when the earphone is interfaced with the case in an earphone power source charging configuration. In one example, the earphone further comprises a circuit configured to disable a predetermined earphone function after the detection circuitry within the earphone detects when the earphone is interfaced with the case in the earphone power source charging configuration. In one example, the circuitry within the earphone configured to detect when the earphone is interfaced with the case in the earphone power source charging configuration comprises a circuit for detecting when a sensed voltage of the earphone changes due to connection of a case power source to the earphone. In one example, the circuitry within the earphone for detecting when a sensed voltage of the earphone changes due to connection of a case power source to the earphone comprises a voltage divider having an input electrically connected to the earphone power source and an output, where when the case power source is electrically connected to the voltage divider, a path through the voltage divider is changed, thereby changing the voltage divider output.

[0007] Some embodiments include one of the above and / or the following features, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the detection circuitry includes a circuit in the case configured to detect when the earphone interfaces with the case in an earphone power source charging configuration. In one example, the circuitry in the case configured to detect when the earphone interfaces with the case in an earphone power source charging configuration is configured to connect a case power source to the earphone to cause a change in state of the earphone circuitry, and the circuitry in the case is configured to detect the change in state of the earphone circuitry as an indication that the earphone interfaces with the case in the earphone power source charging configuration. In one example, the detection circuitry further includes a variable voltage source in the earphone configured to receive power from the case power source. In one example, the detection circuitry further includes circuitry in the case and the earphone that together effect a boost converter, where operation of the circuitry in the case is altered by the boost converter, and where such alteration is used as an indication that the earphone interfaces with the case in the earphone power source charging configuration.

[0008] Some embodiments include one of the above and / or the following features, or any combination thereof. In one example, the circuitry within the case is configured to provide power from the case power source, which is used to both power the circuitry within the earphone configured to detect when the earphone is interfaced with the case in an earphone power source charging configuration and to recharge the earphone power source. In one example, the detection circuitry includes at least four sets of contacts including at least four external contacts on the earphone configured to electrically connect with at least four contacts inside the case. In one example, a first set of contacts electrically connects a ground potential of the case and the earphone, a second set of contacts electrically connects the case power source to the earphone power source, a third set of contacts is used by the earphone circuitry to determine when the earphone is interfaced with the case in the earphone power source charging configuration, and a fourth set of contacts is used by the case circuitry to determine when the earphone is interfaced with the case in the earphone power source charging configuration. In one example, the detection circuitry includes two sets of contacts, a first set of contacts electrically connecting a ground potential of the case and the earbuds, and a second set of contacts configured to be used by the case circuitry to determine when the earbuds are interfaced with the case in an earbud power charging configuration.

[0009] In another aspect, a system includes a hearing aid configured to be placed in a user's ear and including a rechargeable hearing aid power source, and a case configured to interface with the hearing aid in a hearing aid power source charging configuration, the hearing aid being contained within a substantially closed volume of the case. The case includes a case power source configured to recharge the hearing aid power source. A detection circuit disposed partly within the hearing aid and partly within the case includes at least four external hearing aid electrical contacts configured to electrically couple to at least four electrical contacts inside the case when the case is interfaced with the hearing aid in the hearing aid power source charging configuration. The detection circuit is configured to use the hearing aid and case electrical contacts to detect whether the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in the hearing aid power source charging configuration, even when one of the hearing aid power source and the case power source does not have power. A first set of contacts electrically connects the ground potential of the case and the hearing aid, a second set of contacts electrically connects the case power supply to the hearing aid power supply, a third set of contacts is used by the hearing aid circuitry to determine when the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in a hearing aid power supply charging configuration, and a fourth set of contacts is used by the case circuitry to determine when the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in a hearing aid power supply charging configuration. The detection circuitry includes circuitry in the hearing aid configured to detect when the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in a hearing aid power supply charging configuration, and circuitry in the case configured to detect when the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in a hearing aid power supply charging configuration by connecting the case power supply to the hearing aid to change a state of the hearing aid circuitry and detecting the change in state of the hearing aid circuitry as an indication that the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in an earphone power supply charging configuration. The hearing aid further comprises circuitry configured to disable certain hearing aid functions after detection circuitry within the hearing aid detects that the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in a hearing aid power supply charging configuration.

[0010] In another aspect, a system includes a hearing aid configured to be placed in a user's ear and including a rechargeable hearing aid power source, and a case configured to interface with the hearing aid in a hearing aid power source charging configuration, the hearing aid being contained within a substantially closed volume of the case. The case includes a case power source configured to recharge the hearing aid power source. A detection circuit disposed partly within the hearing aid and partly within the case includes at least three external hearing aid electrical contacts configured to electrically couple to at least three electrical contacts inside the case when the case is interfaced with the hearing aid in the hearing aid power source charging configuration. The detection circuit is configured to use the hearing aid and case electrical contacts to detect whether the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in the hearing aid power source charging configuration, even when one of the hearing aid power source and the case power source does not have power. A first set of contacts electrically connects the ground potential of the case and the hearing aid, a second set of contacts electrically connects the case power supply to the hearing aid power supply, and a third set of contacts is used to determine when the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in a hearing aid power supply charging configuration. The detection circuitry comprises a first voltage divider in the case and a second voltage divider in the hearing aid having an input and an output electrically connected to the hearing aid power supply. When the case power supply is electrically connected to the second voltage divider, a path through the voltage divider is altered, thereby altering the voltage divider output. The hearing aid further comprises circuitry configured to disable certain hearing aid functions after the detection circuitry in the hearing aid detects that the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in a hearing aid power supply charging configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the earphones and a charging case for the earphones. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of two earbuds located inside a case in an earbud power charging configuration. [Figure 3A]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hearing aid and a charging case for the hearing aid, showing detection circuitry configured to detect whether the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in a hearing aid charging configuration, even when one of the hearing aid power supply and the case power supply does not have power. [Figure 3B] 3B is a variation of the hearing aid and charging case of FIG. 3A. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hearing aid and a charging case for a hearing aid, showing another detection circuit configured to detect whether the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in a hearing aid charging configuration, even when one of the hearing aid power supply and the case power supply has no power. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hearing aid and a charging case for a hearing aid, showing another detection circuit configured to detect whether the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in a hearing aid charging configuration, even when one of the hearing aid power supply and the case power supply has no power. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Wearable audio devices such as earbuds, hearing aids, and other types of earphones typically have rechargeable batteries. Cases configured to store earbuds can also be configured to recharge the earbuds' batteries when the earbuds are stored in the case. Knowledge of when the earbuds are properly engaged or docked in the charging case can be used advantageously. For example, if the earbuds are on when docked, they can be turned off. In the case of hearing aids, if they are not turned off when they are in the charging case, they may start to feedback and squeal, which is clearly undesirable. Knowledge of when the earbuds are properly docked in the charging case can also be used to configure a user interface (UI) to indicate docking status and / or charging status, and / or to make intelligent decisions regarding how power is used when the earbuds are fully charged but still docked. Other actions based on proper docking are known in the art. In some docking status knowledge schemes, if the power source in the earbuds or the power source in the case does not have power when the earbuds are docked in the case, the docking status may not be properly determined.

[0013] In this disclosure, systems and methods for detecting when an earphone is properly docked with a case include a detection circuit located partially within the earphone and partially within the case. In one example, the detection circuit includes at least one earphone electrical contact configured to electrically couple to at least one case electrical contact when the earphone is interfaced with the case in an earphone power source charging configuration. The detection circuit is configured to detect whether the earphone is interfaced with the case in an earphone power source charging configuration using the earphone and case electrical contacts even when one of the earphone power source and the case power source does not have power. Several exemplary detection schemes are disclosed herein. These detection schemes are exemplary and do not limit the scope of the disclosure, and one of ordinary skill in the art can achieve detection in other ways.

[0014] The present disclosure relates to wearable audio devices. Some non-limiting examples of the present disclosure describe a type of wearable audio device known as an earphone, which may be, for example, a miniature earphone or a hearing aid. Miniature earphones and hearing aids generally include one or more electro-acoustic transducers for generating and / or sensing sound. Miniature earphones and hearing aids may be wireless or wired. In the examples described herein, they include a power source (generally a rechargeable battery), circuitry responsible for recharging the power source, and any necessary processing. Other aspects of miniature earphones, hearing aids, and other types of wearable audio devices that are not involved in the present disclosure are not shown or described, merely for ease and clarity of illustration.

[0015] Some embodiments of the present disclosure also describe a type of wearable audio device known as an open-type audio device. An open-type audio device has one or more electroacoustic transducers (i.e., audio drivers) located away from the ear canal opening. In some embodiments, the open-type audio device also includes one or more microphones, which may be used to pick up the user's voice, ambient sounds, and / or for noise cancellation. Open-type audio devices are further described in U.S. Patent No. 10,397,681, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0016] Headphones usually refer to devices worn around, on, or in the ear and radiate acoustic energy directly or indirectly into the ear canal. Headphones are sometimes referred to as earbuds, earphones, headsets, mini-ears, or sports headphones and can be wired or wireless. Headphones contain an electroacoustic transducer (driver) that converts audio signals into acoustic energy. The acoustic driver may or may not be housed in an ear cup or housing configured to be located on the head or ear, or to be inserted directly into the ear canal of the user. A headphone may be a single standalone unit, one for each ear, or one of a pair of headphones (each including at least one acoustic driver). A headphone may be mechanically connected to another headphone, for example, by a headband and / or by leads that carry audio signals to the acoustic driver in the headphone. A headphone may include components for wirelessly receiving audio signals. A headphone may also include other features, such as an additional microphone for an ANR system, or one or more microphones used to pick up the user's voice and / or ambient sounds.

[0017] Open audio devices include, but are not limited to, off-ear headphones, i.e., devices having one or more electroacoustic transducers that are coupled to the head or ear (typically by a support structure) but do not occlude the ear canal opening. In some examples, the open audio device is an off-ear headphone with audio glasses, but this is not a limitation of the present disclosure, since in open audio devices, the device is configured to deliver sound to one or both ears of the wearer, typically without ear cups or ear buds. Wearable audio systems contemplated herein may include a variety of devices, including over-ear hooks, such as wireless headsets, hearing aids, glasses, protective helmets, and other open ear audio devices.

[0018] One or more of the devices, systems, and methods described herein may be used in various implementations and combinations in a wide variety of wearable audio devices or systems, including wearable audio devices of various form factors.

[0019] Although a specific implementation of a wearable audio device primarily serving the purpose of acoustically outputting audio has been presented in some detail, it should be noted that the presentation of such a specific implementation is intended to facilitate understanding through the provision of an example and should not be construed as limiting either the scope of the disclosure or the claims.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a detection system 10 including earphones 14 and a charging case 12 for the earphones. System 10 can also be used to accomplish the methods described herein. System 10 is configured to detect when earphones 14 are properly docked to case 12. System 10 includes a detection circuit having detection circuitry or portion 26 disposed within earphones 14 and detection circuitry or portion 25 disposed within case 12. Both earphones 14 and case 12 include electrical contacts that are configured, positioned, and arranged to be electrically coupled to each other when the earphones are properly engaged (docked) with the case. Each of the earphones and case can have one or more such contacts. In this non-limiting example, each has four mating contacts, namely contacts 15-18 on or within case 12 and contacts 19-22, which are exposed on the surface of earphones 14 and therefore make electrical contact with contacts 15-18, respectively, when the earphones are properly engaged or interfaced with the case in an earphone power charging configuration. In this example, the detection circuit includes at least one earphone electrical contact configured to electrically couple to at least one case electrical contact when the case is interfaced with the earphone in an earphone power supply charging configuration. The detection circuit comprising portions 25 and 26 is configured to detect whether the earphone is interfaced with the case in an earphone power supply charging configuration using the earphone and case electrical contacts even when one of earphone power supply 24 and case power supply 23 does not have power. Earphone 14 also includes one or more transducers 28, such as a microphone and / or an acoustic driver. Either or both types of transducers are commonly used in earphones. For example, a driver can be used to generate sound that is output to the ear or to the environment near the ear. A microphone can be used to detect the user's voice and / or environmental sounds.If the earphones are small earbuds or a type of open-type audio device, the microphone is often used to detect the user's voice (e.g., for calls or voice commands) and / or to detect sounds from the acoustic driver and / or environmental sounds for use in active noise reduction. If the earphones are hearing aids, the microphone can be used to detect environmental sounds reproduced by the audio driver and provided in or near the user's ear. It should be understood that aspects of the earphones and charging case for the earphones are not included in FIG. 1 solely for clarity.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of two earbuds 40 and 42 in a charging case 30. The earbuds 40 and 42 are in an earbud power charging configuration. The case 30 is configured with a bottom 32 and a top 34 connected by a hinge 36 so that the top 34 can be opened and closed. A portion of the case interior 38 is open. Thus, the case interior 38 functions as an acoustic chamber. If one or both earbuds are turned on and detect and generate sound while they are in the case, the sound may feedback and lead to undesirable squealing sounds. Therefore, it is best for the earbuds to be automatically turned off when they are placed in the case. Detecting that the earbuds are properly placed in the charging configuration can also be used to control other aspects of the case and / or earbuds. For example, as described above, knowledge of when the earbuds are properly docked in the charging case can be advantageously used. For example, if the earbuds are on when docked, they can be turned off. The UI (not shown) can also be configured to indicate docking status and / or charging state and / or make intelligent decisions about how power is used when the earbuds are fully charged but still docked. Other suitable docking-based operations are known in the art.

[0022] FIG. 3A is a block diagram of a system 50 including a hearing aid 54 and a charging case 52 for the hearing aid, showing a detection circuit configured to detect whether the hearing aid / earphone is interfaced with the case in a charging configuration, even if one of the hearing aid / earphone power supply and the case power supply does not have power. The hearing aid 54 has external contacts 60-63 configured to electrically connect to the case electrical contacts 56-59, respectively, when the earphone is properly docked in the case. Once docked, the case power supply 74 (which may be a battery, or a power supply that is AC or mains powered, e.g., from a wall outlet) provides power to recharge the earphone battery power supply 88 via contacts 58 and 62. An embodiment of a detection circuit configured to detect whether the hearing aid 54 is properly docked in the case 52 is shown in FIG. 3A. Such detection can be made even if one of the case power supply 74 and the hearing aid power supply 88 does not have power. A possible, but non-limiting, scenario is when the hearing aid battery runs out and is placed in the case to be charged. Also, the case does not have to be plugged into a power source for the case power (often +5V DC).

[0023] In many existing earphone charging cases, if the earphone battery is depleted while the earphone is placed in the case, the battery must be partially recharged before the earphone and case can communicate that the earphone is docked. This can result in the undesirable effects described above. Also, if the case is not powered (e.g., either the case is unplugged or the battery is depleted) but the hearing aid still has power and is on, the hearing aid may not be automatically turned off because the hearing aid cannot detect the case, and the hearing aid may produce an undesirable and annoying squeaking sound when the case is closed. Another consequence is that the hearing aid will drain the battery when the hearing aid was saving the battery for later use.

[0024] The detection circuit includes two general purpose input / output (GPIO) pins 81 and 83 with pull-up resistors 82 and 84, and an I2C function 80, all of which may be enabled by appropriate digital and analog hardware and any necessary control and communication functions (e.g. firmware) that may be part of the system on the I2C chip. In the exemplary I2C processor 80, the resistors 82 and 84, and the processor 86 are all functional aspects of one hearing aid processor. Pin 81 is connected to contact 60 and pin 83 is connected to contact 61. Ground is provided via mating contacts 59 and 63. Contact 60 is used by the case 52 to sense the connection of the hearing aid 54 via the processor 70 and resistor 72. When the power supply 74 is coupled to the hearing aid via contacts 58 and 62, the processor 86 and the I2C 80 enable the pull-up of pin 81. The resulting voltage change at pin 56 is sensed by the processor 70 as an indication that case power is being supplied to the hearing aid 54 (i.e., the hearing aid 54 is in the proper docked position). The processor 70 can then trigger the desired action of the case 52, such as turning on the "charging" indicator LED (not shown). The connection also pulls up pin 83. The resulting voltage change at pin 83 (due to the power from the hearing aid power supply 88 and the ground connection via the case contacts 58) allows the processor 86 of the hearing aid 54 to determine that the hearing aid is docked and perform the desired action of the hearing aid, such as shutting off its transducer (not shown in this figure) to prevent squealing. A corollary aspect of this system design is that the hearing aid I2C chip can disable the GPIO pull-up to allow better communication between the hearing aid and the case. Logic in the processor can determine whether the state change on the I2C pin is an I2C message or a static state. The GPIO pullup can then be disabled until the logic determines that the I2C transaction is about to end.

[0025] A variation of the system 50 is shown as system 50a in FIG. 3B. The hearing aid 54a includes a processor 86a that functionally includes an I2C 80a and a GPIO 83a. The hearing aid 54a detects the case 52a in the same manner as described above in connection with FIG. 3A. The case 52a senses the hearing aid 54a by detecting the voltage on pin 56 using the processor 70. When the hearing aid is disconnected, this voltage is normally high. When the hearing aid is plugged in, this line goes low, but only if contacts 56, 58, and 59 are all properly connected to the corresponding hearing aid contacts. Application of the case power supply 74 to contact 62 turns on the N-channel MOSFET 89, connecting the signal at contact 60 to ground. In a scenario where the charging case does not have power, the charging case does not turn on the transistor 89, and this is not an issue since the case does not have power to sense the signal at contact 56. Resistor 73 is connected to the case rail voltage. Thus, if the processor 70 detects high voltage, either the hearing aid is not connected or one of the contacts 56, 58, and 59 does not make a proper connection. If the processor 70 detects low voltage, the contacts 56, 58, and 59 are all properly connected to the corresponding contacts of the hearing aid.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system 100 including a hearing aid and a charging case for the hearing aid, showing another detection circuit configured to detect whether the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in a hearing aid charging configuration, even if one of the hearing aid power supply and the case power supply does not have power. The system 100 uses three mating contacts on each of the case 102 and the hearing aid 104, contacts 103-105 and 106-108, respectively. The contact sets 105 and 108 establish a ground connection. The contact sets 104 and 107 establish a power connection that can recharge the hearing aid power supply 150 and power the hearing aid detection circuitry if the hearing aid power supply 150 is depleted. The contact sets 103 and 106 establish a sense connection. The case 102 includes a voltage comparator 110, and the hearing aid 104 includes a voltage comparator 140. Each comparator includes an input voltage (Vrail provided by a local power supply). The comparator also includes resistors R1-R4 and back-to-back P-FETs 114 and 144.

[0027] The sense pin is shared, allowing either part to detect the other whether the other has power or not. In the comparator method, the resistor value is selected so that the voltage drops whether the hearing aid has power or not. Depending on the resistor value, a circuit can be established such that the Vsense on the case side rises above a high threshold when a powered hearing aid is connected and falls below a low threshold when an unpowered hearing aid is connected. The voltage swing depends at least in part on the resistor value.

[0028] With an N-channel MOSFET 146 connected to the case power supply 120, detection only works if the sense, power and ground pins are all connected. If the MOSFET 146 is not present, the system is configured to detect a presence on the sense pin before turning on power to the hearing aid, but its inclusion requires that power be turned on in order to detect.

[0029] The enable voltages (Ven, for both the case and the hearing aid) come from the respective system processors / controllers 112 and 142. The enable voltages on each side need to be low enough to turn on the P-channel MOSFETs of the sets 114 and 144. If Vrail is not present, the PFETs will be off, so they may even be statically tied low. Disabling the PFETs can save a small amount of power, especially if other information in the system can be used to establish that detection is not required. Non-limiting examples of other information that may be used to establish that detection is not required include the following: The charging case has a lid that can be opened and closed. The case processor can sense whether the lid is open or closed. If the processor determines that the lid is closed and the hearing aid is not inserted, the processor can assume that the hearing aid cannot be inserted until the lid is opened. Until the lid is opened, the hearing aid detection portion can be disabled. On the hearing aid side, if the hearing aid can detect that it is connected to the case through its processor and also sense that the case is providing power, the detection circuitry can be disabled until the case power is removed. At this point, it can re-enable the detection circuitry to double-check whether it is still inserted in the case. Doing this does not affect the charging case's ability to sense that the hearing aid is attached. The hearing aid detection circuitry can be pulsed on and off while the hearing aid is operating normally. As long as the period during which the sensing is pulsed is frequent enough, the hearing aid will detect this case and mute its output before the user notices any of the undesirable behavior. However, the default value is for the enable signal to be low so that the gate-source voltage is large enough to enable the detection circuitry.

[0030] The connection and power options for the system 100 are as follows: If both the case 102 and the hearing aid 104 are powered and successfully connected on all pins, each senses the other and performs their respective post-sensing tasks via the processors 112 and 142 (e.g. the case updates its UI and the hearing aid mutes its output). If the case is powered and the hearing aid is not powered and they are successfully connected on all three pins, the case can sense that the hearing aid is present, updates its UI (e.g. LED display) and the hearing aid starts charging. If the case is not powered and the hearing aid is powered and they are successfully connected on all pins, the case cannot charge the hearing aid, but the hearing aid will sense the presence of the case and change its own configuration as needed. If both the case and the hearing aid are powered but the power pins are not connected and the other two sets of pins are connected, the hearing aid can sense that it is connected but the case does not sense the connection.

[0031] The case senses the hearing aid as follows: The voltage on the Vsense(case) node fluctuates when the hearing aid is plugged in. This voltage change can be sensed in a few different ways. One is by using a comparator (compared to some predefined reference voltage). As shown in FIG. 4, two comparators can be used to capture both rising and falling scenarios. Another is by using an analog-to-digital converter to read the voltage and determine in firmware if a threshold has been exceeded. This method can be used in either or both the hearing aid and the case. Another is that the Vsense(case) voltage can also be used to control a transistor (not shown). The transistor can be used as a switch and the Vsense(case) voltage can be adjusted to exceed the turn-on threshold of the transistor when the hearing aid is connected / disconnected.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system 180 including a hearing aid 184 and a hearing aid charging case 182, showing another detection circuit configured to allow the case to detect whether the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in a hearing aid charging configuration, even if one of the hearing aid power supply and the case power supply does not have power. Another sensor (not shown, such as a Hall effect sensor in the hearing aid and a mating magnet in the case) can be used for the hearing aid to sense the case. The system 180 only requires two sets of mating contacts. Sets 186 and 188 establish a ground connection, and contacts 185 and 187 are power / sense contacts that, when connected, connect the case power supply 194 to recharge the hearing aid power supply 196 and also provide power to operate the detection circuitry of the hearing aid. Detection is performed using a pulsed voltage source 202 and a boost converter circuit split between the hearing aid 192 and the case 190, respectively. The boost converter ultimately turns on digital switch 200, thus changing the voltage at location 197, indicating to the case processor 198 that a hearing aid is connected. The hearing aid processor 204 controls the pulse source 202 and, using a separate sensor, can be used to determine that a hearing aid is connected to the case and take appropriate action as described elsewhere herein.

[0033] Elements of the figures are shown and described as individual elements in block diagrams. These elements may be implemented as one or more of analog or digital circuits. Alternatively, or additionally, these elements may be implemented by one or more microprocessors executing software instructions. The software instructions may include digital signal processing instructions. Operations may be performed by analog circuitry or by a microprocessor executing software that performs the equivalent of an analog operation. Signal lines may be implemented as separate analog or digital signal lines, as separate digital signal lines with appropriate signal processing capable of processing the separate signals, and / or as elements of a wireless communication system.

[0034] When a process is depicted or suggested in a block diagram, the steps may be performed by one element or by multiple elements. The steps may be performed collectively or at different times. The elements performing the activities may be physically the same or in close proximity to each other, or may be physically separate. An element may perform more activities than one block. The audio signal may be encoded or unencoded and may be transmitted in either digital or analog form. Conventional audio signal processing equipment and operations may be omitted from the drawings.

[0035] The examples of the systems, devices, and methods described herein include computer components and computer-implemented steps that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the computer-implemented steps can be stored as computer-executable instructions on a computer-readable medium, such as, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a flash ROM, a non-volatile ROM, and a RAM. Furthermore, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the computer-executable instructions can be executed on a variety of processors, such as, for example, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a gate array, and the like. For ease of description, not all steps or elements of the systems and methods are described herein as part of a computer system, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that each step or element may have a corresponding computer system or software component. Thus, such computer systems and / or software components are enabled by describing their corresponding steps or elements (i.e., their functionality) and are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0036] Although multiple implementations have been described, it is understood that additional modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein, and therefore, other examples are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A system comprising: An earphone having a rechargeable earphone power source; a case configured to interface with the earphones in an earphone power charging configuration and including a case power source configured to recharge the earphone power source; a detection circuit comprising at least one earphone electrical contact disposed partially within the earphone and disposed partially within the case, the detection circuit being configured to electrically couple to at least one case electrical contact when the earphone is interfaced with the case in the earphone power source charging configuration, the detection circuit being configured to use the earphone and case electrical contacts to detect whether the earphone is interfaced with the case in the earphone power source charging configuration even when the case power source does not have power; the detection circuitry comprises circuitry within the earphone configured to detect when the earphone is interfaced with the case in the earphone power supply charging configuration, and the circuitry within the earphone configured to detect when the earphone is interfaced with the case in the earphone power supply charging configuration comprises circuitry for detecting when a sensed voltage of the earphone changes due to connection of the case power supply to the earphone.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the earphone is configured to be placed in a user's ear.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the earphone comprises a hearing aid.

4. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the case is configured to house the earphones within a closed case interior volume.

5. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the earphone further comprises circuitry configured to disable certain earphone functions after the detection circuitry in the earphone detects when the earphone is interfaced with the case in the earphone power supply charging configuration.

6. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry in the earphone for detecting when a sensed voltage of the earphone changes due to connection of the case power source to the earphone comprises a voltage divider having an input electrically connected to the earphone power source and an output, wherein when the case power source is electrically connected to the voltage divider, a path through the voltage divider is changed, thereby changing the voltage divider output.

7. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection circuit comprises a first voltage divider in the case and a second voltage divider in the earbud.

8. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection circuitry comprises circuitry in the case configured to detect when the earphones are interfaced with the case in the earphone power charging configuration.

9. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the circuitry in the case configured to detect when the earphone is interfaced with the case in the earphone power supply charging configuration is configured to connect the case power source to the earphone to cause a change in state of earphone circuitry, and the circuitry in the case is configured to detect the change in state of the earphone circuitry as an indication that the earphone is interfaced with the case in the earphone power supply charging configuration.

10. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the detection circuit further comprises a variable voltage source within the earbud configured to receive power from the case power supply.

11. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the detection circuitry further comprises circuitry in the case and circuitry in the earphone, together effecting a boost converter, wherein operation of circuitry in the case is altered by the boost converter, and such alteration is used as an indication that the earphone is interfaced with the case in the earphone power charging configuration.

12. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein circuitry in the case is configured to provide power from the case power source, the power being used both to power the circuitry in the earphone configured to detect when the earphone is interfaced with the case in the earphone power source charging configuration and to recharge the earphone power source.

13. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the detection circuit includes at least four sets of contacts including at least four external contacts on the earbuds configured to electrically connect with at least four contacts inside the case.

14. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein a first set of contacts electrically connects a ground potential of the case and the earphone, a second set of contacts electrically connects the case power source to the earphone power source, a third set of contacts is used by the earphone circuitry to determine when the earphone is interfaced with the case in the earphone power source charging configuration, and a fourth set of contacts is used by the case circuitry to determine when the earphone is interfaced with the case in the earphone power source charging configuration.

15. 2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the detection circuitry comprises two sets of contacts, a first set of contacts electrically connecting a ground potential of the case and the earphones, and a second set of contacts configured to be used by the case circuitry to determine when the earphones are interfaced with the case in the earphone power charging configuration.

16. 1. A system comprising: a hearing aid configured to be placed in the ear of a user, the hearing aid comprising a rechargeable hearing aid power source; a case configured to interface with the hearing aid in a hearing aid power supply charging configuration, the hearing aid being contained within an enclosed volume of the case, the case comprising a case power supply configured to recharge the hearing aid power supply; a detection circuit comprising at least four external hearing aid electrical contacts, partly disposed within the hearing aid and partly disposed within the case, configured to electrically couple to at least four electrical contacts inside the case when the case is interfaced with the hearing aid in the hearing aid power supply charging configuration, the detection circuit being configured to detect whether the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in the hearing aid power supply charging configuration using the hearing aid and case electrical contacts even when the case power supply does not have power; a first set of contacts electrically connects the case and the hearing aid ground potential, a second set of contacts electrically connects the case power supply to the hearing aid power supply, a third set of contacts is used by the hearing aid circuitry to determine when the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in the hearing aid power supply charging configuration, and a fourth set of contacts is used by the case circuitry to determine when the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in the hearing aid power supply charging configuration; The detection circuit includes: a circuit within the hearing aid configured to detect when the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in the hearing aid power supply charging configuration, the circuit comprising: a circuit for detecting when a sensed voltage of the hearing aid changes due to connection of the case power supply to the hearing aid; a circuit in the case configured to detect when the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in the hearing aid power supply charging configuration by connecting the case power supply to the hearing aid causing a change in state of hearing aid circuitry and detecting the change in state of the hearing aid circuitry as an indication that the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in the hearing aid power supply charging configuration; The system further comprises circuitry configured to disable certain hearing aid functions after the detection circuitry in the hearing aid detects when the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in the hearing aid power supply charging configuration.

17. 1. A system comprising: a hearing aid configured to be placed in the ear of a user, the hearing aid comprising a rechargeable hearing aid power source; a case configured to interface with the hearing aid in a hearing aid power supply charging configuration, the hearing aid being contained within an enclosed volume of the case, the case comprising a case power supply configured to recharge the hearing aid power supply; a detection circuit comprising at least three external hearing aid electrical contacts, partly disposed within the hearing aid and partly disposed within the case, configured to electrically couple to at least three electrical contacts inside the case when the case is interfaced with the hearing aid in the hearing aid power supply charging configuration, the detection circuit being configured to detect whether the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in the hearing aid power supply charging configuration using the hearing aid and case electrical contacts even when the case power supply does not have power; a first set of contacts electrically connects the case and the hearing aid ground potential, a second set of contacts electrically connects the case power supply to the hearing aid power supply, and a third set of contacts is used to determine when the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in the hearing aid power supply charging configuration; The detection circuit includes: a first voltage divider within the case; a second voltage divider within the hearing aid having an input electrically connected to the hearing aid power supply and having an output, where when the case power supply is electrically connected to the second voltage divider, a path through the voltage divider is changed, thereby changing the voltage divider output; the detection circuitry comprises circuitry within the hearing aid configured to detect when the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in the hearing aid power supply charging configuration, the circuitry within the hearing aid configured to detect when the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in the hearing aid power supply charging configuration comprises circuitry for detecting when a sensed voltage of the hearing aid changes due to connection of the case power supply to the hearing aid. The system further comprises circuitry configured to disable certain hearing aid functions after the detection circuitry in the hearing aid detects when the hearing aid is interfaced with the case in the hearing aid power supply charging configuration.

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