Hearing Aid RFID Tag Detection for Program Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hearing aids face issues with unintended program switching due to external magnetic fields and potential damage from strong magnets, leading to feedback and whistling problems when detecting telephone handsets.
Innovation Solution
A hearing aid with a radio frequency detection device that uses a spatial detection zone to identify radio frequency tags, allowing for program switching without external magnetic fields, and featuring a transmission unit that modifies characteristics based on tag signals to prevent unintended program changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a magnetic field sensor (REED contact or GMR sensor) is used to detect telephone handsets for program switching, then the hearing aid can switch programs when a telephone is brought near, but external magnetic fields can cause unintended program switching and strong magnets can damage the sound generator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic field detection system (REED contacts or GMR sensors) with an RFID-based detection system. The RFID system uses electromagnetic fields at radio frequencies to detect telephone handsets with RFID tags, eliminating the vulnerability to damaging strong magnets while maintaining the ability to trigger program switching. This substitution resolves the contradiction by removing the harmful effect of external magnetic fields on the sound generator.
2Ease of operation
If a magnetic field sensor is used for detecting telephone handsets, then program switching can be achieved, but small strong magnets produce unpleasant whistling due to feedback in the telecoil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic field-based detection system with an RFID detection system that operates independently of the telecoil. By using radio frequency electromagnetic fields instead of magnetic fields, the system eliminates the interaction between detection magnets and the telecoil that causes feedback whistling, while preserving the program switching function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If magnetic field sensors are used for detecting telephone handsets, then program switching can be implemented, but the system becomes vulnerable to unintended program changes from external magnetic fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the magnetic field sensor system with an RFID detection system that uses radio frequency electromagnetic fields. This substitution provides more reliable and selective detection because RFID tags are specifically designed to respond to RFID readers at defined frequencies, making the system resistant to interference from external magnetic fields and eliminating unintended program switching.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables reliable and accurate program switching for hearing aids, preventing unintended changes and damage from external magnetic fields, while allowing for customizable amplification to match individual hearing thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
a radio frequency detection device, which on its output side has a working connection to the transmission unit, with a spatial detection zone for at least one radio frequency tag, where the radio frequency detection device is designed to detect, electromagnetically and in particular inductively, a radio frequency tag
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hearing aid with a sound receiver for generating a microphone signal representing a sound wave received and a sound generator for generating a sound depending on a power signal received. The hearing aid has a transmission unit which on the input side is connected to the sound receiver and on the output side to the sound generator and generates a power signal depending on a microphone signal received. The transmission unit modifies a transmission characteristic of the transmission unit as a function of a tag signal received. The hearing aid has a radio frequency detection device connected to the transmission unit, with a spatial detection zone where the radio frequency detection device detects, electromagnetically and in particular inductively, a radio frequency tag and, depending on the radio frequency tag, to generate a tag signal and to output this to the transmission unit.