Hearing Device Selectively Configurable Interface Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hearing devices require multiple interfaces for programming and receiver assemblies, which complicates their design, increases hardware costs, and affects reliability and usability.
Innovation Solution
A selectively configurable interface assembly with a processor that can reconfigure contacts to serve as either input or output based on detected devices, allowing a single interface to be used for both receiver and programming devices by measuring electrical characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional hearing device includes separate wired interfaces for programming and receiver assembly, then communication functionality is ensured, but device complexity and hardware cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single wired interface assembly that can be selectively configured to serve multiple functions: programming mode and receiver assembly connection mode. The interface assembly includes contacts that can be electrically connected to different internal circuits based on the connected device type, eliminating the need for separate dedicated interfaces for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface assembly employs dynamic reconfiguration of electrical connections based on the type of device connected. A detector circuit identifies whether a programming device or receiver assembly is connected, and a switch circuit dynamically reroutes the contacts to appropriate internal circuits, allowing the same physical interface to adapt its functionality in real-time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate interfaces are included in the hearing device, then communication with different devices is facilitated, but the size of the hearing device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple separate interfaces into a single integrated wired interface assembly. This single interface assembly physically combines the contact structures that would otherwise require separate dedicated interfaces, reducing the overall space required while maintaining compatibility with both programming devices and receiver assemblies through selective electrical connection routing.
3Reliability
If multiple separate interfaces are included in the hearing device, then communication functionality is ensured, but the reliability of the hearing device decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The single wired interface assembly serves multiple functions through selective configuration, reducing the number of interface components that could potentially fail. By consolidating programming and receiver connection functionality into one interface assembly with dynamic routing, the system reduces points of failure while maintaining full communication capability with both device types.
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
This solution simplifies the hearing device design, reduces hardware complexity and costs, and enhances performance and user experience by allowing a single interface for multiple functions.
Implementation Method 1
the processor may measure an electrical characteristic of the device and determine, based on the electrical characteristic of the device, that the device is a programming device
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary hearing device includes an interface assembly comprising a plurality of contacts and a processor coupled to the contacts. The processor is configured to configure, while a receiver assembly is connected to the interface assembly, the contacts to serve as output contacts; output, based on the configuring, audio signals to the receiver assembly by way of the contacts; detect that a device has been connected to the interface assembly in place of the receiver assembly; measure, in response to the detecting, a direct current resistance (DCR) of the device; determine, based on the DCR, that the device is a programming device; reconfigure, in response to determining that the device is the programming device, the contacts to serve as input contacts; and receive, based on the reconfiguring of the contacts to serve as input contacts, programming instructions from the programming device by way of the contacts.