NFC Circuitry for Hearing Aid Compatibility via Audio Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smaller earpiece components in hand-held communications devices are not well suited for hearing aid compatible (HAC) requirements due to limited magnetic field production, which is inadequate for effective hearing aid compatibility.
Innovation Solution
The use of Near Field Communication (NFC) circuitry and NFC antenna as a coil to generate a modulated signal from an audio signal, creating a magnetic field suitable for HAC systems without additional components, leveraging the NFC system's existing infrastructure for both NFC and HAC functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If smaller earpiece components are used to achieve slimmer and more compact hand-held devices, then device compactness is improved, but magnetic field production capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC antenna coil is designed to serve dual purposes: NFC communication and hearing aid compatibility (HAC) magnetic field generation. By configuring the NFC circuitry to output modulated audio signals to the NFC antenna, the same physical component performs both wireless communication and audio transmission functions, eliminating the need for separate earpiece components while maintaining adequate magnetic field production for HAC requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The NFC circuitry is configured to change its output signal characteristics by modulating audio signals onto the NFC carrier frequency. This parameter change allows the NFC antenna, originally designed for NFC frequencies, to effectively transmit audio frequencies for HAC, transforming the signal parameters to match different functional requirements while using the same physical antenna structure
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 provides a cost-effective and compact hearing aid compatibility solution by utilizing the NFC system's components for both NFC and HAC functions, offering a larger 'hot-spot' for better audio signal reception and reducing the need for additional components, thus enhancing user experience and product design.
Implementation Method 1
near field communication (NFC) circuitry connected to the coil. The NFC circuitry may be configured to create a modulated signal from an input audio signal, and output the modulated signal to the coil... the modulated signal generating a magnetic field at the coil
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including a coil antenna; and near field communication (NFC) circuitry connected to the coil antenna. The NFC circuitry is configured to create a modulated signal from an input audio signal, and output the modulated signal to the coil antenna.