Abstract:
A magnetized hearing-aid earpiece inductive coupling system includes a hearing-aid earpiece including a magnetized assembly with an inductive coil. The earpiece also includes an earpiece controller that is communicatively coupled with the inductive coil and that controls adjustable settings of the earpiece. A hearing-aid programming device includes a magnetized coupler with a second inductive coil. The magnetized assembly and the magnetized coupler are configured to magnetically hold the two inductive coils in proximity to one another, such that the inductive coils inductively communicatively couple the earpiece controller with the hearing-aid programming device. The hearing-aid programming device is thereby enabled to instruct the earpiece controller to adjust the earpiece&#39;s adjustable settings.

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to earpieces, and more specifically, to systems and methods of earpiece coupling. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Before the invention of modern electronics, hearing loss was mitigated with passive funnel-like amplification cones known as ear trumpets or ear horns. Today, many hearing aids are electro-acoustic devices that are designed to actively amplify and modulate sounds for a wearer. For example, a hearing aid may simply amplify all received sound or may selectively amplify certain frequencies of sound. 
     Hearing aids can be various shapes and sizes and may be present in various configurations can include portions that are held in and around the ear. Some hearing aids are designed to reside within the ear canal or even be anchored to bone. Regardless of configuration, hearing aids typically comprise a microphone, a speaker (receiver), a battery, and electronic circuitry. Audio processing may be digital or analog and control circuitry may be adjustable or programmable. 
     Examples of such devices include U.S. Pat. No. 2,017,358, entitled “Hearing Aid Apparatus and Amplifier”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,721 entitled “Method of and means for adaptively filtering near-stationary noise from speech”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,548,082, entitled “Hearing aids, signal supplying apparatus, systems for compensating hearing deficiencies, and methods” 
     Because users prefer unobtrusive devices, hearing aids are typically small units, which likewise have tiny controls and coupling points. Unfortunately, this makes adjustment and programming of these devices difficult. For example, some hearing aids have small physical adjustment or programming interfaces such as knobs or switches. These interfaces are difficult to use because of their small size, which is especially problematic for users with disabilities or advanced age. 
     Some hearing aids can be programmed by a connection to a computer or other device, which is typically achieved via a wire. Such programming systems are also deficient because many users will have difficulty connecting such a device to their hearing aid because the connection points are so small. Moreover, such physical connections are dangerous because programming occurs while the hearing aid is being worn, and users can accidently pull a hearing aid out of their ear while it is attached coupled to a wire, or even damage the wire or wire coupling if the wire is pulled. 
     To remedy the problems associated with wired connections, some hearing aids are operable to be programmed wirelessly. However, hearing aids that are capable of wireless communication are typically heavier and bulkier than hearing aids that utilize wired connections. Additionally, wireless-enabled hearing aids also tend to be more expensive than other types of hearing aids. Lastly, wireless-enabled hearing aids consume battery power at a higher rate, meaning the frequency of battery replacement is increased, and the usable continuous time of the hearing aid is reduced. 
     Regardless of how an earpiece is programmed, a user is typically not able to program a hearing aid themselves because of the deficiencies discussed above relating to wire coupling or manipulation of small controls. Moreover, many hearing aids are not even designed to be programmed by a user because of these very issues. Accordingly, an audiologist is usually required to program hearing aids along with associated direct or indirect labor costs. Naturally, having to engage an audiologist in hearing aid programming is cumbersome for users, and makes it difficult to address hearing aid issues immediately. For example, audiologists have limited working hours and availability and are therefore unable to adjust a user&#39;s hearing aid during non-business hours or may not have open appointments that suit a user&#39;s schedule. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a depiction of an earpiece in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a close-up view of an earpiece body in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 3   a  is an earpiece coupling system in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3   b  is an earpiece coupling system in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a method of earpiece programming in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Illustrative embodiments presented herein include, but are not limited to, systems and methods for earpiece coupling 
     Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments. 
     Further, various operations and/or communications will be described as multiple discrete operations and/or communications, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the embodiments described herein; however, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations and/or communications are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations and/or communications need not be performed in the order of presentation. 
     The phrase “in one embodiment” is used repeatedly. The phrase generally does not refer to the same embodiment; however, it may. The terms “comprising,” “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise. 
     The present disclosure relates to various embodiments of a magnetic earpiece coupling system that is easy to use and may be operable to transmit power and programming instructions to one or more earpiece. Data and or power may be transmitted via an inductive connection. Additionally, various embodiments relate to a magnetic earpiece coupling system that protects the earpiece and coupling system from damage and provides selective coupling for right and left oriented earpieces. 
       FIG. 1  is a depiction of an exemplary earpiece  100  in accordance with various embodiments. The earpiece  100  comprises an earpiece body  120 , a tube  140 , and an ear bud  160 . The earpiece body  120  further comprises a magnetized assembly  180 . 
     In some embodiments, the earpiece  100  may be various types of audio devices, which may include a hearing aid, an audio amplification device, an in-ear monitor, ear-phones, and the like.  FIG. 1  depicts an earpiece having a tube  140  that conveys sound from the earpiece body  120  to the ear bud  160 ; however, in further embodiments, an earpiece  100  may take on various shapes and configurations. Accordingly, the earpiece  100  may or may not comprise a tube  140  or ear bud  160  in some embodiments. In some embodiments, a hearing aid may be a body worn aid, a behind the ear aid (“BTE”), in ear aid (“ITE”), receiver in the ear aid (“RITE”), in the canal aid (“ITC”), mini canal aid (“MIC”), completely in the canal aid (“CIC”), open-fit aid, over the ear aid (“OTE”), bone anchored hearing aid (“BAHA”), and the like. 
       FIG. 2  is a close-up view of an earpiece body  120  in accordance with various embodiments, which comprises a magnetized assembly  180  that is operably connected to an earpiece controller  240 . In various embodiments, the magnetized assembly  180  may be operable to form an inductive data connection, and may comprise a coil  220 , which facilitates such an inductive connection. 
     In some embodiments, the earpiece controller  240  may be operable to control various aspects of an earpiece  120 , which may include frequency response, volume, audio effects, audio source, audio bit-rate, and the like. The earpiece controller  240  may be operably connected to or comprise various components of an earpiece  120  such as a speaker, memory, database, and the like (not shown). 
       FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  depict an earpiece coupling system  300  in accordance with various embodiments. The earpiece coupling system  300  comprises a first and second earpiece body  120 A,  120 B and a user device  390 , which is operably connected to a first and second magnetized inductive coupler  310 A,  310 B. 
     The first and second earpiece body  120 A,  120 B may each comprise a first and second magnetized assembly  180 A,  180 B, which is operably coupled to a first and second earpiece controller  240 A,  240 B. Additionally, the magnetized assembly  180 A,  180 B may comprise a first and second coil  220 A,  220 B, which is operable to facilitate an inductive data connection. Additionally, the first and second magnetized inductive coupler  310 A,  310 B may comprise a third and fourth coil  220 C,  220 D, which are operable to facilitate an inductive data connection. 
     Magnets or magnetized portions of various embodiments may include various types of magnets and may be made of various materials, which may include magnetite, lodestone, cobalt, nickel, gadolinium, dysprosium, a sintered composite, an alnico magnet, a ticonal magnet, neodymium magnet, and the like. 
     In various embodiments, such an inductive data connection system  300  allows inductive connectors (such as the first and second magnetized assembly  180 A,  180 B and the first and second magnetized inductive coupler  310 A,  310 B) to be electrically coupled without having to mechanically align the same. As shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , the first magnetized assembly  180 A may be coupled to the first magnetized inductive coupler  310 A and the second magnetized assembly  180 B may be coupled to the second magnetized inductive coupler  310 A. For example, coil  220 C transmits power signals and/or digital signals to coil  220 A. The total power induced onto coil  220 A may be a function of the distance between coils  220 C,  220 A. For example, the farther apart the coils  220 A,  220 C are, the less power would be transmitted to coil  220 A. In some embodiments, electrical power may be transmitted, which may facilitate charging a battery or other power supply. 
     In some embodiments, to regulate level of power that is received by coil  220 A, the system  300  may have a feedback circuit that varies the output of power on coil  220 C as a function of the voltage induced onto coil  220 A. For example, where the magnetized assembly  180 A and magnetized inductive coupler  310 A are spaced apart beyond a predetermined distance, the feedback system increases the power on coil  220 C. Envisioned in various embodiments are circuits that may provide feedback circuits for a magnetized assembly  180 A,  180 B or magnetized inductive coupler  310 A,  301 B that transmit power or digital signals. 
     In various embodiments a magnetized assembly  180  and magnetized inductive coupler  310  need not be in physical contact to send, receive or otherwise obtain power or digital signals. For example, a magnetized assembly  180  may be enclosed within an earpiece body  120  such that physical contact is not possible. However, a magnetized assembly  180  and magnetized inductive coupler  310  may have opposing magnetic poles  330 ,  350  such that a magnetic force  370  attracts the magnetized assembly  180  and magnetized inductive coupler  310 . 
     In various embodiments, a magnetized assembly  180  and magnetized inductive coupler  310  may be held within proximity to each other via a magnetic force  370 . For example a magnetized inductive coupler  310  may be coupled to a portion of an earpiece body  120  via magnetic force  370 . Additionally in further embodiments, a magnetized assembly  180 , magnetized inductive coupler  310 , or earpiece body  120  may comprise various structures to facilitate coupling via magnetic force  370 . 
     In some embodiments, magnetized inductive couplers  310 A,  310 B may have opposing magnetic coupling poles  350 ,  330 , and magnetized portions  180 A,  180 B would have complementary reversed opposing magnetic coupling poles  350 ,  330 . Such a configuration may be desirable in various embodiments because a given magnetized inductive coupler  310  will be attracted to, and thereby couple to one of a pair of earpiece bodies  120 , but not the other. Selective coupling may be desirable because a first and second earpiece body  120 A,  120 B may be specifically configured for a left or right ear, and selective programming or audio configuration of a left and right earpiece body  120 A  120 B may be necessary based on the physiological differences in a user&#39;s left and right ear or based on audio preferences of a user. The N and S magnetic orientations shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  are one embodiment; however, other orientations are contemplated in other embodiments. 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , the first earpiece body  120 A may be configured for a user&#39;s left ear and the magnetized assembly  180 A of the first earpiece body  120 A may have a northern magnetic coupling pole  330 A. The first magnetized inductive coupler  310 A may have a southern magnetic coupling pole  350 A. Accordingly, the northern magnetic coupling pole  330 A and southern magnetic coupling pole  350 A will experience an attractive magnetic force  370 A, when in proximity, which may facilitate coupling of the first earpiece body  120 A the first magnetized inductive coupler  310 A. 
     Similarly, the second earpiece body  120 B may be configured for a user&#39;s right ear and the magnetized assembly  180 B of the second earpiece body  120 B may have a southern magnetic coupling pole  350 B. The second magnetized inductive coupler  310 B may have a northern magnetic coupling pole  330 B. Accordingly, the northern magnetic coupling pole  330 B and southern magnetic coupling pole  350 B will experience an attractive magnetic force  370 B, when in proximity, which may facilitate coupling of the second earpiece body  120 B the second magnetized inductive coupler  310 B. 
     Additionally, while attractive magnetic forces  370  may be experienced between opposing magnetic coupling poles  330 ,  350 , like magnetic coupling poles  330 ,  350  will experience repulsive magnetic forces (not shown). For example, the first magnetized inductive coupler  310 A would not be attracted to the second magnetized assembly  180 B of the second earpiece body  120 B because the southern magnetic coupling poles  350 A,  350 B would repulse each other. Therefore, coupling may be prevented. 
     Similarly, the second magnetized inductive coupler  310 B would not be attracted to the first magnetized assembly  180 A of the first earpiece body  120 A because the northern magnetic coupling poles  330 A,  330 B would repulse each other. 
     In various embodiments, it may be desirable for the first and second magnetized inductive couplers  310 A,  310 B to magnetically couple (while not being worn) for purposes of storage, transportation, and the like. Such coupling may be achieved via attraction of the opposing magnetic coupling poles  350 A,  330 B of the first and second magnetized inductive coupler  310 A,  310 B respectively. 
     In further embodiments it may be desirable for the first and second earpiece body  120 A,  120 B to magnetically couple (while not being worn) for purposes of storage, transportation, and the like. Such coupling may be achieved via attraction of the opposing magnetic coupling poles  350 B,  330 A of the first and second magnetic portion  180 A,  180 B. In some embodiments, the first and second earpiece body  120 A,  120 B or first and second magnetic portion  180 A,  180 B may couple to a carrying case or apparatus. 
     Additionally, as depicted in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  the first and second magnetized inductive coupler  310 A,  310 B may be operably connected to a user device  390 . In various embodiments, the user device  390  may be various devices, such as a computing device, personal data assistant, gaming device, cellular telephone, laptop computer, and the like. In some embodiments, the first and second magnetized inductive coupler  310 A,  310 B may be operable to be connected to various devices, which may include a user device  390 . 
     In some embodiments, the user device  390  may be operable to configure or program the first and second earpiece body  120 A,  120 B, or configure, interact with, communicate with, or program components or elements of the first and second earpiece body  120 A,  120 B. In further embodiments, there may be three or more magnetized inductive couplers  310 . 
       FIG. 4  is an earpiece programming method  400  in accordance with an embodiment. The earpiece programming method  400  begins in block  410  where a first magnetized inductive coupler  310 A is coupled to a magnetized assembly  180 A of a first earpiece body  120 A. In block  415 , an inductive connection is established between the first magnetized inductive coupler  310 A and the first earpiece body  120 A. 
     In decision block  420 , a determination is made whether a second earpiece body  120 B is present. If a second earpiece body  120 B is present, the earpiece programming method  400  continues to block  435  where a second magnetized inductive coupler  310 B is coupled to a magnetized assembly  180 B of the second earpiece body  120 B. In block  440 , an inductive connection is established between the second magnetized inductive coupler  310 B and the second earpiece body  120 B. 
     In block  445  the first and second earpiece body  120 A,  120 B are programmed and the earpiece programming method  400  continues to block  450  where the first magnetized inductive coupler  310 A is de-coupled from the magnetized assembly  180 A of the first earpiece body  120 A. In block  455  the second magnetized inductive coupler  310 B is de-coupled from magnetized assembly  180 B of the second earpiece body  120 B, and the earpiece programming method  400  ends in block  499 . 
     However, if in decision block  420  a determination is made that a second earpiece body  120 B is not present, the earpiece programming method  400  continues to block  425  where the first earpiece body  120 A is programmed. In block  430  the first magnetized inductive coupler  310 A is de-coupled from the magnetized assembly  180 A of the first earpiece body  120 A. The earpiece programming method  400  ends in block  499 . 
     Additionally, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art and others, that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the embodiments described herein. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. While various embodiments have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein.