Patent Description:
Hearing devices provide sound for the wearer. Some examples of hearing devices are headsets, hearing aids, speakers, cochlear implants, bone conduction devices, and personal listening devices. For example, hearing aids provide amplification to compensate for hearing loss by transmitting amplified sounds to a wearer's ear canals. Hearing devices may be capable of performing wireless communication with other devices, such as receiving streaming audio from a streaming device via a wireless link. Wireless communication may also be performed for programming the hearing device and transmitting information from the hearing device. For performing such wireless communication, hearing devices such as hearing aids can include a wireless transceiver and an antenna.

<CIT> discloses antennas for custom fit hearing assistance devices. In one embodiment for a flex antenna, a thin conductive layer is formed in or on a thin dielectric layer. An embodiment uses copper for the metal, and some embodiments plate the copper with silver or nickel or gold. Some embodiments provide a copper layer on each side of a coverlay (e.g. polyimide, liquid crystal polymer, or Teflon material).

<CIT> discloses non-contact antenna feeds in which the antenna can be separated from a feed line by a dielectric material with a specified dielectric constant (e.g., relative permittivity) and a specific distance. The dielectric material can be a solid dielectric (e.g., glass, plastic), a liquid dielectric (e.g., mineral oil, glycerol).

Embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device configured to be worn by a wearer and comprising a housing configured to be supported at, by, in or on the wearer's ear. A processor is disposed in the housing. A speaker or a receiver is operably coupled to the processor. A radio frequency transceiver is disposed in the housing and operably coupled to the processor. An antenna is disposed on or in the housing and operably coupled to the transceiver. The antenna comprises a radiating element, a ground plane, and a substrate disposed between the radiating element and the ground plane. The substrate comprises one or both of a dielectric gel and a dielectric liquid.

Embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic device configured to be worn by a wearer and comprising a housing configured for at least partial insertion into an ear canal of the wearer. The housing has a preformed shape that conforms to a shape of the wearer's ear canal. A processor is disposed in the housing. A speaker or a receiver is operably coupled to the processor. A radio frequency transceiver is disposed in the housing and operably coupled to the processor. An antenna is operably coupled to the transceiver. The antenna comprises a radiating element, a ground plane, and a substrate disposed between the radiating element and the ground plane. The substrate comprises one or both of a dielectric gel and a dielectric liquid.

Embodiments are directed to an ear-worn electronic hearing device configured to be worn by a wearer and comprising a patch-type antenna. The antenna comprises a radiating element, a ground plane, and a substrate disposed between the radiating element and the ground plane. The substrate comprises one or both of a dielectric gel and a dielectric liquid.

The above summary is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The figures and the detailed description below more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments.

Throughout the specification reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:.

It is understood that the embodiments described herein may be used with any ear-worn or ear-level electronic device without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The devices depicted in the figures are intended to demonstrate the subject matter, but not in a limited, exhaustive, or exclusive sense. Ear-worn electronic devices (also referred to herein as "hearing devices"), such as hearables (e.g., wearable earphones, ear monitors, and earbuds), hearing aids, hearing instruments, and hearing assistance devices, typically include an enclosure, such as a housing or shell, within which internal components are disposed. Typical components of a hearing device can include a processor (e.g., a digital signal processor or DSP), memory circuitry, power management circuitry, one or more communication devices (e.g., a radio, a near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) device), one or more antennas, one or more microphones, and a receiver/speaker, for example. Hearing devices can incorporate a long-range communication device, such as a Bluetooth® transceiver or other type of radio frequency (RF) transceiver. A communication device (e.g., a radio or NFMI device) of a hearing device can be configured to facilitate communication between a left ear device and a right ear device of the hearing device.

Hearing devices of the present disclosure can incorporate an antenna coupled to a highfrequency transceiver, such as a <NUM> radio. The RF transceiver can conform to an IEEE <NUM> (e.g., WiFi®) or Bluetooth® (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE), Bluetooth® <NUM>. <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or later) specification, for example. It is understood that hearing devices of the present disclosure can employ other transceivers or radios, such as a <NUM> radio. Hearing devices of the present disclosure can be configured to receive streaming audio (e.g., digital audio data or files) from an electronic or digital source. Representative electronic/digital sources (e.g., accessory devices) include an assistive listening system, a TV streamer, a radio, a smartphone, a laptop, a cell phone/entertainment device (CPED) or other electronic device that serves as a source of digital audio data or other types of data files. Hearing devices of the present disclosure can be configured to effect bi-directional communication (e.g., wireless communication) of data with an external source, such as a remote server via the Internet or other communication infrastructure. Hearing devices that include a left ear device and a right ear device can be configured to effect bi-directional communication (e.g., wireless communication) therebetween, so as to implement ear-to-ear communication between the left and right ear devices.

The term hearing device of the present disclosure refers to a wide variety of ear-level electronic devices that can aid a person with impaired hearing. The term hearing device also refers to a wide variety of devices that can produce processed sound for persons with normal hearing. Hearing devices of the present disclosure include hearables (e.g., wearable earphones, headphones, earbuds, virtual reality headsets), hearing aids (e.g., hearing instruments), cochlear implants, and bone-conduction devices, for example. Hearing devices include, but are not limited to, behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), invisible-in-canal (IIC), receiver-in-canal (RIC), receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) or completely-in-the-canal (CIC) type hearing devices or some combination of the above. Throughout this disclosure, reference is made to a "hearing device," which is understood to refer to a system comprising a single left ear device, a single right ear device, or a combination of a left ear device and a right ear device.

Ear-worn electronic devices configured for wireless communication, such as hearing aids and other types of hearing devices, are relatively small in size. Custom hearing devices, such as ITE, ITC, and CIC devices for example, are quite small in size. In the manufacture of a custom hearing device, for example, an ear impression or ear mold is taken for a particular wearer and processed to construct the housing of the hearing device. Because custom hearing devices are designed to be partially or fully inserted into a wearer's ear canal, the housing is necessarily quite small. In order to implement a functional wireless platform (e.g., @ <NUM>), the antenna must be small enough to fit within such devices.

The severe space limitations within the housing of an ear-worn electronic device impose a physical challenge on designing the antenna. One approach to address this challenge is to implement an antenna with a high relative dielectric constant (or relative permittivity) to reduce the antenna size. The relative dielectric constant, which is a parameter commonly used to characterize the antenna substrate, may not be as high as needed, particularly in the case of custom hearing devices. Previous attempts to solve this challenge for <NUM> hearing devices, for example, suffer from unacceptably low antenna efficiency due the restriction in antenna size.

In the following discussion, the term dielectric constant will be used as a substitute for the term relative dielectric constant for purposes of brevity. It is understood that the term dielectric constant as used herein is interchangeable with the term relative permittivity.

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to an antenna of a hearing device which includes a substrate comprising a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid. Incorporating a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid into the substrate of the antenna provides for an antenna substrate with a dielectric constant which is significantly higher than that of a conventional solid antenna substrate. Incorporating a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid within the antenna substrate provides for an antenna with a high dielectric constant that improves radiation efficiency of the antenna while maintaining a small size. Incorporating a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid into the substrate of the antenna provides increased flexibility in the design and layout for achieving enhanced antenna performance (e.g., higher radiation efficiency and/or wider bandwidth). For example, a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid can be formulated and distributed within the antenna substrate to tune and/or optimize the antenna performance for different hearing device wearers. Particular embodiments are directed to a patch-type antenna of a hearing device (e.g., a custom hearing device) which incorporates a substrate comprising a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid.

<FIG> illustrate various components of a representative hearing device arrangement in accordance with various embodiments. <FIG> illustrate first and second hearing devices 100A and 100B configured to be supported at, by, in or on left and right ears of a wearer. In some embodiments, a single hearing device 100A or 100B can be supported at, by, in or on the left or right ear of a wearer. As illustrated, the first and second hearing devices 100A and 100B include the same functional components. It is understood that the first and second hearing devices 100A and 100B can include different functional components. The first and second hearing devices 100A and 100B can be representative of any of the hearing devices disclosed herein.

The first and second hearing devices 100A and 100B include an enclosure <NUM> configured for placement, for example, over or on the ear, entirely or partially within the external ear canal (e.g., between the pinna and ear drum) or behind the ear. Disposed within the enclosure <NUM> is a processor <NUM> which incorporates or is coupled to memory circuitry. The processor <NUM> can include or be implemented as a multi-core processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an audio processor or a combination of these processors. For example, the processor <NUM> may be implemented in a variety of different ways, such as with a mixture of discrete analog and digital components that include a processor configured to execute programmed instructions contained in a processor-readable storage medium (e.g., solid-state memory, e.g., Flash).

The processor <NUM> is coupled to a wireless transceiver <NUM> (also referred to herein as a radio), such as a BLE transceiver. The wireless transceiver <NUM> is operably coupled to an antenna <NUM> configured for transmitting and receiving radio signals. The antenna <NUM>, according to various embodiments, includes a substrate <NUM> comprising a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid. In some embodiments, the antenna <NUM> incorporates a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid as a standalone layer of the substrate <NUM>. In other embodiments, the antenna <NUM> incorporates a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid within a solid portion or portions of the substrate <NUM> (e.g., solid and gel/liquid layers or channels). The dielectric material of the dielectric gel or dielectric liquid preferably has low dielectric loss. In some embodiments, the dielectric material of the dielectric gel and/or dielectric liquid is formulated to approximate the dielectric constant of human tissue (e.g., tissue of the head).

The wireless transceiver <NUM> and antenna <NUM> can be configured to enable ear-to-ear communication between the two hearing devices 100A and 100B, as well as communications with an external device (e.g., a smartphone or a digital music player). A battery <NUM> or other power source (rechargeable or conventional) is provided within the enclosure <NUM> and is configured to provide power to the various components of the hearing devices 100A and 100B. A speaker or receiver <NUM> is coupled to an amplifier (not shown) and the processor <NUM>. The speaker or receiver <NUM> is configured to generate sound which is communicated to the wearer's ear.

In some embodiments, the hearing devices 100A and 100B include a microphone <NUM> mounted on or inside the enclosure <NUM>. The microphone <NUM> may be a single microphone or multiple microphones, such as a microphone array. The microphone <NUM> can be coupled to a preamplifier (not shown), the output of which is coupled to the processor <NUM>. The microphone <NUM> receives sound waves from the environment and converts the sound into an input signal. The input signal is amplified by the preamplifier and sampled and digitized by an analog-to-digital converter of the processor <NUM>, resulting in a digitized input signal. In some embodiments (e.g., hearing aids), the processor <NUM> (e.g., DSP circuitry) is configured to process the digitized input signal into an output signal in a manner that compensates for the wearer's hearing loss. When receiving an audio signal from an external source, the wireless transceiver <NUM> may produce a second input signal for the DSP circuitry of the processor <NUM> that may be combined with the input signal produced by the microphone <NUM> or used in place thereof. In other embodiments, (e.g., hearables), the processor <NUM> can be configured to process the digitized input signal into an output signal in a manner that is tailored or optimized for the wearer (e.g., based on wearer preferences). The output signal is then passed to an audio output stage that drives the speaker or receiver <NUM>, which converts the output signal into an audio output.

Some embodiments are directed to a custom hearing aid, such as an ITC, CIC, or IIC hearing aid. For example, some embodiments are directed to a custom hearing aid which includes a wireless transceiver and an antenna arrangement configured to operate in the <NUM> ISM frequency band or other applicable communication band (referred to as the "Bluetooth® band" herein). As was discussed previously, creating a robust antenna arrangement for a <NUM> custom hearing aid represents a significant engineering challenge. A custom hearing aid is severely limited in space, and the antenna arrangement is in close proximity to other electrical components, both of which impacts antenna performance. Because the human body is very lossy and a custom hearing aid is positioned within the ear canal, a high performance antenna <NUM> (e.g., high antenna radiation efficiency and/or wide bandwidth) is particularly desirable. Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a high performance antenna <NUM> which incorporates a substrate comprising one or both of a dielectric gel and a dielectric liquid.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a custom hearing aid system which incorporates a high performance antenna in accordance with various embodiments. The hearing aid system <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> includes two hearing devices, e.g., left 201a and right 201b side hearing devices, configured to wirelessly communicate with each other and external devices and systems. <FIG> conceptually illustrates functional blocks of the hearing devices 201a, 201b. The position of the functional blocks in <FIG> does not necessarily indicate actual locations of components that implement these functional blocks within the hearing devices 201a, 201b. <FIG> is a block diagram of components that may be disposed at least partially within the enclosure 205a, 205b of the hearing device 201a, 201b.

Each hearing device 201a, 201b includes a physical enclosure 205a, 205b that encloses an internal volume. The enclosure 205a, 205b is configured for at least partial insertion within the wearer's ear canal. The enclosure 205a, 205b includes an external side 202a, 202b that faces away from the wearer and an internal side 203a, 203b that is inserted in the ear canal. The enclosure 205a, 205b comprises a shell 206a, 206b and a faceplate 207a, 207b. The shell 206a, 206b typically has a shape that is customized to the shape of a particular wearer's ear canal. The faceplate 207a, 207b may include a battery door 208a, 208b or drawer disposed near the external side 202a, 202b of the enclosure 205a, 205b and configured to allow the battery 240a, 240b to be inserted and removed from the enclosure 205a, 205b. The hearing device 201a, 201b may include a rechargeable battery (e.g., a lithium-ion battery) and charging circuitry (not shown) configured to cooperate with a charging unit to implement a charging procedure to charge the rechargeable battery.

An antenna 220a, 220b includes a substrate 221a, 221b comprising a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid, various configurations of which are illustrated and described herein. The dielectric gel/liquid-filled substrate 221a, b of the antenna 220a, 220b, which can include or be coupled to a matching circuit, allows the antenna 220a, 220b to fit within a customized device, while providing a specified antenna efficiency, e.g., an optimal antenna efficiency for the customized environment and/or particular wearer. The antenna 220a, 220b can be mounted on the faceplate 207a, 207b.

The battery 240a, 240b powers electronic circuitry 230a, 230b which is also disposed within the shell 206a, 206b. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the hearing device 201a, 201b may include one or more microphones 251a, 251b configured to pick up acoustic signals and to transduce the acoustic signals into microphone electrical signals. The electrical signals generated by the microphones 251a, 251b may be conditioned by an analog front end <NUM> (see <FIG>) by filtering, amplifying and/or converting the microphone electrical signals from analog to digital signals so that the digital signals can be further processed and/or analyzed by the processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may perform signal processing and/or control various tasks of the hearing device 201a, 201b. In some implementations, the processor <NUM> comprises a DSP that may include additional computational processing units operating in a multi-core architecture.

The processor <NUM> is configured to control wireless communication between the hearing devices 201a, 201b and/or an external accessory device (e.g., a smartphone, a digital music player) via the antenna 220a, 220b. The wireless communication may include, for example, audio streaming data and/or control signals. The electronic circuitry 230a, 230b of the hearing device 201a, 201b includes a transceiver <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> has a receiver portion that receives communication signals from the antenna 220a, 220b, demodulates the communication signals, and transfers the signals to the processor <NUM> for further processing. The transceiver <NUM> also includes a transmitter portion that modulates output signals from the processor <NUM> for transmission via the antenna 220a, 220b. Electrical signals from the microphone 251a, 251b and/or wireless communication received via the antenna 220a, 220b may be processed by the processor <NUM> and converted to acoustic signals played to the wearer's ear <NUM> via a speaker 252a, 252b.

<FIG> illustrate an antenna which includes a substrate comprising a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid in accordance with various embodiments. The antenna <NUM> includes a ground plane <NUM> comprising an electrically conductive material (e.g., copper). The antenna <NUM> also includes a radiating element (e.g., a patch) <NUM> comprising an electrically conductive material (e.g., copper) which is spaced apart from the ground plane <NUM>. A substrate <NUM> is disposed between the ground plane <NUM> and the radiating element <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the substrate <NUM> comprises a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid.

The substrate <NUM> is a multi-layer structure comprising one or more solid layers and one or more gel and/or liquid layers. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the substrate <NUM> includes a first solid substrate <NUM> in contact with or proximate to the ground plane <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> also includes a second solid substrate <NUM> in contact with or proximate to the radiating element <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> further includes a dielectric gel and/or liquid <NUM> disposed between the first and second solid substrate <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, the dielectric constant of the substrate <NUM> is dominated by the dielectric constant of the dielectric gel/liquid layer or layers <NUM>. In other embodiments, the dielectric constant of the substrate <NUM> is as a composite value reflective of the dielectric constant of the dielectric gel/liquid layer(s) <NUM> and the dielectric constant of the first and second solid substrates <NUM>, <NUM>.

As is shown in <FIG>, the dielectric gel/liquid of the substrate <NUM> can be contained within an enclosure <NUM>. In some embodiments, the enclosure <NUM> defines a solid peripheral edge of the dielectric gel/liquid layer <NUM>, with the first and second solid substrate <NUM>, <NUM> serving as top and bottom surfaces of the enclosure <NUM>. In other embodiments, the enclosure <NUM> defines a unitary structure comprising the solid peripheral edge with top and bottom surfaces (separate from the first and second solid substrates <NUM>, <NUM>) that together contain the dielectric gel/liquid material.

In general, the dielectric constant (εr) of the substrate <NUM> can vary from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. A specified dielectric constant value for the substrate <NUM> can be achieved by considering the dielectric constant of the dielectric gel/liquid material <NUM> and, if applicable, the dielectric constant of the first and second solid substrates <NUM>, <NUM>.

Incorporating a dielectric gel/liquid into the structure of the substrate <NUM> advantageously provides enhanced flexibility for achieving a desired dielectric constant for the substrate <NUM> which is not feasible when using a conventional solid substrate (having a fixed dielectric constant) alone. For example, the concentration and/or formulation of dielectric material within the dielectric gel and/or liquid layer <NUM> can be adjusted to increase or decrease the dielectric constant of the substrate <NUM> as desired. The dielectric gel/liquid-filled substrate <NUM> can have any shape to meet specified antenna size and performance requirements. Dielectric gel/fluid-filled structures of the substrate <NUM> can be positioned in different planes, angles, and directions for purposes of enhancing or optimizing antenna performance. Inclusion of the dielectric gel and/or liquid layer <NUM> in the substrate <NUM> allows for tuning the antenna <NUM> in a manner that can be optimized for a particular wearer of an ear-worn electronic device that incorporates the antenna <NUM>.

In general, the dielectric constant of the dielectric gel/liquid material <NUM> can vary from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, such as from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. In the specific case of relatively small ear-worn electronic devices, the dielectric constant of the dielectric gel/liquid material <NUM> can vary from about <NUM> to about <NUM> (e.g., from ~<NUM> to ~<NUM>, from ~<NUM> to ~<NUM>, from ~<NUM> to ~<NUM>, from ~<NUM> to ~<NUM>, at least ~<NUM>, at least ~<NUM>, at least ~<NUM>). Dielectric gels and/or liquids with a relatively high dielectric constant (e.g., ~<NUM>-~<NUM>) can provide for a significant reduction in the physical size of the antenna <NUM> while maintaining specified antenna performance.

Various dielectric materials can be used in the dielectric gel/liquid layer <NUM>. In some embodiments, the dielectric gel/liquid layer <NUM> comprises a liquid comprising one or more dielectric additives or components. For example, the dielectric gel/liquid layer <NUM> can include a liquid comprising a solvent(s) and a solute(s), one or both of which contributes to the dielectric constant of the dielectric liquid layer <NUM>. In other embodiments, the dielectric gel/liquid layer <NUM> can comprise a gel containing dielectric material (e.g., single or multiple materials). A gel is generally understood to be a combination of a solid and a liquid. Gels can be described as a dispersion of molecules of a liquid within a solid, in which the liquid particles are dispersed in the solid medium. For example, a gel can be considered a class of colloids formed when colloidal particles are liquid and the dispersion phase are solid. A gel can be defined as a substantially dilute cross-linked system, which exhibits no flow when in the steady-state.

According to various embodiments, one or both of the solid and liquid components of a dielectric gel can comprise material that contributes to the dielectric constant of the dielectric gel layer <NUM>. In some embodiments, the dielectric gel/liquid layer <NUM> includes a dielectric solid or solute that remains in the dielectric gel/liquid layer <NUM> after evaporation of a liquid component of the dielectric gel/liquid layer <NUM>.

A dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid, which is incorporated in layer <NUM>, can include one or a combination of dielectric materials or components. By way of example, and not of limitation, the dielectric gel/liquid layer <NUM> can comprise water (εr ≈ <NUM>), graphite (εr ≈ <NUM>-<NUM>), ground glass (εr ≈ <NUM>-<NUM>), graphite (εr ≈ <NUM>-<NUM>), titanium dioxide (εr ≈ <NUM>-<NUM>), barium titanate (εr ≈ <NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM>), barium strontium titanate (εr ≈ <NUM>), or a combination of any of these materials. Any of these or other dielectric materials can be used, individually or in combination, to achieve a desired dielectric constant for the dielectric gel/liquid layer <NUM>.

The dielectric constant of the first and second solid substrates <NUM>, <NUM> can vary from about <NUM> to about <NUM> (e.g., from ~<NUM> to ~<NUM>, from ~<NUM> to ~<NUM>). Suitable materials for the first and second solid substrate <NUM>, <NUM> include, but are not limited to, the following:.

According to various embodiments, an antenna of the present disclosure is designed to resonate at a specified operating frequency or band of frequencies in response to the dielectric gel/fluid-filled substrate having a predetermined dielectric constant. For example, an antenna incorporating a dielectric gel/fluid-filled substrate can be configured to operate in the <NUM> ISM frequency band or other applicable communication band. To operate properly within this frequency band, the dielectric gel and/or dielectric liquid has a dielectric constant that allows the substrate to achieve the predetermined dielectric constant or dielectric constant range (e.g., εr ≈ <NUM> for the antenna simulation of <FIG>). Incorporating a gel and/or a liquid having a relatively high dielectric constant (e.g., at least ~<NUM>, from ~<NUM> to ~<NUM>) into the antenna substrate provides for an antenna of reduced size (e.g., for custom hearing devices) while providing higher radiation efficiency and/or wider bandwidth when compared to antennas incorporating conventional solid substrates.

<FIG> illustrates an antenna which includes a substrate comprising a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid in accordance with various embodiments. The antenna <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a ground plane <NUM> comprising an electrically conductive material. The antenna <NUM> also includes a radiating element (e.g., a patch) <NUM> comprising an electrically conductive material which is spaced apart from the ground plane <NUM>. A substrate <NUM> is disposed between the ground plane <NUM> and the radiating element <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> is a multi-layer structure comprising one or more solid layers and one or more gel and/or liquid layers.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the substrate <NUM> includes a first solid substrate <NUM> in contact with or proximate to the ground plane <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> also includes a second solid substrate <NUM> in contact with or proximate to the radiating element <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> further includes a layer <NUM> comprising a combination of solid and gel/liquid sections disposed between the first and second solid substrate <NUM>, <NUM>. More particularly, the substrate <NUM> includes a plurality of channels <NUM> disposed between solid sections <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the channels <NUM> extend between, and terminate at, opposing edge surfaces <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>. For example, each of the channels <NUM> has a first end originating at a first edge surface 407a and a second end terminating at a second edge surface 407b of the substrate <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or more of the channels <NUM> can have a single open-end configuration, such that a first end originates at one of the edge surfaces 407a, 407b and a second end terminates prior to the opposing edge surface 407b, 407a. Although the channels <NUM> are shown as having a rectangular cross-section, it is understood that other cross-sections are contemplated (e.g., square, round, oval cross-sections).

Each of the channels <NUM> is filled with a dielectric gel or a dielectric liquid (e.g., see example materials discussed above). According to various embodiments, some of the channels <NUM> can be filled with a dielectric gel while other channels <NUM> can be filled with a dielectric liquid. In other embodiments, the dielectric gel/liquid contained within the channels <NUM> can have the same composition (e.g., the same dielectric constant). In other embodiments, the channels <NUM> can contain dielectric gels/liquids having different compositions (e.g., different dielectric constants). In some embodiments, the dielectric constant of the substrate <NUM> is dominated by the dielectric constant of the combined dielectric gel/liquid and solid substrate layer <NUM>. In other embodiments, the dielectric constant of the substrate <NUM> is as a composite value reflective of the dielectric constant of the combined dielectric gel/liquid and solid substrate layer <NUM> and the dielectric constant of the first and second solid substrates <NUM>, <NUM>. As was previously discussed, the concentration and/or formulation of dielectric material within the dielectric gel and/or liquid layer <NUM> can be adjusted to increase or decrease the dielectric constant of the substrate <NUM> as desired.

<FIG> illustrates an antenna which includes a substrate comprising a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid in accordance with various embodiments. The antenna <NUM> includes a radiating element (e.g., a patch) <NUM> comprising electrically conductive material which is spaced apart from a ground plane <NUM> by a substrate <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> comprises a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid of a type previously described. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the radiating element <NUM> and the substrate <NUM> have a square shape. It is understood that, in other embodiments, the radiating element <NUM> can have a variety of shapes, including a rectangular, circular, elliptical, hexagonal, or fractal shape.

According to various embodiments, the square substrate <NUM> has sides having a length (a) of about <NUM> to about <NUM> (e.g., ~<NUM>). The square radiating element <NUM> has sides having a length (b) of about <NUM> to about <NUM> (e.g., ~<NUM>). The substrate <NUM> has a thickness (c) of about <NUM> to about <NUM> (e.g., ~<NUM>). The antenna <NUM> shown in <FIG> is well suited for incorporation in a custom ear-worn electronic device designed to be partially or entirely inserted into a wearer's ear canal (e.g., an ITE, ITC IIC or CIS device).

<FIG> illustrates an antenna which incorporates a substrate comprising a dielectric gel and/or dielectric liquid in accordance with various embodiments. The antenna <NUM> includes a radiating element (e.g., a patch) <NUM> comprising electrically conductive material which is spaced apart from a ground plane <NUM> by a substrate <NUM> comprising a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid of a type previously described. The substrate <NUM> includes a solid section 606a and a plurality of channels <NUM> disposed within the solid section 606a. Each of the channels <NUM> includes a first end originating at one of the edge surfaces <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, each of the channels <NUM> includes a second end which terminates at an opposing edge surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>. Each of the channels <NUM> is independent of other channels <NUM>, such that none of the channels <NUM> are fluidically coupled. In this configuration, the substrate <NUM> incorporates two fluidically independent channels <NUM>. The channels <NUM> are positioned within the substrate <NUM> such that all or at least a portion (e.g., portion under the radiating element <NUM>) of the channels <NUM> is located on different horizontal planes within the substrate <NUM>.

In accordance with other embodiments, the channels <NUM> are fluidically coupled at a fluidic junction <NUM> positioned away from the edge surfaces <NUM>. In such embodiments, the second end of each channel <NUM> terminates at the fluidic junction <NUM>, which can be located below the radiating element <NUM>. In this configuration, the substrate <NUM> incorporates four fluidically coupled channels <NUM>. The fluidically coupled channels <NUM> can be located on the same horizontal plane (or on different planes) within the substrate <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an antenna which incorporates a substrate comprising a dielectric gel and/or dielectric liquid in accordance with various embodiments. The antenna <NUM> includes a radiating element (e.g., a patch) <NUM> comprising electrically conductive material which is spaced apart from a ground plane <NUM> by a substrate <NUM> comprising a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid of a type previously described. The substrate <NUM> includes a solid section 706a and a plurality of channels <NUM> disposed within the solid section 706a. Each of the channels <NUM> includes a first end originating at one of the edge surfaces <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, each of the channels <NUM> includes a second end which terminates at an opposing edge surface <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>. Each of the channels <NUM> is independent of other channels <NUM>, such that none of the channels <NUM> are fluidically coupled. In this configuration, the substrate <NUM> incorporates four fluidically independent channels <NUM>. The channels <NUM> are positioned within the substrate <NUM> such that all or at least a portion (e.g., portion under the radiating element <NUM>) of the channels <NUM> is located on different horizontal planes within the substrate <NUM>.

In accordance with other embodiments, the channels <NUM> are fluidically coupled at a fluidic junction <NUM> positioned away from the edge surfaces <NUM>. In such embodiments, the second end of each channel <NUM> terminates at the fluidic junction <NUM>, which can be located below the radiating element <NUM>. In this configuration, the substrate <NUM> incorporates eight fluidically coupled channels <NUM>. The fluidically coupled channels <NUM> can be located on the same horizontal plane (or on different planes) within the substrate <NUM>.

The antennas shown in the figures are generally representative of a patch-type antenna. Patch antennas, also referred to as rectangular microstrip antennas, are low profile and lightweight making them well-suited for use in ear-worn electronic devices, such as hearing aids and other hearables. Various types of patch antennas can be implemented to incorporate a substrate comprising a dielectric gel and/or dielectric liquid, including a Planar Inverted-F Antenna (referred to as a PIFA antenna) and an Inverted-F Antenna (referred to as an IFA antenna).

<FIG> show perspective and cross sectional views, respectively, of a PIFA antenna which incorporates a substrate comprising a dielectric gel and/or dielectric liquid in accordance with various embodiments. The PIFA antenna <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a conductive patch <NUM> and a ground plane <NUM> that overlaps and is spaced apart from the patch <NUM>. The ground plane <NUM> is separated from the conductive patch <NUM> by a substrate <NUM> comprising a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric liquid. A shorting wall or pin <NUM> shorts the patch <NUM> to the ground plane <NUM>. To achieve a desired antenna response, the PIFA antenna <NUM> may include multiple shorting pins. A wireless transceiver of an ear-worn electronic device can be coupled to the PIFA antenna <NUM> through a feed arrangement comprising a feed arm 812a and a feed point 812b.

The substrate <NUM> is a multi-layer structure comprising one or more solid layers and one or more gel and/or liquid layers. As shown in <FIG>, the substrate <NUM> includes a first solid substrate <NUM> in contact with or proximate to the ground plane <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> also includes a second solid substrate <NUM> in contact with or proximate to the patch <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> further includes a dielectric gel and/or liquid <NUM> disposed between the first and second solid substrates <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, the dielectric constant of the substrate <NUM> is dominated by the dielectric constant of the dielectric gel/liquid layer or layers <NUM>. In other embodiments, the dielectric constant of the substrate <NUM> is as a composite value reflective of the dielectric constant of the dielectric gel/liquid layer(s) <NUM> and the dielectric constant of the first and second solid substrates <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> show a variety of antennas comprising a dielectric gel/fluid-filled substrate. It is understood that the dielectric gel and/or fluid can be contained within the antenna substrate in various ways and configurations. The gel/fluid-filled substrate can take any form and combinations to meet specified antenna performance requirements. For example, the dielectric gel/fluid can be arranged as strip lines, channels, wells, pockets or voids within the antenna substrate. These dielectric gel/fluid-filled structures can be positioned in different planes, angles, and directions whenever possible for purposes of enhancing or optimizing antenna performance.

Modeling was performed to simulate an antenna comprising a substrate filled with a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric fluid in accordance with various embodiments. The antenna configuration shown generally in <FIG> was evaluated. The dimensions (a), (b), and (c), were given as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, respectively. <FIG> is a graph showing the reflection coefficient (S<NUM>) of the simulated antenna as a function of dielectric constant (εr) when fed with a <NUM> signal. As can be seen in <FIG>, the simulated antenna resonates when the dielectric constant, εr, is ~<NUM>. Considering εr = <NUM> as a center point (c) with S<NUM> = -<NUM> dB, a lower εr limit (a) and an upper εr limit (b) can be set such that their S<NUM> value is about -<NUM> dB as worst case. As such, a dielectric constant, εr, in the range of about <NUM> to about <NUM> can be considered an operational range for the simulated antenna.

The modeling exercise demonstrated that an antenna comprising a substrate filled with a dielectric gel and/or a dielectric fluid can be tuned by changing the dielectric constant of the gel and/or fluid contained within the substrate. The modeling exercise also demonstrated that the antenna can be further miniaturized and then re-tuned by changing the dielectric constant of the gel or fluid contained within the substrate.

The specific configuration of an antenna of an ear-worn electronic device is generally dependent on a number of factors, including the space available in a particular ear-worn electronic device and the particular antenna performance requirements. Due to the performance benefit and small size, an antenna comprising a dielectric gel/liquid-filled substrate may be incorporated in devices beyond ear-worn electronic devices where device size significantly limits antenna size. Other devices that can incorporate an antenna of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, fitness and/or health monitoring watches or other wrist worn or hand-held objects, e.g., Apple Watch®, Fitbit®, cell phones, smartphones, handheld radios, medical implants, hearing aid accessories, wireless capable helmets (e.g., used in professional football), and wireless headsets/headphones (e.g., virtual reality headsets). Each of these devices is represented by the system block diagram of <FIG>, with the components of <FIG> varying depending on the particular device implementation.

The terms "coupled" or "connected" refer to elements being attached to each other either directly (in direct contact with each other) or indirectly (having one or more elements between and attaching the two elements). Either term may be modified by "operatively" and "operably," which may be used interchangeably, to describe that the coupling or connection is configured to allow the components to interact to carry out at least some functionality (for example, a radio chip may be operably coupled to an antenna element to provide a radio frequency electromagnetic signal for wireless communication).

Terms related to orientation, such as "top," "bottom," "side," and "end," are used to describe relative positions of components and are not meant to limit the orientation of the embodiments contemplated. For example, an embodiment described as having a "top" and "bottom" also encompasses embodiments thereof rotated in various directions unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, "have," "having," "include," "including," "comprise," "comprising" or the like are used in their open-ended sense, and generally mean "including, but not limited to. " It will be understood that "consisting essentially of," "consisting of," and the like are subsumed in "comprising," and the like. The term "and/or" means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of at least two of the listed elements.

Claim 1:
An ear-worn electronic device configured to be worn by a wearer, comprising:
a housing configured to be supported at, by, in or on the wearer's ear;
a processor disposed in the housing;
a speaker or a receiver operably coupled to the processor;
a radio frequency transceiver disposed in the housing and operably coupled to the processor; and
an antenna (<NUM>; 220a, 220b; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) disposed on or in the housing and operably coupled to the transceiver, the antenna comprising:
a radiating element (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>);
a ground plane (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>); and
a substrate (<NUM>; 221a, 221b; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) disposed between the radiating element and the ground plane, the substrate comprising a dielectric gel or a dielectric liquid.