US20080089541A1 - Hearing aid device including control switch - Google Patents

Abstract

This application provides hearing aid devices including a housing, hearing aide electronics enclosed in the housing, and a capacitive switch coupled to the hearing aid electronics.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/749,133 filed on Dec. 30, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates generally to hearing aid devices and in particular to switches used with hearing aid devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Hearing assistance devices include hearing aids, and other devices which benefit hearing. In the case of hearing aids, some of the more generally important design considerations include low power consumption, limited and sometimes difficult dimensions, ease of manufacture, comfort, and ease of use. One area of particular concern is how to operate hearing aids devices in view of shrinking package sizes, limited power, and an increasingly more adult population with limited or diminishing manual dexterity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• This application provides hearing aid devices with capacitive and piezo control switches. In one example, a hearing aid device is provided, including a housing, hearing aid electronics enclosed in the housing and a capacitive switch connected to the hearing aid electronics. In one example, a hearing aid device is provided including a housing adapted to be worn between an external ear and head of a user, hearing aid electronics enclosed in the housing and a piezo switch connected to the hearing aid electronics.
• This Summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the present application and is not intended to be an exclusive or exhaustive treatment of the present subject matter. Further details about the present subject matter are found in the detailed description and the appended claims. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a block diagram of a system having multiple electronic devices with their associated voltage supplies provided by a single supply voltage source having a number of voltage taps, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of a battery having a number of battery regions formed on a common substrate configured as a rigid platform, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment of a battery having a number of battery regions formed on a flexible platform in a folded configuration, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 2C illustrates an embodiment of a battery having a number of battery regions formed on a flexible platform in a rolled configuration, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 2D illustrates an embodiment of a battery having a number of battery regions where each battery region is coupled to a common reference, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 2E illustrates an embodiment of a battery having a number of battery regions, where each battery region is coupled to a separate corresponding reference node, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 3A depicts an embodiment of a block diagram of a hearing aid including a battery having a number of voltage taps, where the hearing aid is coupled to a source for recharging the hearing aid battery, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 3B depicts an embodiment for the source for recharging the hearing aid battery illustrated inFIG. 3A, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 3C depicts another embodiment for the source for recharging the hearing aid battery illustrated inFIG. 3A, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment for a recharge scheme for a hearing aid battery having a number of voltage taps, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram for an embodiment of a supply voltage management unit of an electronic system, where the electronic system has multiple electronic devices using different supply voltages from a single supply voltage source, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that the embodiments may be combined, or that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
• In an embodiment, a single supply voltage source provides multiple supply voltages at different voltage levels without up-converting a voltage level or down-converting a voltage level. The single supply voltage source may be realized as a battery with multiple voltage taps. In an embodiment, a battery includes multiple battery regions formed on a common substrate. Each battery region has a voltage tap to provide external to the battery a voltage for use by a system, where at least one of the voltage taps provides a voltage different than the other voltage taps of the battery. In an embodiment having separate voltages available from the same battery, a system configured for circuit decoupling is created. Architectures or arrangements using a single battery having multiple voltage taps may also eliminates the use of a voltage regulator for various electronic components of the system or simplifies the requirements for voltage regulation to these various electronic components.
• When used in a system such as a hearing aid, a single battery having multiple voltage taps allows for the elimination of voltage converters (down-converter, “buck” converter, step-down converter, or step-up converters) in the hearing aid. With a single battery providing one voltage level, converters would generally be necessary to down-convert or up-convert from the one voltage level to the appropriate voltage levels needed by the electronic devices of the hearing aid such as a signal processor, a microphone, a speaker, and a memory (etc). Various embodiments of a system using a battery with multiple voltage taps provide for the elimination of associated voltage conversion inefficiencies and physical space requirements.
• FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a block diagram of asystem100 having multiple electronic devices105-1-105-N with their associated voltage supplies provided by a singlesupply voltage source110 generating multiple supply voltages at different voltage levels without up-converting a voltage level or down-converting a voltage level. The multiple electronic devices105-1-105-N andsupply voltage source110 may form units in a common housing. In an embodiment, the single supply source is abattery110 having a number of voltage taps115-1-115-M. Battery110 can provide multiple voltage supplies without the use of voltage up-converters or voltage down-converters such as a voltage divider. In various embodiments,system100 is a system that is realized with a miniaturized housing for use in locations having limited space. In an embodiment,system100 is a hearing aid. A hearing aid is a hearing device that generally amplifies sound to compensate for poor hearing and is typically worn by a hearing impaired individual. In some instances, the hearing aid is a hearing device that adjusts or modifies a frequency response to better match the frequency dependent hearing characteristics of a hearing impaired individual.
• Battery110 includes a number of battery regions112-1-112-M, where the battery regions112-1-112-M are formed as part of a single battery. Each of the battery regions112-1-112-M has a rated output voltage. The rated output voltage is the operational voltage, or voltage range, for which each battery region112-1, . . .112-M is designed to provide a supply voltage. In various embodiments, the rated output voltages available at the voltage taps depend on the application to which the battery provides a number of voltage taps. Any operating voltage level over a wide range of voltages may be provided bybattery110. In an embodiment, battery regions112-1-112-M are voltage sources providing the same outputvoltage allowing battery110 to provide spare voltage taps to a system configured to switch to one or more spare voltage taps. In an embodiment, battery regions112-1-112-M are voltage sources with taps providing at least a 3.8V tap, a 2.6V tap, and a 1.3V tap. Over time and/or use, the output voltage of a battery region112-1, . . .112-M is reduced. In an embodiment,battery100 is replaced when the output voltage of at least one of the battery regions112-1-112-M drops below a predetermined minimum. In another embodiment,battery100 is recharged when the output voltage of at least one of the battery regions112-1-112-M drops below a predetermined minimum.
• FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of abattery210 having a number of battery regions212-214 formed on acommon substrate215, wherecommon substrate215 is configured as a rigid platform. In between battery regions212-214 are one or more buffer regions216-218. Buffer regions provide insulation and separation between the different battery regions212-214 ofbattery210.Buffer region216 separatesbattery regions213 and214.Buffer region217 andbuffer region218separate battery region212 andbattery region213. In an embodiment the battery regions212-214 are covered by insulating material, which insulating material is selected from a group of known materials for encasing the active region of batteries. Such insulating materials are known to those skilled in the art. In an embodiment,common substrate215 is an insulating ceramic substrate. In an embodiment,common substrate215 is an insulating alumina substrate. Though not shown, each battery region includes a voltage tap and a tap for a common node for coupling to a common node such as a ground node.
• FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment of abattery220 having a number of battery regions222-224 formed on aflexible platform225 in a folded configuration, wherebattery region223 is in the folded region offlexible platform225.Battery region223 is separated frombattery region222 in this folded configuration by an insulating region. In an embodiment, an insulating region separatingbattery region222 andbattery region223 is air. In an embodiment the battery regions222-224 are covered by insulating material, which insulating material is selected from a group of known materials for encasing the active region of batteries. Such insulating materials are known to those skilled in the art. In an embodiment,flexible platform225 is a flexible insulating material. Such a flexible insulating material may include polyimide. Though not shown, each battery region includes a voltage tap and a tap for a common node for coupling to a common node such as a ground node.
• FIG. 2C illustrates an embodiment of abattery230 having a number of battery regions formed on aflexible platform235 in a rolled configuration. The number of battery regions is situated in a rolledregion232 in which the number of battery regions are separated from each other by appropriate insulating material. Such insulating material is known to those skilled in the art. In an embodiment,flex platform225 is a flexible insulating material. Such a flexible insulating material may include polyimide. Though not shown, each battery region includes a voltage tap and a tap for a common node for coupling to a common node such as a ground node.
• FIG. 2D illustrates an embodiment of abattery240 having a number of battery regions242-244 where each battery region242-244 is coupled to a common reference249. Each battery region242-244 is situated on a common substrate orplatform245.Battery240 may be configured asbattery210 ofFIG. 2A,battery220 ofFIG. 2B,battery230 ofFIG. 2C, or as a battery configured in another manner with multiple battery regions on a common substrate, where each battery region has a voltage tap.Battery240 includes voltage taps246-248. With each battery region242-244 having a common reference tap249, each battery region242-244 can be referenced to a common node in a system in whichbattery240 is used.
• FIG. 2E illustrates an embodiment of abattery250 having a number of battery regions252-254 where each battery region252-254 is coupled to its own separate corresponding reference node262-264, respectively. Each battery region252-254 is situated on a common substrate or platform255.Battery250 may be configured asbattery210 ofFIG. 2A,battery220 ofFIG. 2B,battery230 ofFIG. 2C, or as a battery configured in another manner with multiple battery regions on a common substrate, where each battery region has a voltage tap.Battery250 includes voltage taps256-258. With each battery region252-254 having its own reference tap262-264, respectively, each battery region252-254 can be referenced to a different node in a system in whichbattery250 is used. Alternately, each battery region252-254 can be commonly referenced at a node exterior tobattery250.
• The batteries, as depicted in FIGS.2A-E, are embodiments for single batteries formed with multiple regions. In an embodiment, the battery is manufactured with separate battery regions formed on the same (common) substrate rather than separate batteries attached to a common substrate. The distinct battery regions, such as regions212-214 ofFIG. 2A, for example, can be formed using different chemistries to produce different voltages within the same battery. Each battery region212-214 may be formed from known battery compositions that provide the selected rated voltage output for the given battery region. Such battery compositions are known to those skilled in the art and may include but are not limited to zinc or lithium ion.
• With a battery structure with battery regions layered on separate portions of a common substrate, each region may include a different number of layers of battery composition within the given region. For instance,region212 having a number of layers using one chemistry provides a voltage source of one volt,region213 having more layers thanregion212 with another chemistry provides a voltage source of 2.2 volts, andregion214 having more layers thanregion214 with yet another chemistry provides a voltage source of 3.16 volts. In another embodiment, eachregion212,213, and214 has the same number of layers of battery material, or volume of battery material, but each region211-214 uses a different chemistry to provide voltage sources at their voltage taps of different voltage levels. The batteries having other configurations such as the folded or rolled configuration can be formed in a similar manner. It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various permutations of different operating voltages, the number of battery regions, the number of layers of battery material, and the chemistries implemented in each battery region can be realized depending on the application and is not limited by the example embodiments discussed herein.
• With a battery structure with battery regions layered on separate portions of a common substrate, each region may be configured to have a different capacity than the other battery regions in the battery structure. The capacity for each region can be measured in terms of milli-amp hours. The capacity for battery regions can be controlled by battery composition and structure. For instance, two battery regions can be formed in parallel to provide a combined region having a higher capacity. A single battery having regions providing different voltage taps and different capacities can be realized in various configurations including but not limited to a common substrate configured as a rigid platform, a common substrate configured as a folded platform, or a common substrate configured as a rolled platform. It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various permutations of different operating voltages, the number of battery regions, the capacities of each battery region, and the chemistries implemented in each battery region can be realized depending on the application and is not limited by the example embodiments discussed herein.
• In an embodiment, a battery is configured with three voltage taps and two battery regions. The battery may be configured with a rigid common substrate, a flexible folded common substrate, or a flexible rolled substrate. The battery regions may be formed with one region having a number of layers using one chemistry to provide one voltage source at a voltage tap, and a second region having more layers than the first region with another chemistry to provide a second voltage source of a second voltage tap. A third voltage tap is configured to provide a voltage source that is the sum of the voltage levels provided by the two regions. Alternately, the two regions may have the same number of layers of battery material, or volume of battery material, but the chemistries for each region provide voltage sources at their voltage taps of different voltage levels. The batteries having configurations such as the rigid, folded, or rolled configurations of FIGS.2A-C can be formed in a similar manner with the buffer layers removed between two regions such that the battery has two regions instead of the three. It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the number of battery regions and battery taps from a single battery formed in accordance with the various embodiments is not limited to two or three regions or voltage taps and that various permutations of material chemistries for the battery regions can be implemented.
• In an embodiment, a method of manufacturing a system includes mounting a multiple electronic devices into a housing for the system, where each electronic device is configured to operate under a different supply voltage, and providing the system with a single supply voltage source that generates multiple supply voltages at different voltage levels without up-converting a voltage level or down-converting a voltage level. In an embodiment, the single supply voltage source is a single battery having multiple voltage taps to provide the different supply voltages. This manufacturing process allows the system to be made using housing having limited volume by taking advantage of the reduction in area and volume that is provided by a single battery having multiple voltage taps.
• In an embodiment, a method of manufacturing a hearing aid may include mounting a number of electronic devices into a housing of a hearing aid, where each electronic device is configured to operate under a different supply voltage, and providing the hearing aid with a single supply voltage source that generates multiple supply voltages at different voltage levels without up-converting a voltage level or down-converting a voltage level. The single supply voltage source may be provided as a battery having multiple voltage taps to provide the different supply voltages. In various embodiments, the battery may provide a different capacity for each of the multiple voltage taps. In addition, multiple electronic devices mounted in the hearing aid housing may use the same supply voltage source. In an embodiment, a hearing aid is provided with a battery having multiple voltage taps with a plurality of battery regions disposed on a common substrate, where each battery region provides a supply voltage. The supply voltage of at least one battery regions is at a rated voltage level different than the other battery regions. The common substrate or platform may be manufactured as a rigid platform, a flexible platform in a folded configuration, or as a flexible platform in a rolled configuration. In an embodiment, one of the voltage taps provides a supply voltage greater than 1.3V for use by a wireless communication link configured in the hearing aid.
• FIG. 3A depicts an embodiment of a block diagram of ahearing aid300 including abattery310 having a number of battery regions312-1-312-3, each having a voltage tap315-1-315-3, respectively. In various embodiments, the number of battery regions312-1-312-3 may be provided with different capacities.Hearing aid300 is coupled to arecharging source302 for recharging thehearing aid battery310.
• Hearing aid300 includes acontroller301, amicrophone320, apre-amp325, asignal processor330, anamplifier335, and aspeaker340.Hearing aid300 may also include awireless unit365. In an embodiment,battery310,microphone320,pre-amp325,signal processor330,amplifier335,speaker340, andwireless unit365 may each be connected to acommon reference node349.Hearing aid300 may include abattery management unit345 and abattery recharge control350. In an embodiment, an operating voltage is provided to various electronic devices of hearingaid300 using regulators355-357. Withbattery310 having multiple voltage taps315-315-3, the performance requirements for regulators355-357 can be simplified, including but not limited to eliminating the use of regulators355-357, resulting in the reduction of area used in one or more integrated circuits in hearingaid300. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the various interconnections of electronic devices in hearingaid300 can be made in numerous permutations depending on the applications of the electronic devices in hearing300.
• Controller301 provides control of the various electronic elements of hearingaid300.Controller301 may include, but is not limited to, a processor, a processor and control circuitry, and/or a processor and memory. The functions ofcontroller301 may include controlling automatic gain control for the processing of audio signals received atmicrophone320, controlling automatic gain control of signals received atwireless unit365, interacting with hearing aid programming devices, and programming the functions of hearingaid300 such as gain control and frequency response to provide an appropriate audio signal fromspeaker340 to an individual usinghearing aid300.Controller301 may be coupled to one or more electronic devices of hearingaid300 or may communicate with these electronic devices over a bus configured in hearingaid300 to which the electronic devices are coupled.
• Wireless unit365 may be utilized toprogram hearing aid300 with parameters used to control the quality of sound fromspeaker340 to an individual usinghearing aid300, where the sound is a representation or reformulation of sound generated from the ambient environmental of the individual.Wireless unit365 may also be utilized to provide the individual usinghearing aid300 with commercial radio, where the activation of the commercial radio is performed through software controlled by the individual through commands generated tocontroller301.
• Battery310 may be configured asbattery210 ofFIG. 2A,battery220 ofFIG. 2B,battery230 ofFIG. 2C, or as a battery configured in another manner with multiple battery regions on a common substrate with each battery region having a voltage tap. Battery regions312-1-312-3 may be separated from each other by one or more buffer regions.
• In an embodiment, portions of the hearing aid circuitry are operated at a higher voltage than other portions of the hearing aid circuitry. For example, a higher voltage from voltage tap315-3 may be used forpreamplifier325 and output stages in hearingaid300. A higher supply voltage, such as 2.6 volts or 3.8 volts, forpreamplifier325 permits greater headroom to allow higher intensity input signals to be processed by hearingaid300 without distortion. A higher supply voltage, such as 2.6 volts or 3.8 volts, for the output stages may allowhearing aid300 to produce greater output levels without increasing the size of the hearing aid. This increased output level without increased hearing aid size provides for convenient fitting of those hearing impaired persons with moderate to severe hearing loss. Other portions of the hearing aid circuitry that do not require a higher voltage continue to operate at 1.3 volts from another voltage tap. In various embodiments, the output voltages available at the voltage taps may be any voltage over a wide range of voltages. The battery is manufactured with voltages that depend on the application to which the battery provides a number of voltage taps.
• In an embodiment, processor control is used to turnhearing aid300 off and on. For processor control to provide the off/on capability using a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) switch, the MOS switch uses a low drain to source resistance, R_ds, which is dependent on operating voltage. A high voltage tap ofbattery310 can be used to drive the gate of the MOS switch to a voltage sufficiently high enough to provide a low R_dsto turn off and to turn on hearingaid300. Further,battery310 providing at various voltage taps voltages sufficient to drive MOS gates resulting in sub-ohm impedance of MOS transistors can be use to turn offhearing aid300 under processor control in response to hearingaid300 being placed in a recharge cradle. Additionally,hearing aid300 may be turned on in response to being removed from the recharge cradle.
• The use of abattery310 with multiple taps at different rated voltages allows for a variety of embodiments for hearingaid300. In an embodiment, the use of higher voltages from the various voltage taps ofbattery310 may be used to turn off the audio path of hearingaid300 prior to being programmed. In an embodiment, the use of higher voltages from the various voltage taps ofbattery310 may be used to turn off and on hearingaid300 via non mechanical switch means such as a membrane switch, a capacitive switch, a piezo switch, etc.
• In an embodiment, the higher voltage taps ofbattery310 may be used withspeakers340. Typically in a hearing aid having high power speakers with increased output power and low impedance, an associated H bridge impedance may represent 10 percent to 20 percent of a receiver's impedance. The availability of a higher gate voltage drive that can be provided in an embodiment forbattery310 reduces this figure drastically, resulting in a more efficient speaker driver stage. Additionally, the availability of a higher operating voltage for a speaker drive that can be provided in an embodiment forbattery310 would increase dynamic range from the current technology limits for a voltage swing across a speaker of about 1 volt peak.
• In an embodiment, the higher voltage taps ofbattery310 may be used to increase the dynamic range ofhearing aid300 for providing sound quality. The ability to provide higher voltages allows for the increase in headroom which provides an increased dynamic range. In an embodiment, the higher voltage taps ofbattery310 may be used to elevate the sound pressure level (SPL) at which an input limiter activates by moving the threshold for the input limiter to higher voltages approaching the system voltage rails. Raising the input limiter trip point, would raise to high SPL levels the point at which limiter distortion products are produced. This would result in greater dynamic range in which to enhance the sound quality of the hearing aid.
• In an embodiment, the higher voltage taps ofbattery310 may be used to provide a operating voltage tomicrophone340 that would increase its dynamic range. Additionally, the use of a higher operating voltage can provide a level where microphone sensitivity is not affected. Operating a microphone, after voltage regulation, generally at voltages from 0.9 volts to 1.0 volts, may reduce the sensitivity of typical microphones by as much as 3 dB. Further, in multi-microphone directional aids, low microphone voltages result in unnecessary variations between microphones, thus compromising good directionality. Embodiments ofbattery310 allows for higher voltages to be used that eliminates loss in overall hearing aid gain associated with a microphone operating from 0.9 volts to 1.0 volts and eliminates reduction of directionality associated with these lower operating voltages.
• In an embodiment, the multiple voltage taps ofbattery310 may be used in hearingaid300 to incorporate various forms of wireless technology intohearing aid300. The availability of higher voltages in addition to the lower supply voltages for various components of hearingaid300 facilitates the incorporation of commercial radios in hearing aids such as commercial FM radio and transceivers. The multiple voltage supplies also provide for greater flexibility in selecting wireless links used in hearingaid300.
• In various embodiments for hearingaid300 having a single battery with multiple voltage taps,hearing aid300 can include such features as enhanced power supply rejection (PSR) voltage regulators that operate at voltages higher than typically used in a hearing aid and reduction or elimination of voltage multipliers related to flash memory. A residual battery voltage, a voltage at which the battery is not fully discharged but functionally “discharged” lower than normal operating voltages, may be provided by one of the voltage taps that has been reduced in output voltage level over time or use or equivalently provided by a low voltage tap. This residual battery voltage or lower voltage tap may be used to power volatile memory. Since volatile memory has a much higher cell density than electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), embodiments for hearingaid300 may include increased memory density beyond current EEPROM densities. This allows for added memory for signal processing, or for other functions such as, voice cues to users instead of conventional “beeps.”
• In various embodiments for hearingaid300 having a single battery with multiple voltage taps,hearing aid300 can include integrated circuits having die size reduced from current sizes or having functionality added to hearingaid300 due to the reduction or elimination of voltage multipliers in hearingaid300. Additionally, eliminating large hybrid components such as a multiplier capacitor would result in further gain in space for other components. Reducing the area and/or volume used in systems such as hearing aids that have limited space due to its inherent use allows for the expansion of the capabilities of these systems.
• In an embodiment,battery310 having multiple voltage taps is a rechargeable battery. Included in hearingaid300 usingbattery310 isbattery management unit345. In an embodiment,battery management unit345 includes switching circuitry that allows the changing of connections to the various voltage taps ofbattery310. For instance, in ahearing aid300 withbattery310 having more voltage taps than are used at one time, an electronic device in hearingaid300 can be switched to another voltage tap when the voltage tap from which it receives its operating voltage level drops below the rated operating voltage. The voltage tap from which the electronic device is disconnected can then be operated as a residual battery voltage or recharged to its rated operating voltage at a time scheduled bybattery management unit345.
• In an embodiment,battery management unit345 includes appropriate circuitry to manage the operation ofbattery310 including disconnectingbattery310 from the operation circuits of hearingaid300 when ready for recharging. The array of battery regions312-1-312-3 is sequenced through a recharge protocol. For some battery chemistries it is not desirable to discharge the battery below some defined voltage level or battery performance may be compromised. When this defined voltage level is reached,battery management unit345 provides the user ofhearing aid300 with a prompt indicating that it is time to recharge. This prompt can take the form of a tone, such as a “beep,” or a “spoken” phrase issued through thehearing aid speaker340.
• FIG. 3B depicts an embodiment of arecharge source303 used as rechargingsource302 for recharginghearing aid battery310 illustrated inFIG. 3A. Rechargingsource303 includes direct coupling battery regions315-1-315-3 to voltage supplies306-308, respectively. Control of this direct coupling is regulated bybattery recharge control350.
• FIG. 3C depicts another embodiment of arecharge source304 used as therecharging source302 for recharging thehearing aid battery310 illustrated inFIG. 3A. Rechargingsource304 includes aninductive recharge circuit309 having aninductor316, acapacitor317, and adiode318. The primary side induction voltage provided byinductor316 ofrecharge source304 is variable to match the recharging cell voltage of a selected battery region312-1-312-3. Alternately, rechargesource304 may include a number of circuits each having acapacitor317, adiode318, and aninduction coil316, where the number of circuits equals the number of battery regions312-1-312-3 and the induction voltage provided by eachinductor316 matches one of the battery regions312-1-312-3.Battery recharge control350 regulates the amount recharging applied to each battery region312-1-312-3.
• FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment for a recharge scheme for hearingaid battery310 having a number of voltage taps315-1-315-3 ofFIG. 3A usingrecharge source304 ofFIG. 3C. This embodiment illustrates an inductive recharge methodology in which not only the voltages of battery regions312-1-312-3 are different, but the battery regions312-1-312-3 also have different capacities. During normal usage of hearingaid300, the switches347-1-347-3 are normally open. In an embodiment, the switches347-1-347-3 are MOS transistor switches. In another embodiment, switches347-1-347-3 are realized as bipolar junction transistors (BJT). When an appropriate recharge trigger is determined by thebattery management unit345, thebattery recharge controller350 provides a sequential activation of switches347-1-347-3. Switches347-1-347-3 are sequentially closed for a preprogrammed time duration that is determined by the capacity of each battery region312-1-312-3. The primary side induction voltage provided byinductor316 ofrecharge source304 is variable to match the recharging cell voltage of the battery region312-1-312-3 for which a switch is closed. Alternately, rechargesource304 can include a number of circuits each having acapacitor317, adiode318, and aninduction coil316, where the number of circuits equals the number of battery regions and the induction voltage provided by eachinductor316 matches one of the battery regions312-1-312-3. Zener diodes346-1-346-3, or other voltage regulators, may be implied to ensure that a safe recharge voltage of a particular cell is not exceeded.
• FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram for an embodiment of a supplyvoltage management unit545 for anelectronic system500, such as the electronic systems ofFIGS. 1 and 3A, whereelectronic system500 has multiple electronic devices using different supply voltages substantially provided at supply voltage outputs, or supply voltage taps,515-1,515-2, and515-3, from a singlesupply voltage source510. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5, supplyvoltage management unit545 is connected to various supply voltage regions,512-1,512-2, and512-3, of thesupply source510 through supply voltage outputs,515-1,515-2, and515-3, and substantially provides the supply voltages from outputs,515-1,515-2, and515-3 at outputs546-1,546-2,546-3. The various supply voltage regions,512-1,512-2, and512-3, include a high capacity region512-1, which provides a higher capacity in terms of milli-amps per hour (mA/Hr) than regions512-2 and512-3. Supply voltage region512-2 illustrates a single cell region. Supply voltage region512-3 is a higher voltage region with respect to regions512-1 and512-2. Other supply voltage combinations forsingle voltage source510 are possible. In an embodiment,single voltage source510 is a single battery with multiple battery regions512-1,512-2,513-3 and multiple battery taps515-1,515-2,515-3. As asingle battery510,battery510 can be configured in any of the embodiments as previously discussed with respect toFIGS. 2A-2E.
• In an embodiment,battery management unit545 includes several sections, or units, including but not limited to arecharge controller550, aswitching network560, transmission gates570-1-570-3, avoltage monitor580, and acapacity calculator590. In an embodiment, voltage monitor580 andcapacity calculator590 are realized as a battery voltage monitor580 and abattery capacity calculator590. As depicted inFIG. 5,switching network560 is adapted to provide a supply voltage from any supply voltage regions,512-1,512-2, and512-3, by switching connections to any output546-1-546-3 from any supply voltage outputs,515-1,515-2, and515-3. Application ofswitching network560 provides flexible control of the supply voltages provided bysupply voltage source510. For example, if the voltage at an output of supplyvoltage management unit545, such as output546-2, provided by one voltage region ofsupply voltage source510 drops below an operating level for that voltage region, another appropriate voltage region ofsupply voltage source510 can be switched to connect to output546-2 to add more capacity.
• Connectivity from switchingnetwork560 is further controlled by transmission gates570-1-570-3. In an embodiment, transmission gates570-1-570-3 are metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs), or transistor equivalents. Alternately, the transmission gates570-1-570-3 can be realized using bipolar junction transistors configured in an on-off arrangement. Additionally, the transmission gates570-1-570-3 can be realized with logic circuitry to provide an on-off arrangement. In an embodiment, transmission gates570-1-570-3 are realized as MOSFET transistors in hearingaid system300 of the embodiment depicted inFIG. 3A that allows hearingaid processor330 to turn power off and on via software control. The software control can be configured as part of a battery saving power down algorithm for hearingaid system300.
• In an embodiment, voltage monitor580 measures and determines the energy content of the various supply voltage regions,512-1,512-2, and512-3.Voltage monitor580 determines whether a supply voltage is sufficiently high, such as larger than a specified operating voltage level, or the supply voltage region needs charging. In an embodiment, an active load can be placed across each supply voltage region to determine how much capacity is remaining in a particular region. Determining supply voltages and current draw of thesupply voltage source510, under a predetermined load such as an active load, enables prediction of the supply voltage source capacity over time.
• Recharge controller550 manipulates the energy supplied by an external recharging source. In an embodiment in which the energy is supplied via an inductive link,recharge controller550 is configured to extract the appropriate charging potential from the inductively coupled signal. For a recharging source directly coupled toelectronic system500 for providing energy,recharge controller550 is adapted to manipulate the recharging energy in a fashion that is suitable to recharge the various supply voltage regions,512-1,512-2, and512-3.
• In an embodiment,capacity calculator590 receives data from the measurements made by voltage monitor580 including data obtained from use of an active load.Capacity calculator590 determines the remaining capacities of the supply voltage regions,512-1,512-2, and512-3 and may initiate an appropriate action withinelectronic system500. In an embodiment in whichelectronic system500 is a hearing aid the initiated appropriate action may include but is not limited to limiting the maximum SPL of the hearing aid to conserve remaining battery life, switching in a different battery region throughswitch network560, and initiating an alert to a hearing aid user, where the alert may take the form of a tone alert or a voice alert.
• For an embodiment in whichelectronic system500 is a hearing aid, such as thehearing aid300 ofFIG. 3, singlesupply voltage source510 is realized as a battery having multiple battery regions and multiple taps.Battery510 may be configured in any of the various embodiments discussed herein. In addition, voltagesupply management unit545 is abattery management unit545 having abattery recharge controller550, aswitching network560, transmission gates570-1-570-3, abattery voltage monitor580, and abattery capacity calculator590. Thebattery management unit545 may be configured asbattery management unit345 in hearingaid300, where the battery management unit545 (345) communicates withhearing aid controller301.
• In various embodiments for a system such as a hearing aid, the functionality of these systems is enhanced through manufacturing these systems with components that can be configured with arrangements that reduce the amount of area and/or volume used by components required to operate the system. A single supply voltage source having multiple voltage taps allows for the provisioning of multiple supply voltages in a small volume leading to miniaturization of these voltage supplies. Various embodiments provide for the fabrication of a single battery with multiple battery regions of different capacities that can be tailored to various applications. In addition to providing multiple supply voltages from a single battery, the configuration of the single battery can also reduce the area/volume used by the single battery in the system. Such configurations may include a common substrate adapted as a rigid platform, a flexible platform in a folded configuration, a flexible platform in a rolled configuration, or other platform configuration that provides for multiple battery regions on a single platform providing miniaturization of the system voltage supplies. Systems using batteries having multiple voltage taps are provided with the flexibility to provide enhanced features that depend on the utilization of a variety of different voltage supplies.
• Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention includes any other applications in which the above structures and fabrication methods are used. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims (20)

1. A hearing aid device comprising:

a housing;

hearing aid electronics enclosed in the housing; and

a capacitive switch coupled to the hearing aid electronics.

2. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising a single supply source having multiple voltage taps, wherein one or more of the multiple voltage taps are coupled to the hearing aid electronics.

3. The device ofclaim 2, wherein the single supply source includes a common substrate on which a plurality of source regions are disposed, each source region to provide a supply voltage, the supply voltage of at least one source region at a rated voltage level different from another source region of the plurality of source regions.

4. The device ofclaim 3, wherein the common substrate is an insulating alumina substrate.

5. The device ofclaim 3, wherein the common substrate is a rigid ceramic platform substrate.

6. The device ofclaim 3, wherein the common substrate is a flexible platform in a folded configuration.

7. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the capacitive switch is adapted to control one or more functions of the hearing aid electronics.

8. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the capacitive switch is adapted to turn the device on and off.

9. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the housing is adapted to mount in or about an ear of a person.

10. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the hearing aid electronics include a wireless communication unit.

11. A hearing aid device comprising:

a housing;

hearing aid electronics enclosed in the housing; and

a piezo switch coupled to the hearing aid electronics.

12. The device ofclaim 11, further comprising a single supply source having multiple voltage taps, wherein one or more of the multiple voltage taps are coupled to the hearing aid electronics.

13. The device ofclaim 12, wherein the single supply source includes a common substrate on which a plurality of source regions are disposed, each source region to provide a supply voltage, the supply voltage of at least one source region at a rated voltage level different from another source region of the plurality of source regions.

14. The device ofclaim 13, wherein the common substrate is an insulating alumina substrate.

15. The device ofclaim 13, wherein the common substrate is a rigid ceramic platform substrate.

16. The device ofclaim 13, wherein the common substrate is a flexible platform in a folded configuration.

17. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the piezo switch is adapted to control one or more functions of the hearing aid electronics.

18. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the piezo switch is adapted to turn the device on and off.

19. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the housing is adapted to mount in or about an ear of a person.

20. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the hearing aid electronics include a wireless communication unit.

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