Method and apparatus for wireless communication using an inductive interface
A system including a hearing assistance device sized for fitting a human ear, and adapted to communicate with a wireless transceiver. The wireless transceiver enables the hearing assistance device to communicate with other wireless devices. In varying embodiments, the hearing assistance device works with a near field communication network. By using the hearing assistance device to communicate with wireless transceiver, which can also communicate with a remote device, the hearing assistance device becomes more compatible with, for instance, a cellular telephone, by disabling redundant speakers and microphones, and by transmitting voice data.
1 . An apparatus for communication involving a hearing assistance device having a first antenna and a remote wireless device, comprising:
a first wireless circuit adapted for connection to a second antenna to conduct inductive communications with the first antenna;
a second wireless circuit adapted for radio frequency communications;
a controller in communication with the first wireless circuit and the second wireless circuit;
a microphone in communication with the controller; and
a power source to provide power to the apparatus.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a direct audio input connector adapted for connection to the second antenna.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the radio frequency communications are compatible with BLUETOOTH.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second antenna is a loop antenna.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a button adapted to control radio frequency communications.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a radio frequency communications indicator connected to the second wireless circuit.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to conduct unidirectional communications from the hearing assistance device.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to conduct unidirectional communications to the hearing assistance device.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to conduct bidirectional communications.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is further adapted to removably connect to a dock.
11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the dock includes a loop antenna.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the loop antenna is integrated with the dock at a first end, and is connected to the dock at a removable connector at a second end.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , including a switch adapted for answering a telephone call.
14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , including a switch adapted for terminating a wireless connection to the remote wireless device.
15 . The apparatus of claim 1 , including a switch adapted for pairing the apparatus to the remote device.
16 . An apparatus for communication involving a hearing assistance device having a first antenna and a remote wireless device, comprising:
a first wireless circuit adapted for connection to a second antenna to conduct inductive communications with the first antenna;
a second wireless circuit adapted for radio frequency communications according to a BLUETOOTH protocol;
a controller in communication with the first wireless circuit and the second wireless circuit;
a microphone in communication with the controller; and
a power source to provide power to the apparatus.
17 . The apparatus of claim 17 adapted to for conducting wireless communications with a telephone.
18 . A method for assisting user communications from a hearing assistance device having a first antenna to a remote wireless device, the method comprising:
communicating using inductive communications from the hearing assistance device to a wireless transceiver, the wireless transceiver having a power source and an inductive loop antenna; and
communicating radio frequency communications from the wireless transceiver to the remote wireless device.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising communicating to a telephone as the remote device.
20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising answering a telephone call.