Abstract
An in-the-ear hearing device includes: a microphone configured to receive an audio signal; a signal processor configured to process the audio signal for compensating a hearing loss; a wireless communication unit being connected to the signal processor; a feeding network; a hearing device shell accommodating the microphone and the signal processor; a face plate positioned at the hearing device shell; and an antenna for electromagnetic field emission and electromagnetic field reception, the antenna coupled with the wireless communications unit, wherein the antenna has a first end, and wherein the feeding network is configured to feed the antenna via the first end of the antenna; wherein the antenna extends through the face plate at a first position; at least a part of the antenna extending from the faceplate being arch-shaped; and wherein a second end of the antenna is an electrically open end, or is coupled to a ground potential.
Claims
1. An in-the-ear hearing device comprising: a microphone configured to receive an audio signal; a signal processor configured to process the audio signal for compensating a hearing loss of a user; a wireless communication unit, the wireless communication unit being connected to the signal processor; a feeding network; a hearing device shell accommodating the microphone; a face plate; and an antenna for electromagnetic field emission and electromagnetic field reception, the antenna coupled with the wireless communication unit, wherein the antenna has a first end, and wherein the feeding network is configured to feed the antenna via the first end of the antenna; wherein the antenna extends through the face plate at a first position on the faceplate; wherein at least a part of the antenna extending from the faceplate is arch-shaped; wherein a second end of the antenna is an electrically open end; and wherein the electrically open end is closer to a back of an ear of the user than to a front of the ear when the hearing device is worn by the user.
2. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the antenna is coupled to the faceplate at a second position on the faceplate.
3. The hearing device according to claim 2, wherein a first section of the antenna extends from the first position along a first axis, the first axis forming a first angle with an ear-to-ear axis of the user when the hearing device is positioned in an operational position in an ear of the user, the first angle being less than 25°.
4. The hearing device according to claim 3, wherein the antenna has a second section extending along a second axis, the second axis forming a second angle with the faceplate, the second angle being less than 25°.
5. The hearing device according to claim 4, wherein the antenna further has a third section extending parallel to the first axis and being interconnected with the faceplate at the second position on the faceplate.
6. The hearing device according to claim 4, wherein the second section of the antenna is arch-shaped.
7. The hearing device according claim 3, wherein a current in the antenna has a maximum proximate the first section of the antenna.
8. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the feeding network is configured to provide a single ended feed or a differential feed.
9. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the feeding network is located side-by-side with respect to the faceplate.
10. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein a length of the antenna is a quarter of a wavelength.
11. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the antenna forms at least a part of a pull-out handle, and wherein the pull-out handle is anchored to the faceplate.
12. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the first position is located towards a front end of the faceplate, and wherein a tragus of an ear of the user is closer to the front end than a back end of the faceplate when the hearing device is positioned at an operational position in the ear of the user.
13. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is a monopole antenna.
14. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit is at a printed circuit board forming a ground plane of the antenna.
15. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein a first module comprises the wireless communication unit, the signal processor and a printed circuit board, the wireless communication unit and the signal processor being at the printed circuit board; and wherein a second module comprises the microphone and is in the hearing device shell.
16. The hearing device according to claim 15, wherein at least a part of the antenna comprises a wire, the wire connecting the microphone in the second module and the signal processor in first module.
17. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein a first part of the antenna extending from the faceplate has a U-shape, a circular shape, or an elliptical shape.
18. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the feeding network comprises one or more controlled impedances.
19. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the feeding network comprises capacitor(s), inductor(s), and/or transmission line(s).
20. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the feedback network is configured to improve an antenna impedance matching.
21. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the antenna is connected to the face plate via a connection, and wherein the second end of the antenna terminates at the connection.
22. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the antenna is connected to a connection that is directly below the face plate.
23. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the antenna is configured to generate a first electric field, the second end of the antenna is configured to generate a second electric field higher than the first electric field.
24. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein a tragus of an ear of the user is closer to the first end of the antenna than to the second end of the antenna when the hearing device is positioned at an operational position in the ear of the user.
25. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the antenna that is closer to the electrically open end than to the first end of the antenna is contained in an electrically insulative material.
26. The hearing device according to claim 25, wherein the electrically insulative material is a part of a tubing that is configured to allow the hearing device to be pulled-out from an ear of the user.
27. The hearing device according to claim 26, wherein another portion of the antenna that is closer to the first end than to the second end of the antenna is contained in the tubing.
28. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the antenna is configured to provide a first electric field, and the second end of the antenna is configured to provide a second electric field that is higher than the first electric field.
29. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the face plate has a major surface facing the electrically open end of the antenna.
30. The hearing device according to claim 29, wherein the major surface of the face plate is configured to face an environment outside the user.
31. The hearing device according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the antenna is at the face plate.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The above and other features and advantages will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art by the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
(2) FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of components in hearing device.
(3) FIGS. 2a-2d schematically illustrates exemplary antennas for a hearing device.
(4) FIGS. 3a-3d schematically illustrates exemplary feeding networks for exemplary antennas.
(5) FIG. 4a shows total radiated power for an antenna of an embodiment of the disclosure.
(6) FIG. 4b shows total radiated power for antennas having different lengths.
(7) FIG. 5 show schematically a faceplate and the positioning of first and second positions.
(8) FIG. 6 show schematically dimensions of an antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
(9) FIGS. 7a-7b schematically illustrates an example of a hearing device having an antenna, wherein the microphone is provided in the hearing device shell, and wherein the microphone is provided external of the hearing device shell, respectively.
(10) FIG. 8a-8c schematically illustrates a hearing device having a number of electric components provided in separate modules.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(11) Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.
(12) Throughout, the same reference numerals are used for identical or corresponding parts.
(13) As used herein, the term “antenna” refers to an electrical device which converts electric power into radio waves. An electric antenna may comprise an electrically conductive material connected to e.g. a wireless communications unit, such as a radio chip, a receiver or a transmitter.
(14) The claimed invention may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
(15) A block-diagram of a typical hearing device 100 is shown in FIG. 1. The hearing device 100 comprises a first transducer, i.e. microphone 102, for receiving incoming sound and converting it into an audio signal, i.e. a first audio signal. The first audio signal is provided to a signal processor 104 for processing the first audio signal into a second audio signal compensating a hearing loss of a user of the hearing device 100. A receiver or speaker 106 is connected to an output of the signal processor 104 for converting the second audio signal into an output sound signal, e.g. a signal modified to compensate for a user's hearing impairment, and provides the output sound to the speaker 106.
(16) The hearing device signal processor 104 comprises elements such as amplifiers, compressors and noise reduction systems etc. The hearing device may further have a filter function, such as compensation filter for optimizing the output signal. The hearing device may furthermore have a wireless communication unit 108, such as a wireless communication circuit, for wireless data communication interconnected with an antenna 210 for emission and reception of an electromagnetic field. The wireless communication unit 108, including a radio or a transceiver, connect to the hearing device signal processor 104 and the antenna 210, for communicating with external devices, or with another hearing device, such as another hearing device, located at another ear, typically in a binaural hearing device system. The hearing device 100 further comprises a power source 112, such as a battery. Furthermore, a power circuit 110 (optional) is provided for controlling the power provided from the battery 112 to the signal processor 104 and the wireless communication unit 108. A feeding network 109 is providing a feed for the antenna 210.
(17) In some embodiments, the hearing device is an in-the-ear hearing device comprising a hearing device shell 200 and a faceplate 204. In some embodiments, the shell is hollow. In some embodiments, the hearing device shell is provided with an open end through which electronic hearing components are fitted into the hearing device shell 200. The open end of the shell is afterwards closed by a faceplate 204. The faceplate may be fastened to the hearing device shell in any known way, e.g. by gluing, molding, press-fitting, etc. Typically, the faceplate 204 is configured with battery door to provide access to a battery of the hearing device. The electronic hearing components includes for example the microphone 102, the signal processor 104, the speaker 106, the wireless communication unit 108 and the feeding network 109.
(18) FIGS. 2a-2d, schematically illustrates exemplary antennas of a hearing device. The hearing device illustrated is an in-the-ear hearing device 100 having a hearing device shell 200 and a faceplate 204. The antenna 210 extends through the faceplate 204 at a first position 208 of the faceplate. The antenna 210 has a first end 206 being fed from the feeding network 109 at feed 205.
(19) In FIG. 2a, the antenna 210 extends from the faceplate 204 from first position 208 and the part of the antenna extending from the faceplate is marked with reference number 211. At least a part of the antenna extending from the faceplate 204 is arch-shaped and the second end 207 of the antenna 210 is an electrically open end.
(20) In FIG. 2b, the antenna 210 extends from the faceplate 204 from first position 208 and the part of the antenna extending from the faceplate is marked with reference number 211. The antenna 210 extends in a looped shape from the first position 208 of the faceplate to a second position 209 of the face plate, the antenna 210 has an interconnection to the faceplate 204 at the second position 209. The second end 207 of the antenna 210 is interconnected to a ground potential 212. The second end 207 of the antenna 210 may be interconnected to the ground potential 212 through a controlled impedance (not shown).
(21) The ground potential 212 may be provided in the faceplate 204, so that the second end 207 of the antenna is not extending through the faceplate 204. In some embodiments, the ground potential 212 is provided in the hearing device shell 200, i.e. on the inside of the faceplate, and the antenna extends through the faceplate 204 at the second position 209 to connect with the ground potential 212.
(22) In FIG. 2c, the antenna 210 extends from the feed 205 through the faceplate 204 at first position 208 to the second end 207 of the antenna; at least the part of the antenna extending from the faceplate 204 has a rod shape; the second end 207 being an open end, i.e. an electrically open end.
(23) In FIG. 2d, the antenna extends from the feed 205 at the first end 206 of the antenna and the antenna extends through the faceplate 204 at the first position 208. The antenna forms a loop and interconnects with the faceplate at the second position 209. In FIG. 2d, a pull-out handle 216 is shown. The antenna 210 extends within the pull-out handle 216. In some examples, the pull-out handle 216 is a hollow tube, and e.g. made of nylon, and the antenna extends within the tube. However, it is envisaged that the pull-out handle may be made in any other way, and the antenna may extend within a hollow tubular pull-out handle, the antenna may be embedded within the material of the pull-out handle, etc.
(24) FIGS. 3a-d schematically illustrates exemplary feeding networks for exemplary antennas. As set out above, the electronic hearing components including for example the microphone 102, the signal processor 104, the speaker 106, the wireless communication unit 108 and/or the feeding network 109 are provided in the hearing device shell (not shown in FIGS. 3a-d).
(25) The antenna illustrated in FIG. 3a corresponds to the antenna illustrated in FIG. 2a. The antenna 210 extends from the feed 205 through the faceplate 204 to the second end 207; the second end being an open end. The faceplate 204 has a through-hole 308 through which the antenna 210 extends. The antenna may be provided with any coating or cover (not shown) to make the antenna more robust and the antenna may be connected to the faceplate in any manner.
(26) In FIGS. 3a-3d, the feeding network 109 is shown in more detail. As is seen, the antenna is fed from the feeding network, and the feeding network provides an interconnection between the antenna and the wireless communication unit. The interconnection is provided at the first end 206 of the antenna and/or at the second end 207 of the antenna. The interconnection between the antenna and the wireless communication unit is provided through one or more controlled impedances, the controlled impedances including capacitors, inductors and/or transmission lines. The controlled impedances are selected to design the RF current distribution of the antenna. The controlled impedances are configured to optimize antenna parameters, including antenna impedance matching. The wireless communication unit 108 is provided at printed circuit board 302. Typically, the printed circuit board 302 forms the ground plane for the antenna 210. In FIGS. 3a-d also the faceplate 204 is shown in more detail. The faceplate has one or more through-holes, including first through-hole 308 and possibly second through-hole 309. The antenna 210 extends from the feed 205 through the first through-hole 308 at the first position 208 of the faceplate 204. In some embodiments, the antenna extends through the faceplate 204 at the second position 209 through second through-hole 309. The second end 207 of the antenna may then connect to the feeding network 109 within the hearing device shell 200. In other embodiments, the second end 207 of the antenna is connected to the faceplate 204 with or without extending through the faceplate.
(27) In FIG. 3a, the wireless communication unit 108, being positioned on a printed circuit board 302, is connected to a first controlled impedance 306a, the first controlled impedance is connected to a second controlled impedance 306b and further has a connection to ground potential 212. The first end 206 of the antenna is connected to the second controlled impedance 306b at 205 providing a feed for the antenna.
(28) The feed in FIG. 3a is a single ended feed. The feeding network represents an inverted F-antenna. The second end 207 of the antenna is an open end.
(29) In FIG. 3b, the wireless communication unit is connected to the antenna through controlled impedance 306a. The antenna 210 is connected to the controlled impedance at the first end 206 at position 205 providing a feed for the antenna. The feeding network provides a monopole antenna. The second end 207 of the antenna is interconnected with the faceplate. It is an advantage of interconnecting the second end 207 of the antenna with the faceplate in that noise stemming from handling of the antenna or the pull-out handle comprising the antenna may be reduced.
(30) In some embodiments, the second end 207 of the antenna may be connected to a ground potential (not shown).
(31) In FIG. 3c, a further embodiment is shown. The antenna 210 is interconnected with wireless communication unit 108 through feeding network 109. The first end 206 of the antenna 210 connects to the wireless communication unit 108 through controllable impedance 306a. The second end 207 of the antenna 210 connects to the wireless communication unit 108 through controllable impedance 306b. Thus, the antenna 210 forms a loop antenna with both the first end 206 and the second end 207 being interconnected with the wireless communication unit 108.
(32) In FIG. 3d, a further embodiment is shown. The antenna 210 is interconnected with wireless communication unit 108 through feeding network 109. The first end 206 of the antenna connects to the wireless communication unit 108 through controllable impedance 306a. The second end 207 of the antenna connects to the wireless communication unit 108 through controllable impedance 306b. Thus, the antenna 210 forms a loop antenna with both the first end 206 and the second end 207 being interconnected with the wireless communication unit 108. A further controlled impedance 306c is provided between the first and second controlled impedances, 306a, 306b.
(33) In FIG. 4a total radiated power for an antenna of an embodiment of the disclosure is shown. The graph shows three different antenna configurations, internal antenna, external antenna being a straight wire having a length of 10 mm, and an external bent antenna, i.e. being arch-shaped having a length of 6.4 mm. The total radiated power (dBm) is measured over a frequency range of 2.0 GHz to 3.0 GHz. The measured total radiated power for the internal antenna is illustrated by curve 403, the total radiated power for the straight wire antenna is illustrated by curve 402, and the total radiated power for the bent wire antenna is illustrated by curve 401. It is seen that the bent wire antenna, even thought the total length is smaller than for the straight wire antenna, provides the highest total radiated power. This is a significant advantage and indicates that contrary to normal beliefs, a long straight wire antenna is not the optimum choice.
(34) FIG. 4b shows total radiated power for a straight wire antenna having different lengths above the faceplate measured as for FIG. 4a. It is seen that the longer the wire is the more radiated power may be provided, and that only with a length of 10 mm above the faceplate is the total radiated power above ˜20 dBm.
(35) FIG. 5 shows a top view of a faceplate 204. For illustrative purposes, the faceplate is presented as elliptical, however, it is envisaged that the faceplate may have any shape, including circular, elliptical, or any shape corresponding to the shape of the ear, when the hearing device is configured to extend into the concha of an ear.
(36) In FIG. 5, the first position 208 and the second position 209 are illustrated. The location of the first position and the second position at the faceplate are associated with the arrangement of the faceplate in the ear of a user. The faceplate comprising the first position 208 and the second position 209 has an orientation so that the first position 208 is located towards a front end 502, the front end 502 being closer to the tragus of an ear of a user when the hearing device is positioned at the operational position in the ear of the user, than a back end of the faceplate. The faceplate has an orientation so that the first position 208 is located towards the tragus/front of the head/ear, i.e. towards front end 502, and the second position is located towards the back of the head/ear, i.e. towards a back end 504. In this way, the first end 206 of the antenna is located closer to the tragus of the ear of a user than the second end 207 of the antenna when the hearing device is positioned at the operational position in the ear of a user.
(37) An intersection 506 is illustrated, the intersection 506 dividing the faceplate in a front end and a back end, typically along a center axis for the faceplate 204.
(38) FIG. 6 illustrates the sizes of the antenna. The antenna 210 forms a loop, and the antenna 210 extends above the faceplate 204 from the first position 208 to the second position 209. A first section 604 of the antenna extends from the first position 208 along a first axis 601, the first axis forming a first angle with an ear-to-ear axis of a user when the hearing device is positioned in the operational position in the ear of a user, the first angle being less than 25°. The antenna has a second section 606 extending along a second axis 602, the second axis forming a second angle with the faceplate, the second angle being less than 25°. The antenna 210 further has a third section 608 extending parallel to the first axis and being interconnected with the faceplate 204 at the second position 209 of the faceplate.
(39) The distance d1 between the first position 208 and the second position 209 is typically less than 10 mm, such as between 3 and 8 mm, such as 4 mm. The distance d2 from the faceplate 204 to a part of the antenna is between 2 mm and 2 cm, such as between 5 mm and 15 mm above the faceplate, such as 8 mm above the faceplate. The distance d2 may be measured between the faceplate and at least one point of the antenna 210, and at least one point is a highest point.
(40) FIG. 7a illustrates an example of a hearing device having an antenna 210, wherein the wireless communication unit 108, the feeding network 109 and the microphone 102 are positioned at a printed circuit board 302 inside the hearing device shell 200. A transmission line 701 interconnects the wireless communication unit 108 with the feeding network 109. The antenna 210 is fed from the feeding network 109 and the interior part 702 of the antenna 210 extends within the hearing device shell 200, through through-hole 308 in the faceplate 204 and the exterior part 211 of the antenna 210 extends above the faceplate, i.e. above the outer side of the faceplate.
(41) FIG. 7b illustrates an example of a hearing device having an antenna 210, wherein the wireless communication unit 108, the feeding network 109 and the signal processor 104 are positioned at a printed circuit board 302 inside the hearing device shell 200. In FIG. 7b, the microphone 102 are provided outside of the hearing device shell 200. The microphone 102 may for example be configured to be provided in the helix of the ear of the user. The hearing device may be of the microphone-in-the helix type. A transmission line 701 interconnects the wireless communication unit 108 with the feeding network 109. The antenna 210 is fed from the feeding network 109 and the interior part 702 of the antenna 210 extends within the hearing device shell 200, through through-hole 308 in the faceplate 204 and the exterior part 211 of the antenna 210 extends above the faceplate, i.e. above the outer side of the faceplate. The one or more microphones are interconnected with the signal processor 104 via signal line 704 including one or more conducting wires. In some embodiments, the signal line 704 and the antenna 210 may be provided in a same tube. In some embodiments, the signal line 704 may function also as the antenna 210. Thus, by re-using the signal line to function also as antenna 210, a separate conducting element functioning as antenna may be avoided. The signal line 704 may comprise the antenna 210, more specifically, the signal line 704 may comprises the exterior part 211 of the antenna, or the signal line 704 may comprise the interior part 702 of the antenna and the exterior part 211 of the antenna.
(42) FIGS. 8a-8c illustrates a hearing device having electric components positioned in modules. The modular positioning of electric components within the hearing device enables a better noise control, as connecting wires etc. may be positioned between the modules in a controlled way.
(43) In FIG. 8a, the hearing device comprises antenna 802, battery 804 and battery springs 808. The hybrid 806, comprises a number of electric components (not specified), the receiver or speaker 818 is provided extending from hybrid 806.
(44) As seen in FIG. 8b, the receiver 818 is provided in a support, the support supporting both the hybrid 806 and the receiver 818. Microphones 801 are provided adjacent a faceplate 807. As seen a lid may be provided on top of the faceplate 807. Battery contact points 810a, 810b are provided for feeding power to the electric components. Antenna feed 812 is shown, and the second end connection 814 of the antenna 802 is connected to the hybrid 806 via printed circuit board 816.
(45) FIG. 8c shows a third perspective of the hearing device. The antenna 802 is shown extending from faceplate 807. Receiver module 818 is seen below hybrid 806. The battery springs/connectors 808 are also shown. It is seen that the modular build provides a compact hearing device in which position of components may be well controlled.
(46) Although particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the claimed inventions to the preferred embodiments, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed inventions. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed inventions are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.
LIST OF REFERENCES
(47) 102 Microphone 104 Signal Processor 106 Speaker 108 Wireless communication unit (WCU) 109 Feeding Network 110 Power circuit 112 Battery 200 Hearing device shell 204 Faceplate 205 Feed 206 First end 207 Second end 208 First position 209 Second position 210 Antenna 211 exterior part of the antenna 212 Ground potential 216 Pull-out handle 302 Printed Circuit Board 306a, 306b and 306c controlled impedances 308 First through-hole 309 Second through-hole 401, 402, 403 curves 502 Front End 504 Back End 506 Intersection of faceplate 601 First axis 602 Second axis 604 First section 606 Second section 608 Third section 701 Transmission line 702 interior part of antenna 704 Microphone signal line 801 Microphones 802 Antenna 804 Battery 806 Hybrid 807 Faceplate 808 Battery Spring 810a, 810b Battery contact points 812 Antenna Feed on hybrid 814 Antenna connection to hybrid 816 Printed circuit board (flex or solid) 818 Receiver/Speaker
