US5276910A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy recovering hearing system
Assignee: EarLens Corp
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Filing: 1991-09-13
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Granted: 1994-01-04
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Expires: 2011-09-13
Abstract
Abstract The present invention comprises a hearing system apparatus and method for electromagnetically communicating signals to a magnetic transducer. The apparatus includes a signalling circuit for producing a pulse-width modulated current signal. An antenna means is coupled to the signalling circuit for producing a variable electromagnetic field whose energy intensity is modulated by the output of the signalling circuit. In addition, an energy storage circuit is coupled to the antenna for storing a substantial portion of the energy stored in the magnetic field produced by the antenna when the magnetic field collapses between cycles of the current signal. Also, an energy recycling circuit is coupled to the storage circuit and the antenna for recovering the energy stored in the storage circuit for use in the next electromagnetic field cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 William Buchele
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:52
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B5/00; H04B5/20; H04B5/22; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/60; H04R25/604; H04R25/606; H04B5/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A hearing system apparatus for electromagnetically communicating signals to a magnetic transducer, said apparatus comprising: signalling means for producing a pulse-width modulated current signal; antenna means coupled to said signalling means for producing a variable electromagnetic field whose energy intensity is proportional to the output of said signalling means; energy storage means coupled to said antenna means for storing a substantial portion of the energy stored in the magnetic field produced by said antenna means when the magnetic field collapses between cycles of said current signal; and energy recycling means coupled to said storage means and said antenna means for recovering the energy stored in said storage means for use in the next electromagnetic field cycle; wherein said energy recycling means comprises a Class-D amplifier electrically coupled to said energy storage means, the inputs of said amplifier being electrically coupled to said signalling means and the outputs of said amplifier being electrically coupled to said antenna means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A hearing system apparatus for electromagnetically communicating signals to a magnetic transducer, said apparatus comprising: signalling means for producing a pulse-width modulated current signal; antenna means coupled to said signalling means for producing a variable electromagnetic field whose energy intensity is proportional to the output of said signalling means; energy storage means coupled to said antenna means for storing a substantial portion of the energy stored in the magnetic field produced by said antenna means when the magnetic field collapses between cycles of said current signal; and energy recycling means coupled to said storage means and said antenna means for recovering the energy stored in said storage means for use in the next electromagnetic field cycle; wherein said energy recycling means comprises a Class-D amplifier electrically coupled to said energy storage means, the inputs of said amplifier being electrically coupled to said signalling means and the outputs of said amplifier being electrically coupled to said antenna means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising current source means coupled to said antenna means for providing current sufficient to replace that energy which is stored in the electromagnetic field of said antenna means and which is not recovered and stored in said storage means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said storage means comprises a capacitor and an inductor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said Class-D amplifier comprises an H-Bridge driver electrically coupled to said capacitor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
227 words
A hearing system comprising: acoustic transducer means for converting acoustic energy into an input electrical signal; signalling means for producing a pulse-width modulated current signal representative of said input electrical signal; antenna means coupled to said signalling means for producing a variable electromagnetic field whose energy intensity is proportional to the output of said signalling means; energy storage means coupled to said antenna means for recovering a substantial portion of the energy stored in the magnetic field produced by said antenna means when the magnetic field collapses between cycles of said current signal; energy recycling means coupled to said storage means and said antenna means for recovering the energy stored in said storage means for use in the next electromagnetic field cycle; current source means coupled to said antenna means for providing current sufficient to replace that energy which is stored in the electromagnetic field of said antenna means and which is not recovered and stored in said storage means; and magnetic transducer means for responding to changes in the magnetic field produced by said antenna means by producing vibrations corresponding to said input electrical signal; wherein said energy recycling means comprises a Class-D amplifier electrically coupled to said energy storage means, the inputs of said amplifier being electrically coupled to said signalling means and the outputs of said amplifier being electrically coupled to said antenna means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
227 words
A hearing system comprising: acoustic transducer means for converting acoustic energy into an input electrical signal; signalling means for producing a pulse-width modulated current signal representative of said input electrical signal; antenna means coupled to said signalling means for producing a variable electromagnetic field whose energy intensity is proportional to the output of said signalling means; energy storage means coupled to said antenna means for recovering a substantial portion of the energy stored in the magnetic field produced by said antenna means when the magnetic field collapses between cycles of said current signal; energy recycling means coupled to said storage means and said antenna means for recovering the energy stored in said storage means for use in the next electromagnetic field cycle; current source means coupled to said antenna means for providing current sufficient to replace that energy which is stored in the electromagnetic field of said antenna means and which is not recovered and stored in said storage means; and magnetic transducer means for responding to changes in the magnetic field produced by said antenna means by producing vibrations corresponding to said input electrical signal; wherein said energy recycling means comprises a Class-D amplifier electrically coupled to said energy storage means, the inputs of said amplifier being electrically coupled to said signalling means and the outputs of said amplifier being electrically coupled to said antenna means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said acoustic transducer means comprises a microphone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said storage means comprises a capacitor and an inductor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said Class-D amplifier comprises an H-Bridge driver electrically coupled to said capacitor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-03 | 1997-07-05 | 1998-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-03 | 2001-07-05 | 2002-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-03 | 2005-07-05 | 2006-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |