Patent 5721783 Issued on February 24, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date: June 7, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
A hearing aid or audio communication system includes an earpiece (10) that can be hidden in the ear canal, and which communicates wirelessly with a remote processor unit, or RPU (16), that enhances audio signals and can be concealed under clothing. Sounds from the environment are picked up by a microphone (12) in the earpiece and sent with other information over a two-way wireless link (17) to the RPU (16). The wireless link (17) uses microwaves for component miniaturization. Furthermore, use of radar technology to implement the wireless link (17), with an RPU (16) interrogator and earpiece (10) transponder, reduces earpiece size and power, as no microwave oscillator is needed in the earpiece (10). Optional secondary wireless link circuitry (19) can be used between the RPU (16) and a cellular telephone system or other sources of information. Electronic voice recognition and response can control system operation.
Other References
"Q & A about Biological Effects and Potential Hazards of RF Radiation", OET Bulletin 56, FCC, Washington, D.C., Jan. 1989, pp. 1-3
"How to Buy a Hearing Aid", Consumer Reports Magazine, Nov. 1992, pp. 716-712
T. Tanji, "A digital Radio Hearing Aid", I-P-14, Program and Abstracts of First Biennial Conference on Advancing Human Communication: An Interdisciplinary Forum on Hearing Aid Research and Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, Sep. 11-13, 1995
SHS Wireless Radio Communications Data Sheet From E.A.R. Inc.; Jan. 1990
CROS Product Data Sheets From Telex Communications, Inc.; Jan. 1989
H. Levitt, A. Neuman, R. Mills and T. Schwander, "Digital Master Hearing Aid" Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, vol. 23, No. 1, 1986, pp. 79-87, May 198
June 7, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
