Hearing device incorporating phased array antenna arrangement
AssigneeStarkey Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsPaul Anders Shriner, Gregory J. Haubrich
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hearing device comprises a housing configured to be supported at, on or in a wearer's ear. A processor is coupled to memory, and the processor and memory are disposed in the housing. A radiofrequency transceiver is coupled to the processor and disposed in the housing. A phased array antenna arrangement is disposed in or on the housing and coupled to the transceiver and the processor. The phased array antenna arrangement comprises a plurality of antennas each coupled to one of a plurality of phase shifters. The processor is configured to adjust a phase shift of each of the phase shifters to steer an antenna array pattern.
Claims25
A hearing device adapted to be worn at, on or in an ear of a wearer, the hearing device comprising:
- a housing configured to be supported at, on or in the wearer's ear;
- a processor coupled to memory, the processor and memory disposed in the housing;
- a radiofrequency transceiver coupled to the processor and disposed in the housing;
- and
- a phased array antenna arrangement disposed in or on the housing and coupled to the transceiver and the processor, the phased array antenna arrangement comprising a plurality of antennas each coupled to one of a plurality of phase shifters, the processor configured to adjust a phase shift of each of the phase shifters to steer an antenna array pattern.
A hearing device adapted to be worn at, on or in an ear of a wearer, the hearing device comprising:
- a housing configured to be supported at, on or in the wearer's ear;
- a processor coupled to memory, the processor and memory disposed in the housing;
- a radiofrequency transceiver coupled to the processor and disposed in the housing;
- and
- a phased array antenna arrangement disposed in or on the housing and coupled to the transceiver and the processor, the phased array antenna arrangement comprising a plurality of antennas each coupled to one of a plurality of phase shifters and at least one of a plurality of variable gain amplifiers, the processor configured to adjust a phase shift of each of the phase shifters to steer an antenna array pattern, the processor further configured to adjust a gain of each of the variable gain amplifiers to one or more of reduce a side lobe of the antenna array pattern, change a location of the side lobe, and adjust a width of a main lobe of the antenna array pattern.
A method implemented by a hearing device adapted to be worn at, on or in an ear of a wearer, the method comprising:
- providing, at the hearing device, a phased array antenna arrangement coupled to a radiofrequency transceiver and a processor, the phased array antenna arrangement comprising a plurality of antennas each coupled to one of a plurality of phase shifters;
- and
- adjusting, by the processor, a phase shift of each of the phase shifters to steer an antenna array pattern.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.