Speech Processor Cases

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for converting one type of speech processor unit into another type of speech processor unit.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A case for use with a speech processor (SP) unit and a headpiece cable connector, the SP unit including a SP housing, sound processor circuitry within the SP housing and a headpiece port associated with the exterior of the SP housing and configured to mate with the headpiece cable connector, the case comprising:
 a case main portion including a housing with an interior SP storage area configured to enclose the SP unit and an exterior;   an internal housing headpiece connector located within the interior SP storage area and configured to be connected to the SP unit headpiece port; and   an external housing headpiece connector operably connected to the internal housing headpiece connector, configured to be connected to the headpiece cable connector, and accessible from the exterior of the case main portion.   
     
     
         2 . A case as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the internal and external connectors comprise an internal plug and an external port. 
     
     
         3 . A case as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the internal and external connectors share at least one common component. 
     
     
         4 . A case as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the SP unit includes a power connector associated with the exterior of the SP housing, the case further comprising:
 a power supply; and   an internal power connector operably connected to the power supply, located within the interior SP storage area, and configured to be connected to the SP unit power connector.   
     
     
         5 . A case as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the power supply is located within a case power portion that is configured to be attached to, and detached from, the case main portion. 
     
     
         6 . A case as claimed in  claim 4 , the internal power connector is a slide-in connector. 
     
     
         7 . A case as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the SP unit includes a data connector associated with the exterior of the SP housing, the case further comprising:
 an external control panel; and   an internal data connector operably connected to the external control panel, located within the interior SP storage area, and configured to be connected to the SP unit data connector.   
     
     
         8 . A case as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the external control panel is located on a case control portion that is configured to be attached to, and detached from, the case main portion. 
     
     
         9 . A case as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the SP unit includes a power/data connector associated with the exterior of the SP housing, the case further comprising:
 a power supply;   an external control panel; and   an internal power/data connector operably connected to the power supply and the external control panel, located within the interior SP storage area, and configured to be connected to the SP unit power/data connector.   
     
     
         10 . A case as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the internal housing headpiece connector and the internal power/data connector are positioned such that the SP unit headpiece port and the power/data connector will simultaneously mate with the internal housing headpiece connector and the internal power/data connector when the SP unit is moved in a predetermined direction within the interior SP storage area. 
     
     
         11 . A case as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an auxiliary device connector operably connected to internal power/data connector.   
     
     
         12 . A case for use with a speech processor (SP) unit, the SP unit including a SP housing, sound processor circuitry within the SP housing, a headpiece port and a power connector associated with the exterior of the SP housing, the case comprising:
 a case main portion including a housing with an interior SP storage area configured to enclose the SP unit and an exterior;   a power supply; and   an internal power connector operably connected to the power supply, located within the interior SP storage area, and configured to be connected to the SP unit power connector.   
     
     
         13 . A case as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the power supply is located within a case power portion that is configured to be attached to, and detached from, the case main portion. 
     
     
         14 . A case as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 an internal housing headpiece connector located within the interior SP storage area and configured to be connected to the SP unit headpiece port.   
     
     
         15 . A case as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 an external housing headpiece connector operably connected to the internal housing headpiece connector, configured to be connected to a headpiece cable connector, and accessible from the exterior of the case main portion.   
     
     
         16 . A case as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a headpiece cable extending through the case housing and connected to the internal housing headpiece connector.   
     
     
         17 . A case as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the headpiece cable is permanently secured to the case housing. 
     
     
         18 . A case as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein
 the SP unit power connector comprises a power/data connector;   the internal power connector comprises an internal power/data connector configured to be connected to the SP unit power/data connector; and   the case further comprises an external control panel operably connected to the internal power/data connector.   
     
     
         19 . A system, comprising:
 a behind-the-ear speech processor (BTE) unit including a BTE unit housing, sound processor circuitry within the BTE unit housing, a headpiece port and a power/data connector associated with the exterior of the BTE unit housing; and   a BTE storage case including
 a BTE storage case housing defining an interior and an exterior, 
 a BTE storage area, within the BTE storage case housing interior, configured to enclose the BTE unit, 
 a BTE storage case power supply within the BTE storage case housing, 
 an external control panel on the BTE storage case housing exterior, and 
 means, located within the BTE storage area, for electrically connecting the BTE storage case power supply and the external control panel to the BTE unit power/data connector. 
   
     
     
         20 . A system as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising:
 an internal case headpiece connector located within the BTE storage area and configured to be connected to the BTE unit headpiece port.   
     
     
         21 . A system as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising:
 an external case headpiece connector operably connected to the internal case headpiece connector, configured to be connected to a headpiece cable connector, and accessible from the exterior of the BTE storage case.   
     
     
         22 . A system as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a headpiece cable extending through the BTE storage case and connected to the internal case headpiece connector.