US 11,812,246 B2
Pairing system and method for ear-worn devices
Sidney A. Higgins, Maple Grove, MN (US); and David Alan Fabry, Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Assigned to Starkey Laboratories, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Filed by Starkey Laboratories, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Filed on Jan. 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/585,166.
Application 17/585,166 is a division of application No. 16/709,343, filed on Dec. 10, 2019, granted, now 11,265,656.
Prior Publication US 2022/0150634 A1, May 12, 2022
Int. Cl. H04R 5/04 (2006.01); H04W 76/10 (2018.01); G06F 3/01 (2006.01); H04R 1/02 (2006.01); H04R 1/10 (2006.01); H04R 5/033 (2006.01)
CPC H04R 5/04 (2013.01) [G06F 3/017 (2013.01); H04R 1/028 (2013.01); H04R 1/1008 (2013.01); H04R 1/1025 (2013.01); H04R 5/033 (2013.01); H04W 76/10 (2018.02); H04R 2420/07 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hearing assistance system comprising:
a first ear-worn device and a second ear-worn device, wherein each of the ear-worn devices comprises:
a speaker,
a microphone,
a processor,
a non-transitory computer memory,
a rechargeable battery,
an inertial measurement unit (IMU),
a charging contact, and
a wireless communication device; and
a case comprising:
a case battery,
a first case charging contact and a second case charging contact,
a case processor, and
a case non-transitory computer memory,
wherein the first ear-worn device is configured to be positioned within the case so that the charging contact of the first ear-worn device is in electrical communication with the first case charging contact within the case,
wherein the second ear-worn device is configured to be positioned within the case so that the charging contact of the second ear-worn device is in electrical communication with the second case charging contact within the case; and
wherein one or more of the memories in the first ear-worn device or the second ear-worn device stores computer instructions for instructing one or more of the processors in the first ear-worn device, second ear-worn device, or case to perform:
while the first and second ear-worn devices are positioned within the case, detecting a vibration sequence at one or more of the IMUs in the first ear-worn device or second ear-worn device; and
deciding whether to pair the wireless communication devices of the first and second ear-worn devices based on the vibration sequence detected at the one or more IMUs.