External speech processor unit for an auditory prosthesis

Abstract

A cochlear implant system comprising an external component having an external speech processor unit, and an internal component. The speech processor unit monitors one or more parameters, and the speech processor unit is configured to reduce the power consumption of the cochlear implant system in the absence of one or more parameters.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of managing power consumption in a speech processor unit for a cochlear implant system, the speech processor unit comprising a signal processor for processing incoming auditory signals and for forwarding processed signals to an implanted component of the system, a monitor, a controller that is controlled by signal processor, the method comprising:
 monitoring by the monitor a predetermined parameter,   causing a controller to place the speech processor unit into an idle state in the absence of the predetermined parameter; and wherein the predetermined parameter is the presence of an implanted component.   
     
     
         21 . An auditory prosthesis comprising:
 an external component including a sound processor, wherein   the external component is configured to react to a presence or an absence of an RF link and enter a first power state due to the reaction.   
     
     
         22 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the first power state is a powered down state.   
     
     
         23 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the first power state is a powered up state.   
     
     
         24 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the external component does not have a dedicated mechanical switch for turning the external component on or off.   
     
     
         25 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the external component is a behind-the-ear (BTE) device.   
     
     
         26 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the external device further comprises a motion-detector.   
     
     
         27 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the external device is configured to second react to a presence or absence of motion thereof and enter the first power state due to the second reaction.   
     
     
         28 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the second react is to the absence of motion of the external device and the first power state is a power down state.   
     
     
         29 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the second react is to the existence of motion of the external device and the first power state is a power up state.   
     
     
         30 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the RF link is an RF link established between another, separate component from the external component, wherein the external component is configured to be taken away from the separate component, and wherein the sound processor is configured to process sound in the complete absence of the separate component.   
     
     
         31 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the external component includes an antenna that establishes part of the RF link; and   the external component is configured to monitor a value of reflected impedance associated with the antenna and enter the first power state due to the value of the reflected impedance.   
     
     
         32 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein the presence or absence of the RF link is a latent variable indicative of a recipient thereof being asleep 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the parameter is a signal associated with an RF link established between another, separate component from the unit, wherein the unit is configured to be taken away from the separate component, and wherein a sound processor of the speech processor unit is configured to process sound in the complete absence of the separate component.   
     
     
         34 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein the auditory prosthesis is at least a partially implantable hearing prosthesis. 
     
     
         35 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein the first power state is an idle state. 
     
     
         36 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the external component does not have a dedicated mechanical switch for turning the external component on or off.   
     
     
         37 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein entering the first power state reduces overall power consumption of the external component. 
     
     
         38 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein entering the first power state corresponds to changing from a state where all circuits are active to a state where less than all circuits are active. 
     
     
         39 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the first power state is a state where power is withheld from one or more components of the external component.   
     
     
         40 . The auditory prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein the first power state is a low-power state of the external component.