Multiband programmable compression system
US5488668A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 23, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 23, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2430/03
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An improved audio compressor of the type which is used in a hearing aid and having a programmable compression ratio is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the compressor includes a variable gain limiter which provides variable gain amplification of the input signal and as a further function of a programmable control signal. A feedforward circuit is disposed in parallel to the variable gain limiter and provides a fixed gain signal. The output of the limiter and the feedforward circuit are combined at a summing node, which serves as an output. The gain curve of the compressor defines a sigmoid function having a pivot midway between the upper and lower break points.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.