Hearing assist device with directional detection and sound modification
US6778674B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R25/407
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A hearing assist device (10) for a person (P). The device comprises a speaker device (SP1) for presenting sound to an ear canal of the person and circuitry for identifying a specified area relative to the person. The device further comprises a first microphone (M1) for providing a first sound signal in response to a first sound source located inside the area and in response to a second sound source located outside the area. Further, the device comprises a second microphone (M2) for providing a second sound signal in response to the first sound source and the second sound source. Still further, the device comprises circuitry (16) for determining a position of the first sound source and the second sound source in response to the specified area, the first sound signal and the second signal. Finally, the device comprises circuitry (16) for outputting a processed signal in response to the position. In operation, the speaker device is operable to present processed sound to the ear canal in response to the processed signal, wherein the processed sound represents a different suppression of sound from the second sound source relative to sound from the first sound source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.