External ear canal voice detection
US7929713B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 27, 2008 |
| Grant date | Apr 19, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2460/03
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Ear-level full duplex audio communication systems each include one or two ear attachment devices, such as in-the-ear (ITE) or behind-the-ear (BTE) devices, that wirelessly communicates to a remote device such as a computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone, a walkie talkie, or a language translator. When used as a hearing aid, such a system allows a hearing impaired individual to communicate with or through the remote device, such as to talk to another person through a cellular phone. When being used as an ear piece wirelessly extended from the remote device, such system allows an individual with normal hearing to privately communicate with or through the remote device without the need of holding the device or wearing any device wired to the remote device. Each ear attachment device includes a voice operated exchange (VOX), housed within the device, to preserve energy and hence, maximize the period between battery replacement or recharges. The VOX also gates various sounds detected by the system to control possible echoes and ringing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.