Inter-channel communication in a multi-channel digital hearing instrument
US8121323B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 23, 2007 |
| Grant date | Feb 21, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2225/43
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multi-channel digital hearing instrument is provided that includes a microphone, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, a sound processor, a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter and a speaker. The microphone receives an acoustical signal and generates an analog audio signal. The A/D converter converts the analog audio signal into a digital audio signal. The sound processor includes channel processing circuitry that filters the digital audio signal into a plurality of frequency band-limited audio signals and that provides an automatic gain control function that permits quieter sounds to be amplified at a higher gain than louder sounds and may be configured to the dynamic hearing range of a particular hearing instrument user. The D/A converter converts the output from the sound processor into an analog audio output signal. The speaker converts the analog audio output signal into an acoustical output signal that is directed into the ear canal of the hearing instrument user.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.