Variable sound system for audio devices
First Claim
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1. An audio device, comprising:
- a microphone configured to capture ambient noise from an ambient sound environment;
a sound library including a plurality of sets of sound files, each set of sound files having a plurality of spectrally different sound files;
an amplifier coupled to a speaker, the amplifier having a selectable gain and being configured to output each of the plurality of spectrally different sound files over the speaker; and
a processor configured with executable instructions which, when executed, cause the audio device to;
detect sound level information of the ambient noise received via the microphone;
perform sound spectrum analysis of the ambient noise;
receive stored information containing spectral characteristics for a plurality of ambient sound environments from a sound level spectrum knowledge base;
select a sound file from the sound library in response to at least one of the detected sound level information, sound spectrum analysis, and the spectral characteristics for one of the plurality of ambient sound environments;
determine audio frequencies of the ambient noise within a critical bandwidth of the selected sound file based on psycho-acoustic principles of a human auditory system;
alter the critical bandwidth of the selected sound file in response to the sound spectrum analysis of the ambient noise; and
estimate an amount of gain to apply to the altered sound file in response to the sound level information of the ambient noise.
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Abstract
A system capable of self-adjusting both sound level and spectral content to improve audibility and intelligibility of medical device audible cues. Audible cues are stored as sound files. Ambient noise is detected, and the output of the audible cues is altered based on the ambient noise. Various embodiments include processed sound files that are more robust in noisy environments.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An audio device, comprising:
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a microphone configured to capture ambient noise from an ambient sound environment; a sound library including a plurality of sets of sound files, each set of sound files having a plurality of spectrally different sound files; an amplifier coupled to a speaker, the amplifier having a selectable gain and being configured to output each of the plurality of spectrally different sound files over the speaker; and a processor configured with executable instructions which, when executed, cause the audio device to; detect sound level information of the ambient noise received via the microphone; perform sound spectrum analysis of the ambient noise; receive stored information containing spectral characteristics for a plurality of ambient sound environments from a sound level spectrum knowledge base; select a sound file from the sound library in response to at least one of the detected sound level information, sound spectrum analysis, and the spectral characteristics for one of the plurality of ambient sound environments; determine audio frequencies of the ambient noise within a critical bandwidth of the selected sound file based on psycho-acoustic principles of a human auditory system; alter the critical bandwidth of the selected sound file in response to the sound spectrum analysis of the ambient noise; and estimate an amount of gain to apply to the altered sound file in response to the sound level information of the ambient noise. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for providing audio, comprising:
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capturing ambient noise via a microphone; detecting sound level information of the ambient noise by a processor; performing, by the processor, sound spectrum analysis of the ambient noise; receiving stored information containing spectral characteristics for a plurality of ambient sound environments from a sound level spectrum knowledge base; selecting a sound file from a set of sound files in response to the detected sound level information, the sound spectrum analysis, and spectral characteristics for one of the plurality of ambient sound environments; determining audio frequencies of the ambient noise within a critical bandwidth of the selected sound file based on psycho-acoustic principles of a human auditory system; altering the critical bandwidth of the selected sound file in response to the sound spectrum analysis of the ambient noise; estimating an amount of gain to apply to the altered sound file in response to the sound level information of the ambient noise; and outputting the altered sound file, with the estimated amount of gain applied, through the speaker. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An audio device, comprising:
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a microphone configured to capture ambient noise from an ambient noise environment; a sound library including a plurality of spectrally different sound files, each of the plurality of spectrally different sound files having a first spectrum and comprising at least one audio cue; an amplifier coupled to a speaker, the amplifier having a selectable gain and configured to output each of the plurality of spectrally different sound files over the speaker; and a sound altering component configured to; analyze a sound spectrum of the ambient noise to determine a second spectrum; select a sound file from the sound library in response to the sound spectrum analysis of the ambient noise; alter at least a portion of the first spectrum of the selected sound file so that the at least a portion of the first spectrum is outside of a critical bandwidth of at least a portion of the second spectrum the ambient noise. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification