Multifunction system and method for integrated hearing and communication with noise cancellation and feedback management
First Claim
1. An audio listening system for use with an ear of a user, the system comprising:
- an external microphone configured for placement external to the ear canal to measure external sound pressure;
a transducer configured for placement inside the ear canal on an eardrum of the user to vibrate the eardrum and transmit sound to the user in response to the external microphone, wherein the transducer comprises an output transducer, the output transducer comprising a first coil, the output transducer being configured to vibrate the eardrum;
a sound processor configured with active noise cancellation to cause the transducer to adjust vibration of the eardrum to minimize or cancel an external sound perceived by the user based on the external sound pressure measured by the external microphone; and
a second coil wrapped around a core coupled to an output of the sound processor and configured to emit a magnetic field to the transducer to vibrate the transducer when the transducer is positioned on the eardrum of the user, wherein the magnetic field comprises a combination of the external sound perceived by the user based on the external sound pressure measured by the external microphone and a direct audio signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods for communication include an ear canal microphone configured for placement in the ear canal to detect high frequency sound localization cues. An external microphone positioned away from the ear canal can detect low frequency sound, such that feedback can be substantially reduced. The canal microphone and the external microphone are coupled to a transducer, such that the user perceives sound from the external microphone and the canal microphone with high frequency localization cues and decreased feedback. Wireless circuitry can be configured to connect to many devices with a wireless protocol, such that the user can receive and transmit audio signals. A bone conduction sensor can detect near-end speech of the user for transmission with the wireless circuitry in a noisy environment. Noise cancellation of background sounds near the user can be provided.
659 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An audio listening system for use with an ear of a user, the system comprising:
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an external microphone configured for placement external to the ear canal to measure external sound pressure; a transducer configured for placement inside the ear canal on an eardrum of the user to vibrate the eardrum and transmit sound to the user in response to the external microphone, wherein the transducer comprises an output transducer, the output transducer comprising a first coil, the output transducer being configured to vibrate the eardrum; a sound processor configured with active noise cancellation to cause the transducer to adjust vibration of the eardrum to minimize or cancel an external sound perceived by the user based on the external sound pressure measured by the external microphone; and a second coil wrapped around a core coupled to an output of the sound processor and configured to emit a magnetic field to the transducer to vibrate the transducer when the transducer is positioned on the eardrum of the user, wherein the magnetic field comprises a combination of the external sound perceived by the user based on the external sound pressure measured by the external microphone and a direct audio signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification