Directional hearing enhancement systems
First Claim
1. A hearing enhancement system for a user, comprising:
- an audio system configured to receive input signals for broadcasting, and configured to up-convert the received input signals into up-converted signals to be wirelessly transmitted;
a wireless receiver configured to wirelessly receive the up-converted signals;
a down-converter configured to down-convert the received up-converted signals into down-converted signals;
a modifier configured to modify the down-converted signals into modified signals based on at least one hearing characteristic of the user to enhance the hearing of the user; and
a speaker configured to generate audio output signals from the modified signals for the user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hearing enhancement system that enhances a user'"'"'s hearing based on a directional speaker is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system can include an interface unit that has a directional speaker and a microphone. The microphone captures input audio signals that are transformed into ultrasonic signals. The speaker transmits the ultrasonic signals, which are transformed into output audio signals by interaction with air. At least a portion of the output audio signals are modified to enhance the hearing of the user. Based on the system, the user'"'"'s ear remains free from any inserted objects and thus is free from annoying occlusion effects. Compared to existing hearing aids, the system is relatively inexpensive. In another embodiment, the system can also be used as a phone. In yet another embodiment, the system can also access audio signals from other portable or non-portable instruments, wired or wirelessly, such as from home entertainment units, phones, microphones at a conference or speakers at a movie theater.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A hearing enhancement system for a user, comprising:
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an audio system configured to receive input signals for broadcasting, and configured to up-convert the received input signals into up-converted signals to be wirelessly transmitted; a wireless receiver configured to wirelessly receive the up-converted signals; a down-converter configured to down-convert the received up-converted signals into down-converted signals; a modifier configured to modify the down-converted signals into modified signals based on at least one hearing characteristic of the user to enhance the hearing of the user; and a speaker configured to generate audio output signals from the modified signals for the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A hearing enhancement apparatus for a user, the apparatus being wirelessly coupled to an audio system, which is configured to receive input signals for broadcasting, and configured to up-convert the received input signals into up-converted signals to be wirelessly transmitted, the apparatus comprising:
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a wireless receiver configured to wirelessly receive the up-converted signals; a down-converter configured to down-convert the received up-converted signals into down-converted signals; a modifier configured to modify the down-converted signals into modified signals based on at least one hearing characteristic of the user to enhance the hearing of the user; and a speaker configured to generate audio output signals from the modified signals for the user. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification