Universal listening device
First Claim
1. A listening device for detecting audio frequency sounds in an environmental volume adjacent to the listening device and presenting the detected sounds at an increased sound level or power density to the ears of a device user, comprising:
- a lightweight cylindrical housing, having a cylindrical sidewall about 1.0 inch or less high, with at least two sound transfer ports disposed on said sidewall less than 180 degrees apart and generally circular front and back end walls with a diameter of about 1.5 inches or less, said front end wall having at least one sound input port disposed in a central location thereon;
first and second hollow tubular members having first and second ends, each of said first ends connected to one of said sound transfer ports, said tubular members extending outward from said housing in an arcuate shape so as to place said second ends adjacent a device user'"'"'s ears, and having ear plug adapters on said second ends for interfacing with the user'"'"'s ears;
acoustical connection means disposed about said sound input port for releasably connecting one end of acoustical transfer tubing to said sound input port;
audio processing means disposed within said housing for detecting input sounds and amplifying them to have a higher power density than when detected, comprising;
at least one sound detection means mounted adjacent said front wall sound port for detecting said sounds and converting them to electrical signals whose amplitudes correlate to relative amplitudes of said detected sound waves;
at least one amplification means mounted within said housing and connected to said sound detection means for increasing the power level of said electrical signals;
at least one sound generation means connected to said amplification means for generating audio frequency output sound waves from said amplified electrical signals; and
coupling means disposed within said housing and connected between said sound generation means and said hollow tubular members for coupling sound therebetween.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A listening device for detecting audio frequency sounds and presenting them at increased sound levels to a user'"'"'s ears. The listening device comprises a lighweight housing with a sound port disposed on a front wall and containing audio processing components for detecting input sound waves, amplifying them, and transferring them to bi-aural sound transfer means coupled to the housing. The bi-aural transfer means directs amplified sound to both ears of a device user simultaneously. The listening device is very lightweight and very compact, with the main housing being less than about 1 cubic inch in volume
The listening device employs an acoustical connector on the front wall to allow efficient transfer of sound waves from a series of acoustical adapters, generators, and probes. One such probe is highly useful for automotive engine analysis and another is highly useful for medical applications.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A listening device for detecting audio frequency sounds in an environmental volume adjacent to the listening device and presenting the detected sounds at an increased sound level or power density to the ears of a device user, comprising:
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a lightweight cylindrical housing, having a cylindrical sidewall about 1.0 inch or less high, with at least two sound transfer ports disposed on said sidewall less than 180 degrees apart and generally circular front and back end walls with a diameter of about 1.5 inches or less, said front end wall having at least one sound input port disposed in a central location thereon; first and second hollow tubular members having first and second ends, each of said first ends connected to one of said sound transfer ports, said tubular members extending outward from said housing in an arcuate shape so as to place said second ends adjacent a device user'"'"'s ears, and having ear plug adapters on said second ends for interfacing with the user'"'"'s ears; acoustical connection means disposed about said sound input port for releasably connecting one end of acoustical transfer tubing to said sound input port; audio processing means disposed within said housing for detecting input sounds and amplifying them to have a higher power density than when detected, comprising; at least one sound detection means mounted adjacent said front wall sound port for detecting said sounds and converting them to electrical signals whose amplitudes correlate to relative amplitudes of said detected sound waves; at least one amplification means mounted within said housing and connected to said sound detection means for increasing the power level of said electrical signals; at least one sound generation means connected to said amplification means for generating audio frequency output sound waves from said amplified electrical signals; and coupling means disposed within said housing and connected between said sound generation means and said hollow tubular members for coupling sound therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A listening device for detecting audio frequency sounds in an environmental volume adjacent to the listening device and presenting the detected sounds at an increased sound level or power density to an acoustical transfer tube, comprising:
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a lightweight elongated ellipsoidal housing, having first and second ends and a sidewall disposed therebetween; a sound input port mounted on said first end for coupling to an acoustical transfer tube; a sound output port disposed on said sidewall adjacent to said second end for transferring sound waves from the inside of said housing to second acoustical transfer means; a cylindrical quick release acoustical connector disposed about each of said sound ports for releasably connecting acoustical transfer tubing to said ports; audio processing means disposed within said housing for detecting input sounds at audio frequencies and amplifying them to have a higher power density than when detected, comprising; sound detection means mounted adjacent said input port for detecting said sounds and converting them to electrical signals whose amplitudes correlate to relative amplitudes of said detected sounds; amplification means mounted within said housing and connected to said sound detection means for increasing the power level of said electrical signals; sound generation means connected to said amplification means for generating audio frequency output sound waves from said amplified electrical signals; and coupling means disposed within said housing and connected between said sound generation means and said output port means for transferring sound waves into said second transfer means. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification