Acoustic processing apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for pick-up and recording of acoustic signals, such as body sounds or the like, comprising:
- transducer means for detecting sound and for producing an input analog signal representative of the sound;
convertor means for receiving the input analog signal from the transducer means and converting the input analog signal to a digital signal;
editing means coupled to the convertor means for receiving the digital signal and for editing the signal, includingmeans for adjusting the waveform of the digital signal, andcomputer means for storing in memory at least a portion of the digital signal;
recorder means coupled to the computer means for selectably recording at least a portion of the digital signal;
the convertor means being operable for receiving the digital signal from the memory of the computer means and for converting the digital signal to an output analog signal; and
interface means coupled to the convertor means for receiving the output analog signal and adapted for communicating the output analog signal to the operator.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method of recording and processing acoustics, such as body sounds, for assessment of the sound and possible diagnosis of any abnormalities associated with the sound. The apparatus includes an electronic stethoscope for acoustic pick-up and a convertor section for converting the acoustic analog signal into a digital signal. The operator can track the acoustic signal on an acoustic headset. The digital signal is continuously stored in computer memory and the operator can selectably retain a portion of the digital signal in volatile memory. The apparatus further includes a signal editing function for selectably altering the retained digital signal to isolate the waveform of interest. To this end, the retained signal is fed through the conversion section for conversion to an output analog signal for display on the monitor and play on the acoustic headset. The retained signal can be further edited as desired and stored in nonvolatile memory. The edited waveform is not only useful in diagnosing abnormalities but is also easily preserved for historical interest.
-
Citations
30 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for pick-up and recording of acoustic signals, such as body sounds or the like, comprising:
-
transducer means for detecting sound and for producing an input analog signal representative of the sound; convertor means for receiving the input analog signal from the transducer means and converting the input analog signal to a digital signal; editing means coupled to the convertor means for receiving the digital signal and for editing the signal, including means for adjusting the waveform of the digital signal, and computer means for storing in memory at least a portion of the digital signal; recorder means coupled to the computer means for selectably recording at least a portion of the digital signal; the convertor means being operable for receiving the digital signal from the memory of the computer means and for converting the digital signal to an output analog signal; and interface means coupled to the convertor means for receiving the output analog signal and adapted for communicating the output analog signal to the operator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method of acquiring and processing a sound for assessing a condition, diagnosing a problem, or the like, comprising the steps of:
-
picking up the sound with a transducer and producing an input analog signal representative of the sound; converting the input analog signal to a digital signal; storing at least a portion of the digital signal in computer memory; converting said portion to an output analog signal; displaying the output analog signal; and editing said digital signal portion by adjusting the waveform to produce an edited waveform for assessment. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
-
26. An apparatus for visually displaying one or more stored waveforms comprising:
-
non-volatile storage means for storing a plurality of digital signals each representative of an acoustic waveform; computer means coupled to the non-volatile storage means for retrieving a waveform from nonvolatile storage; editing means coupled to the computer means for adjusting the retrieved waveform to produce an edited retrieved waveform; convertor means coupled to the computer means and operable for converting the edited retrieved digital waveform to an analog signal representative of the edited retrieved waveform; and video display means coupled to the convertor means for receiving the analog signal and visually displaying the analog signal. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
-
-
29. An apparatus for pick-up and recording of acoustic signals, such as body sounds or the like, comprising:
-
transducer means for detecting sound and for producing an input analog signal representative of the sound; convertor means for receiving the input analog signal from the transducer means and converting the input analog signal to a digital signal; means coupled to the convertor means for receiving the digital signal and for storing in memory at least a portion of the digital signal; the convertor means being operable for receiving the digital signal from the memory of the computer means and for converting the digital signal to an output analog signal; and interface means coupled to the convertor means for receiving the output analog signal and adapted for communicating the output analog signal to the operator.
-
-
30. A method of acquiring and processing a sound for assessing a condition, diagnosing a problem, or the like, comprising the steps of:
-
picking up the sound with a transducer and producing an input analog signal representative of the sound; converting the input analog signal to a digital signal; storing at least a portion of the digital signal in non-volatile computer memory; converting said portion to an output analog signal; and displaying the output analog signal.
-
Specification