Tactile stimulation device for use by a deaf person

• US 6,628,195 B1
• Filed: 11/07/2000
• Issued: 09/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jean-Max Coudon
• Original Assignee: Jean-Max Coudon
• Inventors: Coudon, Jean-Max
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US09/706,692
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.46, 340/825.19, 340/407.1, 434/114, 434/185, 434/156, 434/169, 704/207, 704/213, 381/322, 381/70, 607/56, 607/145
• US Class Current: 340/407.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/045 using mechanical stimulation of nerves
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/13 Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers

Abstract

The tactile stimulation device designed to be used by a deaf person includes, in particular, an electroacoustic transducer. The invention is noteworthy in that the device consists of a case which can be held in one hand and which has a sensor associated with the electroacoustic transducer, which sensor is designed to enable turning the device on by touching said sensor.

Claims

1. Tactile stimulation device designed to be used by a deaf person comprising

a case which can be held in one hand,

a sensor associated with an electroacoustic transducer, and

an input connector provided to accommodate a removable microphone or a receiving accessory,

said sensor, said transducer, and said input connector being mounted on said case,

said transducer producing a vibration output (i) representing ambient sounds collected by the microphone or receiving accessory and (ii) capable of being sensed by a finger,

said sensor being designed to enable turning the device on by touching said sensor, such that the device has a compact construction making it possible to carry the device in a pocket, taking the device in one hand, turning the device on, and sensing the vibration output of the transducer with a finger.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor consists of an insulating support provided with conductive strips electrically isolated from each other and connected to the input of a contact detector.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the conductive strips each have the shape of a spiral and are interlaced.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is pressed against a diaphragm of the electroacoustic transducer.

5. Device according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is pressed against a diaphragm of the electroacoustic transducer.

6. Device according to claim 3, wherein the sensor is pressed against a diaphragm of the electroacoustic transducer.

7. Device according to claim 1, which includes a lowpass frequency filter which selects the frequencies lower than 800 Hz.

8. Device according to claim 2, which includes a lowpass frequency filter which selects the frequencies lower than 800 Hz.

9. Device according to claim 1, which includes a passband frequency filter connected to a frequency generator capable of modulating the signal received from, said frequency filter in amplitude to a specified frequency.

10. Device according to claim 2, which includes a passband frequency filter connected to a frequency generator capable of modulating the signal received from said frequency filter in amplitude to a specified frequency.

11. Device according to claim 9, wherein the passband frequency filter selects the range of frequencies between 1000 Hz and 4000 Hz.

12. Device according to claim 10, wherein the passband frequency filter selects the range of frequencies between 1000 Hz and 4000 Hz.

13. Device according to claim 9, wherein the operating frequency of the frequency generator is 900 Hz.

14. Device according to claim 10, wherein the operating frequency of the frequency generator is 900 Hz.

15. Device according to claim 11, wherein the operating frequency of the frequency generator is 900 Hz.

16. Device according to claim 12, wherein the operating frequency of the frequency generator is 900 Hz.

17. Device according to claim 1, including a power button, wherein the power button may assume a STOP position designed to cut the power supply of the device, an ON position of the device, and a STANDBY position capable of starting the device by using a contact detector.

18. Device according to claim 1, wherein the input connector accommodates a receiving accessory which is a magnetic loop receiver.

19. Device according to claim 1, which includes an output connector provided to accommodate an external electroacoustic transducer.

20. Device according to claim 1, which includes a control knob enabling use of a potentiometer to modulate the intensity of the electrical current to power the electroacoustic transducer.

21. Tactile stimulation device designed to be used by a deaf person comprising a case which can be held in one hand and a sensor associated with an electroacoustic transducer, said sensor being designed to enable turning the device on by touching said sensor, wherein the sensor consists of an insulating support provided with conductive strips electrically isolated from each other and connected to the input of a contact detector, and wherein the conductive strips each have the shape of a spiral and are interlaced.

22. Device according to claim 21, wherein the sensor is pressed against the diaphragm of the electroacoustic transducer.

23. Tactile stimulation device designed to be used by a deaf person comprising a case which can be held in one hand and a sensor associated with an electroacoustic transducer, said sensor being designed to enable turning the device on by touching said sensor, including a power button, wherein the power button may assume a STOP position designed to cut the power supply of the device, an ON position of the device, and a STANDBY position capable of starting the device by using a contact detector.

24. Tactile stimulation device designed to be used by a deaf person comprising a case which can be held in one hand and a sensor associated with an electroacoustic transducer, said sensor being designed to enable turning the device on by touching said sensor, which includes an input connector provided to accommodate a receiving accessory, wherein the receiving accessory is a magnetic loop receiver.

25. Tactile stimulation device designed to be used by a deaf person comprising a case which can be held in one hand and a sensor associated with an electroacoustic transducer,

an input connector provided to accommodate a removable microphone or a receiving accessory,

said transducer producing a vibration output (I) representing ambient sounds collected by the microphone or receiving accessory and (ii) capable of being sensed by a finger,

said sensor being designed to enable turning the device on by touching said sensor, wherein the sensor is pressed against the diaphragm of the electroacoustic transducer.

26. Tactile stimulation device designed to be used by a deaf person comprising

a case which can be held in one hand,

a sensor associated with an electroacoustic transducer, and

an input connector provided to accommodate a removable microphone or a receiving accessory,

said transducer producing a vibration output (i) representing ambient sounds collected by the microphone or receiving accessory and (ii) capable of being sensed by a finger,

said sensor being designed to enable turning the device on by touching said sensor,

wherein all components of the tactile stimulation device are integrated into the case.