Hearing assist device with directional detection and sound modification

• US 6,778,674 B1
• Filed: 12/28/1999
• Issued: 08/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Gelabert, Pedro R., Siep, Thomas M., Panasik, Carl M., Stetzler, Trudy D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ensey, Brian
• Application Number:
  US09/473,755
• Time in Patent Office: 1,694 Days
• Field of Search: 381/312, 381/313, 381/314, 381/315, 381/23.1, 381/FOR.142, 381/FOR.127, 381/FOR.128, 381/316, 381/317, 381/321, 381/320, 381/92, 381/356
• US Class Current: 381/313
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/407 Circuits for combining signals of a plurality of transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/552 Binaural

Abstract

A hearing assist device (10) for a person (P). The device comprises a speaker device (SP1) for presenting sound to an ear canal of the person and circuitry for identifying a specified area relative to the person. The device further comprises a first microphone (M1) for providing a first sound signal in response to a first sound source located inside the area and in response to a second sound source located outside the area. Further, the device comprises a second microphone (M2) for providing a second sound signal in response to the first sound source and the second sound source. Still further, the device comprises circuitry (16) for determining a position of the first sound source and the second sound source in response to the specified area, the first sound signal and the second signal. Finally, the device comprises circuitry (16) for outputting a processed signal in response to the position. In operation, the speaker device is operable to present processed sound to the ear canal in response to the processed signal, wherein the processed sound represents a different suppression of sound from the second sound source relative to sound from the first sound source.

Claims

1. A hearing assist apparatus for a person, comprising:

a first audio device for presenting sound to an ear of said person;

a second audio device for presenting sound to another ear of said person;

a first microphone for providing a first sound signal in response to said first microphone receiving a sound;

a second microphone for providing a second sound signal in response to said second microphone receiving said sound; and

circuitry, responsive to said first and second sound signals, for defining, without using a lookup table, a specified area relative to said person, for determining a relative position of a source of said sound within said specified area and suppressing sounds received by said first and second microphones from outside said specified area, and for outputting a first processed signal to said first audio device and a second processed signal to said second audio device, said first and second processed signals being reflective of said determined relative position of said source of said sound within said specified area.

2. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 1, wherein a width of said specified area relative to said person is user modifiable.

3. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

4. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 1, wherein negative gain is added to said sounds received by said first and second microphones from outside said specified area to facilitate said suppression.

5. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signals from said sounds received by said first and second microphones from outside said specified area are added to an inverse of the signals to produce a null.

31. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 4, wherein a width of said specified area relative to said person is user modifiable.

32. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 5, wherein a width of said specified area relative to said person is user modifiable.

41. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 4, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

42. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 5, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

6. A hearing assist apparatus for a person, comprising:

a first audio device for presenting sound to an ear of said person;

a second audio device for presenting sound to another ear of said person;

a first microphone for providing a first sound signal in response to said first microphone receiving a sound;

a second microphone for providing a second sound signal in response to said second microphone receiving said sound; and

circuitry, responsive to said first and second sound signals, for defining, without using a lookup table, a specified area relative to said person, for determining a relative position of a source of said sound within said specified area by comparing a time of arrival of the first sound signal with a time of arrival of the second sound signal, and for outputting a first processed signal to said first audio device and a second processed signal to said second audio device, said first and second processed signals being reflective of said determined relative position of said source of said sound within said specified area.

7. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 6, wherein said circuitry determines said relative position of said sound relative to an axis located between said first microphone and said second microphone.

8. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 7, wherein the axis is generally along a frontal line of vision of said person.

9. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a first housing comprising said first audio device and said first microphone; and

a second housing comprising said second audio device and said second microphone.

10. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first housing further comprises a first wireless transceiver coupled to said first audio device and said first microphone and said second housing further comprises a second wireless transceiver coupled to said second audio device and said second microphone.

11. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a third housing comprising said circuitry.

12. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 11, wherein said third housing further comprises a third wireless transceiver coupled to said circuitry for sending signals to and receiving signals from said first and second wireless transceivers.

33. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 6, wherein a width of said specified area relative to said person is user modifiable.

34. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 7, wherein a width of said specified area relative to said person is user modifiable.

35. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 8, wherein a width of said specified area relative to said person is user modifiable.

37. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 9, wherein a width of said specified area relative to said person is user modifiable.

38. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 10, wherein a width of said specified area relative to said person is user modifiable.

39. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 11, wherein a width of said specified area relative to said person is user modifiable.

40. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 12, wherein a width of said specified area relative to said person is user modifiable.

43. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

44. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

45. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 8, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

47. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

48. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 10, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

49. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 11, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

50. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 12, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

13. A hearing assist apparatus for a person, comprising:

a first audio device for presenting sound to an ear of said person;

a second audio device for presenting sound to another ear of said person;

a first microphone for providing a first sound signal in response to said first microphone receiving a sound;

a second microphone for providing a second sound signal in response to said second microphone receiving said sound; and

circuitry, responsive to said first and second sound signals, for defining, without using a lookup table, a specified area relative to said person, for determining a relative position of a source of said sound within said specified area, and for outputting a first processed signal to said first audio device and a second processed signal to said second audio device, wherein said first processed signal is delayed relative to said second processed signal in response to a delay between the time said first microphone receives said sound and said second microphone receives said sound, said first and second processed signals being reflective of said determined relative position of said source of said sound within said specified area.

36. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 13, wherein a width of said specified area relative to said person is user modifiable.

46. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 13, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

14. A hearing assist apparatus for a person, comprising:

a first audio device for presenting sound to an ear of said person;

a second audio device for presenting sound to another ear of said person;

a first microphone for providing a first sound signal in response to said first microphone receiving a sound;

a second microphone for providing a second sound signal in response to said second microphone receiving said sound; and

circuitry, responsive to said first and second sound signals, for defining a specified area relative to said person, for determining a relative position of a source of said sound within said specified area, for diminishing said first and second processed signals to the point of being unaudible to said person when said relative position of said source of said sound is outside said specific area, and for outputting a first processed signal to said first audio device and a second processed signal to said second audio device, said first and second processed signals being reflective of said determined relative position of said source of said sound.

21. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 14, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

27. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

a first housing comprising said first audio device and said first microphone; and

a second housing comprising said second audio device and said second microphone.

28. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 27, wherein said first housing further comprises a first wireless transceiver coupled to said first audio device and said first microphone and said second housing further comprises a second wireless transceiver coupled to said second audio device and said second microphone.

29. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a third housing comprising said circuitry.

30. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 29, wherein said third housing further comprises a third wireless transceiver coupled to said circuitry for sending signals to and receiving signals from said first and second wireless transceivers.

60. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 27, wherein the axis is generally along a frontal line of vision of said person.

61. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 28, wherein the axis is generally along a frontal line of vision of said person.

62. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 29, wherein the axis is generally along a frontal line of vision of said person.

63. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 30, wherein the axis is generally along a frontal line of vision of said person.

15. A hearing assist apparatus for a person, comprising:

a first audio device for presenting sound to an ear of said person;

a second audio device for presenting sound to another ear of said person;

a first microphone for providing a first sound signal in response to said first microphone receiving a sound;

a second microphone for providing a second sound signal in response to said second microphone receiving said sound; and

circuitry, responsive to said first and second sound signals, for defining a specified area relative to said person, for determining a relative position of a source of said sound within said specified area, and for outputting a first processed signal to said first audio device and a second processed signal to said second audio device, wherein said circuitry applies negative gain to said first and second processed signals when said relative position of said source of said sound is outside said specific area, said first and second processed signals being reflective of said determined relative position of said source of said sound.

51. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 15, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

64. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a first housing comprising said first audio device and said first microphone; and

a second housing comprising said second audio device and said second microphone.

16. A hearing assist apparatus for a person, comprising:

a first audio device for presenting sound to an ear of said person;

a second audio device for presenting sound to another ear of said person;

a first microphone for providing a first sound signal in response to said first microphone receiving a sound;

a second microphone for providing a second sound signal in response to said second microphone receiving said sound; and

circuitry, responsive to said first and second sound signals, for defining a specified area relative to said person, for determining a relative position of a source of said sound within said specified area, and for outputting a first processed signal to said first audio device and a second processed signal to said second audio device, wherein said circuitry does not amplify said first and second processed signals to the point of being audible to said person when said relative position of said source of said sound is outside said specific area, said first and second processed signals being reflective of said determined relative position of said source of said sound.

52. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 16, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

65. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

a first housing comprising said first audio device and said first microphone; and

a second housing comprising said second audio device and said second microphone.

17. A hearing assist apparatus for a person, comprising:

a first audio device for presenting sound to an ear of said person;

a second audio device for presenting sound to another ear of said person;

a first microphone for providing a first sound signal in response to said first microphone receiving a sound;

a second microphone for providing a second sound signal in response to said second microphone receiving said sound; and

circuitry, responsive to said first and second sound signals, for defining a specified area relative to said person, for determining a relative position of a source of said sound within said specified area, and for outputting a first processed signal to said first audio device and a second processed signal to said second audio device, wherein said circuitry diminishes said first and second processed signals to the point of being unaudible to said person when said relative position of said source of said sound is inside said specific area, said first and second processed signals being reflective of said determined relative position of said source of said sound.

53. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 17, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

66. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a first housing comprising said first audio device and said first microphone; and

a second housing comprising said second audio device and said second microphone.

18. A hearing assist apparatus for a person, comprising:

a first audio device for presenting sound to an ear of said person;

a second audio device for presenting sound to another ear of said person;

a first microphone for providing a first sound signal in response to said first microphone receiving a sound;

a second microphone for providing a second sound signal in response to said second microphone receiving said sound; and

circuitry, responsive to said first and second sound signals, for defining a specified area relative to said person, for determining a relative position of a source of said sound within said specified area, and for outputting a first processed signal to said first audio device and a second processed signal to said second audio device, wherein said circuitry applies negative gain to said first and second processed signals when said relative position of said source of said sound is inside said specific area, said first and second processed signals being reflective of said determined relative position of said source of said sound.

54. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 18, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

67. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

a first housing comprising said first audio device and said first microphone; and

a second housing comprising said second audio device and said second microphone.

19. A hearing assist apparatus for a person, comprising:

a first audio device for presenting sound to an ear of said person;

a second audio device for presenting sound to another ear of said person;

a first microphone for providing a first sound signal in response to said first microphone receiving a sound;

a second microphone for providing a second sound signal in response to said second microphone receiving said sound; and

circuitry, responsive to said first and second sound signals, for defining a specified area relative to said person, for determining a relative position of a source of said sound within said specified area, and for outputting a first processed signal to said first audio device and a second processed signal to said audio device, wherein said circuitry does not amplify said first and second processed signals to the point of being audible to said person when said relative position of said source of said sound is inside said specific area, said first and second processed signals being reflective of said determined relative position of said source of said sound.

55. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 19, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

68. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a first housing comprising said first audio device and said first microphone; and

a second housing comprising said second audio device and said second microphone.

20. A hearing assist apparatus for a person, comprising:

a first audio device for presenting sound to an ear of said person;

a second audio device for presenting sound to another ear of said person;

a first microphone for providing a first sound signal in response to said first microphone receiving a sound;

a second microphone for providing a second sound signal in response to said second microphone receiving said sound; and

circuitry, responsive to said first and second sound signals, for defining a specified area relative to said person, for determining a relative position of a source of said sound within said specified area, and for outputting a first processed signal to said first audio device and a second processed signal to said second audio device, said first and second processed signals being reflective of said determined relative position of said source of said sound; and

wherein a width of said specified area relative to said person is user modifiable.

56. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 20, wherein said first sound signal and said second sound signal are the same sound signal.

69. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

a first housing comprising said first audio device and said first microphone; and

a second housing comprising said second audio device and said second microphone.

22. A hearing assist apparatus for a person, comprising:

a first audio device for presenting sound to an ear of said person;

a second audio device for presenting sound to another ear of said person;

a first microphone for providing a first sound signal in response to said first microphone receiving a sound;

a second microphone for providing a second sound signal in response to said second microphone receiving said sound; and

circuitry, responsive to said first and second sound signals, for defining a specified area relative to said person, for determining a relative position of a source of said sound within said specified area by comparing a time of arrival of the first sound signal with a time of arrival of the second sound signal, and for outputting a first processed signal to said first audio device and a second processed signal to said second audio device, said first and second processed signals being reflective of said determined relative position of said source of said sound.

23. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 22, wherein the axis is generally along a frontal line of vision of said person.

24. A hearing assist apparatus for a person, comprising:

a first audio device for presenting sound to an ear of said person;

a second audio device for presenting sound to another ear of said person;

a first microphone for providing a first sound signal in response to said first microphone receiving a sound;

a second microphone for providing a second sound signal in response to said second microphone receiving said sound; and

circuitry, responsive to said first and second sound signals, for defining a specified area relative to said person and for determining a position of a source of said sound relative to an axis other than generally along a frontal line of vision of said person, located between said first microphone and said second microphone within said specified area, and for outputting a first processed signal to said first audio device and a second processed signal to said second audio device, said first and second processed signals being reflective of said determined relative position of said source of said sound.

57. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 24, wherein the axis is generally along a frontal line of vision of said person.

25. A hearing assist apparatus for a person, comprising:

a first audio device for presenting sound to an ear of said person;

a second audio device for presenting sound to another ear of said person;

a first microphone for providing a first sound signal in response to said first microphone receiving a sound;

a second microphone for providing a second sound signal in response to said second microphone receiving said sound; and

circuitry, responsive to said first and second sound signals, for defining a specified area relative to said person, for determining a position of a source of said sound relative to a user selectable axis located between said first microphone and said second microphone within said specified area, and for outputting a first processed signal to said first audio device and a second processed signal to said second audio device, said first and second processed signals being reflective of said determined relative position of said source of said sound.

58. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 25, wherein the axis is generally along a frontal line of vision of said person.

26. A hearing assist apparatus for a person, comprising:

a first audio device for presenting sound to an ear of said person;

a second audio device for presenting sound to another ear of said person;

a first microphone for providing a first sound signal in response to said first microphone receiving a sound;

a second microphone for providing a second sound signal in response to said second microphone receiving said sound; and

circuitry, responsive to said first and second sound signals, for defining a specified area relative to said person, for determining a position of a source of said sound relative to an axis located between said first microphone and said second microphone within said specified area, and for outputting a first processed signal to said first audio device and a second processed signal to said second audio device wherein said first processed signal is delayed relative to said second processed signal in response to a delay between the time said first microphone receives said sound and said second microphone receives said sound, said first and second processed signals being reflective of said determined relative position of said source of said sound.

59. The hearing assist apparatus of claim 26, wherein the axis is generally along a frontal line of vision of said person.