Audio monitoring system

• US 8,160,261 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2006
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sensaphonics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sensaphonics, Inc.
• Inventors: Schulein, Robert B., Julstrom, Stephen D., Santucci, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zhang, Leshui
• Application Number:
  US11/334,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20060182287A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,281 Days
• Field of Search: 381/380, 381/23.1, 381/56, 381/118, 381/102, 381/309, 381/28, 381/57, 381/316, 381/317, 381/318, 381/320, 381/321, 381/71.6, 381/72, 381/74, 381/91, 381/94.2, 381/94.3, 381/94.8, 381/98, 381/103, 381/104, 381/106, 381/107, 381/120, 381/122
• US Class Current: 381/56
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/32 the control being dependent upon ambient noise level or sound level
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 9/18 for tone control and volume expansion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/007 for public address systems public address systems per se H04R27/00

Abstract

An earphone monitoring system is disclosed that provides for user information and control regarding ambient and monitored sound levels.

Claims

1. An audio monitoring system for providing audible sound to a person, the audio monitoring system comprising:

at least one earphone for coupling sound to an ear of a person, the at least one earphone sized to at least partially fit within an ear canal and having at least one attached microphone located about an opening to the ear canal with an output responsive to sound as received by the ear of the person in normal listening, the at least one earphone having a preamplifier configured for receiving microphone output levels of about 14 volts peak or greater;

at least one receiver within the at least one earphone; and

,

an amplifier incorporating electrical equalization that couples the at least one microphone output to the at least one receiver so that the combination of the amplifier with the at least one receiver and the at least one microphone mimics the tonal balance heard through the full frequency range of human hearing by the person with no earphone in place, and wherein said amplifier and said at least one microphone provide maximum sound pressure levels received by the person in normal listening in excess of 120 dB-SPL.

2. The audio monitoring system of claim 1 further comprising an electrical means of coupling an additional audio signal into the amplifier and a means of controlling the perceived balance between the audio signal and the output from the microphone.

3. An apparatus for providing a mixture of ambient and monitored audible sound within a right and left ear canal of a user comprising:

a left earphone comprising a microphone and sized to at least partially fit within the left ear canal, the left microphone being positioned about an opening to the left ear canal and providing a left electrical output in response to the ambient sound as received by the left ear of the user;

a right earphone comprising a microphone and sized to at least partially fit within the right ear canal, the microphone being positioned about an opening to the right ear canal and providing a right electrical output in response to the ambient sound as received by the right ear of the user;

electronic circuitry comprising a left mixed output responsive to the left electrical output and the monitored audible sound, and a right mixed output responsive to the right electrical output;

a left receiver within the left earphone and responsive to the left mixed output;

a right receiver within the right earphone and responsive to the right mixed output; and

,

an amplifier incorporating electrical equalization that couples the microphone outputs to the receivers so that the combination of the amplifier with the receivers and the microphones mimics the tonal balance heard through the full frequency range of human hearing by the user with no earphone in place, and wherein the amplifier and the left and right microphones provide maximum sound pressure levels received by the user in normal listening in excess of 120 dB-SPL.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a user control, wherein the responsiveness of the electronic circuitry to the microphone left and right electrical outputs can be simultaneously varied.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, the electronic circuitry comprising a jack to receive the monitored audible sound from an external source.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the electronic circuitry is contained in a package that can be removably attached to the user.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each earphone has a second receiver.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a separate tube extends from each receiver to the ear canal.

9. A method for providing a mixture of ambient and monitored audible sound within a right and left ear canal of a user, the method comprising the steps of:

at least partially placing a left earphone within the left ear canal, the left earphone comprising a microphone positioned about an opening to the left ear canal and providing a left electrical output in response to the ambient sound as received by the left ear of the user;

at least partially placing a right earphone within the right ear canal, the right earphone comprising a microphone positioned about an opening to the right ear canal and providing a right electrical output in response to the ambient sound as received by the right ear of the user;

generating a left mixed output responsive to the left electrical output and the monitored audible sound, and a right mixed output responsive to the right electrical output and the monitored audible sound;

equalizing the microphone electrical outputs to mimic tonal balance heard through the full frequency range of human hearing with no earphone in place;

providing maximum sound pressure levels received by the user in normal listening in excess of 120 dB-SPL; and

,

simultaneously varying the left and right microphone electrical outputs.

10. An apparatus for providing a mixture of ambient and monitored audible sound within an ear canal, the apparatus comprising:

an earphone comprising a microphone and sized to at least partially fit within the ear canal, the microphone being positioned about an opening to the ear canal and providing an electrical output in response to the ambient sound as received by the ear;

electronic circuitry generating a mixed output responsive to the microphone electrical output and the monitored audible sound;

a single receiver within the earphone and responsive to the mixed output;

an amplifier incorporating electrical equalization that couples the microphone output to the receiver so that the combination of the amplifier with the receiver and the microphone mimics the tonal balance heard through the full frequency range of human hearing by the user with no earphone in place, and wherein the amplifier and the microphone provides maximum sound pressure levels received by the user in normal listening in excess of 120 dB-SPL; and

a user control wherein the responsiveness of the electronic circuitry to the microphone electrical output can be varied.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the receiver is provided with a series resistor.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the receiver and series resistor are driven by a differential output stage.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the earphone includes a microphone preamplifier for receiving the microphone electrical output and producing a microphone preamplifier output.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising another receiver within the earphone and responsive to the mixed output.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the microphone preamplifier output is provided to the electronic circuitry via an unshielded cable.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the microphone preamplifier output is differential.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the microphone preamplifier is configured for handling without overload microphone output levels of about 14 volts peak or greater.

18. An apparatus providing a mixture of ambient and monitored audible sound within a right and left ear canal, the apparatus comprising:

a left earphone comprising a microphone and sized to at least partially fit within the left ear canal, the left microphone being positioned about an opening to the left ear canal and providing a left electrical output in response to the ambient sound as received by the left ear;

a right earphone comprising a microphone and sized to at least partially fit within the right ear canal, the right microphone being positioned about an opening to the right ear canal and providing a right electrical output in response to the ambient sound as received by the right ear;

a left microphone preamplifier located within said left earphone;

a right microphone preamplifier located within said right earphone;

electronic circuitry generating a mixed output responsive to the microphone electrical output and the monitored audible sound; and

an amplifier incorporating electrical equalization that couples the microphone outputs to the preamplifiers such that the resultant sound heard by the user mimics the tonal balance heard through the full frequency range of human hearing with no earphone in place;

wherein said microphones and microphone preamplifiers are configured for undistorted conversion to corresponding electrical signals sound pressure levels in excess of 120dB-SPL.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the sound pressure levels are in excess of 130 dB-SPL.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the sound pressure levels are in excess of 140 dB-SPL.

21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the microphone preamplifiers provide a differential output signal with a low output impedance.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the output impedance is about 5 Ohms.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the microphone preamplifiers output signals connect to differential input amplifiers.

24. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the microphone preamplifiers receive operating power along two wires from a total supply voltage greater than the power supply voltage of the electronic circuitry.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the total supply voltage is about 25 volts or greater.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the operating power is supplied at substantially constant current.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the current is about 1 mA for each preamplifier.

28. An apparatus for providing ambient audible sound within a right and left ear canal of a user, the apparatus comprising:

a left earphone comprising a microphone and sized to at least partially fit within the left ear canal, the left microphone being positioned about an opening to the left ear canal and providing a left electrical output in response to the ambient sound as received by the left ear of the user;

a right earphone comprising a microphone and sized to at least partially fit within the right ear canal, the right microphone being positioned about an opening to the right ear canal and providing a right electrical output in response to the ambient sound as received by the right ear of the user;

a left microphone preamplifier located within said left earphone having a left microphone preamplifier gain;

a right microphone preamplifier located within said right earphone having a right microphone preamplifier gain; and

an amplifier incorporating electrical equalization that couples the microphone outputs to the preamplifiers such that the resultant sound heard by the user mimics the tonal balance heard through the full frequency range of human hearing with no earphone in place, and wherein the amplifier and the left and right microphones provide maximum sound pressure levels received by the user in normal listening in excess of 120 dB-SPL;

wherein said gains are presettable to compensate for variations in the sensitivity of their associated microphones.

29. An apparatus for providing ambient or monitored audible sound within a right and left ear canal of a user, the apparatus comprising:

left and right earphones sized to at least partially fit within the left and right ear canals and each of said earphones comprising at least one microphone positioned about an opening to the left and right ear canal, respectively, and providing an output responsive to sound as received by the ears of the user;

left and right receivers located within the left and right earphones for producing sound in the left and right ear canals responsive to the output of the at least one microphone;

left and right series resistors wired electrically in series with said left and right receivers and located within the left and right earphones; and

an amplifier incorporating electrical equalization that couples the output of the at least one microphone to the left and right receivers such that the resultant sound heard by the user mimics the tonal balance heard through the full frequency range of human hearing with no earphone in place, and wherein the amplifier and the left and right microphones provide maximum sound pressure levels received by the user in normal listening in excess of 120 dB-SPL;

wherein said resistors are presettable to compensate for variation in the sensitivity of said receivers.

30. An apparatus for providing a mixture of ambient and monitored audible sounds within a right and left ear canal of a user, the apparatus comprising:

a left earphone comprising a microphone and sized to at least partially fit within the left ear canal, the left microphone being positioned about an opening to the left ear canal and providing a left electrical output in response to the ambient sound as received by the left ear of the user;

a right earphone comprising a microphone and sized to at least partially fit within the right ear canal, the right microphone being positioned about an opening to the right ear canal and providing a right electrical output in response to the ambient sound as received by the right ear of the user;

left and right receivers for producing sound in the left and right ear canals and responsive to the outputs of the left and right microphones, respectively;

ambient equalizer to compensate for differences in response to the ambient sounds as responded to by the left or right earphone microphone and the response near the eardrum of a left or right open ear of the user; and

,

receiver equalizer to compensate for the response of the left or right receiver, and wherein the compensation mimics the tonal balance heard through the full frequency range of human hearing by the user with no earphone in place and the left and right microphones and their associated amplifier circuitry provide maximum sound pressure levels received by the microphones in normal listening in excess of 120 dB-SPL.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the left and right receivers are operated together with second left and right receivers, the left and right receivers and the second left and right receivers all producing the full frequency range of human hearing.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said first and second left and right receivers each feed their respective ear canals through separate acoustic output tube outlets from their respective earphone assemblies.

33. An apparatus for providing monitored audible sound within a right and left ear canal of a user, the apparatus comprising:

at least one left and at least one right receiver for producing sound in the left and right ear canals wherein the receivers are mounted to earphones sized to at least partially fit within the ear canals and comprising at least one microphone positioned about an opening to the ear canal and providing an output responsive to sound as received by the ears of the user; and

amplification circuitry having a gain to receive left and right output signals from the corresponding microphones and apply amplified versions to said at least one left and at least one right receiver, wherein the amplified versions mimic the tonal balance heard through the full frequency range of human hearing by the user with no earphone in place and the at least one microphone and the amplification circuitry provides maximum sound pressure levels received by the at least one microphone in normal listening in excess of 120 dB-SPL;

wherein said gain is settable to compensate for a number of said left and right receivers employed to maintain substantially constant electroacoustic gain, substantially independent of the number of said receivers employed.

34. An apparatus for providing ambient audible sound within a right and left ear canal of a user, the apparatus comprising:

a left earphone comprising a microphone and sized to at least partially fit within the left ear canal, the left microphone being positioned about an opening to the left ear canal and providing a left electrical output in response to the ambient sound as received by the left ear of the user;

a right earphone comprising a microphone and sized to at least partially fit within the right ear canal, the right microphone being positioned about an opening to the right ear canal and providing a right electrical output in response to the ambient sound as received by the right ear of the user;

at least one receiver within the earphone;

an amplifier incorporating electrical equalization that couples the output of the left and right microphones to the at least one receiver so that the audible sound produced within the right and left ear canals of the user mimics the tonal balance heard through the full frequency range of human hearing by the user with no earphone in place, and wherein the amplifier and the left and right microphones provide the maximum sound pressure level received by the microphones in normal listening in excess of 120 dB-SPL; and

left and right ambience limiter circuitry to reduce the amplifier gain in response to excessive signal levels.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising:

left and right receivers for producing sound in the left and right ear canals; and

,

wherein said gain reduction occurs in response to peak signal levels predictive of excursion limits of said receivers.

36. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the gain reduction occurs in response to average signal levels predictive of sound pressure levels occurring at a user'"'"'s left and right eardrum of the user.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the average signal levels are predicative of A-weighted sound pressure levels occurring at a left and right eardrum of the user.

38. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the gain reduction occurs when average signal levels exceed a threshold.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the threshold can be varied.

40. An apparatus for providing monitored audible sound within a right and left ear canal of a user, the apparatus comprising:

a left earphone comprising a microphone and sized to at least partially fit within the left ear canal, the left microphone being positioned about an opening to the left ear canal and providing a left electrical output in response to the ambient sound as received by the left ear of the user;

a right earphone comprising a microphone and sized to at least partially fit within the right ear canal, the microphone being positioned about an opening to the right ear canal and providing a right electrical output in response to the ambient sound as received by the right ear of the user;

left and right receivers responsive to the outputs of the left and right microphones, respectively, for producing sound in the left and right ear canals and having a frequency response;

receiver equalizer to compensate for the frequency response of the left and right receivers; and

left and right monitor EQ/limiter circuitry to both compensate for a difference in the frequency response to monitored sounds as produced by the equalized left and right receivers at the eardrums of the user and a desired response, and to reduce its gain in response to excessive signal levels;

wherein the microphone electrical outputs are equalized to mimic tonal balance heard through the full frequency range of human hearing with no earphone in place, the microphones and the circuitry provide maximum sound pressure levels received by the microphones in normal listening in excess of 120 dB-SPL and said gain is reduced more in the frequency ranges initially having the most monitor EQ/limiter circuitry gain.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the gain reduction occurs in response to peak signal levels predictive of excursion limits of said receivers.

42. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the gain reduction occurs in response to average signal levels predictive of sound pressure levels occurring at the left and right eardrums.

43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the average signal levels are predictive of A-weighted sound pressure levels occurring at the left and right eardrums.

44. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the gain reduction occurs when average signal levels exceed a threshold.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the threshold can be varied.

46. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the threshold corresponds to A-weighted sound pressure levels between 90 and 110 dB-SPL.

47. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein the threshold is shifted when the user controls the level of the microphone outputs appearing in the sound in the left and right ear canals.

48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the threshold is reduced in conjunction with an increase by user control of the level of the microphone outputs appearing in the sound in the left and right ear canals.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 wherein the reduction in threshold is to a level corresponding to an average A-weighted SPL of 70 to 90 dB-SPL at the user'"'"'s ear.