Method and apparatus for modifying an audio signal

• US 8,462,975 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2008
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Able Planet Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Able Planet Incorporated
• Inventors: Semcken, Kevin R., Schweitzer, H. Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Paul, Disler
• Application Number:
  US12/526,040
• Publication Number:
  US 20100316240A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,947 Days
• Field of Search: 381 58- 59, 381/331, 381400-401, 381/412, 381419-421, 381/410, 381/117, 381/115, 381/406
• US Class Current: 381/331
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2475 for a hearing impaired user
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/43 Signal processing in hearing aids to enhance the speech intelligibility
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/11 Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/30 Monitoring or testing of hearing aids, e.g. functioning, settings, battery power
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/353 Frequency, e.g. frequency shift or compression

Abstract

An electroacoustical apparatus and method is described that alters the output properties of an audio device to improve the sound properties for both hearing impaired and normal hearing listeners. The device includes a coil element of specific design and may incorporate digital signal processing techniques to modify audio signal output. The electrical device and method of processing provides for the beneficial alteration of sound waves to an audio signal, and further modification of the audio signal to provide for improved loudness and clarity characteristics. The improved characteristics provide for greater intelligibility of the audio signal to persons with hearing impairments and to persons with normal hearing.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing an audio signal having a known audio frequency range comprising:

translating an electrical signal through an audio output device to generate the audio signal;

providing an inductor within the audio output device, the inductor having a pre-selected configuration including a core of a pre-selected shape, size and material composition, the core being wound with at least one wire and having characteristic Barkhausen properties;

determining specific frequencies to be enhanced within the audio frequency range;

generating random Barkhausen noise coherently related to the audio signal by passing the electrical signal through the inductor and driving it to saturation; and

enhancing the audio signal output at the selected frequencies by coherently modulating the random noise with the audio signal to drive the signal above a threshold of detectability.

2. The method of claim 1 further including configuring the inductor to optimize its impedance properties in response to the frequencies to be enhanced.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the inductor is configured by selecting the core shape.

4. The method of claim 2 where the inductor is configured by the choice of core material.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the inductor is configured by selecting the core size.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the inductor is configured by varying the number of windings of the at least one wire.

7. The method of claim 2 of wherein the inductor is configured by winding the core with two or more wires.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the inductor is configured by varying the number of windings of the two or more wires.

9. The method of claim 1, further including the application of digital signal processing techniques to enhance the audio signal.

10. An audio signal system comprising:

an audio signal output device; and

an audio signal modifying device, the system configured for;

translating an electrical signal through the audio output device to generate the audio signal;

providing an inductor within the audio output device, the inductor having a pre-selected configuration including a core of a pre-selected shape, size and material composition, the core being wound with at least one wire and having characteristic Barkhausen properties;

determining specific frequencies to be enhanced within the audio frequency range;

generating random Barkhausen noise coherently related to the audio signal by passing the electrical signal through the inductor and driving it to saturation; and

enhancing the audio signal output at the selected frequencies by coherently modulating the random noise with the audio signal to drive the signal above a threshold of detectability.

11. The system of claim 10 further including configuring the inductor to optimize its impedance properties in response to the frequencies to be enhanced.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the inductor is configured by selecting the core shape.

13. The system of claim 11 where the inductor is configured by the choice of core material.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the inductor is configured by selecting the core size.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the inductor is configured by varying the number of windings of the at least one wire.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the inductor is configured by winding the core with two or more wires.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the inductor is configured by varying the number of windings of the two or more wires.

18. The system of claim 10, further configured by the application of digital signal processing techniques to enhance the audio signal.