Variable sound system for medical devices
First Claim
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1. A portable medical device, comprising:
- a microphone configured to capture ambient noise from an ambient sound environment;
a sound level spectrum knowledge base including stored information, wherein the stored information contains spectral characteristics for a plurality of ambient sound environments;
a sound library including a plurality of sets of sound files, each set of sound files corresponding to an audible cue and each sound file in the set of sound files having different spectral characteristics, and at least a plurality of audible cues corresponding to voice prompts to operate the portable medical device;
an amplifier coupled to a speaker, the amplifier having a selectable gain and being configured to output each of the plurality of sound files over the speaker; and
a processor with executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the portable medical device to perform operations comprising;
receiving, via the microphone, the ambient noise;
detecting sound level information of the ambient noise;
performing sound spectrum analysis of the ambient noise;
receiving the stored information containing spectral characteristics for a plurality of ambient sound environments from the sound level spectrum knowledge base;
selecting a sound file from the set of sound files corresponding to an audible cue that is best fit for the ambient sound environment in response to at least the detected sound level information and sound spectrum analysis in conjunction with the spectral characteristics for one of the plurality of ambient sound environments;
determining audio frequencies of the ambient noise within a critical bandwidth of the selected sound file based on psycho-acoustic principles of a human auditory system;
altering the critical bandwidth of the selected sound file in response to the sound spectrum analysis of the ambient noise;
estimating an amount of gain to apply to the sound file in response to the sound level information of the ambient noise; and
outputting the sound file to affect intelligibility of the audible cues.
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Abstract
A system capable of self-adjusting both sound level and spectral content to improve audibility and intelligibility of medical device audible cues. Audible cues are stored as sound files. Ambient noise is detected, and the output of the audible cues is altered based on the ambient noise. Various embodiments include processed sound files that are more robust in noisy environments.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A portable medical device, comprising:
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a microphone configured to capture ambient noise from an ambient sound environment; a sound level spectrum knowledge base including stored information, wherein the stored information contains spectral characteristics for a plurality of ambient sound environments; a sound library including a plurality of sets of sound files, each set of sound files corresponding to an audible cue and each sound file in the set of sound files having different spectral characteristics, and at least a plurality of audible cues corresponding to voice prompts to operate the portable medical device; an amplifier coupled to a speaker, the amplifier having a selectable gain and being configured to output each of the plurality of sound files over the speaker; and a processor with executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the portable medical device to perform operations comprising; receiving, via the microphone, the ambient noise; detecting sound level information of the ambient noise; performing sound spectrum analysis of the ambient noise; receiving the stored information containing spectral characteristics for a plurality of ambient sound environments from the sound level spectrum knowledge base; selecting a sound file from the set of sound files corresponding to an audible cue that is best fit for the ambient sound environment in response to at least the detected sound level information and sound spectrum analysis in conjunction with the spectral characteristics for one of the plurality of ambient sound environments; determining audio frequencies of the ambient noise within a critical bandwidth of the selected sound file based on psycho-acoustic principles of a human auditory system; altering the critical bandwidth of the selected sound file in response to the sound spectrum analysis of the ambient noise; estimating an amount of gain to apply to the sound file in response to the sound level information of the ambient noise; and outputting the sound file to affect intelligibility of the audible cues. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15)
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8. A method for providing an audible cue for a medical device, comprising:
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capturing ambient noise via a microphone; detecting sound level information of the ambient noise; performing sound spectrum analysis of the ambient noise; receiving stored information containing spectral characteristics for a plurality of ambient sound environments from a sound level spectrum knowledge base; based on, at least, the detected sound level information and sound spectrum analysis in conjunction with the spectral characteristics for one of the plurality of ambient sound environments, selecting a sound file from a set of sound files corresponding to an audible cue that is best fit for the ambient sound environment; determining audio frequencies of the ambient noise within a critical bandwidth of the selected sound file based on psycho-acoustic principles of a human auditory system; altering the critical bandwidth of the selected sound file in response to the sound spectrum analysis of the ambient noise; estimating an amount of gain to apply to the sound file in response to the sound level information of the ambient noise; and outputting the sound file to affect intelligibility of the audible cues. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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9. A portable medical device, comprising:
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a microphone configured to capture ambient noise from an ambient sound environment; a sound level spectrum knowledge base including stored information, wherein the stored information contains spectral characteristics for a plurality of ambient sound environments; a sound level detection component coupled to the microphone and configured to detect a sound level of the ambient noise; a sound library including a plurality of sets of sound files, each set of sound files corresponding to an audible cue and each sound file in the set of sound files having different spectral characteristics, and at least a plurality of audible cues corresponding to voice prompts to operate the portable medical device; an amplifier coupled to a speaker, the amplifier having a selectable gain and being configured to output each of the plurality of sound files over the speaker; and a processor with executable instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the portable medical device to perform operations, comprising; receiving, via the microphone, the ambient noise; detecting sound level information of the ambient noise; performing sound spectrum analysis of the ambient noise; receiving the stored information containing spectral characteristics for a plurality of ambient sound environments from the sound level spectrum knowledge base; based on, at least, the detected sound level information and sound spectrum analysis in conjunction with the spectral characteristics for one of the plurality of ambient sound environments, selecting a sound file from the set of sound files corresponding to an audible cue that is best fit for the ambient sound environment; determining audio frequencies of the ambient noise within a critical bandwidth of the selected sound file based on psycho-acoustic principles of a human auditory system; altering the critical bandwidth of the selected sound file in response to the sound spectrum analysis of the ambient noise; estimating an amount of gain to apply to the sound file in response to the sound level information of the ambient noise; and outputting the sound files to affect intelligibility of the audible cues. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification