US3600524A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hearing aid using multiple frequency translation
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-07-09
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Granted: 1971-08-17
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Expires: 1988-07-09
Abstract
Abstract A method for making the human voice audible and comprehensible to deep deaf persons according to the multiple frequency translation technique or system, wherein the sound signals are converted into suitably amplified electrical signals, wherein a general electrical signal, containing the information which is desired to be comprehensible to deaf persons, is filtered, sampled according a sampling frequency fc so that said electrical signal is picked off for durations of time Delta t spaced at intervals from one another for a time T corresponding to the sampling period and such that each duration of time Delta t is sufficiently small that the individual picked off portions of the signal are considered to be of an approximately constant amplitude, but varying according to the values of said signal; the individual portions of the signal thus sampled are then delivered to at least one holding circuit causing them to continue for a period of time equal to T, and then subsequently filtered and converted to sound signals audible by deep deaf persons.
Inventors
- 👤 Emanuele Biondi
- 👤 Leonardo Biondi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/35; H04R25/353
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for making the human voice comprehensible to deep deaf persons according to the multiple frequency translation technique, wherein the sound signal is converted into an amplified electrical signal containing the information which is to be made comprehensible, is filtered and then sampled at a certain sampling frequency, the time interval between the picking off of the signal samples being sufficiently small so the information content of the original speech signal will not be lost, and the time interval, during which the picking off of a signal sample is effected, being sufficiently small so that the signal will remain approximately constant as to amplitude during the picking-off time, the signal sample being supplied to at least one hold circuit causing it to continue until a subsequent signal sample will enter the hold circuit, the frequency translated signal sample being subsequently filtered and reconverted into an output sound signal of improved comprehensibility for deaf persons.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for making the human voice comprehensible to deep deaf persons according to the multiple frequency translation technique, wherein the sound signal is converted into an amplified electrical signal containing the information which is to be made comprehensible, is filtered and then sampled at a certain sampling frequency, the time interval between the picking off of the signal samples being sufficiently small so the information content of the original speech signal will not be lost, and the time interval, during which the picking off of a signal sample is effected, being sufficiently small so that the signal will remain approximately constant as to amplitude during the picking-off time, the signal sample being supplied to at least one hold circuit causing it to continue until a subsequent signal sample will enter the hold circuit, the frequency translated signal sample being subsequently filtered and reconverted into an output sound signal of improved comprehensibility for deaf persons.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for making the human voice comprehensible to deep deaf persons according to the multiple frequency translation technique comprising: means for converting sound into an electrical signal, a first filtering and amplifying circuit, a sampling circuit converting the electrical signal into a series of pulses, the duration of which is considerably smaller than the time between the individual pulses, a hold circuit to translate the frequencies of the individual pulses into lower frequencies and to extend the pulses, so the output of the hold circuit will be substantially continuous, a second filtering amplifying circuit, and means for applying the output of said second circuit to the ear of a deaf person.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for making the human voice comprehensible to deep deaf persons according to the multiple frequency translation technique comprising: means for converting sound into an electrical signal, a first filtering and amplifying circuit, a sampling circuit converting the electrical signal into a series of pulses, the duration of which is considerably smaller than the time between the individual pulses, a hold circuit to translate the frequencies of the individual pulses into lower frequencies and to extend the pulses, so the output of the hold circuit will be substantially continuous, a second filtering amplifying circuit, and means for applying the output of said second circuit to the ear of a deaf person.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, comprising a second hold circuit, a third filtering and amplifying circuit and a second means for applying the output of said third circuit to another ear of a deaf person.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3385937A
Cited
US3361877A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-16 | 1975-02-15 | 1975-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-16 | 1979-02-15 | 1979-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-16 | 1983-02-15 | 1983-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |