US3898382A
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US
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Audiometric signal and apparatus for producing such signal
Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
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Filing: 1973-04-09
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1993-04-09
Abstract
Abstract An audiometric signal for testing hearing is disclosed having alternating first and second portions, the first portion having a known frequency and a first amplitude, the second portion having the same known frequency and a second amplitude, the change of amplitude occurring in response to the zero crossing of a duty cycle base signal and coinciding with a zero crossing of the audiometric signal. In one exemplar embodiment, apparatus for generating the audiometric signal is provided, comprising means for generating a sinusoidal signal of preselected audio frequency, means for generating a duty cycle base signal of preselected frequency, gating means for receiving the duty cycle base and sinusoidal audio signals and alternately passing the sinusoidal audio signal of preselected frequency at first and second differing amplitudes, the change in amplitude occurring in response to the zero crossing of the duty cycle base signal and coinciding with a zero crossing of the sinusoidal audio signal, amplifying means for amplifying the signal, and means for receiving the amplified signal and converting the electrical signal to an acoustical signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Leslie W Dalton
- 👤 Iii James A Boehm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/12; A61B5/121
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
An audiometric signal for testing an ear for hearing comprising alternate first and second portions having a known frequency, said first portion having a known first constant amplitude and said second portion having a known different second constant amplitude, said change of amplitude between said alternate signal portions coinciding with a zero crossing point of said audiometric signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
An audiometric signal for testing an ear for hearing comprising alternate first and second portions having a known frequency, said first portion having a known first constant amplitude and said second portion having a known different second constant amplitude, said change of amplitude between said alternate signal portions coinciding with a zero crossing point of said audiometric signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The audiometric signal for testing an ear for hearing described in claim 1, wherein the period of said alternate signal portions is controlled by a duty cycle base signal of preselected frequency, said change of amplitude between said alternate signal portions occurring in response to the zero crossing point of said duty cycle base signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The audiometric signal for testing an ear for hearing described in claim 1, wherein said first and second portions continuously alternate to provide a continuous audiometric signal for which the frequency is fixed at said known frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The audiometric signal for testing an ear for hearing described in claim 3, wherein said change of amplitude between said first and second portions occurs in response to the zero crossing point of a duty cycle base signal for controlling the period of said first and second portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
An audiometric signal for testing an ear for hearing comprising alternate first and second portions having a known frequency, said first portion having a known first constant amplitude and said second portion having a known different second costant amplitude, said change of amplitude between said alternate signal portions coinciding with a zero crossing point of said signal, the period of said alternate signal portions being contolled by a duty cycle base signal of preselected frequency, said change of amplitude between said alternate signal portions occurring in response to the zero crossing point of said duty cycle base signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
An audiometric signal for testing an ear for hearing comprising alternate first and second portions having a known frequency, said first portion having a known first constant amplitude and said second portion having a known different second costant amplitude, said change of amplitude between said alternate signal portions coinciding with a zero crossing point of said signal, the period of said alternate signal portions being contolled by a duty cycle base signal of preselected frequency, said change of amplitude between said alternate signal portions occurring in response to the zero crossing point of said duty cycle base signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for generating an audiometric signal for testing an ear for hearing comprising square-wave generation means for generating a squarewave signal of predetermined frequency, level adjusting means for adjusting the amplitude of said square-wave signal, filter means for converting said square-wave signal to a sinusoidal signal corresponding in period to said square-wave signal, means for generating a duty cycle base square-wave signal of preselected period, gating means receiving said duty cycle base signal and said sinusoidal signal of preselected frequency and alternately passing said sinusoidal signal of preselected frequency at first and second preselected different constant amplitudes, said change in amplitude occurring in response to each zero crossing of said duty cycle base signal and coinciding with a zero crossing of said sinusoidal signal, amplifying means for amplifying said signal, and an eArphone for receiving said amplified signal and converting said signal to an acoustical signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for generating an audiometric signal for testing an ear for hearing comprising square-wave generation means for generating a squarewave signal of predetermined frequency, level adjusting means for adjusting the amplitude of said square-wave signal, filter means for converting said square-wave signal to a sinusoidal signal corresponding in period to said square-wave signal, means for generating a duty cycle base square-wave signal of preselected period, gating means receiving said duty cycle base signal and said sinusoidal signal of preselected frequency and alternately passing said sinusoidal signal of preselected frequency at first and second preselected different constant amplitudes, said change in amplitude occurring in response to each zero crossing of said duty cycle base signal and coinciding with a zero crossing of said sinusoidal signal, amplifying means for amplifying said signal, and an eArphone for receiving said amplified signal and converting said signal to an acoustical signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
Apparatus for generating an audiometric signal for testing hearing, comprising means for generating at least one sinusoidal signal of preselected audio frequency, means for generating a duty cycle base signal of preselected frequency, gating means for receiving said duty cycle base and sinusoidal audio signals and alternately passing said sinusoidal audio signal of preselected frequency at first and second preselected different constant amplitudes, said change in amplitude occurring in response to the zero crossing of said duty cycle base signal and coinciding with a zero crossing of said sinusoidal audio signal, amplifying means for amplifying said signal, and means for receiving said amplified signal and converting said electrical signal to an acoustical signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
Apparatus for generating an audiometric signal for testing hearing, comprising means for generating at least one sinusoidal signal of preselected audio frequency, means for generating a duty cycle base signal of preselected frequency, gating means for receiving said duty cycle base and sinusoidal audio signals and alternately passing said sinusoidal audio signal of preselected frequency at first and second preselected different constant amplitudes, said change in amplitude occurring in response to the zero crossing of said duty cycle base signal and coinciding with a zero crossing of said sinusoidal audio signal, amplifying means for amplifying said signal, and means for receiving said amplified signal and converting said electrical signal to an acoustical signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for generating an audiometric signal for testing hearing, comprising means for generating a plurality of sinusoidal signals of preselected audio frequencies, means for generating a duty cycle base signal of preselected frequency, and gating means for receiving said duty cycle base and a selected one of said sinusoidal audio signals and alternately passing said selected sinusoidal audio signal at first and second preselected different constant amplitudes, said change in amplitude occurring in response to the zero crossing of said duty cycle base signal and coinciding with a zero crossing of said selected sinusoidal audio signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for generating an audiometric signal for testing hearing, comprising means for generating a plurality of sinusoidal signals of preselected audio frequencies, means for generating a duty cycle base signal of preselected frequency, and gating means for receiving said duty cycle base and a selected one of said sinusoidal audio signals and alternately passing said selected sinusoidal audio signal at first and second preselected different constant amplitudes, said change in amplitude occurring in response to the zero crossing of said duty cycle base signal and coinciding with a zero crossing of said selected sinusoidal audio signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as described in claim 8, including amplifying means for amplifying said signal from said gating means, and means for translating said electrical signal output of said amplifier into an acoustical signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
131 words
Method of audiometrically testing an ear simultaneously for recruitment and tone decay, comprising applying a sinusoidal audio signal characterized by a single frequency within the audio range continuously alternating between a first portion at a first constant amplitude and a second portion at a different second constant amplitude, the change therebetween occurring at a duty cycle rate at zero crossing points, detecting for the presence of modulated pure tone and of audible clicks at differences in amplitude levels between said first and second portions below 2.5 dB as an indication of recruitment, and detecting for the presence of audible clicks at different frequencies and amplitude levels between said first and second portions above and below 2.5 dB and for the fading loss of pure tone as an indication of tone decay.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
131 words
Method of audiometrically testing an ear simultaneously for recruitment and tone decay, comprising applying a sinusoidal audio signal characterized by a single frequency within the audio range continuously alternating between a first portion at a first constant amplitude and a second portion at a different second constant amplitude, the change therebetween occurring at a duty cycle rate at zero crossing points, detecting for the presence of modulated pure tone and of audible clicks at differences in amplitude levels between said first and second portions below 2.5 dB as an indication of recruitment, and detecting for the presence of audible clicks at different frequencies and amplitude levels between said first and second portions above and below 2.5 dB and for the fading loss of pure tone as an indication of tone decay.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as described in claim 10 wherein said testing is performed at about 30 dB above the patient''s absolute threshold.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |