US3920903A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Speech-training device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-07-31
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1993-07-31
Abstract
Abstract An electro-acoustic speech training device and a speech training method for use with persons having speech impediments. The device is provided with a transducer for converting a subject''s speech into voice electrical signals. The output of the transducer is amplified by a preamplifier and filtered selectively by a therapist. The filtering is accomplished by one of two high pass filters which serves to attenuate the low frequencies of the voice electrical signals. One of the filters is fixed and has a sharp cutoff with a cutoff frequency between 6,000-8,000 Hz while the other filter has adjustable frequency response characteristics. The output from either filter or the unfiltered preamplifier output is selectively amplified by a pair of variable gain amplifiers which drive two pairs of headsets for use by the subject and the therapist. The subject listens to filtered voice electrical signals corresponding to his speech for between six to twelve one hour sessions. During these sessions the filtering is accomplished by the fixed filter. This process is repeated during the first half hour of the next ten sessions while during the second half hour of the sessions the voice electrical signals are filtered by the variable filter. During the final twenty or more sessions the subject listens to the voice electrical signals filtered only by the variable filter. During the treatment the therapist adjusts the variable filter''s frequency characteristics to values appropriate to the subject''s progress.
Inventors
- 👤 Isi Beller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:15
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B19/00; G09B19/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A speech training device comprising, an input transducer for converting sounds of human speech to corresponding electrical signals, a first and second filter, first and second output transducers for converting said electrical signals to sounds, and circuit means for alternatively connecting said filters to said input transducer for filtering said electrical signals and for alternatively connecting filters to said first and second output transducers for rendering said filtered electrical signals audible, said first filter comprising a high pass filter with a sharp cutoff frequency and a cutoff frequency range in the order of between 6,000 to 8,000Hz and an attenuation below its cutoff frequency of about 40dB greater than its attenuation above its cutoff frequency, said second filter comprising a variable high pass filter with variable frequency response characteristics having its maximum attenuation at frequencies in the order of between about 800Hz to 1,500Hz and below and gradually increasing at a controllably variable rate to about between 10dB and 40dB above its maximum attenuation at about 10,000 Hz.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A speech training device comprising, an input transducer for converting sounds of human speech to corresponding electrical signals, a first and second filter, first and second output transducers for converting said electrical signals to sounds, and circuit means for alternatively connecting said filters to said input transducer for filtering said electrical signals and for alternatively connecting filters to said first and second output transducers for rendering said filtered electrical signals audible, said first filter comprising a high pass filter with a sharp cutoff frequency and a cutoff frequency range in the order of between 6,000 to 8,000Hz and an attenuation below its cutoff frequency of about 40dB greater than its attenuation above its cutoff frequency, said second filter comprising a variable high pass filter with variable frequency response characteristics having its maximum attenuation at frequencies in the order of between about 800Hz to 1,500Hz and below and gradually increasing at a controllably variable rate to about between 10dB and 40dB above its maximum attenuation at about 10,000 Hz.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
157 words
A speech training device comprising, an input transducer for converting sounds of human speech to corresponding electrical signals, first and second filters, first and second output transducers receptive of the outputs of the filters for converting said electrical signals to sounds, and circuit means for alternatively connecting said filters to said input transducer for filtering said electrical signals, and for alternatively connecting said filters to said first and second output transducers including means for rendering said filtered electrical signals audible, said first filter comprising a fixed high pass filter with a sharp cutoff frequency for attenuating the low frequencies in said electrical signals corresponding to the low frequencies in human speech, said second filter comprising a variable high pass filter having its attenuation gradually increasable at a controllably variable rate from its minimum value to its selectable maximum value for controllably attenuating the low frequencies in said electrical signals corresponding to the low frequencies in human speech.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
157 words
A speech training device comprising, an input transducer for converting sounds of human speech to corresponding electrical signals, first and second filters, first and second output transducers receptive of the outputs of the filters for converting said electrical signals to sounds, and circuit means for alternatively connecting said filters to said input transducer for filtering said electrical signals, and for alternatively connecting said filters to said first and second output transducers including means for rendering said filtered electrical signals audible, said first filter comprising a fixed high pass filter with a sharp cutoff frequency for attenuating the low frequencies in said electrical signals corresponding to the low frequencies in human speech, said second filter comprising a variable high pass filter having its attenuation gradually increasable at a controllably variable rate from its minimum value to its selectable maximum value for controllably attenuating the low frequencies in said electrical signals corresponding to the low frequencies in human speech.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
In a speech training device according to claim 2, in which said input transducer comprises a tape recorder for converting prerecorded human speech to corresponding electrical signals and a microphone for converting sounds of human speech to corresponding electrical signals, a preamplifier for amplifying said electrical signals, and circuit means connecting said tape recorder and said microphone to said preamplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
177 words
In a speech training device according to claim 2, in which said first and second output transducers comprise a first and second variable gain amplifier for amplifying said filtered electrical signals, a first headset comprising a first and second earpiece, a first and second voltmeter, circuit means connecting said first earpiece of said first headset and said first voltmeter to said first amplifier, and connecting said second earpiece of said first headset and said second voltmeter to said second amplifier thereby to generate sounds corresponding to said filtered electrical signals, said voltmeters providing signal monitoring means to indicate settings of a gain control of said amplifiers, a second headset comprising two earpieces, and circuit means connecting said second headset to said amplifiers, including an amplifier select switch operable to a first operative position connecting both said earpieces of said second headset to said first amplifier and operable to a second operative position connecting one said earpiece of said second headset to said first amplifier and the other said earpiece of said second headset to said second amplifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a speech training device according to claim 2, in which said first filter comprises four filter sections connected in series, said first filter section comprising a high pass filter having a form factor m 0.6, a rejection pole at approximately 6, 000Hz and a cutoff frequency of approximately 7,500 Hz, said second and third filter sections comprising high pass filters having form factors m 1.0 and a cutoff frequency of approximately 7,500 Hz, and said fourth filter section having a form factor m 0.77, a lower rejection pole at approximately 4,500Hz and a cutoff frequency of approximately 7,500 Hz, providing attenuation to frequencies of said electrical signals below approximately 7, 500Hz.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
172 words
A speech training method comprising, converting sOunds of a subject''s speech to corresponding electrical signals, filtering said electrical signals to attenuate the low frequency components of said electrical signals corresponding to the low frequency components of said subject''s speech, converting said filtered electrical signals to audible sounds, and submitting said subject to a first series of sessions during which the subject listens to sounds of his speech with the speech frequencies below a fixed cutoff frequency sufficiently attenuated to preclude comprehension of said speech by the subject, a second series of sessions during which the subject listens to said sounds of his speech alternatively filtered in the same manner as during said first series of sessions, and filtered with said speech frequencies attenuated according to frequency attenuation characteristics selected by a therapist to correspond to said subject''s progress, and a third series of sessions during which said subject listens to said sounds of his speech filtered according to said frequency attenuation characteristics selected by said therapist to correspond to said subject''s progress.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
172 words
A speech training method comprising, converting sOunds of a subject''s speech to corresponding electrical signals, filtering said electrical signals to attenuate the low frequency components of said electrical signals corresponding to the low frequency components of said subject''s speech, converting said filtered electrical signals to audible sounds, and submitting said subject to a first series of sessions during which the subject listens to sounds of his speech with the speech frequencies below a fixed cutoff frequency sufficiently attenuated to preclude comprehension of said speech by the subject, a second series of sessions during which the subject listens to said sounds of his speech alternatively filtered in the same manner as during said first series of sessions, and filtered with said speech frequencies attenuated according to frequency attenuation characteristics selected by a therapist to correspond to said subject''s progress, and a third series of sessions during which said subject listens to said sounds of his speech filtered according to said frequency attenuation characteristics selected by said therapist to correspond to said subject''s progress.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
210 words
In a speech training method according to claim 6, in which said electrical signals are filtered during said first series of sessions to attenuate frequencies of said electrical signals below a sharp cutoff frequency by about 40dB more than frequencies of said electrical signals above said cutoff frequency are attenuated, said cutoff frequency being on the order of between 6,000 Hz to 8,000 Hz, and in which said electrical signals are filtered during said second series of sessions alternatively in the same manner as during said first series of sessions or said electrical signals are filtered to attenuate frequencies of said electrical signals at a frequency on the order of between 800Hz to 1,500Hz and below a given maximum value and to attenuate frequencies above frequencies at which said maximum attenuation occurs by a value gradually decreasing from the maximum value of attenuation at a rate selected by said therapist according to said subject''s progress, said attenuation having a possible range of values at 10,000Hz of between about 10dB to about 40dB less than said maximum value of attenuation, and in which said electrical signals are filtered during said third series of sessions by values selected by said therapist in the same manner as during said second series of sessions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3358390A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |