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Patent US4491980A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4491980A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hearing aid coupled with a radio
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
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Filing: 1983-07-21
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Granted: 1985-01-01
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Expires: 2003-07-21
Abstract
Abstract A built in radio/hearing aid comprises a control voltage generator means which generates a control voltage depending on the level of a microphone signal of the hearing aid and a mixing control means which controls the ratio of the mixture of a radio signal from a radio signal generator and the microphone signal from a microphone in accordance with the level of the control voltage. Thus, the level of the radio signals is automatically changed in accordance with the level of circumstantial audio signals within the microphone signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Teruo Ichikawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/43; H03; H03G; H03G3/00; H03G3/20; H03G3/30; H03G3/32; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/06; H04B1/16; H04R25/50; H04R25/502; H04R25/55; H04R25/554
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A built-in radio/hearing aid, comprising: a microphone for generating microphone signals; a radio signal generator for generating radio signals; a control voltage generator means for generating a control voltage level corresponding to the level of the microphone signal; a control means responsive to said microphone and radio signals for controlling the relative levels of the microphone signal and the radio signal in accordance with the level of the control voltage from said control voltage generator means such that the microphone signal is emphasized and the radio signal is relatively weakened as the control voltage level increases and vice-versa, said control means providing the level controlled microphone signal and the level controlled radio signal at an output thereof; and a mixing means for mixing the level controlled microphone signal and the level controlled radio signal from said control means and outputting a mixed signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A built-in radio/hearing aid, comprising: a microphone for generating microphone signals; a radio signal generator for generating radio signals; a control voltage generator means for generating a control voltage level corresponding to the level of the microphone signal; a control means responsive to said microphone and radio signals for controlling the relative levels of the microphone signal and the radio signal in accordance with the level of the control voltage from said control voltage generator means such that the microphone signal is emphasized and the radio signal is relatively weakened as the control voltage level increases and vice-versa, said control means providing the level controlled microphone signal and the level controlled radio signal at an output thereof; and a mixing means for mixing the level controlled microphone signal and the level controlled radio signal from said control means and outputting a mixed signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A radio/hearing aid according to claim 1 wherein said control voltage generator means includes a reference level generator for generating a reference level and a switching comparator for comparing the level of the microphone signal with the reference level from said reference level generator and switching the level of its voltage output when the level of the microphone signal exceeds the reference level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A radio/hearing aid according to claim 3 wherein said control means includes a microphone level control means for controlling the level of the microphone signal in accordance with the level of the control voltage, and a radio level control means for controlling the level of the radio signal in accordance with the level of the control voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A radio/hearing aid according to claim 3 wherein said microphone level control means and said radio level control means respectively include a variable resistance element where resistance is varied in accordance with the level of the control voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A radio/hearing aid according to claim 4 wherein said variable resistance element includes a Field Effect Transistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A radio/hearing aid according to claim 4 wherein said microphone level control means and radio level control means include in common a variable resistor directly connected to said respective variable resistance elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A radio/hearing aid according to claim 6 wherein said variable resistor is manually adjustable.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-01 | 1988-07-02 | 1989-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-01 | 1992-07-02 | 1993-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-01 | 1996-07-02 | 1997-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |