US4543453A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic hearing aid control circuit
Assignee: BELTOE ELECTRONICS Corp A IL CORP
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Filing: 1983-03-30
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Granted: 1985-09-24
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Expires: 2003-03-30
Abstract
Abstract An electronic power control circuit for a hearing aid amplifier. The circuit includes a feedback stage, output stage, and output transducer. The feedback and output stages cooperatively define a current regulator that controls the current of the output stage. A variable resistor is provided for adjusting the maximum signal level that can be applied to the output transducer in the hearing aid. Such adjustment prohibits the output transducer from producing an undesirably loud acoustic output. Adjustment of the variable resistor also simultaneously varies both the quiescent current of the output stage and the hearing aid gain.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Brander
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:46
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/181; H03F3/183; H03G; H03G3/00; H03G3/02; H03G3/04; H04; H04R; H04R25/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
A hearing aid control circuit for setting a predetermined maximum sound pressure level that a hearing aid will produce in response to a large electric input signal comprising, in combination: power source means for providing electric power to said hearing aid control circuit; amplifier means for receiving said electric input signal and producing an amplified signal in response thereto; feedback stage means, interconnected to said amplifier means, for receiving said amplified signal and producing a feedback signal in response to said amplified signal, said feedback signal including a feedback current; output stage means, interconnected to said amplifier means, for receiving said amplified signal and producing an output signal in response to said amplified signal, said output signal defining a maximum output signal level and including an output current; current regulator means, cooperatively defined by said feedback stage means and output stage means, for maintaining said feedback and output currents in a substantially proportional relationship, whereby said output current may be monitored by sensing said feedback current; output transducer means, interconnected to said output stage means, for receiving said output signal and responsively providing an acoustic output; a variable resistor, having a variable setting and interconnected between said power source means and said output transducer means, for adjustably limiting said maximum output signal level applied to said output transducer means; and feedback line means, interconnecting said feedback stage means and variable resistor to said amplifier means, for exerting control over said output signal, said control being dependent upon said setting of said variable resistor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
253 words
A hearing aid control circuit for setting a predetermined maximum sound pressure level that a hearing aid will produce in response to a large electric input signal comprising, in combination: power source means for providing electric power to said hearing aid control circuit; amplifier means for receiving said electric input signal and producing an amplified signal in response thereto; feedback stage means, interconnected to said amplifier means, for receiving said amplified signal and producing a feedback signal in response to said amplified signal, said feedback signal including a feedback current; output stage means, interconnected to said amplifier means, for receiving said amplified signal and producing an output signal in response to said amplified signal, said output signal defining a maximum output signal level and including an output current; current regulator means, cooperatively defined by said feedback stage means and output stage means, for maintaining said feedback and output currents in a substantially proportional relationship, whereby said output current may be monitored by sensing said feedback current; output transducer means, interconnected to said output stage means, for receiving said output signal and responsively providing an acoustic output; a variable resistor, having a variable setting and interconnected between said power source means and said output transducer means, for adjustably limiting said maximum output signal level applied to said output transducer means; and feedback line means, interconnecting said feedback stage means and variable resistor to said amplifier means, for exerting control over said output signal, said control being dependent upon said setting of said variable resistor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A hearing aid control circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said output signal includes both quiescent and signal components and said feedback line means control both said quiescent and signal components.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A hearing aid control circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said feedback line means includes at least one resistor interconnecting said feedback stage means and variable resistor to said amplifier means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A hearing aid control circuit as claimed in claim 3 wherein said power source means defines a ground potential and said feedback line means further includes a capacitor for shunting a portion of said signal component to said ground potential.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A hearing aid control circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said feedback stage means and output stage means each include a transistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A hearing aid control circuit as claimed in claim 5 wherein said amplifier means includes an amplifier output and said transistors of said feedback stage means and output stage means each include a base interconnected to said amplifier stage output.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
250 words
A hearing aid control circuit for setting a predetermined maximum sound pressure level that a hearing aid will produce in response to a large electric input signal comprising, in combination: power source means for providing electric power to said hearing aid control circuit; amplifier means for receiving said electric input signal and producing an amplified signal in response thereto; feedback stage means, interconnected to said amplifier means, for receiving said amplified signal and producing a feedback signal in response to said amplified signal, said feedback signal including a feedback current; output stage means, interconnected to said amplifier means, for receiving said amplified signal and producing an output signal in response to said amplified signal, said output signal defining a maximum output signal level and including an output current; current regulator means, cooperatively defined by said feedback stage means and output stage means, for maintaining said feedback and output currents in a substantially proportional relationship, whereby said output current may be monitored by sensing said feedback current; output transducer means, interconnected to said output stage means, for receiving said output current and responsively providing an acoustic output; a variable resistor, having a variable setting and connected in series with said output transducer means, for adjustably limiting said maximum output signal level applied to said output transducer means; and feedback line means, interconnecting said feedback stage means and output stage means to said amplifier for exerting control over said output signal, said control being dependent upon said setting of said variable resistor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
250 words
A hearing aid control circuit for setting a predetermined maximum sound pressure level that a hearing aid will produce in response to a large electric input signal comprising, in combination: power source means for providing electric power to said hearing aid control circuit; amplifier means for receiving said electric input signal and producing an amplified signal in response thereto; feedback stage means, interconnected to said amplifier means, for receiving said amplified signal and producing a feedback signal in response to said amplified signal, said feedback signal including a feedback current; output stage means, interconnected to said amplifier means, for receiving said amplified signal and producing an output signal in response to said amplified signal, said output signal defining a maximum output signal level and including an output current; current regulator means, cooperatively defined by said feedback stage means and output stage means, for maintaining said feedback and output currents in a substantially proportional relationship, whereby said output current may be monitored by sensing said feedback current; output transducer means, interconnected to said output stage means, for receiving said output current and responsively providing an acoustic output; a variable resistor, having a variable setting and connected in series with said output transducer means, for adjustably limiting said maximum output signal level applied to said output transducer means; and feedback line means, interconnecting said feedback stage means and output stage means to said amplifier for exerting control over said output signal, said control being dependent upon said setting of said variable resistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A hearing aid control circuit as claimed in claim 7 wherein said output signal includes both quiescent and signal components and said feedback line means controls both said quiescent and signal components.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A hearing aid control circuit as claimed in claim 7 wherein said feedback line means includes at least one resistor interconnecting said feedback stage means and output stage means to said amplifier means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A hearing aid control circuit as claimed in claim 9 wherein said power source means defines a ground potential and said feedback line means further includes a capacitor for shunting a portion of said signal component to said ground potential.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A hearing aid control circuit as claimed in claim 7 wherein said feedback stage means and output stage means each include a transistor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A hearing aid control circuit as claimed in claim 11 wherein said amplifier means includes an amplifier output and said transistors of said feedback stage means and output stage means each include a base interconnected to said amplifier stage output.
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) | 1988-09-23 | 1989-03-25 | 1989-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-23 | 1993-03-25 | 1993-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-23 | 1997-03-25 | 1997-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |