US4790019A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote hearing aid volume control
Assignee: GN Hearing AS
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Filing: 1985-07-08
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Granted: 1988-12-06
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Expires: 2005-07-08
Abstract
Abstract A hearing aid comprises a microphone, a battery-operated earphone, and amplifying circuit connected to the microphone output, the amplifying circuit including a frequency-selective circuit component and a sound level adjustment circuit component connected to the frequency-selective circuit component, and a remote sound wave control signal emitter circuit separate from the microphone, earphone and amplifying circuit and emitting sound wave control signals within the range of the microphone input.
Inventors
- 👤 Fritz Hueber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:17
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03G; H03G1/00; H03G1/02; H03G3/00; H03G3/005; H04; H04R; H04R25/00; H04R25/55; H04R25/558
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
In combination: (a) a hearing aid to be worn on the head of a hard-of-hearing person comprising (1) a microphone in the hearing aid having an input and an output for respectively receiving and transmitting a range of sound wave signals comprising speech signals and control signals, (2) a battery-operated earphone in the hearing aid having an input for receiving the range of sound wave signals transmitted by the microphone, and (3) an amplifying circuit in the hearing aid connecting the microphone output to the earphone input, the amplifying circuit including a frequency-selective circuit component comprising a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter to divide the speech signals from the control signals and a sound level adjustment circuit component for the speech signal connected to the frequency-selective circuit component; (b) a memory for the adjusted sound level connected to the sound level adjustment circuit component for controlling the sound level to store the adjusted sound level; and (c) a remote sound wave control signal emitter circuit separate from the hearing aid and emitting sound wave control signals within the frequency range of the microphone input.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
In combination: (a) a hearing aid to be worn on the head of a hard-of-hearing person comprising (1) a microphone in the hearing aid having an input and an output for respectively receiving and transmitting a range of sound wave signals comprising speech signals and control signals, (2) a battery-operated earphone in the hearing aid having an input for receiving the range of sound wave signals transmitted by the microphone, and (3) an amplifying circuit in the hearing aid connecting the microphone output to the earphone input, the amplifying circuit including a frequency-selective circuit component comprising a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter to divide the speech signals from the control signals and a sound level adjustment circuit component for the speech signal connected to the frequency-selective circuit component; (b) a memory for the adjusted sound level connected to the sound level adjustment circuit component for controlling the sound level to store the adjusted sound level; and (c) a remote sound wave control signal emitter circuit separate from the hearing aid and emitting sound wave control signals within the frequency range of the microphone input.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the amplifying circuit includes a pre-amplifier between the microphone output and the frequency-selective circuit component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the sound wave control signal emitter circuit emits a carrier frequency outside the receiving range of the hearing aid earphone input.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 3, wherein the emitted carrier frequency is above the receiving range of the earphone input.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the separate sound wave control signal emitter circuit comprises an oscillator having an output and a sound wave control signal emitter connected thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 5, further including a switch connecting the oscillator output to the sound emitter in a normally closed state and a key-operated pulse generator controlling the switch by periodically opening the switch to disconnect the sound emitter from the oscillator output.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 5, wherein the oscillator may be switched to generate two different operating frequencies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 5, wherein the output of the oscillator emits a frequency-modulated signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 5, wherein the output of the oscillator emits an amplitude-modulated signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the frequency-selective circuit component has an output connected to an envelope curve detector, and further comprising a pulse generator connected to the envelope curve detector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination of claim 10, further comprising a counter having an input connected to an output of the envelope curve detector for receiving output signals therefrom, the counter counting forwards or backwards in dependence on the received output signals, and a resistor network connected between the counter and the sound level adjustment circuit component for adjusting the sound level in response to the counter count.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein an output of the frequency-selective circuit component is connected to a digital filter for decoding the signals emitted by the wave emitter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein an output of the frequency-selective circuit component is connected to a decoding circuit for decoding the signals emitted by the sound wave control signal emitter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the memory is a digital circuit permanently connected to the battery.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 14, wherein the digital circuit is a counter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the memory is a non-volatile digital memory.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the memory is an analog circuit.
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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) | 1991-12-06 | 1992-06-06 | 1992-12-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-06 | 1996-06-06 | 1996-12-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-06 | 2000-06-06 | 2000-12-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |