US4827458A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sound surge detector for alerting headphone users
Assignee: Staar SA
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Filing: 1988-03-15
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Granted: 1989-05-02
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Expires: 2008-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A sound reproducing system including a portable appliance reproducing sound from a recording and a transmission path transmitting reproduced sound to headphones worn by a user, and an apparatus for indicating to the user the occurrence of an abnormal event, causing a surge of ambient sound. The apparatus and a related method pick up ambient sound, transduce the ambient sound to an electrical signal, amplify the electrical signal, provide as a first output signal an envelope of the amplified signal, differentiate the first output signal, produce a second output signal with an amplitude which is a function of the slope of the first output signal, comparing the amplitude of the second output signal to a preset threshold level, and produce a control signal when the second output signal exceeds the threshold level indicating the occurrence of a surge in ambient sound having an amplitude, duration, and rising leading edge exceeding certain minimum characteristics, and indicating to the user the occurrence of an abnormal event through the transmission path.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephane M. d'Alayer de Costemore d'Arc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:24
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B3/00; G08B3/10; H; H03; H03G; H03G3/00; H03G3/20; H03G3/30; H03G3/32; H04; H04R; H04R3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
In combination with a sound reproducing system transmitting reproduced sound along a transmission path to headphones worn by a user, an apparatus which detects a surge in ambient sound above an average ambient sound level and generates a control signal, said apparatus comprising: a transducer which transduces input ambient sound to an electrical signal; an amplifier connected to receive the electrical signal from said transducer and which provides an amplified signal; an envelope detector which provides a first output signal representing an envelope of the amplified signal; a differentiator which differentiates the first output signal and provides a second output signal having an amplitude which is a function of the rate of change of the first output signal; a comparator which compares the amplitude of the second output signal to a preset threshold level and produces a control signal when the second output signal exceeds the threshold level, thereby indicating the occurrence of a surge in ambient sound having an amplitude, duration, and a rising leading edge exceeding certain minimum characteristics; and a receiver having a device operable in response to the control signal to indicate to the user over the headphones the occurrence of a sound surge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
In combination with a sound reproducing system transmitting reproduced sound along a transmission path to headphones worn by a user, an apparatus which detects a surge in ambient sound above an average ambient sound level and generates a control signal, said apparatus comprising: a transducer which transduces input ambient sound to an electrical signal; an amplifier connected to receive the electrical signal from said transducer and which provides an amplified signal; an envelope detector which provides a first output signal representing an envelope of the amplified signal; a differentiator which differentiates the first output signal and provides a second output signal having an amplitude which is a function of the rate of change of the first output signal; a comparator which compares the amplitude of the second output signal to a preset threshold level and produces a control signal when the second output signal exceeds the threshold level, thereby indicating the occurrence of a surge in ambient sound having an amplitude, duration, and a rising leading edge exceeding certain minimum characteristics; and a receiver having a device operable in response to the control signal to indicate to the user over the headphones the occurrence of a sound surge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 including a timing circuit determining the duration of the control signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said amplifier includes an adjustable potentiometer and the minimum characteristics are set by said adjustable potentiometer and by RC time constants of circuits including said amplifier, envelope detector, differentiator, and comparator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 in which said receiver device is connected in the transmission path and attenuates the transmission of reproduced sound to the headphones in response to the control signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 in which said receiver device is connected in the transmission path and transmits a warning signal to the user via the headphones in response to the control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said sound reproducing system includes a portable appliance and wherein said transmission path comprises a lead connected between the appliance and the headphones.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which said sound reproducing system includes a portable appliance having a recording microphone which serves as said transducer when the portable appliance is in a playback mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 in which said transducer is located adjacent the headphones.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 in which the headphones and said transducer are carried by a helmet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said amplifier includes a regulator to adjust the sensitivity of said amplifier to surges in sound.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
177 words
In a reproducing system including a portable appliance reproducing sound from a recording and a transmission path transmitting reproduced sound to headphones worn by a user, a warning method to indicate the occurrence of an abnormal event to the user, which abnormal event causes a surge in ambient sound, said method comprising: picking up ambient sound and transducing ambient sound to an electrical signal; amplifying the electrical signal and providing as a first output signal an envelope of the electrical signal; differentiating the first output signal and producing a second output signal with an amplitude which is a function of the slope of the first output signal; comparing the amplitude of the second output signal to a preset threshold level and producing a control signal when the second output signal exceeds the threshold level, thereby indicating the occurrence of a surge in ambient sound having an amplitude, duration, and rising leading edge exceeding certain minimum characteristics; and indicating to the user the occurrence of an abnormal event through the transmission path when a control signal is produced.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
177 words
In a reproducing system including a portable appliance reproducing sound from a recording and a transmission path transmitting reproduced sound to headphones worn by a user, a warning method to indicate the occurrence of an abnormal event to the user, which abnormal event causes a surge in ambient sound, said method comprising: picking up ambient sound and transducing ambient sound to an electrical signal; amplifying the electrical signal and providing as a first output signal an envelope of the electrical signal; differentiating the first output signal and producing a second output signal with an amplitude which is a function of the slope of the first output signal; comparing the amplitude of the second output signal to a preset threshold level and producing a control signal when the second output signal exceeds the threshold level, thereby indicating the occurrence of a surge in ambient sound having an amplitude, duration, and rising leading edge exceeding certain minimum characteristics; and indicating to the user the occurrence of an abnormal event through the transmission path when a control signal is produced.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 11 including generating the control signal for a predetermined length of time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 11 in which the occurrence of an abnormal event is indicated to the user by attenuating the transmission or reproduced sound along the transmission path.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 11 in which the occurrence of an abnormal event is indicated to the user by superimposing a warning signal on the reproduced sound transmitted along the transmission path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 11 including disconnecting the sound reproduced by the portable appliance from the transmission path, connecting input ambient sound into the transmission path, and transmitting the ambient sound to the headphones worn by the user.
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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) | 1992-05-01 | 1992-10-31 | 1993-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-01 | 1996-10-31 | 1997-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-01 | 2000-10-31 | 2001-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |