EP0936839B1 - System für Schallerkennung und Verfahren dafür - Google Patents

System für Schallerkennung und Verfahren dafür Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0936839B1
EP0936839B1 EP98301057A EP98301057A EP0936839B1 EP 0936839 B1 EP0936839 B1 EP 0936839B1 EP 98301057 A EP98301057 A EP 98301057A EP 98301057 A EP98301057 A EP 98301057A EP 0936839 B1 EP0936839 B1 EP 0936839B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
signal
user
providing
channel
multiple channel
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Expired - Lifetime
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EP98301057A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0936839A1 (de
Inventor
Billie M. Thompson
Kirk D. Thompson
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to AT98301057T priority Critical patent/ATE230550T1/de
Priority to EP98301057A priority patent/EP0936839B1/de
Priority to DE69810437T priority patent/DE69810437D1/de
Publication of EP0936839A1 publication Critical patent/EP0936839A1/de
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1041—Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R5/00—Stereophonic arrangements
    • H04R5/04—Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1008—Earpieces of the supra-aural or circum-aural type
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2460/00—Details of hearing devices, i.e. of ear- or headphones covered by H04R1/10 or H04R5/033 but not provided for in any of their subgroups, or of hearing aids covered by H04R25/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2460/13—Hearing devices using bone conduction transducers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R5/00—Stereophonic arrangements
    • H04R5/033—Headphones for stereophonic communication

Definitions

  • This invention relates to auditory conditioning and, more specifically, to a system and method for separating sounds into different channels. By separating sounds into different channels, a user of the system and method will be able to better distinguish sounds thus increasing the learning ability of the user.
  • Sound is heard because it passes through air to a person's ears (known as air conduction) and through bones located near the ears (known as bone conduction).
  • air conduction a person's ears
  • bone conduction bones located near the ears
  • the person's hearing may be substantially unimpaired by either sensory neural loss, conduction loss or osteoporosis, for example, the person may have a defective ability to learn.
  • auditory conditioning is used to deal with an inability to discriminate between sounds of differing frequencies and to treat insensitivity to sound.
  • the insensitivity may cause the person to experience a lack of motivation, lack of creativity, and a lack of energy.
  • the insensitivity has a psychological and/or a neurophysiological basis.
  • Auditory conditioning may also be used in dealing with a person's inability to tune out or to comfortably perceive sound at known frequencies within the audio frequency range, thereby causing a two open reception or a hypersensitivity to sound at the known frequencies.
  • the hypersensitivity has a psychological and or neurophysiological basis.
  • a person When a person has an inability to attend and concentrate, it may be a manifestation of a reduced ability to listen to sounds transmitted via air conduction as compared to the ability to listen via bone conduction. This inability may also be dealt with by auditory conditioning. Typically, the inability to attend and concentrate has a psychological and/or neurophysiological basis.
  • a speech articulation and/or fluency defect is often related to a person's inability to perceive and distinguish sound signals clearly and to efficiently use the neurological pathways to the hearing center on the left side of the person's brain (left side hearing center) from the person's ears.
  • the left side hearing center controls the person's speech organs.
  • the most efficient neurological pathway to the left side hearing center is from the person's right ear.
  • a neurological pathway from the person's left ear is less efficient.
  • auditory conditioning is used to cause a dominance of the neurological pathway from the right ear to the left side hearing center, known as right ear dominance.
  • right ear dominance Most people, and practically all singers, have right ear dominance.
  • the apparatus and method must be able to divide sounds into different channels for both air conduction and bone conduction.
  • the apparatus and method must also be able to control the strength of each channel for the air and bone conduction. By separating sounds into different channels for both air and bone conduction, and by controlling the strength of each channel, a user of the apparatus and method will be better able to listen to distinctions in sounds. This will help increase the ability of the user to learn the different sounds.
  • the apparatus and method must also help the user develop an efficient neurological pathway to the left side hearing center from the user's right ear (i.e., develop right ear dominance).
  • DE 2451977A discloses apparatus comprising audio storage means for storing audio recordings comprising an air conduction signal and a bone conduction signal, audio player means for playing stored audio recordings, and channel adjustment means coupled to the audio player means.
  • the channel adjustment means comprises first adjustment means for adjusting the strength of the air conduction signal to a right ear of a user, second adjustment means for adjusting the air conduction signal to the left ear of a user and third adjustment means for adjusting the strength of the bone conduction signal to a user.
  • Listening means are provided to enable a user to listen to at least one of the stored signals.
  • JP 02182098A discloses a headphone comprising left and right speakers and bone conduction drivers. Left and right audio channels are transmitted to the left and right speakers, and a third channel is transmitted to the bone conduction drivers. The third channel is retarded relative to the other two, so as to cause crosstalk.
  • Figure 1 is an elevated perspective view of an apparatus for providing sound distinctions for auditory conditioning.
  • Figure 2 is a simplified electrical schematic of the channel selection device used in the apparatus depicted in figure 1.
  • an apparatus for conditioning a person's auditory system 10 (hereinafter apparatus 10) is shown.
  • the apparatus 10 is comprised of an audio storage media 12.
  • Some examples of an audio storage media 12 include, but are not limited to, magnetic tapes, compact discs, and vinyl records.
  • the audio storage media 12 is used for storing multiple channel audio recordings.
  • the multiple channel audio recordings stored on the audio storage media 12 are recorded so as to have at least one channel dedicated for air conduction and at least one channel dedicated for bone conduction.
  • the channel for bone conduction provides a signal sooner than the channel that provides the signal for air conduction.
  • the audio storage media 12 are placed within or on a multiple channel audio player device 16.
  • the multiple channel audio player device 16 is used for playing the multiple channel audio recordings stored on the audio storage media 12.
  • Some examples of a multiple channel audio player device 16 are stereo tape players like a SONY WALKMANTM, stereo compact disc players like a SONY DISCMANTM, and stereo record players. These types of devices are well known to those skilled in the arts and will not be further described.
  • a channel selection device 18 is coupled to the multiple channel audio player device 16 through a coaxial cable 20.
  • the channel selection device 18 is used for adjusting the strength of the signal from each channel of the multiple channel audio player device 16.
  • the channel selection device 18 is comprised of a first selection knob 18A for adjusting the strength of the audio signal for air conduction to the right ear of the user.
  • a second selection knob 18B is provided for adjusting the strength of the audio signal for air conduction to the left ear of the user.
  • the-audio signal for air conduction to the left ear of the user is a ratio of the signal for air conduction to the right ear of the user.
  • the right ear will always receive a signal strength of 100% while the left ear will receive an audio signal which is a percentage of the audio signal to the right ear.
  • the actual percentage received by the left ear is controlled by the second selection knob 18B.
  • the channel selection device 18 is further comprised of a third selection knob 18C.
  • the third selection knob is used for controlling the strength of the audio signal for bone conduction to the user.
  • the channel selection device 18 is comprised of three resistors 20A, 20B, and 20C.
  • the resistor 20A is used by the first selection knob 18A for adjusting the strength of the signal for air conduction to the right ear of the user.
  • the resistor 20B is used by the second selection knob 18B for adjusting the strength of the signal for air conduction to the left ear of the user.
  • the resistor 20C is used by the third selection knob 18C for adjusting the strength of the signal for bone conduction to the head of the user.
  • the headphone device 22 is used for allowing the user of the apparatus 10 to listen to at least one channel of the multiple channel audio recordings stored on the audio storage media 12.
  • the headphone device 22 is comprised of a right earphone 22A for sending the signal for air conduction to the right ear of the user, a left earphone 22B for sending the signal for air conduction to the left ear of the user, and a bone transmitter 22C for sending the signal for bone conduction to the head of the user.
  • the bone transmitter should be placed on the headphone device 22 so as to send the signal for bone conduction to the top of the head of the user. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bone transmitter 22C should send a signal to the mastoid bone of the user.
  • the apparatus 10 is used for auditory conditioning in order to overcome some of the learning disabilities described above.
  • the apparatus 10 may also be used to help individuals learn foreign languages. All languages, when spoken, emphasize a certain range of frequencies. By recording a foreign language on the audio storage media 12, and by emphasizing the proper frequencies, the user of the apparatus 10 may train his or her ears to the intonation and rhythm patterns of the foreign language. Thus, by using the apparatus, one will be able to more easily learn and speak a foreign language.
  • the audio storage media 12 is played on the multiple channel audio player device 16.
  • the user of the apparatus 10 will place the headphones 22 over his or her ears.
  • the first selection knob 18A is then adjusted in order to provide an audio signal to the right ear of the user which is comfortable to the user.
  • the second selection knob 18B is then adjusted in a similar manner.
  • the third selection knob 18C is then set at a level slightly higher than the first selection knob 18A since it takes a higher volume to produce sound on the bone conductor.
  • the second selection knob 18B then should be lowered to a level below that of the first selection knob 18A in order to develop a good right ear dominance.
  • the right ear being the most efficient ear for directing sound to the speech center of the brain.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Details Of Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)
  • Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Velocity Or Position Using Acoustic Or Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)

Claims (12)

  1. Vorrichtung (10) für Schallerkennung zur akustischen Aufbereitung, in Zusammensetzung umfassend:
    ein Tonspeichermittel (12) zum Speichern von Mehrkanaltonaufnahmen, wobei die auf dem Tonspeichermittel gespeicherten Mehrkanaltonaufnahmen einen Kanal für ein Luftleitungssignal und einen Kanal für ein Knochenleitungssignal aufweisen;
    ein Mehrkanaltonabspielmittel (16) zum Abspielen der Mehrkanaltonaufnahmen, die auf dem Tonspeichermittel gespeichert sind;
    ein Kanaleinstellmittel (18), das mit dem Mehrkanaltonabspielmittel gekoppelt ist, um eine Stärke jedes Kanals des Mehrkanaltonabspielmittels einzustellen;
    wobei das Kanaleinstellmittel umfaßt;
    ein erstes Einstellmittel (18A) zum Einstellen einer Stärke des Signals für die Luftleitung zu einem rechten Ohr eines Benutzers;
    ein zweites Einstellmittel (18B) zum Einstellen einer Stärke des Signals für die Luftleitung zu einem linken Ohr des Benutzers; und
    ein drittes Einstellmittel (18C) zum Einstellen einer Stärke des Signals für die Knochenleitung zum Benutzer;
    ein Hörmittel (22), das mit dem Kanalwählmittel gekoppelt ist, um es einem Benutzer der Vorrichtung zu gestatten, zumindest einen Kanal der Mehrkanaltonaufnahmen, die auf dem Tonspeichermittel gespeichert sind, zu hören;
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
    das Tonspeichermittel dem Hörmittel das Knochenleitungssignal früher als das Luftleitungssignal bereitstellt.
  2. Vorrichtung für Schallerkennung zur akustischen Aufbereitung nach Anspruch 1,
    wobei das Tonspeichermittel ein Magnetband ist.
  3. Vorrichtung für Schallerkennung zur akustischen Aufbereitung nach Anspruch 1,
    wobei das Tonspeichermittel eine Compact-Disk ist.
  4. Vorrichtung für Schallerkennung zur akustischen Aufbereitung nach Anspruch 2,
    wobei das Mehrkanaltonabspielmittel ein Bandabspielgerät ist.
  5. Vorrichtung für Schallerkennung zur akustischen Aufbereitung nach Anspruch 3,
    wobei das Mehrkanaltonabspielmittel ein Compact-Disk-Abspielgerät ist.
  6. Vorrichtung für Schallerkennung zur akustischen Aufbereitung nach Anspruch 1,
    wobei das Signal für die Luftleitung zum linken Ohr des Benutzers ein Verhältnis des Signals für die Luftleitung zum rechten Ohr des Benutzers ist.
  7. Vorrichtung für Schallerkennung zur akustischen Aufbereitung nach Anspruch 1,
    wobei das Hörmittel umfaßt:
    ein rechtes Kopfhörermittel (22A) zum Senden des Signals für die Luftleitung zum rechten Ohr des Benutzers;
    ein linkes Kopfhörermittel (22B) zum Senden des Signals für die Luftleitung zum linken Ohr des Benutzers; und
    ein Knochenübertragungsmittel (22C) zum Senden des Signals für die Knochenleitung zu einem Kopf des Benutzers.
  8. Vorrichtung für Schallerkennung zur akustischen Aufbereitung nach Anspruch 7,
    wobei das Knochenübertragungsmittel das Signal für die Knochenleitung zu einem Warzenfortsatz des Benutzers sendet.
  9. Verfahren für Schallerkennung zur akustischen Aufbereitung, umfassend die Schritte
    eines Bereitstellens eines Tonspeichermittels (12) zum Speichern von Mehrkanaltonaufnahmen, wobei die auf dem Tonspeichermittel gespeicherten Mehrkanaltonaufnahmen einen Kanal für ein Luftleitungssignal und einen Kanal für ein Knochenleitungssignal aufweisen;
    eines Bereitstellens eines Mehrkanaltonabspielmittels (16) zum Abspielen der Mehrkanaltonaufnahmen, die auf dem Tonspeichermittel gespeichert sind;
    eines Bereitstellens eines Kanaleinstellmittels (18), das mit dem Mehrkanaltonabspielmittel gekoppelt ist, um eine Stärke jedes Kanals des Mehrkanaltonabspielmittels einzustellen;
    wobei das Kanaleinstellmittel ferner die Schritte eines Bereitstellens eines ersten Einstellmittels (18A) zum Einstellen einer Stärke des Signals für die Luftleitung zu einem rechten Ohr eines Benutzers; eines Bereitstellens eines zweiten Einsteilmittels (18B) zum Einstellen einer Stärke des Signals für die Luftleitung zu einem linken Ohr des Benutzers; und eines Bereitstellens eines dritten Einstellmittels (18C) zum Einstellen einer Stärke des Signals für die Knochenleitung zum Benutzer umfaßt;
    eines Bereitstellens eines Hörmittels (22), das mit dem Kanalwählmittel gekoppelt ist, um es einem Benutzer der Vorrichtung zu gestatten, zumindest einen Kanal der Mehrkanaltonaufnahmen, die auf dem Tonspeichermittel gespeichert sind, zu hören;
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
    das Tonspeichermittel dem Hörmittel das Knochenleitungssignal früher als das Luftleitungssignal bereitstellt.
  10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9,
    wobei das Signal für die Luftleitung zum linken Ohr des Benutzers ein Verhältnis des Signals für die Luftleitung zum rechten Ohr des Benutzers ist.
  11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9,
    wobei der Schritt des Bereitstellens eines Hörmittels ferner die Schritte
    eines Bereitstellens eines rechten Kopfhörermittels (22A) zum Senden des Signals für die Luftleitung zum rechten Ohr des Benutzers;
    eines Bereitstellens eines linken Kopfhörermittels (22B) zum Senden des Signals für die Luftleitung zum linken Ohr des Benutzers; und
    eines Bereitstellens eines Knochenübertragungsmittels (22C) zum Senden des Signals für die Knochenleitung zu einem Kopf des Benutzers umfaßt.
  12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11,
    wobei das Knochenübertragungsmittel das Signal für die Knochenleitung zu einem Warzenfortsatz des Benutzers sendet.
EP98301057A 1998-02-13 1998-02-13 System für Schallerkennung und Verfahren dafür Expired - Lifetime EP0936839B1 (de)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT98301057T ATE230550T1 (de) 1998-02-13 1998-02-13 System für schallerkennung und verfahren dafür
EP98301057A EP0936839B1 (de) 1998-02-13 1998-02-13 System für Schallerkennung und Verfahren dafür
DE69810437T DE69810437D1 (de) 1998-02-13 1998-02-13 System für Schallerkennung und Verfahren dafür

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98301057A EP0936839B1 (de) 1998-02-13 1998-02-13 System für Schallerkennung und Verfahren dafür

Publications (2)

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EP0936839A1 EP0936839A1 (de) 1999-08-18
EP0936839B1 true EP0936839B1 (de) 2003-01-02

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EP98301057A Expired - Lifetime EP0936839B1 (de) 1998-02-13 1998-02-13 System für Schallerkennung und Verfahren dafür

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AT (1) ATE230550T1 (de)
DE (1) DE69810437D1 (de)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9020168B2 (en) 2011-08-30 2015-04-28 Nokia Corporation Apparatus and method for audio delivery with different sound conduction transducers
EP2894874A1 (de) * 2014-01-14 2015-07-15 Pentac Limited Kopfhörer
CN113676809B (zh) * 2021-08-12 2023-05-05 广州番禺巨大汽车音响设备有限公司 基于蓝牙耳机的声音传导方法及传导装置

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2451977C2 (de) * 1973-11-05 1982-06-03 St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo. Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Aufnahme und Wiedergabe des durch die Stimme einer Person erzeugten Schalls
US3984636A (en) * 1975-03-06 1976-10-05 Koss Corporation Quadraphonic headphone with ambience programmer
JPH02182098A (ja) * 1989-01-07 1990-07-16 Hiroshi Osada ステレオ用ヘッドホン
CH686753A5 (de) * 1993-07-19 1996-06-14 Yair Dr Schiftan Elektronische Vorrichtung zur Erzeugung von akustischen raeuumlichen Effekten.
JP2935162B2 (ja) * 1994-05-09 1999-08-16 リオン株式会社 聴覚検査用ヘツドバンド

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ATE230550T1 (de) 2003-01-15
EP0936839A1 (de) 1999-08-18
DE69810437D1 (de) 2003-02-06

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