GB2477809A - Alarm arrangement within an assistive listening system - Google Patents

Alarm arrangement within an assistive listening system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2477809A
GB2477809A GB1002636A GB201002636A GB2477809A GB 2477809 A GB2477809 A GB 2477809A GB 1002636 A GB1002636 A GB 1002636A GB 201002636 A GB201002636 A GB 201002636A GB 2477809 A GB2477809 A GB 2477809A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
signal
audio
hearing aid
listening system
assistive listening
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
GB1002636A
Other versions
GB201002636D0 (en
Inventor
Charles Richard Colin Parmley
Stephen David John Jupp
Peter Alan Frederick Roberts
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hosiden Besson Ltd
Original Assignee
Hosiden Besson Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hosiden Besson Ltd filed Critical Hosiden Besson Ltd
Priority to GB1002636A priority Critical patent/GB2477809A/en
Publication of GB201002636D0 publication Critical patent/GB201002636D0/en
Priority to PCT/GB2011/000203 priority patent/WO2011101623A1/en
Publication of GB2477809A publication Critical patent/GB2477809A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B1/00—Systems for signalling characterised solely by the form of transmission of the signal
    • G08B1/08—Systems for signalling characterised solely by the form of transmission of the signal using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B3/00—Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems
    • G08B3/10—Audible signalling systems; Audible personal calling systems using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B21/00—Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute
    • G09B21/009—Teaching or communicating with deaf persons
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/554—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Educational Technology (AREA)
  • Educational Administration (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Audiology, Speech & Language Pathology (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)

Abstract

In an assistive listening system, a wireless monitoring microphone 1 is positioned within a user's environment to monitor one or more alarm signals, e.g. burglar alarm, telephone ringer. When an alarm signal event occurs, the microphone 1 picks up this signal and transmits a notification of the signal to a hub device 3 that may be worn around a user's neck. The signal is transmitted wirelessly in the form of an audio or data stream. A receiver in the hub receives the signal and processes it for onward transmission to the user. The hub 3 is includes various transmission means for transmitting an appropriate alarm signal to the hearing aid of the user. Audio may be transmitted by wire through an analogue Jack socket, wirelessly in the form of an audio signal receivable by the hearing aid or by an inductive loop transmission to the hearing aid.

Description

ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEM
The present invention relates to an assistive listening device adapted to monitor and alert the user to sound alarms generated by other devices.
Assistive listening devices are known. One example is the iComTM produced by the Phonak group. This device is configured to connect directly with a host of communication and entertainment devices, such as television, GPS systems and stereo equipment and to relay audio in a suitably amp!if9ed form to a user's hearing aid.
The iComTM requires the user to connect the device with a specific audio producing device in order to listen to that device. The iComTM is not suitable for detecting un expected sound from sources to which it has not been intentionally connected.
People with hearing difficulties may be disadvantaged in that they cannot hear audio alarms, for example (but without limitation), telephones ringing, door bells, fire or intruder alarms or alarm clocks. The present ::::; invention seeks to provide an assistive listening system which monitors and detects unscheduled audio alarms and relays these to a hearing aid so that a hearing impaired user may be alerted to the alarm.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided an assistive listening system comprising; at least one microphone configured for monitoring audio alarm events, the microphone in communication with a control hub and configured to transmit a signal to the hub indicative of an occurring audio alarm event, the control hub configured for recognising the specific source of a detected audio alarm and for transmitting an alert receivable by a hearing aid.
Desirably the microphone is a wireless microphone. A single microphone with suitable sensitivity may serve to monitor a plurality of audio alarm generating devices. Alternatively, multiple, lower sensitivity microphones may be selectively configured and place for monitoring individual or smaller groups of audio alarm devices.
The microphone may be configured to transmit a data stream or an audio stream indicative of a specific audio alarm event detected by the microphone.
The hub comprises a receiver for receiving audio or data streams from the microphone. Desirably transmission to the receiver is wireless.
The hub may incorporate a processor to process incoming data streams and identify the original source of the audio alarm event. The hub incorporates a transmitter for transmitting a signal indicative of the audio alarm event to a user's hearing aid. This transmission may be wireless or via wire connected via an analogue Jack socket to the user's hearing aid.
The signal transmitted to the hearing aid may be a simple audio * reproduction of the alarm event or may be an alternative signal produced by the processor specifying that an alarm event has occurred and the source of the alarm event.
In one convenient embodiment, the hub is worn around the neck of a user adjacent the hearing aid. Alternatively the hub may be in a fixed location within the user's home and configured wirelessly to transmit appropriate signals to the hearing aid. In the latter case, the hub may be wired to the one or more microphones, though in the former case it is clearly desirably connection between the hub and microphone is wireless to allow unhindered movement of the user.
The microphone input level is adjustable. Conveniently the input level is reduced to a sensitivity responsive only at the volume of the monitored audio alarm events which by their nature will be louder than the background environment. This enables the microphones to filter out
background noise.
By way of example, one embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figure 1.
Figure 1 shows schematically an embodiment of the invention in practical use.
As can be seem from Figure 1 a wireless monitoring microphone 1 is *: positioned within a user's environment to monitor one or more alarm signals 2. As illustrated, the alarm has been triggered and is emitting an audio alarm signal. The microphone 1 picks up this signal and transmits a notification of the signal to a hub 3. The signal is transmitted wirelessly and may be in the form of an audio or data stream. A receiver in the hub (not shown) receives the signal and processes it for onward transmission ::::; to the user.
The hub 3 is includes various transmission means for transmitting an appropriate alarm signal to the hearing aid of the user. Audio may be transmitted by wire through an analogue Jack socket, wirelessly in the form of an audio signal receivable by the hearing aid or by an inductive loop transmission to the hearing aid. This enables the system to be used with a range of hearing aids and by users with a range hearing impairments.
In a more compact option, then microphone and control hub may be contained in a single device.

Claims (7)

  1. CLAIMS1. An assistive listening system comprising; at least one microphone configured for monitoring audio alarm events, the microphone in communication with a control hub and configured to transmit a signal to the hub indicative of an occurring audio alarm event, the control hub configured for recognising the specific source of a detected audio alarm and for transmitting an alert receivable by a hearing aid.
  2. 2. An assistive listening system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one microphone is wireless.
  3. 3. An assistive listening system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 S.....* S wherein the icrophone sensitivity is reduced to a level responsive *..* * S only at the volume of the monitored audio alarm events. * .. * S S 5*4 *
  4. 4. An assistive listening system as claimed in any preceding claim configured to output an audio alarm signal to a hearing aid by S...means of one or more of; audio transmitted by wire through an : analogue Jack socket, wirelessly in the form of an audio signal receivable by the hearing aid; or by an inductive loop transmission to a hearing aid.
  5. 5. An assistive listening system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the control hub is configured to be worn around the user's neck.
  6. 6. An assistive listening system wherein the microphone and hub are embodied in a single device.
  7. 7. An assistive listening system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying Figure 1.S 5S5*5I* **... p * * * . I *** I 4 IpI * *S * I -* SI
GB1002636A 2010-02-16 2010-02-16 Alarm arrangement within an assistive listening system Pending GB2477809A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1002636A GB2477809A (en) 2010-02-16 2010-02-16 Alarm arrangement within an assistive listening system
PCT/GB2011/000203 WO2011101623A1 (en) 2010-02-16 2011-02-15 Assistive listening system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1002636A GB2477809A (en) 2010-02-16 2010-02-16 Alarm arrangement within an assistive listening system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201002636D0 GB201002636D0 (en) 2010-03-31
GB2477809A true GB2477809A (en) 2011-08-17

Family

ID=42110814

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1002636A Pending GB2477809A (en) 2010-02-16 2010-02-16 Alarm arrangement within an assistive listening system

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2477809A (en)
WO (1) WO2011101623A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2835983A1 (en) * 2013-11-19 2015-02-11 Oticon A/s Hearing instrument presenting environmental sounds

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK178087B1 (en) * 2014-02-05 2015-05-11 Henrik Hauge Method of controlling and issuing alarm signals, and using the method
WO2015144249A1 (en) 2014-03-28 2015-10-01 Bellman & Symfon Europe AB Alerting system for deaf or hard of hearing people and application software to be implemented in an electronic device

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4777474A (en) * 1987-03-26 1988-10-11 Clayton Jack A Alarm system for the hearing impaired
WO1992011738A2 (en) * 1990-12-21 1992-07-09 Select Hearing Systems Limited Radio-based hearing aid system
GB2285552A (en) * 1994-01-08 1995-07-12 Richard Silver Sound amplification system for a hearing aid
WO1996026580A1 (en) * 1995-02-23 1996-08-29 Patrick Ryan Costigan A wireless alerting and telecommunications device for the hearing impaired
WO2008055960A1 (en) * 2006-11-09 2008-05-15 International Business Machines Corporation Alarm system for hearing impaired individuals having hearing assistive implanted devices

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE504327C2 (en) * 1994-03-02 1997-01-13 Transistor Ab Modularly constructed, portable system for hearing or visually handicapped persons
US5651070A (en) * 1995-04-12 1997-07-22 Blunt; Thomas O. Warning device programmable to be sensitive to preselected sound frequencies
WO2002029743A1 (en) * 2000-10-02 2002-04-11 Motorola Inc. Integrated hearing assistant device in a communication unit
US20040155770A1 (en) * 2002-08-22 2004-08-12 Nelson Carl V. Audible alarm relay system
US20090010466A1 (en) * 2006-02-03 2009-01-08 Haikonen Pentti O A Hearing Agent and a Related Method
WO2008067638A1 (en) * 2006-12-08 2008-06-12 Harmonya Technologies Inc. Environment sensing system for the hearing-impaired
WO2008103925A1 (en) * 2007-02-22 2008-08-28 Personics Holdings Inc. Method and device for sound detection and audio control
US20090076816A1 (en) * 2007-09-13 2009-03-19 Bionica Corporation Assistive listening system with display and selective visual indicators for sound sources

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4777474A (en) * 1987-03-26 1988-10-11 Clayton Jack A Alarm system for the hearing impaired
WO1992011738A2 (en) * 1990-12-21 1992-07-09 Select Hearing Systems Limited Radio-based hearing aid system
GB2285552A (en) * 1994-01-08 1995-07-12 Richard Silver Sound amplification system for a hearing aid
WO1996026580A1 (en) * 1995-02-23 1996-08-29 Patrick Ryan Costigan A wireless alerting and telecommunications device for the hearing impaired
WO2008055960A1 (en) * 2006-11-09 2008-05-15 International Business Machines Corporation Alarm system for hearing impaired individuals having hearing assistive implanted devices

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2835983A1 (en) * 2013-11-19 2015-02-11 Oticon A/s Hearing instrument presenting environmental sounds

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2011101623A1 (en) 2011-08-25
GB201002636D0 (en) 2010-03-31

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