WO2011101623A1 - Assistive listening system - Google Patents

Assistive listening system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011101623A1
WO2011101623A1 PCT/GB2011/000203 GB2011000203W WO2011101623A1 WO 2011101623 A1 WO2011101623 A1 WO 2011101623A1 GB 2011000203 W GB2011000203 W GB 2011000203W WO 2011101623 A1 WO2011101623 A1 WO 2011101623A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
signal
audio
hearing aid
hub
listening system
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2011/000203
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Charles Richard Colin Parmley
Stephen David John Jupp
Peter Alan Frederick Roberts
Original Assignee
Hosiden Besson Limited
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 Limited filed Critical Hosiden Besson Limited
Publication of WO2011101623A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011101623A1/en

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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

Definitions

  • 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 amplified 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the microphone is a wireless microphone.
  • a single microphone with suitable sensitivity may serve to monitor a plurality of audio alarm generating devices.
  • 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.
  • the hub is worn around the neck of a user adjacent the hearing aid.
  • the hub may be in a fixed location within the user's home and configured wirelessly to transmit appropriate signals to the hearing aid.
  • 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.
  • FIG 1 shows schematically an embodiment of the invention in practical use.
  • 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.
  • microphone and control hub may be contained in a single device.

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 (2). When an alarm signal event occurs, the microphone (1) picks up this signal and transmits a notification of the signal to a hub (3). 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 iCom™ 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 amplified form to a user's hearing aid.
The iCom™ requires the user to connect the device with a specific audio producing device in order to listen to that device. The iCom™ 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

CLAIMS 1. 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. An assistive listening system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one microphone is wireless. 3. An assistive listening system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the icrophone sensitivity is reduced to a level responsive only at the volume of the monitored audio alarm events. 4. An assistive listening system as claimed in any preceding claim configured to output an audio alarm signal to a hearing aid by 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. 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. An assistive listening system wherein the microphone and hub are embodied in a single device. 7. An assistive listening system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying Figure 1.
PCT/GB2011/000203 2010-02-16 2011-02-15 Assistive listening system WO2011101623A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1002636.7 2010-02-16
GB201002636A GB2477809A (en) 2010-02-16 2010-02-16 Alarm arrangement within an assistive listening system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2011101623A1 true WO2011101623A1 (en) 2011-08-25

Family

ID=42110814

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2011/000203 WO2011101623A1 (en) 2010-02-16 2011-02-15 Assistive listening system

Country Status (2)

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

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015117613A1 (en) * 2014-02-04 2015-08-13 Henrik Hauge Method by controlling and transmitting alarm signals from a number of alarms to an earplug
EP3123744B1 (en) 2014-03-28 2018-11-14 Bellman & Symfon Europe AB Alerting system for deaf or hard of hearing people and application software to be implemented in an electronic device

Families Citing this family (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

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WO1996036301A1 (en) * 1994-03-02 1996-11-21 Ab Transistor A portable modular alarm system
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
WO2007088236A1 (en) * 2006-02-03 2007-08-09 Nokia Corporation 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

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US4777474A (en) * 1987-03-26 1988-10-11 Clayton Jack A Alarm system for the hearing impaired
GB9027784D0 (en) * 1990-12-21 1991-02-13 Northern Light Music Limited Improved hearing aid system
GB9400278D0 (en) * 1994-01-08 1994-03-09 Silver Richard Mini-loop system
CA2213796A1 (en) * 1995-02-23 1996-08-29 Patrick Ryan Costigan A wireless alerting and telecommunications device for the hearing impaired
US7612655B2 (en) * 2006-11-09 2009-11-03 International Business Machines Corporation Alarm system for hearing impaired individuals having hearing assistive implanted devices

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996036301A1 (en) * 1994-03-02 1996-11-21 Ab Transistor A portable modular alarm system
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
WO2007088236A1 (en) * 2006-02-03 2007-08-09 Nokia Corporation 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

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015117613A1 (en) * 2014-02-04 2015-08-13 Henrik Hauge Method by controlling and transmitting alarm signals from a number of alarms to an earplug
EP3123744B1 (en) 2014-03-28 2018-11-14 Bellman & Symfon Europe AB Alerting system for deaf or hard of hearing people and application software to be implemented in an electronic device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201002636D0 (en) 2010-03-31
GB2477809A (en) 2011-08-17

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