EP4497247A1 - Audiosystem - Google Patents
AudiosystemInfo
- Publication number
- EP4497247A1 EP4497247A1 EP23705228.7A EP23705228A EP4497247A1 EP 4497247 A1 EP4497247 A1 EP 4497247A1 EP 23705228 A EP23705228 A EP 23705228A EP 4497247 A1 EP4497247 A1 EP 4497247A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- audio system
- frequency band
- audio
- frequency
- hearing test
- 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
Links
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R3/00—Circuits for transducers
- H04R3/04—Circuits for transducers for correcting frequency response
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
- A61B5/12—Audiometering
- A61B5/121—Audiometering evaluating hearing capacity
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03G—CONTROL OF AMPLIFICATION
- H03G5/00—Tone control or bandwidth control in amplifiers
- H03G5/005—Tone control or bandwidth control in amplifiers of digital signals
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03G—CONTROL OF AMPLIFICATION
- H03G9/00—Combinations of two or more types of control, e.g. gain control and tone control
- H03G9/005—Combinations of two or more types of control, e.g. gain control and tone control of digital or coded signals
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03G—CONTROL OF AMPLIFICATION
- H03G9/00—Combinations of two or more types of control, e.g. gain control and tone control
- H03G9/02—Combinations of two or more types of control, e.g. gain control and tone control in untuned amplifiers
- H03G9/025—Combinations of two or more types of control, e.g. gain control and tone control in untuned amplifiers frequency-dependent volume compression or expansion, e.g. multiple-band systems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Electric hearing aids
- H04R25/50—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics
- H04R25/505—Customised settings for obtaining desired overall acoustical characteristics using digital signal processing
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R25/00—Electric hearing aids
- H04R25/70—Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R3/00—Circuits for transducers
- H04R3/12—Circuits for transducers for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; 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; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2205/00—Details of stereophonic arrangements covered by H04R5/00 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
- H04R2205/041—Adaptation of stereophonic signal reproduction for the hearing impaired
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2430/00—Signal processing covered by H04R, not provided for in its groups
- H04R2430/03—Synergistic effects of band splitting and sub-band processing
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R2499/00—Aspects covered by H04R or H04S not otherwise provided for in their subgroups
- H04R2499/10—General applications
- H04R2499/13—Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
Definitions
- Audio system for the reproduction of amplified output audio signals by means of at least one loudspeaker of the audio system, the audio system for controlling the loudspeaker having a signal processing unit which has a digital signal processor and at least one digital/analog converter and at least one amplifier, wherein the signal processing unit is connected or connectable to a data source for providing input audio signals to be amplified or the data source is integrated into the signal processing unit, wherein the audio system has a playback operating mode for reproducing the amplified output audio signals and a hearing test operating mode for carrying out at least one frequency-dependent hearing test with a listening person and additionally one Data memory for storing a result of the at least one frequency-dependent hearing test carried out with the audio system.
- Audio systems are now known in a variety of designs and for a variety of applications. They are also used to play music and spoken text as well as a variety of other audio signals. Audio systems are used both in private environments, such as in your own apartment, but also at smaller and larger events and the like. As people get older, their hearing gradually deteriorates without the person immediately noticing it. The onset of hearing loss is one of the most common everyday problems. It often leads to voices and dialogues becoming increasingly difficult to understand, for example when watching television or listening to other audio signals. As a rule, however, this deterioration does not occur uniformly across the entire audible frequency spectrum. Rather, it is often the case that the hearing ability of different people changes or deteriorates very individually in different frequency ranges.
- a generic audio system which allows the person listening to carry out a frequency-dependent hearing test in order to then take this into account later when playing back amplified output audio signals, is known, for example, from DE 102006 015 497 B4.
- the object of the invention is to further improve such audio systems as mentioned at the beginning, in which the person listening can carry out the frequency-dependent hearing test themselves.
- the invention proposes, based on an audio system mentioned at the beginning, that the Loudspeaker is a multi-way loudspeaker with at least two different frequency band speakers for reproducing the amplified output audio signal, the at least two different frequency band speakers having different useful frequency bands from one another.
- the loudspeaker is a so-called multi-way loudspeaker, in which two or more frequency band speakers are provided, which are different from one another Have useful frequency bands. Different from each other means that the useful frequency bands are not identical. However, they may overlap or be completely separate from each other.
- the reproduction of the amplified output audio signal via at least two different frequency band drivers, which differ in their useful frequency bands, has the advantage that the output audio signal can be reproduced much better over its entire frequency spectrum than in the prior art, in which the entire frequency spectrum of the output audio signal is reproduced via a single frequency band speaker or a single loudspeaker. In this way, the result of the frequency-dependent hearing test carried out with the audio system itself by the listening person can be used much better to individually compensate for specific hearing impairments in the frequency spectrum for at least one listening person.
- the listening person can do this independently and without the help of third parties and, in particular, without having to go to the hearing care professional
- the respective person can also monitor the development of their own hearing and detect changes in individual hearing at an early stage.
- the result of the frequency-dependent hearing test carried out with the audio system, stored in the data memory of the audio system can also be displayed graphically on a corresponding screen or the like, for example of the audio system.
- frequency-dependent hearing tests can also be displayed at the same time in order to visualize changes and enable monitoring of the development of individual hearing ability. It may just as well be possible for audio systems according to the invention to provide a possibility of subsequently manually editing the results of the frequency-dependent hearing test recorded with the audio system and stored in the data memory. Multiple results from frequency-dependent hearing tests can also be stored in the audio system's data memory. This can be, for example, hearing tests from different people. It is equally possible to perform a frequency-dependent hearing test on a person's right ear and another frequency-dependent hearing test on a person's left ear and store the results of these hearing tests in the data storage.
- averaging of two or more such frequency-dependent hearing tests can also be carried out become. This can be used, for example, to determine and store an average gain function for several people in the audio system according to the invention and use it for the playback of amplified output audio signals.
- the results of frequency-dependent hearing tests with the right ear and the left ear can also be averaged for a single person in order to then use this to play back amplified output audio signals in the audio system according to the invention.
- the hearing ability of the respective person or the respective ear of the person is determined over the usually audible frequency range depending on the different frequencies.
- the frequency-dependent hearing test therefore reflects hearing ability as a function of frequency.
- the lower limit of hearing ability i.e. the hearing threshold
- the hearing threshold is usually determined.
- audio signals with certain frequencies can be played back one after the other, initially quietly and then increasingly loudly.
- the hearing threshold at that frequency is determined.
- the audio system is connected or can be connected to an input unit that can be operated by the listening person in order to carry out the frequency-dependent hearing test, or that this input unit is integrated into the audio system.
- the input unit can be connected to the audio system wirelessly or wired.
- the input unit can of course also be integrated directly into the audio system.
- it can be a simple wired one Act as a push button that the person can press as soon as they hear the signal at the respective frequency.
- it can also be wireless remote controls or the like.
- modern communication devices such as telephones, smartphones, tablets, browser-based interfaces and the like can just as easily be integrated into the audio system or work together with them in order to be used as an input unit.
- a menu control for carrying out the hearing test for the respective person or the result of the respective hearing test can then also be displayed on the screen of this input unit.
- the individual discomfort threshold can also be determined in a frequency-dependent manner in the frequency-dependent hearing test. This indicates the maximum volume at which sounds can be reproduced at a certain frequency for the respective person or ear, so that the individual does not perceive this as disturbing or too loud.
- the input units mentioned can also be used for carrying out the frequency-dependent hearing test.
- the result of measuring the discomfort threshold can be used, for example, to limit the maximum volume when the amplified output audio signals are played back by the audio system.
- suitable input units such as smartphones, tablets or the like can also be used to ensure that the audio system automatically recognizes which person is currently using the audio system.
- the audio system can then also be stored individually for the person in the data storage Use the saved result of the frequency-dependent hearing test to play back amplified output audio signals.
- the stored result of the frequency-dependent hearing test can be a frequency-dependent hearing loss curve per se but also a frequency-dependent amplification function that has already been calculated from it.
- Audio systems according to the invention are used to reproduce audio signals that are amplified depending on the frequency-dependent hearing tests.
- the amplified audio signals reproduced by the audio system in the playback operating mode are referred to as output audio signals.
- the audio system could also be referred to as an audio system or an audio playback device or the like.
- the input audio signal to be amplified by the audio system is an audio signal that the audio system reads from a data source, amplifies depending on the frequency-dependent hearing test and then reproduces it as an output audio signal.
- the input audio signal is the audio signal that is read in from the data source by the audio system.
- the data source can be connected or connectable to the audio system. The type of connection can be both wireless and wired.
- the data source can also be integrated directly into the signal processing unit of the audio system.
- the data source is a known memory on which audio signals can be stored here as input audio signals.
- the data source can also be a radio, the audio output of a television or any other data source that is connected or connectable to the audio system and from which corresponding audio signals can be downloaded or read in as input audio signals for amplification by the audio system.
- audio systems according to the invention have a playback operating mode in which amplified output audio signals are played back.
- audio systems according to the invention also have a hearing test operating mode, which is used to carry out the at least one frequency-dependent hearing test and then also to store the result.
- audio systems according to the invention have at least one so-called multi-way loudspeaker as a loudspeaker.
- Reusable loudspeakers are loudspeakers with two or more frequency band speakers, whereby the frequency band speakers differ in their useful frequency bands.
- Frequency band speakers are sound generators or sound transducers that are optimized for the reproduction of audio signals in a special, limited useful frequency band.
- the useful frequency band is the frequency band in which the respective frequency band speaker can optimally reproduce sound or tones due to its design.
- such frequency band speakers are also referred to as tweeters, midrange drivers or woofers, depending on the position of their useful frequency band.
- a multi-way loudspeaker according to the invention can have two, three, four or even more frequency band speakers with different useful frequency bands.
- the multi-way loudspeaker has three frequency band drivers, namely a tweeter, a midrange driver and a woofer.
- the frequency band speakers are the parts of the reusable loudspeaker that convert corresponding electrical signals into sound or tones and thus reproduce the amplified output audio signal.
- Audio systems according to the invention can be designed as so-called all-in-one systems, which, apart from possibly a corresponding connection to a data source for the input audio signals and a power connection, do not require any other external connections for their function.
- Audio systems according to the invention can be designed with appropriate interfaces to the Internet, an intranet or other audio systems in order to specifically allow data exchange with external systems. What is specifically desired here can be individually adapted to your needs. Audio systems according to the invention can be composed of various components. However, alternatives also provide for audio systems according to the invention to be designed in a single housing as an individual, self-contained device.
- the multi-way loudspeaker and/or the data source for providing the input audio signal to be amplified can even be integrated into the one housing in which the entire audio system is located.
- the at least one multi-way loudspeaker can, for example, also be arranged in its own separate housing.
- the audio system can also have additional output options via headphones, structure-borne sound transducers and additional speakers and/or devices. Suitable interfaces are known per se in the prior art. It is also possible that the audio system is equipped to determine and take into account the room acoustics. The measurement of room acoustics is known per se in the prior art and can be integrated in this way into audio systems according to the invention.
- the invention also relates to a method according to the invention for operating such an audio system. This provides that when the output audio signal is played back, the audio system only controls the at least two mutually different frequency band speakers in their respective useful frequency bands.
- audio systems according to the invention can also use the multi-way loudspeaker to carry out the at least one frequency-dependent hearing test.
- a method for operating an audio system it can be provided that when the at least one frequency-dependent hearing test is carried out with the listening person, hearing test audio signals are emitted by the audio system via the at least two mutually different frequency band toners, the respective hearing test audio signal being emitted via the frequency band toner , in whose useful frequency band this respective hearing test audio signal lies.
- another loudspeaker for example a disposable loudspeaker
- headphones or bone headphones can be used as disposable speakers to carry out the frequency-dependent hearing test.
- each frequency band speaker is preceded by its own amplifier with its own level controller. It is particularly preferred that each level controller is preceded by its own digital/analog converter, whereby the digital/analog converters can be controlled by the digital signal processor.
- the respective digital/analog converters, level controllers and amplifiers can be designed as separate components in the signal processing unit of the audio system according to the invention and connected in series.
- controllable digital amplifiers with a digital input, which have the functionality of a digital/analog converter, a level controller and also an amplifier and thus directly control the respective frequency band speaker as an integrated embodiment of these components.
- the respective amplifier can be a pure analog amplifier. But it can also be a digital amplifier, which records and amplifies an analog audio signal in order to deliver it as an amplified signal to the frequency band speaker. It could also be a so-called hybrid amplifier that combines analog and digital amplification technology.
- Audio systems according to the invention can be configured in such a way that the digital signal processor controls the respective frequency band toner via its own digital/analog converter, its own level controller and its own amplifier only in the useful frequency band of the respective frequency band toner. In the sense of the method according to the invention, it is then provided that the respective frequency band toner is controlled by the digital signal processor via its own digital/analog converter, its own level controller and its own amplifier only in the useful frequency band of the respective frequency band toner.
- the audio system has a master processor for controlling the digital signal processor and the level controller.
- Such audio systems can then be configured in such a way that the control processor controls the respective amplifiers via the respective level controllers using a level that is uniform in the respective useful frequency band of the respective frequency band toner.
- the respective amplifiers are controlled by the master processor via the respective level controllers by means of a level that is uniform in the respective useful frequency band of the respective frequency band toner.
- the master processor and/or the digital signal processor determines the uniform level in the respective useful frequency band depending on the stored result of the frequency-dependent hearing test in the respective useful frequency band.
- the uniform level in the respective useful frequency band can be determined, for example, as an average of the gain function determined from the hearing test in this frequency band.
- FIG. 1 a first schematic representation of an embodiment of an audio system according to the invention
- Fig. 2 is a representation in which the components from Fig. 1 are shown in more detail
- 3 shows an example of a measured frequency-dependent hearing loss curve
- 4 shows a representation of a frequency-dependent amplification function determined from the hearing loss curve according to FIG.
- FIG. 3 shows a rough adjustment determined therefrom; 5 shows the fine adjustment associated with the gain function and the coarse adjustment from FIG. 4; 6 shows a representation with two different frequency-dependent hearing loss curves; 7 shows the frequency-dependent gain functions determined from the hearing loss curves according to FIG. 6 and a gain function averaged therefrom; Fig. 8 shows an extension of the audio system from Fig. 1; 9 shows an example of an audio system according to the invention which can be used in connection with a home cinema; 10 shows an audio system according to the invention integrated into a vehicle; 11 and 12 audio systems according to the invention for supplying different zones in a house.
- An audio system 1 according to the invention is shown in highly schematic form in FIG.
- the signal processing unit 24 is connected to an external data source 5 in this exemplary embodiment.
- the audio system 1 has a multi-way loudspeaker 11.
- this includes three frequency band speakers 12, 13 and 14.
- the frequency band speaker 12 is a tweeter
- the frequency band speaker 13 is a midrange speaker
- the frequency band speaker 14 is a woofer.
- the frequency band speakers 12, 13 and 14 therefore have different useful frequency bands 15, 16 and 17.
- the multi-way loudspeaker 11 can be integrated directly into a housing 40 of the audio system 1, in which the signal processing unit 24 is also located.
- the dashed line in Fig. 1 indicates that the multi-way loudspeaker 11 can also be arranged in its own housing, i.e. detached from the housing 40 of the audio system 1, as shown in Fig. 2.
- the data source 5 could of course also be an internal data source which is integrated into the signal processing unit 24. Several different data sources 5 can also be connected to the signal processing unit 24 or integrated into it.
- the audio system 1 according to FIG. 1 has an input unit 23 that can be operated by the listening person 6. As explained at the beginning, this input unit 23 can be connected or connectable to the audio system 1 wirelessly or also by wire. It is also possible to integrate the input unit 23 directly into the housing 40 of the audio system 1. The fact that there are a wide variety of options for the input unit 23 has already been explained at the beginning. Reference is made here. The structure of the signal processing unit 24 of the audio system 1 from FIG. 1 is now shown in more detail in FIG.
- the signal processing unit 24 includes a digital signal processor 2, several digital/analog converters 3, several level controllers 18 and several amplifiers 4. It can be clearly seen that in this exemplary embodiment, too, each frequency band toner 12, 13 and 14 has its own amplifier 4 with its own Level controller 18 is connected upstream. The respective level controller 18 is then preceded by its own digital/analog converter 3. The digital/analog converters 3 are controlled by the digital signal processor 2. It is therefore possible for the digital signal processor 2 to control each frequency band speaker 12, 13 and 14 via its own digital/analog converter 3, its own level controller 18 and its own amplifier 4 only in the useful frequency band 15, 16, 17 of the respective one Frequency band toner 12, 13 and 14 is controlled.
- the digital signal processor 2 thus ensures that each of the frequency band drivers 12, 13 and 14 is only controlled in the frequency band which corresponds to the useful frequency band 15, 16 and 17 specified by its design.
- the audio system 1 or its signal processing unit 24 preferably has a master processor 19, which is also implemented in this exemplary embodiment.
- This control processor 19 conveniently controls the respective level controllers 18 of the respective amplifiers 4 by means of a level 20, 21 and 22 that is uniform in the respective useful frequency band 15, 16, 17 of the respective frequency band toner 12, 13, 14. This will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 4.
- the audio system 1 or its signal processing unit 24 also has a data memory 10.
- the results of one or more frequency-dependent hearing tests carried out with the audio system 1 can be recorded.
- the components of the signal processing unit 24 shown individually here in FIG. 2 can be designed as shown schematically here. However, it is also possible to combine various components together to form an integrated component.
- the digital signal processor 2 and the master processor 19 could be combined to form a common processor. This could also take over the storage function of the data memory 10.
- the external data source 5 could also, as already stated, be integrated into the signal processing unit 24 or into the master processor 19 or the digital signal processor 2.
- the chain consisting of digital/analog converter 3, level controller 18 and amplifier 4 leading to one of the frequency band speakers 12, 13 and 14 from the digital signal processor 2 could each be designed as a single component.
- the respective chain of digital/analog converter 3, level controller 18 and amplifier 4 could also be designed as a correspondingly controllable digital amplifier with a digital input, which takes over the functionalities of the digital/analog converter 3, the level controller 18 and the amplifier 4 in one.
- Such controllable digital amplifiers with digital input would then be controlled accordingly by the master processor 19.
- the amplifiers 4 can each be pure analog amplifiers or digital amplifiers, which output a corresponding analog signal to the respective frequency band speakers 12, 13 and 14.
- 1 and 2 also illustrate the possibility of designing audio systems 1 according to the invention as stand-alone systems that function alone.
- the signal processing unit 24 and its components shown in FIG. 2 can be integrated into a single, common housing 40.
- the multi-way speaker 11, the data source 5 and, if desired, the input unit 23 can also be integrated into this housing 40 of the audio system 1. Due to the data storage 10, such audio systems 1 can be operated completely independently in both the playback operating mode and the hearing test operating mode without a connection to the Internet or an intranet or to other networks. Of course, this does not exclude the possibility that audio systems 1 according to the invention can also communicate with other audio systems 1 or other devices such as televisions or cinema systems via appropriate networks for targeted data exchange.
- 3 now shows an example of a hearing loss curve 25, as could be determined in the hearing test operating mode of the audio system 1 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in the course of a frequency-dependent hearing test with the listening person 6. In Fig.
- the hearing loss HV in decibels is plotted against the frequency f in Hertz.
- the crosses show the measuring points, i.e. the measuring frequencies, at which the hearing threshold, i.e. the lower limit, is actually reached during the frequency-dependent hearing test hearing ability was determined.
- an initially very quiet audio signal is emitted by the audio system 1 according to FIGS.
- the listening person 6 hears the signal, he or she sends a corresponding signal to the signal processing unit 24 via the input unit 23.
- the value marked with the respective cross in FIG. 3 is stored in the data memory 10, the same process is then carried out with the other measuring frequencies, so that in total the sequence of measuring points shown by the crosses in FIG. 3 results.
- the hearing loss curve 25 can then be generated via a corresponding interpolation between the measuring points and stored as such by the audio system 1 in the data memory 10 as the result of the frequency-dependent hearing test.
- the frequency-dependent amplification function 26 shown as an example in FIG. 4 is then calculated in the digital signal processor 2, which is intended to compensate for the hearing losses contained in the hearing loss curve 25 recorded individually for the respective person 6.
- the frequency-dependent amplification function 26 could also be stored in the data memory 10 as a result of the frequency-dependent hearing test. 3 and 4 already show the useful frequency bands 15, 16 and 17 of the frequency band speakers 12, 13 and 14 used in the multi-way loudspeaker 11 of the audio system 1.
- the tweeter 12 has the useful frequency band 17
- the midrange driver 13 has the useful frequency band 16
- the woofer 14 has the useful frequency band 15.
- the control processor 19 or the digital signal processor 2 calculate depending on the stored result Frequency-dependent hearing tests in the respective useful frequency band 15, 16 and 17 then each have a level 20, 21 and 22 that are uniform for the respective useful frequency band 15, 16 and 17.
- the sections of the amplification function 26 in the respective useful frequency band are preferred 15, 16 and 17 are each averaged, as shown in Fig. 4.
- other calculation rules can also be used instead of averaging.
- the coarse adjustment 27 results from the juxtaposition of the levels 20, 21 and 22.
- This coarse adjustment 27 is carried out in the analog range with reference to FIG. so that the respective amplifiers 4 carry out the corresponding level amplification in the respective useful frequency bands 15, 16 and 17.
- the fine adjustment 28, takes place in the digital range by means of the digital signal processor 2.
- Fig. 5 shows an example of the course of the fine adjustment 28.
- the respective gain V in decibels as a function of the frequency f in Hertz is shown in FIGS.
- the sum of the analogue rough adjustment 27 and the digital fine adjustment 28 results in the amplification function 26 required to compensate for the hearing loss curve 25, as shown in FIG.
- FIGS For the sake of completeness, it should be noted in relation to FIGS.
- the hearing loss curves 25 are congruent in the middle frequency ranges, but differ significantly from one another in the lower and higher frequencies. This can be, for example, hearing loss curves 25 which were recorded with different people 6, 7, 8, 9. It could just as easily be hearing loss curves 25 of a single person, for example the hearing loss curve 25 marked by the crosses was recorded with the person's left ear and the hearing loss curve 25 marked with the circles was recorded with the right ear of this person. 7 now first shows the gain functions 26 calculated from the two hearing loss curves 25 from FIG. 6, as well as an average gain function 29 calculated by averaging these two gain functions 26. In FIG Hertz.
- Such averages can be used, for example, to create an average gain function 29 for different hearing losses in the right and left ears to calculate 6, 7, 8, 9 for a single person.
- Average amplification functions 29 can also be used just as well when it comes to achieving an average type of amplification with the audio system 1 for people 6, 7, 8, 9 with different levels of hearing loss.
- the division into rough adjustment 27 and fine adjustment 28 and the amplification of the input audio signals based on this takes place with averaged gain functions 29 in the same way as is explained by way of example with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 for the gain function 26 shown there.
- the audio system 1 according to the invention which is shown in FIG. 8, is an extension of the audio system 1 from FIG. 1. Reference is therefore first made to the description of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 8 now illustrates by way of example that the audio system 1 can also be connected or connectable to several data sources 5 to provide input audio signals to be amplified.
- several data sources 5 can also be integrated into the signal processing unit 24.
- FIG. 8 also illustrates that the audio system 1 may have multiple input units 23 and also various output units for reproducing amplified output audio signals.
- a headphone 30 and a bone receiver 31 are provided, with which the additional people 7 and 8 can be supplied.
- the headphones 30 and also the bone headphones 31 can be used for both the hearing test operating mode and the playback operating mode.
- the frequency-dependent hearing test both via the reusable loudspeaker 11 and via the headphones 30 and can also be carried out via the bone receiver 31. If, as shown in Fig. 8, several people 6, 7 and 8 are to be supplied with output audio signals, a separate frequency-dependent hearing test can be carried out for each person 6, 7 and 8 with the audio system 1 and stored in the data memory 10. Above all, it is also possible with the headphones 30 to carry out a hearing test separately for the left ear and the right ear on a person, here for example person 7, in order to then store this in the data memory 10 and for playback in the playback operating mode of the amplification of the amplified output audio signals.
- the frequency-dependent hearing tests are carried out and the amplification function 26 is calculated from the hearing loss curve 25 in each case as described above, with the amplified output audio signal being reproduced in the form according to the invention, for example via the reusable loudspeaker 11.
- the gain functions 26 can be averaged, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. For example, to generate an averaged gain function for different people 6, 7 and/or 8 or an averaged gain function 29 for a person 6, 7 and/or 8 in which separate frequency-dependent hearing tests were carried out with the right and left ears.
- amplified output audio signals can be reproduced according to the invention via the multi-way loudspeaker 11; the amplified output audio signals can initially also be reproduced in accordance with the prior art via the headphones 30 and the bone receiver 31.
- a modification according to the invention is also possible here, for example by having people 7 and 8 transmit the amplified output audio signals via the frequency band speakers 12, 13, 14 of the reusable loudspeaker 11 and additionally received specifically amplified in the useful frequency band of the headphones 30 and/or the bone receiver 31.
- the headphones 30 and/or the bone headphones 31 can then be used, so to speak, as an additional frequency band speaker of the reusable loudspeaker 11.
- Fig. 9 shows an audio system 1 for a home cinema 32 in a schematic representation. The screen and projector used to display the images are not shown here. In the example shown in FIG.
- the audio system 1 has a total of seven multi-way loudspeakers 11, each with two frequency band speakers 12 and 14, i.e. each with a tweeter and a woofer.
- Three of the reusable speakers 11 are arranged to the left of the person 6.
- Three further reusable loudspeakers 11 are located on the right side of the person 6.
- Reusable loudspeaker 11 carries out a frequency-dependent hearing test and these seven frequency-dependent listening tests are stored in the data memory 10 of the audio system 1, so that for each of these reusable loudspeakers 11 in the to generate its own amplification function 26 with the corresponding rough adjustment 27 and fine adjustment 28 in the manner described in principle, so that the amplified output audio signals are played back via each of the seven multi-way loudspeakers 11, taking into account the respective stored amplification function 26.
- FIG. 10 shows an example of an embodiment of an audio system 1 according to the invention, as can be used in a vehicle 33.
- the structure of the signal processing unit 24 and its mode of operation basically correspond to the variants described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7, with a corresponding duplication of the components.
- the structure of this Audio system 1 in FIG. 10 is similar to the structure of the audio system 1 in FIG amplified output audio signals.
- each person 6, 7, 8 and 9 can carry out one or more of their own frequency-dependent hearing tests and the gain functions 26 generated from them with their rough adjustment 27 and fine adjustment 28 or correspondingly averaged gain functions 29 can also be used with coarse adjustment 27 and fine adjustment 28 for the amplification in the audio system 1.
- a wide variety of variants are conceivable here.
- a simple variant, for example, is that only the driver 6 of the vehicle 33 carries out a frequency-dependent hearing test and all multi-way loudspeakers 11 in the vehicle 33 are controlled with the same amplification function 26.
- the multi-way speakers 11 can be combined into groups, for example into a group on the left 41 and a group on the right 42.
- FIG. 11 shows schematically a variant of an audio system 1 according to the invention, in which a central signal processing unit 24 of the audio system 1 is used for this purpose is to output correspondingly amplified output audio signals via different multi-way speakers 11 in different rooms 35, 36, 37 and 38.
- the person 6, 7, 8 or 9 staying in the room 35, 36, 37 or 38 can carry out a frequency-dependent hearing test using the input unit 23 present there with the existing reusable loudspeaker 11, so that its result is in the manner already described stored in the data memory 10 and can be called up in this room 35, 36, 37 or 38 for the corresponding generation of the output audio signal.
- several data sources 5 can be used to feed different input audio signals into the audio system 1 and to amplify them there accordingly.
- the structure and functionality of the signal processing unit 24 corresponds to the procedure described at the beginning with regard to FIGS. 1 to 7, with a corresponding duplication of the components.
- FIG Registered audio systems 1 exchange the stored frequency-dependent hearing tests of one or more people 6, 7, 8 and 9 with each other, preferably without access to external databases, in order to obtain the frequency-dependent amplification functions 26 or correspondingly averaged ones To determine amplification functions 29 and the resulting rough adjustment 27 and fine adjustment 28 for several rooms 35, 36, 37 or 38 and audio systems 1.
- an additionally supplemented audio system 1 can use the parameters of an already existing audio system 1 as required.
- the network 39 can be a wired or wireless network, such as a LAN, WLAN or Bluetooth.
- 1 audio system 28 fine adjustment 2 digital 29 average signal processor amplification function 3 digital/analog converter 30 headphones 4 amplifier 31 bone headphones 5 data source 32 home cinema 6 person 33 vehicle 7 person 34 multiroom 8 person 35 room 9 person 36 room 10 data storage 37 Room 11 Multi-way loudspeaker 38 Room 12 Frequency band speaker 39 Network 13 Frequency band speaker 40 Housing 14 Frequency band speaker 41 Left group 15 Usable frequency band 42 Right group 16 Usable frequency band 17 Usable frequency band 18 Level control 19 Lead processor 20 Level 21 Level 22 Level 23 Input unit 24 Signal processing unit 25 Hearing loss curve 26 Gain function 27 coarse adjustment
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Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATA74/2022A AT525364B1 (de) | 2022-03-22 | 2022-03-22 | Audiosystem |
| PCT/EP2023/053414 WO2023179966A1 (de) | 2022-03-22 | 2023-02-13 | Audiosystem |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP4497247A1 true EP4497247A1 (de) | 2025-01-29 |
Family
ID=85239085
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP23705228.7A Pending EP4497247A1 (de) | 2022-03-22 | 2023-02-13 | Audiosystem |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20250193594A1 (de) |
| EP (1) | EP4497247A1 (de) |
| JP (1) | JP2025514910A (de) |
| KR (1) | KR20240165970A (de) |
| CN (1) | CN119014008A (de) |
| AT (1) | AT525364B1 (de) |
| WO (1) | WO2023179966A1 (de) |
Family Cites Families (21)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4583245A (en) * | 1984-06-14 | 1986-04-15 | Renkus-Heinz, Inc. | Speaker system protection circuit |
| JP2681349B2 (ja) * | 1986-08-08 | 1997-11-26 | ヤマハ株式会社 | スピーカ再生装置 |
| US6072885A (en) * | 1994-07-08 | 2000-06-06 | Sonic Innovations, Inc. | Hearing aid device incorporating signal processing techniques |
| US20050135644A1 (en) * | 2003-12-23 | 2005-06-23 | Yingyong Qi | Digital cell phone with hearing aid functionality |
| EP1675431B1 (de) * | 2004-12-22 | 2015-11-18 | Bernafon AG | Hörgerät mit Frequenzkanälen |
| US7564979B2 (en) * | 2005-01-08 | 2009-07-21 | Robert Swartz | Listener specific audio reproduction system |
| DK2432255T3 (da) * | 2005-01-14 | 2013-10-14 | Phonak Ag | Høreapparat |
| RU2008142956A (ru) * | 2006-03-31 | 2010-05-10 | Конинклейке Филипс Электроникс Н.В. (Nl) | Устройство для обработки данных и способ обработки данных |
| DE102006015497B4 (de) | 2006-04-03 | 2008-01-10 | Nebel, Wolfgang, Dr. | Audiosystem und Verfahren sowie Computerprogramm und Datenträger der das Computerprogramm enthält zur Anpassung der Übertragungsfunktion eines Audiosystems mittels Sprachsteuerung |
| WO2012033942A2 (en) * | 2010-09-10 | 2012-03-15 | Dts, Inc. | Dynamic compensation of audio signals for improved perceived spectral imbalances |
| US20150281853A1 (en) * | 2011-07-11 | 2015-10-01 | SoundFest, Inc. | Systems and methods for enhancing targeted audibility |
| DE102013106967A1 (de) * | 2013-07-03 | 2015-01-08 | Kurt Harders | Hörhilfe |
| US9191758B2 (en) * | 2013-10-24 | 2015-11-17 | Logitech Europe, S.A. | Manufacturing process for a custom fit in-ear monitor utilizing a single piece driver module |
| US9402145B2 (en) * | 2014-01-24 | 2016-07-26 | Sony Corporation | Wireless speaker system with distributed low (bass) frequency |
| US10136240B2 (en) * | 2015-04-20 | 2018-11-20 | Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation | Processing audio data to compensate for partial hearing loss or an adverse hearing environment |
| DK3369258T3 (da) * | 2015-10-29 | 2021-01-18 | Widex As | System og fremgangsmåde til håndtering af en tilpasselig konfiguration i et høreapparat |
| GB2557178B (en) * | 2016-11-29 | 2020-01-01 | Jaguar Land Rover Ltd | Improvements relating to hearing assistance in vehicles |
| DE102017117569A1 (de) * | 2017-08-02 | 2019-02-07 | Alexander Augst | Verfahren, System, Anwendergerät sowie ein Computerprogramm zum Erzeugen eines in einem stationären Wohnraum auszugebenden Audiosignals |
| US10997970B1 (en) * | 2019-07-30 | 2021-05-04 | Abbas Rafii | Methods and systems implementing language-trainable computer-assisted hearing aids |
| US11622197B2 (en) * | 2020-08-28 | 2023-04-04 | Sony Group Corporation | Audio enhancement for hearing impaired in a shared listening environment |
| US11706580B2 (en) * | 2020-11-02 | 2023-07-18 | Otto Engineering, Inc. | Multi-input push-to-talk switch with binaural spatial audio positioning |
-
2022
- 2022-03-22 AT ATA74/2022A patent/AT525364B1/de active
-
2023
- 2023-02-13 JP JP2024556096A patent/JP2025514910A/ja active Pending
- 2023-02-13 WO PCT/EP2023/053414 patent/WO2023179966A1/de not_active Ceased
- 2023-02-13 CN CN202380029255.8A patent/CN119014008A/zh active Pending
- 2023-02-13 US US18/845,972 patent/US20250193594A1/en active Pending
- 2023-02-13 KR KR1020247033858A patent/KR20240165970A/ko active Pending
- 2023-02-13 EP EP23705228.7A patent/EP4497247A1/de active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN119014008A (zh) | 2024-11-22 |
| AT525364B1 (de) | 2023-03-15 |
| US20250193594A1 (en) | 2025-06-12 |
| KR20240165970A (ko) | 2024-11-25 |
| AT525364A4 (de) | 2023-03-15 |
| JP2025514910A (ja) | 2025-05-13 |
| WO2023179966A1 (de) | 2023-09-28 |
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