Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices – Hearing aids – electrical – Wideband gain control
Reexamination Certificate
2007-02-20
2007-02-20
Kuntz, Curtis (Department: 2615)
Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices
Hearing aids, electrical
Wideband gain control
C381S318000
Reexamination Certificate
active
10125184
ABSTRACT:
A multi-channel digital hearing instrument is provided that includes a microphone, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, a sound processor, a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter and a speaker. The microphone receives an acoustical signal and generates an analog audio signal. The A/D converter converts the analog audio signal into a digital audio signal. The sound processor includes channel processing circuitry that filters the digital audio signal into a plurality of frequency band-limited audio signals and that provides an automatic gain control function that permits quieter sounds to be amplified at a higher gain than louder sounds and may be configured to the dynamic hearing range of a particular hearing instrument user. The D/A converter converts the output from the sound processor into an analog audio output signal. The speaker converts the analog audio output signal into an acoustical output signal that is directed into the ear canal of the hearing instrument user.
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Dabney Phylesha
Gennum Corporation
Jones Day
Kuntz Curtis
LandOfFree
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