Phonak Ag

Joseph Maisano

Werner Hottinger

Acoustical signals are registered at two locations to generate two electric signals. Based on the electric signals, the distance from one of the locations to the source of the acoustical signal is calculated to generate a distance signal. The distance signal is amplitude filtered to generate a patterned distance signal. A signal dependent from the electric signal is weighed by the patterned distance signal to generate an output signal representing the acoustical signal.

Method for analyzing an acoustical environment and a system to do so

Acoustical signals are registered at two locations to generate two electric signals. Based on the electric signals, the distance from one of the locations to the source of the acoustical signal is calculated to generate a distance signal. The distance signal is amplitude filtered to generate a patterned distance signal. A signal dependent from the electric signal is weighed by the patterned distance signal to generate an output signal representing the acoustical signal from source distributed in an environment within a distance pattern.

An acoustical beam former is proposed with at least two acoustical/electrical converters ( ) in a predetermined physical distance. The mutual phasing of the output signals of the two converters is detected ( ) and is multiplied by a constant or frequency-dependent factor. In dependency ( ) from multiplied phasing and from at least one of the output signals of the converters ( ) there is generated an electric output signal which has a dependency from spatial impinging direction of acoustical signals to the converters ( ), as if the two converters were located at a virtual distance from each other which is different and especially considerably larger than the real physical distance they are mutually located.

Method for electronically selecting the dependency of an output signal from the spatial angle of acoustic signal impingement and hearing aid apparatus

A predetermined characteristic of amplification in dependency of the direction (&thgr;) from which acoustical signals are received at two spaced apart acoustical/electrical transducers ( ) is formed in that repetitively a mutual delay signal (A ) is determined from the output signals of the transducers and according to the reception delay at the transducers, one (S ) of the output signals is filtered, thereby the filtering transfer characteristic is controlled in dependency of the mutual delay signal (A ). The output signal of the filtering ( ) is exploited as electrical reception signal (S ).

Method for electronically beam forming acoustical signals and acoustical sensor apparatus

So as to shape the spatial amplification characteristic of an acoustical to electrical converter arrangement at least two sub-arrangements (I, II) of converters are provided, generating different spatial amplification characteristics. Frequency domain converted signals ({tilde over (S)} ) which are proportional to the output signals of the sub-arrangement are compared in a unit ( ) on respective spectral frequencies (f ) and there is generated at the output of the comparing unit ( ) a binary spectral comparison result signal (A ). Signals ({tilde over (S)} ) which are as well proportional to the output signals of the sub-arrangements (I, II) are fed to a switching unit ( ). For each spectral frequency (f ) the control signal from unit , as a binary spectral signal, controls the spectral amplitude of which of the two input signals ({tilde over (S)} ) is passed to the output (A ) of the switching unit and of the arrangement.

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Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Joseph Maisano