The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 25, 1996
Filed:
Jun. 24, 1994
Stephane M d'Alayer de Costemore d'Arc, Genappe, BE;
Staar S.A., Brussels, BE;
Abstract
A control process and apparatus which automatically ensures adjustment of the volume of sound delivered by a sound reproduction source, such as a car radio, as a function of the ambient sound signals so that the user has the sensation of listening to an audio program which is maintained at the same sound level regardless of variations in disturbing noise level. The apparatus uses a microphone which picks up the ambient sound signals and employs computer circuitry operating under program control for determining the average level of the ambient sound signals; circuits are used which supply signals to the computer representing the level of the sound delivered by the sound reproduction source; under program control the computer determines the difference in level between the ambient sound signal and the delivered sound signal to obtain a result (S.sub.OM) representing the value of the user's listening comfort. This value (S.sub.OM) is subtracted from subsequent measurements of the difference between the value of the ambient sound signal and that of the delivered sound signal. This provides the sign and the magnitude of any difference (S) which is then compared with value regions quantifying this difference (S). As a function of a coefficient of membership in each of the value regions, the control process determines, with the aid of possible regions of adjustment, the value of an adjustment factor to be applied to adjust the volume of sound delivered by the sound source.