Abstract: A digital quasi-RMS detector is provided that approximates the time-varying RMS energy of a signal. The digital quasi-RMS detector rectifies the signal and compares the rectified signal with an estimated present energy value of the audio signal. If the difference between the rectified signal and the estimated present energy value is not greater than zero, then the digital quasi-RMS detector multiplies the rectified signal by a first time constant to generate a first filtered signal and sums the first filtered signal with the estimated present energy value to determine the approximate RMS energy. If the difference between the rectified signal and the estimated present energy is greater than zero, however, then the digital quasi-RMS detector multiplies the rectified signal by a second time constant to generate a second filtered signal and sums the second filtered signal with the estimated present energy value to determine the approximate RMS energy.

Abstract: A method for operating a digital, programmable hearing aid is provided that uses both a transmission characteristic of a normal amplification as well as a transmission characteristic of a maximum amplification of an audio signal over a frequency range that can be nearly freely configured. Given a modification of the amplification by settings at the hearing aid as well as using parameters that result from the signal processing, the gain for the overall system is always calculated utilizing all parameters and is potentially limited to the maximum amplification at the respective frequency if this would otherwise be exceeded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a communication system comprising a housing adapted for placement behind an ear, the housing comprising a battery compartment which is pivotally mounted on the housing, and which has a recess. The communication system further comprises an communication element, which has a protruding element adapted for engagement with the recess in the battery compartment in such a manner that the communication element may be pivoted together with the battery compartment. Preferably the communication element when the battery compartment is in a closed position may not be displaced in relation to the communication device housing.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a condenser microphone structure which comprises a microphone housing, a condenser microphone accommodated in the microphone housing to produce a sound signal indicative of a voice sound, first and second terminal connecters provided on the microphone housing in the neighborhood of each other under an insulated state from each other, each of the first and second terminal connecters including a helical spring portion, and an end portion integrally formed with the helical spring portion, the helical spring portion and the end portion being made of an electrically conductive material, the end portions being electrically connected with the condenser microphone to discharge the sound signal from the condenser microphone through the first and second terminal connecters, and an insulating member accommodated in the microphone housing to retain the condenser microphone and the first and second terminal connecters with the microphone housing and to insulate the first terminal connecter from the sec

Abstract: An electro-mechanical transducer, including a magnetic assembly producing a magnetic field having two or more displaced regions of greater intensity, having magnetic flux in substantially similar directions, separated by and surrounded by regions of lower intensity magnetic field, and an electrically conductive and mobile member disposed in and capable of moving through a magnetic field.

Abstract: For reducing the space requirement for locking systems, a battery compartment and an electronics module are locked by means of a single articulation. For removing the battery, the battery compartment is swiveled open; for unlocking the electronics module, the battery compartment is removed from the plate by pulling the wire spring from the receptacles. The articulation thus has a double function.

Abstract: An earphone set includes two earphones and a connecting device. Each of the earphones has a sound output device respectively. The connecting device is connected to the two earphones. It is characterized in that the two earphones output sound signals in the same direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for matching or balancing average signal levels between at least two input signal channels and their respective microphone elements so as to allow a hearing aid or instrument to maintain optimum directional characteristics over time are provided. The hearing aid may comprise an analogue signal processor or a digital signal processor adapted for controlling characteristics, e.g., gain and/or frequency response, of one or more of the input signal channels.

Abstract: In a hearing aid having an oscillation detector and a method for establishing the presence of oscillations in a hearing aid, sinusoidal input signals of the microphone can be detected, and so oscillations that are present can also be detected. To this end, the number of digitized sample values in consecutive periods of the input signal is determined, and a long-term average value NL and a short-term average value NK are formed from these numbers. When NL and NK are essentially identical, the presence of oscillations is detected.

Abstract: A loudspeaker comprising at least one magnet 27, a yoke 24 fixed to a bottom surface of the magnet, a flat plate 26 fixed on an upper surface of the magnet, a magnetic circuit 29 having a magnetic gap 28 formed between the plate and the yoke, and a flat diaphragm 23 provided with a coil 21 disposed above the magnetic gap. The magnet has a width greater than that of the plate, and at least a part of the upper surface of the magnet is exposed so that it directly faces the diaphragm. According to the structure of the present invention, a larger volume magnet can be used without increasing the size of the magnetic circuit. Furthermore, as magnetic flux can be concentrated in an upper region of the magnetic gap, the magnetic circuit becomes efficient and compact. Thus a compact and high-efficiency loudspeaker for high frequency sound reproduction can be provided.

Abstract: This invention discloses a multi-channel audio center speaker device that has a low-frequency sound box working together with a mid-frequency sound box each on both sides, and the low-frequency sound box works with a high-frequency sound box having a forward sound direction and a mid-frequency sound box having a backward sound direction, and both sound boxes are tilted up to an appropriate angle such that after the sound frequencies are mixed, the audio image provided by the sound frequency of the mixed sound is extended backward through the mid/high frequency speaker, and then the image at the back is reflected to the audience in the front, such that the position of placing the center sound box becomes more flexible, and produces a sound together with the simulated video screen at the back. In the meantime, the present invention can reduce or eliminate the impact of the sound being acted directly on the audience to prevent uneasiness and broaden the range of the multi-channel audio sound.

Abstract: A planar magnetic transducer having enhanced magnetic structures which increases performance over a single-ended device but mitigates some of the drawbacks of double ended devices, including a supporting structure, a diaphragm incorporating a coil conductor at least a primary magnetic structure, and a secondary magnetic structure can be added, including mitigation of high frequency resonance and attenuation by providing a more open architecture, including spacing the magnets wider apart, configuring the inter-magnet spaces to provide better acoustic performance, using high-energy magnets, which magnets can be shaped to form at least a part of the shaped inter-magnet space.

Abstract: A headphone based compact disk player is designed to be worn on a user's head in normal fashion and to play a compact disk received within the device through speakers located within the device. The headphone based compact disk player has a first housing having a first speaker therein and a second housing also having a second speaker therein. A bridge connects the two housings. A playing mechanism receives the compact disk through an opening on the first housing and plays the audio track recorded on the compact disk through the speakers. Appropriate control mechanisms are located on the device.

Abstract: A microphone capsule for an in-the-ear hearing aid is disclosed. The capsule can include a top plate having first and second spaced openings defining front and rear sound inlets, and a directional microphone cartridge enclosing a diaphragm. The diaphragm is oriented generally perpendicular to the top plate and divides the directional microphone cartridge housing into a front chamber and a rear chamber. A front sound passage communicates between the front sound inlet and the front chamber, and a rear sound passage communicates between the rear sound inlet and the rear chamber. Front and rear acoustic damping resistors having selected resistance values are associated with the front and rear sound passages. The acoustic resistor pair provides a selected time delay, such as about 4 microseconds, between the front and rear sound passages. The use of two acoustic resistors instead of one levels the frequency response, compared to the frequency response provided by a rear acoustic damping resistor alone.

Abstract: A broad band loudspeaker (101) includes a diaphragm (103) driven by coil assembly (125) centered on a pole (131) of a magnet assembly (133) by a low-friction guide (127) depending from a lower end the coil assembly, and a low-friction guide mounted on an upper end of the pole (131). A suspension (107) for the diaphragm (103) includes two or more parallel, resilient suspension members (115a, 115b), extending between the diaphragm (103) and frame (105) and mounted through a pair of resilient mounting pads (119a, 119b, 125a, 125b). The lower guide (127) includes a flexible portion (151a) which acts like a flapper valve of a pump to create a current of cooling air past down the inside of the coil assembly (125), up the outside of the coil assembly and then out of flux gap (130).

Abstract: A taut armature reciprocating impulse transducer (100) which typically provides a non-linear hardening spring response is adapted to provide a non-linear softening spring response by the addition of magnetic damping elements (106). Two or more taut armature reciprocating impulse transducers (100) can be utilized to produce a mechanical acoustic crossover network (700) which operates to produce a wide frequency response when at least one of the two taut armature reciprocating impulse transducers (100) is adapted to provide a non-linear softening spring response. The mechanical acoustic crossover network (700) allows multiple taut armature reciprocating impulse transducers (100) to be operated together from a signal input. When the mechanical acoustic crossover network (700) is enclosed in a housing (812), the mechanical acoustic crossover network (700) can be operated as a headphone to deliver an audio output.