Dual hearing protection system

Abstract

A hearing protection system is provided. The hearing protection system has a first active hearing protection system. The first active hearing protection system is level dependent. The hearing protection system also has a second active hearing protection system. The second active hearing protection system is level dependent. Each of the first active hearing protection system and the second active hearing protection system is configured to operate in an independent mode and a dual protection mode. The dual protection mode level dependent function of the second active hearing protection system is different than the independent mode level dependent function.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] There are two main types of hearing protectors—those designed to be worn over the ear and those designed to be worn inside the ear. Some hearing protectors use sound-blocking materials to passively reduce the sound entering the user's ear. Others have additional electronic circuitry to actively process ambient sound to a safe level. Summary of the Invention

[0002] A hearing protection system is provided. The hearing protection system has a first active hearing protection system. The first active hearing protection system is level-dependent. The hearing protection system also has a second active hearing protection system. The second active hearing protection system is level-dependent. Each of the first and second active hearing protection systems is configured to operate in an independent mode and a dual protection mode. The level-dependent function of the dual protection mode of the second active hearing protection system differs from the level-dependent function of the independent mode.

[0003] The foregoing description is not intended to depict every exemplary embodiment or every implementation of this disclosure. Further features and advantages are disclosed in the following embodiments. The accompanying drawings and detailed description illustrate more specifically certain embodiments using the principles disclosed herein. Attached Figure Description

[0004] Figure 1 A dual hearing protection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0005] Figure 2 This is a block diagram of a dual hearing protection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0006] Figure 3 A diagram showing the components of a dual hearing protection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0007] Figure 4 A method for entering dual hearing protection modes for a hearing protection unit system is shown.

[0008] Figure 5 A method for processing sound to a safe level using a dual hearing protection system is shown.

[0009] Figure 6 A method for processing sound to a safe level using a networked dual hearing protection system is shown.

[0010] Figures 7A-7D An exemplary sound attenuation curve discussed in the embodiments is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0011] Passive hearing protection can be as simple as an inflatable foam product designed to be placed inside a user's ear. Alternatively, passive hearing protection can include earmuffs configured to be placed on the ear. However, passive hearing protection limits a user's ability to hear their surroundings. In some scenarios, users may need to hear sounds of nearby safety levels, such as voices, footsteps, or environmental warnings.

[0012] Active hearing protection includes one or more microphones that receive ambient sounds from the user's surroundings and play those sounds back using one or more speakers at a safety level. The active hearing protection device uses an electronic circuitry system to pick up ambient sounds through the microphones, convert them to a safety level, and then play them back to the user through the speakers. Additionally, active hearing protection may include filtering out unwanted sound content, such as actively reducing the sound of gunfire, while providing human speech at a substantially constant level.

[0013] First, the active hearing protection unit receives sound signals via a microphone. The received sound signals are converted into electronic signals for processing. After processing the sound signals to ensure all frequencies are within safe limits, the sound signals are reproduced and played back to the user through a speaker.

[0014] Some active hearing protection units are level-dependent, allowing electronic circuitry to adjust the sound pressure level. Level-dependent hearing protection units help filter out impulse noise, such as shot from ambient noise, and / or continuously adjust to the appropriate level before reproducing all received ambient sounds to the user. Active hearing protection units, especially level-dependent ones, may be necessary for communication in noisy environments, environments where noise levels can vary significantly, or environments where high-impulse sounds can cause hearing damage. Users may need to hear nearby ambient sounds, such as machine noise or speech, while also being protected from harmful noise levels.

[0015] While earplugs or earmuffs can be used to provide active hearing protection, it may be impossible to provide adequate protection using only a single hearing protection device (e.g., earplugs or earmuffs). However, optimally combining multiple hearing protection devices is not as simple as wearing earplugs and earmuffs. Active hearing protection involves circuitry that is typically designed to operate independently of any other hearing device. For example, if an active hearing aid is not programmed for a user wearing passive earplugs, the user may not be able to hear the reproduced sound, making communication with other users difficult.

[0016] Additionally, if users wear active earbuds and active earmuffs simultaneously without being aware of each other, the earbuds may operate as if receiving ambient sounds and further process the sounds already processed by the earmuffs, resulting in distorted sound. Besides sounding unnatural, excessively distorted sound can cause nausea and discomfort for users.

[0017] If used together, the speakers of conventional level-dependent earmuffs will no longer deliver sound directly to the ear canal as designed, resulting in a distorted acoustic experience. Furthermore, the two level-dependent functions of the earmuffs and earbuds will be cascaded, with the acoustic output of the earmuffs exciting the acoustic input of the level-dependent earbuds, leading to unpredictable steady-state and transient behavior.

[0018] The desired system is one that allows the simultaneous use of multiple active hearing protection units. Each active hearing protection unit should be able to enter a dual hearing protection mode when a second active hearing protection unit is detected, thereby coordinating the processing of ambient sound to a level of safety for the user.

[0019] The combined use of dual hearing protection units allows for a greater sound level reduction than either unit alone could achieve. This reduction is due to passive sound attenuation in the device. The gain in the noise reduction rating (NRR) of the dual protection combination is in the range of 7dB–17dB compared to individual earbuds, 3dB–14dB compared to individual over-ear headphones, and 3dB–10dB compared to the better of the two individual devices. This increase is achieved by using two hearing protection units in series, such that the second unit receives processed sound from the first. For example, if the processing performed by the over-ear headphones is sufficient to maintain a safe sound level, the active earbuds can allow the sound to pass through without alteration. However, in cases where ambient noise is too loud, the active earbuds will perform a first sound processing step, and the earbuds will perform a second sound processing step.

[0020] Figure 1 A dual hearing protection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. A person 10 may be in an environment with multiple sounds 50. For example... Figure 1 As shown, different sounds 50 may have different noise levels associated with them. Some of the noises in 50 are safe to hear at the environmental level, while others are not. In fact, some of the sounds in 50 may be loud enough that a single hearing protection system is insufficient to bring them to a safe level.

[0021] In one embodiment, a person 10 simultaneously wears a first hearing protection system 20 and a second hearing protection system 30. The first hearing protection system 20 is shown as a pair of earmuffs, while the second hearing protection system 30 is shown as a pair of in-ear earplugs. Both the first hearing protection system 20 and the second hearing protection system 30 are active hearing protection systems, configured to detect each other and, once detected, enter a dual protection mode. Although both the first hearing protection system 20 and the second hearing protection system 30 are configured to operate as independent level-dependent hearing protection systems, they are also configured to enter a dual protection mode and coordinate the hearing protection functions.

[0022] In the dual protection mode, the first hearing protection system 20 first receives ambient sound 50. The first hearing protection system 20 performs a first processing operation and generates a first processed sound. The first processed sound is received by the second hearing protection system 30, which performs a second processing operation to generate a second processed sound provided to the user 10. As described herein, "first processed sound" refers to an electronic signal directly supplied to the earpiece by the first hearing protection system 20, or a sound signal supplied through a speaker, which is then picked up by the earpiece.

[0023] To make the second processed sound sound natural to user 10, it is important that the first hearing protection system 20 and the second hearing protection system 30 be aware of each other and programmed to operate in series to provide additional hearing protection. As described in more detail below, both hearing protection systems 20 and 30 are configured to detect the availability of the other hearing protection system and enter a dual protection mode. In dual protection mode, each of the first and second hearing protection systems adjusts its operating parameters to compensate for the presence of the other. For example, this helps reduce distortion and other undesirable audio artifacts, such as sound pumping. For instance, the second hearing protection system 30 operates knowing that it is receiving the first processed sound signal instead of ambient sound 50, which can reduce the distortion that would otherwise be experienced by using two active hearing protection units.

[0024] The dual hearing protection system may also include one or more microphones 40. The microphones 40 in... Figure 1 The microphone 50 is shown positioned to pick up the voice of user 10. However, other microphones (not shown) may be positioned to pick up ambient sound 50. Additionally, each of the first hearing protection system 20 and the second hearing protection system 30 may have one or more microphones in its own microphone 40.

[0025] Figure 2This is a block diagram of a dual hearing protection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. System 100 can be used in conjunction with other communication devices, such as a microphone. Figure 2 (Not shown in the image). System 100 is configured to receive ambient sound 102 from the environment, which may include continuous or impulsive sounds at an unsafe level, and to transmit a safe sound 112 to the user. System 100 includes a first hearing protection system 130 and a second hearing protection system 160, each configured to operate independently. However, in one embodiment, both the first hearing protection system 130 and the second hearing protection system 160 are also configured to operate in a dual protection mode.

[0026] The first hearing protection system 130 includes a first microphone 132 and a first speaker 134. The first microphone is configured to receive ambient sound 102 from the user's surroundings. The received ambient sound 102 is converted into an electrical signal, which is then provided by the microphone 132 to a first sound processor 136. The electronic signal is then compressed by the sound processor 136 according to a compression profile, such that safe-level sounds are presented at a safe level, and excessively loud sounds are compressed. In some embodiments, some safe-level sounds are actually amplified. The processed electronic signal is then converted back into an audio signal, which is provided to the user by the first speaker 134. The compression profiles used by each of the first and second hearing protection systems are different when they operate in dual protection mode compared to when they operate in independent mode.

[0027] In one embodiment, the first hearing system 130 further includes a dual hearing sensor 140 configured to detect the second hearing system 160. For example, in one embodiment, the dual hearing sensor 140 may detect a corresponding dual hearing sensor 170 of the second hearing system 160. In another embodiment, the sensor 140 is not physically part of the first hearing system 130, but is part of another device configured to detect the presence of both the first hearing system 130 and the second hearing system 160 and provide instructions for both systems to enter a dual hearing protection mode. However, once the second hearing protection system 160 is detected, the dual hearing sensor 140 may send commands to the sound processor 136 for the first hearing protection system 130. In standalone mode, the sound processor 136 may use a first set of level-dependent functions to adjust the received sound 102 to a safe sound level. However, in dual protection mode, the sound processor 136 can use a second set of level-dependent functions to modulate the received sound 102 to provide it to the second hearing protection system 160. For example, the first compression curve, which is part of the first set of level-dependent functions, may differ from the second compression curve, which is part of the second set of level-dependent functions. Additional level-dependent functions that can be changed between standalone mode and dual hearing protection mode may include equalization, frequency response, or other noise reduction functions.

[0028] The second hearing protection system 160 has a second microphone 162 and a second speaker 164. The second microphone 162 is configured to receive processed sound from the first speaker 134. The second microphone 162 converts the received processed sound into an electrical signal and provides it to a second sound processing unit 166. The second sound processing unit 166 performs a second compression on the sound signal, which is then converted into a safe sound signal 112 and provided to the user by the second speaker 164. The second hearing protection system 160 is configured to operate in standalone mode as the sole hearing protection device, or in combination with the first hearing protection system 130 in dual hearing protection mode. When the dual hearing sensor 170 senses that the first hearing protection system 130 is also in operation, the second hearing protection system 160 is switched from standalone mode to dual hearing protection mode. When operating in dual hearing protection mode, the second sound processing unit 166 uses a different compression profile than when operating in standalone mode. The dual-protection mode compression curve used by the second sound processor 166 takes into account the compression curve used by the first sound processing system 136, so that the safe sound 112 is natural and has reduced distortion compared to the case where the first hearing protection system 130 and the second hearing protection system 160 operate independently.

[0029] In one embodiment, both the first hearing protection system 130 and the second hearing protection system 160 are level-dependent. The first hearing protection system 130 and the second hearing protection system 160 each have a power supply 138 and a power supply 168, respectively. However, although power supplies 138 and 168 are shown as independent power supplies, it is also conceivable that a single source could power both the first hearing protection system 130 and the second hearing protection system 160.

[0030] In one embodiment, control unit 180 is configured to detect the first hearing protection system 130 and the second hearing protection system 160, and to provide commands to the dual hearing sensors 140, 170 to enter a dual protection mode. However, although control unit 180 is shown as a separate device for clarity, it is contemplated that either the first hearing protection system 130 or the second hearing protection system 160 may include the control unit, allowing one system to send commands to the other. In one embodiment, the command also includes a compression profile used in the dual hearing protection mode.

[0031] Although systems 130 and 160 are described as single units, it is also clearly contemplated that each may include two hearing protection units—for example, the first hearing protection system 130 may include a set of earmuffs configured to be worn on a user's ear, while the second hearing protection system 160 may include a set of earplugs configured to be worn inside a user's ear. In an embodiment where the second hearing protection system 160 includes two unconnected earplugs, it is contemplated that the control unit 180 may be located in any of the earmuffs, the left earplug, or the right earplug.

[0032] Figure 3 A diagram showing the components of a dual hearing protection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided. Figure 3 As shown, the earcup system 300 and the earbud assembly 350 are configured to operate independently and in a dual-protection mode. The earcup system 300 has a microphone 302 configured to pick up ambient sound and process it to a safe level. Each earbud in the earbud assembly 350 also has a microphone 352. When operating independently, the microphone 352 is configured to pick up ambient noise and process it to a safe level. However, in the dual-protection mode, the microphone 352 is configured to receive processed sound from the earcup system 300 (e.g., from a corresponding speaker 304 within the earcups).

[0033] Figure 4 A method for entering a dual hearing protection mode for a hearing protection unit system is shown. Method 400 can be used, for example, for two level-dependent hearing protection systems configured to operate in independent mode or dual protection mode.

[0034] In block 410, the first hearing protection system detects the second hearing protection system. The first and second hearing protection systems can be selected from either an active earplug hearing protection system or an active earmuff hearing protection system. In one embodiment, detection may include the first hearing protection system directly detecting the presence of the second hearing protection system. In another embodiment, detection may include the first hearing protection system detecting a network and becoming aware of the second hearing protection system through the network.

[0035] In box 420, both the first and second hearing protection systems enter a dual hearing protection mode. For example, each system can be configured to operate in an independent mode after power-on and only enter the dual protection mode if the second hearing protection system is detected. Alternatively, each system can be configured to search for the dual protection mode after power-on and enter the dual protection mode if the second hearing protection system is detected.

[0036] In block 430, active hearing protection is provided to the user. In one embodiment, both the first and second hearing protection systems are configured to perform level-dependent operation on sound at at least some sound levels. For example, if sound below 80 dB is considered safe, the first hearing protection system may compress a 100 dB sound to 85 dB, while the second hearing protection system takes the 85 dB sound and compresses it to 76 dB. However, if ambient sound is detected at 85 dB, the first hearing protection system may compress it to 76 dB, and the second hearing protection system may transmit the signal to the user without any significant additional compression. However, in another embodiment, both the first and second hearing protection systems are configured to perform compression operations such that, for example, the 85 dB sound is first compressed to 80 dB, and then compressed to 76 dB.

[0037] Figure 5 A method for processing sound to a safe level using a dual hearing protection system is illustrated. Method 500 can be used with two level-dependent hearing protection devices that operate as a single dual hearing protection system. In one embodiment, each of the two level-dependent hearing protection devices is configured to operate independently when used alone, or in a dual protection mode when used according to method 500.

[0038] In block 510, a first hearing protection unit receives ambient sound. For example, the first hearing protection unit is a level-dependent earmuff unit configured to be worn around the user's ear, while a second hearing protection unit is a level-dependent earbud configured to be worn inside the user's ear, such that the microphone of the level-dependent earbud is entirely within the level-dependent earmuff unit. In one embodiment, the level-dependent earmuff unit coordinates the function between the right and left earbuds.

[0039] In block 520, the first hearing protection unit processes the received sound. For example, the processing may include converting the sound signal into an electronic signal and then compressing the electronic signal. The processing may also include equalizing the sound within the electronic signal. Additional processing may also be performed. After the processing steps are completed, the electronic signal is converted back into a sound signal by the speaker of the first hearing protection unit.

[0040] In block 530, the processed sound signal is received by the second protection unit. The sound signal can be transmitted from the speaker of the first hearing protection unit to the microphone of the second hearing protection unit.

[0041] In box 540, the processed sound signal undergoes a second processing step. Because the first and second protection units operate in a dual hearing protection mode, the second processing step is completed within the context of the completed first processing step. For example, the second hearing protection unit is aware of the compression curve used by the first processing unit. The second hearing protection unit is also aware of the acoustic context in which the sound signal is transmitted; for example, the second hearing protection unit receives not ambient noise, but a sound recording that has undergone some processing and may have some distortion.

[0042] In block 550, sound processed to a safe level is provided to the user via a speaker of the second hearing protection unit. The first and second hearing protection units are configured to operate collaboratively to provide sound that is as natural and undistorted as possible. Method 500 achieves this by using two hearing protection units operating in a dual hearing protection mode. Because the two hearing protection units are aware of how the other hearing protection unit will behave, they can process ambient sound to a safe level without the distortion that would occur with two independently operating, level-dependent hearing protection units.

[0043] Method 500 is described relative to the two processing steps 520 and 540. However, it is clearly envisioned that in some embodiments, either the first or second hearing protection unit allows sound to be transmitted without significant alteration. For example, if the user is in a relatively quiet environment, compression may not be necessary, and both the first and second hearing protection units can receive and transmit ambient sound without modification. In areas with loud but near-safe sound levels, only a compression step may be required, allowing either the first or second hearing protection system to receive and transmit sound without significant alteration. However, for some very loud sounds, both the first and second hearing protection units can provide compression. The advantage of using two hearing protection systems is that they can work synergistically to provide greater hearing protection.

[0044] Figure 6 A method for processing sound to a safe level using a networked dual hearing protection system is illustrated. Method 600 shows how multiple hearing protection devices can operate within a network. While systems and methods have so far been described in the context of communication systems containing only a first and a second hearing protection device, it is conceivable that such devices can operate in conjunction with other devices. For example, in addition to providing sound to the wearers of both hearing protection devices, copies of the sound signals can also be transmitted elsewhere and / or recorded on separate devices.

[0045] In blocks 610a and 610b, each of the first and second hearing protection systems becomes aware of the network. In one embodiment, this may occur, for example, when each hearing protection system is activated (this may be simultaneous or sequentially). In another embodiment, the hearing protection unit searches for the network only when guided by the user, for example, by searching for features by activating the network. In one embodiment, the first or second hearing protection system creates and maintains the network in step 610a or 610b such that only other hearing protection units need to become aware of the nearby network. In one embodiment, one of the first and second hearing protection systems is a master system that determines which devices are allowed to join the network. In one embodiment, where both the first and second hearing protection systems have joined the network, the master system puts both into a dual hearing protection mode.

[0046] In boxes 620a and 620b, each of the first and second hearing protection systems joins a network. The network can be a near-field network, a wireless network, a wired network, or any other suitable network. One of the first or second hearing protection systems may not need to undergo this step, for example, in an implementation where one of the systems creates the network.

[0047] In another embodiment, the control unit becomes aware of the first and second hearing protection systems on the network. In one embodiment, the control unit is either the first or the second hearing device and becomes aware of the second hearing protection system. In another embodiment, the control unit is responsible for maintaining the network and, in each of blocks 620a and 620b, adds each of the first and second hearing protection systems to the network.

[0048] In block 630, the control unit sends a command causing the first and second hearing protection systems to enter a dual hearing protection mode. In dual hearing protection mode, each of the first and second hearing protection systems operates in conjunction with the other. The command to enter dual hearing protection mode may include instructions regarding a new compression curve 632, a new equalization parameter 634, and / or other parameters 636 (such as how to adjust volume). In one embodiment, the new parameters 632, 634, and 636 are stored by the first and second hearing protection devices, and the command only instructs the devices to access the stored parameters and switch modes. However, in another embodiment, the control unit stores the parameters and sends them as part of the command to enter dual hearing protection mode.

[0049] In one implementation, the control unit is one of the hearing protection devices in a hearing protection system. For example, the control unit may be one of two earplugs and may be connected to the other earplug and / or to the earmuff system using a master-slave relationship. However, masterless control schemes are also envisioned.

[0050] The network in method 600 may include a personal area network (PAN). The PAN may utilize near-field magnetic induction. However, other network configurations are also possible, such as, but not limited to, Wi-Fi, local area network (LAN), near-field communication (NFC), Bluetooth® and Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee, Threading, Z-wave, etc.

[0051] In block 640, the first hearing protection system and the second hearing protection system operate in a dual hearing protection mode. Operating in dual hearing protection mode includes each of the first and second hearing protection systems cooperating to process ambient sound to a safe level. In one embodiment, this includes the first and second hearing protection modes operating in series, such that the first hearing protection system receives ambient sound, processes it initially, and then provides it to the second hearing protection system for a second processing step, before finally providing it to the user.

[0052] The embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for reproducing sound for a user at a safe level using two hearing protection devices. The embodiments described herein require the first and second hearing protection devices to work together to produce a more natural sound than that produced by two hearing protection devices operating independently.

[0053] Because different hearing protection devices are not typically designed to work together, the implementation described herein relies on a dual-protection mode of operation for both the first and second hearing protection devices. Problems arise if each device were to operate independently, as the earplugs would not be aware that the sound they receive has been processed. The resulting distortion can produce unnatural sounds, discomfort, and nausea. Furthermore, two independent systems will introduce instability and nondeterministic responses.

[0054] At some levels where only one compression operation is needed to reduce ambient sound to a safe level, the earbud system is configured to operate as if it were transparent in dual-protection mode. However, at sound levels requiring two compression levels, the earbud system will stop transmitting sound and will perform a second processing step.

[0055] In one implementation, both hearing protection devices are level-dependent, enabling them to coordinate volume control and resulting in combined volume adjustment between the two devices, which would be unavailable when either device is used independently. The synergistic use of dual hearing protection units allows for a greater sound level reduction than either device alone could achieve. This sound level reduction is due to passive sound attenuation of the devices. For example, independently used level-dependent earmuffs can achieve any noise reduction rating between 20 and 30. Independently used level-dependent earplugs can achieve any noise reduction rating between 8 and 30. The gain in noise reduction rating of the combined dual protection is in the range of 7 dB–17 dB compared to individual earplugs, 3 dB–14 dB compared to individual earmuffs, and 3 dB–10 dB compared to the better of the two individual devices.

[0056] In one implementation, in dual hearing protection mode, the level correlation function of the earbuds is disabled, making the earbud hearing device transparent at some sound levels. However, at higher sound levels, the level-correlated earbuds exhibit non-linear behavior. However, to avoid cascading level correlation functions, the level correlation function of the earmuffs is reduced when the level-correlated earbuds exhibit non-linear behavior. In some implementations, the level correlation function of the earmuffs is reduced to the point that it is essentially turned off.

[0057] In one implementation, this functionality is achieved by a hard limiter, such that above a certain sound pressure level (SPL), the sound is limited to a specific threshold. Additionally, when the SPL inside the cup reaches a certain threshold, the amplifier is disabled, and the level-dependent earbud amplifier is turned off until the sound inside the earcups drops below a certain threshold. Furthermore, the earbuds include a modified level-dependent function, which, when combined with the earcup's level-dependent function, is used to create a smooth downward attenuation of sound for the user. In one implementation, this is achieved in the level-dependent earbuds by monitoring the SPL inside the earcups to control the sound output. In another implementation, the level-dependent functions of the earcups and earbuds communicate via a channel to transmit compression parameters that produce the overall desired compression profile. In one implementation, the channel is wired. In another implementation, the channel is wireless.

[0058] Implementation Plan

[0059] Implementation Scheme 1 is a hearing protection system comprising a first active hearing protection system and a second active hearing protection system. The first active hearing protection system is level-dependent. Both the first and second active hearing protection systems are level-dependent. One of the first and second active hearing protection systems can operate in either independent or dual protection mode. The level-dependent function of the second active hearing protection system in dual protection mode differs from its level-dependent function in independent mode.

[0060] Implementation scheme 2 includes the features described in implementation scheme 1, however, the first active hearing protection system is a set of earmuffs.

[0061] Implementation scheme 3 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 1 or 2, however, the second active hearing protection system is a set of earplugs.

[0062] Implementation scheme 4 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 1-3, however, the second active hearing protection system receives processed sound from the first active hearing protection system.

[0063] Implementation scheme 5 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 1-4, however, the second active hearing protection system is substantially transparent at some sound levels.

[0064] Implementation scheme 6 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 1-5, wherein the first active hearing protection system receives ambient sound and performs a first processing operation, and the second active hearing protection system receives the processed sound from the first processing operation and performs a second processing operation.

[0065] Implementation scheme 7 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 1-6, however, each of the first active hearing protection system and the second active hearing protection system includes a microphone and a speaker.

[0066] Implementation scheme 8 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 1-7, however, it also includes a control unit configured to detect the first active hearing protection system and the second active hearing protection system.

[0067] Implementation scheme 9 includes the features described in implementation scheme 8, however, the control unit is part of the first active hearing protection system.

[0068] Implementation scheme 10 includes the features described in implementation scheme 8, however, the control unit is part of the second hearing protection system.

[0069] Implementation scheme 11 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 8-10, however, the control unit is configured to send a command to switch from the independent mode level correlation function to the dual protection mode level correlation function.

[0070] Implementation scheme 12 includes the features described in implementation scheme 11, however, the control unit is further configured to send dual protection mode level correlation function parameters to the first active hearing protection system or the second active hearing protection system.

[0071] Implementation scheme 13 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 11-12, however, the control unit is further configured to send dual protection mode level-related parameters to both the first active hearing protection system and the second active hearing protection system.

[0072] Implementation scheme 14 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 1-13, however, it also includes a network to which both the first active hearing protection system and the second active hearing protection system are connected.

[0073] Implementation scheme 15 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 1-14, however, the independent mode level correlation function parameters and the dual mode level correlation function parameters respectively include the independent mode compression curve and the dual mode compression curve.

[0074] Implementation scheme 16 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 1-15, however, the independent mode level correlation function parameters and the dual mode level correlation function parameters respectively include independent mode equalization parameters and dual mode equalization parameters.

[0075] Implementation Scheme 17 is a method for processing sound to a safe level using a dual-protection hearing system. The method includes detecting ambient sound using a first hearing protection unit. The method also includes processing the ambient sound using the first hearing protection unit. The method further includes receiving the processed ambient sound by a second processing unit. The processed ambient sound is received from the first hearing protection unit. The method also includes processing the processed sound using the second hearing protection unit. The method further includes providing the dual-processed sound from the second hearing protection unit to a user of the dual-protection hearing system.

[0076] Implementation scheme 18 includes the features described in implementation scheme 17, however, the first hearing protection unit is a set of earmuffs.

[0077] Implementation scheme 19 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 17-18, however, the first hearing protection unit is a set of earplugs.

[0078] Implementation scheme 20 includes the features according to any one of embodiments 17-19, however, the first hearing protection unit and the second hearing protection unit are configured to operate in independent mode or dual protection mode. The level-dependent processing parameters of both the first hearing protection unit and the second hearing protection unit differ in dual protection mode from those in independent mode.

[0079] Implementation scheme 21 includes the features described in implementation scheme 20, however, the level-dependent processing parameters include compression curves.

[0080] Implementation scheme 22 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 20-21, however, the level-dependent processing parameters include equalization parameters.

[0081] Implementation scheme 23 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 17-22, however, both the first processing unit and the second processing unit are level-dependent.

[0082] Implementation scheme 24 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 17-23, however, at some sound levels, the second hearing protection unit is substantially transparent, such that the processed sound and the double-processed sound are substantially the same.

[0083] Implementation scheme 25 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 17-24, however the received processed sound is an electronic signal provided by a processor.

[0084] Implementation scheme 26 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 17-25, however the received processed sound is an audio signal provided by a speaker.

[0085] Implementation scheme 27 is a method for operating a dual hearing protection system. The method includes detecting a first hearing protection system and a second hearing protection system. The method also includes adding the first and second hearing protection systems to a network. The method further includes sending commands to the first and second hearing protection systems to switch from an independent mode to a dual protection mode. The dual protection mode sound processing parameters of either the first or second hearing protection system differ from the independent mode sound processing parameters.

[0086] Implementation scheme 28 includes the features described in implementation scheme 27, however, the second hearing protection system is configured in standalone mode to receive ambient sound for processing, and in dual protection mode to receive processed sound from the first hearing protection system for processing.

[0087] Implementation scheme 29 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 27-28, however, the first hearing protection system is an earmuff unit.

[0088] Implementation scheme 30 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 27-29, however, the second hearing protection system is an earplug assembly.

[0089] Implementation scheme 31 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 27-30, however, the first hearing protection system and the second hearing protection system are level-dependent.

[0090] Implementation scheme 32 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 27-31, however the network is generated by the first hearing protection system.

[0091] Implementation scheme 33 includes the features described in implementation scheme 32, however the network is generated by the left earpiece.

[0092] Implementation scheme 34 includes the features described in implementation scheme 32, however the network is generated by the right earpiece.

[0093] Implementation scheme 35 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 27-34, however the network is generated by a control unit separate from the first hearing protection unit and the second hearing protection unit.

[0094] Implementation scheme 36 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 27-35, however, the sound processing parameters are compression curves.

[0095] Implementation scheme 37 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 27-36, however the sound processing parameters are equalization parameters.

[0096] Implementation scheme 38 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 27-37, however, at some sound levels, the second hearing protection system is substantially sound-transparent.

[0097] Implementation scheme 39 is a method for switching the operating mode of a dual hearing protection system. The method includes operating a first hearing protection unit in independent mode using independent mode level correlation parameters. The method also includes detecting a second hearing protection unit. The method further includes switching the first hearing protection unit from independent mode to a dual hearing protection mode. The dual hearing protection mode includes a first hearing protection mode using a first level correlation parameter and a second hearing protection mode using a second level correlation parameter.

[0098] Implementation scheme 40 includes the features described in implementation scheme 39, however, in the dual protection mode, the first hearing protection unit is configured to receive ambient sound, process ambient sound, and provide processed sound to the second hearing protection unit.

[0099] Implementation scheme 41 includes the features described in implementation scheme 40, however, in the dual protection mode, the second hearing protection unit is configured to receive processed sound from the first hearing protection unit and to provide a safety sound to the user of the dual hearing protection system.

[0100] Implementation scheme 42 includes the features described in implementation scheme 41, however, in the dual protection mode, the second hearing protection unit is sound-transparent at some sound levels.

[0101] Implementation scheme 43 includes the features described in implementation scheme 41; however, in the dual protection mode, the second hearing protection unit is configured to process the received sound for at least some ambient sounds. The processed received sound is a safe sound.

[0102] Implementation scheme 44 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 39-43, however, the first hearing protection unit is a set of earmuffs.

[0103] Implementation scheme 45 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 39-44, however, the second hearing protection unit is a set of earplugs.

[0104] Implementation scheme 46 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 39-45, however, the detection includes a control unit.

[0105] Implementation scheme 47 includes the features described in implementation scheme 46, however, the control unit is part of the first hearing protection unit.

[0106] Implementation scheme 48 includes the features described in implementation scheme 46; however, the control unit is part of the second hearing protection unit. Detecting the second hearing protection unit includes the control unit joining the network.

[0107] Implementation scheme 49 includes the features described in implementation scheme 48, however, the second hearing protection unit is a set of earplugs, and the control unit is part of the left earplug.

[0108] Implementation scheme 50 includes the features described in implementation scheme 48, however, the second hearing protection unit is a set of earplugs, and the control unit is part of the right earplug.

[0109] Implementation scheme 51 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 39-50, however, the detection includes the first hearing protection unit being part of the network and the detection that the second hearing protection unit has been added to the network.

[0110] Implementation scheme 52 includes the features described in implementation scheme 51, however the network is created by the control unit.

[0111] Implementation scheme 53 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 39-52, however, the level-dependent parameters include compression curves.

[0112] Implementation scheme 54 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 39-53, however, the level-related parameters include equalization parameters.

[0113] Implementation scheme 55 is a dual hearing system including a system network. The system also includes a first hearing protection unit and a second hearing protection unit, the first hearing protection unit being configured to operate in both independent and dual protection modes, and the second hearing protection unit being configured to operate in both independent and dual protection modes. When both the first and second hearing protection units are detected to be connected to the system network, each of the first and second hearing protection units switches from operating in independent mode to operating in dual protection mode.

[0114] Implementation scheme 56 includes the features described in implementation scheme 55, however, operation in stand-alone mode includes using stand-alone mode level-dependent parameters, and operation in dual protection mode includes using dual protection mode level-dependent parameters.

[0115] Implementation scheme 57 includes the features described in implementation scheme 56, however, the dual protection mode compression curve of the second hearing protection unit is configured such that the second hearing protection unit is sound-transparent at certain sound levels.

[0116] Implementation scheme 58 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 55-57, however, in the dual protection mode, the second hearing protection unit is configured to receive processed sound from the first hearing protection unit.

[0117] Implementation scheme 59 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 55-58, however, the first hearing protection unit includes an earmuff unit, and the second hearing protection unit includes a set of earplugs.

[0118] Implementation scheme 60 includes the features described in implementation scheme 59, however, the earcup unit includes a controller configured to manage the system network.

[0119] Implementation scheme 61 includes the features described in implementation scheme 59, however, a set of earbuds includes a controller configured to manage a system network.

[0120] Implementation scheme 62 includes the features described in implementation scheme 61, however, the left earpiece includes a controller configured to manage the system network.

[0121] Implementation scheme 63 includes the features described in implementation scheme 61, however, the right earpiece includes a controller configured to manage the system network.

[0122] Implementation scheme 64 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 55-63, however, it also includes a control unit configured to send a command to each of the first hearing protection unit and the second hearing protection unit to switch from independent mode to dual protection mode.

[0123] Implementation scheme 65 includes the features described in implementation scheme 64; however, commands to the first hearing protection unit also include a first dual-mode level correlation parameter. Commands to the second hearing protection unit also include a second dual-mode level correlation parameter.

[0124] Implementation scheme 66 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 55-65, however, the independent mode level-related parameters include the independent mode compression curve.

[0125] Implementation scheme 67 includes the features according to any one of implementation schemes 55-66, however, the independent mode level-related parameters include independent mode equalization parameters.

[0126] Example

[0127] Example 1

[0128] Figure 7A The diagram shows the sound pressure level (SPL) entering the hearing protection system on the x-axis and the sound pressure level (SPL) exiting the hearing protection system on the y-axis. Line 702 represents unity gain, or when the sound pressure level does not change when processed by the hearing protection system. Data above line 702 represents amplification, while data below line 702 represents attenuation. A slope greater than the dashed line indicates expansion, while a slope less than the dashed line indicates compression.

[0129] Curve 710 represents the level-dependent function of a typical over-ear protection device at a high-gain setting. For low sounds, as indicated by range 712, there is a 10dB amplification, resulting in a 50dB output from a 40dB input. For higher sounds, as indicated by range 714, the sound undergoes compression, resulting in an 80dB output from, for example, a 100dB input. However, the compression range 714 does not necessarily exhibit a linear compression rate.

[0130] Figure 7B The earmuff transfer function 710 and the actual sound 720 present under the earmuffs are shown. As indicated by line 730, 85 dB is considered the safe sound limit for 8 hours of exposure. The earmuff hearing protection device used has a non-reduction ratio (NRR) of 25 dB, as indicated by the difference 722. This results in the actual sound 720 under the earmuffs, representing the sound generated by the electronics and the ambient sound passing through the earmuffs, which rises above the safe level for incoming sounds above 108 dB.

[0131] Example 2

[0132] Figure 7C The headphone transfer function 740 is shown. (Compared to...) Figure 7A In contrast, the headphone's transfer function differs from that of the earcups in dual hearing protection mode. The headphones approximate unity gain for low to medium sounds, as indicated in range 742, which reduces the combined gain effect of wearing both devices. The headphones are acoustically "invisible" below 76 dB, allowing the overall response to be entirely controlled by the earcups. However, in range 744, the transfer function actively asymptotically progresses to 85 dB. This allows the earbuds to provide additional attenuation in loud sound fields when the earcups alone are insufficient.

[0133] Figure 7D The actual sound of headphones 750 under the user experience of a dual hearing protection system is shown. The actual sound curve 750 follows the earcup curve of low-level sound, has a "soft compression inflection point" to minimize audible artifacts, and provides... Figure 7B The sound under the earcup shown is further compressed to below 85dB.

Claims

1. A hearing protection system, the hearing protection system comprising: A first active hearing protection system, wherein the first active hearing protection system is level-dependent; A second active hearing protection system, wherein the second active hearing protection system is level-dependent; One of the first active hearing protection system and the second active hearing protection system can operate in independent mode or dual protection mode; and The level correlation function of the second active hearing protection system in dual protection mode differs from the level correlation function in independent mode. In the dual protection mode, the first microphone of the first active hearing protection system receives ambient sound and performs a first processing operation on the ambient sound to generate a first processed sound; the second microphone of the second active hearing protection system receives the first processed sound from the first active hearing protection system and performs a second processing operation on the first processed sound to generate a second processed sound; wherein the second active hearing protection system adjusts its operating parameters to compensate for the presence of the first active hearing protection system.

2. The hearing protection system according to claim 1, wherein the first active hearing protection system is a set of earmuffs.

3. The hearing protection system according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the second active hearing protection system is a set of earplugs.

4. The hearing protection system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the second active hearing protection system is sound-transparent at certain sound levels.

5. The hearing protection system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein each of the first active hearing protection system and the second active hearing protection system comprises a microphone and a speaker.

6. The hearing protection system according to any one of claims 1-5, further comprising a control unit, the control unit detecting the first active hearing protection system and the second active hearing protection system.

7. The hearing protection system of claim 6, wherein the control unit is part of the first active hearing protection system.

8. The hearing protection system of claim 6, wherein the control unit is part of the second active hearing protection system.

9. The hearing protection system according to any one of claims 6-8, wherein the control unit is configured to send a command to switch from the independent mode level correlation function to the dual protection mode level correlation function.

10. The hearing protection system of claim 9, wherein the control unit is further configured to send the dual protection mode level correlation function parameters to the first active hearing protection system or the second active hearing protection system.

11. The hearing protection system according to any one of claims 9-10, wherein the control unit is further configured to send the dual protection mode level-related parameters to both the first active hearing protection system and the second active hearing protection system.

12. The hearing protection system according to any one of claims 1-11, further comprising a network to which both the first active hearing protection system and the second active hearing protection system are connected.

13. The hearing protection system according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the independent mode level correlation function parameter and the dual mode level correlation function parameter respectively include an independent mode compression curve and a dual mode compression curve.

14. The hearing protection system according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the independent mode level correlation function parameter and the dual mode level correlation function parameter respectively include independent mode equalization parameter and dual mode equalization parameter.

15. A method for processing sound to a safe level using a dual-protection hearing system, the method comprising: The first microphone of the first hearing protection unit is used to detect ambient sound; The first hearing protection unit is used to process the ambient sound to generate processed ambient sound; The processed ambient sound is received from the first hearing protection unit by the second microphone of the second hearing protection unit; The processed sound is processed using the second hearing protection unit to generate a double-processed sound; as well as The dual-processed sound from the second hearing protection unit is provided to the user of the dual-protection hearing system. The first hearing protection unit and the second hearing protection unit are configured to operate in an independent mode or a dual protection mode, and the level-related processing parameters of the first hearing protection unit and the second hearing protection unit are different in the dual protection mode than in the independent mode, such that one of the first hearing protection unit and the second hearing protection unit adjusts its operating parameters to compensate for the presence of the other of the first hearing protection unit and the second hearing protection unit.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first hearing protection unit is a set of earmuffs.

17. The method according to any one of claims 15-16, wherein the first hearing protection unit is a set of earplugs.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the level-related processing parameters include a compression curve.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15-18, wherein the level-dependent processing parameters include equalization parameters.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15-19, wherein both the first hearing protection unit and the second hearing protection unit are level-dependent.

21. The method according to any one of claims 15-20, wherein at some sound levels, the second hearing protection unit is sound-transparent, such that the processed sound and the double-processed sound are identical.

22. The method according to any one of claims 15-21, wherein the received processed sound is an electronic signal provided by a processor.

23. The method according to any one of claims 15-22, wherein the received processed sound is an audio signal provided by a loudspeaker.

24. A method of operating the hearing protection system according to claim 1, the method comprising: Test the first active hearing protection system and the second active hearing protection system; Add the first active hearing protection system and the second active hearing protection system to the network; Send commands to the first active hearing protection system and the second active hearing protection system to switch from independent mode to dual protection mode; and The sound processing parameters of the dual protection mode of the first active hearing protection system or the second active hearing protection system are different from the sound processing parameters of the independent mode.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the second active hearing protection system is configured to receive ambient sound for processing in the stand-alone mode, and is configured to receive processed sound from the first active hearing protection system for processing in the dual protection mode.

26. The method according to any one of claims 24-25, wherein the first active hearing protection system is an earmuff unit.

27. The method according to any one of claims 24-26, wherein the second active hearing protection system is an earplug assembly.

28. The method according to any one of claims 24-27, wherein the first active hearing protection system and the second active hearing protection system are level-dependent.

29. The method according to any one of claims 24-28, wherein the network is generated by the first active hearing protection system.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the network is generated by the left earpiece.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the network is generated by the right earpiece.

32. The method according to any one of claims 24-31, wherein the network is generated by a control unit separate from the first active hearing protection system and the second active hearing protection system.

33. The method according to any one of claims 24-32, wherein the sound processing parameter is a compression curve.

34. The method according to any one of claims 24-33, wherein the sound processing parameter is an equalization parameter.

35. The method according to any one of claims 24-34, wherein at certain sound levels, the second active hearing protection system is sound-transparent.

36. A method for switching the operating mode of the hearing protection system according to claim 1, the method comprising: The first active hearing protection system is operated in independent mode using independent mode level-related parameters; Testing the second active hearing protection system; Switch the first active hearing protection system from the independent mode to the dual hearing protection mode; The dual hearing protection mode includes a first hearing protection mode using a first level correlation parameter and a second hearing protection mode using a second level correlation parameter. The dual protection mode level-related parameters of the first active hearing protection system in the dual hearing protection mode are different from the independent mode level-related parameters of the first active hearing protection system in the independent mode.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein in the dual protection mode, the first active hearing protection system is configured to: Receive ambient sound; Processing the ambient sound; and Processed sound is supplied to the second active hearing protection system.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein in the dual protection mode, the second active hearing protection system is configured to: The system receives the processed sound from the first active hearing protection system and provides a safe sound to the user of the dual hearing protection system.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein in the dual protection mode, the second active hearing protection system is sound-transparent at certain sound levels.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein in the dual protection mode, the second active hearing protection system is configured to process the received sound for at least some ambient sounds, and wherein the processed received sound is the safety sound.

41. The method according to any one of claims 36-40, wherein the first active hearing protection system is a set of earmuffs.

42. The method according to any one of claims 36-41, wherein the second active hearing protection system is a set of earplugs.

43. The method according to any one of claims 36-42, wherein the detection includes a control unit.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the control unit is part of the first active hearing protection system.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the control unit is part of the second active hearing protection system, and wherein detecting the second active hearing protection system includes the control unit joining the network.

46. ​​The method of claim 45, wherein the second active hearing protection system is a set of earplugs, and wherein the control unit is part of the left earplug.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein the second active hearing protection system is a set of earplugs, and wherein the control unit is part of the right earplug.

48. The method of any one of claims 36-47, wherein the detection includes the first active hearing protection system being part of a network and the detection that the second active hearing protection system has joined the network.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the network is created by a control unit.

50. The method according to any one of claims 36-49, wherein the level-related parameter includes a compression curve.

51. The method according to any one of claims 36-50, wherein the level-related parameters include equalization parameters.

52. A dual hearing protection system, the dual hearing protection system comprising: System network; A first hearing protection unit is configured to operate in independent mode and dual protection mode; A second hearing protection unit is configured to operate in both independent and dual protection modes. and When it is detected that both the first hearing protection unit and the second hearing protection unit have joined the system network, each of the first hearing protection unit and the second hearing protection unit switches from operating in the independent mode to operating in the dual protection mode. Operating in independent mode includes using independent mode level-dependent parameters, and operating in dual protection mode includes using dual protection mode level-dependent parameters. The dual protection mode sound processing parameters of the first hearing protection unit or the second hearing protection unit in dual protection mode are different from the independent mode sound processing parameters in independent mode. In the dual protection mode, the first microphone of the first hearing protection unit receives ambient sound and performs a first processing operation on the ambient sound to generate a first processed sound; the second microphone of the second hearing protection unit receives the first processed sound from the first hearing protection unit and performs a second processing operation on the first processed sound to generate a second processed sound; wherein one of the first hearing protection unit or the second hearing protection unit adjusts its operating parameters to compensate for the presence of the other of the first hearing protection unit or the second hearing protection unit.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the dual protection mode compression curve of the second hearing protection unit is configured such that the second hearing protection unit is sound-transparent at certain sound levels.

54. The system according to any one of claims 52-53, wherein the first hearing protection unit comprises an earmuff unit, and the second hearing protection unit comprises a set of earplugs.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the earmuff unit includes a controller configured to manage the system network.

56. The system of claim 54, wherein the earbud group includes a controller configured to manage the system network.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the left earpiece includes a controller configured to manage the system network.

58. The system of claim 56, wherein the right earpiece includes a controller configured to manage the system network.

59. The system according to any one of claims 52-58, further comprising a control unit configured to send a command to each of the first hearing protection unit and the second hearing protection unit to switch from the independent mode to the dual protection mode.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein the command to the first hearing protection unit further includes a first dual-mode level correlation parameter, and wherein the command to the second hearing protection unit further includes a second dual-mode level correlation parameter.

61. The system according to any one of claims 52-60, wherein the independent mode level correlation parameter includes an independent mode compression curve.

62. The system according to any one of claims 52-61, wherein the independent mode level correlation parameter includes an independent mode equalization parameter.

Images