Voice transmission assembly for face masks

Abstract

The present invention provides a sound transmission assembly and a sound transmission method for transmitting speech uttered by a user wearing a breathing apparatus mask for one or more sound applications. [Solution] A sound transmission assembly (100) for a respiratory device, comprising a mouth-covering mask (10) worn by the user of the respiratory device, the sound transmission assembly (100) comprising: at least one vibration sensor assembly (110) that generates an audio signal based on vibrations detected on the outer surface of the mask (10); a sound application assembly (130) that applies the audio signal obtained from the at least one vibration sensor assembly (110); and a sound processing unit (120) that preprocesses the audio signal obtained from the vibration sensor assembly (110) before passing it to the sound application assembly (130) for application.

Claims

1. A sound transmission assembly (100) for a respiratory device, comprising a mouth covering mask (10) worn by the user of the respiratory device, The mask (10) comprises at least one vibration sensor assembly (110) configured to generate an audio signal based on vibrations detected on the outer surface of the mask (10), A sound application assembly (130) configured to apply the sound signal obtained from at least one vibration sensor assembly (110), A sound transmission assembly (100) comprising the above.

2. Each of the at least one vibration sensor assembly (110) is, A sensor housing (110a) is positioned to contact the outer surface of the mask (10), A vibration sensor (110c) is positioned to be in contact with the sensor housing (110a), and the vibration sensor (110c) generates the audio signal from vibrations induced in the vibration sensor (110c) via the sensor housing (110a), The sound transmission assembly (100) according to claim 1, comprising:

3. The sound transmission assembly (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the at least one vibration sensor assembly (110) is provided with a mounting mechanism for attaching the corresponding vibration sensor assembly (110) to the mask (10) such that it is in contact with the outer surface of the mask (10).

4. The sound application assembly (130) comprises a speaker assembly (132) that is attachable to the mask (10) and configured to reproduce the audio signal at the user's position, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the sound transmission assembly (100).

5. The sound transmission assembly (100) according to claim 4, further comprising a sound processing unit (120) configured to apply predetermined preprocessing to the sound signal before the sound signal is reproduced by the speaker assembly (132).

6. The sound transmission assembly (100) according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined preprocessing includes amplification of the audio signal.

7. The sound transmission assembly (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising a vibration insulating member for placement between the speaker assembly (132) and the mask (10), wherein the vibration insulating member is configured to suppress the transmission of vibrations induced in the speaker assembly (132) to the mask (10).

8. The sound application assembly (130) comprises a communication interface (134) which supplies the audio signal to one or more other devices by a communication device (140) coupled to the communication interface (134), the sound transmission assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The sound application assembly (130) comprises two or more sound application subassemblies, each of which is configured to apply the audio signal obtained from at least one vibration sensor assembly (110) in a different manner than the other sound application subassemblies. The sound transmission assembly (100) further comprises a user interface that allows for the selective activation or deactivation of at least one of the two or more sound application subassemblies. A sound transmission assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The two or more sound application subassemblies are: A speaker assembly (132) that can be attached to the mask (10) and is configured to reproduce the audio signal at the user's position, A communication interface (134) wherein a communication device (140) coupled to the communication interface (134) supplies the voice signal to transmit to one or more other devices. Equipped with, The sound transmission assembly (100) according to claim 9, wherein the user interface allows for the selective activation or deactivation of at least one of the speaker assembly (132) and the communication interface (134).

11. The sound transmission assembly (100) according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a sound processing unit (120) configured to apply predetermined preprocessing to the sound signals before the sound signals are supplied to the corresponding sound application subassemblies, wherein the characteristics of the preprocessing are defined individually for each of the sound application subassemblies.

12. A sound transmission assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a sound processing unit (120) equipped with a sound section detector (VAD), wherein the VAD is configured to classify the sound signal obtained from the at least one vibration sensor assembly (110) as sound or non-sound, and to control the operation of the sound application assembly (130) according to the classification.

13. A respiratory device, A mouth covering mask (10) worn by the user of the respiratory device, A sound transmission assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, A respiratory apparatus equipped with a respiratory device.

14. A method (200) for a respiratory device comprising a mouth covering mask (10) worn by the user of the respiratory device, The process involves generating an audio signal (202) based on vibrations detected on the outer surface of the mask (10), Applying the generated audio signal (204) Method (200), including the method (200).

15. Applying the generated audio signal (204) is, The generated audio signal is reproduced via a speaker assembly (132) attached to the mask (10), The generated voice signal is supplied to the communication interface (134) for transmission to one or more other devices by a communication device (140) coupled to the communication interface (134), The method according to claim 14 (200), comprising at least one of the above.

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