Patent ID: 9498658
Filing Date: 2016-11-22
CPC Classification: A62B,G10K,G10L,H03G,H04R

Claim Text:
1. A respirator mask comprising: a mask body configured to define a clean air envelope between the mask and the mouth and nose of wearer and exhibiting an acoustic attenuation profile over a first frequency range; and a speech enhancement apparatus comprising: a microphone configured for attachment to the mask body, the microphone further configured to detect acoustic energy within the clean air envelope when attached to the mask body; a speaker configured to produce acoustic energy outside of the clean air envelope; a controller operably connected to the speaker and the microphone, wherein the controller is configured to: receive a speech signal from the microphone, wherein the speech signal is indicative of acoustic energy detected by the microphone within the first frequency range; and deliver an output signal to the speaker, wherein the output signal is configured to cause the speaker to emit compensating acoustic energy, wherein the compensating acoustic energy is emitted in one or more predetermined attenuated frequency ranges, and wherein the compensating acoustic energy comprises a predetermined attenuated amplitude profile such that the compensating acoustic energy exhibits an amplitude less than 6 dB greater than the acoustic attenuation profile of the mask body over at least 90% of each predetermined attenuated frequency range of the one or more predetermined attenuated frequency ranges.