Patent ID: 7242781
Filing Date: 2007-07-10
Classification: H04R

Abstract:
1. An adaptive directional sound processing system, comprising: a least two microphones spaced apart by a predetermined distance, each of said microphones producing an electronic sound signal; a delay circuit that delays the electronic sound signal from at least one of said microphones by an adaptive delay amount; a subtraction circuit operatively connected to said microphones and said delay circuit, said subtraction circuit producing an output difference signal from the electronic sound signals following said delay circuit; and a delay amount determination circuit operatively coupled to receive the output difference signal, said delay amount determination circuit produces a delay control signal that is supplied to said delay circuit so as to control the adaptive delay amount, wherein said adaptive directional sound processing system resides within a personal hearing aid device adapted for use within or proximate to a user's ear, and wherein the adaptive delay amount induced by said delay circuit operates to minimize the energy amount of the output difference signal while not significantly attenuating sound arriving at said microphones from a predetermined direction.