Abstract:
A mobile transceiver ( 1 ) comprises several receivers ( 16   a,    16   b,    16   c   , 17, 18, 19 ) for receiving electrical or electromagnetic signals carrying audio signals and a radio transmitter ( 15 ) for transmitting radio signals carrying audio signals. The mobile transceiver ( 1 ) comprises a prioritizing module ( 101 ) for assigning priority values to audio signals received by the receivers ( 16   a   , 16   b   , 16   c   , 17, 18, 19 ). The prioritizing module ( 101 ) is designed to assign priority values in accordance with priority values assigned to the receivers ( 16   a   , 16   b   , 16   c   , 17, 18, 19 ) that received the audio signal concerned and/or to signal identifiers contained in the received electrical or electromagnetic signals carrying the audio signal concerned. The mobile transceiver ( 1 ) makes it possible to receive several audio signals separately from different audio sources, to prioritize automatically the received audio signals, and to select automatically and transmit one of the several received audio signals to the user, thereby assisting the possibly hearing impaired user in differentiating audio signals from different audio sources.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a mobile transceiver and to an electronic module controlling the transceiver. Specifically, the present invention relates to a mobile transceiver and to an electronic module controlling the transceiver, the mobile transceiver comprising a receiver for receiving electrical or electromagnetic signals, the electrical or electromagnetic signals carrying audio signals, and a radio transmitter for transmitting radio signals carrying audio signals.  
           [0002]    Transceivers with a receiver for electrical signals carrying audio signals and with a radio transmitter for transmitting radio signals carrying audio signals are known for the wireless transfer of acoustic information between separate locations. Such known transceivers have a connector for connecting a microphone to the receiver of the transceiver. The electrical signal carrying the is audio signal received from the connected microphone is forwarded to the radio transmitter of the transceiver. The radio transmitter in the known transceivers transmits a radio signal carrying the received audio signal to a separate radio receiver in a remote location. The known transceivers are installed, for example, in public places for transferring acoustic information from speeches or presentations from the speaker to hearing aids of hearing impaired people in the audience. Similarly, mobile versions of the known transceivers are used in the entertainment industry for transferring the speaking or singing voice from a performer to an amplification system or to transmit spoken instructions to a headphone of a performer on stage or in a recording studio. Mobile transceivers are also known in the form of headsets for hands-free use of mobile radio phones. The known mobile transceivers are typically limited, however, to specific applications rendering them not very useful for the hearing impaired who are exposed daily to a multitude of different acoustic information from various audio sources. The known mobile transceivers cannot be used in connection with different types of audio sources. Moreover, the known mobile transceivers do not assist their users in differentiating audio signals from different audio sources. Particularly, hearing impaired people get drowned in acoustic information from numerous audio sources, without being able to make out individual audio sources or to differentiate acoustic information from different audio sources. Consequently, the ringing of a telephone, or worse a fire alarm, might get missed because of audio signals from a television or stereo set.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    It is an object of this invention to provide a mobile transceiver, comprising a receiver for receiving electrical or electromagnetic signals carrying audio signals and a radio transmitter for transmitting radio signals carrying audio signals, and an electronic module controlling the mobile transceiver, which do not have the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile transceiver and an electronic module controlling the transceiver which can be used with audio signals from different types of audio sources and which make it possible for users to differentiate audio signals from different audio sources.  
           [0004]    According to the present invention, these objects are achieved particularly through the features of the independent claims. In addition, further advantageous embodiments follow from the dependent claims and the description.  
           [0005]    According to the present invention, the above-mentioned objects are particularly achieved in that the mobile transceiver comprises several receivers for receiving electrical or electromagnetic signals carrying audio signals, in that the mobile transceiver comprises a prioritizing module for assigning priority values to audio signals received by the receivers, and in that the mobile transceiver comprises a relay module for forwarding the received audio signal having the highest assigned priority value to a radio transmitter of the mobile transceiver for transmission by radio signals. Having several receivers, for receiving electrical or electromagnetic signals carrying audio signals, makes it possible for the mobile transceiver to receive several audio signals separately and concurrently from different audio sources. Assigning different priority values to the separately and concurrently received audio signals and selectively forwarding the received audio signal having the highest assigned priority to the radio transmitter makes it possible for the mobile transceiver to selectively transmit received audio signals to the user. By transmitting only selected received audio signals to the user, the mobile transceiver assists the user in differentiating audio signals from different audio sources. Essentially, high priority audio signals important to the user are detected by the mobile transceiver and transmitted to the user, while audio signals less important to the user are filtered by the mobile transceiver.  
           [0006]    The radio transmitter is preferably a low power radio transmitter with a transmitting power in the range of 0.1 milliwatts to 100 milliwatts, suitable for transmitting the selected audio signal over a distance of a few meters to hearing aids or headphones, for example. The receivers for receiving electrical signals comprise different types of connectors for connecting different types of external audio sources to the mobile transceiver. The receivers for receiving electromagnetic signals are designed to receive electromagnetic signals in the radio and/or infrared frequency range for wireless reception of audio signals from different types of external audio sources.  
           [0007]    In a preferred embodiment the prioritizing module is designed to assign a priority value to a received audio signal in accordance with a priority value assigned to the receiver that received that audio signal. Assigning priority values in correspondence with the receiver that received that audio signal is particularly advantageous when receivers are assigned fixed to a specific audio source, such as a telephone, a door bell or an alarm.  
           [0008]    In an embodiment the prioritizing module is designed to assign a priority value to a received audio signal in accordance with a priority value assigned to a signal identifier contained in that received audio signal or in accordance with a priority value assigned to a signal identifier contained in the received electrical or electromagnetic signal that carried that received audio signal. Assigning priority values in correspondence with signal identifiers contained in the received signal makes it possible to differentiate audio signals received by the same receiver in addition to differentiating audio signals received by different receivers. On the other hand, differentiating received audio signals at the signal level requires audio sources providing such signal identifiers.  
           [0009]    In an embodiment the mobile transceiver comprises an interface for assigning priority values to the receivers and/or to signal identifiers. Such an interface makes it possible for the user to customize the configuration of the is priorities to his personal needs, his environment and circumstances. In this way the user can easily customize the selective transmission of received audio signals to the user. Furthermore, the user can spontaneously select an audio signal currently being received to have the highest assigned priority.  
           [0010]    In an embodiment the mobile transceiver comprises several stored sets of priority values, each set comprising different assignments of priority values to the receivers and/or to signal identifiers, and the mobile transceiver comprises an interface for activating one of the sets. Storing and activating such sets of stored priority values makes it possible for the user to switch efficiently between different defined priority configurations adapted, for example, to specific locations or time periods having their particular scenario of audio sources or activities, respectively. In this way the user can efficiently change between defined configurations for the priority based selection of received audio signals to be transmitted to the user.  
           [0011]    In an embodiment the mobile transceiver comprises positioning means for determining the current geographic position and the prioritizing module is designed to assign a priority value to a received audio signal in accordance with the determined current geographic position. Determining the current geographic position and assigning priority values in accordance with the determined current geographic position has the advantage that the selection of received audio signals to be transmitted to the user can automatically be adapted to the current location of the user.  
           [0012]    In an embodiment the mobile transceiver comprises time determination means for determining the current time, and the prioritizing module is designed to assign a priority value to a received audio signal in accordance with the determined current time. Determining the current time and assigning priority values in accordance with the determined current time has the advantage that the selection of received audio signals to be transmitted to the user can be adapted automatically to the current time.  
           [0013]    In an embodiment the mobile transceiver comprises a log module for recording historical priority values assigned to the receivers or to signal identifiers, and the prioritizing module is designed to assign a priority value to a received audio signal in accordance with the recorded historical priority value assigned to the receiver that received that audio signal, or assigned to the signal identifier contained in the received electrical or electromagnetic signal that carried that received audio signal. Recording the history of assigning priority values and assigning priority values to received audio signals in accordance with the recorded historical assignment of priority values has the advantage that the mobile transceiver can automatically adapt to preferred priority configurations set by the user, for example preferred configurations in specific locations or at specific times.  
           [0014]    In an embodiment the mobile transceiver comprises a microphone, the prioritizing module is designed for assigning priority values to audio signals received by the microphone, and the relay module is designed for forwarding audio signals received by the microphone to the radio transmitter for transmission by radio signals when the audio signal received by the microphone has the highest assigned priority value. Having a microphone integrated in the mobile transceiver has the advantage that audio signals from audio sources such as people or loudspeakers present near the mobile transceiver can be received in the mobile transceiver and transmitted to the user without the need for additional cables or equipment.  
           [0015]    Preferably, the radio transmitter is designed to transmit radio signals in a frequency range different from the frequency range of the electromagnetic signals received by the receivers. Using different frequency ranges for transmitting and receiving radio signals avoids problems of interference between received and transmitted signals.  
           [0016]    In an embodiment the radio transmitter is designed to transmit radio signals in a form different from the form of the electromagnetic signals received by the receivers. Using different signal forms for transmitting and receiving radio signals avoids problems of interference between received and transmitted signals.  
           [0017]    In an embodiment the mobile transceiver comprises a buffer for buffering a received audio signal having a higher assigned priority than the audio signal currently being forwarded to the radio transmitter, and the relay module is designed to fade out the volume of the audio signal currently being forwarded to the radio transmitter, before forwarding the buffered audio signal to the radio transmitter. Buffering received audio signals subsequently to be forwarded to the user and fading out audio signals currently forwarded to the user has the advantage that a change of the audio signal or the audio source, respectively, can be indicated to the user through a pause between the two audio signals without any of the subsequent audio signals being lost.  
           [0018]    In an embodiment at least some of the receivers are coupled with a corresponding additional transmitter for bidirectional exchange of audio signals. This has the advantage that the mobile transceiver can be coupled with audio sources supporting bidirectional communication such as mobile or fixed telephones or intercoms. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    The present invention will be explained in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram illustrating the signal flow between several audio sources and a mobile transceiver and from the mobile transceiver to a radio receiver, the audio sources being connected to the mobile transceiver through a wired link or a wireless link.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram illustrating a mobile transceiver comprising several receivers, a radio transmitter and an electronic module with a prioritizing module and a relay module. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]    In the following description the term audio signal refers to acoustic signals audible to humans, typically in the range of 100 Hz to 8 KHz or, in the case of high fidelity electronic devices, in the extended range of 20 Hz to 20 KHz.  
         [0023]    In FIG. 1, the reference numeral  1  refers to a mobile transceiver which will be described later in more detail with reference to FIG. 2. The mobile transceiver  1  is designed such that it can be carried easily by its user and, depending on the situation, the user may place the mobile receiver  1  on a platform away from himself or carry the mobile receiver  1  on him, for example. Obviously, the mobile receiver  1  can also be installed permanently in, or connected permanently to, a fixed or mobile electronic device.  
         [0024]    In FIG. 1, the reference numerals  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35  refer to examples of different audio sources which are connected to the mobile transceiver  1  by means of wired links. The reference numeral  31  refers to an audio source generating acoustic alarm signals, such as a fire alarm or the ringing of a door bell. The reference numeral  32  refers to an audio source such as a stereo set delivering audio signals received via radio or cable broadcast or read from storage media such as CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), hard disk, magnetic tape or the like. The reference numeral  33  refers to an audio source represented by a fixed telephone or an intercom apparatus. The reference numeral  34  refers to an audio source delivering audio signals from television programs received via radio or cable broadcast or from multimedia data read from storage media such as DVD, hard disk, magnetic tape or the like. The reference numeral  35  refers to an audio source represented by a microphone. The wired audio sources  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35  produce electrical signals that carry the respective audio signals to the mobile transceiver  1 , as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1. The audio signals can be carried as analogue or digital signals. As is illustrated by the double arrow, the wired link between the mobile transceiver  1  and the audio source  33  is suited for bidirectional exchange of electrical signals.  
         [0025]    In FIG. 1, the reference numerals  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45  refer to examples of different audio sources which are connected to the mobile transceiver  1  by means of wireless links. For establishing the wireless links, the audio sources  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45  are provided with transmitters for transmitting electromagnetic signals, preferably in the radio or infrared frequency range. The reference numeral  41  refers to an audio source represented by a hand held computer transmitting audio signals from stored data files such as MP3 (MPEG, Moving Pictures Expert Group) files. The reference numeral  42  refers to an audio source represented by a laptop computer transmitting audio signals from stored data files such as MP3 files or data files of other formats read from hard disk, CD or DVD. The reference numeral  43  refers to an audio source transmitting audio signals read from storage media such as CD or DVD. The reference numeral  44  refers to an audio source represented by a mobile radio telephone transmitting audio signals received over a mobile radio network. The reference numeral  45  refers to an audio source set up in a public area transmitting audio signals provided by a microphone or a recording. The wired audio sources  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35  transmit electromagnetic signals that carry the respective audio signals to the mobile transceiver  1 , as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1. The audio signals can be carried as analogue or digital signals. As is illustrated by the double arrow, the wired link between the mobile transceiver  1  and the audio source  44  is suited for bidirectional exchange of electromagnetic signals.  
         [0026]    The audio sources  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  41 ,  42 ,  53 ,  44 ,  45  illustrated in FIG. 1 are given as examples only and are not meant to be restrictive. Moreover, the illustrated examples of wired audio sources  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35  can also be provided with electromagnetic transmitters or, vice versa, the illustrated examples of audio sources  41 ,  42 ,  53 ,  44 ,  45  provided with electromagnetic transmitters can be connected to the mobile transceiver  1  by means of wired links instead.  
         [0027]    In FIG. 1 the reference numeral  2  refers to a radio receiver coupled with an electro-acoustic converter, preferably a hearing aid with a radio receiver for receiving radio signals carrying audio signals or a headphone with such a receiver.  
         [0028]    As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the mobile transceiver  1  is provided with several conventional receivers  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c  for receiving the electrical signals carrying the audio signals from the wired audio sources  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35  described above. The receivers  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c  comprise connectors for removably connecting the wired audio sources  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35  to the mobile transceiver  1 . As is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2, receiver  16   b  is provided for bidirectional exchange of electrical signals, for example for connecting the audio source  35 . Furthermore, the mobile transceiver  1  is provided with several conventional receivers  17 ,  18 ,  19  for receiving the electromagnetic signals carrying the audio signals from the audio sources  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45  described above. For example, receiver  17  is provided for receiving radio signals, receiver  18  is provided for bidirectional exchange of radio signals, and receiver  19  is provided for receiving infrared signals.  
         [0029]    Optionally, the mobile transceiver  1  comprises a built-in microphone  11  for receiving acoustic signals from audio sources, particularly from human speakers, near the mobile transceiver  1 .  
         [0030]    In FIG. 2, the reference numeral  12  refers to operating elements such as buttons or dials which make it possible for the user of the mobile receiver  1  to enter data and control signals or to adjust the volume, i.e. the gain of the radio transmitter  15 , respectively, The operating elements  12  may also include a display  121  for displaying operational status, parameter settings or other information to the user.  
         [0031]    Optionally, the mobile transceiver  1  is provided with positioning means  13  for determining the current geographic position, for example a GPS receiver (Global Positioning System).  
         [0032]    Optionally, the mobile transceiver  1  is provided with time determination means  14  for determining the current time, for example an integrated clock or a receiver for time information such as a GPS receiver.  
         [0033]    As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the mobile transceiver  1  comprises a radio transmitter  15 . The radio transmitter is a unidirectional low power radio transmitter with a transmitting power in the range of 0.1 milliwatts to 100 milliwatts, sufficient for a covering a distance of approximately 10 to 100 meters. Preferably, the radio transmitter  15  transmit radio signals in a frequency range different from the frequency ranges of the electromagnetic signals received by the receivers  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45  and/or in a form different from the form of the electromagnetic signals received by the receivers  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 .  
         [0034]    The mobile transceiver  1  comprises an electronic module  10  preferably integrated as an integrated circuit. The electronic module  10  can also be built from several separate electronic components. The electronic module  10  comprises several functional modules which can be implemented by means of non-programmable logic circuits, by means of programmable logic circuits or by means of a combination of a processor and program code.  
         [0035]    The electronic module  10  comprises a signal interface module  1020  connected to the receivers  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  and to the microphone  11 , if applicable, for receiving the electrical signals that carry the audio signals received by the receivers  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  or the microphone  11  as electrical signals. The signal interface module  1020  can be provided for receiving the audio signals as electrical signals in analogue or digital form.  
         [0036]    The electronic module  10  comprises an operating interface module  103  connected to the operating elements  121  for receiving data and control signals entered by a user of the mobile transceiver  1  and for displaying information to the user. The interface module  103  and the operating elements  121  represent the user interface for operating the mobile transceiver  1 .  
         [0037]    As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the electronic module  10  comprises two main functional modules: the prioritizing module  101  and the relay module  102 .  
         [0038]    The prioritizing module  101  assigns priority values to audio signals received via the signal interface module  1020  from the receivers  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  or the microphone  11 . For that purpose, the prioritizing module  101  comprises stored priority values  1010 , each priority value assigned to one of the receivers  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  or to the microphone  11 . For example, a receiver identifier is assigned to each receiver  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  and to the microphone  11  and the stored priority values  1010  comprise assignments of priority values to receiver identifiers. Optionally, the stored priority values  1010  comprise priority values assigned to signal identifiers, which may be contained in electrical signals, electromagnetic signals or audio signals received from the receivers  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  or the microphone  11 . As is schematically shown in FIG. 2, the stored priority values  1010  comprise several stored sets of priority values  1011 . Each set of priority values  1011  comprises different assignments of priority values to the receivers and/or to signal identifiers. Assignments of priority values to the receivers and/or to signal identifiers can be entered by the user of the mobile transceiver  1  through the user interface represented by the operating elements  121  and the interface module  103 . Through the same user interface, the user can also define, select and activate a particular one of the stored sets of priority values  1011 .  
         [0039]    The selection and activation of a particular one of the stored sets of priority values  1011  can also be done automatically by the control module  1013  of the prioritizing module  101  based on the current geographic position determined by the positioning means  13  and/or based on the current tirne determined by the time determination means  14 . In this way different prioritizing schemes are automatically applied depending on the current geographic position of the user and/or depending on the current time.  
         [0040]    The control module  1013  continuously checks from which ones of the receivers  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  or the microphone  11  an electrical signal carrying an audio signal is received via the signal interface module  1020 . Depending on the embodiment, the control module  1013  also identifies any signal identifiers contained in the received electrical signal or audio signal. Based on the stored priority values  1010  or on the currently activated stored sets of priority values  1011 , respectively, the control module  1013  determines which one of the audio signals currently received by the receivers  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  or the microphone  11  has the highest assigned priority. An identification of the currently received audio signal with the highest assigned priority value is passed to the relay module  102 .  
         [0041]    Through the user interface represented by the operating elements  121  and the interface module  103 , the user can also manually select the currently received audio signal that is to be given the highest current priority at the moment. Optionally, the prioritizing module  101  comprises a log module  1012  for recording historical priority values assigned to the receivers  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  or to the microphone  11  or to signal identifiers by the user selecting momentary priorities. Historical priority values are preferably stored assigned to values of current geographic position determined by the positioning means  13  and/or to values of current time determined by the time determination means  14  at the moment when the audio signal was given the highest priority by the user. In that way preferred assignments of priority values based on geographic positions and/or time can be automatically established over time by the mobile transceiver  1 .  
         [0042]    The relay module  2  forwards the audio signal, currently received from the receivers  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  or the microphone  11  via the signal interface module  1020 , having the highest assigned priority value to the radio transmitter  15  for transmission by radio signals.  
         [0043]    Optionally, the relay module  102  comprises a buffer memory  1021  for buffering a received audio signal having a higher assigned priority than the audio signal currently being forwarded to the radio transmitter  15 . The relay module  102  comprises a fader module  1022  which fades out the volume of the audio signal currently being forwarded to the radio transmitter  15  before forwarding the buffered audio signal to the radio transmitter  15 .