Patent ID: 7054450

Claim:
A method for ensuring audio safety in an audio device, comprising the steps of: outputting an acoustic output signal with a processor; monitoring the acoustic output signal; feeding the monitored acoustic output signal to an analog safety circuit; adjusting from a first level to a second level the acoustic output signal with the analog safety circuit when the first level of the acoustic output signal reaches a predetermined safety threshold, wherein the monitoring, feeding and adjusting steps enable the audio device to have an output capacity that is capable of driving the acoustic output signal to a sound pressure level above the predetermined safety threshold, wherein the analog safety circuit serves as a supplement to the ability of the processor to prevent the acoustic output signal from reaching the predetermined safety threshold; and signaling the processor from the analog safety circuit when the acoustic output signal moves from the first level to the second level, wherein the processor performs adjustments to account for the first level of the acoustic output signal reaching the predetermined safety threshold.