GB2476675A - An induction loop system comprising a display screen that is viewed more clearly inside the magnetic field - Google Patents

An induction loop system comprising a display screen that is viewed more clearly inside the magnetic field Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2476675A
GB2476675A GB1000044A GB201000044A GB2476675A GB 2476675 A GB2476675 A GB 2476675A GB 1000044 A GB1000044 A GB 1000044A GB 201000044 A GB201000044 A GB 201000044A GB 2476675 A GB2476675 A GB 2476675A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
induction loop
visual indicator
hearing aid
magnetic field
integral
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1000044A
Other versions
GB201000044D0 (en
Inventor
Simon Thomas
Andrew Thomas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CONTACTA Ltd
Original Assignee
CONTACTA Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by CONTACTA Ltd filed Critical CONTACTA Ltd
Priority to GB1000044A priority Critical patent/GB2476675A/en
Publication of GB201000044D0 publication Critical patent/GB201000044D0/en
Publication of GB2476675A publication Critical patent/GB2476675A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B5/00—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B5/00—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
    • H04B5/20—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems characterised by the transmission technique; characterised by the transmission medium
    • H04B5/24—Inductive coupling
    • H04B5/0006—
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R27/00—Public address systems
    • H04R27/02—Amplifying systems for the deaf
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F27/00—Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
    • G09F2027/002—Advertising message recorded in a memory device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F27/00—Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/554—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Near-Field Transmission Systems (AREA)

Abstract

An induction loop system 10 comprising an induction loop (22 fig.3), an integral static visual indicator 26 and an integral dynamic visual indicator 24. A microphone 40 picks up a communicator's voice and converts the voice into a digital signal, and the induction loop processes and re-transmits the digital voice signal as a magnetic field 28. When a hearing aid 30 is placed within the magnetic field 28, the hearing aid 30 receives and transmits to the wearer`s ear, the communicator's voice. The static visual indicator 26 indicates to the wearer to turn the hearing aid 30 to a telecoil position. The dynamic visual indicator 24 encourages the wearer to stand in a position that enables them to receive the magnetic field 28, e.g. an LCD display screen 24 that is viewed more clearly when the hearing aid 30 wearer's head is positioned inside the magnetic field 28. The induction loop system 10 may be capable of communicating sales and marketing messages to hearing impaired users in a busy commercial environment.

Description

Improved Induction Loop Apparatus
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved induction loop apparatus and a method of using the same, and in particular, although not exclusively to an induction loop apparatus for use by service provides to improve the ability of hearing aid users to hear staff clearly.
Background to the Invention
It is common for the hard of hearing to wear hearing aids.
In normal operating mode, a hearing aid amplifies all sound, including any background noise. In busy commercial environments such as those found at the premises of service providers or retailers, this can make it difficult for a hearing impaired customer to distinguish specific speech which he or she needs to hear from the background noise.
In order to improve the ability of a hearing impaired customer to hear staff clearly, it is known to use an induction loop apparatus. Here, the staff member speaks into a microphone. The staff member's voice is picked up through the microphone, converted into magnetic impulses by an amplifier and re-transmitted via an induction loop.
This magnetic signal can be picked up by a telecoil and converted back into speech. Consequently, hearing aids are commonly designed with an integral telecoil which is adapted to pick up the magnetic fields transmitted from the induction loop. Thus, the hearing impaired customer can readily filter out background noise and hear clearly the message.
In situations where it is intended for everyone to hear the same message, for example theatres, a room loop can be used. However, in order for a one-to-one conversation to be enabled in, for example, a shop, a smaller, personal telecoil has to be installed in a suitable position.
Here, the working components are often installed out of view, for example under desks or counters as work top space is often a premium. However, in order to make use of the telecoil, a hearing aid wearer needs to switch their hearing aid to the T' (Telecoil) position.
Consequently, a I' position label or sticker is provided to indicate to people with hearing aids that the system is available for use.
The magnetic field of small, personal telecoils radiates from the induction loop within approximately 1-1.5 metres.
Incorrect positioning of the hearing aid relative to the induction loop causes the effectiveness of the signal to diminish. Whilst the known label or sticker identifier is readily recognisable, the correct positioning of the hearing aid wearer relative to the induction loop is not aided. Furthermore, since the induction loop is not stored on the desk top, it is not always possible to optimally position the hearing aid wearer.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved induction loop apparatus capable of clearly communicating sales and marketing messages to hearing impaired users whilst remaining un-obtrusive in environments where table top space is a premium. It is a further aim to provide a convenient induction loop apparatus for enabling an induction loop to be located in new and existing sales environments at an optimum position. It is a further aim to provide an induction loop apparatus that enables and encourages hearing aid users to be correctly located with respect to the induction loop.
According to the present invention there is provided an induction loop system, an induction loop apparatus and a method of correctly locating a hearing aid wearer relative to an induction loop apparatus as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.
For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic pictorial view of an induction loop system according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 is a front perspective view of an induction loop apparatus; and Figure 3 is a schematic consequential view along line A-A of Figure 2.
Referring to Figure 1 an induction loop system 10 comprises an induction loop apparatus 20, a hearing aid 30 and a microphone 40. As with conventional systems, the microphone 40 picks up a communicator's voice and converts the voice into a digital signal. The digital signal is transmitted to the induction ioop apparatus 20 in any well known manner. For instance, the microphone is shown in Figure 1 as being connected to the induction loop apparatus via a conducting wire 42.
The induction loop apparatus 20 comprises an induction loop (not shown in Figure 1), a dynamic visual indicator 24, and a static visual indicator 26. The induction loop 22 processes and re-transmits the digital voice signal received from the microphone as a magnetic field 28. When a hearing aid 30 is placed within the magnetic field 28 and the hearing aid arranged in the telecoil position (as is well known) the hearing aid receives and transmits to the wearer's ear, the communicator's voice. Consequently, the hearing impaired user is able to clearly hear the communicator.
Furthermore, the static visual indicator 26 is clearly recognisable by the hearing impaired wearer and indicates to the wearer to turn the hearing aid to the telecoil position. Advantageously since the dynamic visual indicator 24 can be arranged to display corresponding information the hearing impaired consumer is encouraged to stand in a position that enables them to clearly view the screen 24. Thus, the correct location of the bearing aid 30, relative to the induction loop, is encouraged.
Furthermore since important marketing and other information can be displayed on the dynamic visual indicator 24 the induction loop apparatus 20 is able to be placed prominently within the point of sale area, thereby reversing current trends to arrange the induction loop out of sight.
Figure 2 and 3 show the induction ioop apparatus 20 in more detail. The static visual indicator 26 may include a known and readily recognisable telecoil indicator symbol 26a and also wording such as "to use the induction ioop facility, switch your hearing aid to T and stand here".
Thus the static visual indicator operates much as a conventional sticker.
The dynamic visual indicator 24 is suitably shown as a digital display screen such as an LCD display screen, which is well known in the art. The induction loop apparatus may include a memory card slot and/or USE connectivity for conveniently uploading and storing advertising and marketing messages to be displayed by the display screen. These may be still or moving visual images for information or marketing purposes. In order to encourage hearing aid users to stand in the correct position, relative to the induction loop, it is preferable that the display screen 24 is not overly large. For instance it has been found particularly convenient to use a display screen of approximately 10.2 inches. Since LCD screens are optimally viewed from a perpendicular position relative to the screen, this further encourages the correct positioning of the hearing aid wearer.
As shown in Figure 3, the induction loop 22 is preferably arranged in a loop about the external periphery of the dynamic visual indicator 24. The induction loop 22 is suitably shown in Figure 3 as a PCB based loop.
The induction loop apparatus may include further advantageous features such as speakers. Furthermore, the induction ioop apparatus may include brackets to enable the induction loop apparatus to be wall mounted.
Additionally or alternatively, the induction loop apparatus may include a stand to enable the induction loop apparatus to be free mounted on a desk, work surface, or similar.
Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features
disclosed in this specification (including any
accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (11)

  1. Claims 1. An induction loop system comprising an induction ioop apparatus, a hearing aid and a microphone, wherein the induction loop apparatus comprises: an integral induction loop for transmitting an output of the microphone as a magnetic field able to be received by the hearing aid to convert the magnetic field back into an audible output; an integral static visual indicator to indicate the presence of a telecoil system, the static visual indicator being visible in a first position and a second position wherein, in the first position a hearing aid wearer's head would be positioned inside the magnetic field and in the second position a hearing aid wearer's head be positionedoutside the magnetic field; andan integral dynamic visual indicator for displaying information, wherein the dynamic visual indicator is viewed more clearly at the first position than at the second position.
  2. 2. The induction loop system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic visual indicator is a digital display screen, wherein the characteristics of the digital display screen are such that the screen is more clearly viewed in the first position than in the second position.
  3. 3. The induction loop system of any preceding claim wherein the first position is spaced closer to the dynamic visual indicator than the second position.
  4. 4. The induction loop system of any preceding claim wherein a line drawn from the first position to a centre of the dynamic visual indicator would be more orthogonal than a line drawn from the second position to the centre of the screen.
  5. 5. An induction loop apparatus suitable for use in an induction loop system, wherein the induction loop apparatus comprises; an integral induction loop for transmitting an output of a microphone as a magnetic field able to be received by the hearing aid to convert the magnetic field back into an audible output; an integral static visual indicator to indicate the presence of a telecoil system, the static visual indicator being visible in a first position and a second position wherein, in the first position a hearing aid wearer's head would be positioned inside the magnetic field and in the second position a hearing aid wearer's head be positionedoutside the magnetic field; andan integral dynamic visual indicator for displaying information, wherein the dynamic visual indicator is viewed more clearly at the first position than at the second position.
  6. 6. The induction loop apparatus of claim 5, wherein the dynamic visual indicator is a digital display screen, wherein the characteristics of the visual display screen are such that the screen is more clearly viewed in the first position than in the second position.
  7. 7. The induction ioop apparatus of any of claims 5 or 6 wherein the first position is spaced closer to the dynamic visual indicator than the second position.
  8. 8. The induction loop apparatus of any of claims 5 to 7 wherein a line drawn from the first position to a centre of the dynamic visual indicator would be more orthogonal than a line drawn from the second position to the centre of the screen.
  9. 9. A method of locating a hearing aid wearer in a correct position in order for a hearing aid to receive a magnetic field transmitted by an induction loop such that the hearing aid can convert the magnetic field back into an audible output, wherein the method comprises; installing an induction loop apparatus in a prominent position within a sales environment, wherein the induction loop apparatus comprises an integral induction loop for transmitting an output of a microphone as a magneticfield;an integral static visual indicator to indicate the presence of a telecoil system, the static visual indicator being visible in a first position and a second position wherein, in the first position a hearing aid wearer's head would be positioned inside the magnetic field and in the second position a hearing aid wearer's head be positionedoutside the magnetic field;an integral dynamic visual indicator for displaying information, wherein the dynamic visual indicator is viewed more clearly at the first position than at the second position; and wherein the integral dynamic visual indicator encourages the hearing aid wearer to move from the second position towards the first position.
  10. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the induction loop apparatus is as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8.
  11. 11. An induction loop system or induction loop apparatus or method substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures.
GB1000044A 2010-01-04 2010-01-04 An induction loop system comprising a display screen that is viewed more clearly inside the magnetic field Withdrawn GB2476675A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1000044A GB2476675A (en) 2010-01-04 2010-01-04 An induction loop system comprising a display screen that is viewed more clearly inside the magnetic field

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1000044A GB2476675A (en) 2010-01-04 2010-01-04 An induction loop system comprising a display screen that is viewed more clearly inside the magnetic field

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GB201000044D0 GB201000044D0 (en) 2010-02-17
GB2476675A true GB2476675A (en) 2011-07-06

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2584552A1 (en) * 2011-10-20 2013-04-24 Esium Audio broadcast apparatus and use thereof for informing and/or guiding and/or assisting a person in navigating
EP2908560A1 (en) * 2014-02-13 2015-08-19 Qlu Oy Mapping system and method
US9918170B2 (en) 2013-07-09 2018-03-13 Nokia Technologies Oy Hearing-aid compatible display apparatus
EP3275087A4 (en) * 2015-03-24 2019-01-02 AB Transistor Sweden Indicator device for a hearing loop

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2392869A (en) * 2002-09-16 2004-03-17 Contacta Ltd Clipboard to assist persons with impaired hearing
GB2413458A (en) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-26 A K Barns Ltd Local area induction loop system for hearing aid users
US20060285708A1 (en) * 2005-06-03 2006-12-21 Guinn James D Hearing aid apparatus and method of using same
US7397926B1 (en) * 2004-09-02 2008-07-08 At&T Mobility Ii Llc System and method for optimizing the strength and orientation of the inductive field of a hearing aid compatible device
JP2009100023A (en) * 2007-10-12 2009-05-07 Funai Electric Co Ltd Hearing aid assist tool and hearing aid assist system including the hearing aid assist tool

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2392869A (en) * 2002-09-16 2004-03-17 Contacta Ltd Clipboard to assist persons with impaired hearing
GB2413458A (en) * 2004-03-31 2005-10-26 A K Barns Ltd Local area induction loop system for hearing aid users
US7397926B1 (en) * 2004-09-02 2008-07-08 At&T Mobility Ii Llc System and method for optimizing the strength and orientation of the inductive field of a hearing aid compatible device
US20060285708A1 (en) * 2005-06-03 2006-12-21 Guinn James D Hearing aid apparatus and method of using same
JP2009100023A (en) * 2007-10-12 2009-05-07 Funai Electric Co Ltd Hearing aid assist tool and hearing aid assist system including the hearing aid assist tool

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2584552A1 (en) * 2011-10-20 2013-04-24 Esium Audio broadcast apparatus and use thereof for informing and/or guiding and/or assisting a person in navigating
FR2981777A1 (en) * 2011-10-20 2013-04-26 Esium AUDIO DIFFUSION APPARATUS AND USE THEREOF FOR INFORMING AND / OR GUIDING AND / OR ASSISTING A PERSON TO TRUST
US9918170B2 (en) 2013-07-09 2018-03-13 Nokia Technologies Oy Hearing-aid compatible display apparatus
EP2824900B1 (en) * 2013-07-09 2018-04-18 Nokia Technologies Oy Display apparatus
EP2908560A1 (en) * 2014-02-13 2015-08-19 Qlu Oy Mapping system and method
US9485588B2 (en) 2014-02-13 2016-11-01 Qlu Oy Mapping system and method
EP3275087A4 (en) * 2015-03-24 2019-01-02 AB Transistor Sweden Indicator device for a hearing loop

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Publication number Publication date
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