US4783814A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stethoscope having pseudostereophonic binaural enhancement
Assignee: Comprehensive Health Care Corp of America
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Filing: 1986-10-09
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Granted: 1988-11-08
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Expires: 2006-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A stethoscope having a monophonic electrical sensor which feeds electrical signals corresponding to heart sounds to a transversal filter to produce pseudostereophonic signals at split outputs which may be used to power dual earphones for binaural listening. The electronic processing of the heart sounds in the transversal filter enables the listener to differentiate the different sounds of the heart.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin P. Foley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B7/00; A61B7/02; A61B7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A stethoscope for use in listening to body sounds comprising: a monophonic microphone for sensing said body sounds and converting said body sounds into a corresponding monophonic signal; a right earphone and a left earphone enabling binaural hearing by a user of said stethoscope; transversal filter means for converting said corresponding monophonic signal into a corresponding different output signal; means for transmitting said corresponding different output signal to only one of said earphones; and means for transmitting said corresponding monophonic signal to the other one of said earphones; whereby sounds heard in said right and left earphones are different and create a pseudostereophonic effect during binaural hearing by said user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A stethoscope for use in listening to body sounds comprising: a monophonic microphone for sensing said body sounds and converting said body sounds into a corresponding monophonic signal; a right earphone and a left earphone enabling binaural hearing by a user of said stethoscope; transversal filter means for converting said corresponding monophonic signal into a corresponding different output signal; means for transmitting said corresponding different output signal to only one of said earphones; and means for transmitting said corresponding monophonic signal to the other one of said earphones; whereby sounds heard in said right and left earphones are different and create a pseudostereophonic effect during binaural hearing by said user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The stethoscope according to claim 1 wherein said transversal filter means comprises time delay means responsive to said corresponding monophonic signal for delaying such signal by a selected amount, and means for algebraically combining the delayed signal with said corresponding monophonic signal to produce said corresponding different output signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stethoscope according to claim 2 whrrein the delay means is adjustable to provide a selected delay.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stethoscope according to claim 3 wherein the time delay is adjustable over a range from substantially zero to 40 milliseconds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
A stethoscope for listening to body sounds comprising: a monophonic microphone for sensing said body sounds and converting them into a corresponding monphonic signal; a right earphone and a left earphone enabling binaural hearing by a user of said stethoscope; transversal filter means for converting said corresponding monophonic signal into two different corresponding output signals; and means for individually connecting said two different corresponding output signals to respective ones of said right and left earphones to produce different sounds for said right and left earphones; whereby the different sounds heard in said right and left earphones create a pseudostereophonic effect during binaural hearing by said user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
A stethoscope for listening to body sounds comprising: a monophonic microphone for sensing said body sounds and converting them into a corresponding monphonic signal; a right earphone and a left earphone enabling binaural hearing by a user of said stethoscope; transversal filter means for converting said corresponding monophonic signal into two different corresponding output signals; and means for individually connecting said two different corresponding output signals to respective ones of said right and left earphones to produce different sounds for said right and left earphones; whereby the different sounds heard in said right and left earphones create a pseudostereophonic effect during binaural hearing by said user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The stethoscope according to claim 5 wherein said transversal filter means comprises time delay means responsive to said corresponding monophonic signal for delaying such signal by a selected amount, means for phase splitting the delayed signal, and means for algebraically combining each of the delayed signals, as split, with said corresponding monophonic signal and thereby produce said two different corresponding output signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stethoscope according to claim 6 wherein the time delay means is adjustable to provide a selected length delay.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stethoscope according to claim 7 wherein the time delay is adjustable over a range from substantially zero to 40 milliseconds.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The stethoscope according to claim 6 wherein the phase splitter is a transistor having base input, emitter and collector resistors, and output connections from the emitter and collector for supplying the delayed split signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-08 | 1992-05-09 | 1992-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-08 | 1996-05-09 | 1996-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-08 | 2000-05-09 | 2000-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |