U.S. patent application number 11/053408 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-07 for method of obtaining data related to hearing ability with automatic delivery of corrective instructions.
This patent application is currently assigned to Diagnostic Group, LLC. Invention is credited to Braun, Leroy, Foreman, Jack.
Application Number | 20050148900 11/053408 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24565180 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050148900 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Braun, Leroy ; et
al. |
July 7, 2005 |
Method of obtaining data related to hearing ability with automatic
delivery of corrective instructions
Abstract
A method for obtaining data related to the hearing ability of a
subject includes outputting tones or sounds, monitoring the
subject's responses to the tones or sounds, detecting an error
condition based on the responses, automatically delivering
corrective instructions based on the error condition detected, and
resuming the outputting of tones or sounds. The steps of
outputting, monitoring, detecting, automatically delivering and
resuming are iterated until the data related to the hearing ability
of the subject has been obtained.
Inventors: |
Braun, Leroy; (Austin,
TX) ; Foreman, Jack; (Pflugerville, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KINNEY & LANGE, P.A.
THE KINNEY & LANGE BUILDING
312 SOUTH THIRD STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55415-1002
US
|
Assignee: |
Diagnostic Group, LLC
Eden Prairie
MN
|
Family ID: |
24565180 |
Appl. No.: |
11/053408 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11053408 |
Feb 8, 2005 |
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10685240 |
Oct 14, 2003 |
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10685240 |
Oct 14, 2003 |
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10156415 |
May 28, 2002 |
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6644120 |
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10156415 |
May 28, 2002 |
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09139858 |
Aug 25, 1998 |
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6416482 |
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09139858 |
Aug 25, 1998 |
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08639694 |
Apr 29, 1996 |
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5811681 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/559 ; 702/19;
73/585 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/121 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/559 ;
073/585; 702/019 |
International
Class: |
A61B 005/12 |
Claims
1. A method of obtaining data related to hearing ability of a
subject, comprising: outputting tones or sounds; monitoring the
subject's responses to the tones or sounds; detecting an error
condition based on the responses; automatically delivering
corrective instructions based on the error condition detected;
resuming the outputting of tones or sounds; and iterating selected
ones of the steps of outputting, monitoring, detecting,
automatically delivering and resuming until the data related to
hearing ability of the subject has been obtained.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of outputting tones or
sounds and monitoring the subject's responses to the tones or
sounds are performed according to a logical testing procedure.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the logical testing procedure is
the Hughson-Westlake procedure.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the corrective instructions are
audible instructions.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the corrective instructions are
visual instructions.
6. A method of performing an audiometric test of a subject,
comprising: generating audible test tones; monitoring responses by
the subject; detecting errors in the subject's responses to the
audible test tones; automatically producing selected corrective
instructions in response to the detected errors; and compiling and
storing the responses of the test subject in a memory.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the steps of generating audible
test tones and monitoring the subject's responses are performed
according to a logical testing procedure.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the logical testing procedure is
the Hughson-Westlake procedure.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the selected corrective
instructions are audible instructions.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein the selected corrective
instructions are visual instructions.
11. The method of claim 6, further comprising: displaying and/or
printing results of the audiometric test.
12. A method of obtaining audiometric test data, comprising:
administering an audiometric test, including iteratively performing
the steps of: outputting audible test tones; monitoring a subject's
responses to the test tones; detecting errors in the subject's
responses; and automatically delivering corrective instructions in
response to errors detected in the subject's responses; and
processing and storing the audiometric test data based on the
subject's responses to the test tones and any corrective
instructions delivered to the subject in response to errors
detected in the subject's responses.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the steps of outputting audible
test tones and monitoring the subject's responses to the test tones
are performed according to a logical testing procedure.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the logical testing procedure
is the Hughson-Westlake procedure.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the corrective instructions are
audible instructions.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the corrective instructions are
visual instructions.
17. The method of claim 12, further comprising: displaying and/or
printing the audiometric test data.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/156,415,
filed May 28, 2003, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.
09/139,858, filed Aug. 25, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,416,482, which
is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/639,694, filed Apr.
29, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,681.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a multimedia interface of a
diagnostic test instrument and, more particularly, to automated
testing, including multimedia-derived instructions, test
monitoring, and error response, by an audiometer or other medical
or diagnostic test instrument.
[0003] A wide variety of medical and diagnostic test
instrumentation is known. An example of such instrumentation is an
audiometer. The audiometer is an electrically activated generator
of test tones for evaluation of hearing. Other medical and
diagnostic instrumentations include a spirometer for measuring lung
capacity, vision testing equipment, blood alcohol testing
equipment, and occupational health industry maintenance testing
equipment, such as blood pressure, EKG, and other wellness testing
equipment. Generally, these and other prior testing
instrumentations require one or more individuals to administer the
test by operating the equipment and giving instructions to the test
subject.
[0004] The trend in testing, however, appears to be toward
automation. Through automation, reduced numbers of test
administrators may be required and increased accuracy of testing,
with lack of deviation caused by human administrator error, may be
possible. Although certain limited automation has previously been
possible, that automation has been directed primarily to the
automated compilation, organization, and reporting of data in
desirable formats. Processing units, such as, for example, personal
computers, have previously been employed to achieve the automation
of the compilation, organization, and reporting functions. Little
automation, if any, has previously been achieved, however, in
connection with the actual administration of the test.
Administration of such tests has typically been performed almost
wholly by one or more human test administrators.
[0005] Hearing testing has for several decades been performed
utilizing an instrument called an audiometer. Prior to the
audiometer, tuning forks and other tone generating devices were
employed. In the early testing, a test subject responded directly
to a test administrator who recorded test results based on the
administrator's subjective determinations. The advent of the
audiometer, an electronic instrument that generates tones, provided
a degree of standardization in hearing testing because uniform
tones and proper calibrations are better achieved.
[0006] Even after the invention of the audiometer, however, hearing
testing was far from standardized, as testing varied in both
procedures and determinations. A standardized procedure, still
followed today, was then developed for hearing testing. That
procedure is referred to as the "Hughson-Westlake" procedure. Other
procedures are followed in some instances, but the Hughson-Westlake
procedure is probably the most common.
[0007] In the Hughson-Westlake procedure, tones at a level audible
to the test subject, such as, for example, 30dB, are first
presented to the subject. The test subject responds that the tones
are heard, and then the level of the tones are reduced by 10 dB.
This is repeated with the test subject responding that the tones
are heard followed by 10 dB reductions until the test subject's
response (or lack of response) indicates that the tones are not
heard. When the test subject so responds that the tones are not
heard, the tone level is raised 5 dB. If the test subject does not
then respond, the level is raised another 5 dB, and this is
repeated until the test subject signals that the tone is heard.
This entire process is repeated until the test subject has three
ascending positive responses at the same level. In order to make
comparison of hearing quality over time, a first test is
administered to establish a base line hearing level and later
testing, undertaken at subsequent time intervals, provides results
for comparison to base line. The comparison indicates any hearing
loss or other changes over time.
[0008] As with diagnostic and industrial health testing
instruments, generally, audiometers have progressed towards more
automation. Also as with other instruments, however, automation of
audiometers has typically focused on compilation, organization, and
reporting of test results. The automation has not been directed to
replacement of a human test administrator (or at least the
additional functions of such an administrator) by a machine
automated process.
[0009] As previously mentioned, automation, particularly by a
machine such as a computer, achieves certain advantages in
particular, the testing maybe more uniform among subjects and test
periods, whereas testing is subject to variation when a human test
administrator administers and grades the test. Also, supplying
human test administrators to conduct tests is rather costly.
Reducing the required number of test administrators through further
automation of testing procedures may reduce or eliminate those
costs. Furthermore, test presentation and determined results may
vary among human test administrators. More standardized and
accurate testing maybe possible if intervention of a human test
administrator is reduced through further automation. In addition to
those advantages, certain automation may provide added advantages,
for example, multi-lingual test administration, multiple
simultaneous different tests, multiple simultaneous test subjects,
visual features, and other possibilities.
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention provide advantages of
multimedia automation in diagnostic testing employing electronic or
other instrumentation. The embodiments are particularly suited in
the case of an audiometer, however, numerous other applications of
the embodiments are possible. The above-described advantages, as
well as other advantages, are achieved through the embodiments. The
present invention is, thus, a significant improvement in the art
and technology.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An embodiment of the invention is a method for automatedly
administering an audiometric test. The method comprises the steps
of controlling an audiometer to selectively switch the audiometer
output between test tones generated by the audiometer and sound
signals generated from digital information, first switching the
audiometer output to sound signals when the step of controlling
indicates a beginning of a new test, a completion of a current
test, or a test error, outputting sound representative of the sound
signals after the step of first switching, second switching the
audiometer output to test tones after the step of outputting, and
outputting test tones until the next step of first switching.
[0012] Another embodiment of the invention is a multimedia
audiometer. The multimedia audiometer comprises means for
outputting sound signals generated from digital information, means
for outputting test tones, means for switching between the means
for outputting sound signals and the means for outputting test
tones, and means for controlling the means for switching, the means
for controlling being communicatingly connected with the means for
switching. The means for switching is communicatingly connected
with the means for outputting sound signals and the means for
outputting test tones.
[0013] Yet another embodiment of the invention is a multimedia
audiometer. The multimedia audiometer comprises a computer, a tone
generator, and a switch connected with the computer and the tone
generator. The switch selectively causes either the tone generator
or the computer to output sound waves, and the computer controls
the switch.
[0014] Another embodiment of the invention is an audiometer. The
audiometer comprises a processor, a memory, communicatingly
connected with the processor, for storing digital data, a sound
wave generator, for generating analog sound signals in respect of
digital data, electrically connected with the processor, a test
tone generator electrically connected with the processor, and a
switch connected with the sound wave generator, the test tone
generator, and the processor. The switch is controlled by the
processor to selectively cause either the sound wave generator or
the test tone generator to output sound waves.
[0015] A further embodiment of the invention is an instrument that
conducts a test protocol on a test subject. The test protocol
comprises an output by the instrument followed by an input to the
instrument. The test subject determines the input, which input may
be positive, negative, or null. The instrument comprises an output
generator, an input detector for detecting the input, a digital
data storage for storing a digital data, a multimedia converter,
the multimedia converter converts the digital data to an analog
signal, and logic circuitry connected to the input detector, the
digital data storage, the multimedia converter, and the output
generator, for logically operating on the input, reading the
digital data, delivering the digital data to the multimedia
converter, and controlling the output generator.
[0016] Yet another embodiment of the invention is a multimedia
audiometer. The multimedia audiometer comprises a basic audiometer,
a computer, a multimedia input interface communicatingly connecting
the computer and the basic audiometer, and a communications
interface communicatingly connecting the computer and the basic
audiometer.
[0017] Another embodiment of the invention is a diagnostic
instrument. The diagnostic instrument comprises means for
outputting an audible sound, means for generating a test tone,
means for storing a digital data, means for generating an analog
signal derived from the digital data, means for switching an output
of the means for outputting between the test tone and the analog
signal, the means for switching being electrically connected to the
means for generating a test tone and the means for generating an
analog signal, means for processing, means for inputting, the means
for inputting connects the means for processing to the means for
outputting, and the means for communicating, the means for
communicating connects the means for processing to the means for
outputting, the means for generating the test tone, the means for
storing the digital data, the means for generating the analog
signal, the means for switching, and the means for inputting.
[0018] Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of
performing a diagnostic test protocol. The method comprises the
steps of outputting an audible sound, generating a test tone,
storing a digital data, generating an analog sound derived from the
digital data, switching the audible sound from the step of
outputting between the test tone and the analog signal, processing
the digital data, and controlling the steps of outputting,
generating the test tone, storing, generating the analog sound, and
switching.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a conventional
audiometer;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a detailed schematic of a typical audiometer,
corresponding to the functional block diagram of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic of a talkover card for use with the
audiometer of FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an audiometer interfaced with a
personal computer for multimedia automation of audiometer
testing;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of an audiometer
interfaced with a multimedia personal computer;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a schematic of the personal computer connection
with the talkover card of FIG. 3, to provide multimedia automation
of audiometer testing; and
[0025] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a protocol for audiometric
testing utilizing the multimedia features of the embodiments of the
present invention to automate the test process.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, a functional block diagram of a
conventional audiometer 2 maybe described. Although the following
discussion primarily addresses embodiments of the present invention
employed for an audiometer, the embodiments have varied application
in a wide variety of medical and diagnostic instrumentation. All
those applications are intended as included within the scope of the
invention. Also, the following describes various embodiments of the
present invention as particularly employed with the conventional
audiometer 2. It is to be understood that the conventional
audiometer 2 is detailed only for example purposes, and all other
alternative audiometer configurations, as well as other
instrumentation and configurations thereof, are also applications
for the invention in accordance with the principles herein.
[0027] Conventional Audiometer
[0028] The conventional audiometer 2 is generally comprised of
three parts: microprocessor circuitry 4, audio circuitry 6, and
certain optional elements 8. In addition to those three parts, the
conventional audiometer 2 includes a power supply and related
elements not shown in the functional block diagram. One example of
the conventional audiometer 2 is the RA250 Microprocessor
Audiometer available from TREMETRICS, Inc., Austin, Tex. Of course,
as previously mentioned, the conventional audiometer 2 illustrated
is shown only for purposes of illustration and example. Other
audiometers and other types of medical and diagnostic
instrumentation are also within the scope of the invention.
[0029] Microprocessor Circuitry
[0030] The microprocessor circuitry 4 of the conventional
audiometer 2 may include a processing unit (CPU) 12, such as, for
example, an Intel.TM. 8085 microprocessor or another
microprocessor. The CPU 12 serves to coordinate and control
operations and functions of the conventional audiometer 2. The CPU
12 conductively connects with various memory, such as, for example,
erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) 14 and random access
memory (RAM) 16. The memory 14,16 may serve to store a software
protocol which controls the CPU 12 to cause the conventional
audiometer 2 to provide audiometric functions. The memory 14, 16
may also serve to maintain certain variables to achieve desired
operations and calibration of the conventional audiometer 2, or
simply to provide storage for values made available to and from the
CPU 12.
[0031] In addition to the memory 14, 16, the CPU 12 conductively
connects with various input and output ports and peripherals. Input
and output ports may include a serial I/O port 22 and a parallel
interface 24. The serial I/O port 22 may provide connections for
certain optimal elements 8, as hereinafter discussed. The parallel
interface 24 may connect with an input device, for example, a
keyboard 20. The parallel interface 24 may also connect with the
audio circuitry 6, as later explained. Another input device, such
as a display 18, for example, may connect with the memory 14, 16,
CPU 12, and other features of the microprocessor circuitry 4. Such
other features of the microprocessor circuitry 4 may include, for
example, certain programmable registers 26 and other elements.
[0032] Audio Circuitry
[0033] Now discussing the audio circuitry 6 of the conventional
audiometer 2, the audio circuitry 6 interfaces with the
microprocessor circuitry 4 in several ways. The programmable
registers 26 may serve as ports that connect with an oscillator
(also "frequency generator") 30. The oscillator 30 may provide
timing for a sine wave generator 32 that produces a digitally
synthesized sine wave from which audible test tones are derived.
Because the sine wave generator 32 produces a digitally synthesized
wave, the wave may be smoothed by a low pass filter 34.
[0034] The low pass filter 34 may conductively interface with the
parallel interface 24 of the microprocessor circuitry 4. Other
elements of the audio circuitry 6, such as frequency selector 36,
an electronic attenuator 38, a pulse control 40, a relay control
attenuator 42, and a handswitch jack 44, may conductively connect
with the parallel interface 24 to complete the interface of the
audio circuitry 6 with the microprocessor circuitry 4 of the
conventional audiometer. Pursuant to this interface arrangement,
the audio circuitry 6 and the microprocessor circuitry 4 may
communicate signals for control and other purposes.
[0035] In addition to the connection of the low pass filter 34 with
the parallel interface 24, the low pass filter 34 may conductively
connect with frequency compensation circuitry, such as, for
example, a frequency selector 36 that, together with the control
provided through the parallel interface 24, helps compensate for
attenuation. Other elements, such as the electronic attenuator 38
which connects with the frequency selector 36, also provide
compensation for attenuation. The sine wine generator 32 feeds the
pulse control 40 which, together with input to the pulse control 40
from the electronic attenuator 38, delivers signals representative
of desired test tones to a power amplifier 46. The power amplifier
46 feeds the relay control attenuator 42 for left and right
earphone signals. The relay control attenuator 42 is conductively
connected with an earphone jack 48.
[0036] In order to allow a test subject to interface with the audio
circuitry 6, earphone speakers 50 and a handswitch 52 maybe
provided. The earphone speakers 50 may plug into the earphone jack
48. The test subject wearing the earphone speakers 50 will then
receive test tones generated by the conventional audiometer 2. The
handswitch 52 may plug into the handswitch jack 44. The handswitch
52 provides means for the test subject to interface with the
conventional audiometer 2 in order to signal to the conventional
audiometer 2 that the test subject either does or does not
correctly receive test tones through the earphone speakers 50.
[0037] Options
[0038] In addition to the basic elements just described, the
conventional audiometer 2 may include certain optional elements 8.
Various optional elements 8 are possible, depending upon desired
operations and functions. Two common optional elements 8 of the
conventional audiometer 2 have been an RS232 port 8a and a talkover
card 8b. The RS232 port 8a may conductively connect to the serial
I/O port 22 to allow communications of the microprocessor circuitry
4 with external peripherals (not shown) connected with the RS232
port 8a. Examples of external peripherals which may connect to the
RS232 port 8a may include printers, terminals, and modems. The
RS232 standard and suitable connections to ports conforming thereto
are generally known.
[0039] The other of the common optional elements 8, the talkover
card 8b, is of particular significance in embodiments of the
present invention. The talkover card 8b is conductively connected
with the audio circuitry 6 of the conventional audiometer 2 between
the relay control attenuator 42 and the earphone jack 48. In
effect, the talkover card 8b serves as a switch to divert input to
the earphone jack 48 when desired by a human test administrator
(not shown). The human test administrator may selectively "throw"
the switch and cause the input to the earphone jack 48 to switch
from signals from the relay control attenuator 42 representative of
test tones to signals representative of the human test
administrator's instructions then being voiced. Details of the
talkover card 8b are hereinafter more fully discussed with respect
to FIG. 3.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 2, a detailed schematic of the
conventional audiometer 2 of FIG. 1 is shown. Those skilled in the
art will understand and appreciate the electrical elements and
connectivities of the detailed schematic.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 3, a detailed schematic is provided of
the talkover card 8b of the conventional audiometer 2. The talkover
card 8b comprises a fixed gain operational amplifier 60. A voice
microphone 62 is an input to the amplifier 60. Other common
electronic elements, such as, for example, resistors, capacitors,
and others, may be included in the circuitry of the talkover card
8b. The amplifier 60 is connected to the input to the earphone jack
48 of the audio circuitry 6 of the conventional audiometer 2 (shown
in FIG. 1) by a relay 64a. When a human test administrator wishes
to deliver voice sounds, rather than test tones, to a test subject
wearing the earphone speakers 50 plugged into the earphones jack 48
(shown in FIG. 1), the test administrator causes the relay 64a to
be thrown. The test administrator, by such action, simultaneously
causes the conventional audiometer 2 to interrupt the test then in
progress, discontinuing test tone generation.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in conjunction, the relay 64a when
so thrown connects the amplifier 60, across switches 66a, to the
input to the earphone jack 48. In particular, electrical connector
68 passes the voice signals from the amplifier 60 to the earphone
jack 48 for delivery through the right ear speaker of the earphone
speakers 50 and electrical connector 70 similarly passes the voice
signals to the left ear speaker. When relay 64a results in closure
of its switches 66a, relay 64b results in opening of its switches
66b, and vice versa. In this manner, either voice signals through
the talkover card 8b or test tone signals through the audio
circuitry 6 at any instant, but not both simultaneously, is
delivered through the earphone speakers 50. As those skilled in the
art will understand and appreciate, this design of the conventional
audiometer 2 has allowed a human test administrator to interrupt
test tone testing to give instructions, error messages, and other
voice commands. The conventional audiometer 2 has required
intervention of a human test administrator, however, by selectively
throwing relays 64a,b and speaking into microphone 62 of the
talkover card 8b, in order to conduct hearing test with
intermittent instructions and messages.
[0043] Multimedia Embodiments
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 4, a multimedia audiometer 100,
according to embodiments of the present invention, maybe described.
The multimedia audiometer 100 includes a basic audiometer 200
having the basic elements of the conventional audiometer 2 (shown
in FIG. 1). That is, the multimedia audiometer 100 is also
comprised of the microprocessor circuitry 4 and the audio circuitry
6 (or other similar processing and audio electronics and circuits)
of the conventional audiometer 2 (shown in FIG. 1). The earphone
speakers 50 and the handswitch 52 are also interfaced with the
basic audiometer 200.
[0045] Although the multimedia audiometer 100 and the conventional
audiometer 2 share these similar basic elements, the basic
audiometer 200 is merely a subset of the entire multimedia
audiometer 100, as is apparent in FIG. 4. In addition to the
elements of the basic audiometer 200, 2, the multimedia audiometer
100 includes a computer 102, such as a personal computer, another
type of computer, or some other processing and storage device. The
computer 102 maybe equipped and connected with peripherals, such as
a keyboard 106 and a display monitor 104, as well other known
input/output, communications, printing, and peripheral equipment.
In any event, the computer 102 should have multimedia capabilities,
that is, the computer 102 should be capable of producing sound
waves and/or visual images from representative digital information
stored, generated, and/or manipulated within or by the computer
102.
[0046] The computer 102 may be conductively connected with the
basic audiometer 200 through two interfaces: a communications
interface 108 and a multimedia input interface 110. The
communications interface 108 may allow for serial, parallel, or
other communications. If communications are serial, the
communications interface 108 may connect the computer 102 with the
RS232 port 8a (shown in FIG. 1) in standard manner, as though the
basic audiometer 200 is peripheral to the computer 102. The
multimedia input interface 110 requires, however, that the
conventional audiometer 2 be modified in certain respects to
provide the basic audiometer 200 for multimedia automation of
testing, as hereafter described.
[0047] Referring now to FIG. 5, the communications interface 108
and the multimedia input interface 110 connect the computer 102
with the basic audiometer 200 to form the multimedia audiometer
100, as shown in functional block form. A serial input/output port
(not shown in detail) of the computer 102 may directly connect via
the communications interface 108 with RS232 port 8a of the basic
audiometer 200. A multimedia output port (not shown in detail) of
the computer 102 may directly connect via the multimedia input
interface 110 with a multimedia talkover card 118b, similar to the
talkover cord 8b (shown in FIG. 3) of the conventional audiometer
2. The multimedia output port of the computer 102 may, for example,
be a port of a sound card (not shown in detail) from which sound
signals are output by the computer 102. Alternatively or
additionally, other multimedia outputs (not shown) of the computer
102, for example, graphical image or video outputs, may connect
with the multimedia input interface 110 in similar manner. The
talkover card 8b (shown in FIG. 3) of the conventional audiometer 2
configuration has not previously provided aport for connection of
the multimedia input interface 110. The conventional audiometer 2
may, therefore, be adapted to provide such port. The adapted
conventional audiometer 2 is the basic audiometer 200.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 6, a sound port 120 of a multimedia
talkover card 118b for multimedia input to the basic audiometer 200
may be described. The sound port 120 connects with the multimedia
input interface 110, so that multimedia outputs of the computer 2
are in put to the multimedia talk over card 118b. The soundport 120
may include a connector 120a to which the multimedia input
interface 110 maybe plugged. The connector 120a may be attached
with two input leads 120b. The input leads 120a,b may be attached
with an audio jack plug 121. The audio jack plug 121 is insertable
in an audio jack 122 connected to the amplifier 60 output. When the
audio jack plug 121 not is inserted in the audio jack 122, the
output of amplifier 60 is shorted prior to the switches 66a. When
the audio jack plug 121 is inserted in the audio jack 122, however,
the circuit is completed and the computer 102 connected to the
sound port 120 may supply multimedia input to the switches 66a. In
effect, the microphone 62 is substituted with the multimedia input
via the sound port 120. All other features of the multimedia
talkover card 118b are substantially the same as the features of
the talkover card 8b of the prior technology.
[0049] Although the input leads 120b of the sound port 120 are
shown as connected with an output of the amplifier 60 in Figure,
alternatively, the input leads 120b could in similar manner connect
with inputs to the amplifier 60 or at some other location prior to
or after the amplifier 60. Furthermore, although the multimedia
talkover card 118b is expressly described as a "card" to the basic
audiometer 200, it is to be understood that any other functional
elements and circuitry that perform similarly, such as, for
example, a relay circuit that switches between the tone generator
of the basic audiometer 200 and the multimedia output from the
computer 102, as well as other possibilities, are all within the
scope of the invention.
[0050] Now referring to FIG. 7, in conjunction with FIGS. 4-6,
operations 300 of the multimedia audiometer 100 and the software
driving those operations 300 are discussed. When power is supplied
to the multimedia audiometer 100, the basic audiometer 200, as well
as the computer 102, may perform various set-up functions 302.
Those set-up functions 302 of the multimedia audiometer 100, for
example, boot-up and initialization of the computer 102 and
start-up and initialization of the basic audiometer 200, are
conventional. The start-up and initialization of the basic
audiometer 200 may be substantially the same as that of the
conventional audiometer 2 (shown in FIG. 1).
[0051] Generally, this start-up and initialization of the basic
audiometer 200 may proceed, for example, as follows:
[0052] At turn-on, the basic audiometer 200 presents a first tone
and a message appears on the display 18. The basic audiometer 200
is now ready for operation. If a processing error by the CPU 12 is
discovered during the turn-on, an appropriate message is displayed.
The following example illustrates an initialization procedure for
the basic audiometer 200. Keys of the keyboard 20 are indicated by
[] and messages in quotes. To begin, press:
1 KEYBOARD DISPLAY [SPECIAL] SPC00 [ENTER] MM DD YY Now enter
today's date. For example: KEYBOARD DISPLAY COMMENT [04 30 96] OM
DD YY
[0053] The message "mode pulsed" then appears on the display 18.
Press [NO] to switch to continuous mode. "Continuous Mode" will be
displayed. Press [ENTER] when the desired code is displayed. The
display should now read "1KL AA AUTO" and then displays "PRESS [NEW
TEST]". Other parameters which maybe selected include the test
other ear first and delete 8000 Hz. To do this, press:
2 KEYBOARD DISPLAY COMMENT [SPECIAL] SPC 04 [04] SPC 04 [ENTER]
LEFT EAR FIRST [NO] RIGHT EAR FIRST [ENTER] 1KR AA AUTO (Now
testing right ear first) [SPECIAL] SPC 06 [06] SPC 06 [ENTER] 8KR
SEL AUTO [NO] 8KR DEL AUTO [ENTER] 1KR AA AUTO (8 Khz is
deleted)
[0054] The basic audiometer 200 is now initialized. Any or all of
the above-mentioned parameters can be changed at any time by
entering a desired special routine. Various "Special" codes that
may be possible with the basic audiometer 200 of the multimedia
audiometer 100 may, for example, include the following:
3 SPECIAL FUNCTION 00 Initialization of audiometer 01 Enter date
and time 02 Mode Pulsed/Continuous 03 Enter Examiner ID 04 Invent
runtable to test better ear first 05 Select Printer Format 06
Select or Delete 8K 07 Select Baud rate 08 Turn on or off audio
feedback for key pushes 09 Accelerated listening check 10 Check
calibration date 11 Call Ram Rock check 12 Calibration mode and
program calibration eeprom 13 Printer Text 14 Not used 15 Display
routine for time and date (no entry) 16 Not used 17 Display
selected audiogram 18 Print selected audiogram or audiograms 19
Display and/or enter serial number 20 Not used
[0055] Software protocols to accomplish the start-up and
initialization of the basic audiometer 200 may be stored in the
memory 14, 16 of the basic audiometer 200 or elsewhere. Processing
and control for the start-up and initialization of the set-up
functions 302 are performed by the CPU 12 of the basic audiometer
200. Alternatively, the basic audiometer 200 could be controlled by
the computer 102 to perform the start-up and initialization, or
start-up and initialization could be controlled manually or in some
other manner.
[0056] After the set-up functions 302, including start-up and
initialization of the basic audiometer 200, are completed, the
basic audiometer 200 may be ready to begin administering anew
audiometric test of a test subject. Anew test may be begun, for
example, by pressing a key of the basic audiometer 200 or,
alternatively, by a similar input to the computer 102. Upon the
start of the new test, the computer 102 may control the basic
audiometer 200 by communications over the communications interface
108 (shown in FIGS. 4-5).
[0057] If initial instructions to the test subject are desired, the
computer 102 may control 304 the basic audiometer 200 over the
communications interface 108 (shown in FIGS. 4-5). This control 304
may trigger the relay 64a and the relays 64b (shown in FIG. 2) to
close the switches 66a and open the switches 66b (shown in FIG. 2),
respectively. When the switches 66a are closed and the switches 66b
are opened in this manner, sound signals passed to the sound port
120 from the computer 102 over the multimedia input interface 110
are delivered through the amplifier 69 of the multimedia talkover
card 118b and through the earphone jack 48 to the earphone speakers
50.
[0058] The particular sound signals so passed to the earphone
speakers 50 may be derived from digital information stored or
generated in, or read by, the computer 102. The computer 102 may
select and output 306 signals representative of the particular
digital information. If the testing is just beginning, the signals
so selected and output 306 may be initial instructions to the test
subject about the test and the testing procedure. Of course, the
particular signals could be representative of virtually any type of
information which is subject to derivation from digital data.
Although sound is described here as being derived from digital
data, those skilled in the art will know and appreciate that
digital data may be manipulated and processed in a multitude of
ways to derive other types of information, for example, visual
graphics and images and others.
[0059] After the computer has selected and output 306 the desired
sound signals to the basic audiometer 200 and signals have been
delivered to the test subject as sound waves through the earphone
speakers 50, the computer 102, again may control 308 the basic
audiometer 200. The control 308 at this instant may trigger the
relay 64a to close the switches 66a and the relays 66b (shown in
FIG. 2) to open the switches 66b, respectively. The control 308,
then, causes the basic audiometer 200 to generate 310 a series of
test tones, such as, for example, tones in accordance with the
Hughson-Westlake procedure or another testing protocol.
[0060] When the switches 66a are closed and the switches 66b are
opened because of the control 308, the test tones generated 310 by
the audio circuitry 6 of the basic audiometer 200 are delivered
through the earphone jack 48 to the earphone speakers 50. According
to the particular testing protocol, the test subject may respond to
the test tones by input 312 via the handswitch 52 connected to the
basic audiometer 200. The basic audiometer 200, in cooperation with
the computer 102, will detect and determine any error 314 of the
input 312 response.
[0061] If there is not any error 316, then the basic audiometer 200
may continue to generate successive test tones 320 according to the
particular test protocol, until the test is completed 322. The
successive test tones 320 are generated in the same manner as
previously described. That is, the basic audiometer 200 operates to
generate test tones 310 delivered to the test subject; the test
subject responds with input 312 via the handswitch 52; and the
audiometer 200, in conjunction with the computer 102, detects and
determines 314 any error.
[0062] If an error 318 is detected and determined 314, the computer
102, based on its particular programmed logic, determines 324
whether to proceed 326 with the testing, to re-test 328, or to
perform some other function (not shown). Certain errors that maybe
encountered during the administration of the test include, for
example, the following:
[0063] No response at 1 kHz, Error Code E1, signifies that the test
subject is not responding to the test tone. The test subject may
receive a multimedia sound message, generated by the computer 102
and passed through the earphone speakers 50, as to how to take the
test, for example, as follows:
[0064] "There has been no response for any tone in the initial
test--as soon as you hear a tone cut it off by pressing and
releasing the hand switch."
[0065] Then, the test may be restarted.
[0066] Failed to Establish Threshold, Error Code E2, signifies that
the basic audiometer 200 is unable to establish a hearing threshold
level (HTL) from the response of the test subject. The test subject
may be instructed based on digital data of the computer 102, for
example, as follows:
[0067] "The audiometer has been unable to establish a
threshold--listen for the tone and as soon as you hear the tone cut
it off by pressing and releasing the hand switch."
[0068] The test may then recommence.
[0069] Hand Switch Error, Error Code E4, signifies that the test
subject is not releasing the response handswitch 52. The test
subject may, for example, receive the following instructions
generated from the digital data stored by computer 102:
[0070] "The audiometer is recognizing the hand switch as being on
for a length of time--as soon as you hear a tone cut it off by
pressing and releasing the hand switch."
[0071] The test may then recommence.
[0072] Response no tone, Error Code E5, signifies that the test
subject has responded at least three times when no tone or stimulus
was present. A multimedia message, for example, as follows, maybe
delivered through the earphone speakers 50:
[0073] "The audiometer is recognizing responses when no tone is
present--as soon as you hear a tone cut it off by pressing and
releasing the hand switch."
[0074] The test is, thereafter, restarted.
[0075] The foregoing error codes, multimedia messages, and
operations are merely example possibilities. An example of an
entire error code list is as follows:
4 Error Multimedia Audiometer Code Indication Response AA Not
Tested DD Deleted Frequency EE No Response Test Continues EF Test
Incomplete EB 25 Presentations Test Continues No HTL E1 No Response
Stops Test Repeat 1 KHz Instructions E2 1 KHz 25 Stops Test Repeat
Presentations No Instructions HTL E3 1 KHz Retest Stops Test Repeat
Error Instructions E4 Hand Switch Stops Test Holding Error Switch
MSG E5 Response No Tone Stops Test Response w/window closed E6
Error For Second Stops Test Examiner Time Intervention E7 Max.
Failed Stops Test Examiner Frequencies > 6 Intervention E8
Hardware Error Only seen at Turnon and After EPROM Diagnostic Check
Error Codes That Do Not Stop Test EE Error Codes that Get
Instructions and Resume Testing EB-Same as E2 message E1 E2 E4 E5
Error Codes That Stop Test and Pop Up Message on PC for Operator
Test Does Not Restart E3 E6 E7
[0076] In the case that a re-test 328 is warranted because of an
error or otherwise, the operations 300 begin anew with the computer
control 304 of the basic audiometer 200 over the communications
interface 108 (shown in FIGS. 4-5) to trigger the relays 64a,b. The
testing thereafter proceeds through the steps of selections and
output 306, computer control 308, test tone generation 310, test
subject response input 312, and detection and error determination
314.
[0077] Once the entire test protocol is completed in the foregoing
manner, the test is completed 322. The computer 102 may then
control 330 the basic audiometer 200 to trigger the relays 64a,b to
close the switches 66a and to open the switches 66b. The control
330 is accomplished in the manners previously described by
communications between the computer 102 and the basic audiometer
200 over the communications interface 108.
[0078] After the control 330 so sets the switches 66a,b, the
computer 102 may further select and output 340 sound signals, which
sound signals are derived from digital data stored, generated or
read by the computer 102. The sound signals may travel to the
earphone jack 48 and the earphone speakers 50 to deliver final
instructions and messages to the test subject.
[0079] Numerous alternatives and variations are possible for the
multimedia audiometer 100. For example, digital data stored,
generated or read by the computer 102 may be representative of a
wide variety of sounds, images, video, or other multimedia
features. In certain embodiments, the particular digital data may
allow the test subject to select any of a number of different
languages through which testing is administered. Further, digital
data may be manipulated by the computer 102 in such a manner that
multiple simultaneous tests maybe administered. There are, of
course, numerous other possibilities.
[0080] There are also many possible variations and alternatives in
the configuration of the computer 102 and the basic audiometer 200
by providing the audiometer with additional memory, processing,
wave sound generation, and appropriate software. Alternatively, the
computer 102 could include a test tone generation means and
appropriate software programming to perform the functions of the
basic audiometer 200. Even further, the multimedia audiometer 100
could be implemented by using a programmable digital tape player or
compact disc (CD) player and allowing the basic audiometer 200 to
select desired tracks to play. Other alternatives may be possible,
it being understood that those skilled in the art will generally
know and appreciate that the employment of computer or other
control of instrumentation operations during test, administration
and the use of multimedia features for instruction, messages, and
other here before required human administrative actions is possible
with the incorporation of digital data, according to the
embodiments of the present invention, from which are derived
multimedia features.
[0081] It is to be understood that multiple variations, changes and
modifications are possible in the aforementioned embodiments of the
invention. Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have
been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change, and
substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in
some instances, some features of the present invention may be
employed without a corresponding use of the other features.
Accordingly, it is appropriate that the foregoing description be
construed broadly and understood as being given by way of
illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the
invention being limited only by the appended claims.
[0082] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will
recognize that changes maybe made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *