Systems and methods for communicating through a hard plastic mask
AssigneeAtaia Inc.
InventorsTyler Andrew Register, Amber Nicole Jackson, Amy Lynn Foertsch, An-kwok Ian Wong
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates generally to providing a flexible patch and system for communicating through hard plastic masks such as CPAP/BiPAP® masks. Using electronic circuitry and novel designs, the present systems and methods can detect speech vibrations and output audible speech from hard plastic mask wearers. For example, in certain embodiments, the present systems and methods can recognize speech through a CPAP/BiPAP® mask, filter out non-human voice related noise, and output the resulting speech of the mask wearer.
Claims20
A flexible patch for facilitating voice communication through a mask, the flexible patch comprising:
- a base comprising:
- a transducer element, the transducer element for detecting vibrations of a mask and converting the vibrations to data;
- at least one flexible substrate layer for protecting the transducer element from outside interference;
- a wiring enclosure at least partially enclosing:
- the transducer element;
- and
- one or more wires connecting an audio output device and the transducer element, wherein the flexible substrate layer compresses one or more edges of the transducer element via the wiring enclosure, thereby increasing sensitivity of the transducer element.
A disposable patch for facilitating voice communication through a mask, the disposable patch comprising:
- an attachment adhesive layer for attaching to a mask and adhered to a foam layer;
- the foam layer for protecting a transducer element and adhered to a wiring sheath via a foam adhesive layer;
- the transducer element at least partially enclosed within the wiring sheath for detecting vibrations of the mask and converting the vibrations to data;
- the wiring sheath for at least partially enclosing the transducer element and wiring connecting the transducer element to an audio output device and compressing one or more edges of the transducer element, thereby increasing sensitivity of the transducer element.
A system for facilitating voice communication through a mask comprising:
- at least one layer for protecting a transducer element and adhered to a wiring sheath;
- the transducer element at least partially enclosed within the wiring sheath for detecting vibrations of a mask and converting the vibrations to data;
- and
- the wiring sheath for at least partially enclosing the transducer element and wiring connecting the transducer element to a data transmitter, protecting the transducer element from outside interference, and compressing one or more edges of the transducer element, thereby increasing sensitivity of the transducer element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.