# US 2014/0153735 A1 · Multi-mode audio device and monitoring system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0153735 A1 - Document ID: US20140153735A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/834,986 - Filed: 2013-03-15 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30 - Assignees: Mattel, Inc. - Inventors: Robb Fujioka - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140153735A1 ## CPC - H04R 1/1041: {Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements (switches in general H01H)} - H04R 29/001: {for loudspeakers (H04R29/007 takes precedence)} - H04R 3/007: {Protection circuits for transducers} - H04R 2205/041: Adaptation of stereophonic signal reproduction for the hearing impaired - H04R 2420/07: Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones - H04R 2430/01: Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract A multi-mode audio device includes speakers and a sound output control configured to control a maximum level of sound emitted by the speakers. The sound output control comprises a control interface configured to receive selection of an operative mode of the multi-mode audio device from among a managed mode and a normal mode. An access control communicatively coupled to the sound output control is configured to require an authentication to switch from the managed mode to the normal mode. A mode indicator communicatively coupled to the sound output control and configured to provide a visual indication of the operative mode. Optionally, a monitoring system communicatively coupled to the sound output control is configured to capture one or more data regarding usage of the multi-mode audio device and to generate a report regarding the one or more data regarding usage of the multi-mode audio device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-mode audio device, comprising: one or more speakers configured to emit sound responsive to an audio signal input; a sound output control communicatively coupled to the one or more speakers and configured to control a maximum level of sound emitted by the one or more speakers, the sound output control comprising: a control interface configured to receive selection of an operative mode of the multi-mode audio device from among a managed mode and a normal mode, wherein if the operative mode is set to managed mode, then the sound output control limits the maximum level of sound emitted by the one or more speakers to a level predetermined to be a safe maximum level, and if the operative mode is set to normal mode, then the sound output control does not limit the maximum level of sound emitted by the one or more speakers; an access control communicatively coupled to the sound output control and configured to require an authentication to switch from the managed mode to the normal mode; and a mode indicator communicatively coupled to the sound output control and configured to provide a visual indication of the operative mode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multi-mode audio device of claim 1, further comprising: a monitoring system communicatively coupled to the sound output control and configured to capture one or more data regarding usage of the multi-mode audio device and to generate a report regarding the one or more data regarding usage of the multi-mode audio device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The multi-mode audio device of claim 1, wherein the managed mode comprises more than one managed mode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The multi-mode audio device of claim 1, wherein the control interface comprises a physical switch. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The multi-mode audio device of claim 1, wherein the control interface comprises a touch screen display. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The multi-mode audio device of claim 1, wherein the mode indicator is configured to display one or more of a light, a color, and a pattern of lights associated with the managed mode when the operative mode is the managed mode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The multi-mode audio device of claim 1, wherein the mode indicator is configured to display one or more of a light, a color, and a pattern of lights visually distinct from the one or more of the light, the color, and the pattern of lights associated with the managed mode when the operative mode is the normal mode. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The multi-mode audio device of claim 1, wherein the mode indicator is configured to switch off when the operative mode is the normal mode. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The multi-mode audio device of claim 1, wherein the level predetermined to be a safe maximum level is approximately 80 dB. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The multi-mode audio device of claim 1, wherein the level predetermined to be a safe maximum level is a level set by a user via the control interface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The multi-mode audio device of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication interface communicatively coupled to the sound output control and configured to receive via a wireless network a selection of the operative mode from a computer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The multi-mode audio device of claim 2, further comprising a wireless communication interface communicatively coupled to the sound output control and the monitoring system, the wireless communication interface configured to receive from a computer via a wireless network a selection of the operative mode and to transmit to the computer via the wireless network the report regarding the one or more data regarding usage of the multi-mode audio device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The multi-mode audio device of claim 1, wherein the managed mode comprises an assistive mode configured to adapt the maximum level of sound emitted by the one or more speakers to a level appropriate for a person with hearing loss.