Title of Invention

"A MOBILE PHONE FOR PERFOMING HEARING AND VISION TESTS"

Abstract The multifunctional mobile phone performs the hearing and vision tests, through the built in or externally connected devices monitors, measures and collects data of body and environmental temperature, heart beating lung respiration, cardiac and pulmonary auscultation, sugar level, blood pressure etc., takes body photo images for the clinical assessment, displays on screen and plays back through the acoustic output instructions to conduct the diagnostic test and rehabilitation treatments stores and updates programs for the tests and treatments and communicates with the remote medical specialist using the mobile phone network.
Full Text MULTIFUNCTIONAL MOBILE PHONE FOR MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS AND REHABILITATION.
Field of the invention.
The invention relates to the medical tests and rehabilitation treatments provided or controlled by the mobile phone following the programs stored in the memory, loaded from the network, Internet or from the external device.
Background of the invention.
In recent years the mobile phone became one of the most popular and personal gadgets. Almost every young and older individual use the mobile phone in every day activities.
The system of the mobile phone network very effectively penetrates the society and selectively addresses it's individual members. This advantageous situation creates the opportunity to provide a large number of people with the facilities to conduct the simple medical tests and rehabilitation treatments by extending the mobile phone functional range.
In particular, but not limited to, the screening procedures for early detection of hearing and vision impairments could benefit from this invention. More over the effectiveness of such screening procedures will significantly increase, because the number of tests and time of their performance do not depend upon the often limited time schedule and number of the specialized medical centers. According to the invention the user of the mobile phone can perform the basic medical tests and rehabilitation treatments for himself and family members at convenient time, many times at home without paying the costly visits to the medical centers.
According to the invention the functional extension of the mobile phone applications will benefit young babies and children not covered
at all or poorly covered by the screening procedures for early
detection of hearing impairments.
Late detection will also significantly delay the child development
and affect it's life in future.
The effectiveness of the current screening methods to
detect early the hearing impairments in babies and young children
is poor or nonexistent in some countries.
Early detection of hearing impairments in very young children still
represents a great challenge for the clinicians despite significant
advances in technology, particularly digital electronics and
computing.
This results from the long existing stigma in clinical methodology
limiting the conduct of the testing to specialized centers and well
qualified specialists needed to carry out such testing. This imposes
a high costs on testing and poor screening efficiency limiting
the tests application to only a narrow group of the population.
Therefore, not every baby has a chance to be tested at the right
time and usually it is brought to the specialized audiological
center by parents warring about their baby poor reaction to the
environmental sounds and their voices. This visit occurs usually
too late, when a baby already passed a critical time for the brain
centers development related to the sound stimulation.
The integrity of a sensory system depends on external stimulation.
Deprivation studies conclusively showed that sensory stimulus is
needed for the structural development of sensory neurons as well as
their functional connectivity ( Webster & Webster, 1997 ).
Studies on children's development showed that appropriate sensory
stimulation, especially between the ages of 0 to 2 years, is critical for proper development in later years ( Ross, Backet & Maxon, 1991 )
If baby turns it's head towards the sound source it means not only that it can hear, but also that a proper connectivity between the hearing and motor neurons was established during the critical time. The current method for hearing screening of babies only a few months old, has the following shortcomings: a/ the baby has to be transported to the specialized hearing center,
one or two parents have to dedicate a special time and means for
this visit, b/ in a new strange environment, the baby seldom cooperate with the
tester, testing takes too long or it cannot be completed during
the first visit, c/ testing requires the highly specialized, expensive
instrumentation and the specialists involvement to carry on the
test, and centers patient efficiency is poor, d/ these centers cannot provide services for mass screening programs
and typically test only those babies, who have already been noted
by parents or family doctor as having the hearing problems and
usually this happen too late.
The Australian Consensus statement on Neonatal Hearing Screening, Adelaide, March, 2001 states that: " The average age of diagnosis of hearing impairment in centers which screen only infants known to have pertinent risk factors is estimated at 24 months. Data from Australian Hearing indicate that the median rge at detection of children with the most severe hearing impairment ( > 90 dB ) is between 12 and 18 months while the median age of children with mild hearing loss ( the need for vigilance and for continued surveillance of hearing behavior and language development to detect hearing impairment in children who have not received neonatal screening or who develop permanent hearing loss at a later age."
It can be noted that planning and implementation of universal neonatal hearing screening is a major effort in many countries across the world being completed in non of them, but only more or less advanced in implementation and still limited to the specialized centers.
There is also a lack of calibrated home device which can be used for hearing test at home for children and adults as a first indicator of hearing problem before more specialized test could be done at the medical center.
According to the invention the mobile phone can also be used for the early detection of vision impairments by the mobile phone users. According to the statistics there are about 45 million blind people worldwide and about 135 million with low vision. In Australia there are 60,000 blind and 400,000 vision-impaired people.
An early detection of the vision impairments is the best prevention method. Early diagnosis of eye conditions saves vision and even low vision can be useful with adequate vision training and rehabilitation.
Unfortunately there are no regular screening programs and simple
tools available for vision testing to every member of the society
for early detection of vision impairments.
According to the invention the mobile phone can be modified for
mass screening of vision. Today the mobile phone
becomes a personal item supporting various needs of increasingly
growing number of mobile phone users.
According to the invention it will allow the phone user to use his phone by himself for the purpose of vision screening any time, without costly visits to the specialized centers.
According to the invention the further extension of the mobile functions can benefit the hearing aid and tinnitus maskers users. Current miniaturization of the mobile phones cases and facilities to attach the phone in form of brooch or to place the phone in the upper pocket makes it convenient to extend it's basic functions to perform functions of the hearing aid, tinnitus masker and the remote control for the external hearing aid.
Popular use of the mobile phone with the earphone plugged into the ear is more cosmetically acceptable, than use of the separate hearing aid or tinnitus masker clearly showing the person handicap. More over, the programs stored in the mobile phone memory to run the built in hearing aid, tinnitus masker or remote control for the external hearing aid can be easily modified and updated through the mobile phone network to suit the best the person hearing needs or to optimize the strategy in tinnitus masking treatment.
According to the invention the modified mobile phone acoustic channel delivers through the programmable amplifier the amplified environmental noises including speech through the special earphone to the hard of hearing person ear without the necessity to use a separate hearing aid.
Change from the hearing aid mode to the normal mobile phone communication is done automatically by the incoming radio signal or manually by the user, through the mobile phone keypad.
In another extension of the mobile phone functions according to the invention the mobile phone functions provides plurality of
special sounds like single tones, white noise, gentle environmental
noises for the tinnitus suffers.
These special noises stored in the mobile phone memory or
loaded and optionally updated from the network following the
clinical progress and strategy in the tinnitus treatment are
delivered from the mobile phone acoustic output though the insert
earphone to the person ear affected by the tinnitus.
Change from the tinnitus masking mode to the normal mobile phone
communication is done automatically when the transmission/receiving
mode of operation has been selected or manually by the user,
through the mobile phone keypad.
in another extension of the mobile phone functions according to the invention the mobile phone controls parameters of the external heari
aid instead of the remote control box used by the hearing aid user
and often forgotten to be taken by him when leaving home.
The typical remote control unit provide facilities to turn on/off
the hearing aid, to change it's volume and to select the listening
program most suitable for given acoustic environment.
Such remote control unit built into the mobile phone duplicates
missing remote control box and also according to the invention it
can be re-programmed through the mobile phone network to provide
the hearing aid user with updated selection of the listening
programs most suitable for his needs.
According to the invention the further extension of the mobile phone
functions will allow to control built in or externally connected
devices typically used for the body or environment temperature
measurement, for monitoring the heart beating and respiration rate,
for the cardiac and pulmonary auscultation, for the blood sugar
level and pressure measurement and also to control devices used in rehabilitation like neuromuscular stimulator.
In a further aspect of the invention there is disclosed a mobile telecommunication means for performing hearing and or vision tests, the mobile telecommunication means including-
a portable receiver having an audio emitter and or video display able to be
calibrated to provide definable audio and or video emissions;
a communication means allowing communication by telephone, internet,
email or other means between a source and the receiver;
a processing means for receiving test instructions of a hearing and or
vision test from the source, the test instructions including representations of
defined audio and or video emissions
wherein the processing means instructs the calibrated audio emitter and or
video display to emit audio and or video emissions substantially precisely
according to the representations of defined audio and or video emissions of
the test instructions.
The test instructions can include representations of a plurality of predefined audio and or video emissions which are to be sequentially emitted to provide a predefined test sequence including variation of frequency, intensity, gradation or tonality that provides a scientific hearing or vision test. The test instructions can be factory stored or loaded into a local source being the mobile phone memory. The test instructions can be updated from a remote source by the communication means including by any one or more of mobile phone network or Internet or an infrared link, ultrasound link or cable from external sources.
The mobile telecommunication means can include an input means for recording response to the emitted to the representations of defined audio and or video emissions of the test instructions to provide a result of the hearing and or vision tests and output means for outputting result. The output means can be connected to communication means to provide results to remote location. The output means includes audio and or visual output by the receiver for outputting the result.
The test instructions can include optional sequences which are instigated according to result received by the input means for recording response to the emitted defined audio and or video emissions of the test instructions to provide an automatic change of the acoustic test stimuli frequencies and intensities or visual test stimuli.
The audio emitter of the portable receiver can include direct emission means for maintaining calibrated sound to the ear of the user wherein the plurality of the acoustic test stimuli of test instructions calibrated in frequency and intensity by the receiver are delivered from the mobile telecommunication means output directly to the ear by the insert earphone, tube-phone, supra ear coupler, insert ear coupler, mobile phone speaker or externally connected speaker placed at the specified distance from the tested ear in sound field conditions. The direct emission means can include an identity means, such as a special number or bar code, providing obtainable identifiable audio characteristic data to maintain precise audio calibration together with the receiver of the mobile phone.
The obtainable identifiable audio characteristic data can be directly entered through the keypad of mobile telecommunication means. The obtainable identifiable audio characteristic data can be obtained by the identity means and feedback from a remote source by the communication means linked to a network to calibrate the mobile phone receiver together with the direct emission means.
In a further aspect of the invention there is described a mobile telecommunication means for controlling an audio or video outputting device, the mobile telecommunication means including:
a portable receiver having an audio emitter and or video display able to
provide definable audio and or video emissions;
a communication means allowing communication by telephone, internet,
email or other means between a source and the receiver;
a processing means for receiving control instructions of a hearing and or
vision operating means from the source,
wherein the processing means instructs the audio emitter and or video
display to emit audio and or video emissions substantially precisely
according to the representations of defined audio and or video emissions of
the control instructions to control operation of a hearing and or vision
operating means.
The control instructions can be factory stored or loaded into a local source being the mobile phone memory.
The control instructions can be updated from a remote source by the communication means including by any one or more of mobile phone network or Internet or an infrared link, ultrasound link or cable from external sources.
The hearing and or vision operating means can be a hearing aid and the control instructions includes volume control, output amplifier, external earphone and programmable amplifier controlling the frequency characteristic and compression of the amplified signal following the data of the listening program stored in the mobile phone memory and modified through the mobile phone network or the Internet. The hearing and or vision operating means is a tinnitus masker for a tinnitus sufferer and the control instructions includes volume control, output amplifier, external earphone and programmable amplifier controlling the frequency characteristic and compression of the amplified signal following the data of the listening program stored in the mobile phone memory and modified through the mobile phone network or the Internet to mask the determined tinnitus noise frequencies.
The mobile telecommunication means can further include a device for controlling rehabilitation, the device being connected to an external socket of the telecommunication means and being adapted to receive instructions from programs stored in an electronic memory circuit within the telecommunication means via an interface between the memory circuit and the external socket.
In a further aspect of the invention there is described a mobile telecommunication means operable for receiving and transmitting a plurality of audio signals to an external ear piece for masking tinnitus, the mobile telecommunication means including-
a portable receiver having an audio emitter able to provide definable audio
emissions;
a communication means allowing communication by telephone, internet,
email or other means between a source and the receiver;
a processing means for receiving control instructions of a tinnitus masker,
the control instructions including volume control, output amplifier, external
earphone and programmable amplifier controlling the frequency
characteristic and compression of the amplified signal following the data of
the listening program stored in the mobile phone memory and modified
through the mobile phone network or the Internet;
wherein the processing means instructs the audio emitter to emit audio
emissions substantially precisely according to the representations of
defined audio emissions of the control instructions to control operation of
the tinnitus masker to mask determined tinnitus noise frequencies of a
tinnitus sufferer.
The control instructions can be factory stored or loaded into a local source being the mobile phone memory. The control instructions can be updated from a remote source by the communication means including by any one or more of mobile phone network or Internet or an infrared link, ultrasound link or cable from external sources.
In a further aspect of the present invention there is described a mobile telecommunication means operable for receiving and transmitting a plurality of audio signals to a hearing aid, the mobile telecommunication means including:
a portable receiver having an audio emitter able to provide definable audio
emissions;
a communication means allowing communication by telephone, internet,
email or other means between a source and the receiver;
a processing means for receiving control instructions of a hearing aid, the
control instructions including volume control, output amplifier, external
earphone and programmable amplifier controlling the frequency
characteristic and compression of the amplified signal following the data of
the listening program stored in the mobile phone memory and modified
through the mobile phone network or the Internet;
wherein the processing means instructs the audio emitter to emit audio
emissions substantially precisely according to the representations of
defined audio emissions of the control instructions to enable control
operation of the hearing aid.
The control instructions can be factory stored or loaded into a local source being the mobile phone memory. The control instructions can be updated from a remote source by the communication means including by any one or more of mobile phone network or Internet or an infrared link, ultrasound link or cable from external sources.
The mobile telecommunication means can further include a changeover switch which is operable by electronic circuitry to operate the hearing aid or tinnitus masker between a transmission/receiving mode of operation and tinnitus masking operation or hearing mode wherein in the tinnitus or hearing mode the electronic circuitry activates the changeover switch to receive acoustic signal coming from the remote source such as the internet or mobile telephone network; wherein the received signal is processed by the control instructions and transmitted to an external earphone.
Communication with the remote hearing aid can be performed remotely by means of any remote control device selected from one of magnetic or ultrasound transducer, infrared transducer, radio wave output or the like and wherein the control instructions are able to be updated from a remote source by the communication means including by any one or more of mobile phone network or Internet or an infrared link, ultrasound link or cable from external sources.
Accordingly, the main embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile
telecommunication means for performing hearing and or vision tests, the mobile
telecommunication means including:
a portable receiver having an audio emitter and or video display able to be calibrated to
provide definable audio and or video emissions;
a communication means allowing communication by telephone, internet, email or other
means between a source and the receiver;
a processing means for receiving test instructions of a hearing and or vision test from the
source, the test instructions including representations of defined audio and or video
emissions wherein the processing means instructs the calibrated audio emitter and or
video display to emit audio and or video emissions substantially precisely according to
the representations of defined audio and or video emissions of the test instructions.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication, wherein the test instructions includes representations of a plurality of predefined audio and or video emissions which are to be sequentially emitted to provide a predefined test sequence including variation of frequency, intensity, gradation or tonality that provides a scientific hearing or vision test.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication, wherein the test instructions are factory stored or loaded into a local source being the mobile phone memory.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the portable receiver
includes a distance measuring means which enables determining the distance between a person to be tested for a hearing test and the audio emission
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication, wherein the distance measuring means includes two spaced apart light sources which are calibrated such that the light sources converge to form a single visible dot at a predetermined distance for conducting a hearing test.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication wherein the light sources are selected from micro-laser diodes or focused light emitters.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication, wherein the test instructions are able to be updated from a remote source by the communication means including by any one or more of mobile phone network or Internet or an infrared link, ultrasound link or cable from external sources.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication, including an input means for recording response to the emitted to the representations of defined audio and or video emissions of the test instructions to provide a result of the hearing and or vision tests and output means for outputting result.
One more embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication wherein the output means is connected to communication means to provide results to remote location.
One more embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication wherein the output means includes audio and or visual output by the receiver for outputting the result.
One more embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication wherein the test instructions include optional sequences which are instigated according to result received by the input means for recording response to the emitted defined audio and or video emissions of the test instructions to provide an automatic change of the acoustic test stimuli frequencies and intensities or visual test stimuli
One more embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication wherein the audio emitter of the portable receiver includes direct emission means for maintaining calibrated sound to the ear of the user wherein the plurality of the acoustic test stimuli of test instructions calibrated in frequency and intensity by the receiver are delivered from the mobile telecommunication means output directly to the ear by the insert earphone, tube-phone, supra ear coupler, insert ear coupler, mobile phone speaker or externally connected speaker placed at the specified distance from the tested ear in sound field conditions.
One more embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication wherein the direct emission means includes an identity means, such as a special number or bar code, providing obtainable identifiable audio characteristic data to maintain precise audio calibration together with the receiver of the mobile phone.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication wherein the obtainable identifiable audio characteristic data is directly entered through the keypad of mobile telecommunication means.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication wherein the obtainable identifiable audio characteristic data is obtained by the identity means and feedback from a remote source by the communication means linked to a network to calibrate the mobile phone receiver together with the direct emission means.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means for controlling an audio or video outputting device, the mobile telecommunication means including:
a portable receiver having an audio emitter and or video display able to provide
definable audio and or video emissions;
a communication means allowing communication by telephone, internet, email or
other means between a source and the receiver;
a processing means for receiving control instructions of a hearing and or vision
operating means from the source,
wherein the processing means instructs the audio emitter and or video display to
emit audio and or video emissions substantially precisely according to the
representations of defined audio and or video emissions of the control instructions
to control operation of a hearing and or vision operating means.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means, wherein the control instructions are factory stored or loaded into a local source being the mobile phone memory.
One more embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means, wherein the control instructions are able to be updated from a remote source by the communication means including by any one or more of mobile phone network or Internet or an infrared link, ultrasound link or cable from external sources.
One more embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means wherein the heanng and or vision operating means is a hearing aid and the control instructions includes volume control, output amplifier, external earphone and programmable amplifier controlling the frequency characteristic and compression of the amplified signal following the data of the listening program stored in the mobile phone memory and modified through the mobile phone network or the Internet.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means wherein the heanng and or vision operating means is a tinnitus masker for a tinnitus sufferer and the control instructions includes volume control, output amplifier, external earphone and programmable amplifier controlling the frequency characteristic and compression of the amplified signal following the data of the listening program stored in the mobile phone memory and modified through the mobile phone network or the Internet to mask the determined tinnitus noise frequencies.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means further including a device for controlling rehabilitation, the device being connected to an external socket of the telecommunication means and being adapted to receive instructions from programs stored in an electronic memory circuit within the telecommunication means via an interface between the memory circuit and the external socket.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means when used for controlling devices used in rehabilitation.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means operable for receiving and transmitting a plurality of audio signals to an external ear piece for masking tinnitus, the mobile telecommunication means including-
a portable receiver having an audio emitter able to provide definable audio emissions;
a communication means allowing communication by telephone, internet, email or other means between a source and the receiver;
a processing means for receiving control instructions of a tinnitus aid, the control instructions including volume control, output amplifier, external earphone and programmable amplifier controlling the frequency characteristic and compression of the amplified signal following the data of the listening program stored in the mobile phone memory and modified through the mobile phone network or the
nternet;
wherein the processing means instructs the audio emitter to emit audio emissions substantially precisely according to the representations of defined audio emissions of the control instructions to control operation of the tinnitus aid to mask determined tinnitus noise frequencies of a tinnitus sufferer.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means, wherein the control instructions are factory stored or loaded into a local source being the mobile phone memory.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means, wherein the control instructions are able to be updated from a remote source by the communication means including by any one or more of mobile phone network or Internet or an infrared link, ultrasound link or cable from external sources.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means operable for receiving and transmitting a plurality of audio signals to a hearing aid, the mobile telecommunication means including:
a portable receiver having an audio emitter able to provide definable audio emissions;
a communication means allowing communication by telephone, internet, email or other means between a source and the receiver;
a processing means for receiving control instructions of a heanng aid, the control instructions including volume control, output amplifier, external earphone and programmable amplifier controlling the frequency characteristic and compression of the amplified signal following the data of the listening program stored in the mobile phone memory and modified through the mobile phone network or the Internet;
wherein the processing means instructs the audio emitter to emit audio emissions substantially precisely according to the representations of defined audio emissions of the control instructions to enable control operation of the hearing aid.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means, wherein the control instructions are factory stored or loaded into a local source being the mobile phone memory.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means, wherein the control instructions are able to be updated from a remote source by the communication means including by any one or more of mobile phone network or Internet or an infrared link, ultrasound link or cable from external sources.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication which further includes a changeover switch which is operable by electronic circuitry to operate the hearing aid or tinnitus masker between a transmission/receiving mode of operation and tinnitus masking operation or hearing mode wherein in the tinnitus or
heanng mode the electronic circuitry activates the changeover switch to receive acoustic signal coming from the remote source such as the internet or mobile telephone network, wherein the received signal is processed by the control instructions and transmitted to an external earphone.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means according to claim 29, wherein communication with the remote hearing aid is performed remotely by means of any remote control device selected from one of magnetic or ultrasound transducer, infrared transducer, radio wave output or the like and wherein the control instructions are able to be updated from a remote source by the communication means including by any one or more of mobile phone network or Internet or an infrared link, ultrasound link or cable from external sources.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means for performing vision tests, the mobile telecommunication means including:
a portable receiver having a video display able to be calibrated to provide
definable video emissions;
a communication means allowing communication by telephone, internet, email or
other means between a source and the receiver;
a processing means for receiving test instructions of a vision test from the source,
the test instructions including representations of defined video emissions
wherein the processing means instructs the calibrated video display to emit video
emissions substantially precisely according to the representations of defined video
emissions of the test instructions.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means for performing vision tests which further include a distance measuring sensor for sensing and determining distance between a person to be tested and the video display wherein video test emissions displayed on the video display are adjustable by operation of an internal calibration means to a size for vision testing dependent on the determined distance.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means for performing vision tests wherein the internal calibration means for adjusting the size of the video test emission on the video display, following a determination of distance between the person to be tested and the video display by the distance sensor, is a software program operable to control internal electronic circuitry.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means for performing vision tests wherein the processing means is adapted to adjust size parameters of the video emission on the video display to correlate with both distance from the video display and dimension of the video display for comparative vision testing.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means for performing vision tests wherein the processing means displays a measurable test video emission on the video display which allows measurement and input of data for pre-programmable adjustment of physical test parameters.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means for performing vision tests wherein the test instructions includes representations of a plurality of predefined video emissions which are to be sequentially emitted to provide a predefined test sequence including non-alphanumeric signs, patterns, colors, and the like that provide a scientific vision test.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means wherein the test instructions are factory stored or loaded into a local source being the mobile phone memory.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means, wherein the test instructions are able to be updated from a remote source by the communication means including by any one or more of mobile phone network or Internet or an infrared link, ultrasound link or cable from external sources.
One more embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means, including an input means for recording a response to the emitted representations of defined video emissions of the test instructions to provide a result of the vision tests and output means for outputting result.
One more another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means wherein the output means is connected to a communication means to provide results to remote location.
One more embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means wherein the output means includes visual output by the receiver for outputtmg the result
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means wherein the test instructions include optional sequences which are instigated according to the result received by the input means for recording response to the emitted defined video emissions of the test instructions to provide an automatic change of the visual test stimuli.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means wherein the input means is an operating keypad in which a person to be tested is able to enter test data in to the processing means by actuating a corresponding key on the keypad, wherein the input data is correlated against scientific criteria stored in the local mobile phone memory to assess an outcome of the vision test.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means as a photo sensor for measunng light intensity; wherein when the light intensity falls outside predetermined threshold limits an instruction is displayed by the electronic circuitry to reduce or increase the light intensity of the video display.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means which is used for vision testing of color blindness of a person to be tested.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile telecommunication means wherein the test instructions include a plurality of images in which any single image is a number or letter consisting of a range of dots of varying diameter and same color presented on a background of dots of different color, sizes, and color intensity.
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of performing a vision test including: providing a mobile telecommunication device, the device having a portable receiver having a video display able to be calibrated to provide definable video emissions;
a communication means allowing communication by telephone, internet, email or
other means between a source and the receiver,
a processing means for receiving test instructions of a vision test from the source,
the test instructions including representations of single or multi-color pictures,
signs, letters and numbers, the test instructions being loaded into a local source
being the mobile phone memory ;
a distance measuring sensor for calculating distance between a person to be tested
and the video display such that the video test emissions displayed on the video
display are adjustable by operation of an internal calibration means to a size
suitable for vision testing dependent on the calculated distance; and
a keypad to enable entering and correlation of data input;
the method including the steps of positioning and determining the distance
between a person to be tested and the video display by actuating the distance
sensor; thereafter the processing means instructs the calibrated video display to
emit video emissions substantially precisely according to the representations of
the defined video emissions of the test instructions and the predetermined distance measurements; wherein when the person to be tested identifies the video emissions, a result is recorded by actuating predetermined keys on the keypad which correlate with a correct or incorrect test answer and an assessment issued against recommended criteria stored m the mobile phone memory
Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of performing a vision test including: providing a mobile telecommunication device, the device including a portable receiver having a video display able to be calibrated to provide definable video emissions;
a communication means allowing communication by telephone, internet, email or
other means between a source and the receiver;
a processing means for receiving test instructions of a vision test from the source,
the test instructions including representations of single or multi-color pictures,
signs, letters and numbers, the test instructions being loaded into a local source
being the mobile phone memory;
a keypad to enable entering and correlation of data input; and
a size calibration test pattern video emission consisting of a pre-programmable geometric shape from which measurable data is input into the processing means to enable calibration of test parameter display dimensions according to calculated distance of a test subject from the video display;
the method including the steps of measuring a predetermined designated portion
of the geometnc test video emission;
inputting the measured data from the test video emission into the processing means via the keypad;
wherein the processing means converts the measured test video emission data input into distance of a test subject from the video display and the processing means instructs the video display to emit calibrated video emissions substantially precisely according to the representations of the defined video emissions of the test instructions for the predetermined distance measurement, wherein when the person to be tested identifies the video emissions, a result is recorded by actuating predetermined keys on the keypad which correlate with a correct or incorrect test answer and an assessment issued against recommended criteria stored in the mobile phone memory.
Brief description of the Drawings.
Fig. 1 is a simplified view of the mobile phone with the built in
distance measuring sensor and indicator facing the tested ear. Fig. 2 is a front view of the mobile phone with the audiogram and
and the electronic pointer displayed on the screen. Fig. 3 is a simplified view showing the mobile phone acoustic output
and supra aural coupler attached to the ear to deliver acoustic
test stimuli. Fig. 4 is a simplified view showing the mobile phone acoustic output
and the insert ear coupler plugged into the ear to'deliver
acoustic test stimuli. Fig. 5 is a simplified view of the mobile phone with the special
insert earphone plugged into the ear canal to deliver acoustic
test stimuli. Fig. 6 is a simplified view of the mobile phone with attached the
tube phone delivering acoustic test stimuli to the tested ear.
Fig. 7 is a simplified view showing the sound level meter to control and calibrate acoustic test stimuli intensities delivered by the mobile phone to the tested ear and placed at the distance set by the telescopic rod.
Fig. a is a simplified view showing the personal sound level indicat
attached to the ear with the optional external indicator. Fig. 9 is a simplified view of the mobile phone with the attached
sound level meter and the distance measuring telescopic rod
with built in the microphone. Fig. 10 is a view of the attached or built into the mobile phone a
distance evaluating device based on a few narrow light beams
crossing at the point close to the tested ear. Fig. 11 is a view of the mobile phone with built in or attached
indicator to set up the correct distance between the tested eye
and the mobile phone screen. Fig. 12 is an example of the correlation between the vision test patterns and the associated alphanumeric signs to facilitate the use of the mobile phone keypad for the vision test. Fig. 13 is an example of the vision test pattern displayed on the
mobile phone screen for the color vision test. Fig. 14 is a simplified block diagram of the mobile phone with the
acoustic channel modified to perform additionally the hearing
aid function. Fig. 15 is a simplified block diagram of the mobile phnne with
acoustic channel modified to perform additionally the tinnitus
masker function. Fig. 16 is a simplified block diagram of the mobile phone with the
built in remote control of the hearing aid. Fig. 17 is a simplified block diagram of the mobile phone with the
optionally connected external devices for the medical tests
or rehabilitation controlled by the programs stored in the
mobile phone memory.
The invention will be further explained in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and methods.
In a typical mobile phone the different ring signals can be pre-selected from the memory bank and their volume is set to the predetermined level by the operator using the keypad built into the mobile phone.
According to the invention presented in Fig.1, the complex sounds limited to the narrow frequency band or single frequency tones are
stored in a digital form in the memory bank 1 of the mobile phone
electronic circuit 2 in the same way as the ring signais in the
ordinary mobile phone.
The intensity level of these sounds presented at
the output speaker 3 of the mobile phone is set by the volume
control already incorporated in the phone, but for the purpose
to conduct the hearing test these intensities are calibrated
according to the invention in dB scale of the Hearing Threshold
Level (HTL) for the specified distance 4 between the mobile phone
speaker 3 and the patient's ear 5.
According to the invention three modes of operation are possible:
a/ activating the sound "on" manually at the specified distance 4 only approximately estimated by the tester,
b/ activating the sound "on" automatically only at the specified distance 4 when the mobile phone is placed in the correct position,
c/ activating the sound "on" manually at the desired time, but only when the mobile phone is placed at the specified distance 4.
In the first mode of operation the tester positions the mobile phone at the distance he estimates as being close or equal to the specified distance 4 and presses button 7 to activate "on" the testing sound stored in the mobile phone memory 1 selected by him prior to the test.
In the second mode of operation the distance measuring sensor 8 sends the control signal to the one input of the comparator 9 whose second input receives the reference signal Vref. When the mobile phone is placed at the specified distance 4 from the
patient's ear 5 then both input signals of the comparator 9 should be the same and then the output signal from the comparator 9 through the changeover switch SW1 set in position "a" is delivered to the mobile phone complex circuitry 2 to activate "on" the testing sound. Additionally the light indicator 10 controlled also from the output of the comparator 9 confirms correct position of the mobile phone. In this mode of operation both sound and light indicator are turned "on" automatically, when the distance of the mobile phone speaker 3 from the patient's ear 5 is the same as the specified distance 4.
In the third mode of operation switch SW1 is set in position "b". When the mobile phone is positioned at the specified distance 4, then only light indicator 10 will come "on" indicating to the operator correct distance between the patient's ear 5 and the speaker 3. The testing sound can be delivered to the patient later by pressing at the desired time button 12 which will close the switch SW2, providing that the position of the mobile phone did not change ea. the light indicator 10 stays "on". In the second and third mode of operation the action of the distance measuring sensor 8 ensures, that the intensity of the testing sound delivered to the patient's ear 5 will meet the calibration requirements at the specified distance 4.
To test the hearing by the patient himself, he has to select using
the mobile phone keypad 6 the type of the acoustic stimulus, it's
intensity level he wants to hear from the specified distance 4 and
mode of operation.
While holding the mobile phone at this distance from his
ear 5 he presses the "on" switch 7 to activate the sound "on"
in the first mode of operation.
For given frequency band or single tone, the tester can change
the stimulus intensity level using the keypad 6 to find out, what
is the lowest level of the acoustic stimulus he can hear. After
that, he marks this level on the external audiogram form or using
an electronic pointer controlled by the keypad 6, he marks this
point on the audiogram showed in the display window 13.
If the second mode of operation has been chosen by the patient,
then he has to move the mobile phone at the ear level out of the
ear and at the specified distance 4 the testing sound will be
automatically produced.
In the third mode of operation the patient position the mobile
phone at the specified distance 4 and when the light indicator 10
is "on", he presses the button 12 to close "on" the switch SW2.
The hearing test according to the invention can be performed by the operator himself or in case of disabled person, young children or babies the second person can perform the test in any of these 3 modes of operation.
Setting the test parameters such as stimulus frequency and intensity
and also recording of the test results can be done according to the
invention in a simple way showed in Fig. 2.
In this drawing the testing point is chose, using the keypad 1 and
the electronic pointer 2 directly on the audiogram presented on
the display 3 of the mobile phone.
Using the electronic pointer 2 and the keypad 1 desired frequency
and intensity of the acoustic stimulus can be simultaneously
selected for the given test point in an easy way directly on the
displayed audiogram prior to the test.
After the stimulus presentation at the specified distance, the
tester will decide whether to change the stimulus frequency and/or
intensity or accept them depending whether the stimulus was heard
or not. If the tester accepted the stimulus as being heard then he
will press the enter button or other nominated key of the keypad 1
to store the result of the hearing test in the mobile phone memory
and to display it on the audiogram.
Repeating this procedure for all frequency bands or single tones
will allow to build an audiogram for each ear.
As an example the mobile phone display 3 shows a few frequency
bands 5: low L, medium M and high H in vertical plane and the
horizontal lines 4 indicate the stimulus intensity level in dB
of the Hearing Threshold Level for the specified distance between
the patient's ear and the mobile phone speaker 7.
The distance measuring sensor 6 is placed at the speaker 7 side.
The light indicator 8 normally also placed at the speaker side,
in case of testing a small children can be turned "off" and another
light indicator placed at the back of the mobile phone can be used
instead, to avoid the child false response to the light instead to
the testing sound.
Using the electronic pointer 2 the tester can also mark the results
of the hearing test directly on the displayed audiogram and store
the final results of the test in the mobile phone memory. The data
of the stored hearing test results can be sent by the mobile phone
to the medical center or to the telemedicine network for the further
patient management.
In another embodiment of the invention presented in Fig. 3, the mobile phone 1 adopted for the purpose to perform the hearing test has the output speaker 2 coupled with the ear 3 by means of inserting the coupler 4 with the seal 5 between the mobile
phone acoustic output 6 and the patient head 7. The acoustic sounds patterns for the purpose of the hearing test can be stored in the mobile phone 1 internal memory 8 in a similar way like the set of the phone ring tones is stored, or they can be loaded from the external source into the mobile phone 1 internal memory 8 following the practice allowing to customize the ring tone. Selection of testing sounds patterns and their intensities calibrated in the dB scale in reference of the Hearing Threshold Level is controlled from the mobile phone 1 keypad 9 and showed on the display 10. After the testing sound pattern and it's intensity are selected, then the sound presence is activated by one of the keypad 9 button and the test result can be stored in the mobile phone internal memory for further data processing.
In another embodiment of the invention presented in Fig. 4 the mobile phone 1, has attached to the mobile phone body 2 a speculum 3 with disposable ear tip 4, which is inserted into the patient ear and allows the direct acoustic coupling with the ear canal for the purpose of conducting the hearing test. The testing sound from the speaker 5 is delivered to the patient ear through the speculum 3 and the ear tip 4. The ear tip 4 can be changed according to the patient ear canal size and the whole attachment formed by the speculum 3 and the ear tip 4 can be removed when the mobile phone normal operation is required.
In another another embodiment of the invention presented in Fig. 5 the mobile phone is provided with the socket 1 allowing to plug in preferably, but not necessary, the audiometric insert earphone 2 with the ear tip 3 and plug 4, which when plugged into the socket 1 disconnects the speaker 5 and takes over the output signal from the
mobile phone and delivers the testing sound to the patient's ear 6. When the mobile phone is provided by the producer together with the insert earphone for the hearing testing , then the testing sounds intensity produced by this earphone is calibrated in -eference to the Hearing Threshold Level by the mobile phone internal calibrator and such intensity level is selected by the keypad 8 and showed by the display 9.
When the insert earphone 2 is purchased separately from the mobile phone, then it is provided with the reference table or with the bar code which contains the data of voltages required for each frequency band of the complex testing sounds or single tones to calibrate the mobile phone for each sound in reference to the Hearing Threshold Level for the individual insert earphone characteristic.
Such voltages, expressed either in analog values or in a special code, are transferred into the mobile phone digital circuitry 7 using the mobile phone keypad 8 or using the mobile phone digital input connected to the external bar reading device which allows to use the bar code automatic data transfer. Alternatively the mobile phone calibration is done automatically or updated with the data of the earphone characteristic provided by the mobile phone network bank, storing these data for the individual insert earphones recognized by their code numbers.
In another embodiment of the invention, the Fig. 6
is a block diagram of the mobile phone 1 adopted for the
purpose to perform the hearing test, whose output speaker 2
is coupled with the ear 3 by means of the phone tube 4 and tip 5
plugged into the ear canal 6. The phone tube 4 is attached to the
mobile phone acoustic output 7 by the coupler 8.
The acoustic sounds patterns for the purpose of the hearing test can be stored in the mobile phone 1 internal memory 9 in a similar way like the set of the phone ring tones is stored or they can be loaded from the external module 10 connected to the socket 11 which allows the module 10 to communicate with the mobile phone electronic circuitry 12 and, but not necessary with the memory 9. Selection of testing sounds patterns and their intensities calibrated in the dB scale in reference to the Hearing Threshold Level is controlled from the mobile phone 1 keypad and showed on the display 14. After the testing sound pattern and it's intensity are selected, then the sound presence is activated by one of the keypad 13 button and the test result can be stored in the mobile phone internal memory for further data processing.
In another embodiment of the invention the Fig. 7 is a block
diagram of the mobile phone 1 placed at the distance from the ear
entrance 3 controlled by the rod 4 attached to the mobile phone 1
but not touching the ear auricle 5.
The sound level meter 6 measures the sound intensity level close
to the ear entrance 3 delivered from the mobile phone 1.
Selecting with the keypad 7 type and volume of each testing sound,
one can calibrate in dB the sound intensity approaching the ear
entrance 3 and store these levels in the mobile phone 1 memory 8.
Then the type of the testing sound and it's calibrated intensity
can be read from the display 9.
After the mobile phone calibrated as described above one can perform
the hearing test presenting the calibrated testing sounds to the ear
at the constant distance 2 controlled by the rod 4.
Instead of the commercial sound level meter 6 the special personal
sound level indicator described in the Fig. 2 can be used to calibra
the intensity of the testing sounds.
In another embodiment presented in Fig. 8 the personal sound level
indicator 1 has a built in the microphone 2 and one or more light
indicators 3, to indicate one or more sound intensity levels like
20 dB, 30 dB, 40 dB etc.
One of the light indicator different in color, shape or placement
position to the other indicators is used to indicate,
that the sound received by the microphone 2 has intensity exceeding
the maximum level of the personal indicator scale or predetermined
single level typically used in the screening procedures.
The personal sound indicator 1 can be attached to the ear 4 by means
of the special hook 5 or a typical head band. It also can be clipped
to the ear 4 or hairs like a small brooch or it can be plugged into
the ear canal 6 providing a free entrance for the sound through
the special opening.
In self hearing test a person with the sound indicator 1 placed closed
to the ear canal 6, can observe in the mirror placed in front of it'
face, which indicator is "on" during the sound presentation, to assess the level of the sound approaching the ear canal 6. Instead of the mirror an external light indicator 4 or a special meter can be plugged into the personal sound indicator 1 and conveniently placed in front of the person.
Alternatively, the personal sound indicator 1 with it's light indicator 3 can be placed in front of the person and only the microphone 2 is placed near or plugged into the the ear canal 6. Desired level of the testing sound can be set up by varying the distance 7 between the ear canal 6 and the mobile phone speaker 8 and/or by adjusting the mobile phone 1 volume control. By changing the distance 7 while presenting at the same time the testing sound from the mobile phone and observing the light
ndicator 1, one can find out at which sound intensity level he can or cannot hear the testing sound.
The mobile phone 9 has stored in it's memory 10, among the ring tones, the plurality of the special hearing test signals in form of the single tones or complex sounds like the environmental filtered sounds of animals, birds etc.
The hearing test signals could be loaded into the mobile phone memory 10 through the radio link, from the Internet or from the external device 11 plugged into the socket 12, which is connected to the mobile phone 9 electronic circuitry 13. Loading of the testing sounds data from the external device 11, through the radio, infrared or ultrasound link will not change the principle of the invention. The testing sounds could be also composed by the mobile phone user the same way like he can compose his own ring tones using the mobile phone keypad. In this case, an additional instruction, printed or displayed on the mobile phone display 14 or available from the Internet will be provided to the mobile phone user, to help him to compose the testing signals, especially for the complex sounds, if the sound spectrum has to be more accurately defined. The personal sound indicator and the mobile phone can also be used for the hearing screening test particularly in babies and young children. In this case the second person, holding the mobile phone, approaches the baby from the side position, observes the light indicators and reaction of the baby to the testing sound. In another embodiment presented in Fig. 9 the personal sound level indicator 1 with it's light indicator 2 is attached to the mobile phone 3 and has a distance rod 4 with the microphone 5 at the end of this rod 4 connected to the personal sound level indicator 1. The constant distance 6 between the speaker output 7
and the ear canal 8 is controlled by the length of the rod 4. Using the keypad 7 one can choose the type of the testing sound stored in the memory 10 and through the volume control adjust the sound intensity level following the indication of the light indicator 2.
In another embodiment of the invention presented in Fig. 10 the specified distance between the ear 1 and the mobile phone 2 can be estimated by creating near the entrance of the ear 1 the visible light dot 3 formed by the crossing point of two narrow light beams 4 and 5 send by the light sources 6 and 7 such as microlaser diodes or other focused light emitters. At the specified distance only one dot 3 will be visible indicating a proper distance between the ear 1 and the sound module or mobile phone 2. Otherwise two light dots will be visible. The tester moves the sound module or the mobile phone 2 towards the ear 1 to obtain only one dot and then the testing sound can be turned "on" by the tester and delivered from the speaker 8 to the ear 1 to test the hearing.
According to the invention the mobile phone user will also be
able to use his phone for the purpose of vision screening.
There is a number of vision tests which can be incorpo-ated into
the mobile phone system and it's software program.
Two examples of the basic tests for the contrast sensitivity and
color discrimination will be presented, but it will not limit
plurality of tests possible to perform using the mobile phone.
To conduct the vision tests, first it is important to determine the
distance between the mobile phone screen and the person eyes.
This is presented in Fig.11. in this figure the mobile phone 1 is held by the person performing the vision test at the specified
distance 2 which for some of the tests may correspond to the full
length of the person arm. The tested person measures with
the separate tape or the pulled out of the phone body mini tape,
telescopic or on& piece rode the distance between the mobile phone
screen 5 and the person eyes 3 and keys value of this distance
through the mobile phone keypad 4 into the mobile phone uprocessor
controlled electronic system. This allows, following the software
program, to automatically adjust the size of the pictures displayed
on the screen 5 for the purpose of the vision test.
Alternatively, the distance measuring sensor 6 can automatically
adjust the size of the images displayed on the screen 5 sending to
the mobile phone electronic circuitry which controls the image
size, the software data related to the distance.
The typical image displayed on the mobile phone screen for the
contrast sensitivity test is presented in Fig.12.
In this test the image presented on the mobile phone screen 1 as
the circle 2 consists a number of parallel lines, which can be
positioned vertically, horizontally or at + or - 45 degrees.
The tested person has to correlate position of the lines within
the circle 2 with one of the symbols 3 displayed on the same
screen 1 and has to key in through the mobile phone keypad, one
number from the numbers set 4 displayed on the same screen 1 and
positioned against the symbols 3.
Position and/or density of lines in the circle 1 and also the size
of the circle 2 are automatically changed due to the software program
for the vision test stored in the mobile phone memory every time the number from the set 4 is keyed in. If the tested person with vision impairment is not decided, what is the position of the lines in the circle 2, then the asterix or other symbol of the keypad
can be used instead of the numbers from the set 4.
Correct, false and undecided scores of the correlation are
recorded in the mobile phone memory. The total number of the circles
presentation and the final results interpretation included into
the operating software depends upon the criteria recommended
by the medical specialists for the vision screening method.
The final pass/fail result of this test is displayed on the mobile
phone screen 1 for the tested person consideration and recommends
the further action like visit to the specialized medical center.
In the second example for the color vision test presented in Fig. 13 the mobile phone screen 3 is used to detect the color vision problems like incorrect color discrimination. In this test the image of number ( or letter ) 2 built of the same color various diameter and color intensity dots is presented on the background 3 built of multicolor, various sizes and various color intensity dots and displayed on the mobile phone screen 1. The tested person has to key in through the mobile phone keypad the value of the number ( or letter ) 1, displayed on the screen 1 against the background 3. The value of the number 2, the colors of it's dots and the background 3 dots, are changed according to the accepted screening method for which the special software is stored in the mobile phone memory.
The total number of the color images presentation and the final results interpretation will depend upon the criteria recommended by the medical specialists for the color vision screening method. The final pass/fail result and eventually more detailed comments are displayed on the mobile phone screen 1 or delivered verbally through the mobile phone acoustic output for the tested person consideration and the further action.
Presented above two examples for the vision tests in no way limit a number of other images and vision tests which could be performed with the mobile phone.
For example, various size numbers and/or letters can be displayed on the mobile phone screen for the tested person to identify them and to key them in through the mobile phone keypad.
connecting to the mobile phone an external module with the software program to conduct the vision test will not change the principle of this invention in which the vision tests' special images are displayed on the mobile phone screen and the tested person, who looks at these images, has to perform a specific tasks related to these images and has to key in through the mobile phone keypad the results of these tasks for automatic assessment of these results following the test program software and presenting the final results and recommendation for the tested person on the mobile phone screen and/or delivering through the mobile phone acoustic output the verbal instructions stored in the mobile phone memory. If the larger screen is required, then the mobile phone vision output can be connected to the VDU Monitor or home TV set through a special VDU or RF adapter.
In another embodiment of the invention presented in Fig. 14 the hearing aid forms a part of the mobile phone 1 acoustic channel,in which the changeover switch 2 in it,s normal position takes signal from the microphone 3 and through the programmable amplifier 4, volume control 5 and output amplifier 6 delivers the signal to the external earphone 7 used for the heard of hearing person. The programmable amplifier 4 adjusts the frequency characteristic and compression of the amplified signal and is controlled by the mobile phone electronic circuit 8 following the data stored in the
memory 9. The data stored in the memory 9 could be changed by loading
a new data from the mobile phone network or Internet to re-program the hearing aid acoustic parameters.
When the mobile phone is used in normal transmission/receiving mode, then the changeover switch 2 is switched by the electronic circuit 8 to it's second position to receive acoustic signal coming from the network. In this mode of operation the signal coming from the network
is processed by the hearing aid channel comprising the programmable amplifier 4, volume control 5, output amplifier 6 and ^he external earphone 7. The changeover switch is automatically switched by the electronic circuitry 8 when the mobile phone is set to the transmission/reception mode or manually through the mobile phone keypad 10, when the user decides to turn off the hearing aid.
In another embodiment of the invention presented in the Fig. 15 the changeover switch 1 shown in it's normal position processes the special signal like white noise, tones or environmental sounds stored in the memory 2 for the purpose of the tinnitus masking. Next the signal from the switch 1 is delivered through the volume control 3 and the output amplifier 4 to the external earphone 5 used by the tinnitus sufferer. When the mobile phone is set to it's transmission/receiving operation mode, then mobile phone 6 internal electronic circuitry 7 automatically changes position of the switch 1 to carry on this mode of operation.
Changing the mobile phone function from the transmission/receiving mode to the tinnitus masker mode can also be done manually through the mobile phone keypad 8.
The data of the tinnitus masking signals stored in the memory 2 can be changed by loading from the mobile phone network or Internet another data for the new signals.
Additionally the date of the treatment program like changing periodically type of masking signals are stored in the memory 9 and can be updated through the mobile phone network or the-Internet.
In another embodiment of the invention presented in the Fig. 16 the remote control unit 1 typically used to select functions and the listening programs of the hearing aid is built into the mobile pnone Z. The control unit f can communicate with the remote hearing aid through the radio wave output 4, magnetic or ultrasound transducer 5 or or infrared transducer 6.
Selection of the hearing aid functions or listening programs is done through the mobile phone keypad 7 connected to the mobile phone electronic circuitry 8. The memory 9 stores a number of commends allowing to select through the remote unit 1 and the electronic circuitry 8 the desired listening programs and the hearing aid functions like microphone, telecoil, volume level and on/off mode of operation. The number of these commends can be changed or optionally updated through the mobile phone network or the Internet.
In another embodiment of the invention presented in Fig. 17 a number of the external measuring and monitoring devices D1 , D2, D3 ... Dn can be connected individually to the mobile phone 1 external socket
to be controlled by the interface 3 and the mobile phone tests or rehabilitation programs stored in the memory 4 being a part of the mobile phone electronic circuitry 5. Alternatively these external devices send the analog or digital data to the mobile phone as the result of their action for further processing.
Various types of the devices measuring the body or environmental temperature, heart beating and lung respiration rate, blood sugar or pressure, monitoring cardiac or pulmonary auscultation, controlling
the treatment with the neuromuscular stimulator etc. can be interfaced with the mobile phone through the interface 3 following the standard interfacing rules.
The testing or rehabilitation programs stored in the memory 4 are changed or updated through the mobile phone network or the Internet.





WE CLAIM:
1. A mobile phone for performing hearing and vision tests, the mobile phone including:
an acoustic and video channels adapted to provide a definable acoustic output and video
display;
the mobile phone allowing communication by mobile telephone network, or internet, or
by external device linked to the mobile phone between a source of data tests and the
acoustic and video channels;
a mobile phone memory for receiving acoustic and visual test stimuli of a hearing and
vision tests from the source, the test stimuli including representations of defined audio
output and video display, and wherein the acoustic test stimuli includes representations
of a plurality of predefined acoustic outputs which are played back from the mobile
phone memory at different frequencies and intensities;
a distance measuring sensor for sensing and determining distance between a person to
be tested for a hearing and vision test and the acoustic and video channels;
an operating keypad in which a person to be tested is able to enter test data wherein the
mobile phone memory provides instructions to the acoustic output and video channels
to emit defined acoustic and video test stimuli.
2. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance measuring sensor comprises two spaced apart light sources which are calibrated such that the light sources converge to form a single visible dot at a predetermined distance for conducting a hearing test.
3. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 2 wherein the light sources are selected from micro-laser diodes or focused light emitters.
4. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1 wherein the test stimuli are able to be updated from a remote source including by the mobile phone including by any one or more of mobile phone network or Internet or an infrared link, ultrasound link or cable from external sources.
5. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1 wherein the acoustic output is connected to the mobile phone to provide test results to a remote location.

6. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1 wherein when a correct answer is received by the operating keypad in response to the defined acoustic output and video display of the test stimuli, the acoustic test stimuli frequencies and intensities or video test stimuli is changed.
7. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1, comprising an insert earphone interconnected to the mobile phone for maintaining calibrated sound to the ear of the user, wherein the plurality of the acoustic test stimuli is calibrated in frequency and intensity and delivered from the mobile phone directly to the ear by the insert earphone.
8. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 7 wherein the insert earphone having a special number or bar code, providing test stimuli to maintain precise audio calibration together with the receiver of the mobile phone.
9. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 8 wherein the test stimuli is directly entered through the keypad of the mobile phone.
10. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 8 wherein the test stimuli is obtained by the special number or bar code and feedback from a remote source by the mobile phone linked to a network to calibrate the mobile phone receiver together with the insert earphone.

11. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1 when used to control operation of a hearing aid wherein the mobile phone memory includes volume control, output amplifier, external earphone and programmable amplifier controlling the frequency characteristic and compression of the amplified signal following the data of the listening program stored in the mobile phone memory and modified hrough the mobile phone network or the Internet.
12. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1 when used to control operation of a tinnitus masker for a tinnitus sufferer wherein the mobile phone memory includes volume control, output amplifier, external earphone and programmable amplifier controlling the frequency characteristic and compression of the amplified signal following the data of the listening program stored in the mobile phone memory and modified through the

mobile phone network or the Internet to mask the determined tinnitus noise frequencies.
13. A mobile phone as claimed in claim 1 comprising a device for controlling rehabilitation, the device being connected to an external socket of the mobile phone and being adapted to receive instructions from programs stored in the mobile phone memory circuit via an interface between the memory circuit and the external socket.

Documents:

3148-DELNP-2004-Abstract-(04-04-2012).pdf

3148-delnp-2004-abstract.pdf

3148-DELNP-2004-Claims-(04-04-2012).pdf

3148-delnp-2004-Claims-(31-01-2014).pdf

3148-delnp-2004-claims.pdf

3148-DELNP-2004-Correspondence Others-(04-04-2012).pdf

3148-delnp-2004-Correspondence Others-(09-04-2012).pdf

3148-delnp-2004-Correspondence Others-(31-01-2014).pdf

3148-delnp-2004-correspondence-others.pdf

3148-delnp-2004-description (complete).pdf

3148-DELNP-2004-Drawings-(04-04-2012).pdf

3148-delnp-2004-drawings.pdf

3148-DELNP-2004-Form-1-(04-04-2012).pdf

3148-delnp-2004-form-1.pdf

3148-delnp-2004-form-13.pdf

3148-delnp-2004-form-18.pdf

3148-DELNP-2004-Form-2-(04-04-2012).pdf

3148-delnp-2004-form-2.pdf

3148-delnp-2004-form-26.pdf

3148-DELNP-2004-Form-3-(04-04-2012).pdf

3148-delnp-2004-form-3.pdf

3148-delnp-2004-form-5.pdf

3148-DELNP-2004-GPA-(04-04-2012).pdf

3148-delnp-2004-pct-210.pdf

3148-DELNP-2004-Petition-137-(04-04-2012)-1.pdf

3148-DELNP-2004-Petition-137-(04-04-2012).pdf


Patent Number 259027
Indian Patent Application Number 3148/DELNP/2004
PG Journal Number 09/2014
Publication Date 28-Feb-2014
Grant Date 21-Feb-2014
Date of Filing 12-Oct-2004
Name of Patentee ERA CENTRE PTY LTD
Applicant Address 201 SPRING STREET, MELBOURNE, VIC 3000, AUSTRALIA (AU)
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 NOWOSIELSKI, JANUSZ 39 BARBERS ROAD, KALORAMA, VIC 3766, AUSTRALIA (AU)
PCT International Classification Number H04M 1/247
PCT International Application Number PCT/AU2003/00278
PCT International Filing date 2003-03-11
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 PS 1547 2002-04-05 Australia
2 2002952883 2002-11-25 Australia
3 PS 1048 2002-03-12 Australia
4 2002952203 2002-10-22 Australia