Method and system for an ultra low power dosimeter

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in an ultra low power dosimeter assembly. The ultra low power dosimeter assembly may comprise a low power voltage source and a table circuit. The table circuit may be adapted to convert an input voltage to a second voltage level. The second voltage level may correspond to noise dose. The ultra low power dosimeter assembly may also comprise a switch adapted to trigger a control circuit. The control circuit may provide progressive attenuation of an output signal as the second voltage level increases. In certain embodiments, the control circuit may also be adapted to send one or more warning signals to a user of the ultra low power dosimeter. The one or more warning signals may be sent when the control circuit determines the second voltage level has reached one or more pre-determined threshold voltage levels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ultra low power dosimeter apparatus, comprising:
 a table circuit adapted to convert an input voltage to a second voltage level, wherein the second voltage level corresponds to an increment in noise dose;   a switch adapted to reset the second voltage level to zero after a pre-determined threshold voltage level has been reached;   a counter adapted to count the number of times the switch resets the second voltage level to zero; and   an attenuation control circuit adapted to provide attenuation of an output signal as the counter reaches at least one pre-determined threshold count.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising an audio source adapted to provide the input voltage to the ultra low power dosimeter. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the audio source is a portable audio device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the attenuation of the output signal is progressive as the count increases. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the progressive attenuation introduced into the output signal is approximately 1-10 dB at each of the at least one pre-determined threshold counts. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the table circuit uses a logarithmic amplifier to convert the input voltage to the second voltage level. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the output signal is sent to the user through at least one earphone.