Patents by Inventor Mike K. Sacha

Mike K. Sacha has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8433088
    Abstract: A hearing aid is provided with a switch that automatically, non-manually switches at least one of inputs, filters, or programmable parameters in the presence of a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: Mike K. Sacha, Mark A. Bren, Timothy S. Peterson, Randall W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 8218804
    Abstract: A hearing aid is provided with a switch that automatically, non-manually, controls a configuration of the hearing aid in the presence of a magnetic field. In an embodiment, the switch in the hearing aid is configured to control a filtering configuration of the hearing aid in the presence of a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike K. Sacha, Mark A. Bren, Timothy S. Peterson, Randall W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7447325
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for selectively coupling hearing aids to electromagnetic fields. One aspect relates to a hearing aid device. In various embodiments, the hearing aid device includes an induction signal receiver for receiving induction signals, a microphone system for receiving acoustic signals, a hearing aid receiver, and a signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit includes a proximity sensor for detecting an induction source. The signal processing circuit presents a first signal to the hearing aid receiver that is representative of the acoustic signals. When the induction source is detected, the signal processing circuit presents a second signal to the hearing aid receiver that is representative of the induction signals and transmits a third signal representative of the induction signals from the hearing aid device to a second hearing aid device. Other aspects are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Micro Ear Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Bren, Timothy S. Peterson, Randall W. Roberts, Blane Anderson, Mike K. Sacha
  • Publication number: 20080199030
    Abstract: A hearing aid is provided with a switch that automatically, non-manually switches at least one of inputs, filters, or programmable parameters in the presence of a magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Mike K. Sacha, Mark A. Bren, Timothy S. Peterson, Randall W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7369671
    Abstract: A hearing aid is provided with a a programmable, signal processing circuit electrically connecting an input system to an output system, a magnetic field sensor, and a selection circuit connected to the magnetic sensor. The selection circuit may be adapted to control at least one of the input system, output system, and the signal processing circuit, where the selection circuit in conjunction with the magnetic field is configured to select the system or circuit to control based a magnetic field strength received at the magnetic field sensor being one of at least three levels of magnetic field strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Starkey, Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike K. Sacha, Mark A. Bren, Timothy S. Peterson, Randall W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7206424
    Abstract: A hearing aid that compensates for a patient's hearing deficit in a gradually progressing fashion. The hearing aid may be programmed to successively select in a defined sequence a parameter set that defines at least one operating characteristic of the signal processing circuit from a group of such parameter sets. The defined sequence may end in a parameter set that optimally compensates the patient's hearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Mike K. Sacha
  • Patent number: 7171014
    Abstract: A hearing aid having a battery door seal that substantially reduces or eliminates unwanted air flow from and into a battery compartment is provided. Eliminating unwanted air flow removes a potential source of acoustic feedback and provides significant improvement in frequency response of the hearing aid. The hearing aid includes a battery compartment with sidewalls that have a step joint formed between an opening in a faceplate to the battery compartment and a substantially flat portion of the sidewalls. The battery door has a lip that sets on the step joint when the battery door closes providing an air seal around a substantial portion of the battery compartment. A thin slit is provided between the faceplate and the battery door behind the end of the battery door, where the battery door is connected to the faceplate by a hinge to provide appropriate air flow for proper battery operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Nelson Morales, Brian L. Fideler, Mike K. Sacha
  • Patent number: 6829363
    Abstract: A hearing aid that compensates for a patient's hearing deficit in a gradually progressing fashion. The hearing aid may be programmed to successively select in a defined sequence a parameter set that defines at least one operating characteristic of the signal processing circuit from a group of such parameter sets. The defined sequence may end in a parameter set that optimally compensates the patient's hearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Mike K. Sacha
  • Publication number: 20040086142
    Abstract: A hearing aid having a battery door seal that substantially reduces or eliminates unwanted air flow from and into a battery compartment is provided. Eliminating unwanted air flow removes a potential source of acoustic feedback and provides significant improvement in frequency response of the hearing aid. The hearing aid includes a battery compartment with sidewalls that have a step joint formed between an opening in a faceplate to the battery compartment and a substantially flat portion of the sidewalls. The battery door has a lip that sets on the step joint when the battery door closes providing an air seal around a substantial portion of the battery compartment. A thin slit is provided between the faceplate and the battery door behind the end of the battery door, where the battery door is connected to the faceplate by a hinge to provide appropriate air flow for proper battery operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Nelson Morales, Brian L. Fideler, Mike K. Sacha
  • Publication number: 20040052391
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for selectively coupling hearing aids to electromagnetic fields. One aspect relates to a hearing aid device. In various embodiments, the hearing aid device includes an induction signal receiver for receiving induction signals, a microphone system for receiving acoustic signals, a hearing aid receiver, and a signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit includes a proximity sensor for detecting an induction source. The signal processing circuit presents a first signal to the hearing aid receiver that is representative of the acoustic signals. When the induction source is detected, the signal processing circuit presents a second signal to the hearing aid receiver that is representative of the induction signals and transmits a third signal representative of the induction signals from the hearing aid device to a second hearing aid device. Other aspects are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicants: Micro Ear Technology, Inc., d/b/a MICRO-TECH
    Inventors: Mark A. Bren, Timothy S. Peterson, Randall W. Roberts, Blane Anderson, Mike K. Sacha
  • Publication number: 20040052392
    Abstract: A hearing aid is provided with a switch that automatically, non-manually switches at least one of inputs, filters, or programmable parameters in the presence of a magnetic field. The magnetic field can be generated by a magnet in a telephone handset. The hearing aid further is programmed based on time-varying characteristics of the magnetic field. Wireless activation or deactivation of the hearing aid is also described. A magnetic field dependant switch turns the hearing aid on or off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Mike K. Sacha, Mark A. Bren, Timothy S. Peterson, Randall W. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20030215105
    Abstract: A hearing aid that compensates for a patient's hearing deficit in a gradually progressing fashion. The hearing aid may be programmed to successively select in a defined sequence a parameter set that defines at least one operating characteristic of the signal processing circuit from a group of such parameter sets. The defined sequence may end in a parameter set that optimally compensates the patient's hearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Mike K. Sacha