Patents by Inventor Niels Henrik Pontoppidan

Niels Henrik Pontoppidan 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).

  • Publication number: 20160099008
    Abstract: The application relates to a hearing device comprising a) an input unit for delivering a time varying electric input signal representing an audio signal comprising at least two sound sources, b) a cyclic analysis buffer unit of length A adapted for storing the last A audio samples, c) a cyclic synthesis buffer unit of length, where L is smaller than A, adapted for storing the last L audio samples, which are intended to be separated in individual sound sources, d) a database having stored recorded sound examples from said at least two sound sources, each entry in the database being termed an atom, the atoms originating from audio samples from first and second buffers corresponding in size to said synthesis and analysis buffer units, where for each atom, the audio samples from the first buffer overlaps with the audio samples from the second buffer, and where atoms originating from the first buffer constitute a reconstruction dictionary, and where atoms originating from the second buffer constitute an analysis d
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Thomas BARKER, Tuomas VIRTANEN, Niels Henrik PONTOPPIDAN
  • Publication number: 20160001077
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of calibrating a cochlea implant and present disclosure relates to a cochlea implant. Further, the present disclosure relates to use of cochlea implants and use of calibration method for cochlea implants. The methods, uses, and implants of the present disclosure provides improved auditory experience for the users of cochlea implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: Oticon Medical A/S
    Inventors: Niels Henrik PONTOPPIDAN, Morten Eduard HARTVIG, Filip Marchman RØNNE
  • Patent number: 9210517
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to communication devices. Such devices may comprise input for receiving sound signal to be processed and presented to a user, and output for outputting the processed signal to a user perceivable as sound. Such processing may be performed by use of a processor for processing the sound signal in dependence of a setting or a set of setting to compensate a hearing loss profile. Further, the communication device may comprise a bio-signal acquisition and amplifier component in communication with a user interface for providing the bio-signals as input to the user interface, the user interface controlling the setting or set of setting for operation of the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: OTICON A/S
    Inventors: Niels Henrik Pontoppidan, Thomas Lunner, Michael Syskind Pedersen, Lars Ivar Hauschultz, Povl Koch, Graham Naylor, Eline Borch Petersen
  • Publication number: 20150350794
    Abstract: The application relates to a hearing aid comprising at least one electrode located at a surface of a housing of the hearing aid to allow said electrodes to contact the skin of a user during use of the hearing aid, at least one electrode being adapted to pick up a low voltage signal from the user's brain, the hearing aid further comprising an amplifier unit operationally connected to said electrode(s) and adapted for amplifying said low voltage signal(s) to provide amplified brain signal(s), and a signal processing unit adapted to process said amplified brain signal(s) to provide a processed brain signal as well as to apply a time and frequency dependent gain to an input audio signal and to provide a processed audio output signal. The application further relates to a method of operating a hearing aid and to its use and to a hearing aid system. The object of the present application is to provide a hearing aid capable of monitoring a user's hearing ability over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventor: Niels Henrik PONTOPPIDAN
  • Publication number: 20150333717
    Abstract: A method for processing an audio signal (i(t)), comprises: receiving a first set (x(t)) of time-varying signals representing a first sound comprised in the audio signal (i(t)), the first set (x(t)) of time-varying signals comprising an amplitude modulation signal (a(t)), a carrier frequency signal (fc(t)), a pitch signal (f0(t)) and an FM index signal (h(t)); and modifying the first set (x(t)) of time-varying signals by modifying the amplitude of the FM index signal (h(t)), thereby providing a first modified set (x?(t)) of time-varying signals. The resulting first modified set (x?(t)) of time-varying signals may subsequently be modulated to provide an audio output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventors: Niels Henrik PONTOPPIDAN, Thomas LUNNER, Marianna VATTI, Lars BRAMSLØW
  • Patent number: 9130523
    Abstract: A method for processing an audio signal (i(t)), comprises: receiving a first set (x(t)) of time-varying signals representing a first sound comprised in the audio signal (i(t)), the first set (x(t)) of time-varying signals comprising an amplitude modulation signal (a(t)), a carrier frequency signal (fc(t)), a pitch signal (f0(t)) and an FM index signal (h(t)); and modifying the first set (x(t)) of time-varying signals by modifying the amplitude of the FM index signal (h(t)), thereby providing a first modified set (x?(t)) of time-varying signals. The resulting first modified set (x?(t)) of time-varying signals may subsequently be modulated to provide an audio output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: OTICON A/S
    Inventors: Niels Henrik Pontoppidan, Thomas Lunner, Marianna Vatti, Lars Bramsløow
  • Publication number: 20150163608
    Abstract: A listening device for a hearing impaired person being subjected to a tinnitus at a tinnitus frequency range including a tinnitus frequency is disclosed. The device includes an input transducer for providing an electric input signal comprising audio and a controllable filter for filtering the electric input signal received from the input transducer. The filter outputs a filtered electric input signal such that signal energy of the electric input signal immediately surrounding the tinnitus frequency remain substantially unchanged and signal energy of the electric input signal at a distance to the tinnitus frequency is substantially reduced. The device further includes a processor connected downstream of the filter and processes the filtered electrical input signal and outputs a processed electric signal, and an output transducer connected downstream of the processor and converts the processed electric signal to an acoustic output signal to be presented to a hearing impaired person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventor: Niels Henrik PONTOPPIDAN
  • Patent number: 9031270
    Abstract: A method of processes audio signals picked up from a sound field by a microphone system of a listening device adapted for being worn at a particular one of the left or right ear of a user, the sound field comprising sound signals from one or more sound sources, the sound signals impinging on the user from one or more directions relative to the user. Information about a user's Ear, Head, and Torso Geometry and the user's hearing ability in combination with knowledge of the spectral profile and location of current sound sources provide the means for deciding upon which frequency bands that, at a given time, contribute most to the BEE seen by the listener or the Hearing Instrument. For a given sound source, a number of donor frequency bands is determined at a given time, where an SNR-measure for the selected signal is above a predefined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Niels Henrik Pontoppidan
  • Patent number: 9031271
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a listening device for a hearing impaired person. The present invention furthermore relates to a corresponding operating method of operating a listening device and to a corresponding computer program. In particular, the present invention relates to a listening device that comprises a signal processing unit that is controlled by a controller configured to implement a combined feed-forward and feed-back control in order to ensure that both an electric input signal and a processed electric output signal have at least almost identical modulation index values. Thereby, speech intelligibility is increased, in particular for a hearing impaired person being capable of perceiving sound pressure levels in a substantially decreased dynamic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Niels Henrik Pontoppidan
  • Publication number: 20150124975
    Abstract: The application relates to a binaural hearing assistance system comprising left and right hearing assistance devices adapted for being located at or in a left and right ear, respectively, of a user, each of the left and right hearing assistance devices comprising a) an input unit for providing one or more electric input signals based on one or more input sounds of a sound field surrounding the binaural hearing assistance system; b) a source separation unit for separating and localizing one or more sound sources Ss in said sound field relative to the input transducer unit based on said one or more electric input signals, and providing respective separated sound source signals Xs, and localization parameters LPs of said one or more sound sources (s=1, 2, . . .
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventor: Niels Henrik PONTOPPIDAN
  • Patent number: 8976990
    Abstract: A listening device comprises an input transducer providing an electric input signal comprising audio and a detector coupled to the input transducer, for determining whether the electric input signal is a broadband signal or not and providing a detection signal in response. The listening device furthermore comprises a controllable filter for filtering the electric input signal being coupled to the detector and the input transducer and for outputting a filtered electric input signal such that a component of the electric input signal in the tinnitus frequency range is dampened, if the detection signal indicates that the electric input signal is a broadband signal, and outputting an unfiltered electric input signal such that a component of the electric input signal in the tinnitus frequency range is not dampened, if the detection signal indicates that the electric input signal is not a broadband signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Niels Henrik Pontoppidan
  • Publication number: 20140369537
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to communication devices. Such devices may comprise input for receiving sound signal to be processed and presented to a user, and output for outputting the processed signal to a user perceivable as sound. Such processing may be performed by use of a processor for processing the sound signal in dependence of a setting or a set of setting to compensate a hearing loss profile. Further, the communication device may comprise a bio-signal acquisition and amplifier component in communication with a user interface for providing the bio-signals as input to the user interface, the user interface controlling the setting or set of setting for operation of the communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Niels Henrik PONTOPPIDAN, Thomas LUNNER, Michael Syskind PEDERSEN, Lars Ivar HAUSCHULTZ, Povl KOCH, Graham NAYLOR, Eline Borch PETERSEN
  • Publication number: 20140169596
    Abstract: A system for operating a hearing instrument is disclosed. The system comprises one or more electrodes for measuring the brain wave signals of a user wearing a hearing instrument. The electrodes are placed on the scalp of the user. Based on the measured brain wave signals, a detecting unit is configured to detect a relaxation state of the hearing instrument. A controller sets the hearing instrument to a relaxation mode setting in response to the detection of the relaxation state of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventors: Thomas LUNNER, Niels Henrik PONTOPPIDAN
  • Publication number: 20140146987
    Abstract: A listening device processes an electric input sound signal and provides an output stimulus perceivable to a wearer of the listening device as sound, the listening device comprising a signal processing unit for processing an information signal originating from the electric input sound signal and to provide a processed output signal forming the basis for generating said output stimulus. A perception unit establishes a perception measure indicative of the wearer's present ability to perceive said information signal. A signal interface communicates the perception measure to another person or device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Niels Henrik PONTOPPIDAN, Renskje K. HIETKAMP, Lisbeth Dons JENSEN, Thomas LUNNER, Karsten Bo RASMUSSEN
  • Patent number: 8670582
    Abstract: A signal processing device comprising a signal processing unit for processing an electrical SPU-input signal comprising frequencies in the audible frequency range between a minimum frequency and a maximum frequency, and providing a processed SPU output signal. An FM to AM transformation unit transforms an FM2AM input signal originating from the SPU-input signal and comprising at least a part of the frequency range of the SPU-input signal from a frequency modulated signal to an amplitude modulated signal to provide an FM2AM output signal, which is used in the generation of the processed SPU output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Lunner, Niels Henrik Pontoppidan
  • Patent number: 8638961
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating an audio processing device. The invention further relates to an audio processing device, to a software program and to a medium having instructions stored thereon. The object of the present invention is to provide improvements in the processing of sounds in listening devices. The problem is solved by a method comprising a) receiving an electric input signal representing an audio signal; b) providing an event-control parameter indicative of changes related to the electric input signal and for controlling the processing of the electric input signal; c) storing a representation of the electric input signal or a part thereof; d) providing a processed electric output signal with a configurable delay based on the stored representation of the electric input signal or a part thereof and controlled by the event-control parameter. The invention may e.g. be used in hearing instruments, headphones or headsets or active ear plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Niels Henrik Pontoppidan
  • Publication number: 20130304459
    Abstract: A method for processing an audio signal (i(t)), comprises: receiving a first set (x(t)) of time-varying signals representing a first sound comprised in the audio signal (i(t)), the first set (x(t)) of time-varying signals comprising an amplitude modulation signal (a(t)), a carrier frequency signal (fc(t)), a pitch signal (f0(t)) and an FM index signal (h(t)); and modifying the first set (x(t)) of time-varying signals by modifying the amplitude of the FM index signal (h(t)), thereby providing a first modified set (x?(t)) of time-varying signals. The resulting first modified set (x?(t)) of time-varying signals may subsequently be modulated to provide an audio output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Niels Henrik PONTOPPIDAN, Thomas LUNNER, Marianna VATTI, Lars BRAMSLØW
  • Publication number: 20130051566
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a listening device for a hearing impaired person. The present invention furthermore relates to a corresponding operating method of operating a listening device and to a corresponding computer program. In particular, the present invention relates to a listening device that comprises a signal processing unit that is controlled by a controller configured to implement a combined feed-forward and feed-back control in order to ensure that both an electric input signal and a processed electric output signal have at least almost identical modulation index values. Thereby, speech intelligibility is increased, in particular for a hearing impaired person being capable of perceiving sound pressure levels in a substantially decreased dynamic range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventor: Niels Henrik PONTOPPIDAN
  • Publication number: 20130051565
    Abstract: A method of processes audio signals picked up from a sound field by a microphone system of a listening device adapted for being worn at a particular one of the left or right ear of a user, the sound field comprising sound signals from one or more sound sources, the sound signals impinging on the user from one or more directions relative to the user. Information about a user's Ear, Head, and Torso Geometry and the user's hearing ability in combination with knowledge of the spectral profile and location of current sound sources provide the means for deciding upon which frequency bands that, at a given time, contribute most to the BEE seen by the listener or the Hearing Instrument. For a given sound source, a number of donor frequency bands is determined at a given time, where an SNR-measure for the selected signal is above a predefined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventor: Niels Henrik PONTOPPIDAN
  • Publication number: 20120308060
    Abstract: A listening device comprises an input transducer providing an electric input signal comprising audio and a detector coupled to the input transducer, for determining whether the electric input signal is a broadband signal or not and providing a detection signal in response. The listening device furthermore comprises a controllable filter for filtering the electric input signal being coupled to the detector and the input transducer and for outputting a filtered electric input signal such that a component of the electric input signal in the tinnitus frequency range is dampened, if the detection signal indicates that the electric input signal is a broadband signal, and outputting an unfiltered electric input signal such that a component of the electric input signal in the tinnitus frequency range is not dampened, if the detection signal indicates that the electric input signal is not a broadband signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventor: Niels Henrik PONTOPPIDAN