Patents by Inventor Robert B. Schulein
Robert B. Schulein 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).
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Publication number: 20180160212Abstract: A diaphonic valve utilizing the principle of the Synthetic Jet is disclosed herein. A diaphonic valve pump is provided for the inflation of an in-ear balloon. More complex embodiments of the present invention include stacks of multiple synthetic jets generating orifices as well as an oscillating, thin polymer membrane. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a novel application is provided for the creation of static pressure to inflate or to deflate an inflatable member (balloon). In addition, sound can be utilized to inflate or deflate an inflatable member in a person's ear for the purpose of listening to sound.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Stephen D. AMBROSE, Samuel P. Gido, Robert B. SCHULEIN
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Patent number: 9326059Abstract: An ear device having a bubble for placement approximate a user's ear canal and capable of inflation and deflation. An inflation tube for delivering inflating air to the bubble during inflation of the bubble and an inflation source, such as a diaphonic valve, cause the bubble to extend automatically into the user's ear canal during inflation and retract from the user's ear canal during deflation. The bubble is substantially cylindrical and is comprised of a plurality of adjacently adjoined inflatable chambers. The bubble may also comprise at least one non-inflatable section interspersed therein. Where the ear device is used to convey sound to the user's ear, the device includes a sound tube positioned within the cylindrical bubble. At least one resilient member attached to a portion of the bubble, which may be a non-inflatable section of the bubble, is used to retract the bubble automatically. The ear device, equipped with a cerumen removing mechanism, may be used to clean a user's ear canal as well.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: ASIUS TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Stephen D. Ambrose, Samuel P. Gido, Robert B. Schulein
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Publication number: 20150304759Abstract: A diaphonic valve utilizing the principle of the Synthetic Jet is disclosed herein. A diaphonic valve pump is provided for the inflation of an in-ear balloon. More complex embodiments of the present invention include stacks of multiple synthetic jets generating orifices as well as an oscillating, thin polymer membrane. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a novel application is provided for the creation of static pressure to inflate or to deflate an inflatable member (balloon). In addition, sound can be utilized to inflate or deflate an inflatable member in a person's ear for the purpose of listening to sound.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2014Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: Stephen D. AMBROSE, Samuel P. GIDO, Robert B. SCHULEIN
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Publication number: 20150163586Abstract: An ear device having a bubble for placement approximate a user's ear canal and capable of inflation and deflation is disclosed. An inflation tube for delivering inflating air to the bubble during inflation of the bubble and an inflation source, such as a diaphonic valve, cause the bubble to extend automatically into the user's ear canal during inflation and retract from the user's ear canal during deflation. The bubble is substantially cylindrical and is comprised of a plurality of adjacently adjoined inflatable chambers. The bubble may also comprise at least one non-inflatable section interspersed therein. Where the ear device is used to convey sound to the user's ear, the device includes a sound tube positioned within the cylindrical bubble. At least one resilient member attached to a portion of the bubble, which may be a non-inflatable section of the bubble, is used to retract the bubble automatically.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Stephen D. AMBROSE, Samuel P. Gido, Robert B. Schulein
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Patent number: 8737635Abstract: The disclosed methods and devices incorporate a novel expandable bubble portion which provides superior fidelity to a listener while minimizing listener fatigue. The expandable bubble portion may be expanded through the transmission of low frequency audio signals or the pumping of a gas to the expandable bubble portion. In addition, embodiments of the acoustic device may be adapted to consistently and comfortably fit to any ear, providing for a variable, impedance matching acoustic seal to both the tympanic membrane and the audio transducer, respectively, while isolating the sound-vibration chamber within the driven bubble. This reduces the effect of gross audio transducer vibration excursions on the tympanic membrane and transmits the audio content in a manner which allows the ear to utilize its full inherent capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Asius Technologies, LLCInventors: Stephen D. Ambrose, Samuel P. Gido, Jimmy W. Mays, Roland Weidisch, Robert B. Schulein
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Patent number: 8526652Abstract: A diaphonic valve utilizing the principle of the Synthetic Jet is disclosed herein. A diaphonic valve pump is provided for the inflation of an in-ear balloon. More complex embodiments of the present invention include stacks of multiple synthetic jets generating orifices as well as an oscillating, thin polymer membrane. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a novel application is provided for the creation of static pressure to inflate or to deflate an inflatable member (balloon). In addition, sound can be utilized to inflate or deflate an inflatable member in a person's ear for the purpose of listening to sound.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Sonion Nederland BVInventors: Stephen D. Ambrose, Samuel P. Gido, Robert B. Schulein, Paul Christiaan Van Hal, Adrianus M. Lafort
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Patent number: 8391534Abstract: A diaphonic valve utilizing the principle of the Synthetic Jet is disclosed herein. A diaphonic valve pump is provided for the inflation of an in-ear balloon. More complex embodiments of the present invention include stacks of multiple synthetic jets generating orifices as well as an oscillating, thin polymer membrane. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a novel application is provided for the creation of static pressure to inflate or to deflate an inflatable member (balloon). In addition, sound can be utilized to inflate or deflate an inflatable member in a person's ear for the purpose of listening to sound.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Asius Technologies, LLCInventors: Stephen D. Ambrose, Samuel P. Gido, Robert B. Schulein
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Patent number: 8340310Abstract: The disclosed methods and devices incorporate a novel expandable bubble portion which provides superior fidelity to a listener while minimizing listener fatigue. The expandable bubble portion may be expanded through the transmission of low frequency audio signals or the pumping of a gas to the expandable bubble portion. In addition, embodiments of the acoustic device may be adapted to consistently and comfortably fit to any ear, providing for a variable, impedance matching acoustic seal to both the tympanic membrane and the audio transducer, respectively, while isolating the sound-vibration chamber within the driven bubble. This reduces the effect of gross audio transducer vibration excursions on the tympanic membrane and transmits the audio content in a manner which allows the ear to utilize its full inherent capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Asius Technologies, LLCInventors: Stephen D. Ambrose, Samuel P. Gido, Jimmy W. Mays, Roland Weidisch, Robert B. Schulein
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Patent number: 8238564Abstract: A sound recording and reproduction system for testing hearing and hearing aids is disclosed. Recordings of sound are made in a real word acoustic environment, for example, which are stored as audio signals. In a testing environment, a plurality of loudspeakers is located about a listening position where a test subject is placed during a testing procedure. The plurality of loudspeakers receive at least a portion of the plurality of the stored audio signals, and convert those audio signals received into a combination of sounds that produce, at the listening position, acoustic elements of the real world acoustic environment where the recordings were made. The system enables, in a clinical or other test setting, the evaluation of hearing and/or hearing aid performance as if in a real world environment.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2007Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Inventors: Lawrence J. Revit, Robert B. Schulein
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Patent number: 8218784Abstract: An audio processor device and method is disclosed which measures and provides information relating to the audio level being applied to the ear of a user. The processor device uses a preset or calibrated sensitivity of the applied earphones in combination with an analysis of the audio stream to provide sound-pressure-level or time-weighted exposure information to the user or limit the output when preset levels have been achieved. Also disclosed is the use of microphones, internal or external, to combine an additional audio stream, typically the ambient environment, into the main audio channel.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Tension Labs, Inc.Inventors: Robert B. Schulein, Greg R. Shaw, David K Brown
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Patent number: 8160261Abstract: An earphone monitoring system is disclosed that provides for user information and control regarding ambient and monitored sound levels.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2006Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Sensaphonics, Inc.Inventors: Robert B. Schulein, Stephen D. Julstrom, Michael J. Santucci
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Publication number: 20120057734Abstract: A system for linking together audio signal producing, signal processing, and ear coupling devices comprising, in an embodiment: (1) an in-ear audio coupling device; (2) hearing aid electronics; (3) an external audio signal generating device; and (4) a module for audio mixing and enhancement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: Asius Technologies, LLCInventors: Stephen D. Ambrose, Samuel P. Gido, Robert B. Schulein
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Publication number: 20110311069Abstract: A diaphonic valve utilizing the principle of the Synthetic Jet is disclosed herein. A diaphonic valve pump is provided for the inflation of an in-ear balloon. More complex embodiments of the present invention include stacks of multiple synthetic jets generating orifices as well as an oscillating, thin polymer membrane. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a novel application is provided for the creation of static pressure to inflate or to deflate an inflatable member (balloon). In addition, sound can be utilized to inflate or deflate an inflatable member in a person's ear for the purpose of listening to sound.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2011Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: Sonion Nederland BVInventors: Stephen D. Ambrose, Samuel P. Gido, Robert B. Schulein, Paul Christiaan van Hal, Adrianus M. Lafort
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Patent number: 8036343Abstract: A communications system is disclosed that allows users to effectively communicate.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2006Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Inventors: Robert B. Schulein, Lon E. Bender
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Publication number: 20110228964Abstract: An ear device having a bubble for placement approximate a user's ear canal and capable of inflation and deflation is disclosed. An inflation tube for delivering inflating air to the bubble during inflation of the bubble and an inflation source, such as a diaphonic valve, cause the bubble to extend automatically into the user's ear canal during inflation and retract from the user's ear canal during deflation. The bubble is substantially cylindrical and is comprised of a plurality of adjacently adjoined inflatable chambers. The bubble may also comprise at least one non-inflatable section interspersed therein. Where the ear device is used to convey sound to the user's ear, the device includes a sound tube positioned within the cylindrical bubble. At least one resilient member attached to a portion of the bubble, which may be a non-inflatable section of the bubble, is used to retract the bubble automatically.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: Asius Technologies, LLCInventors: Stephen D. Ambrose, Samuel P. Gido, Robert B. Schulein
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Patent number: 7881486Abstract: A microphone capsule for an in-the-ear hearing aid is disclosed. The capsule can include a top plate having first and second spaced openings defining front and rear sound inlets, and a directional microphone cartridge enclosing a diaphragm. The diaphragm is oriented generally perpendicular to the top plate and divides the directional microphone cartridge housing into a front chamber and a rear chamber. A front sound passage communicates between the front sound inlet and the front chamber, and a rear sound passage communicates between the rear sound inlet and the rear chamber. Front and rear acoustic damping resistors having selected resistance values are associated with the front and rear sound passages. The acoustic resistor pair provides a selected time delay, such as about 4 microseconds, between the front and rear sound passages. The use of two acoustic resistors instead of one levels the frequency response, compared to the frequency response provided by a rear acoustic damping resistor alone.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.Inventors: Mead C. Killion, Robert B. Schulein, Timothy S. Monroe, Viorel Drambarean, Andrew J. Haapapuro, John S. French
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Publication number: 20100322454Abstract: A diaphonic valve utilizing the principle of the Synthetic Jet is disclosed herein. A diaphonic valve pump is provided for the inflation of an in-ear balloon. More complex embodiments of the present invention include stacks of multiple synthetic jets generating orifices as well as an oscillating, thin polymer membrane. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a novel application is provided for the creation of static pressure to inflate or to deflate an inflatable member (balloon). In addition, sound can be utilized to inflate or deflate an inflatable member in a person's ear for the purpose of listening to sound.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: Asius Technologies, LLCInventors: Stephen D. Ambrose, Samuel P. Gido, Robert B. Schulein
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Patent number: 7832080Abstract: A directional microphone assembly for a hearing aid, and methods of assembling a directional microphone, are provided. The hearing aid has one or more microphone cartridge(s), and first and second sound passages. Inlets to the sound passages, or the sound passages themselves, are spaced apart such that the shortest distance between them is less than or approximately equal to the length of the microphone cartridge(s). A sound duct and at least one surface of a microphone cartridge may form each sound passage, where the sound duct is mounted with the microphone cartridge. Alternatively, each sound duct may be formed as an integral part of a microphone cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.Inventors: Mead C. Killion, Robert B. Schulein, Timothy S. Monroe, Viorel Drambarean, Andrew J. Haapapuro, John S. French
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Patent number: 7764801Abstract: A directional microphone array system generally for hearing aid applications is disclosed. The system may employ a broadside or an endfire array of microphones. In either case, the signals generated by the microphone are added using a plurality of summation points that are connected together via a single signal wire or channel. In the case of the endfire array, all but one of the signals is delayed so that the summation of the signals are in phase. The summation of the signals is then used to generate an output signal for a speaker of a hearing aid or the like.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2004Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Etymotic Research Inc.Inventors: Willem Soede, Robert B. Schulein, Norman P. Matzen, Roland Horsten
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Patent number: 7751579Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for protecting acoustic devices. In particular embodiments, barriers are useful for preventing a variety of solid, liquid, and vapor contaminants from modifiying or damaging the performance of acoustic transducers, while at the same time providing essentially an acoustically transparent passage of sound.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.Inventors: Robert B. Schulein, John S. French