Patents by Inventor Stefan Launer

Stefan Launer 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: 20240073630
    Abstract: An exemplary hearing system includes a hearing device, a memory storing instructions and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions to perform a process comprising: accessing operating service tier data that associates a first operating service tier with a first set of hearing device functions and a second operating service tier with a second set of hearing device functions; detecting, while the hearing device operates in accordance with the first set of hearing device functions associated with the first operating service tier, a satisfaction of a condition associated with the second operating service tier; and directing, based on the detecting the satisfaction of the condition, the hearing device to switch from operating in accordance with the first set of hearing device functions to operating in accordance with the second set of hearing device functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Charlotte Vercammen, Harald Krueger, Stefan Launer
  • Patent number: 11865330
    Abstract: Hearing assistance apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of distributed power without the use of a headpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Roehrlein, Stefan Launer, Lee F. Hartley, Lakshmi Mishra, Abhijit Kulkarni, Mark Downing
  • Publication number: 20230173271
    Abstract: An exemplary system includes an implantable stimulator configured to be implanted within a recipient and apply electrical stimulation configured to treat tinnitus within the recipient. The system further includes an implantable sensor configured to be implanted within the recipient and output first sensor data representative of a first property associated with the recipient. The system further includes an external sensor configured to be external to the recipient and output second sensor data representative of a second property associated with the recipient. The system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the implant, the implantable sensor, and the external sensor. The controller is configured to receive the first and second sensor data, and control, based on the first and second sensor data, the electrical stimulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Leonid M. Litvak, Stefan Launer, Elizabeth Galster, Hannah A. Glick
  • Publication number: 20210353934
    Abstract: Hearing assistance apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of distributed power without the use of a headpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Gerhard ROEHRLEIN, Stefan LAUNER, Lee F. HARTLEY, Lakshmi MISHRA, Abhijit KULKARNI, Mark DOWNING
  • Patent number: 10994129
    Abstract: Hearing assistance apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of distributed power without the use of a headpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Roehrlein, Stefan Launer, Lee F. Hartley, Lakshmi Mishra, Abhijit Kulkarni, Mark Downing
  • Publication number: 20200260176
    Abstract: A charger for a hearing device that provides a user with control of insertion and/or ejection of the hearing device into or out of the charger. A user may use a user control to move the hearing device in the charger from a position where the hearing device can be charged by the charger and a removal position where the user may easily, manually remove the hearing device from the charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Christian Baltensperger, Stefan Launer
  • Patent number: 10652671
    Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a hearing device (10, 11) to be worn by a user, comprising: defining a plurality of hearing device services and assigning to each hearing device service a service access confirmation level selected from a plurality of hierarchically structured service access confirmation levels; providing an access software platform for enabling third party service access to the hearing device services; providing at least one application program adapted to provide a third party service to the hearing device, each application program adapted to utilize the access software platform and at least one of the hearing device services; providing a manufacturer access service for approving or denying access to the hearing device for each of the application programs depending on whether or not approval for the respective service access confirmation level(s) has been previously obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Hilmar Meier, Reto Kurmann, Nadim El Guindi, Thomas Wessel, Stefan Launer
  • Publication number: 20190366103
    Abstract: Hearing assistance apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of distributed power without the use of a headpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Gerhard ROEHRLEIN, Stefan LAUNER, Lee F. HARTLEY, Lakshmi MISHRA, Abhijit KULKARNI, Mark DOWNING
  • Patent number: 10406372
    Abstract: Hearing assistance apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of distributed power without the use of a headpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Roehrlein, Stefan Launer, Lee F. Hartley, Lakshmi Mishra, Abhijit Kulkarni, Mark Downing
  • Patent number: 10195444
    Abstract: Hearing assistance apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of distributed power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Roehrlein, Stefan Launer, Lee F. Hartley, Lakshmi Mishra, Abhijit Kulkarni, Logan P. Palmer, Mark Downing
  • Publication number: 20180359574
    Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a hearing device (10, 11) to be worn by a user, comprising: defining a plurality of hearing device services and assigning to each hearing device service a service access confirmation level selected from a plurality of hierarchically structured service access confirmation levels; providing an access software platform for enabling third party service access to the hearing device services; providing at least one application program adapted to provide a third party service to the hearing device, each application program adapted to utilize the access software platform and at least one of the hearing device services; providing a manufacturer access service for approving or denying access to the hearing device for each of the application programs depending on whether or not approval for the respective service access confirmation level(s) has been previously obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Hilmar Meier, Reto Kurmann, Nadim EL Guindi, Thomas Wessel, Stefan Launer
  • Patent number: 9968781
    Abstract: Hearing assistance apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of a head mountable power supply to power an implantable cochlear stimulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Roehrlein, Stefan Launer, Lee F. Hartley, Lakshmi Mishra, Abhijit Kulkarni, Logan P. Palmer, Mark Downing
  • Patent number: 9641946
    Abstract: A hearing device is proposed comprising at least one microphone (1), at least one analog-to-digital converter (2), a signal processing unit (3), a communication unit (6) for establishing and/or maintaining a communication link to a second hearing device, and a detection unit (7) for determining a communication link quality. The at least one microphone (1) is operationally connected to the signal processing unit (3) via the at least one analog-to-digital converter (2), and the communication unit (6) is operationally connected to the signal processing unit (3). By providing said detection unit (7), which is operationally connected to the communication unit (6), together with a processing scheme selectable in the signal processing unit (3) in accordance to a determined communication link quality, a binaural hearing system with two hearing devices is for able to adjust its mode in line with the communication link quality, and therewith its capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Stefan Launer, Nail Cadalli, Silvia Allegro-Baumann
  • Publication number: 20170028199
    Abstract: Hearing assistance apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of distributed power without the use of a headpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Gerhard ROEHRLEIN, Stefan LAUNER, Lee F. HARTLEY, Lakshmi MISHRA, Abhijit KULKARNI, Mark DOWNING
  • Publication number: 20160375243
    Abstract: Hearing assistance apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of distributed power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Gerhard ROEHRLEIN, Stefan LAUNER, Lee F. HARTLEY, Lakshmi MISHRA, Abhijit KULKARINI, Logan P. PALMER, Mark DOWNING
  • Publication number: 20160375242
    Abstract: Hearing assistance apparatus, systems and methods that involve the use of a head mountable power supply to power an implantable cochlear stimulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Gerhard ROEHRLEIN, Stefan LAUNER, Lee F. HARTLEY, Lakshmi MISHRA, Abhijit KULKARNI, Logan P. PALMER, Mark DOWNING
  • Patent number: 9408006
    Abstract: An exemplary headpiece module includes 1) a housing configured to be affixed to a head of a patient, 2) communication circuitry disposed within the housing and that facilitates communication of an off-the-ear sound processor module with a cochlear implant implanted within the patient, and 3) a loudspeaker at least partially disposed within the housing of the headpiece module and that applies acoustic stimulation to the patient as directed by the off-the-ear sound processor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventor: Stefan Launer
  • Patent number: 9398386
    Abstract: The present invention proposes two alternative methods for remote fitting of one or two hearing devices (5, 5?), i.e. where a hearing device fitter (1) located in a first room (R1) provides remote support to a user (6) of the one or two hearing devices (5, 5?) located in a distant second room (R2) in order to adjust the one or two hearing devices (5, 5?) to the individual needs of the user (6). According to a first method a voice rendering signal processing is applied to the fitter's voice, thus achieving that the fitter's voice is perceived by the user (6) as if the user (6) were at a virtual user location (L) in the first room (R1) wearing the one or two hearing devices (5, 5?). The same is achieved according to a second, alternative method, wherein the fitter's voice is picked up by at least one or two microphones of one or two further hearing devices located at the virtual user location (L) at a first position (P1) and/or at a second position (P2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Michael Boretzki, Harald Krueger, Stefan Launer
  • Patent number: 9332358
    Abstract: Monitoring usage of a hearing device includes: c) checking whether a message has been received within a time period (dt) shorter than a pre-defined time period (Dt) via a long-distance communication network in a remote device; and d) generating usage status data dependent on the result of the checking addressed in step c). The usage status data are indicative of the usage of the hearing device, indicating “use” if the time period (dt) is smaller than or equal to the pre-defined time period (Dt) and indicating “non-use” if the time period (dt) is larger than the pre-defined time period (Dt). The message includes identification data for identifying the hearing device or a user of said hearing device. The remote device is located remote from the hearing device and connected to the long-distance communication network. The time period (dt) starts from a start event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Bernd Waldmann, Hans-Ueli Roeck, Michael Boretzki, Stefan Launer, Rainer Platz
  • Patent number: 9319814
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for fitting a hearing aid device (3) that includes a part which is arranged in the ear canal (2) of a user (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Thomas Zurbruegg, Alfred Stirnemann, Stefan Launer