Patents by Inventor Timothy S. Monroe
Timothy S. Monroe 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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Patent number: 8460816Abstract: Rechargeable battery assemblies and methods of constructing rechargeable battery assemblies are provided. Rechargeable battery assemblies can include a storage cell and receive circuitry comprising a receive coil operatively connected to receive control circuitry, the receive coil configured to receive inductively coupled current, the receive control circuitry configured to rectify the current and communicate charging power to the storage cell, the coil wound around a shield/core comprising magnetically permeable material, and the shield/core disposed around the storage cell.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2009Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.Inventors: Stephen D. Julstrom, Timothy S. Monroe, Mead C. Killion, John E. Oltman
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Publication number: 20110086256Abstract: Rechargeable battery assemblies and methods of constructing rechargeable battery assemblies are provided. Rechargeable battery assemblies can include a storage cell and receive circuitry comprising a receive coil operatively connected to receive control circuitry, the receive coil configured to receive inductively coupled current, the receive control circuitry configured to rectify the current and communicate charging power to the storage cell, the coil wound around a shield/core comprising magnetically permeable material, and the shield/core disposed around the storage cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: ETYMOTIC RESEARCH INC.Inventors: Stephen D. Julstrom, Timothy S. Monroe, Mead C. Killion, John E. Oltman
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Publication number: 20110084752Abstract: Systems and methods for maintaining a drive signal to a resonant circuit at a resonant frequency are provided. A system for maintaining a drive signal to a resonant circuit at a resonant frequency can include: an oscillator configured to provide an output to a phase comparator and a drive circuit, the drive circuit configured to provide a drive signal to a resonant circuit; a phase detector configured to receive a filtered version of the drive signal from the resonant circuit and provide a phase-indicating signal to the phase comparator; and the phase comparator, wherein the phase comparator is configured to provide a signal based on the phase difference between the oscillator output and the phase-indicating signal, wherein the signal from the phase comparator is used to control the frequency of the oscillator such that the phase difference converges to a fixed value.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: ETYMOTIC RESEARCH INC.Inventors: Stephen D. Julstrom, Timothy S. Monroe
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Publication number: 20110084652Abstract: Inductively coupled battery charging systems and methods are provided. Transmit circuitry can include a transmit coil operatively part of a transmit resonant circuit that exhibits resonance at a transmit resonant frequency and an unloaded Q value of at least about 20. Transmit coil can generate a magnetic field at about the transmit resonant frequency. Rechargeable battery assembly can include a receive coil configured to receive inductively coupled current, and circuitry configured to rectify the current and communicate charging power to a storage cell. Receive coil can be part of a receive resonant circuit that exhibits resonance at about the transmit resonant frequency and an unloaded Q value of at least about 10. Transmit circuitry can include multiple transmit coils and can selectively discontinue production of alternating current in the coils generating fields that are not most strongly coupled to the receive coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: ETYMOTIC RESEARCH INC.Inventors: Stephen D. Julstrom, Timothy S. Monroe
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Publication number: 20110084654Abstract: Inductively coupled battery charging systems and methods are provided. Transmit circuitry can include a transmit coil operatively part of a transmit resonant circuit that exhibits resonance at a transmit resonant frequency and an unloaded Q value of at least about 20. Transmit coil can generate a magnetic field at about the transmit resonant frequency. Rechargeable battery assembly can include a receive coil configured to receive inductively coupled current, and circuitry configured to rectify the current and communicate charging power to a storage cell. Receive coil can be part of a receive resonant circuit that exhibits resonance at about the transmit resonant frequency. Transmit circuitry can be configured to detect the rechargeable battery assembly by monitoring a load on the transmit coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: ETYMOTIC RESEARCH INC.Inventors: Stephen D. Julstrom, Timothy S. Monroe
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Publication number: 20110084653Abstract: Inductively coupled battery charging systems and methods are provided. Transmit circuitry can include a transmit coil operatively part of a transmit resonant circuit exhibiting resonance at a transmit resonant frequency and an unloaded Q value of at least about 20. Transmit coil can generate a magnetic field at about the transmit resonant frequency. Rechargeable battery assembly can include a receive coil configured to receive inductively coupled current, and circuitry configured to rectify the current and communicate charging power to a storage cell. Receive coil can be part of a receive resonant circuit that exhibits resonance at about the transmit resonant frequency. Transmit circuitry can be configured to regulate alternating current produced in the transmit coil based on current flowing in the transmit resonant circuit and/or maintain the magnetic field at about the transmit resonant frequency by maintaining about a ninety degree phase shift between a square wave input and output.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: ETYMOTIC RESEARCH INC.Inventors: Stephen D. Julstrom, Timothy S. Monroe
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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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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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Publication number: 20090094817Abstract: A directional microphone assembly for a hearing aid is disclosed. 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2007Publication date: April 16, 2009Inventors: Mead C. Killion, Robert B. Schulein, Timothy S. Monroe, Viorel Drambarean, Andrew J. Haapapuro, John S. French
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Patent number: 7286677Abstract: A directional microphone assembly for a hearing aid is disclosed. 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: July 12, 2004Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: 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: 6831987Abstract: 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 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 19, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.Inventors: Mead C. Killion, Jonathan Stewart, Don Wilson, Matthew J. Roberts, Steve Iseberg, Timothy S. Monroe
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Publication number: 20040247146Abstract: A directional microphone assembly for a hearing aid is disclosed. 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: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventors: Mead C. Killion, Robert B. Schulein, Timothy S. Monroe, Viorel Drambarean, Andrew J. Haapapuro, John S. French
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Patent number: 6798890Abstract: A directional microphone assembly for a hearing aid is disclosed. 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 5, 2001Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: 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: 20030198359Abstract: 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 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 fesponse provided by a rear acoustic damping resistor alone.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Mead C. Killion, Jonathan Stewart, Don Wilson, Matthew J. Roberts, Steve Iseberg, Timothy S. Monroe
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Patent number: 6567526Abstract: 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 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: October 13, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.Inventors: Mead C. Killion, Jonathan Stewart, Don Wilson, Matthew J. Roberts, Steve Iseberg, Timothy S. Monroe
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Publication number: 20020110255Abstract: A directional microphone assembly for a hearing aid is disclosed. 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: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2001Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventors: Mead C. Killion, Robert B. Schulein, Timothy S. Monroe, Viorel Drambarean, Andrew J. Haapapuro, John S. French
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Patent number: 6285771Abstract: 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 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: October 13, 2000Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Etymotic Research Inc.Inventors: Mead C. Killion, Jonathan Stewart, Don Wilson, Matthew J. Roberts, Steve Iseberg, Timothy S. Monroe
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Patent number: 6151399Abstract: 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: February 18, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.Inventors: Mead C. Killion, Robert B. Schulein, Timothy S. Monroe
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Patent number: 6134334Abstract: 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 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: January 7, 2000Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Etymotic Research Inc.Inventors: Mead C. Killion, Jonathan Stewart, Don Wilson, Matthew J. Roberts, Steve Iseberg, Timothy S. Monroe
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Patent number: 6075869Abstract: 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 different 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: October 2, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.Inventors: Mead C. Killion, Jonathan Stewart, Don Wilson, Matthew J. Roberts, Steve Iseberg, Timothy S. Monroe