Remote Control, Wireless, Or Alarm Patents (Class 381/315)
  • Patent number: 11438713
    Abstract: A new hearing aid is provided in which signals that are received from an external device, such as a spouse microphone, a media player, a hearing loop system, a teleconference system, a radio, a TV, a telephone, a device with an alarm, etc., are filtered in such a way that a user can localize the monaural signal transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: GN HEARING A/S
    Inventors: Jesper Udesen, Karl-Fredrik Johan Gran
  • Patent number: 11438714
    Abstract: A hearing device includes a processor and a wireless transceiver operatively connected with the processor and configured to connect via a wireless link with a remote device and to exchange bi-directional audio packets with the remote device. The transmit power of the remote device is larger than the transmit power of the hearing device. The processor is configured to estimate the audio link packet error rate of the transmission via the wireless link, and generate a notification when the audio link packet error rate exceeds a pre-determined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Amre El-Hoiydi, Federico Ferrari
  • Patent number: 11426581
    Abstract: A bilateral hearing implant system has a left side and a right side. Left and right side filter bank pre-processors preprocess left and right microphone signals to generate band pass signals for each side. A bilateral signal processing arrangement processes the band pass signals in a time sequence of stimulation frames. The signal processing module includes a bilateral channel selection module synchronously selects for each stimulation frame a set of stimulation channels for each side based on spectral content of the band pass signals. Left and right side signal processing submodules process for each stimulation frame a limited subset of each side band pass signals corresponding to the selected stimulation channels to generate electrical stimulation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Meister, Peter Schleich
  • Patent number: 11425512
    Abstract: An ear-worn electronic hearing device comprises an enclosure configured to be supported by, at, in or on an ear of the wearer. Electronic circuitry is disposed in the enclosure and comprises a wireless transceiver. An antenna is disposed in or on the enclosure and operably coupled to the wireless transceiver. The antenna has a physical size and comprises a plurality of cutouts disposed along a periphery of the antenna. The cutouts are configured to increase an electrical length of the antenna without an increase in the physical size of the antenna. The antenna can comprise at least one interior window having a window periphery. A plurality of window cutouts are disposed along the window periphery. The window cutouts are configured to increase a path length of current distribution along the window periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Danita Prabhu, Ryan Owens, Aaron Anderson, Paul Anders Shriner
  • Patent number: 11425491
    Abstract: A display including a front frame, a rear case, a display panel and a sound emitting device is provided. The display panel is disposed between the front frame and the rear case, and a display surface of the display panel is exposed from the front frame. The sound emitting device is disposed between the front frame and the rear case and includes a sound box, a speaker unit and a sound guide channel. The speaker unit disposed on the sound box has a sound emitting surface facing a first direction. The sound guide channel is extended to the sound emitting surface and has a sound outlet facing a second direction. The first direction is not parallel to the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Qisda Corporation
    Inventors: Yung-Chun Su, Weng-Ching Hsieh, Chung-Hao Yang, Hung-Mao Chen
  • Patent number: 11388515
    Abstract: A Daisy Chained Audio Speaker System comprising a plurality of audio speakers in cube cases wherein at end of the plurality is an electrical empowering voltage and amplitude audio input source line in wire comprising an audio jack wherein each of the audio speakers in cube cases in the plurality are configured spaced apart secured to an article of ornamental costume or genuine jewelry chain by tie wherein the jewelry chain is configured to be worn around the neck of a person and wherein the at end electrical empowering voltage and amplitude audio input source line in wire comprising an audio jack is configured to connect to an electrical empowering voltage and amplitude audio input source device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Walter Lancaster
  • Patent number: 11363544
    Abstract: A system and method includes a first audio device (e.g., a primary wireless earbud) connected to a second audio device (e.g., a secondary wireless earbud) using a first wireless connection. The first audio device is also connected to a user device (e.g., a smartphone or smart watch) using a second wireless connection. The second audio device receives data, such as packets, sent from the third device to the first device by monitoring the second wireless connection. If a signal quality of the second wireless connection as determined by the first and/or second audio device changes, the first and/or second audio device may exchange primary/secondary roles and/or enable or disable wireless signal amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Fnu Rohit Kumar
  • Patent number: 11356784
    Abstract: During the operation of a hearing device system, there is received information characteristic of an encounter between a hearing device wearer wearing a hearing device and another person. The information is taken as a basis for indicating that the hearing device wearer has met or is about to meet the other person. Background information about the other person is collected from at least one social network, and the background information about the other person is converted into audio data. The audio data are audibly presented to the hearing device wearer by way of the hearing device of the hearing device wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Stefan Aschoff, Alexander Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11343620
    Abstract: A method of operating a hearing aid having a main digital filter adapted to selectively represent a specific combination of serial and parallel coupled virtual digital filters as well as a hearing aid and a hearing aid system adapted to carry out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Bo Elmedyb, Lars Dalskov Mosgaard, Michael Johannes Pihl, Georg Stiefenhofer, Jakob Nielsen, Adam Westermann
  • Patent number: 11343622
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the wireless communication of information for a hearing assistance device including a multi-mode radio adapted to provide communications at different frequencies using frequency control. In applications of hearing aids, the processor is adapted to perform correction of sound for a hearing impaired user. In certain examples the present subject matter provides an inductive portion for inductive communications. In various applications the multi-mode radio can be used for long range and short range communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Paul Solum
  • Patent number: 11330376
    Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to a hearing device configured to process a signal in a first path and a second path, where the first path and second path apply different digital signal processing operations to the signal. The hearing device is configured to determine a relatedness factor that compares the processed signals along the first and second path. Based on the relatedness factor, the hearing device can apply different gains to the signal in the first and second paths. The hearing device can output a combined signal based on the signals from the first and second paths. In some embodiments, the second path can be associated with receiving a signal from an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Gilles Courtois, Eleftheria Georganti
  • Patent number: 11315411
    Abstract: An Audio Frequency Induction Loop receiving device, an Audio Frequency Induction Loop transmitting device, a system and a method for alerting a person with impaired hearing about a moving vehicle are disclosed. The Audio Frequency Induction Loop receiving device comprises an Audio Frequency Induction Loop receiver and a processing circuitry. The Audio Frequency Induction Loop receiver is configured to receive a signal via a magnetic field generated by the Audio Frequency Induction Loop transmitting device installed in the vehicle. The processing circuitry is configured to cause the Audio Frequency Induction Loop receiving device to detect the magnetic field generated by the Audio Frequency Induction Loop transmitting device and generate an alert signal for alerting about the moving vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO.
    Inventor: Alexander Berggren
  • Patent number: 11317222
    Abstract: A method performed by a hearing device comprising a first housing, a microphone, a speaker, and a first control system configured to control an active vent, the active vent comprising a vent canal and a valve member configured to block the vent canal when the active vent is in the closed state, and to allow passage of air through the vent canal when the active vent is in the open state, comprising: emitting an acoustic signal from the speaker; measuring a first transfer function of an acoustic feedback path between the speaker and the microphone when the active vent is expected to be in the open state; measuring a second transfer function of the acoustic feedback path when the active vent is expected to be in the closed state; and determining a status of the active vent based at least on the first and second measured transfer functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: GN Hearing A/S
    Inventors: Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, Aart Zeger Van Halteren, Andreas Tiefenau
  • Patent number: 11310610
    Abstract: A hearing aid system includes an implant unit and a sound processor unit. The implant unit may be a transcutaneous bone anchoring stimulator configured to provide an acoustical vibration to the skull of the user wearing the hearing aid system. The implant unit may be cochlear stimulator configured to stimulate neural nerves of the cochlear of the user wearing the hearing aid system. The sound processor unit may be a housing attached to the skin of the user and attached to the implant unit by a magnetic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Oticon Medical A/S
    Inventors: Jens Troelsen, Oleksandr Rybalko
  • Patent number: 11304014
    Abstract: The present invention regards a hearing aid device at least one environment sound input, a wireless sound input, an output transducer, electric circuitry, a transmitter unit, and a dedicated beamformer-noise-reduction-system. The hearing aid device is configured to be worn in or at an ear of a user. The at least one environment sound input is configured to receive sound and to generate electrical sound signals representing sound. The wireless sound input is configured to receive wireless sound signals. The output transducer is configured to stimulate hearing of the hearing aid device user. The transmitter unit is configured to transmit signals representing sound and/or voice. The dedicated beamformer-noise-reduction-system is configured to retrieve a user voice signal representing the voice of a user from the electrical sound signals. The wireless sound input is configured to be wirelessly connected to a communication device and to receive wireless sound signals from the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Michael Syskind Pedersen, Jesper Jensen, Jan Mark De Haan
  • Patent number: 11290829
    Abstract: A hearing assistance system is provided. The hearing assistance system includes a first assisting device and a second assisting device. The first assisting device includes a first sound collection module, a first audio processing unit, a first audio output module and a first communication unit. The second assisting device includes a second sound collection module, audio processing module, a second audio output module, a processor unit and a second communication unit. The processor unit outputs a second control signal according to a first audio signal and a second audio signal by mutual communication between the communication units. The audio processing module outputs a second output audio signal to the second audio output module in accordance with the second control signal, so that the second audio output module outputs the second sound in accordance with the second output audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Yi-Ching Chen, Yun-Chiu Ching
  • Patent number: 11290828
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hearing device comprising: a microphone configured to receive sound; a processing unit configured to provide a processed audio signal for compensating for a hearing loss of a user; a wireless communication unit configured for wireless communication; a supporting structure; wherein the supporting structure comprises: an electrically conductive ground layer, an electrically non-conductive opening; a connecting line extending from the wireless communication unit provided at a first side of the opening across or along the opening to a second side of the opening and being interconnected with the electrically conductive ground layer at the second side of the opening; wherein the electrically conductive ground layer is configured to be excited by the connecting line, whereby the electrically conductive ground layer is configured to act as antenna for the wireless communication unit for emission and/or reception of an electromagnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: GN HEARING A/S
    Inventors: Søren Helstrup Kvist, Alexandre Da Luz Pinto
  • Patent number: 11277697
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to devices and related systems and methods for detecting falls. In an embodiment, a hearing assistance device is included having a first control circuit and a first motion sensor. The first motion sensor can be disposed in a fixed position relative to a head of a subject wearing the hearing assistance device. A first microphone and a first transducer for generating sound can be in operational communication with the first control circuit. The first control circuit can be configured to evaluate data from one or more sensors to detect a possible fall of a subject in physical contact with the hearing assistance device. The device can be configured to wirelessly transmit data regarding a possible fall to another device including an indication of whether the possible fall was detected binaurally or monoaurally. Other embodiments are included herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin R. Burwinkel, Penny A. Tyson, Buye Xu, Darrell R. Bennington
  • Patent number: 11265664
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes examples of systems and methods of wireless remote control of appliances and medical devices using a canal hearing device upon manual activation of a switch placed in the concha cavity behind the tragus. The manual activation of the switch may be by applying a force to the tragus by a finger of a user of the canal hearing device. In one embodiment the lateral end comprises one or more manually activated switches, a wireless antenna, and a battery cell. In some examples, the wireless electronics include low energy Bluetooth. The appliance may be any device with wireless capabilities, for example an electronic lock, a thermostat, an electronic lighting, a telephone, a kitchen appliance, a medical alert system, a television, a medical device, and a smart glass. The inconspicuous and secure wear of the hearing device allows for active lifestyle, including exercise, and more discrete communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: K/S HIMPP
    Inventor: Adnan Shennib
  • Patent number: 11259130
    Abstract: A hearing assistive system including a first hearing assistive device adapted for wireless communication with second hearing assistive device, wherein the first hearing assistive device and the second hearing assistive device have at least one sensor adapted for acquiring a physiological signal each. The first hearing assistive device is adapted for providing a synchronization signal to the second hearing assistive device and instructing the second hearing assistive device to acquire the physiological signal based on timing instructions. The second hearing assistive device is adapted for acquiring the physiological signal by means of the sensor according to the received timing instructions and transmitting the acquired physiological signal wirelessly to the first hearing assistive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventors: Soren Mollskov Larsen, Morten Kroman
  • Patent number: 11245994
    Abstract: A hearing device includes: a carrier board; a multi-chip assembly including a magnetic induction control chip and a signal processor; a magnetic induction coil at the carrier board; a hearing device housing having a first end and a second end, the second end being opposite from the first end; and a battery, wherein the battery is provided closer to the second end of the hearing device housing than to the first end of the hearing device housing; wherein the multi-chip assembly and the magnetic induction coil are accommodated in the hearing device housing, and are between the battery and the first end of the hearing device housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: GN HEARING A/S
    Inventors: Andrea Ruaro, Sinasi Özden
  • Patent number: 11240610
    Abstract: Hearing aid systems where a data streaming device streams data to a hearing aid and methods of maintaining synchronization when converting a sampling rate are disclosed. A hearing system comprises a hearing aid, a sampling rate converter, a buffer, an RDWiff signal, and a control circuit. The hearing aid receives data from a data transmission device, and the data received has a first sampling rate. The sampling rate converter is in the hearing aid and converts the sampling rate of the received data to a sampling rate suitable for use by digital signal processing circuitry in the hearing aid. The buffer receives data from the sampling rate converter. The RWDiff signal indicates the difference between the rate at which data is read from and written to the buffer. The control circuit compares the RWDiff signal to a predetermined RWIdeal quantity and generates an adjustment signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Earlens Corporation
    Inventors: Brendan Larkin, Kyu-Hwa Jeong, Xavier Chabot
  • Patent number: 11240622
    Abstract: A dual source spatialized audio system includes a general audio system and a personal audio system. The general system includes a general audio processor and general speakers to produce general sound. The personal system includes a frame to be worn on a head of a user and a plurality of personal speakers attached to the frame. The personal system also includes a head pose sensor to collect head pose data of the user. The personal system further includes a head pose processor to determine a head pose of the user from the head pose data. Moreover, the personal system includes a personal audio processor to generate personal audio data based on the head pose of the user. The personal speakers generate personal sound corresponding to the personal audio data. The personal processor receives timing information/metadata from the general audio processor to synchronize the personal sound with the general sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: David Thomas Roach, Samuel A. Miller, George Alistair Sanger, Brian Schmidt, Terry Micheal O'Gara, Anastasia Andreyevna Tajik, Jehangir Tajik
  • Patent number: 11223915
    Abstract: A set of one or more processing circuits obtains eye movement-related eardrum oscillation (EMREO)-related measurements from one or more EMREO sensors of a hearing instrument. The EMREO sensors are located in an ear canal of a user of the hearing instrument and are configured to detect environmental signals of EMREOs of an eardrum of the user of the hearing instrument. The one or more processing circuits may perform an action based on the EMREO-related measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin McKinney, Thomas Howard Burns, Yezihalem Mesfin, Kyle Walsh
  • Patent number: 11218828
    Abstract: Performing an audio transparency mode of an information handling system (IHS), including performing a calibration and configuration of an audio noise source identification model, including: training the audio noise source identification model, including generating a configuration policy including configuration rules for performing computer-implemented actions for providing a particular noise source through an audio output of the IHS, providing a notification of the particular noise source to devices associated with the user, or both; performing a steady-state monitoring of the IHS, including: identifying a particular noise source of environment of the IHS; and in response: identifying configuration rules of the audio noise source identification model based on the identified particular noise source, applying the configuration rules to perform computer-implemented actions to provide the particular noise source through the audio output of the IHS, provide a notification of the particular noise source to the devi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Chia Hung Shih, Vivek Viswanathan Iyer, Jing Yuan Lin, Yi-Tsen Kao
  • Patent number: 11206476
    Abstract: A device is discussed, such as the hearing assistance device itself and/or an electrical charger cooperating with the hearing assistance device. The device can have one or more accelerometers and a power control module to receive input data indicating a change in acceleration of the device over time from the one or more accelerometers in order to make a determination to autonomously change a power mode for the hearing assistance device based on at least whether the power control module senses movement of the hearing assistance device as indicated by the accelerometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Eargo, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Sarjeant Aase, Hardik Ruparel, Beau Polinske, Gints Valdis Klimanis
  • Patent number: 11195531
    Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques and systems for encoding instructions in audio data that, when output on a speaker of a first device in an environment, cause a second device to output content in the environment. In some instances, the audio data has a frequency that is inaudible to users in the environment. Thus, the first device is able to cause the second device to output the content without users in the environment hearing the instructions. In some instances, the first device also outputs content, and the content output by the second device is played at an offset relative to a position of the content output by the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Zoe Adams, Pete Klein, Derick Deller, Michael John Guarniere, Alina Chen, Apoorv Naik, Jeremy Daniel Johnson, Aslan Appleman
  • Patent number: 11172523
    Abstract: A communication apparatus comprises: a communication unit configured to establish a connection with an external apparatus and communicating data with the external apparatus in order to execute a predetermined service; and a control unit configured to control the communication unit so that the communication apparatus operates as a first role in the case of connecting to a first external apparatus operating as a second role, and so that the communication apparatus operates as the second role in the case of connecting to a second external apparatus operating as the first role, wherein the control unit controls the communication unit so that the communication apparatus operates as the second role to connect to the second external apparatus operating as the first role in between times when the communication apparatus carries out a process for operating as the first role and periodically transmitting a predetermined signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuya Kaechi
  • Patent number: 11166110
    Abstract: A hearing aid, including an inertial sensor for detecting movement of the hearing aid, and a power mode controller connected to the inertial sensor through a threshold comparison unit and adapted to switch the hearing aid off or into a low power mode if the threshold comparison unit detects that a characteristic of a signal including information on the movement detected by the inertial sensor is below a certain threshold. Also, a method for controlling a power mode of a hearing aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Nadim El Guindi, Nina Stumpf, Hilmar Meier, Hans-Ueli Roeck
  • Patent number: 11134351
    Abstract: The present application relates to a system comprising a hearing aid, the hearing aid configured to be operated based on an estimation of a current listening effort of a hearing aid user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: OTICON A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Lunner, Tanveer Bhuiyan, José Antonio Esparza Isasa, Sergi Rotger Griful, Antonello Salvatucci, Gary Jones, Kim Tilgaard Petersen, Peter Sommer
  • Patent number: 11122352
    Abstract: A wireless earphone comprising an in-ear portion which is in contact with a human ear when the wireless earphone is worn. The in-ear portion comprises a wearing surface which couples the human ear canal when the wireless earphone is worn. The in-ear portion is provided with a wearing detection sensor, a sound venting hole and a contact group which are all disposed on the wearing surface. The wearing detection sensor, the sound venting hole and the contact group are all disposed on the wearing surface of the in-ear portion coupling the human ear canal, so that the wearing detection sensor can directly contact the skin of the human body when the earphone is worn, and thus the wearing detection sensor is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventors: Shuang Chen, Yuge Zhu, Tianrong Dai, Hongmei Wang, Lin Qi
  • Patent number: 11122353
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an earpiece for an ear. The ear comprises a concha cavity at least partially delimited by a concha floor, a concha side wall and a concha ceiling. The earpiece comprises a peripheral skirt comprising a positioning skirt portion which in turn comprises an outer skirt surface and an inner skirt surface, wherein a transition from the outer skirt surface to the inner skirt surface occurs at a skirt edge. The skirt edge extends at least partially circumferentially around a central axis of the earpiece, wherein the earpiece is adapted to be moved to a use position, at least partially within the concha cavity, in a direction parallel to the central axis, during insertion of the earpiece into the ear. When the peripheral skirt is in a non-influenced condition, at least a portion of the inner skirt surface faces the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: Vidar Sandanger, Johan Sundkvist, Henrik Myhre-Sandmark
  • Patent number: 11115759
    Abstract: A system and method for aiding hearing are disclosed. In one embodiment of the system, a programming interface is configured to communicate with a device. The system screens, via a speaker and a user interface associated with the device, a left ear—and separately, a right ear—of a patient. The system then determines a left ear hearing range and a right ear hearing range. The screening utilizes harmonic frequencies of a harmonic frequency series, where the harmonic frequency series includes a fundamental frequency and integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. In some embodiments, the harmonic frequencies may include classical music instrument sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Texas Institute of Science, Inc.
    Inventor: Laslo Olah
  • Patent number: 11109167
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of performing bilateral processing of respective microphone signals of a left ear hearing aid and a right ear hearing aid of a binaural hearing aid system and to corresponding binaural hearing aid systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventors: Changxue Ma, Andrew Burke Dittberner, Rob Anton Jurjen De Vries
  • Patent number: 11109170
    Abstract: A system and method for aiding hearing are disclosed. In one embodiment of the system, a programming interface is configured to communicate with a device. The system screens, via a speaker and a user interface associated with the device, a left ear—and separately, a right ear—of a patient at an incrementally selected frequency within a frequency range, with tinnitus detected frequencies being re-ranged tested to better identify the tinnitus frequencies. The system then determines a left ear tinnitus-impacted hearing range and a right ear tinnitus-impacted hearing range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Texas Institute of Science, Inc.
    Inventor: Laslo Olah
  • Patent number: 11082151
    Abstract: An electronic device and communication coverage compensation method thereof for use in short range communication. An electronic device includes a housing, a radio communication circuit arranged in the housing and configured to support radio communication with a neighboring electronic device, a processor arranged in the housing and electrically connected to the radio communication circuit, a memory arranged in the housing and electrically connected to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when cited by the processor, cause the processor to communicate with the neighboring electronic device with the radio communication circuit, change, when detecting an event triggering a change from a first symbol rate to a second symbol rate, from the first symbol rate to the second symbol rate, determine a compensation value based on a coverage range, and adjust a transmit power of the radio communication circuit based on the compensation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junsik Kwon, Daehui Kang, Chunho Park, Yunsik Bae
  • Patent number: 11064294
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a combined multi-source time difference of arrival (TDOA) tracking and voice activity detection (VAD) mechanism that is applicable for generic array geometries, e.g., a microphone array that lies on a plane. The combined multi-source TDOA tracking and VAD mechanism scans the azimuth and elevation angles of the microphone array in microphone pairs, based on which a planar locus of physically admissible TDOAs can be formed in the multi-dimensional TDOA space of multiple microphone pairs. In this way, the multi-dimensional TDOA tracking reduces the number of calculations that was usually involved in traditional TDOA by performing the TDOA search for each dimension separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Alireza Masnadi-Shirazi, Francesco Nesta
  • Patent number: 11057720
    Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for adapting settings/operations of a remote microphone device associated with an auditory prosthesis based on a desired/preferred listening direction of a recipient of the auditory prosthesis. More specifically, an auditory prosthesis worn by a recipient and a remote microphone device, which are configured to wirelessly communicate with one another, are both positioned in the same spatial area. At least one of a recipient-specified (e.g., recipient-preferred) region of interest within the spatial area, or a recipient-specified listening direction, is determined. Based on a determined relative positioning (e.g., location and orientation) of the remote microphone device and the auditory prosthesis, operation of the remote microphone device is dynamically adapted so that the remote microphone device can focus on (e.g., have increased sensitivity to) sounds originating from the recipient-specified region of interest/listening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Jan Patrick Frieding, Soren Nilsson, Kenneth Oplinger, Alexander von Brasch, Roger Smith, Richard Murphy
  • Patent number: 11039237
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an earpiece for an ear. The ear comprises a concha cavity at least partially delimited by a concha floor, a concha side wall and a concha ceiling. The earpiece comprises a peripheral skirt comprising a positioning skirt portion which in turn comprises an outer skirt surface and an inner skirt surface, wherein a transition from the outer skirt surface to the inner skirt surface occurs at a skirt edge. The skirt edge extends at least partially circumferentially around a central axis of the earpiece, wherein the earpiece is adapted to be moved to a use position, at least partially within the concha cavity, in a direction parallel to the central axis, during insertion of the earpiece into the ear. When the peripheral skirt is in a non-influenced condition, at least a portion of the inner skirt surface faces the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventors: Vidar Sandanger, Johan Sundkvist, Henrik Myhre-Sandmark
  • Patent number: 11039242
    Abstract: An audio capture apparatus comprises a first beamformer (303) which is arranged to generate a beamformed audio output signal. An adapter (305) adapts beamform parameters of the first beamformer and a detector (307) detects an attack of speech in the beamformed audio output signal. A controller (309) controls the adaptation of the beamform parameters to occur in a predetermined adaptation time interval determined in response to the detection of the attack of speech. The beamformer (303) may generate noise reference signal(s) and the detector (309) may be arranged to detect the attack of speech in response to a comparison of a signal level of the beamformed audio output signal relative to a signal level of the at least one noise reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis Pieter Janse, Rik Jozef Martinus Janssen
  • Patent number: 11026029
    Abstract: A hearing aid having an electrical assembly, the electrical assembly includes a printed circuit board having a first board surface and a second board surface, the printed circuit board having a first pad in a first pad region on the first board surface, the first pad region having a first board normal; a flexible printed circuit board comprising an antenna, the antenna having a first terminal in a first terminal region on a first flexfilm surface of the flexible printed circuit board, the first terminal region having a first terminal normal; and first electrically conductive material connecting the first pad and the first terminal, and wherein the first terminal normal and the first board normal forms a first angle that is anywhere from 30° to 150°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: GN Hearing A/S
    Inventor: Benny Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 11006226
    Abstract: A binaural hearing aid system (100) with improved diversity properties. The invention also provides a method for operating such a binaural hearing aid system (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventors: Klaus Krogsgaard, Michael Ungstrup
  • Patent number: 11005164
    Abstract: Disclosed are: a ring-shaped antenna, which is formed in a ring shape and mounted between an earphone module housing and the outer circumference of a coin-type battery so as to communicate, through an NFMI, with an antenna mounted in another earphone module; and a wireless earphone module having the same. The disclosed ring-shaped antenna comprises: a flexible base sheet; a terminal sheet formed to extend from one side of the base sheet; a first terminal formed on one surface of the terminal sheet; a second terminal, formed on one surface of the terminal sheet, to be spaced apart from the first terminal; and a radiation pattern formed on one surface of the base sheet, and having one end connected to the first terminal and having the other end connected to the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: AMOTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Beon-Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 10993047
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the system, a programming interface is configured to communicate with a device. The system screens, via a speaker and a user interface associated with the device, a left ear—and separately, a right ear—of a patient. The system then determines a left ear hearing range and a right ear hearing range. The hearing ranges are modified with a subjective assessment of sound quality according to the patient. The subjective assessment of sound quality according to the patient may be a completed assessment of a degree of annoyance caused to the patient by an impairment of wanted sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Texas Institute of Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Laslo Olah, Grigorii Sokolovskii, Sergey Losev, Ekaterina Sokolovskaya
  • Patent number: 10993056
    Abstract: A method for programming a hearing assistance device includes entering an audiogram into the memory of a mobile computing device, wherein the audiogram indicates a hearing loss profile of a user of the hearing assistance device. Based on the audiogram, the mobile computing device determines a preferred hearing correction algorithm for the user and transfers the preferred algorithm to the memory of the hearing assistance device, which also contains one or more preloaded hearing correction algorithms. During an initial setup procedure, the user listens to sounds amplified by the hearing assistance device while switching between the preferred algorithm and the preloaded algorithms, and selects the algorithm that sounds best for continued use in the hearing assistance device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventor: Daniel R. Schumaier
  • Patent number: 10993046
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a smartphone-based hearing aid which does not employ a separate power supply or digital signal processing device and instead has an analogue interface unit, configured with a single integrated circuit chip, connected between a plurality of microphones and a smartphone, thereby realizing a compact size, reducing the cost and enhancing the audio performance. Instead of employing a digital signal processing chip which is essentially used in the existing hearing aids or personal sound amplifiers, the smartphone-based hearing aid according to the present invention utilizes components such as a smartphone-embedded application processor (AP), RAM, digital-analogue converter, speaker and display and is therefore affordable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: POSTECH ACADEMY-INDUSTRY FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Hong June Park, Seong Eun Cho, Ki Hwan Sung, Won Cheol Lee, Hyeon Kyu Noh, Im Soo Mok
  • Patent number: 10972846
    Abstract: A device including a prosthesis configured with a sound capture system and configured to evoke a hearing percept based on a captured sound captured by the sound capture system, wherein at least a portion of the prosthesis is configured to attach to a head of a recipient such that sound is captured by the sound capture system externally of the recipient at a location below an ear canal of a human.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Marcus Vardfjäll, Henrik Fyrlund, Kristian Asnes, Clas Johansson
  • Patent number: 10966074
    Abstract: A power-efficient, balanced, and reliable true wireless Bluetooth stereo audio solution is provided. Two audio sink devices are used to render audio content received from an audio source. One sink device is connected to the audio source via a primary link. The other sink device sniffs communication on the primary link. The two sink devices are connected via a hybrid link. In some embodiments, a token is passed dynamically between the two sink devices. The sink device that has the token acts as a primary sink device on a primary link with the source. The other sink device acts as a slave to the primary link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited
    Inventors: Xianbo Chen, Chikan Kwan, Shawn Ding
  • Patent number: 10966027
    Abstract: An audio adjustment system for a vehicle includes a detection module that is configured to receive an image and detect a face of at least one of a passenger of the vehicle and a pedestrian near the vehicle. An age estimation module is configured to estimate an age of the at least one of the passenger and the pedestrian based on the detected face. An adjustment determination module is configured to determine an audio adjustment parameter for an audio signal based on the estimated age of the at least one of the passenger and the pedestrian.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Frank C. Valeri, William Seldon, Glenn Pietila, Benjamin Lannan
  • Patent number: 10951997
    Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device is configured to be worn by a wearer and comprises an enclosure configured to be supported by, in or on an ear of the wearer. Electronic circuitry is disposed in the enclosure and comprises a wireless transceiver. An antenna is disposed in or on the enclosure and coupled to the wireless transceiver via a feedline. The antenna comprises two antenna elements each comprising electrically conductive material and having an area greater than an area of the feedline. The two antenna elements are oriented substantially in opposition to one another and at least some of the electronic circuitry is disposed between the two antenna elements. At least one strap is connected to and between the two antenna elements. At least one slot radiating element is incorporated in at least one of the two antenna elements and the at least one strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Anders Shriner