Patents Assigned to Able Planet, Incorporated
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Patent number: 8712067Abstract: A system and method for using an audiogram and audio filters to provide improved audio characteristics for hearing impaired listeners by equalizing the received sound level of the signal across the frequency spectrum. The system and method further provide for modifying an audio signal based on the personal hearing characteristics of a listener to compensate for hearing loss.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Able Planet IncorporatedInventor: Kevin R. Semcken
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Patent number: 8605932Abstract: A single chamber headphone apparatus and earcup design is provided which enhances wearer comfort, reduces headphone weight, facilitates ease of use, maintenance and operation by providing an improved internal chamber and battery cap configuration. Sound quality is improved by eliminating acoustic problems associated with two-chamber headset designs. A volume balance control is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Able Planet IncorporatedInventor: Kevin R. Semcken
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Patent number: 8462975Abstract: An electroacoustical apparatus and method is described that alters the output properties of an audio device to improve the sound properties for both hearing impaired and normal hearing listeners. The device includes a coil element of specific design and may incorporate digital signal processing techniques to modify audio signal output. The electrical device and method of processing provides for the beneficial alteration of sound waves to an audio signal, and further modification of the audio signal to provide for improved loudness and clarity characteristics. The improved characteristics provide for greater intelligibility of the audio signal to persons with hearing impairments and to persons with normal hearing.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2008Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Able Planet, IncorporatedInventors: Kevin R. Semcken, H. Christopher Schweitzer
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Patent number: 8270649Abstract: An in-the-ear technology delivery, positioning and sound management system comprises a body portion that provides support for a conformable fitting element adapted to be positioned in the user's ear canal and which is structured and arranged to anchor sound management technologies and medical instrumentalities at selected positions in the canal for the delivery and control of sound or for the performance of medical procedures therein. In an embodiment, a sound tube is provided which is adapted to deliver sound in close proximity to the ear drum and a method for selectively fitting the system in accordance with the wearer's personal comfort level is provided. In another embodiment, an apparatus and a method for a fitting pressure to be automatically applied along the device or aided by a fitting element that will facilitate placement and a secure fit in the ear canal is presented.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Able Planet IncorporatedInventor: Kevin Semcken
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Patent number: 7978867Abstract: An audio signal system is provided having, in one embodiment, a magnetostrictive core of varying shapes, sizes, and permeability. The core is wound with a wire, thereby forming an inductor for producing a magnetic field when current is passed through the wire. A speaker, or other audio output device, is positioned in parallel or series with the inductor. In operation, an audio signal is received and transmitted to the speaker or other audio output device, wherein a replication of the received signal is produced. An output of the magnetostrictive inductor couples with the replicated audio signal to modify and enhance the quality of the projected signal. In yet another embodiment, digital signal processing may be used to modify the received signal as well.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2005Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Able Planet, IncorporatedInventors: Joan Phillips Waldron, Joan Billger Burleigh, Brett William Jelkin
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Patent number: 7929711Abstract: Pathological binaural phase time delay (PBTD) asynchrony is measured at a variety of frequencies and speech stimuli to develop a BPTD profile for a subject. A corrective device (600, 1000) is designed to apply clinical PBTD to compensate for the subject's pathological BPTD. An electronic device (500) is used to measure the subject's ability to comprehend words at a variety of relative time delays between ears to estimate the ideal overall relative time delay. The optimal relative phase shift at a variety of frequencies is also measured. An electronic device (600) may be used to correct the pathological BPTD by delaying sound in different frequency bands differently to the target ear, according to the BPTD profile, or a passive filtered earplug (1000) may be used to correct smaller amounts of BPTD.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Able Planet, IncorporatedInventors: Joan M. Burleigh, Michael W. Thompson, Susan P. James, Michael L. Peterson
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Publication number: 20100316240Abstract: An electroacoustical apparatus and method is described that alters the output properties of an audio device to improve the sound properties for both hearing impaired and normal hearing listeners. The device includes a coil element of specific design and may incorporate digital signal processing techniques to modify audio signal output. The electrical device and method of processing provides for the beneficial alteration of sound waves to an audio signal, and further modification of the audio signal to provide for improved loudness and clarity characteristics. The improved characteristics provide for greater intelligibility of the audio signal to persons with hearing impairments and to persons with normal hearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2008Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: ABLE PLANET, INCORPORATEDInventors: Kevin R. Semcken, H. Christopher Schweitzer
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Publication number: 20100310093Abstract: A single chamber headphone apparatus and earcup design is provided which enhances wearer comfort, reduces headphone weight, facilitates ease of use, maintenance and operation by providing an improved internal chamber and battery cap configuration. Sound quality is improved by eliminating acoustic problems associated with two-chamber headset designs. A volume balance control is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: ABLE PLANET, INCORPORATEDInventor: Kevin R. Semcken
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Publication number: 20100303249Abstract: A system and method for using an audiogram and audio filters to provide improved audio characteristics for hearing impaired listeners by equalizing the received sound level of the signal across the frequency spectrum. The system and method further provide for modifying an audio signal based on the personal hearing characteristics of a listener to compensate for hearing loss.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2008Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: ABLE PLANET, INCORPORATEDInventor: Kevin R. Semcken
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Publication number: 20100040244Abstract: A digital and/or analog signal processing system and method for auditory enhancement and hearing conservation includes providing an audio signal with high intensity peaks, clipping the audio signal by limiting peak power to produce a clipped signal, and amplifying the clipped signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: ABLE PLANET, INCORPORATEDInventors: Desmond Arthur Smith, H. Christopher Schweitzer
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Patent number: 7657049Abstract: An improved telephone handset for hearing-impaired persons. A passive device, in the form of an inductor wound about a highly magnetostrictive core, is connected with the speaker in the handset. The device has been found to improve intelligibility of speech delivered by the handset, when perceived by persons afflicted with certain types of hearing impairment.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2004Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Able Planet, IncorporatedInventors: Joan Phillips Waldron, Brett William Jelkin, Joan Billger Burleigh
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Patent number: 7584010Abstract: An improved telephone handset for hearing-impaired persons. A passive device, in the form of an inductor wound about a highly magnetostrictive core, is connected with the speaker in the handset. The device has been found to improve intelligibility of speech delivered by the handset, when perceived by persons afflicted with certain types of hearing impairment.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2004Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Able Planet, IncorporatedInventors: Joan Phillips Waldron, Brett William Jelkin
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Patent number: D606969Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Able Planet, IncorporatedInventor: Kevin R. Semcken
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Patent number: D606970Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Able Planet, IncorporatedInventor: Kevin R. Semcken