Patents by Inventor Alfred Stirnemann

Alfred Stirnemann 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).

  • Patent number: 10987031
    Abstract: A method of performing real ear measurements by a measuring system is described herein. The measuring system comprises a probe element adapted to be inserted in the ear canal of an individual; a loudspeaker configured to deliver a sample sound signal to the ear canal; at least one microphone configured to detect a response to the sample sound signal, wherein the probe element is in acoustic communication with the loudspeaker and cooperates with the at least one microphone; and a signal processing unit for performing an acoustic measurement of a response to the sample sound signal, based on an electrical input signal from the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Stefan Pislak, Alfred Stirnemann, Michael Boretzki, Manfred Duerst, Harald Krueger, Ullrich Sigwanz, Martina Schuepbach-Wolf
  • Publication number: 20190046089
    Abstract: A method of performing real ear measurements by a measuring system is described herein. The measuring system comprises a probe element adapted to be inserted in the ear canal of an individual; a loudspeaker configured to deliver a sample sound signal to the ear canal; at least one microphone configured to detect a response to the sample sound signal, wherein the probe element is in acoustic communication with the loudspeaker and cooperates with the at least one microphone; and a signal processing unit for performing an acoustic measurement of a response to the sample sound signal, based on an electrical input signal from the microphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Stefan Pislak, Alfred Stirnemann, Michael Boretzki, Manfred Duerst, Harald Krueger, Ullrich Sigwanz, Martina Schuepbach-Wolf
  • Patent number: 9781523
    Abstract: A hearing instrument microphone device incudes at least two microphone sound ports (or sound inlets), a pressure difference microphone in communication with at least two of the sound ports and a pressure microphone in communication with at least one of the sound ports, wherein the acoustic centers of the pressure difference microphone and the pressure microphone essentially coincide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Martin Kuster, Alfred Stirnemann, Axel Schlesinger
  • Patent number: 9654884
    Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a method of fitting a hearing instrument to a user's ear is provided. The method comprises taking an impression of the user's ear canal and manufacturing, based on geometrical data of the impression, an earmold. In accordance with the aspect of the invention, the method comprises the further step of performing an acoustical measurement while the impression is being taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Roland Hug, Alfred Stirnemann, Christian Frei-Krumme, Daniel Probst, Hilmar Meier, Martin Roth, Markus Leuthold
  • Publication number: 20160112814
    Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a method of fitting a hearing instrument to a user's ear is provided. The method comprises taking an impression of the user's ear canal and manufacturing, based on geometrical data of the impression, an earmold. In accordance with the aspect of the invention, the method comprises the further step of performing an acoustical measurement while the impression is being taken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Roland Hug, Alfred STIRNEMANN, Christian FREI-KRUMME, Daniel PROBST, Hilmar MEIER, Martin ROTH, Markus LEUTHOLD
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9271666
    Abstract: A method of estimating an acoustic transfer quantity representative of a sound pressure transfer to the eardrum includes the steps of measuring, by an ear canal microphone of the hearing instrument, an acoustic signal in the ear canal when a sound signal is emitted into the ear canal by a receiver of the hearing instrument, the ear canal microphone being in acoustic communication with the ear canal, determining, from the acoustic signal and from a frequency dependent reference characteristics of the hearing instrument, an ear canal impedance, and, calculating, from the ear canal impedance, an estimate of the acoustic transfer quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventor: Alfred Stirnemann
  • Patent number: 9232318
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hearing device comprising a microphone (1) wherein the microphone (1) comprises a first opening (8), a second opening (9) and at least three compartments (2, 3, 4), a first membrane (6) being arranged between the first and the second compartment (2; 3) and a second membrane (7;) at least partly covering the third compartment (4), wherein the second and the third compartments (3, 4) are connected in communicative manner via a canal (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventor: Alfred Stirnemann
  • Publication number: 20140321657
    Abstract: A method of estimating an acoustic transfer quantity representative of a sound pressure transfer to the eardrum includes the steps of measuring, by an ear canal microphone of the hearing instrument, an acoustic signal in the ear canal when a sound signal is emitted into the ear canal by a receiver of the hearing instrument, the ear canal microphone being in acoustic communication with the ear canal, determining, from the acoustic signal and from a frequency dependent reference characteristics of the hearing instrument, an ear canal impedance, and, calculating, from the ear canal impedance, an estimate of the acoustic transfer quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: PHONAK AG
    Inventor: Alfred Stirnemann
  • Publication number: 20140079260
    Abstract: A hearing instrument microphone device includes at least two microphone sound ports (or sound inlets), a pressure difference microphone in communication with at least two of the sound ports and a pressure microphone in communication with at least one of the sound ports, wherein the acoustic centers of the pressure difference microphone and the pressure microphone essentially coincide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: PHONAK AG
    Inventors: Martin Kuster, Alfred Stirnemann, Axel Schlesinger
  • Publication number: 20130243209
    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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Thomas Zurbruegg, Alfred Stirnemann, Stefan Launer
  • Publication number: 20130230199
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hearing device comprising a microphone (1) wherein the microphone (1) comprises a first opening (8), a second opening (9) and at least three compartments (2, 3, 4), a first membrane (6) being arranged between the first and the second compartment (2; 3) and a second membrane (7;) at least partly covering the third compartment (4), wherein the second and the third compartments (3, 4) are connected in communicative manner via a canal (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: PHONAK AG
    Inventor: Alfred Stirnemann
  • Patent number: 8045737
    Abstract: According to the invention, a real ear acoustic coupling quantity representative of the acoustic coupling of a hearing instrument to the user's ear or an anatomical transfer quantity—for example the Real-Ear-to-Coupler-Difference (RECD), the Microphone Location Effect (MLE), the Coupler Response for Flat Insertion Gain (CORFIG), and/or the Real Ear Open Gain (REOG)—is obtained from a transfer function representative of an acoustic transfer from the receiver to the outer microphone such as a signal feedback threshold gain. The obtained quantity may be used for setting a fitting parameter of the hearing instrument, for example a gain correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventor: Alfred Stirnemann
  • Patent number: 8014548
    Abstract: A hearing instrument in accordance with the invention comprises an in-the-ear-canal component to be worn at least partially in the ear of a user. When the hearing instrument is worn, a remaining volume between the in-the-ear-canal component and the user's eardrum is defined. The hearing instrument includes at least one first microphone operable to convert an acoustic input signal incident on the hearing instrument into an electrical input signal, signal processing means operable to convert the electrical input signal into an electrical output signal on a signal path, and an electrical-to-acoustic converter (a receiver or a plurality of receivers with potentially different frequency characteristics). Between the remaining volume and surrounding atmosphere, a duct (such as a vent) is defined. A second receiver is in operative communication with the duct, i.e. an output directly opens out into the duct or to a sound conductor opening out into the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Alfred Stirnemann, Herbert Bächler
  • Patent number: 7949145
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of providing input parameters for the fitting process of individually shaped or customized hearing devices by storing geometry data during the manufacturing process into data storage and selectively reading out data from this data storage during the manufacturing and/or fitting process of the hearing device. To improve the quality and to reduce the time required for the fitting process, all the data available from the manufacturing process, e.g. the geometry data, may be used during the final fitting process at the dispenser's office.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Herbert Bachler, Christoph Widmer, Alfred Stirnemann
  • Patent number: 7933419
    Abstract: The hearing device is operable in a fitting mode and in a listening mode and comprises a transducer for receiving, in the fitting mode, audio test signals, and for converting the audio test signals into signals to be perceived by the user in the fitting mode. It comprises a parameter memory means for storing parameter settings, which parameter settings are obtained from user input received through a user interface in response to the signals perceived by the user in the fitting mode. And it comprises a signal processor using the parameter settings for correcting audio signals at least in the listening mode. The user interface is comprised in the hearing device and the hearing device comprises an audio signal source, in which audio signal source the audio test signals are stored or generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Alfred Stirnemann, Hans Leysieffer
  • Patent number: 7398166
    Abstract: A probe located in an area to be measured has an acoustic stimulator, (e.g., a loudspeaker and a microphone). The stimulator sends acoustic signals to the microphone where the signals are transformed into electrical signals and transferred to an analysis unit. Using a defined stimulation followed by a two-port chain transfer matrix connected to an impedance as a model, the voltage ratio between the stimulation and the impedance is described as a dimensionless transfer function of a complex function of the stimulation frequency. A series of acoustic calibration signals are generated by known acoustic impedances covering different calibration scopes using the stimulation. The calibration signals are recorded and the electric values are merged with the respective voltage values of the stimulation for evaluation of the respective transfer functions which are merged together into an over-determined linear system of equations. The impedance is determined by evaluating the transfer functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventor: Alfred Stirnemann
  • Patent number: 7397925
    Abstract: A hearing device has an acoustical/electrical input converter, and electrical/mechanical output converter, and a digital signal processing unit connected between the input converter and output converter. The device is adapted to a specific ear of a specific individual. The signal processing unit is controllable in at least two operating modes. In a first mode, the device is substantially acoustically transparent. The processing unit is controlled in the first mode by a dedicated program module independent of any further program module for any other operating mode. Alternatively the processing unit is controlled in the first mode by a program operating in the first mode controlled by a dedicated set of parameters independent of any further set of parameters for any other operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Alfred Stirnemann, Hilmar Meier
  • Publication number: 20080144868
    Abstract: A hearing instrument in accordance with the invention comprises an in-the-ear-canal component to be worn at least partially in the ear of a user. When the hearing instrument is worn, a remaining volume between the in-the-ear-canal component and the user's eardrum is defined. The hearing instrument includes at least one first microphone operable to convert an acoustic input signal incident on the hearing instrument into an electrical input signal, signal processing means operable to convert the electrical input signal into an electrical output signal on a signal path, and an electrical-to-acoustic converter (a receiver or a plurality of receivers with potentially different frequency characteristics). Between the remaining volume and surrounding atmosphere, a duct (such as a vent) is defined. A second receiver is in operative communication with the duct, i.e. an output directly opens out into the duct or to a sound conductor opening out into the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Alfred Stirnemann, Herbert Bachler
  • Publication number: 20070217639
    Abstract: According to the invention, a real ear acoustic coupling quantity representative of the acoustic coupling of a hearing instrument to the user's ear or an anatomical transfer quantity—for example the Real-Ear-to-Coupler-Difference (RECD), the Microphone Location Effect (MLE), the Coupler Response for Flat Insertion Gain (CORFIG), and/or the Real Ear Open Gain (REOG)—is obtained from a transfer function representative of an acoustic transfer from the receiver to the outer microphone such as a signal feedback threshold gain. The obtained quantity may be used for setting a fitting parameter of the hearing instrument, for example a gain correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: Phonak AG
    Inventor: Alfred Stirnemann