Patents by Inventor Douglas F. Link

Douglas F. Link has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240031748
    Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Douglas F. Link, David Prchal, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 11765531
    Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas F. Link, David Prchal, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20220007119
    Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Douglas F. Link, David Prchal, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 11064304
    Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas F. Link, David Prchal, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20200154219
    Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Douglas F. Link, David Prchal, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 10636768
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an integrated circuit module and a method of forming such module are disclosed. The module includes a first die having an active substrate, an integrated circuit disposed on a first major surface of the active substrate, and a cavity disposed in a second major surface of the active substrate. The module also includes a second die having a first major surface, a second major surface, and a conductive pad disposed on the second major surface. The second die is disposed at least partially within the cavity of the first die such that the first major surface of the second die faces the cavity of the first die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sayed Kaysarbin Rahim, Douglas F. Link, Susan Marie Johansson
  • Patent number: 10582319
    Abstract: A hearing assistance device comprises a system in package (SIP) disposed within an enclosure. The SIP module comprises a first substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first substrate supporting a first subsystem configured to perform a first function. A second substrate has a first surface and an opposing second surface, the second substrate supporting a second subsystem configured to perform a second function. The second surfaces face each other and at least one of the second surfaces supports one or more components. An interconnect layer is separate from and bonded to and between the first and second substrates. The interconnect layer comprises a window and a region peripheral to the window. The window is sized to accommodate the one or more components and the peripheral region comprising electrical pathways for electrically connecting the first subsystem and the second subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ay Vang, Douglas F. Link, Shawn Mahon, Kevin Lammi
  • Patent number: 10448176
    Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas F. Link, David Prchal, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 10425724
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for improved circuit design for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device configured to compensate for hearing losses of a user. The hearing assistance device includes a substrate and an interposer embedded into the substrate to form a system in package module. According to various embodiments, the interposer includes one or more integrated circuits (ICs) on the interposer, the one or more ICs configured to provide electronics for the hearing assistance device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas F. Link, Ay Vang, Yike Wang
  • Publication number: 20180367923
    Abstract: A hearing assistance device comprises a system in package (SIP) disposed within an enclosure. The SIP module comprises a first substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first substrate supporting a first subsystem configured to perform a first function. A second substrate has a first surface and an opposing second surface, the second substrate supporting a second subsystem configured to perform a second function. The second surfaces face each other and at least one of the second surfaces supports one or more components. An interconnect layer is separate from and bonded to and between the first and second substrates. The interconnect layer comprises a window and a region peripheral to the window. The window is sized to accommodate the one or more components and the peripheral region comprising electrical pathways for electrically connecting the first subsystem and the second subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Ay Vang, Douglas F. Link, Shawn Mahon, Kevin Lammi
  • Publication number: 20180352347
    Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas F. Link, David Prchal, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 10085097
    Abstract: A hearing assistance device comprises a system in package (SIP) disposed within an enclosure. The SIP module comprises a first substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first substrate supporting a first subsystem configured to perform a first function. A second substrate has a first surface and an opposing second surface, the second substrate supporting a second subsystem configured to perform a second function. The second surfaces face each other and at least one of the second surfaces supports one or more components. An interconnect layer is separate from and bonded to and between the first and second substrates. The interconnect layer comprises a window and a region peripheral to the window. The window is sized to accommodate the one or more components and the peripheral region comprising electrical pathways for electrically connecting the first subsystem and the second subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ay Vang, Douglas F. Link, Shawn Mahon, Kevin Lammi
  • Patent number: 10051390
    Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas F. Link, David Prchal, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20180122778
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an integrated circuit module and a method of forming such module are disclosed. The module includes a first die having an active substrate, an integrated circuit disposed on a first major surface of the active substrate, and a cavity disposed in a second major surface of the active substrate. The module also includes a second die having a first major surface, a second major surface, and a conductive pad disposed on the second major surface. The second die is disposed at least partially within the cavity of the first die such that the first major surface of the second die faces the cavity of the first die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Sayed Kaysarbin Rahim, Douglas F. Link, Susan Marie Johansson
  • Publication number: 20180098162
    Abstract: A hearing assistance device comprises a system in package (SIP) disposed within an enclosure. The SIP module comprises a first substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first substrate supporting a first subsystem configured to perform a first function. A second substrate has a first surface and an opposing second surface, the second substrate supporting a second subsystem configured to perform a second function. The second surfaces face each other and at least one of the second surfaces supports one or more components. An interconnect layer is separate from and bonded to and between the first and second substrates. The interconnect layer comprises a window and a region peripheral to the window. The window is sized to accommodate the one or more components and the peripheral region comprising electrical pathways for electrically connecting the first subsystem and the second subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Ay Vang, Douglas F. Link, Shawn Mahon, Kevin Lammi
  • Patent number: 9913052
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for solderless assembly for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of manufacturing a hearing assistance device. According to various embodiments, the method includes providing a molded interconnect device (MID) housing and inserting a flexible circuit module having conductive surface traces into the MID housing. One or more hearing assistance electronic modules are connected to the MID housing using direct compression without the use of wires or solder, according to various embodiments. In one embodiment, the MID housing includes a laser-direct structuring (LDS) housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: John Dzarnoski, Susie Krzmarzick, Douglas F. Link, David Prchal
  • Publication number: 20170318402
    Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas F. Link, David Prchal, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 9654887
    Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas F. Link, David Prchal, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20150264475
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for improved circuit design for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device configured to compensate for hearing losses of a user. The hearing assistance device includes a substrate and an interposer embedded into the substrate to form a system in package module. According to various embodiments, the interposer includes one or more integrated circuits (ICs) on the interposer, the one or more ICs configured to provide electronics for the hearing assistance device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas F. Link, Ay Vang, Yike Wang
  • Publication number: 20150146899
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for solderless assembly for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a method of manufacturing a hearing assistance device. According to various embodiments, the method includes providing a molded interconnect device (MID) housing and inserting a flexible circuit module having conductive surface traces into the MID housing. One or more hearing assistance electronic modules are connected to the MID housing using direct compression without the use of wires or solder, according to various embodiments. In one embodiment, the MID housing includes a laser-direct structuring (LDS) housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: John Dzarnoski, Susie Krzmarzick, Douglas F. Link, David Prchal