Patents by Inventor Earl E. Houcek

Earl E. Houcek 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: 11533573
    Abstract: A hearing device and subassembly therefor includes a sleeve member configured for at least partial insertion into a user's ear canal, the sleeve member defining a cavity that receives and retains at least a portion of a sound-producing electroacoustic transducer. The sleeve member includes a cable interface, wherein an electrical interface of a sound-producing electroacoustic transducer received in the cavity is accessible via the cable interface. The device also includes on or more sensors integrated with the sleeve member and positioned to sense a biomarker or other condition when the sleeve member is at least partially inserted into the user's ear canal. The hearing device includes conductive traces integrated with the sleeve member, where at least one conductive trace is electrically connected to the sensor and electrically connectable via the cable interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Earl E. Houcek, Matthew Manley, Daryl Barry, Yahui Zhang, Steve Kearey
  • Publication number: 20200213787
    Abstract: A hearing device and subassembly therefor includes a sleeve member configured for at least partial insertion into a user's ear canal, the sleeve member defining a cavity that receives and retains at least a portion of a sound-producing electroacoustic transducer. The sleeve member includes a cable interface, wherein an electrical interface of a sound-producing electroacoustic transducer received in the cavity is accessible via the cable interface. The device also includes on or more sensors integrated with the sleeve member and positioned to sense a biomarker or other condition when the sleeve member is at least partially inserted into the user's ear canal. The hearing device includes conductive traces integrated with the sleeve member, where at least one conductive trace is electrically connected to the sensor and electrically connectable via the cable interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Earl E. Houcek, Matthew Manley, Daryl Barry, Yahui Zhang, Steve Kearey
  • Patent number: 8401215
    Abstract: A receiver is provided having a balanced armature motor mechanically interconnected to a displaceable diaphragm component. A front volume changes as the displaceable diaphragm component moves. The front volume is connected to a port. A rear volume changes oppositely to the front volume as the displaceable diaphragm moves. An acoustic channel connects to the port and is also connected to a sound outlet. The sound outlet allows acoustic energy to exit from the acoustic channel. A first acoustic pressure is generated in the front volume as the balanced armature motor moves the diaphragm. The acoustic channel and the internal volume are divided by a common wall section, wherein the common wall section is defined by at least one of the walls of the housing which also provides a portion of at least one wall for the acoustic channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Max Warren, Thomas J. Jalava, Brad Olson, Michael J. Abry, Earl E. Houcek, Mark F. Halla, Charles B. King
  • Publication number: 20100254556
    Abstract: A receiver is provided having a balanced armature motor mechanically interconnected to a displaceable diaphragm component. A front volume changes as the displaceable diaphragm component moves. The front volume is connected to a port. A rear volume changes oppositely to the front volume as the displaceable diaphragm moves. An acoustic channel connects to the port and is also connected to a sound outlet. The sound outlet allows acoustic energy to exit from the acoustic channel. A first acoustic pressure is generated in the front volume as the balanced armature motor moves the diaphragm. The acoustic channel and the internal volume are divided by a common wall section, wherein the common wall section is defined by at least one of the walls of the housing which also provides a portion of at least one wall for the acoustic channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel Max Warren, Thomas J. Jalava, Brad Olson, Michael J. Abry, Earl E. Houcek, Mark F. Halla, Charles B. King