Patents by Inventor Erik Viirre

Erik Viirre 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: 7981047
    Abstract: An automated method for treating tinnitus by habituation through use of neurological feedback, comprising the steps of connecting a subject through a set of attached headphones to an electronic sound player that is connected to a PC workstation presenting sound examples by software to the subject who can refine them by manipulating a series of controllers on the player, making an electronic recording of the sound in a digital music format, storing the recording in the computer, transferring a copy of the electronic sound file to the subject's electronic music player, generating an EEC signature of the subject's brain activity in response to the presented sound, sound using the customized sound to stimulate the auditory system while the brain activity is recorded, wherein the computer continuously monitors for the feedback signatures and drives the sound stimuli appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Erik Viirre, Jaime A. Pineda, John D. Hestenes, Andrey Vankov
  • Patent number: 7933645
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining early onset of motion sickness by brain imaging. The method discloses an objective means of determining the onset of motion sickness by evaluating a specific region of the brain. The method can also be utilized in evaluating the predisposition toward motion sickness in workers in occupations prone to motion sickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Chris Strychacz, Erik Viirre
  • Publication number: 20090292221
    Abstract: An automated method for treating tinnitus by habituation through use of neurological feedback, comprising the steps of connecting a subject through a set of attached headphones to an electronic sound player that is connected to a PC workstation presenting sound examples by software to the subject who can refine them by manipulating a series of controllers on the player, making an electronic recording of the sound in a digital music format, storing the recording in the computer, transferring a copy of the electronic sound file to the subject's electronic music player, generating an EEC signature of the subject's brain activity in response to the presented sound, sound using the customized sound to stimulate the auditory system while the brain activity is recorded, wherein the computer continuously monitors for the feedback signatures and drives the sound stimuli appropriately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Erik Viirre, Jaime A. Pineda, John D. Hestenes, Andrey Vankov
  • Patent number: 7572234
    Abstract: An automated method for treating tinnitus by habituation through use of neurological feedback, comprising the steps of connecting a subject through a set of attached headphones to an electronic sound player that is connected to a PC workstation presenting sound examples by software to the subject who can refine them by manipulating a series of controllers on the player, making an electronic recording of the sound in a digital music format, storing the recording in the computer, transferring a copy of the electronic sound file to the subject's electronic music player, generating an EEC signature of the subject's brain activity in response to the presented sound, sound using the customized sound to stimulate the auditory system while the brain activity is recorded, wherein the computer continuously monitors for the feedback signatures and drives the sound stimuli appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Erik Viirre, Jaime A. Pineda, John D. Hestenes, Andrey Vankov
  • Publication number: 20090124850
    Abstract: A portable player for facilitating implementation of customized sound therapy to a patient. The PSP is designed to producing sounds at fairly low listening levels, wherein in order for effective habituation to occur. The PSP generates frequencies covering the entire audible range (about 20-20,000 Hz) at low distortion. The PSP is operatively coupled to a sound matching station (SMS) via a suitable interface (e.g., a USB interface), is connected, wired or wirelessly, to audio output transducers (e.g., headphones) for both the patient and the CST operator during the matching session, then detached for patient's use during habituation therapy. The PSP records automatically the patient's usage, by building a record of the date and time when the PSP was turned on and off, and the sound volume used at that time. This information can be downloaded at the next visit onto the SMS and reviewed and analyzed for further treatments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: F. Richard Moore, Erik Viirre
  • Publication number: 20090099474
    Abstract: A system and method for adaptive therapeutic intervention to effect real-time changes in the behavioral profile of an individual to facilitate the effectiveness of combined bioelectric sensing and biosensory based therapy for specific disorders. The system and method induces a temporary physiological state-of-mind (e.g., increased relaxation) to effect persistent changes to the cognitive-emotive profile of the individual (e.g., reduce internal tinnitus). The sense- and mental state-awareness responses, integrated into a two-way (i.e., bi-directional) feedback system using a dynamic interface with intelligently controlled thresholds. The invention takes into account details of multi-variate and nonlinear dynamics and database templates to more accurately compute the user's “state-of-mind.” It then utilizes this “state-of-mind” to drive therapeutic and non-therapeutic stimulus intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Jaime A. Pineda, Erik Viirre
  • Publication number: 20090018466
    Abstract: A system for providing therapy for tinnitus. An integrated system is developed for implementation of customized sound therapy (CST). The CST System is used by a qualified person to test and treat a patient. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a system that includes: (1) a Sound Matching Station (SMS), which is a dedicated electronic device having a processing system including a CST application, an acoustic compiler for generating CST sounds, a graphical user interface user (GUI), an output for high-quality digital audio file output; (2) an audio device for playback of CST sounds to the patient. In one embodiment, the audio device includes a Portable Sound Player (PSP). The PSP using a stereophonic playback converts the digital audio file into CST sounds, which can be heard through a pair of high fidelity earphones provided to the patient and one for the tester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Anthony T. Materna, Erik Viirre, Jaime A. Pineda, F. Richard Moore
  • Publication number: 20060241373
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining early onset of motion sickness by brain imaging. The method discloses an objective means of determining the onset of motion sickness by evaluating a specific region of the brain. The method can also be utilized in evaluating the predisposition toward motion sickness in workers in occupations prone to motion sickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Chris Strychacz, Erik Viirre
  • Publication number: 20060167376
    Abstract: An automated method for treating tinnitus by habituation through use of neurological feedback, comprising the steps of connecting a subject through a set of attached headphones to an electronic sound player that is connected to a PC workstation presenting sound examples by software to the subject who can refine them by manipulating a series of controllers on the player, making an electronic recording of the sound in a digital music format, storing the recording in the computer, transferring a copy of the electronic sound file to the subject's electronic music player, generating an EEC signature of the subject's brain activity in response to the presented sound, sound using the customized sound to stimulate the auditory system while the brain activity is recorded, wherein the computer continuously monitors for the feedback signatures and drives the sound stimuli appropriately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Erik Viirre, Jaime Pineda, John Hestenes, Andrey Vankov
  • Patent number: 7081085
    Abstract: An automated method for treating tinnitus by habituation through use of neurological feedback, comprising the steps of connecting a subject through a set of attached headphones to an electronic sound player that is connected to a PC workstation presenting sound examples by software to the subject who can refine them by manipulating a series of controllers on the player, making an electronic recording of the sound in a digital music format, storing the recording in the computer, transferring a copy of the electronic sound file to the subject's electronic music player, generating an EEC signature of the subject's brain activity in response to the presented sound, sound using the customized sound to stimulate the auditory system while the brain activity is recorded, wherein the computer continuously monitors for the feedback signatures and drives the sound stimuli appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Erik Viirre, Jaime A. Pineda, F. Richard Moore
  • Publication number: 20050043646
    Abstract: An automated method for treating tinnitus by habituation through use of neurological feedback, comprising the steps of connecting a subject through a set of attached headphones to an electronic sound player that is connected to a PC workstation presenting sound examples by software to the subject who can refine them by manipulating a series of controllers on the player, making an electronic recording of the sound in a digital music format, storing the recording in the computer, transferring a copy of the electronic sound file to the subject's electronic music player, generating an EEC signature of the subject's brain activity in response to the presented sound, sound using the customized sound to stimulate the auditory system while the brain activity is recorded, wherein the computer continuously monitors for the feedback signatures and drives the sound stimuli appropriately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Erik Viirre, Jaime Pineda, F. Richard Moore