Patents by Inventor John A. Usher

John A. Usher 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: 11032664
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to modifying audio content using location specific spatial impulse responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Walker, John Usher, John P Keady
  • Publication number: 20210168491
    Abstract: At least one embodiment is directed to a method for automatically activating ambient sound pass-through in an earphone in response to a detected keyword in the ambient sound field of the earphone user, the steps of the method comprising at least receiving at least one ambient sound microphone (ASM) signal; receiving at least one audio content (AC) signal; and comparing the ASM signal to a keyword and if the ASM signal matches a keyword then an AC gain is created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventor: John Usher
  • Publication number: 20210127216
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of generating preferred dynamic range function to process audio reproduced by an earphone device. The function includes processing the audio to improve speech intelligibility. The function is acquired with a self-administered hearing test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventor: John Usher
  • Patent number: 10979836
    Abstract: A device or a method using the device includes a balloon configured to seal a user's orifice, where the balloon is configured to produce an acoustic seal between a first side and a second side of the balloon in an ear canal. At least a second side of the balloon is fitted into the ear canal. Audio processing circuitry produces an audio signal for driving a speaker in the device and to measure sound level using output from the microphone in the device while the speaker is being driven by the audio signal. The device or method further includes control circuitry to evaluate a seal quality of the device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, John P. Keady
  • Patent number: 10966015
    Abstract: At least one embodiment is directed to a method for automatically activating ambient sound pass-through in an earphone in response to a detected keyword in the ambient sound field of the earphone user, the steps of the method comprising at least receiving at least one ambient sound microphone (ASM) signal; receiving at least one audio content (AC) signal; and comparing the ASM signal to a keyword and if the ASM signal matches a keyword then an AC gain is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventor: John Usher
  • Patent number: 10951994
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of generating preferred dynamic range function to process audio reproduced by an earphone device. The function includes processing the audio to improve speech intelligibility. The function is acquired with a self-administered hearing test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventor: John Usher
  • Publication number: 20210027617
    Abstract: A control device configurable to couple to one or more devices having different control functions and a method of facilitating remote control of at least one device having different control functions includes a processor that receives an instruction for at least one of the control functions and additional information from the at least one device, the processor including a plurality of processing algorithms, the additional information received from the at least one device including at least a locally transmitted data signal. The processor selectably processes the additional information using at least one of the processing algorithms and controls a touch sensitive display reconfigurable for the different control functions, such that the at least one control function and the selectably processed additional information are presented on the touch sensitive display. The processor also generates at least one control signal responsive to receiving the locally transmitted data signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wayne Goldstein, John Usher
  • Publication number: 20200401368
    Abstract: An electronic device or method for adjusting a gain on a voice operated control system can include one or more processors and a memory having computer instructions. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the operations of receiving a first microphone signal, receiving a second microphone signal, updating a slow time weighted ratio of the filtered first and second signals, and updating a fast time weighted ratio of the filtered first and second signals. The one or more processors can further perform the operations of calculating an absolute difference between the fast time weighted ratio and the slow time weighted ratio, comparing the absolute difference with a threshold, and increasing the gain when the absolute difference is greater than the threshold. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventor: John Usher
  • Publication number: 20200394015
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of earphone feature control by using a graphic user interface on a device wirelessly linked to the earphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, John P. Keady
  • Publication number: 20200374404
    Abstract: A method and system of conferencing can include the steps of initiating a conference call at a communication device with two or more communication devices and selecting to suppress a voice communication of at least one communication device on the conference call where a modified electronic signal is generated with the selected at least one communication device so that the voice communication from the selected at least one communication device is inaudible. The method or system further includes sending the modified electronic signal to at least one other communication device on the conference call. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventors: Jason McIntosh, Marc Boillot, John Usher, Steven Goldstein
  • Publication number: 20200365132
    Abstract: Earpieces and methods for acute sound detection and reproduction are provided. A method can include measuring an external ambient sound level (xASL), monitoring a change in the xASL for detecting an acute sound, estimating a proximity of the acute sound, and upon detecting the acute sound and its proximity, reproducing the acute sound within an ear canal, where the ear canal is at least partially occluded by an earpiece. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wayne Goldstein, John Usher, Marc Andre Boillot
  • Patent number: 10824388
    Abstract: An electronic device or method for adjusting a gain on a voice operated control system can include one or more processors and a memory having computer instructions. The instructions, when executed by the one or more processors causes the one or more processors to perform the operations of receiving a first microphone signal, receiving a second microphone signal, updating a slow time weighted ratio of the filtered first and second signals, and updating a fast time weighted ratio of the filtered first and second signals. The one or more processors can further perform the operations of calculating an absolute difference between the fast time weighted ratio and the slow time weighted ratio, comparing the absolute difference with a threshold, and increasing the gain when the absolute difference is greater than the threshold. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventor: John Usher
  • Patent number: 10817252
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of earphone feature control by using a graphic user interface on a device wirelessly linked to the earphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, John P. Keady
  • Patent number: 10812660
    Abstract: A method and system of conferencing can include the steps of initiating a conference call at a communication device with two or more communication devices and selecting to suppress a voice communication of at least one communication device on the conference call where a modified electronic signal is generated with the selected at least one communication device so that the voice communication from the selected at least one communication device is inaudible. The method or system further includes sending the modified electronic signal to at least one other communication device on the conference call. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: Jason McIntosh, Marc Boillot, John Usher, Steven Goldstein
  • Patent number: 10810989
    Abstract: Earpieces and methods for acute sound detection and reproduction are provided. A method can include measuring an external ambient sound level (xASL), monitoring a change in the xASL for detecting an acute sound, estimating a proximity of the acute sound, and upon detecting the acute sound and its proximity, reproducing the acute sound within an ear canal, where the ear canal is at least partially occluded by an earpiece. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wayne Goldstein, John Usher, Marc Andre Boillot
  • Publication number: 20200284646
    Abstract: Methods of operating an audio device are provided. A method includes measuring sound pressure levels (SPLECM) for acoustic energy received by an ear canal microphone (ECM) during a time increment ?t and calculating a SPL_Dose?t during the time increment ?t using SPLECM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventors: Steven W. Goldstein, John Usher, Brian Fligor, John P. Keady
  • Patent number: 10760948
    Abstract: Methods of operating an audio device are provided. A method includes measuring sound pressure levels (SPLECM) for acoustic energy received by an ear canal microphone (ECM) during a time increment ?t and calculating a SPL_Dose?t during the time increment ?t using SPLECM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: Steven W. Goldstein, John Usher, Brian Fligor, John P. Keady
  • Publication number: 20200275223
    Abstract: A device or a method using the device includes a balloon configured to seal a user's orifice, where the balloon is configured to produce an acoustic seal between a first side and a second side of the balloon in an ear canal. At least a second side of the balloon is fitted into the ear canal. Audio processing circuitry produces an audio signal for driving a speaker in the device and to measure sound level using output from the microphone in the device while the speaker is being driven by the audio signal. The device or method further includes control circuitry to evaluate a seal quality of the device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, John P. Keady
  • Patent number: 10701499
    Abstract: A device or a method using the device includes a balloon configured to seal a user's orifice, where the balloon is configured to produce an acoustic seal between a first side and a second side of the balloon in an ear canal. At least a second side of the balloon is fitted into the ear canal. Audio processing circuitry produces an audio signal for driving a speaker in the device and to measure sound level using output from the microphone in the device while the speaker is being driven by the audio signal. The device or method further includes control circuitry to evaluate a seal quality of the device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Station Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, John P. Keady
  • Publication number: 20200201592
    Abstract: An analysis system has at least one monitoring assembly that includes at least one microphone to monitor an acoustic field proximate the monitoring assembly. The at least one microphone produces at least one microphone signal responsive to the acoustic field. The analysis system further includes a data storage device configured to buffer the at least one microphone signal and an audio analysis system configured to analyze a content of the data storage device where the audio analysis system is configured to analyze the content of the buffer to process at least a sound into a response or action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wayne Goldstein, John Usher