Patents by Inventor Michael A. Karls

Michael A. Karls 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: 20230173272
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a hearing device and a method of using such device are disclosed. The hearing device includes a housing having an inner surface and an outer surface, electronic components disposed within the housing, and a port disposed in the housing and extending between a first end at the outer surface of the housing and a second end disposed within the housing, where the port is acoustically connected to at least one of a speaker or a microphone of the electronic components. The hearing components also include a controller that is electrically connected to a sensor and that is adapted to detect a change in capacitance of the sensor, where the change in capacitance is associated with debris at least partially occluding the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Kendra Griffin, Justin R. Burwinkel, Michael Karl Sacha
  • Patent number: 11671771
    Abstract: A hearing device adapted for use by a wearer comprises an audio streaming circuit configured to receive electromagnetic audio streaming via a first communication link. A configuration circuit is configured to receive configuration parameters via a second communication link different from the first communication link for configuring the hearing device to receive the electromagnetic audio streaming. Control circuitry of the hearing device configures the hearing device to enable reception of the electromagnetic audio streaming in accordance with the received configuration parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Paul Solum, Greg Haubrich, Stephen Paul Flood, Justin R. Burwinkel, Michael Karl Sacha, Yezihalem Mesfin, Fred Mustiere, Jumana Harianwala, Donald James Reynolds, Swapan Gandhi
  • Patent number: 11633396
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising the drug 4-[3-(4-cyclopropanecarbonyl-piperazine-1-carbonyl)-4-fluoro-benzyl]-2H-phthalazin-1-one in a solid dispersion with a matrix polymer that exhibits low hygroscopicity and high softening temperature, such as copovidone. The invention also relates to a daily pharmaceutical dose of the drug provided by such a formulation. In addition, the invention relates to the use of a matrix polymer that exhibits low hygroscopicity and high softening temperature in solid dispersion with 4-[3-(4-cyclopropanecarbonyl-piperazine-1-carbonyl)-4-fluoro-benzyl]-2H-phthalazin-1-one for increasing the bioavailability of the drug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Kudos Pharmaceuticals Limited
    Inventors: Michael Karl Bechtold, Julie Kay Cahill, Katja Maren Fastnacht, Kieran James Lennon, Bernd Harald Liepold, Claudia Bettina Packhaeuser, Benedikt Steitz
  • Publication number: 20230094165
    Abstract: An ear-wearable electronic device has a shell with an outer surface. A mounting void goes through the outer surface of the shell and exposes an internal volume of the shell. The mounting void is located at an ear-contacting region of the shell. The ear-wearable device includes a photoplethysmography sensor assembly having an optical transmission structure mounted in the mounting void and having a distal end exposed proximate the outer surface. The distal end of the optical transmission structure conforms to the outer surface of the shell at the ear-contacting region. The distal end is in contact with ear tissue of a user of the ear-wearable electronic device during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Justin Barlow, Kyle Olson, Ganesh Borra, Peter Flanagan, Craig C. Feldsien, Michael Karl Sacha
  • Publication number: 20230068534
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an electronic device configured to measure temperature from within an ear canal having a first bend, a second bend, and a tympanic membrane. The device comprises an enclosure comprising an in-canal section dimensioned for deployment in the ear canal. The in-canal section comprises a trough extending axially along at least a portion of the in-canal section and arranged to be positioned between the first bend and the tympanic membrane when the in-canal section is fully deployed in the ear canal. A temperature sensor is disposed in the trough. The temperature sensor comprises a flexible circuit board, a distal temperature sensor disposed on the flexible circuit board, and a proximal temperature sensor disposed on the flexible circuit board and situated proximal of, and spaced apart from, the distal temperature sensor in an outer ear direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Kyle Olson, Michael Karl Sacha, Peter Flanagan, Andy S. Lin
  • Patent number: 11586462
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes identifying two or more memory locations and referencing, by a memory access request, the two or more memory locations. The memory access request is a single action pursuant to a memory protocol. The computer-implemented method further includes sending the memory access request from one or more processors to a node and fetching, by the node, data content from each of the two or more memory locations. The computer-implemented method further includes packaging, by the node, the data content from each of the two or more memory locations into a memory package, and returning the memory package from the node to the one or more processors. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Fadi Y. Busaba, Harold W. Cain, III, Michael Karl Gschwind, Valentina Salapura, Timothy J. Slegel
  • Patent number: 11586961
    Abstract: A system and method for selecting one sensor from among a plurality of sensors. For each of the plurality of sensors, a conditional probability of the sensor correctly identifying the target from among a plurality of objects detected by the sensor, given an association event, is calculated, and multiplied by a reward function for the sensor. The sensor for which this product is greatest is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael Karl Binder
  • Patent number: 11564045
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for hearing assistance devices, and in particular to behind the ear and receiver in canal hearing aids with distributed processing. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to a hearing assistance device including hearing assistance electronics in a housing configured to be worn above or behind an ear of a wearer. The hearing assistance device includes an ear piece configured to be worn in the ear of the wearer and a processing component at the ear piece configured to perform functions in the ear piece and to communicate with the hearing assistance electronics, in various embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Karl Sacha
  • Publication number: 20230000862
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising the drug 4-[3-(4-cyclopropanecarbonyl-piperazine-1-carbonyl)-4-fluoro-benzyl]-2H-phthalazin-1-one in a solid dispersion with a matrix polymer that exhibits low hygroscopicity and high softening temperature, such as copovidone. The invention also relates to a daily pharmaceutical dose of the drug provided by such a formulation. In addition, the invention relates to the use of a matrix polymer that exhibits low hygroscopicity and high softening temperature in solid dispersion with 4-[3-(4-cyclopropanecarbonyl-piperazine-1-carbonyl)-4-fluoro-benzyl]-2H-phthalazin-1-one for increasing the bioavailability of the drug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Karl Bechtold, Julie Kay Cahill, Katja Maren Fastnacht, Kieran James Lennon, Bernd Harald Liepold, Claudia Bettina Packhaeuser, Benedikt Steitz
  • Publication number: 20220386959
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices and systems that can detect a risk of infection in a device wearer. In a first aspect, an ear-wearable infection sensor device is included having a control circuit, a microphone, a sensor package, and an electroacoustic transducer, wherein the electroacoustic transducer is in electrical communication with the control circuit. The ear-wearable infection sensor device can be configured to analyze data from the sensor package to determine physiological parameters of a device wearer and evaluate the physiological parameters to detect the risk of an infection. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Archelle Georgiou, Krishna Chaithanya Vastare, Justin R. Burwinkel, Andy S. Lin, Kyle Olson, Michael Karl Sacha, Amit Shahar
  • Publication number: 20220386048
    Abstract: A method for fitting a hearing instrument comprises obtaining sensor data from a plurality of sensors belonging to a plurality of sensor types; applying a machine learned (ML) model to determine, based on the sensor data, an applicable fitting category of the hearing instrument from among a plurality of predefined fitting categories, wherein the plurality of predefined fitting categories includes a fitting category corresponding to a correct way of wearing the hearing instrument and a fitting category corresponding to an incorrect way of wearing the hearing instrument; and generating an indication based on the applicable fitting category of the hearing instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Kendra Griffin, Paul Reinhart, Tracie Tuss, Kent Collins, Michael Karl Sacha
  • Publication number: 20220369954
    Abstract: An ear-wearable device includes a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor. One or more processors of the ear-wearable device are configured to determine, based on sample values of a PPG signal generated by the PPG sensor, whether a user of the ear-wearable device has fallen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Karl Sacha
  • Publication number: 20220352742
    Abstract: An example system includes an ear-wearable device comprising a housing and a rechargeable battery located within the housing; a supplemental power storage device configured to provide electrical energy; and circuitry configured to transfer, responsive to occurrence of an event, electrical energy from the supplemental power storage device to the rechargeable battery prior to an initial use of the ear-wearable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Kyle Olson, Justin Burwinkel, Michael Karl Sacha
  • Publication number: 20220345835
    Abstract: A system may have a rechargeable hearing instrument with a power source, an ultraviolet (UV) sensor configured to convert received UV light into electrical power and charging circuitry coupled to the UV sensor and to the power source. The charging circuitry may use the electrical power to charge the power source. A charger may have a charging cavity configured to receive the rechargeable hearing instrument. A power source within the charger powers a UV light source located within the charger configured to provide UV light to the UV sensor of the rechargeable hearing instrument when the rechargeable hearing instrument is placed within the charging cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Peter Flanagan, Kyle Olson, Michael Karl Sacha, Andy S. Lin, Fa Wang
  • Publication number: 20220272467
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hearing instrument includes placing a component support structure at least partially in a bath of a resin liquid, wherein one or more operative components of the hearing instrument are attached to or contained within the component support structure prior to the component support structure being at least partially placed in the bath of the resin liquid. While the component support structure is at least partially in the bath, volumetric 3-dimensional (3D) printing is performed to form a shell of the hearing instrument attached to the component support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Westley G. Gentry, Michael Karl Sacha, Craig C. Feldsien, Jay Stewart
  • Publication number: 20220261468
    Abstract: An ear-wearable device, such as a hearing aid or earbud, includes a plurality of biometric sensors configured to generate sensor measurements indicative of at least an aspect of contact between the housing of the ear-wearable device and the ear canal of the user, and compares the sensor measurements to a stored profile in order to determine whether an authorized user is wearing the ear-wearable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Andy S. Lin, Michael Karl Sacha, Peter Flanagan
  • Publication number: 20220257186
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for a hearing assistance device housing for biometric sensing. In various embodiments, a hearing assistance device for a wearer includes a housing customized to conform to a continuous section of an inner portion of an ear of the wearer and to extend radially to one or more edges of a conchal bowl of the ear. The housing is configured to be placed in the inner portion of the ear of the wearer, and a biometric sensor is included on a surface of the housing. According to various embodiments, the housing is configured to maintain contact of the biometric sensor with the inner portion of the ear of the wearer during activity of the wearer, to enhance accuracy of biometric sensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Jay Stewart, Michael Karl Sacha, Kyle Olson
  • Publication number: 20220249474
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising the drug 4-[3-(4-cyclopropanecarbonyl-piperazine-1-carbonyl)-4-fluoro-benzyl]-2H-phthalazin-1-one in a solid dispersion with a matrix polymer that exhibits low hygroscopicity and high softening temperature, such as copovidone. The invention also relates to a daily pharmaceutical dose of the drug provided by such a formulation. In addition, the invention relates to the use of a matrix polymer that exhibits low hygroscopicity and high softening temperature in solid dispersion with 4-[3-(4-cyclopropanecarbonyl-piperazine-1-carbonyl)-4-fluoro-benzyl]-2H-phthalazin-1-one for increasing the bioavailability of the drug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Karl Bechtold, Julie Kay Cahill, Katja Maren Fastnacht, Kieran James Lennon, Bernd Harald Liepold, Claudia Bettina Packhaeuser, Benedikt Steitz
  • Publication number: 20220210585
    Abstract: A hearing device may include a housing, a microphone, and an acoustic element. The housing may include a shell and a microphone port disposed between an outer surface of the shell and an inner surface of the shell that defines a cavity within the shell. The microphone may be disposed within the cavity of the shell and acoustically connected to the microphone port. The acoustic element may be disposed on the outer surface of the shell or at least partially within the microphone port. The acoustic element may include a substrate and fibers extending from the substrate. At least a portion of acoustic energy incident upon the acoustic element may be received by the microphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Burns, Michael Karl Sacha, Ross Wilhelm, Westley G. Gentry
  • Publication number: 20220201413
    Abstract: A method is a described for constructing a hearing aid shell that comprises a combination of hard and soft materials. In one embodiment, 3D printing is combined with conventional mold/casting methods so that a first shell portion made of a hard material and a mold for a second shell portion are 3D printed. The mold is then filled with a soft material which is allowed to set to form the second shell portion, and the first and second shell portions are adhesively attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Karl Sacha, Jay Stewart, Wes Gentry, Craig Feldsien