Patents by Inventor Mike Lind Rank
Mike Lind Rank 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).
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Publication number: 20160173999Abstract: A hearing system includes a hearing aid (10) and a personal communication device (20) being connected via a short range data communication link. The hearing aid (10) has a signal processor (13) processing an input signal according to audio processing parameters, a sub-system applying respective sets of processing parameters for at least two modes, a classifier component (51) analyzing auditory environment statistically by comparing specific characteristics of the input signal to one or more thresholds. A program selector component (16) selects automatically an appropriate mode for the signal processing sub-system according to the classifier output. The personal communication device (20) offers the user a user interface for controlling and interacting with the program selector component (16) of the hearing aid (10), and for generating and transmitting a notification to the hearing aid (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2016Publication date: June 16, 2016Applicant: WIDEX A/SInventors: Michael UNGSTRUP, Mike Lind RANK
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Patent number: 9232323Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a time domain codec. The codec comprises a decoder adapted to generate a decoded output signal based on an input quantization index and an encoder for generating an output quantization index based on an input signal, said encoder comprising said decoder and a predictor receiving an excitation signal derived from said decoder output signal and outputting a prediction signal. The output quantization index is determined by repeated decoding of the quantization indices in order to minimize the error between the input signal and the prediction signal, and the predictor uses a recursive autocorrelation estimate for the error minimization. The invention further provides a method of encoding an audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Widex A/SInventors: Mike Lind Rank, Preben Kidmose, Michael Ungstrup, Morten Holm Jensen
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Publication number: 20150289062Abstract: A mobile communication device (50) receives an audio stream as input and delivers a processed audio stream as output. The mobile communication device has a data connection providing access to the Internet, and a short range data connection for delivering a processed audio stream as output to a specific hearing aid (10). The mobile communication device acquires a data set containing hearing aid settings for said specific hearing aid from a remote server (71), and adjusts the emulation software application by means of the data set containing hearing aid settings for said specific hearing aid (10). The mobile communication device transmits the control signals and a processed audio stream to the specific hearing aid via said short range data connection and the specific hearing aid outputs the audio signal to the user without additional amplification. The invention also provides a method of signal processing in a mobile communication device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Applicant: WIDEX A/SInventors: Michael UNGSTRUP, Mike Lind RANK
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Publication number: 20150199977Abstract: A system for improving speech intelligibility of an audio signal, comprises a hearing aid (10), a server (71), and an external device (50)—such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. The hearing aid has a short range transceiver. The server is accessible via the Internet, and has a Speech Recognition Engine converting speech into text. The external device has a short range transceiver for communication with said hearing aid, a second transceiver for providing a wireless data connection to said server via the Internet, means for handling a speech stream intended for the hearing aid, and a Text-To-Speech engine adapted to synthesize speech based on a string of text. The invention also provides a method of improving speech intelligibility of an audio signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: WIDEX A/SInventors: Michael UNGSTRUP, Mike Lind RANK
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Patent number: 9025800Abstract: A hearing aid comprises an amplifier (303, 309, 317), an input transducer (301), an output transducer (824) and a signal processing device (825). The amplifier (303, 309, 317) and the signal processing device (825) are connected. The hearing aid further comprises at least two electrodes (201-205) adapted for detecting electrical signals such as brain waves, the at least two electrodes (201-205) being connected to a differential amplifier (303, 309, 317), which in turn is connected to the signal processing device, and means for modifying the operation of said hearing aid in dependence of the detected signals. The invention further provides a method for adaptation of a hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Widex A/SInventors: Preben Kidmose, Danilo P. Mandic, Michael Ungstrup, David Looney, Cheolsoo Park, Mike Lind Rank
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Patent number: 9014405Abstract: A storage system for storing a hearing aid comprises means for providing power (101), a storage space (102) for containing a hearing aid, output means, communication means through which data from the hearing aid is received wirelessly and a processing unit for processing data received from the hearing aid. The output means is capable of providing functioning and guiding information (104) concerning the functioning of the hearing aid and for guiding the user through positioning of the hearing aid, respectively. The invention further provides a hearing aid, a kit and a method of testing a hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Widex A/SInventors: Soren Mollskov Larsen, Mike Lind Rank, Mette Dahl Meincke
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Patent number: 9014379Abstract: In a method of initializing a binaural hearing aid system (1) both ipse- and contra-lateral individualized adjustment data are stored in both hearing aids of the binaural hearing aid system for transmission between the hearing aids. This provides an easy backup of the data. The invention further provides a hearing aid having means adapted for performing such a method.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Widex A/SInventors: Mike Lind Rank, Preben Kidmose
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Publication number: 20150092966Abstract: A method of processing sound in a hearing aid (100, 300, 400) comprises separating the input transducer signal into a periodic and aperiodic signal for further processing in the hearing aid (100, 300, 400). The invention also provides a hearing aid (100, 300, 400) adapted for carrying out such a method of sound processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: WIDEX A/SInventors: Kristian Timm ANDERSEN, Mike Lind RANK, Thomas Bo ELMEDYB
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Patent number: 8923542Abstract: A hearing aid comprises a power supply, a microphone and a base part to be arranged outside the ear canal of a hearing aid user, and an ear plug part to be arranged in the ear canal of a hearing aid user. The ear plug part comprises a receiver for transmitting sound into the ear canal, and a transducer generating a signal to be transferred to said base part. A databus connects the ear plug part with the base part. The databus comprises two electrical wires adapted for transmission of signal to the receiver, and for transmission of signal from the transducer to the base part. The databus provides power supply either from the base part to the ear plug part, or, from the ear plug part to the base part. The invention further provides a method for communicating between two parts of a hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Widex A/SInventors: Soren Kilsgaard, Preben Kidmose, Mike Lind Rank
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Patent number: 8885857Abstract: A system for establishing within a communication network a conversation group between a number of hearing aids (1, 2; 3, 4, 5) used by different users, comprises a number of hearing aids (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) adapted for wireless communication, means for detecting hearing aids (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) available for participation in the communication network, means for selecting hearing aids for participation (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) in said network, and a shared wireless communication unit (10) adapted for transmitting to and from the hearing aids (1, 2; 3, 4, 5) participating in said communication network. The invention further provides a method for establishing a conversation group.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Widex A/SInventors: Mike Lind Rank, Jakob Nielsen, Michael Ungstrup, Kristian Thygesen Gjesse
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Publication number: 20140171775Abstract: A wearable EEG monitor for continuously monitoring the EEG of a user through capacitive coupling to an ear canal of a user comprises an ear insert (1) for positioning within the human ear canal, comprising at least two capacitive electrodes (16) for recording a signal. The electrodes are coated with a dielectricum for electrical insulation. The electrodes are connected to an amplifier (17). The amplifier has an input impedance matched to the impedance of the electrodes. The invention further provides a method of monitoring brain waves.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: WIDEX A/SInventors: Soren KILSGAARD, Mike Lind RANK, Michael UNGSTRUP, Morten Holm JENSEN, Preben KIDMOSE
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Publication number: 20140148724Abstract: A personal hearing aid (1) is adapted to be carried at the head of a person. The hearing aid comprises an EEG sensor part having electrodes (3) for measuring EEG responses from said person. The hearing aid comprises an EEG signal analyzer (5, 5?) adapted for having an EEG signal transferred from the EEG sensor part, and adapted for monitoring the EEG response. The hearing aid (1) further comprises EEG stimuli controlling means adapted for performing at least one of the following: providing a stimulus to the person, requesting the person to perform a stimuli creating act, or identifying a stimuli creating ambient sound. The hearing aid comprises EEG response detection means for identifying an induced response from the EEG response caused by the stimuli, and a classifier for deciding based on said induced response if the electrodes receive EEG responses. The invention further provides a method of adjusting a hearing aid.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2014Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: Widex A/SInventors: Michael UNGSTRUP, Preben KIDMOSE, Mike Lind RANK
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Patent number: 8718303Abstract: A hearing aid system adapted for establishing a conversation group with other hearing aid systems used by different users, comprises a hearing aid (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) with an associated relay device (11, 12, 13, 14, 15). The relay device is (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) adapted for wireless communication (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) with said hearing aid and for wireless communication (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) with a second hearing aid system. The relay device (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) is also adapted for receiving and displaying information about said second hearing aid systems being available for participation in said conversation group, and it comprises means for selection of said other hearing aid systems for inclusion into the conversation group. The invention further provides a method for establishing a conversation group among hearing aid users.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Widex A/SInventors: Mike Lind Rank, Jakob Nielsen, Michael Ungstrup, Kristian Thygesen Gjesse
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Patent number: 8666099Abstract: A hearing aid (62, 72, 82, 92, 102, 112) adapted for alleviating tinnitus of a user (75), comprises an audio input means (83), a signal processing unit (88, 98, 108, 118) and an output transducer (80). The hearing aid further comprises a band stop filter (87) arranged to match a tinnitus of the user and switching means (86, 116) and switch control means (84, 114) for controlling the switching of said band stop filter (87) into and out of the signal path between the audio input means (83) and the output transducer (80), in response to a predefined trigger event. The invention further provides a method of adjusting a hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Widex A/SInventors: Jakob Nielsen, Georg Stiefenhofer, Mike Lind Rank, Stine Kohrtz Andersen
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Patent number: 8634580Abstract: A system for recording and playing sound messages to be applied for the indication of a status in a hearing aid (25), said system comprising a fitted hearing aid and recording means (1, 2, 3) adapted for being operated by the hearing aid user to record and save sound messages. The system also comprises editing means (11) for editing a group of sound messages with respect to sound level normalization between individual sound messages, and formatting means (12) adapted for formatting said sound messages into a format suitable for storing and playing in the hearing aid. The invention further provides a method for recording and playing sound messages.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Widex A/SInventors: Kim Hjortggard Nielsen, Andreas Gregers Gregersen, Mike Lind Rank, Morten Holm Jensen
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Publication number: 20130039519Abstract: A hearing aid comprises a power supply, a microphone and a base part to be arranged outside the ear canal of a hearing aid user, and an ear plug part to be arranged in the ear canal of a hearing aid user. The ear plug part comprises a receiver for transmitting sound into the ear canal, and a transducer generating a signal to be transferred to said base part. A databus connects the ear plug part with the base part. The databus comprises two electrical wires adapted for transmission of signal to the receiver, and for transmission of signal from the transducer to the base part. The databus provides power supply either from the base part to the ear plug part, or, from the ear plug part to the base part. The invention further provides a method for communicating between two parts of a hearing aid.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: WIDEX A/SInventors: Soren KILSGAARD, Preben KIDMOSE, Mike Lind RANK
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Publication number: 20120316418Abstract: A personal wearable EEG monitor comprises a base part (1) having signal processing means (23), and an electrode part (2) with at least two electrodes (11, 12) for measuring an EEG signal of a person. The electrode part (2) comprises means for converting the EEG signal into a digital signal. The EEG monitor comprises a databus for transferring data between the base part (1) and the electrode part (2) and for providing power from one part to the other. The databus is adapted for application of two electrical wires. The invention further provides a method for communicating between two parts of an EEG monitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: WIDEX A/SInventors: Soren KILSGAARD, Preben KIDMOSE, Mike Lind RANK
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Patent number: 8238592Abstract: A method for user individualized fitting of a hearing aid comprises: Performing an initial fitting (101) of the hearing aid in an interactive session between the hearing aid user and a fitter, monitoring, for a predetermined period after the initial fitting, the hearing aid user's choice of at least some of the settings of the hearing aid and storing the results of the monitoring in a log. The log is transmitted (108) to the fitter for evaluation (109) of preferred user settings. If the evaluation reveals that the preferred user settings are acceptable, the fitting of the hearing aid is finalized (105) accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Widex A/SInventors: Peter Magnus Norgaard, Mike Lind Rank, Jakob Nielsen
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Publication number: 20120177233Abstract: A hearing aid comprises an amplifier (303, 309, 317), an input transducer (301), an output transducer (824) and a signal processing device (825). The amplifier (303, 309, 317) and the signal processing device (825) are connected. The hearing aid further comprises at least two electrodes (201-205) adapted for detecting electrical signals such as brain waves, the at least two electrodes (201-205) being connected to a differential amplifier (303, 309, 317), which in turn is connected to the signal processing device, and means for modifying the operation of said hearing aid in dependence of the detected signals. The invention further provides a method for adaptation of a hearing aid.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: Widex A/SInventors: Preben Kidmose, Danilo P. Mandic, Michael Ungstrup, David Looney, Cheolsoo Park, Mike Lind Rank
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Publication number: 20120177234Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a time domain codec. The codec comprises a decoder adapted to generate a decoded output signal based on an input quantization index and an encoder for generating an output quantization index based on an input signal, said encoder comprising said decoder and a predictor receiving an excitation signal derived from said decoder output signal and outputting a prediction signal. The output quantization index is determined by repeated decoding of the quantization indices in order to minimize the error between the input signal and the prediction signal, and the predictor uses a recursive autocorrelation estimate for the error minimization. The invention further provides a method of encoding an audio signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: WIDEX A/SInventors: Mike Lind RANK, Preben KIDMOSE, Michael UNGSTRUP, Morten Holm JENSEN