Patents by Inventor Ole Birch

Ole Birch 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: 11611819
    Abstract: An earphone comprising housing, a speaker, a speaker protrusion extending along a protrusion axis and comprising an inner protrusion surface and an outer protrusion surface, a resilient eargel comprising an inner eargel surface and an outer eargel surface. The eargel is detachably attached to the speaker protrusion, such that the outer protrusion surface abuts an abutment part of the inner eargel surface in an abutment zone extending along the protrusion axis. The eargel is adapted to be inserted into the outer ear of a user, such that it abuts the ear canal of a user, whereby a cavity is provided between at least the speaker, the inner protrusion surface, the inner eargel surface and the ear canal. The earphone is provided with a vent channel coupling the cavity and the ambient, wherein the vent channel comprises a groove (8) in the outer protrusion surface or the inner eargel surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: GN AUDIO A/S
    Inventor: Ole Birch
  • Publication number: 20210337296
    Abstract: An earphone comprising housing, a speaker, a speaker protrusion extending along a protrusion axis and comprising an inner protrusion surface and an outer protrusion surface, a resilient eargel comprising an inner eargel surface and an outer eargel surface. The eargel is detachably attached to the speaker protrusion, such that the outer protrusion surface abuts an abutment part of the inner eargel surface in an abutment zone extending along the protrusion axis. The eargel is adapted to be inserted into the outer ear of a user, such that it abuts the ear canal of a user, whereby a cavity is provided between at least the speaker, the inner protrusion surface, the inner eargel surface and the ear canal. The earphone is provided with a vent channel coupling the cavity and the ambient, wherein the vent channel comprises a groove (8) in the outer protrusion surface or the inner eargel surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventor: Ole BIRCH
  • Patent number: 11095968
    Abstract: An earphone (1) comprising housing (2), a speaker (3), a speaker protrusion (4) extending along a protrusion axis (Z) and comprising an inner protrusion surface (12) and an outer protrusion surface (6), a resilient eargel (5) comprising an inner eargel surface (10) and an outer eargel surface (13). The eargel (5) is detachably attached to the speaker protrusion (4), such that the outer protrusion surface (6) abuts an abutment part (17) of the inner eargel surface (10) in an abutment zone (27) extending along the protrusion axis (Z). The eargel (5) is adapted to be inserted into the outer ear of a user, such that it abuts the ear canal of a user, whereby a cavity (7) is provided between at least the speaker (3), the inner protrusion surface (12), the inner eargel surface (10) and the ear canal. The earphone (1) is provided with a vent channel (9) coupling the cavity (7) and the ambient, wherein the vent channel (9) comprises a groove (8) in the outer protrusion surface (6) or the inner eargel surface (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: GN Audio A/S
    Inventor: Ole Birch
  • Publication number: 20200186906
    Abstract: An earphone (1) comprising housing (2), a speaker (3), a speaker protrusion (4) extending along a protrusion axis (Z) and comprising an inner protrusion surface (12) and an outer protrusion surface (6), a resilient eargel (5) comprising an inner eargel surface (10) and an outer eargel surface (13). The eargel (5) is detachably attached to the speaker protrusion (4), such that the outer protrusion surface (6) abuts an abutment part (17) of the inner eargel surface (10) in an abutment zone (27) extending along the protrusion axis (Z). The eargel (5) is adapted to be inserted into the outer ear of a user, such that it abuts the ear canal of a user, whereby a cavity (7) is provided between at least the speaker (3), the inner protrusion surface (12), the inner eargel surface (10) and the ear canal. The earphone (1) is provided with a vent channel (9) coupling the cavity (7) and the ambient, wherein the vent channel (9) comprises a groove (8) in the outer protrusion surface (6) or the inner eargel surface (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventor: Ole BIRCH
  • Patent number: 9369558
    Abstract: Wireless communication between a hands-free communication device and a telecommunication device is provided. A hands-free communication system and a method of enabling wireless communication between a telecommunication device (2) and a hands-free communication device (1), is provided wherein the hands-free telecommunication device (1) is connected to a first transceiver (8), and the telecommunication device (2) is connected to a second transceiver (9), the first transceiver (8) and the second transceiver (9) being connected by releasable connection (10), wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver are activated upon disengagement of the releasable connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventors: Karsten Zakarias, Michael Sødal Schwartz, Ole Birch
  • Patent number: 8897479
    Abstract: A headset for voice communication is provided, the headset has a first earphone housing being rotatable about a first rotational axis, and a pickup unit comprising at least one microphone arranged on the earphone housing. The earphone housing comprises an earphone housing circuit, a first speaker for receiving a speaker signal from the earphone housing circuit, and at least a first ring of electrically conductive material formed annularly about the first rotational axis and mounted in electrical contact with the earphone housing circuit. An earphone housing connector part comprises at least a first set of contact members mounted in the earphone housing connector part so as to provide electrical connection between the at least first set of contact members and the at least first ring, to thereby connect the at least first set of contact members to a second speaker and/or an electronic circuit for processing signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventor: Ole Birch
  • Patent number: 8724825
    Abstract: A headset (1) for voice communication comprising a housing (2) and a pickup unit (8) rotatably connected to the housing via a joint (7). The pickup unit (8) comprises at least a first microphone (5), which is electrically connected via at least a first electrical connection to an electronic circuit for processing signals from the first microphone (5). The electronic circuit is arranged in the housing (2). The first electrical connection comprises a first sliding contact (20, 70), which comprises a housing side and a microphone side. The two sides are mutually rotatable about a rotational axis (26). One of the housing side or the microphone side of the sliding contact comprises a first annular ring (50) arranged so that the ring (50) is positioned around the rotational axis (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventor: Ole Birch
  • Publication number: 20140018013
    Abstract: Wireless communication between a hands-free communication device and a telecommunication device is provided. A hands-free communication system and a method of enabling wireless communication between a telecommunication device (2) and a hands-free communication device (1), is provided wherein the hands-free telecommunication device (1) is connected to a first transceiver (8), and the telecommunication device (2) is connected to a second transceiver (9), the first transceiver (8) and the second transceiver (9) being connected by releasable connection (10), wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver are activated upon disengagement of the releasable connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Karsten Zakarias, Michael Sødal Schwartz, Ole Birch
  • Patent number: 8605934
    Abstract: The earphone housing is essentially mirror symmetric about a first plane, which is orthogonal to the first side, and which extends through the wire position and the center of the earphone housing. The wearing device extends from the earphone housing at an attachment position, which lies at the upper end of the earphone housing. The attachment position can be a first attachment position for holding the earphone housing at the left ear or a second attachment position for holding the earphone at the right ear. The first and the second attachment positions are mirror symmetric located about the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventors: Ola Hagberg, Ole Birch, Kim Ziersen Jakobsen
  • Publication number: 20130243217
    Abstract: A communication device comprising a housing with a housing wall encapsulating a housing interior. A microphone is arranged in the housing interior and communicates via an audio passage with the outside of the housing. An electrical socket is adapted to receive an electrical plug through a socket opening, which is accessible from the outside of the housing. The audio passage comprises the socket opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: GN NETCOM A/S
    Inventors: Ole Birch, Anthony Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 8406418
    Abstract: A headset and method for voice communication comprising a housing (2) and a pickup unit (8) rotatably connected to the housing via a joint (7). The pickup unit (8) transmits its position to circuitry which in turn enables functions according to its position. When the unit is moved to a predetermined position and a function is enabled, the user is preferably notified by an audible signal in the earphone. The unit may be rotated, pivoted or twisted and even ratcheted to various positions to engage different functions, such as mute, volume up/down, activate Bluetooth® link etc. One position detection includes a sliding contact (20, 70) mutually rotatable about a rotational axis (26) and a annular ring (50) arranged so that the ring (50) is positioned around the rotational axis (26) so as to provide an electrical connection between the first annular ring (50) and the contact members (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventor: Ole Birch
  • Patent number: 8275165
    Abstract: A communication device comprises a housing with a housing wall encapsulating a housing interior. A microphone is arranged in the housing interior and communicates via an audio passage with the outside of the housing. An electrical socket is adapted to receive an electrical plug through a socket opening, which is accessible from the outside of the housing. The audio passage comprises the socket opening and the electrical socket includes a socket casing which surrounds the socket opening and extends in the insertion direction of the electrical plug. The socket casing includes through-going holes which form a part of the audio passage. The electrical plug is adapted to be removably inserted in the electrical socket and is provided with latching protrusions, which are adapted to be received in the through-going holes in the socket casing, when the electrical plug is inserted in the electrical socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventors: Ole Birch, Anthony Nesbitt
  • Publication number: 20120163616
    Abstract: A headset for voice communication is provided, the headset has a first earphone housing being rotatable about a first rotational axis, and a pickup unit comprising at least one microphone arranged on the earphone housing. The earphone housing comprises an earphone housing circuit, a first speaker for receiving a speaker signal from the earphone housing circuit, and at least a first ring of electrically conductive material formed annularly about the first rotational axis and mounted in electrical contact with the earphone housing circuit. An earphone housing connector part comprises at least a first set of contact members mounted in the earphone housing connector part so as to provide electrical connection between the at least first set of contact members and the at least first ring, to thereby connect the at least first set of contact members to a second speaker and/or an electronic circuit for processing signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventor: Ole Birch
  • Publication number: 20110228925
    Abstract: A headset and method for voice communication comprising a housing (2) and a pickup unit (8) rotatably connected to the housing via a joint (7). The pickup unit (8) transmits its position to circuitry which in turn enables functions according to its position. When the unit is moved to a predetermined position and a function is enabled, the user is preferably notified by an audible signal in the earphone. The unit may be rotated, pivoted or twisted and even ratcheted to various positions to engage different functions, such as mute, volume up/down, activate Bluetooth® link etc. One position detection includes a sliding contact (20, 70) mutually rotatable about a rotational axis (26) and a annular ring (50) arranged so that the ring (50) is positioned around the rotational axis (26) so as to provide an electrical connection between the first annular ring (50) and the contact members (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventor: Ole Birch
  • Publication number: 20110222719
    Abstract: A wired headset (1) comprising an earphone (2) with an earphone housing (12) a speaker and a wearing device (33) for attaching the earphone housing (12) to the head of the user. The earphone (2) further comprising a wire (3) for connecting the earphone (2) to external equipment, the wire (3) extending from the earphone housing (12) in an essentially downwards direction at a wire position (13) at the lower end of the earphone housing (12) during use. The earphone housing (12) is essentially mirror symmetric about a first plane (32), which is orthogonal to the first side (9), and which extends through the wire position (13) and the centre (8) of the earphone housing (12). The wearing device (33) extends from the earphone housing (12) at an attachment position (14), which lies at the upper end of the earphone housing (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: GN NETCOM A/S
    Inventors: Ola Hagberg, Ole Birch, Kim Ziersen Jakobsen
  • Publication number: 20110206218
    Abstract: A headset (1) for voice communication comprising a housing (2) and a pickup unit (8) rotatably connected to the housing via a joint (7). The pickup unit (8) comprises at least a first microphone (5), which is electrically connected via at least a first electrical connection to an electronic circuit for processing signals from the first microphone (5). The electronic circuit is arranged in the housing (2). The first electrical connection comprises a first sliding contact (20, 70), which comprises a housing side and a microphone side. The two sides are mutually rotatable about a rotational axis (26). One of the housing side or the microphone side of the sliding contact comprises a first annular ring (50) arranged so that the ring (50) is positioned around the rotational axis (26).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventor: Ole Birch
  • Publication number: 20110019860
    Abstract: A communication device (1) comprising a housing (2) with a housing wall (3) encapsulating a housing interior (4). A microphone (5) is arranged in the housing interior (4) and communicates via an audio passage (9) with the outside of the housing (2). An electrical socket (6) is adapted to receive an electrical plug (7) through a socket opening (8), which is accessible from the outside of the housing (2). The audio passage (9) comprises the socket opening (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Ole Birch, Anthony Nesbitt
  • Publication number: 20070165873
    Abstract: A communications unit, preferably a headset, has a number of control knobs (2, 3) for adjusting the electrical properties of the headset and is suspended by an ear hook, which may be adjusted such that the headset may be used on both the left and the right ear, said headset when switching from one ear to the other being rotated 180°, while the position of the ear hook is unchanged. In order to ensure that the functions of the control knobs (2, 3) relative to their positions on the headset are the same, no matter whether the headset is carried on the left or the right ear, a gravitation switch is arranged in a printed circuit board which is mounted in the headset. The gravitation switch of the headset provides for automatic switching of the functions of the control knobs without intervention by the user, when the headset is switched from a position on one ear to the other ear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventor: Ole Birch
  • Patent number: 7181037
    Abstract: A headset with an adjustable microphone boom which can be adjusted to and from a position near the mouth of a user and is mounted in a housing by a friction part being coupled to a flexible friction coupling which is configured in a plate in that co-operating plates are stamped out of the plate and are connected to the plate by means of flexible arms. The friction part has a shaft which can be accommodated in a bearing defined by recesses which are configured partly in the inside of the housing and partly in the plate. The microphone boom, the housing and the plate with friction coupling are held together by means of a locking ring. In this way a stable, adjustable microphone boom is provided which does not become loose with time, understood in the way that no matter in which position and regardless of how frequently the position is changed, the microphone boom will remain secured with a sufficient force in the friction coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventor: Ole Birch
  • Publication number: 20040125978
    Abstract: A headset with an adjustable microphone boom (1) which can be adjusted to and from a position near the mouth of a user and is mounted in a housing (7) by a friction part (6) being coupled to a flexible friction coupling which is configured in a plate (9) in that co-operating plates (20, 21) are stamped out of the plate and are connected to the plate (9) by means of flexible arms (21, 27, 28, 32). The friction part (6) has a shaft (5) which can be accommodated in a bearing defined by recesses which are configured partly in the inside (8) of the housing (7) and partly in the pate (9). The microphone boom (1), the housing (7) and the plate (9) with friction coupling are held together by means of locking ring (11). In this way a stable, adjustable microphone boom is provided which does not become loose with time, under-stood in the way that no matter in which position and regardless of how frequently the position is changed, the microphone boom will remain secured with a sufficient force in the friction coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Ole Birch