Patents by Inventor Paul Flood

Paul Flood 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: 12302054
    Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device is configured to be worn by a wearer and comprises a wireless transceiver operably coupled to an antenna. The device is configured to transmit, from the transceiver to the antenna, signals at a plurality of different frequencies in accordance with a frequency hopping sequence. The device is configured collect two-dimensional (2-D) reflection coefficient data comprising a reflection coefficient of the antenna as a function of frequency and of time in response to transmission of the signals. The device is configured to detect a particular input gesture of a plurality of input gestures of the wearer using the 2-D reflection coefficient data, and implement a predetermined function of the ear-worn electronic device in response to detecting the particular input gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Xue, Zhenchao Yang, Gregory J. Haubrich, Stephen Paul Flood
  • Publication number: 20240430628
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for a hearing device antenna. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer to perform wireless communication. The hearing device includes a housing, hearing electronics within the housing, and an inverted F antenna or loop antenna disposed at least partially in the housing and configured for performing 2.4 GHz wireless communication. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the antenna protrudes from an exterior of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Beau Jay Polinske, Jay Rabel, Randy Kannas, Deepak Pai Hosadurga, Zhenchao Yang, Jay Stewart, Michael J. Tadeusiak, Stephen Paul Flood
  • Publication number: 20240323582
    Abstract: A system comprises a first ear-worn electronic device configured to be worn by a wearer, and a second electronic device comprising a second ear-worn electronic device or other electronic device. A wireless transceiver operably coupled to an antenna is disposed in each of the electronic devices. One or both of the first ear-worn electronic device and the second electronic device are configured to transmit signals at a plurality of different frequencies in accordance with a frequency hopping sequence, collect 2-D RSSI data comprising an RSSI value as a function of frequency and of time in response to transmission of the signals, detect a particular input gesture of a plurality of input gestures of the wearer using the 2-D RSSI data, and implement a predetermined function of at least one of the first ear-worn electronic device and the second electronic device in response to detecting the particular input gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Dong Xue, Zhenchao Yang, Gregory J. Haubrich, Stephen Paul Flood
  • Patent number: 12097499
    Abstract: An embodiment of a system includes a compartment-generating device, a compartment detector, and electronic computing circuitry. The device is configured to generate compartments of a digital assay, at least one of the compartments having a respective volume that is different from a respective volume of each of at least another one of the compartments. The detector is configured to determine a number of the compartments each having a respective number of a target that is greater than a threshold number of the target. And the electronic circuitry is configured to determine a bulk concentration of the target in a source of the sample in response to the determined number of compartments. Because such a system can be configured to estimate a bulk concentration of a target in a source from a polydisperse digital assay, the system can be portable, and lower-cost and faster, than conventional systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Inventors: Toan Huynh, Bernhard Hans Weigl, Samantha A. Byrnes, Kevin Paul Flood Nichols
  • Patent number: 12022263
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for a hearing device antenna. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer to perform wireless communication. The hearing device includes a housing, hearing electronics within the housing, and an inverted F antenna or loop antenna disposed at least partially in the housing and configured for performing 2.4 GHz wireless communication. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the antenna protrudes from an exterior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Beau Jay Polinske, Jay Rabel, Randy Kannas, Deepak Pai Hosadurga, Zhenchao Yang, Jay Stewart, Michael J. Tadeusiak, Stephen Paul Flood
  • Patent number: 12003913
    Abstract: A system comprises a first ear-worn electronic device configured to be worn by a wearer, and a second electronic device comprising a second ear-worn electronic device or other electronic device. A wireless transceiver operably coupled to an antenna is disposed in each of the electronic devices. One or both of the first ear-worn electronic device and the second electronic device are configured to transmit signals at a plurality of different frequencies in accordance with a frequency hopping sequence, collect 2-D RSSI data comprising an RSSI value as a function of frequency and of time in response to transmission of the signals, detect a particular input gesture of a plurality of input gestures of the wearer using the 2-D RSSI data, and implement a predetermined function of at least one of the first ear-worn electronic device and the second electronic device in response to detecting the particular input gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Xue, Zhenchao Yang, Gregory J. Haubrich, Stephen Paul Flood
  • Publication number: 20240089674
    Abstract: A hearing aid is described which incorporates an antenna integrated into the housing that is configured to radiate with linear polarization such that the electric field is perpendicular to the head of a wearer. The described technique results in lower propagation losses from ear to ear and an improvement in ear-to-ear communications using a far-field link (e.g., in the 2.4 GHz band).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventor: Stephen Paul Flood
  • Patent number: 11864915
    Abstract: An ear-worn electronic monitoring system includes an on-ear component comprising a housing configured for placement on, in or about the wearer's ear. The on-ear component comprises a power source and a first interface coupled to the power source. The monitoring system also includes an in-ear component comprising a housing configured for deployment at least partially within an ear canal of the wearer. The in-ear component comprises a second interface configured to couple to and decouple from the first interface, a controller coupled to a memory, one or more physiologic sensors coupled to the controller and memory, and power management circuitry coupled to the controller. The power management circuitry comprises a wireless power receiver configured to receive power from a wireless powering arrangement. The power management circuitry is further configured to receive power from the power source of the on-ear component when the second interface is coupled to the first interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Anders Shriner, Ezdeen Elghannai, Stephen Paul Flood, Gregory J. Haubrich, Zhenchao Yang
  • Patent number: 11765527
    Abstract: A hearing aid is described which incorporates an antenna integrated into the housing that is configured to radiate with linear polarization such that the electric field is perpendicular to the head of a wearer. The described technique results in lower propagation losses from ear to ear and an improvement in ear-to-ear communications using a far-field link (e.g., in the 2.4 GHz band).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Paul Flood
  • Publication number: 20230262401
    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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    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: 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
  • Publication number: 20230149932
    Abstract: An embodiment of a system includes a compartment-generating device, a compartment detector, and electronic computing circuitry. The device is configured to generate compartments of a digital assay, at least one of the compartments having a respective volume that is different from a respective volume of each of at least another one of the compartments. The detector is configured to determine a number of the compartments each having a respective number of a target that is greater than a threshold number of the target. And the electronic circuitry is configured to determine a bulk concentration of the target in a source of the sample in response to the determined number of compartments. Because such a system can be configured to estimate a bulk concentration of a target in a source from a polydisperse digital assay, the system can be portable, and lower-cost and faster, than conventional systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Toan Huynh, Bernhard Hans Weigl, Samantha A. Byrnes, Kevin Paul Flood Nichols
  • Publication number: 20230156414
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for a hearing device antenna. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer to perform wireless communication. The hearing device includes a housing, hearing electronics within the housing, and an inverted F antenna or loop antenna disposed at least partially in the housing and configured for performing 2.4 GHz wireless communication. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the antenna protrudes from an exterior of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Beau Jay Polinske, Jay Rabel, Randy Kannas, Deepak Pai Hosadurga, Zhenchao Yang, Jay Stewart, Michael J. Tadeusiak, Stephen Paul Flood
  • Publication number: 20230082154
    Abstract: A hearing aid is described which incorporates an antenna integrated into the housing that is configured to radiate with linear polarization such that the electric field is perpendicular to the head of a wearer. The described technique results in lower propagation losses from ear to ear and an improvement in ear-to-ear communications using a far-field link (e.g., in the 2.4 GHz band).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventor: Stephen Paul Flood
  • Publication number: 20230062787
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for multiplexed analysis of two or more targets in a test sample including a first set of particles including a first set of target-specific reagents and a first optically detectable identifier capable of emitting a first wavelength indicative of a first target, and at least one second set of particles including a second set of target-specific reagents and a second optically detectable identifier capable of emitting a second wavelength indicative of a second target; and at least one optically detectable reporter probe capable of constitutively emitting a third wavelength in response to reaction of the first set of target-specific reagents with the first target in the test sample and/or reaction of the second set of target-specific reagents with the second target in the test sample, wherein the first wavelength, the second wavelength, and the third wavelength are optically discernable from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: TOKITAE LLC
    Inventors: Samantha A. Byrnes, Kevin Paul Flood Nichols, Bernhard Hans Weigl
  • Patent number: 11577247
    Abstract: An embodiment of a system includes a compartment-generating device, a compartment detector, and electronic computing circuitry. The device is configured to generate compartments of a digital assay, at least one of the compartments having a respective volume that is different from a respective volume of each of at least another one of the compartments. The detector is configured to determine a number of the compartments each having a respective number of a target that is greater than a threshold number of the target. And the electronic circuitry is configured to determine a bulk concentration of the target in a source of the sample in response to the determined number of compartments. Because such a system can be configured to estimate a bulk concentration of a target in a source from a polydisperse digital assay, the system can be portable, and lower-cost and faster, than conventional systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Toan Huynh, Bernhard Hans Weigl, Samantha A. Byrnes, Kevin Paul Flood Nichols
  • Patent number: 11575410
    Abstract: A hearing device includes first, second, and third antennas oriented respectively along first, second, and third axes that are different from one another. The device includes first channel circuitry coupled to transceive and process antenna signals of each of the antennas. The antennas and the first channel circuitry communicate with another hearing device via a near field magnetic induction (NFMI) signal through a first near field magnetic induction (NFMI) communication channel. Second channel circuitry is coupled to transceive and process the antenna signals of each of the antennas. The antennas and the second channel circuitry communicate with the other device via the NFMI signal through a second NFMI communication channel. Third channel circuitry is coupled to transceive and process the antenna signals of each of the antennas. The antennas and the third channel circuitry communicate with the other device via the NFMI signal through a third NFMI communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenchao Yang, Stephen Paul Flood, Greg Haubrich
  • Patent number: 11512356
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for multiplexed analysis of two or more targets in a test sample including a first set of particles including a first set of target-specific reagents and a first optically detectable identifier capable of emitting a first wavelength indicative of a first target, and at least one second set of particles including a second set of target-specific reagents and a second optically detectable identifier capable of emitting a second wavelength indicative of a second target; and at least one optically detectable reporter probe capable of constitutively emitting a third wavelength in response to reaction of the first set of target-specific reagents with the first target in the test sample and/or reaction of the second set of target-specific reagents with the second target in the test sample, wherein the first wavelength, the second wavelength, and the third wavelength are optically discernable from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Samantha A. Byrnes, Kevin Paul Flood Nichols, Bernhard Hans Weigl
  • Publication number: 20220328956
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for a high-efficiency antenna for hearing assistance device wireless communication. In various embodiments, a hearing assistance device includes a housing, a power source within the housing, and a radio circuit within the housing and electrically connected to the power source. A circular polarized spiral antenna is provided within the housing in various embodiments, the antenna configured to provide two electric field components configured to be used for wireless communications for the hearing assistance device. The device further includes a transmission line connected to a center of a spiral of the antenna and configured to electrically connect to the radio circuit, according to various embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Ezdeen Elghannai, Christopher Young, Stephen Paul Flood, Inam Haque, Karl Hilde
  • Patent number: 11470430
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for a hearing device antenna. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer to perform wireless communication. The hearing device includes a housing, hearing electronics within the housing, and an inverted F antenna or loop antenna disposed at least partially in the housing and configured for performing 2.4 GHz wireless communication. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the antenna protrudes from an exterior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Beau Jay Polinske, Jay Rabel, Randy Kannas, Deepak Pai Hosadurga, Zhenchao Yang, Jay Stewart, Michael J. Tadeusiak, Stephen Paul Flood