Patents by Inventor Robert H. Frater

Robert H. Frater 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: 9113264
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to devices, methods and systems for microphone arrays wherein enhancing performance of directional microphone arrays is provided. Enhanced performance of speaker phones is also provided. In certain embodiments, the housing of the device is configured to support the at least three microphones and the loudspeaker in a substantially first orientation; and the at least three microphones and the loudspeaker are arranged in a spatial relationship such that appropriate phase and delay characteristics achieve a substantial null response in the at least three microphones and in the loudspeaker in a substantial vertical direction away from the substantially first orientation over a desired audible range of frequencies and the device is able to provide a response to sounds over a range of first oriented elevations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventor: Robert H. Frater
  • Patent number: 8978653
    Abstract: A mask system for delivering air to a user includes a suspension mechanism to allow relative movement between a face-contacting cushion and a mask shell. The suspension mechanism also provides a predetermined force to the cushion that is a function of mask pressure, displacement of the cushion or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Robert H. Frater, Joanne Drew, Michael K. Gunaratnam
  • Patent number: 8881723
    Abstract: A breathable gas supply apparatus for a patient features a breathable gas supply system and a respiratory mask assembly in communication with the breathable gas supply system. The breathable gas supply system provides a supply of breathable gas to the respiratory mask assembly and removes a supply of exhaled gas from the respiratory mask assembly. The breathable gas supply system includes a housing having an inspiration chamber and an exhalation chamber and a movable structure in communication with the inspiration and exhalation chambers. The movable structure moves in phase with a respiratory cycle of a patient. In one preferred embodiment, the breathable gas supply system includes a second movable structure, which moves in response to a phase of the respiratory cycle of the patient. In another one preferred embodiment, the breathable gas supply system is powered to assist the patient's respiratory effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventor: Robert H. Frater
  • Patent number: 8337145
    Abstract: A blower assembly including a motor (4), an impeller (6) and a volute (8) that is configured such that an inlet chamber (112) of the volute and an outlet chamber (114) of the volute are divided from one another by an airtight membrane (128a-b) and the membrane is configured to allow the transmission of pressure waves between the inlet and outlet chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Robert H. Frater, Hamish A. Urquhart, Dmitri A. Doudkine, Barton J. Kenyon
  • Publication number: 20120216819
    Abstract: A respiratory mask for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea using gas pressurized in the range of about 4 to 20 cm H2O, the mask comprising a mask body, a flexible inlet tube having a first end coupled to the mask body and second end adapted to extend upwardly over a patient's head in use for connection to an air delivery tube. a cushion supported by the mask body, a harness to support the mask body and cushion on the patient's head, an elongated clip extending from each lateral side of the mask body, each said clip having a slot to receive an engaging strap of the harness, a ball and socket joint including a ball portion and a socket, wherein the ball portion comprises a part-spherical hollow profile, and wherein the ball portion and the socket are selectively attachable to and detachable from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Milind Raje, Joanne Drew, Robert H. Frater, Memduh Guney
  • Patent number: 8230855
    Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly for use in the delivery of non-invasive positive airway pressure to a user. The assembly includes a rigid shell having a channel portion defined by an inner wall, an outer wall and a channel floor, a face-contacting cushion acting to space the shell away from the user's face and a sealing tab extending from the cushion to engage a portion of the shell to provide a continuous airtight seal between the cushion and the shell. A retaining ring within the mask assembly is configured to secure the cushion to the shell. The retaining ring has a first portion including at least one clip configured to pass through at least one slot portion such that an underside surface of the at least one clip engages a section of the shell when the retaining ring is positioned within the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Milind Raje, Joanne Drew, Robert H. Frater, Memduh Guney
  • Publication number: 20120174928
    Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly for use in delivery of non-invasive positive airway pressure to a user comprising a rigid mask shell including a plurality of slots; a soft cushion including at least one flexible sealing lip constructed and arranged to extend around an inner periphery of the cushion and to deform to provide a continuous airtight seal between the cushion and the rigid mask shell, the at least one flexible sealing lip being further constructed and arranged to return to a relaxed state when the cushion is disassembled from the rigid mask shell, the soft cushion further including a retaining portion; and a retaining ring configured to engage with the retaining portion of the cushion, and including a plurality of clips each positioned on respective spring arms to engage with each of the respective plurality of slots of the rigid mask shell to retain the cushion in position with the rigid mask shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Milind Raje, Timothy Tsun-Fai Fu, Amal Amarasinghe, Joanne Drew, Robert H. Frater, Memduh Guney, Clive Solari
  • Publication number: 20110245235
    Abstract: The present inventions provide combination therapies, kits, and methods for providing relief and/or for improving one or more symptoms associated with an auditory system disorder in a subject diagnosed with the auditory system disorder, comprising an effective amount of at least one pharmaceutical agent and at least one auditory system disorder device, as well as methods for using at least one pharmaceutical agent and/or at least one auditory system disorder device in the manufacture of said kits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Peter J. Hanley, Robert H. Frater, Arjun Goyal, Paul B. Davis
  • Publication number: 20110054243
    Abstract: A tinnitus method and device for providing relief to a person suffering from the disturbing effects of tinnitus is described. The method can be implemented entirely in software to spectrally modify an audio signal in accordance with a predetermined masking algorithm which modifies the intensity of the audio signal at selected frequencies. A predetermined masking algorithm is described which provides intermittent masking of the tinnitus wherein, at a comfortable listening level, during peaks of the audio signal the tinnitus is completely obscured, whereas during troughs the perception of the tinnitus occasionally emerges. In practice it has been found that such intermittent masking provides an immediate sense of relief, control and relaxation for the person, whilst enabling sufficient perception of the tinnitus for habituation and long term treatment to occur. Advantageously the predetermined masking algorithm is specifically tailored to the audiometric configuration of the person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Neuromonics Pty Limited
    Inventors: Paul B. Davis, Lachlan S. James, Benjamin A. McSweeney, Linda E. Laidlaw, Robert H. Frater, Peter J. Hanley
  • Publication number: 20090180652
    Abstract: A tinnitus method and device for providing relief to a person suffering from the disturbing effects of tinnitus is described. The method can be implemented entirely in software to spectrally modify an audio signal in accordance with a predetermined masking algorithm which modifies the intensity of the audio signal at selected frequencies. A predetermined masking algorithm is described which provides intermittent masking of the tinnitus wherein, at a comfortable listening level, during peaks of the audio signal the tinnitus is completely obscured, whereas during troughs the perception of the tinnitus occasionally emerges. In practice it has been found that such intermittent masking provides an immediate sense of relief, control and relaxation for the person, whilst enabling sufficient perception of the tinnitus for habituation and long term treatment to occur. Advantageously the predetermined masking algorithm is specifically tailored to the audiometric configuration of the person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Neuromonics Pty Limited
    Inventors: Paul B. Davis, Lachian S. James, Benjamin A. McSweeney, Linda E. Laidlaw, Robert H. Frater, Peter J. Hanley
  • Patent number: 7520851
    Abstract: A tinnitus method and device for providing relief to a person suffering from the disturbing effects of tinnitus is described. The method can be implemented entirely in software to spectrally modify an audio signal in accordance with a predetermined masking algorithm which modifies the intensity of the audio signal at selected frequencies. A predetermined masking algorithm is described which provides intermittent masking of the tinnitus wherein, at a comfortable listening level, during peaks of the audio signal the tinnitus is completely obscured, whereas during troughs the perception of the tinnitus occasionally emerges. In practice it has been found that such intermittent masking provides an immediate sense of relief, control and relaxation for the person, whilst enabling sufficient perception of the tinnitus for habituation and long term treatment to occur. Advantageously the predetermined masking algorithm is specifically tailored to the audiometric configuration of the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Neurominics Pty Limited
    Inventors: Paul B. Davis, Lachlan S. James, Benjamin A. McSweeney, Linda E. Laidlaw, Robert H. Frater, Peter J. Hanley
  • Publication number: 20080178885
    Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly for use in the delivery of non-invasive positive airway pressure to a user. The assembly includes a rigid shell having a channel portion defined by an inner wall, an outer wall and a channel floor, a face-contacting cushion acting to space the shell away from the user's face and a sealing tab extending from the cushion to engage a portion of the shell to provide a continuous airtight seal between the cushion and the shell. A retaining ring within the mask assembly is configured to secure the cushion to the shell. The retaining ring has a first portion including at least one clip configured to pass through at least one slot portion such that an underside surface of the at least one clip engages a section of the shell when the retaining ring is positioned within the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Milind Raje, Timothy Tsun-Fai Fu, Amal Amarasinghe, Joanne Drew, Robert H. Frater, Memduh Guney, Clive Solari
  • Patent number: 7107989
    Abstract: A mask system for delivering air to a user includes a suspension mechanism to allow relative movement between a face-contacting cushion and a mask shell. The suspension mechanism also provides a predetermined force to the cushion that is a fiction of mask pressure, displacement of the cushion or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Robert H. Frater, Joanne Drew, Michael K. Gunaratnam
  • Patent number: 6986352
    Abstract: A mask system for delivering air to a user includes a suspension mechanism to allow relative movement between a face-contacting cushion and a mask shell. The suspension mechanism also provides a predetermined force to the cushion that is a function of mask pressure, displacement of the cushion or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Robert H. Frater, Joanne Drew, Michael K. Gunaratnam
  • Patent number: 6823869
    Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly for use in the delivery of non-invasive positive airway pressure to a user. The assembly includes a rigid shell having a channel portion defined by an inner wall, an outer wall and a channel floor, a face-contacting cushion acting to space the shell away from the user's face and a sealing tab extending from the cushion to engage a portion of the shell to provide a continuous airtight seal between the cushion and the shell. A retaining ring within the mask assembly is configured to secure the cushion to the shell. The retaining ring has a first portion including at least one clip configured to pass through at least one slot portion such that an underside surface of the at least one clip engages a section of the shell when the retaining ring is positioned within the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Resmed Limited
    Inventors: Milind Raje, Timothy Tsun-Fai Fu, Amal Amarasinghe, Joanne Drew, Robert H. Frater, Memduh Guney, Clive Solari
  • Patent number: 6772760
    Abstract: A mask system for delivering air to a user includes a suspension mechanism to allow relative movement between a face-contacting cushion and a mask shell. The suspension mechanism also provides a predetermined force to the cushion that is a function of mask pressure, displacement of the cushion or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Robert H. Frater, Joanne Drew, Michael K. Gunaratnam
  • Publication number: 20040144386
    Abstract: A mask system for delivering air to a user includes a suspension mechanism to allow relative movement between a face-contacting cushion and a mask shell. The suspension mechanism also provides a predetermined force to the cushion that is a fiction of mask pressure, displacement of the cushion or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Robert H. Frater, Joanne Drew, Michael K. Gunaratnam
  • Publication number: 20040141624
    Abstract: A tinnitus method and device for providing relief to a person suffering from the disturbing effects of tinnitus is described. The method can be implemented entirely in software to spectrally modify an audio signal in accordance with a predetermined masking algorithm which modifies the intensity of the audio signal at selected frequencies. A predetermined masking algorithm is described which provides intermittent masking of the tinnitus wherein, at a comfortable listening level, during peaks of the audio signal the tinnitus is completely obscured, whereas during troughs the perception of the tinnitus occasionally emerges. In practice it has been found that such intermittent masking provides an immediate sense of relief, control and relaxation for the person, whilst enabling sufficient perception of the tinnitus for habituation and long term treatment to occur. Advantageously the predetermined masking algorithm is specifically tailored to the audiometric configuration of the person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: NEUROMONICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul B. Davis, Lachlan S. James, Benjamin A. McSweeney, Linda E. Laidlaw, Robert H. Frater, Peter J. Hanley
  • Patent number: D515204
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: ResMed
    Inventors: Memduh Guney, Timothy Tsun-Fai Fu, Perry D. Lithgow, Amal S. Amarasinghe, Joanne E. Drew, Jim Saada, Borivoje Ljubojevic, Anthony Ging, Susan R. Lynch, Gary C. Robinson, Robert H. Frater
  • Patent number: D671205
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Memduh Guney, Timothy Tsun-Fai Fu, Perry D. Lithgow, Amal S. Amarasinghe, Joanne E. Drew, Jim Saada, Borivoje Ljubojevic, Anthony Ging, Susan R. Lynch, Gary C. Robinson, Robert H. Frater