Patents by Inventor Robert Q. Kerns

Robert Q. Kerns 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: 6144748
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provided for interfacing a hearing device and an auxiliary device to achieve a wireless communications link between the hearing device and a remote device. The hearing device has a case including an external connector defining signal lines including power, ground, clock, data, and a further signal line. Circuitry is provided within the auxiliary device for exchanging control data with the hearing device using the clock and data signal lines and for exchanging audio information with the hearing device using one of 1) the clock and data signal lines; and 2) the further input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Resound Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Q. Kerns
  • Patent number: 5956330
    Abstract: Bandwidth management techniques are provided for use in heterogenous wireless personal communications systems, designed minimize or eliminate interference between different personal communications units. Such units may be of various types including, for example, hearing health care units, telecommunications headsets and multimedia headsets. A bandwidth resource is shared among multiple autonomous communications systems in which a Remote Processing Unit and headset pair are coupled by a slotted wireless communications link. One of a pair of devices transmits real-time information to the other device of the pair. When difficulty is experienced receiving the real-time information because of interference from a different device pair, any of several different measures may be applied including physical adjustments such as (in an RF system) diversity and/or power control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: ReSound Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Q. Kerns
  • Patent number: 5420856
    Abstract: A high-speed multi-media switching system is disclosed having a single control system for controlling the operation of switches of both analog signals and digital signals. The switching system contains security verification circuitry which allows only certain input signals to be switched into each output signal. The switching system also has the capability of simultaneous switching of multiple input signals to multiple output signals by pre-loading trigger event commands, which will force the actuation of the simultaneous switching upon the occurrence of certain predetermined triggering events. The switching system also has the capability of communicating with at least one other similar switching system, and for having triggering events in one switching system force the actuation of both analog and digital switches in the other similar system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Multimedia Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Q. Kerns
  • Patent number: 5369219
    Abstract: A multi-layer printed circuit board is disclosed as having more layers and greater accuracy in the conductive traces of those layers than has been previously possible. Using the disclosed multi-layer printed circuit boards can be built having a conductive path width of 0.5 mils (0.0127 mm) and spacing between such conductive traces of 0.5 mils (0.0127 mm). The method enables multi-layer boards to be created having more than eight layers, and still maintaining the desired 0.5 mil conductive path width and spacing. The enhanced accuracy and increased number of layers is made possible by use of adjustments to customer-supplied art work based upon evaluation of test pieces made early in the procedure. By use of the disclosed method, multi-layer printed circuit boards can he built having a high density of coaxial cable equivalents and tuned wave guide equivalents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Multimedia Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Q. Kerns
  • Patent number: 5196087
    Abstract: A multi-layer printed circuit board is disclosed as having more layers and greater accuracy in the conductive traces of those layers than has been previously possible. Using the disclosed method, multi-layer printed circuit boards can be built having a conductive path width of 0.5 mils (0.0127 mm) and spacing between such conductive traces of 0.5 mils (0.0127 mm). The method enables multi-layer boards to be created having more than eight layers, and still maintaining the desired 0.5 mil conductive path width and spacing. The enhanced accuracy and increased number of layers is made possible by use of adjustments to customer-supplied art work based upon evaluation of test pieces made early in the procedure. By use of the disclosed method, multi-layer printed circuit boards can be built having a high density of coaxial cable equivalents and tuned wave guide equivalents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Multimedia Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Q. Kerns