Patents by Inventor Russ Thoma

Russ Thoma 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).

  • Electronic earplug for providing communication and protection
    Patent number: 9198800
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing communication and protection by an electronic earplug are provided. A communication and protection system includes an electronic earplug operable in a transmit mode and a receive mode. The electronic earplug includes an external microphone, an ear canal microphone, processing circuitry, and a receiver. In the receive mode, the external microphone is configured to transduce sound pressure levels received from exterior to an ear canal to electrical signals; the processing circuitry is configured to process the electrical signals from the external microphone to provide processed electrical signals; and, the receiver is configured to convert the processed electrical signal to sound. In the transmit mode, the ear canal microphone is configured to transduce sound pressure levels received from in the ear canal to electrical signals provided to a communication device; and, one or more of the external microphone, the processing circuitry, and the receiver is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: ETYMOTIC RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Mead C. Killion, James Collins, Timothy Scott Monroe, Russ Thoma, Viorel Drambarean, Andrew Haapapuro, Jerrold Zdenek
  • ELECTRONIC EARPLUG FOR PROVIDING COMMUNICATION AND PROTECTION
    Publication number: 20140198926
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing communication and protection by an electronic earplug are provided. A communication and protection system includes an electronic earplug operable in a transmit mode and a receive mode. The electronic earplug includes an external microphone, an ear canal microphone, processing circuitry, and a receiver. In the receive mode, the external microphone is configured to transduce sound pressure levels received from exterior to an ear canal to electrical signals; the processing circuitry is configured to process the electrical signals from the external microphone to provide processed electrical signals; and, the receiver is configured to convert the processed electrical signal to sound. In the transmit mode, the ear canal microphone is configured to transduce sound pressure levels received from in the ear canal to electrical signals provided to a communication device; and, one or more of the external microphone, the processing circuitry, and the receiver is disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Etymotic Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Mead C. Killion, James Collins, Timothy Scott Monroe, Russ Thoma, Viorel Drambarean, Andrew Haapapuro, Jerrold Zdenek