Patents by Inventor Sidney A. Higgins

Sidney A. Higgins 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).

  • Publication number: 20190208342
    Abstract: A hearing device case that includes a first body portion and a second body portion that is movably connected to the first body portion is described herein. The first body portion may include an inner surface that defines a first cavity extending into the first body portion to receive a first hearing device. The second body portion may include an inner surface that defines a second cavity extending into the second body portion to receive a second hearing device. The hearing device case may also include a battery disposed in one of the first and second body portions and electronics disposed in the other of the first and second body portions. The hearing device case may be configured into a closed position to charge the hearing devices disposed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, David Tourtelotte
  • Publication number: 20190208332
    Abstract: A hearing device cable including a body portion is described herein. The body portion may extend between a first end region and a second end region along a tube centerline. The body portion may include a first radial portion proximate the first end region and second radial portion proximate the second end region. The first radial portion may define a radius of curvature that is greater than or equal to a radius of curvature defined by the second radial portion. The tube centerline may lie along an x-y plane between the first and second end regions. In one or more embodiments, the body portion may define a passageway extending between the first and second end regions. Further, the hearing device cable may include a superelastic wire within the passageway extending between the first and second end regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, David Tourtelotte
  • Publication number: 20190166439
    Abstract: Photoactive cleaning hearing assistance devices and methods of cleaning hearing assistance devices are described. Photoactive nanoparticles may be disposed on or in the hearing assistance devices. The photoactive nanoparticles provide a localized surface plasmon resonance effect when illuminated with light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Blaise Bergner, Sidney A. Higgins, Susan Marie Johansson
  • Patent number: 10284975
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for constructing and fitting a component that is designed to be worn at least partially within an ear canal. The methods and apparatus may be used in hearing aids such as receiver-in-canal hearing aids and completely-in-canal hearing aids. The techniques may also be use in constructing and fitting other devices including audio earbuds and ear plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, David Tourtelotte, Beau Jay Polinske
  • Publication number: 20190131046
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a detent assembly are disclosed. The detent assembly includes a base having a major surface, a first magnetic region, and a second magnetic region, where the first and second magnetic regions are disposed on or within the major surface. Each of the first and second magnetic regions includes a magnetic polarity. The detent assembly further includes an actuator connected to the base, where the actuator includes a major surface and a magnetic region disposed on or within the major surface. The magnetic region of the actuator includes the same magnetic polarity as the magnetic polarity of the first and second magnetic regions of the base. The base and the actuator are adapted to move relative to each other. Further, the first and second magnetic regions of the base repel the magnetic region of the actuator to define detent positions between the base and the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher D. Young, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 10264374
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved connections for components of hearing assistance devices. Various embodiments include an apparatus including a receiver case configured to house a hearing assistance device receiver, the receiver case including a spherical receiver spout having an opening. The apparatus also includes a receptacle housing having a spherical socket adapted to mate with the spherical receiver spout to form a ball and socket connection. An insert within the spherical socket is configured to establish a retained interference fit with the opening of the receiver spout when the connection is formed so as to create an acoustic seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, Wei Li Lin, David Tourtelotte
  • Patent number: 10257622
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to an improved connection assembly for hearing assistance devices. The improved connection assembly provides a connection system that is reliable, straightforward to manufacture, and easy to use. The present connection assembly provides a rapid replacement option for the cable and/or the receiver or other electronics connected to the cable. The present subject matter provides for a connection assembly that can be extended to provide connections for a variety of applications which are not limited to a speaker (receiver) in the ear. Sensors and new configurations of component placement are supported using the present assembly, including, but not limited to telecoils, and GMR or TMR sensors. Various electromagnetic interference issues are addressed. In some examples a shielded set of wires are included. In some examples a twisted pair of wires is included. Various combinations of wires for different applications are supported with the present connector system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, James R. Newton
  • Publication number: 20190060733
    Abstract: A computing system wirelessly receives data from an ear-wearable device and determines, based on the data received from the ear-wearable device, a current position of the ear-wearable device. Additionally, the computing system determines, based on the current position of the ear-wearable device and data regarding a golf course, golf advice data that provides a recommendation regarding play of the golf course. Furthermore, the computing system wirelessly sends audio data to the ear-wearable device. The audio data represents soundwaves of a vocalization of the golf advice data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Craig Benson, Christopher L. Howes, David Tourtelotte, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 10219088
    Abstract: Photoactive cleaning hearing assistance devices and methods of cleaning hearing assistance devices are described. Photoactive nanoparticles may be disposed on or in the hearing assistance devices. The photoactive nanoparticles provide a localized surface plasmon resonance effect when illuminated with light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Blaise Bergner, Sidney A. Higgins, Susan Marie Johansson
  • Publication number: 20190007761
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an earbud for insertion into an ear canal and a hearing device that includes such earbud are disclosed. The earbud includes an elongated body having a first end, a second end, and a cavity that extends along a body axis between the first end and the second end of the elongated body. The earbud also includes a first flange connected to the elongated body, where the first flange includes a first end adjacent the first end of the elongated body, a second end, and a sound hole disposed in the first end of the first flange that is acoustically connected to the cavity of the elongated body. The first flange further includes a vent disposed through the first flange. The earbud also includes a second flange connected to the second end of the elongated body and including a first end adjacent the second end of the elongated body and a second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventor: Sidney A. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20180376260
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a hearing aid receiver is described in which the receiver is contained within a receiver can. A cover assembly may be provided for covering the open top end of the receiver can and for containing the receiver's spout when the receiver is mounted within the receiver can. To dampen or reduce the transmission of receiver vibrations within the receiver can, a spout seal and corner bumpers may also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, Brian Dobson
  • Publication number: 20180352347
    Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas F. Link, David Prchal, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20180262853
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other thing, are apparatus and methods to provide improved connections for components of hearing assistance devices. Various embodiments include an apparatus including a receiver case configured to house a hearing assistance device receiver, the receiver case including a spherical receiver spout having an opening. The apparatus also includes a receptacle housing having a spherical socket adapted to mate with the spherical receiver spout to form a ball and socket connection. An insert within the spherical socket is configured to establish a retained interference fit with the opening of the receiver spout when the connection is formed so as to create an acoustic seal therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, Wei Li Lin, David Tourtelotte
  • Patent number: 10051390
    Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas F. Link, David Prchal, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Patent number: 10034105
    Abstract: Articles and related devices and methods for fitting in-situ include a flexible sleeve, a housing assembly fixed to the flexible sleeve, a light source disposed within the flexible sleeve, and a photocurable resin contained within the flexible sleeve. The flexible sleeve may be elastomeric. A transducer may be disposed in the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, David Tourtelotte, Beau Jay Polinske
  • Patent number: 10021493
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a hearing aid receiver is described in which the receiver is contained within a receiver can. A cover assembly may be provided for covering the open top end of the receiver can and for containing the receiver's spout when the receiver is mounted within the receiver can. To dampen or reduce the transmission of receiver vibrations within the receiver can, a spout seal and corner bumpers may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, Brian Dobson
  • Patent number: 9992588
    Abstract: An earbud that uniformly conforms to the ear canal and maintains a constant and comfortable radial pressure on the ear canal regardless of size. The earbud is designed to extrude distally when placed inside a small canal and yet still conforms to the canal while maintaining the aforementioned comfortable radial pressure. A wax bridge may be added to provide an added layer of wax protection to the earbud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, Timothy Daniel Trine
  • Patent number: 9980065
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods to provide improved connections for components of hearing assistance devices. Various embodiments include an apparatus including a receiver case configured to house a hearing assistance device receiver, the receiver case including a spherical receiver spout having an opening. The apparatus also includes a receptacle housing having a spherical socket adapted to mate with the spherical receiver spout to form a ball and socket connection. An insert within the spherical socket is configured to establish a retained interference fit with the opening of the receiver spout when the connection is formed so as to create an acoustic seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, Wei Li Lin, David Tourtelotte
  • Patent number: D853992
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Kuh, Achille Biteau, Sidney A. Higgins
  • Patent number: D853993
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Kuh, Achille Biteau, James Swasey, Sidney A. Higgins