Patents by Inventor Silvia Allegro
Silvia Allegro 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).
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Patent number: 10219727Abstract: A method for fitting a hearing device to the needs and preferences of a user of the hearing device is disclosed. In a first step of the disclosed method, a first range for a parameter setting of a first parameter is determined based on a first audiological test performed with the user. In a second step of the disclosed method, the first parameter is adjusted to a first final parameter setting within the first range and/or a second parameter of the hearing device is adjusted to a second final parameter setting based on a second audiological test performed with the user. The second parameter is functionally related to the first parameter such that the first parameter is expressible as a function of the second parameter, and the adjusting is performed such that the first parameter setting remains within the first range. Additionally, corresponding fitting apparatuses and computer-readable media are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2013Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Harald Krueger, Juliane Raether, Silvia Allegro-Baumann, Julia Rehmann, Timo Boeld
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Patent number: 9774965Abstract: An exemplary method for fitting a hearing device to a hearing device user performed by a fitting system operatively connected to but remote from the hearing device includes providing, to the hearing device, an adjustable parameter identified by a fitter using a fitting system and a specification comprising an allowed range for the adjustable parameter defined by the fitter using the fitting system. The method further includes transferring the adjustable parameter and the specification to a user interface operatively connected to the hearing device and located with the hearing device for use by the hearing device user, receiving an adjusted parameter value for the adjustable parameter adjusted by the hearing device user with aid of the user interface to be within the allowed range, and updating the adjustable parameter in a transfer function of the hearing device based on the adjusted parameter value.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Jha Siddhartha, Ralph Peter Derleth, Silvia Allegro-Baumann, Harald Krueger
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Patent number: 9641946Abstract: A hearing device is proposed comprising at least one microphone (1), at least one analog-to-digital converter (2), a signal processing unit (3), a communication unit (6) for establishing and/or maintaining a communication link to a second hearing device, and a detection unit (7) for determining a communication link quality. The at least one microphone (1) is operationally connected to the signal processing unit (3) via the at least one analog-to-digital converter (2), and the communication unit (6) is operationally connected to the signal processing unit (3). By providing said detection unit (7), which is operationally connected to the communication unit (6), together with a processing scheme selectable in the signal processing unit (3) in accordance to a determined communication link quality, a binaural hearing system with two hearing devices is for able to adjust its mode in line with the communication link quality, and therewith its capacity.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2012Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: SONOVA AGInventors: Stefan Launer, Nail Cadalli, Silvia Allegro-Baumann
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Publication number: 20160337769Abstract: An exemplary method for fitting a hearing device to a hearing device user performed by a fitting system operatively connected to but remote from the hearing device includes providing, to the hearing device, an adjustable parameter identified by a fitter using a fitting system and a specification comprising an allowed range for the adjustable parameter defined by the fitter using the fitting system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2013Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Jha Siddhartha, Ralph Peter Derleth, Silvia Allegro-Baumann, Harald Krueger
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Publication number: 20160324448Abstract: A method for fitting a hearing device to the needs and preferences of a user of the hearing device is disclosed. In a first step of the disclosed method a first range for a parameter setting of a first parameter is determined based on a first audiological test performed with the user. In a second step of the disclosed method, the first parameter is adjusted to a first final parameter setting within the first range and/or a second parameter of the hearing device is adjusted to a second final parameter setting based on a second audiological test performed with the user. The second parameter is functionally related to the first parameter such that the first parameter is expressible as a function of the second parameter, and the adjusting is performed such second step it is ensured that the first parameter setting remains within the first range Additionally, corresponding fitting apparatuses and computer-readable media are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2013Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: Harald KRUEGER, Juliane RAETHER, Silvia ALLEGRO-BAUMANN, Julia REHMANN, Timo BOELD
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Patent number: 9319804Abstract: A method for operating a hearing device by applying a frequency transposition scheme to an input signal of the hearing device comprising an input transducer, a signal processing unit and an output transducer, the method comprising the steps of transforming the input signal from time domain into frequency domain by applying a transformation function in order to obtain an input spectrum having a frequency range comprising a source region (20) and a destination region (30), adaptively selecting signal components of the source region (20) taking into account momentary characteristics of the input signal, transposing the selected signal components to the destination region (30), and supplying the output spectrum or a transformation thereof to the output transducer, the output spectrum comprising signal components of the destination region (30).Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: SONOVA AGInventors: Silvia Allegro-Baumann, Ralph Peter Derleth, Siddhartha Jha
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Publication number: 20140105435Abstract: A method for operating a hearing device by applying a frequency transposition scheme to an input signal of the hearing device comprising an input transducer, a signal processing unit and an output transducer, the method comprising the steps of transforming the input signal from time domain into frequency domain by applying a transformation function in order to obtain an input spectrum having a frequency range comprising a source region (20) and a destination region (30), adaptively selecting signal components of the source region (20) taking into account momentary characteristics of the input signal, transposing the selected signal components to the destination region (30), and supplying the output spectrum or a transformation thereof to the output transducer, the output spectrum comprising signal components of the destination region (30).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2011Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: PHONAK AGInventors: Silvia Allegro-Baumann, Ralph Peter Derleth, Siddhartha Jha
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Patent number: 8249284Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a hearing system comprising an input unit, an output unit and a transmission unit operationally interconnecting said input output units. Said transmission unit implements a transfer function describing, how audio signals generated by said input unit are processed in order to derive audio signals fed to said output unit, and can be adjusted by one or more transfer function parameters. Said method comprises obtaining, by means of said input unit and with a first directional characteristic, first audio signals from incoming acoustic sound; deriving from said first audio signals a first set of sound-characterizing data; and deriving, in dependence of first directional information, which is data comprising information on said first directional characteristic, and of said first set of sound-characterizing data, a value for each of said one or more transfer function parameters.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2006Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Silvia Allegro-Baumann, Stefan Launer, Hilmar Meier, Hans-Ueli Roeck, Herbert Bächler
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Patent number: 8094847Abstract: A method for manufacturing an acoustical device, especially a hearing device. A device casing is provided with an acoustical/electrical input converter arrangement with an electric output. An audio signal processing unit establishes audio signal processing of the device according to individual needs and/or purpose of the device. At least one electrical/mechanical output converter is provided. A filter arrangement with adjustable high-pass characteristic has a control input for the characteristic. The following operational connections are established: between the output of the input converter arrangement and the input of the filter arrangement, between the output of the filter arrangement and the control input, between said output of the filter arrangement and the input of the processing unit, between the output of the processing unit and the input of the at least once output converter.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Silvia Allegro-Baumann, Franziska Pfisterer
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Patent number: 8077889Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recording information in a hearing device and/or in a recording unit at least temporally operationally connected to the hearing device. The method consists in that a point in time of the recording and/or a recording frequency as well as the information to be recorded, as data and/or parameters and/or adjustments of the hearing device are adjusted freely or are programmable, respectively. Furthermore, a hearing device is described that is suitable to use the method. By the present invention, a multitude of the parameters being adjustable in a hearing device can be checked or surveyed all together or selectively in real, i.e. actually existing acoustic environments in order to optimally adjust or adapt the hearing device afterwards, that means after the analysis by the fitter, for example.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Herbert Bächler, Volker Kühnel, Silvia Allegro, Stefan Daniel Menzl, Hilmar Meier, Michael Boretzki, Stefan Launer, Ivo Hasler, Hans-Ueli Roeck, Christoph Widmer
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Patent number: 7995781Abstract: In order to switch between different hearing programs to adjust to a momentary acoustic scene, a method for adjusting a hearing device, in which one of several possible hearing programs can be selected in order to adjust to a momentary acoustic scene, the method comprising the steps of detecting a desired hearing program change, changing parameters (b1, . . . , bm) of a transfer function provided between a microphone (M1) and a receiver of the hearing device in order to adapt it to the detected hearing program change, adjusting the parameters (b1, . . . , bm) to be changed from a momentary value to a desired value in such a manner that a smooth transition is perceived by the hearing device user while changing from a momentary hearing program to the desired hearing program, whereas each of the smooth transition is individually adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Silvia Allegro Baumann, Stefan Daniel Menzl, Hilmar Meier
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Patent number: 7957548Abstract: A hearing device has an adjustable transfer function comprising M?1 sub-functions (M is an integer). A method for operating the hearing device includes deriving input audio signals from a current acoustic environment. For each of the M sub-functions, derive, based on the input audio signals and for each class of N?2 classes that describe a predetermined acoustic environment, a class similarity factor indicative of the similarity of the current acoustic environment with the predetermined acoustic environment described by the respective class (N is an integer). Derive from N predetermined base parameter sets assigned to the respective sub-function and in dependence of the class similarity factors, an activity parameter set for the respective sub-function. Each of the N base parameter sets assigned to the respective sub-function is assigned to a different class of the N classes. Adjust the respective sub-function by means of the activity parameter set.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2006Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Hilmar Meier, Michael Boretzki, Hubert Lechner, Manuela Feilner, Silvia Allegro-Baumann, Hans-Ueli Roeck, Andi Vonlanthen
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Publication number: 20100092018Abstract: In order to switch between different hearing programs to adjust to a momentary acoustic scene, a method for adjusting a hearing device, in which one of several possible hearing programs can be selected in order to adjust to a momentary acoustic scene, the method comprising the steps of detecting a desired hearing program change, changing parameters (b1, . . . , bm) of a transfer function provided between a microphone (M1) and a receiver of the hearing device in order to adapt it to the detected hearing program change, adjusting the parameters (b1, . . . , bm) to be changed from a momentary value to a desired value in such a manner that a smooth transition is perceived by the hearing device user while changing from a momentary hearing program to the desired hearing program, whereas each of the smooth transition is individually adjustable.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Applicant: PHONAK AGInventors: Silvia Allegro-Baumann, Stefan Daniel Menzl, Hilmar Meier
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Patent number: 7653205Abstract: In order to switch between different hearing programs to adjust to a momentary acoustic scene, a method for adjusting a hearing device, in which one of several possible hearing programs can be selected in order to adjust to a momentary acoustic scene, the method comprising the steps of detecting a desired hearing program change, changing parameters (b1, . . . , bm) of a transfer function provided between a microphone (M1) and a receiver of the hearing device in order to adapt it to the detected hearing program change, adjusting the parameters (b1, . . . , bm) to be changed from a momentary value to a desired value in such a manner that a smooth transition is perceived by the hearing device user while changing from a momentary hearing program to the desired hearing program, whereas each of the smooth transition is individually adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Silvia Allegro Baumann, Stefan Daniel Menzl, Hilmar Meier
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Patent number: 7545944Abstract: According to the invention, in a hearing instrument it is once or repeatedly checked whether a second hearing instrument is present and active. If a second hearing instrument is active on the contralateral side, a first gain (corresponding to the gain for binaural fitting) is applied. If, however, no further hearing instrument is found to be active, a second—increased—gain is applied. The second gain may simply correspond to the first gain increased by a certain dB value. It may as an alternative be a specifically adapted gain characteristic of a monaural fitting for the user.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2005Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Silvia Allegro Baumann, Stefan Launer
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Publication number: 20090123009Abstract: A method for manufacturing an acoustical device, especially a hearing device. A device casing is provided with an acoustical/electrical input converter arrangement with an electric output. An audio signal processing unit establishes audio signal processing of the device according to individual needs and/or purpose of the device. At least one electrical/mechanical output converter is provided. A filter arrangement with adjustable high-pass characteristic has a control input for the characteristic. The following operational connections are established: between the output of the input converter arrangement and the input of the filter arrangement, between the output of the filter arrangement and the control input, between said output of the filter arrangement and the input of the processing unit, between the output of the processing unit and the input of the at least once output converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2009Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: PHONAK AGInventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Silvia Allegro-Baumann, Franziska Pfisterer
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Patent number: 7492916Abstract: A method for manufacturing an acoustical device, especially a hearing device. A device casing is provided with an acoustical/electrical input converter arrangement with an electric output. An audio signal processing unit establishes audio signal processing of the device according to individual needs and/or purpose of the device. At least one electrical/mechanical output converter is provided. A filter arrangement with adjustable high-pass characteristic has a control input for the characteristic. The following operational connections are established: between the output of the input converter arrangement and the input of the filter arrangement, between the output of the filter arrangement and the control input, between said output of the filter arrangement and the input of the processing unit, between the output of the processing unit and the input of the at least once output converter.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2006Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Hans-Ueli Roeck, Silvia Allegro-Baumann, Franziska Pfisterer
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Publication number: 20080107296Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recording information in a hearing device and/or in a recording unit at least temporally operationally connected to the hearing device. The method consists in that a point in time of the recording and/or a recording frequency as well as the information to be recorded, as data and/or parameters and/or adjustments of the hearing device are adjusted freely or are programmable, respectively. Furthermore, a hearing device is described that is suitable to use the method. By the present invention, a multitude of the parameters being adjustable in a hearing device can be checked or surveyed all together or selectively in real, i.e. actually existing acoustic environments in order to optimally adjust or adapt the hearing device afterwards, that means after the analysis by the fitter, for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2008Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: PHONAK AGInventors: Herbert Bachler, Volker Kuhnel, Silvia Allegro, Stefan Menzl, Hilmar Meier, Michael Boretzki, Stefan Launer, Ivo Hasler, Hans-Ueli Roeck, Christoph Widmer
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Patent number: 7349549Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recording information in a hearing device and/or in a recording unit at least temporally operationally connected to the hearing device. The method consists in that a point in time of the recording and/or a recording frequency as well as the information to be recorded, as data and/or parameters and/or adjustments of the hearing device are adjusted freely or are programmable, respectively. Furthermore, a hearing device is described that is suitable to use the method. By the present invention, a multitude of the parameters being adjustable in a hearing device can be checked or surveyed all together or selectively in real, i.e. actually existing acoustic environments in order to optimally adjust or adapt the hearing device afterwards, that means after the analysis by the fitter, for example.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Herbert Bächler, Volker Kühnel, Silvia Allegro, Stefan Daniel Menzl, Hilmar Meier, Michael Boretzki, Stefan Launer, Ivo Hasler, Hans-Ueli Roeck, Christoph Widmer
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Patent number: 7319769Abstract: A method to adjust parameters of a transfer function of a hearing device is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of extracting features of an input signal fed to the hearing device, classifying the extracted features into one of several possible classes, selecting a class corresponding to a best estimate of a momentary acoustic scene, adjusting at least some of the parameters of the transfer function in accordance with the selected class representing the best estimated momentary acoustic scene, and training the hearing device to improve classification of the extracted feature or the best estimate of the momentary acoustic scene, respectively, during regular operation of the hearing device. As a result, the hearing device does not only improve its behavior when new data is presented lying outside of known training data, but the hearing device is also better and faster adapted to most common acoustic scenes, with which the hearing device user is confronted.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Silvia Allegro-Baumann, Nail Cadalli, Stefan Launer, Valentin Chapero-Rueda