Patents by Inventor Stuart W. Wenzel

Stuart W. Wenzel 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: 12219877
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are monitoring systems and sensors for physiological measurements. The sensors can be multi-element piezo sensors capable of generating multiple electrical signals, whereby the monitoring systems can receive the multiple electrical signals to analyze the user's vital signs along multiple regions of the user's body. In some examples, the piezo sensor can include one or more corrugations, such as peaks and valleys, to create localized regions with increased mechanical response to force. The sensitivity and resolution of the piezo sensor can be enhanced by further locating electrode sections at the corrugations, where the electrode sections can be electrically isolated and independently operable from other electrode sections. Traces electrically connecting an electrode section to, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chin San Han, German A. Alvarez, Santiago Quijano, Stuart W. Wenzel
  • Patent number: 12192706
    Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system including: a transmit circuit including a transmit coil positioned in an ear tip, THE transmit circuit having a first bandpass characteristic, wherein the transmit circuit is tuned such that a center of the first bandpass characteristic is set at a first frequency; and a receive circuit including a receive coil positioned on a contact hearing device, the receive circuit having a second bandpass characteristic, wherein the receive circuit is tuned such that a center of the second bandpass characteristic differs from the center of the first bandpass characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Earlens Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart W. Wenzel, Lawrence W. Arne
  • Patent number: 11711657
    Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system including: a transmit coil positioned in an ear tip wherein the transmit coil includes an electrical coil wound on a ferrite core; a receive coil positioned on a contact hearing device wherein the receive coil includes an electrical coil without a core; a load connected to the receive coil; and a demodulation circuit connected to the receive coil and the load wherein the demodulation circuit includes a voltage doubler and a peak detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Earlens Corporation
    Inventor: Stuart W. Wenzel
  • Patent number: 11706573
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of transmitting information from an ear tip to a contact hearing device, the method comprising the steps of: exciting a transmit coil, the transmit coil being positioned in the ear tip, wherein the transmit coil is wound on a core, the core including a ferromagnetic material; radiating an electromagnetic field from the first coil through the ear canal of a user; receiving the radiated electromagnetic field at a receive coil, the receive coil being positioned on a contact hearing device, the contact hearing device including a receive coil without a ferrite core; and transmitting the information from the transmit coil to the receive coil using, for example, near-field radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Earlens Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart W. Wenzel, Lawrence W. Arne
  • Patent number: 11665487
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system including: an ear tip including a transmit circuit having a first Q value, wherein the ear tip includes a transmit coil wound on a ferrite core; a contact hearing device including a receive circuit having a second Q value, wherein the first Q value is greater than the second Q value; a receive coil positioned on the contact hearing device, wherein the receive coil includes a core of a non-ferromagnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Earlens Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Arne, Konstadinos Hatzianestis, Stuart W. Wenzel
  • Patent number: 11606649
    Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system, the contact hearing system including: an ear tip, the ear tip including a transmit coil wherein the transmit coil is wound around a core including, at least in part, a ferromagnetic material; and a contact hearing device including a receive coil wherein the receive coil is wound around a core including, at least in part, a non-ferromagnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Earlens Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart W. Wenzel, Daniel K. Hallock
  • Publication number: 20230029042
    Abstract: Methods of measuring biometric characteristics using a sensor positioned in an ear canal of a user are provided. The sensor is positioned on or connected to an ear tip, a contact hearing device, or one or more components thereof. One or more biometric signals may be sensed from the sensor. The biometric characteristic of the user is measured or derived from these sensed signals, and include but are not limited to the temperature of the user, acoustic signal(s) from the user, movement(s) of the user, a ballistocardiogram, an electrocardiogram, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: William FACTEAU, Lawrence W. ARNE, Suzanne LEVY, Drew DUNDAS, Greg KOSKOWICH, Pragati Rao MANDIKAL VASUKI, Srinivasamurthy Ravi PRAKASH, Rodney C. PERKINS, Stuart W. WENZEL
  • Publication number: 20220254984
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are monitoring systems and sensors for physiological measurements. The sensors can be multi-element piezo sensors capable of generating multiple electrical signals, whereby the monitoring systems can receive the multiple electrical signals to analyze the user's vital signs along multiple regions of the user's body. In some examples, the piezo sensor can include one or more corrugations, such as peaks and valleys, to create localized regions with increased mechanical response to force. The sensitivity and resolution of the piezo sensor can be enhanced by further locating electrode sections at the corrugations, where the electrode sections can be electrically isolated and independently operable from other electrode sections. Traces electrically connecting an electrode section to, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Chin San Han, German A. Alvarez, Santiago Quijano, Stuart W. Wenzel
  • Patent number: 11349063
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are monitoring systems and sensors for physiological measurements. The sensors can be multi-element piezo sensors capable of generating multiple electrical signals, whereby the monitoring systems can receive the multiple electrical signals to analyze the user's vital signs along multiple regions of the user's body. In some examples, the piezo sensor can include one or more corrugations, such as peaks and valleys, to create localized regions with increased mechanical response to force. The sensitivity and resolution of the piezo sensor can be enhanced by further locating electrode sections at the corrugations, where the electrode sections can be electrically isolated and independently operable from other electrode sections. Traces electrically connecting an electrode section to, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chin San Han, German A. Alvarez, Santiago Quijano, Stuart W. Wenzel
  • Patent number: 11252516
    Abstract: An ear tip apparatus for use with a hearing device is provided and comprises a malleable structure. The malleable structure is sized and configured for placement in an ear canal of a user. The malleable structure is deformable to allow an adjustable venting of the ear canal, thereby minimizing the occlusion effect. Methodology for adjusting a degree of venting of the ear canal is also provided, including the automatic adjustments. Adjusting the degree of venting may be done in response to one or more of detected feedback or an environmental cue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Earlens Corporation
    Inventor: Stuart W. Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20210152950
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of transmitting information from an ear tip to a contact hearing device, the method comprising the steps of: exciting a transmit coil, the transmit coil being positioned in the ear tip, wherein the transmit coil is wound on a core, the core including a ferromagnetic material; radiating an electromagnetic field from the first coil through the ear canal of a user; receiving the radiated electromagnetic field at a receive coil, the receive coil being positioned on a contact hearing device, the contact hearing device including a receive coil without a ferrite core; and transmitting the information from the transmit coil to the receive coil using, for example, near-field radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Stuart W. Wenzel, Lawrence W. Arne
  • Publication number: 20210152951
    Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system, the contact hearing system including: an ear tip, the ear tip including a transmit coil wherein the transmit coil is wound around a core including, at least in part, a ferromagnetic material; and a contact hearing device including a receive coil wherein the receive coil is wound around a core including, at least in part, a non-ferromagnetic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Stuart W. Wenzel, Daniel K. Hallock
  • Publication number: 20210152952
    Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system including: a transmit circuit including a transmit coil positioned in an ear tip, THE transmit circuit having a first bandpass characteristic, wherein the transmit circuit is tuned such that a center of the first bandpass characteristic is set at a first frequency; and a receive circuit including a receive coil positioned on a contact hearing device, the receive circuit having a second bandpass characteristic, wherein the receive circuit is tuned such that a center of the second bandpass characteristic differs from the center of the first bandpass characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Stuart W. Wenzel, Lawrence W. Arne
  • Publication number: 20210152957
    Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system including: a transmit coil positioned in an ear tip wherein the transmit coil includes an electrical coil wound on a ferrite core; a receive coil positioned on a contact hearing device wherein the receive coil includes an electrical coil without a core; a load connected to the receive coil; and a demodulation circuit connected to the receive coil and the load wherein the demodulation circuit includes a voltage doubler and a peak detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventor: Stuart W. Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20210152956
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a contact hearing system including: an ear tip including a transmit circuit having a first Q value, wherein the ear tip includes a transmit coil wound on a ferrite core; a contact hearing device including a receive circuit having a second Q value, wherein the first Q value is greater than the second Q value; a receive coil positioned on the contact hearing device, wherein the receive coil includes a core of a non-ferromagnetic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Arne, Konstadinos Hatzianestis, Stuart W. Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20200092662
    Abstract: An ear tip apparatus for use with a hearing device is provided and comprises a malleable structure. The malleable structure is sized and configured for placement in an ear canal of a user. The malleable structure is deformable to allow an adjustable venting of the ear canal, thereby minimizing the occlusion effect. Methodology for adjusting a degree of venting of the ear canal is also provided, including the automatic adjustments. Adjusting the degree of venting may be done in response to one or more of detected feedback or an environmental cue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventor: Stuart W. WENZEL
  • Patent number: 10516951
    Abstract: An ear tip apparatus for use with a hearing device is provided and comprises a malleable structure. The malleable structure is sized and configured for placement in an ear canal of a user. The malleable structure is deformable to allow an adjustable venting of the ear canal, thereby minimizing the occlusion effect. Methodology for adjusting a degree of venting of the ear canal is also provided, including the automatic adjustments. Adjusting the degree of venting may be done in response to one or more of detected feedback or an environmental cue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Earlens Corporation
    Inventor: Stuart W. Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20180337325
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are monitoring systems and sensors for physiological measurements. The sensors can be multi-element piezo sensors capable of generating multiple electrical signals, whereby the monitoring systems can receive the multiple electrical signals to analyze the user's vital signs along multiple regions of the user's body. In some examples, the piezo sensor can include one or more corrugations, such as peaks and valleys, to create localized regions with increased mechanical response to force. The sensitivity and resolution of the piezo sensor can be enhanced by further locating electrode sections at the corrugations, where the electrode sections can be electrically isolated and independently operable from other electrode sections. Traces electrically connecting an electrode section to, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Chin San HAN, German A. ALVAREZ, Santiago QUIJANO, Stuart W. WENZEL
  • Patent number: 9924276
    Abstract: An ear tip apparatus for use with a hearing device is provided and comprises a malleable structure. The malleable structure is sized and configured for placement in an ear canal of a user. The malleable structure is deformable to allow an adjustable venting of the ear canal, thereby minimizing the occlusion effect. Methodology for adjusting a degree of venting of the ear canal is also provided, including the automatic adjustments. Adjusting the degree of venting may be done in response to one or more of detected feedback or an environmental cue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: EarLens Corporation
    Inventor: Stuart W. Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20180020296
    Abstract: An ear tip apparatus for use with a hearing device is provided and comprises a malleable structure. The malleable structure is sized and configured for placement in an ear canal of a user. The malleable structure is deformable to allow an adjustable venting of the ear canal, thereby minimizing the occlusion effect. Methodology for adjusting a degree of venting of the ear canal is also provided, including the automatic adjustments. Adjusting the degree of venting may be done in response to one or more of detected feedback or an environmental cue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventor: Stuart W. WENZEL