Patents by Inventor Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer

Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer 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: 11736868
    Abstract: A method performed by a hearing device comprising a first housing, a microphone, a speaker, and a first control system configured to control an active vent, the active vent comprising a vent canal and a valve member configured to block the vent canal when the active vent is in the closed state, and to allow passage of air through the vent canal when the active vent is in the open state, comprising: emitting an acoustic signal from the speaker; measuring a first transfer function of an acoustic feedback path between the speaker and the microphone when the active vent is expected to be in the open state; measuring a second transfer function of the acoustic feedback path when the active vent is expected to be in the closed state; and determining a status of the active vent based at least on the first and second measured transfer functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GN HEARING A/S
    Inventors: Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, Aart Zeger Van Halteren, Andreas Tiefenau
  • Patent number: 11317222
    Abstract: A method performed by a hearing device comprising a first housing, a microphone, a speaker, and a first control system configured to control an active vent, the active vent comprising a vent canal and a valve member configured to block the vent canal when the active vent is in the closed state, and to allow passage of air through the vent canal when the active vent is in the open state, comprising: emitting an acoustic signal from the speaker; measuring a first transfer function of an acoustic feedback path between the speaker and the microphone when the active vent is expected to be in the open state; measuring a second transfer function of the acoustic feedback path when the active vent is expected to be in the closed state; and determining a status of the active vent based at least on the first and second measured transfer functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: GN Hearing A/S
    Inventors: Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, Aart Zeger Van Halteren, Andreas Tiefenau
  • Publication number: 20210377673
    Abstract: A method performed by a hearing device comprising a first housing, a microphone, a speaker, and a first control system configured to control an active vent, the active vent comprising a vent canal and a valve member configured to block the vent canal when the active vent is in the closed state, and to allow passage of air through the vent canal when the active vent is in the open state, comprising: emitting an acoustic signal from the speaker; measuring a first transfer function of an acoustic feedback path between the speaker and the microphone when the active vent is expected to be in the open state; measuring a second transfer function of the acoustic feedback path when the active vent is expected to be in the closed state; and determining a status of the active vent based at least on the first and second measured transfer functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: GN Hearing A/S
    Inventors: Theodorus Geradus Maria BROUWER, Aart Zeger VAN HALTEREN, Andreas TIEFENAU
  • Patent number: 11082784
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hearing device adapted to be positioned in an ear canal of a user, the hearing device comprising a receiver unit, a positioning member adapted to position and hold the hearing device in the ear canal of a user, and a vibration preventing arrangement adapted to prevent vibrations of a least part of the positioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Laurens de Ruijter, Nicolaas Maria Jozef Stoffels, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer
  • Publication number: 20210185454
    Abstract: A method performed by a hearing device comprising a first housing, a microphone, a speaker, and a first control system configured to control an active vent, the active vent comprising a vent canal and a valve member configured to block the vent canal when the active vent is in the closed state, and to allow passage of air through the vent canal when the active vent is in the open state, comprising: emitting an acoustic signal from the speaker; measuring a first transfer function of an acoustic feedback path between the speaker and the microphone when the active vent is expected to be in the open state; measuring a second transfer function of the acoustic feedback path when the active vent is expected to be in the closed state; and determining a status of the active vent based at least on the first and second measured transfer functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: GN HEARING A/S
    Inventors: Theodorus Geradus Maria BROUWER, Aart Zeger VAN HALTEREN, Andreas TIEFENAU
  • Patent number: 10945084
    Abstract: A personal hearing device with an outer housing and a sound path with a length of 1-24 mm, a diameter of 0.5-6 mm, a roll of frequency of at least 500 Hz and with a valve configured to open and close the sound path. The sound path has suitable acoustical properties to act as a sound passage for open/closed hearing aids or hearables. The valve is selected to have a small influence on the acoustical properties of the remaining portions of the sound path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: SONION NEDERLAND B.V.
    Inventors: Nishant Lawand, Caspar Titus Bolsman, Laurens de Ruijter, Petrus Egbertus Henricus Hermsen, Erik Marinus Krom, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, René Maas
  • Patent number: 10887705
    Abstract: A method for controlling a controllable acoustic valve of a hearing device. The valve includes a moveable valve element adapted to be positioned in one of at least two essentially stable states. The moveable valve element is configured to be maintained in each of the essentially stable states by a retention force. A neutral point with essentially cancelling retention forces exists between the least two essentially stable states. The method includes providing a first drive signal to the controllable acoustic valve to overcome a retention force of a first essentially stable state in order to initiate movement of the moveable valve element from the first essentially stable state to a second essentially stable state. The provided first drive signal is capable of bringing the moveable valve element from the first essentially stable state and beyond a neutral point between the first and second essentially stable states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: SONION NEDERLAND B.V.
    Inventors: Adrianus Maria Lafort, Caspar Titus Bolsman, René Maas, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, Yang Gao
  • Patent number: 10869119
    Abstract: A sound channel with a side opening which may be opened or closed by an electromagnetic actuator. The sound channel may remain open and may thus be used as a spout of a sound generator for e.g. a hearing aid, where the side opening may be used as a vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: SONION NEDERLAND B.V.
    Inventors: Nishant Lawand, Caspar Titus Bolsman, Laurens de Ruijter, Petrus Egbertus Henricus Hermsen, Erik Marinus Krom, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, René Maas, Umut Tabak
  • Patent number: 10805746
    Abstract: A sound channel with a valve positioned in a sound channel, the valve based on an electro-magnetic positioned in a housing positioned in the sound channel without sound travelling through the housing. The valve may be used in hearing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Caspar Titus Bolsman, Laurens de Ruijter, Petrus Egbertus Henricus Hermsen, Erik Marinus Krom, Nishant Lawand, René Maas, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer
  • Patent number: 10425714
    Abstract: An ear bud or cone having multiple protruding, convex and soft elements which are configured to be deformed during insertion, extraction and operation in the ear canal of a person. The soft elements are cushion shaped and thus able to adapt to any shape of the ear canal without exerting excessive force to portions of the ear canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Nishant Lawand, Peter Rietman, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, René Maas, Robert Bakuwel, Ricardo Timothy Jonathan Muijtjens, Sally van der Most
  • Publication number: 20190246219
    Abstract: A method for controlling a controllable acoustic valve of a hearing device. The valve includes a moveable valve element adapted to be positioned in one of at least two essentially stable states. The moveable valve element is configured to be maintained in each of the essentially stable states by a retention force. A neutral point with essentially cancelling retention forces exists between the least two essentially stable states. The method includes providing a first drive signal to the controllable acoustic valve to overcome a retention force of a first essentially stable state in order to initiate movement of the moveable valve element from the first essentially stable state to a second essentially stable state. The provided first drive signal is capable of bringing the moveable valve element from the first essentially stable state and beyond a neutral point between the first and second essentially stable states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Adrianus Maria Lafort, Caspar Titus Bolsman, René Maas, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, Yang Gao
  • Publication number: 20190116436
    Abstract: A personal hearing device with an outer housing and a sound path with a length of 1-24 mm, a diameter of 0.5-6 mm, a roll of frequency of at least 500 Hz and with a valve configured to open and close the sound path. The sound path has suitable acoustical properties to act as a sound passage for open/closed hearing aids or hearables. The valve is selected to have a small influence on the acoustical properties of the remaining portions of the sound path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Nishant Lawand, Caspar Titus Bolsman, Laurens de Ruijter, Petrus Egbertus Henricus Hermsen, Erik Marinus Krom, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, René Maas
  • Publication number: 20190116437
    Abstract: A sound channel with a valve positioned in a sound channel, the valve based on an electro-magnetic positioned in a housing positioned in the sound channel without sound travelling through the housing. The valve may be used in hearing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Caspar Titus Bolsman, Laurens de Ruijter, Petrus Egbertus Henricus Hermsen, Erik Marinus Krom, Nishant Lawand, René Maas, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer
  • Publication number: 20190116416
    Abstract: A sound channel with a side opening which may be opened or closed by an electromagnetic actuator. The sound channel may remain open and may thus be used as a spout of a sound generator for e.g. a hearing aid, where the side opening may be used as a vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Nishant Lawand, Caspar Titus Bolsman, Laurens de Ruijter, Petrus Egbertus Henricus Hermsen, Erik Marinus Krom, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, René Maas, Umut Tabak
  • Publication number: 20190020958
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hearing device adapted to be positioned in an ear canal of a user, the hearing device comprising a receiver unit, a positioning member adapted to position and hold the hearing device in the ear canal of a user, and a vibration preventing arrangement adapted to prevent vibrations of a least part of the positioning member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Laurens de Ruijter, Nicolaas Maria Jozef Stoffels, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer
  • Patent number: 10034106
    Abstract: A hearing aid comprises a housing with a sound channel in a longitudinal direction and terminating in a sound opening, a transducer for transducing sound at the sound opening, and an insert member having an insert part for insertion into the sound channel and a support part arranged against the housing. The insert member forms a sound path from a first sound opening to a second sound opening. The first sound opening is arranged in the insert part and the second sound opening is arranged in the support part outside the sound channel. The insert part comprises a retention member for retaining wax. The retention member includes an opening and is arranged so that a part hereof extends transverse to the longitudinal direction. The support part forms a protruding engagement member which facilitates catching of the insert member without engaging the sound path during removal of the insert member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Sonlon Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Konrad van den Berg, Jan Hijman, Thomas A. Cohen-Stuart, Ewian Vos, Andrés Alberto Alvarez Cabrera, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, Asger Soelberg Andersen
  • Patent number: 10021472
    Abstract: A dome for a personal audio device. The dome forms a first flexible circumferential member and comprising a guiding structure extending in a longitudinal direction and forming an interface for guiding sound from or to the personal audio device. The guiding structure comprises a least one sound opening configured for passage of sound from or to the personal audio device in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guiding structure. The first flexible member is configured to at least partly close the sound opening during insertion of the dome into an ear canal of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Andrés Alberto Alvarez Cabrera, Peter Rietman, Nishant Lawand, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, Konrad van den Berg, Andreas Tiefenau
  • Publication number: 20180109862
    Abstract: An ear bud or cone having multiple protruding, convex and soft elements which are configured to be deformed during insertion, extraction and operation in the ear canal of a person. The soft elements are cushion shaped and thus able to adapt to any shape of the ear canal without exerting excessive force to portions of the ear canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Nishant Lawand, Peter Rietman, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, René Maas, Robert Bakuwel, Ricardo Timothy Jonathan Muijtjens, Sally van der Most
  • Publication number: 20170303029
    Abstract: A dome for a personal audio device. The dome forms a first flexible circumferential member and comprising a guiding structure extending in a longitudinal direction and forming an interface for guiding sound from or to the personal audio device. The guiding structure comprises a least one sound opening configured for passage of sound from or to the personal audio device in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the guiding structure. The first flexible member is configured to at least partly close the sound opening during insertion of the dome into an ear canal of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Andrés Alberto Alvarez Cabrera, Peter Rietman, Nishant Lawand, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, Konrad van den Berg, Andreas Tiefenau
  • Publication number: 20160286324
    Abstract: A hearing aid comprises a housing with a sound channel in a longitudinal direction and terminating in a sound opening, a transducer for transducing sound at the sound opening, and an insert member having an insert part for insertion into the sound channel and a support part arranged against the housing. The insert member forms a sound path from a first sound opening to a second sound opening. The first sound opening is arranged in the insert part and the second sound opening is arranged in the support part outside the sound channel. The insert part comprises a retention member for retaining wax. The retention member includes an opening and is arranged so that a part hereof extends transverse to the longitudinal direction. The support part forms a protruding engagement member which facilitates catching of the insert member without engaging the sound path during removal of the insert member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Konrad van den Berg, Jan Hijman, Thomas A. Cohen-Stuart, Ewian Vos, Andrés Alberto Alvarez Cabrera, Theodorus Geradus Maria Brouwer, Asger Soelberg Andersen