Patents by Inventor Thomas Scheller

Thomas Scheller 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: 12294833
    Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured to be supported by, at, in or on an ear of a wearer. Electronic circuitry is disposed in the housing and comprises a processor. A power source and a receiver or a speaker are respectively disposed in or on the housing. A microphone array is disposed in or on the housing and operatively coupled to the electronic circuitry. The microphone array comprises a plurality of microphones. The processor is configured to operate a set of two or more of the microphones in a directional mode, detect degradation in performance of any microphone of the microphone set, and switch microphone operation from the directional mode to a safe mode using at least one non-degraded microphone of the microphone set in response to detecting the microphone performance degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Zac Jensen, Ryan Chester, Brian Dahl, Thomas Scheller, Joel Erdman
  • Patent number: 12256199
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to assistive listening devices and systems for providing audio streams to device wearers within sound fields. In an embodiment an assistive listening device is included having a control circuit, an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound in electrical communication with the control circuit, a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit, and a communications circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit. The control circuit can be configured to issue a communication to an audio communication device or audio provisioning device including at least one of a language preference, a set of hearing requirements, data regarding a presentation delay, and an authorization status identifier, digital code, digital token, or digital key specific to a wearer of the assistive listening device. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin R. Burwinkel, Peter J. Tetrick, Jeffrey Paul Solum, Thomas Scheller
  • Publication number: 20240205618
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to assistive listening devices and systems for providing audio streams to device wearers within sound fields. In an embodiment an assistive listening device is included having a control circuit, an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound in electrical communication with the control circuit, a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit, and a communications circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit. The control circuit can be configured to issue a communication to an audio communication device or audio provisioning device including at least one of a language preference, a set of hearing requirements, data regarding a presentation delay, and an authorization status identifier, digital code, digital token, or digital key specific to a wearer of the assistive listening device. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Justin R. Burwinkel, Peter J. Tetrick, Jeffrey Paul Solum, Thomas Scheller
  • Publication number: 20240107240
    Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured to be supported by, at, in or on an ear of a wearer. Electronic circuitry is disposed in the housing and comprises a processor. A power source and a receiver or a speaker are respectively disposed in or on the housing. A microphone array is disposed in or on the housing and operatively coupled to the electronic circuitry. The microphone array comprises a plurality of microphones. The processor is configured to operate a set of two or more of the microphones in a directional mode, detect degradation in performance of any microphone of the microphone set, and switch microphone operation from the directional mode to a safe mode using at least one non-degraded microphone of the microphone set in response to detecting the microphone performance degradation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Zac Jensen, Ryan Chester, Brian Dahl, Thomas Scheller, Joel Erdman
  • Patent number: 11895465
    Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured to be supported by, at, in or on an ear of a wearer. Electronic circuitry is disposed in the housing and comprises a processor. A power source and a receiver or a speaker are respectively disposed in or on the housing. A microphone array is disposed in or on the housing and operatively coupled to the electronic circuitry. The microphone array comprises a plurality of microphones. The processor is configured to operate a set of two or more of the microphones in a directional mode, detect degradation in performance of any microphone of the microphone set, and switch microphone operation from the directional mode to a safe mode using at least one non-degraded microphone of the microphone set in response to detecting the microphone performance degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Zac Jensen, Ryan Chester, Brian Dahl, Thomas Scheller, Joel Erdman
  • Patent number: 11825272
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to assistive listening devices and systems for providing audio streams to device wearers within sound fields. In an embodiment an assistive listening device is included having a control circuit, an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound in electrical communication with the control circuit, a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit, and a communications circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit. The control circuit can be configured to issue a communication to an audio communication device or audio provisioning device including at least one of a language preference, a set of hearing requirements, data regarding a presentation delay, and an authorization status identifier, digital code, digital token, or digital key specific to a wearer of the assistive listening device. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin R. Burwinkel, Peter J. Tetrick, Jeffrey Paul Solum, Thomas Scheller
  • Patent number: 11612320
    Abstract: A computing system comprising one or more electronic computing devices receives data from a hearing-assistance device. The computing system determines, based on the data received from the hearing-assistance device, a cognitive benefit measure for a wearer of the hearing-assistance device. The cognitive benefit measure being an indication of a change of a cognitive benefit of the wearer of the hearing-assistance device attributable to use of the hearing-assistance device by the wearer of the hearing-assistance device. The computing device outputs an indication of the cognitive benefit measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Walsh, Thomas Scheller, Christopher L. Howes, David A. Fabry
  • Publication number: 20220286792
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to assistive listening devices and systems for providing audio streams to device wearers within sound fields. In an embodiment an assistive listening device is included having a control circuit, an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound in electrical communication with the control circuit, a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit, and a communications circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit. The control circuit can be configured to issue a communication to an audio communication device or audio provisioning device including at least one of a language preference, a set of hearing requirements, data regarding a presentation delay, and an authorization status identifier, digital code, digital token, or digital key specific to a wearer of the assistive listening device. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Justin R. Burwinkel, Peter J. Tetrick, Jeffrey Paul Solum, Thomas Scheller
  • Patent number: 11304013
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to assistive listening devices and systems for providing audio streams to device wearers within sound fields. In an embodiment an assistive listening device is included having a control circuit, an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound in electrical communication with the control circuit, a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit, and a communications circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit. The control circuit can be configured to issue a communication to an audio communication device or audio provisioning device including at least one of a language preference, a set of hearing requirements, data regarding a presentation delay, and an authorization status identifier, digital code, digital token, or digital key specific to a wearer of the assistive listening device. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin R. Burwinkel, Peter J. Tetrick, Jeffrey Paul Solum, Thomas Scheller
  • Publication number: 20220109938
    Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured to be supported by, at, in or on an ear of a wearer. Electronic circuitry is disposed in the housing and comprises a processor. A power source and a receiver or a speaker are respectively disposed in or on the housing. A microphone array is disposed in or on the housing and operatively coupled to the electronic circuitry. The microphone array comprises a plurality of microphones. The processor is configured to operate a set of two or more of the microphones in a directional mode, detect degradation in performance of any microphone of the microphone set, and switch microphone operation from the directional mode to a safe mode using at least one non-degraded microphone of the microphone set in response to detecting the microphone performance degradation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Zac Jensen, Ryan Chester, Brian Dahl, Thomas Scheller, Joel Erdman
  • Publication number: 20210315457
    Abstract: A computing system comprising one or more electronic computing devices receives data from a hearing-assistance device. The computing system determines, based on the data received from the hearing-assistance device, a cognitive benefit measure for a wearer of the hearing-assistance device. The cognitive benefit measure being an indication of a change of a cognitive benefit of the wearer of the hearing-assistance device attributable to use of the hearing-assistance device by the wearer of the hearing-assistance device. The computing device outputs an indication of the cognitive benefit measure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Kyle Walsh, Thomas Scheller, Christopher L. Howes, David A. Fabry
  • Patent number: 11012793
    Abstract: A computing system comprising one or more electronic computing devices receives data from a hearing-assistance device. The computing system determines, based on the data received from the hearing-assistance device, a cognitive benefit measure for a wearer of the hearing-assistance device. The cognitive benefit measure being an indication of a change of a cognitive benefit of the wearer of the hearing-assistance device attributable to use of the hearing-assistance device by the wearer of the hearing-assistance device. The computing device outputs an indication of the cognitive benefit measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Walsh, Thomas Scheller, Christopher L. Howes, David A. Fabry
  • Publication number: 20200288252
    Abstract: A computing system comprising one or more electronic computing devices receives data from a hearing-assistance device. The computing system determines, based on the data received from the hearing-assistance device, a cognitive benefit measure for a wearer of the hearing-assistance device. The cognitive benefit measure being an indication of a change of a cognitive benefit of the wearer of the hearing-assistance device attributable to use of the hearing-assistance device by the wearer of the hearing-assistance device. The computing device outputs an indication of the cognitive benefit measure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Kyle Walsh, Thomas Scheller, Christopher L. Howes, David A. Fabry
  • Publication number: 20200273566
    Abstract: A computing system receives sharing preference data. The sharing preference data indicate, for each respective health-related data type of a plurality of health-related data types: (i) whether a user of an ear-wearable device allows sharing of health-related data belonging to the respective health-related data type, and (ii) if the user of the ear-wearable device allows sharing of health-related data belonging to the respective health-related data type, a set of one or more users allowed by the user of the ear-wearable device to access the health-related data belonging to the respective health-related data type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Achintya Kumar Bhowmik, David A. Fabry, Kyle Walsh, Thomas Scheller, Christopher L. Howes
  • Publication number: 20200268265
    Abstract: A computing system receives data from one or more hearing instruments. Additionally, the computing system determines, based on the data received from the one or more hearing instruments, a heart health measure for a user of the one or more hearing instruments. The heart health measure is an indication of one or more aspects of a health of a heart of the user. The computing system may output an indication of the heart health measure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Kyle Walsh, Thomas Scheller, Christopher L. Howes, David A. Fabry
  • Publication number: 20200260199
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to assistive listening devices and systems for providing audio streams to device wearers within sound fields. In an embodiment an assistive listening device is included having a control circuit, an electroacoustic transducer for generating sound in electrical communication with the control circuit, a power supply circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit, and a communications circuit in electrical communication with the control circuit. The control circuit can be configured to issue a communication to an audio communication device or audio provisioning device including at least one of a language preference, a set of hearing requirements, data regarding a presentation delay, and an authorization status identifier, digital code, digital token, or digital key specific to a wearer of the assistive listening device. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Justin R. Burwinkel, Peter J. Tetrick, Jeffrey Paul Solum, Thomas Scheller
  • Patent number: 10674285
    Abstract: A computing system comprising one or more electronic computing devices receives data from a hearing-assistance device. The computing system determines, based on the data received from the hearing-assistance device, a cognitive benefit measure for a wearer of the hearing-assistance device. The cognitive benefit measure being an indication of a change of a cognitive benefit of the wearer of the hearing-assistance device attributable to use of the hearing-assistance device by the wearer of the hearing-assistance device. The computing device outputs an indication of the cognitive benefit measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Walsh, Thomas Scheller, Christopher L. Howes, David A. Fabry
  • Publication number: 20190069098
    Abstract: A computing system comprising one or more electronic computing devices receives data from a hearing-assistance device. The computing system determines, based on the data received from the hearing-assistance device, a cognitive benefit measure for a wearer of the hearing-assistance device. The cognitive benefit measure being an indication of a change of a cognitive benefit of the wearer of the hearing-assistance device attributable to use of the hearing-assistance device by the wearer of the hearing-assistance device. The computing device outputs an indication of the cognitive benefit measure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Kyle Walsh, Thomas Scheller, Christopher L. Howes, David A. Fabry
  • Publication number: 20150366729
    Abstract: Described are chairs having a seat with a sitting location above the floor, a base that sits on a floor, a lift connecting the seat and the base, the lift capable of moving the seat up and down from the sitting location to a lower location at the floor, and a control system operating the lift. The control system allows an occupant of the chair to move the seat between its sitting location and the lower location at the floor to enable the occupant to pick up or place an item on the floor while sitting in the chair and thereafter to move the seat upwardly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Keith Wesley Quick, Kendrick Wesley Quick, Cynthia Ann Poole Reeves, Theodore Spencer Reeves, Henry Jacob Brouwer, Matthew Lander Yannutz, Peter Thomas Scheller, Dustin Thomas Hanes, Andrew Scott Yee, Brian Alexander Yee, Jeoffrey Douglas Zerbst
  • Publication number: 20080162695
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the access to at least one communications device (NE) by means of at least one additional communications device (NMS1, NMS2) in a communications network. According to said method, when the aforementioned communications device or devices (NE) is or are accessed, information representing the additional communications device or devices (NMS1, NMS2), such as e.g. the IP address, is recorded. Additional access is then controlled using said information. The invention is characterised in that only certain, predefinable communications devices (NMS1, NMS2) with access can access part of the information stored in the communications device(s) (NE) during a specific time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Muhn, Thomas Scheller, Thomas Vetter