Patents by Inventor Tobias Wurzbacher

Tobias Wurzbacher 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: 20180255405
    Abstract: A method distorts the frequency of an input signal that is present as an audio signal. Here, the input signal is divided into a low-frequency signal component and a high-frequency signal component. These two signal components adjoin one another at a cut-off frequency. The high-frequency signal component is frequency-distorted and overlaid with the low-frequency signal component to form an output signal. An associated gain factor is modified, at least for an edge region, containing the cut-off frequency, of the high-frequency signal component and/or of the low-frequency signal component, such that a level difference between a signal level of the low-frequency signal component and a signal level of the frequency-distorted high-frequency signal component is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: TOBIAS DANIEL ROSENKRANZ, TOBIAS WURZBACHER
  • Publication number: 20180255407
    Abstract: A method for the frequency distortion of an audio signal includes splitting the audio signal into a plurality of specified frequency bands, in which a band limit frequency is defined in each case by two respective immediately adjacent frequency bands. A first frequency band and a second frequency band lying immediately above the first frequency band are determined on the basis of the audio signal. A distortion of the frequencies differing from the distortion applied to signal components in the second frequency band is applied to signal components in the first frequency band, and a frequency-distorted signal is generated as a result. A method for suppressing an acoustic feedback in an acoustic system and a hearing aid are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: TOBIAS DANIEL ROSENKRANZ, TOBIAS WURZBACHER
  • Publication number: 20180213336
    Abstract: A method operates a binaural hearing aid system with first and second hearing aids. A first audio signal of the first hearing aid is divided into a first high-frequency component and a first low-frequency component. A second audio signal of the second hearing aid is divided into a second high-frequency component and a second low-frequency component. A first provisional division frequency is specified for the division of the first audio signal into the first high-frequency component and the first low-frequency component. A second provisional division frequency is specified for the division of the second audio signal into the second high-frequency component and the second low-frequency component. A division frequency is defined on the basis of the first provisional division frequency and the second provisional division frequency. The first and second audio signals are divided at the division frequency into respective high-frequency components and low-frequency components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: TOBIAS DANIEL ROSENKRANZ, TOBIAS WURZBACHER, CHRISTOPH LUEKEN, CHRISTOS OREINOS
  • Publication number: 20180199141
    Abstract: A method performs frequency distortion of an audio signal. The audio signal is divided at at least one division frequency into a low-frequency band and a high-frequency band. A frequency-distorted signal is generated through respectively different distortions of frequencies for the high-frequency band and for the low-frequency band. The division frequency is selected such that it is located between two neighboring tones of a given tonal system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: TOBIAS DANIEL ROSENKRANZ, TOBIAS WURZBACHER, CHRISTOS OREINOS
  • Publication number: 20180184217
    Abstract: A method operates a hearing aid which has at least one input transducer and at least one output transducer. An input signal is generated by the at least one input transducer from a sound signal in the environment. From the input signal, a classification of a hearing situation of the environment is determined and/or at least one of four parameters including tonality, loudness, stationarity and reverberation time is determined for the sound signal of the environment. A first intermediate signal is generated in dependence on the input signal by signal processing. Wherein by the classification of the hearing situation and by at least one of the four parameters of tonality, loudness, stationarity and reverberation time, at least one parameter of a frequency distortion is predetermined. The frequency distortion predetermined in this way is applied to the first intermediate signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: TOBIAS DANIEL ROSENKRANZ, SEBASTIAN BEST, STEFAN PETRAUSCH, TOBIAS WURZBACHER, CHRISTOPH LUEKEN, NICOLA CEBULLA, CHRISTOS OREINOS
  • Patent number: 9980056
    Abstract: A method for suppressing acoustic feedback in a hearing aid device and a corresponding device and a system. A frequency range to be transmitted by the hearing aid device is divided into two frequency ranges that are separated by a split-band frequency. A transfer function of a feedback path is estimated in a frequency range and assessed for its behavior at the split-band frequency. Depending on the result of the assessment, the split-band frequency is lowered or raised and in the upper frequency range a phase and/or frequency change is applied for suppressing feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tobias Wurzbacher, Tobias Daniel Rosenkranz, Stefan Petrausch
  • Publication number: 20180041846
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus reduce feedback in a hearing aid device. The method includes the step of acquiring a first feedback transfer function at a first point in time on a feedback path from a signal processing device via an electro-acoustic transducer, an acoustic signal path from the electro-acoustic transducer to an acousto-electric transducer and via the acousto-electric transducer back to the signal processing device. In a further step, a weighted mean value function is determined in a manner dependent on amplitude absolute values of the first feedback transfer function. A second feedback transfer function is estimated by an adaptive filter, wherein coefficients of the adaptive filter are determined in a manner dependent on the weighted mean value function. The adaptive filter is applied to a signal which is derived from an acoustic input signal of the acousto-electric transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: HENNING PUDER, TOBIAS DANIEL ROSENKRANZ, TOBIAS WURZBACHER
  • Patent number: 9872114
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus reduce feedback in a hearing aid device. The method includes the step of acquiring a first feedback transfer function at a first point in time on a feedback path from a signal processing device via an electro-acoustic transducer, an acoustic signal path from the electro-acoustic transducer to an acousto-electric transducer and via the acousto-electric transducer back to the signal processing device. In a further step, a weighted mean value function is determined in a manner dependent on amplitude absolute values of the first feedback transfer function. A second feedback transfer function is estimated by an adaptive filter, wherein coefficients of the adaptive filter are determined in a manner dependent on the weighted mean value function. The adaptive filter is applied to a signal which is derived from an acoustic input signal of the acousto-electric transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Henning Puder, Tobias Daniel Rosenkranz, Tobias Wurzbacher
  • Patent number: 9832574
    Abstract: A method and apparatus reduce feedback in a hearing aid. The method involves a first transfer function, which includes a feedback path, being estimated for a first section of a signal response. A power of a feedback signal from a second transfer function of the feedback path is estimated for a second section of the signal response, and a parameter of the signal processing device and/or of the feedback suppression unit is adjusted on the basis of the estimated power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tobias Daniel Rosenkranz, Tobias Wurzbacher
  • Patent number: 9824675
    Abstract: A method for suppressing interference noise in an acoustic system with a microphone that generates an input signal and a loudspeaker that generates an acoustic signal which partially feeds back to the microphone. A first intermediate signal is formed along a primary signal path as a function of the input signal, and an output signal is formed via a frequency distortion. The output signal is coupled into a signal feedback path. A second intermediate signal is formed in the signal feedback path via a decorrelation and used as an input value for an adaptive filter. The adaptive filter generates a compensation signal which compensates the input signal. A third intermediate signal is formed from the input signal and/or compensated input signal, which is used as an input value for the adaptive filter. The output signal is fed to the loudspeaker for reproduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tobias Daniel Rosenkranz, Tobias Wurzbacher
  • Publication number: 20170064464
    Abstract: A method suppresses feedback in a hearing instrument. A microphone generates an input signal and a loudspeaker generates an acoustic signal which is partially fed back to the microphone via an acoustic feedback path. An intermediate signal is generated along a main signal path depending on the input signal, and an output signal is formed on the basis of the intermediate signal. A voice activity of a user is monitored, a transfer function of an electro-acoustic closed signal loop formed by the main signal path and the feedback path is estimated, that, depending on the transfer function of the closed signal loop and the voice activity of the user, the intermediate signal is decorrelated to form the output signal. A compensation signal is generated from the output signal and is fed to the input signal for feedback compensation, and the output signal is fed to the loudspeaker for reproduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: TOBIAS DANIEL ROSENKRANZ, TOBIAS WURZBACHER
  • Publication number: 20160260423
    Abstract: A method for suppressing interference noise in an acoustic system with a microphone that generates an input signal and a loudspeaker that generates an acoustic signal which partially feeds back to the microphone. A first intermediate signal is formed along a primary signal path as a function of the input signal, and an output signal is formed via a frequency distortion. The output signal is coupled into a signal feedback path. A second intermediate signal is formed in the signal feedback path via a decorrelation and used as an input value for an adaptive filter. The adaptive filter generates a compensation signal which compensates the input signal. A third intermediate signal is formed from the input signal and/or compensated input signal, which is used as an input value for the adaptive filter. The output signal is fed to the loudspeaker for reproduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: TOBIAS DANIEL ROSENKRANZ, TOBIAS WURZBACHER
  • Patent number: 9398380
    Abstract: Feedback whistling and external tonal signals are distinguished during feedback suppression. For that purpose an adaptation increment of an adaptive filter of a hearing apparatus for feedback reduction is controlled. A sound signal is picked up by a microphone and a microphone signal is output, from which an earpiece signal for an earpiece is generated. An adaptive filter reduces a feedback signal in the microphone signal. To this end an autocorrelation value of sampled values of the microphone signal, between which a time difference exists, is obtained, and the adaptation increment of the adaptive filter is controlled based on the autocorrelation value. A frequency of an output signal obtained on the basis of the microphone signal is shifted while creating the earpiece signal and the time difference for obtaining the autocorrelation value is controlled as a function of the shifting of the frequency of the microphone signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tobias Daniel Rosenkranz, Tobias Wurzbacher
  • Patent number: 9357301
    Abstract: Acoustic feedback in an audio device is reduced or eliminated via a feedback compensator. The feedback compensator disposes of at least one adaptive filter whose adaptation is governed by a step-size parameter ?. A step-size parameter ? of the adaptive filter is set at a high level to eliminate acoustic feedback and the parameter ? is decreased when a critical excitation signal is detected. This way to proceed allows for efficient elimination of feedback whistling while required environment signals are retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Sebastian Pape, Tobias Wurzbacher
  • Publication number: 20160080875
    Abstract: A method and apparatus reduce feedback in a hearing aid. The method involves a first transfer function, which includes a feedback path, being estimated for a first section of a signal response. A power of a feedback signal from a second transfer function of the feedback path is estimated for a second section of the signal response, and a parameter of the signal processing device and/or of the feedback suppression unit is adjusted on the basis of the estimated power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: TOBIAS DANIEL ROSENKRANZ, TOBIAS WURZBACHER
  • Publication number: 20160057548
    Abstract: A method for suppressing acoustic feedback in a hearing aid device and a corresponding device and a system. A frequency range to be transmitted by the hearing aid device is divided into two frequency ranges that are separated by a split-band frequency. A transfer function of a feedback path is estimated in a frequency range and assessed for its behavior at the split-band frequency. Depending on the result of the assessment, the split-band frequency is lowered or raised and in the upper frequency range a phase and/or frequency change is applied for suppressing feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: TOBIAS WURZBACHER, TOBIAS DANIEL ROSENKRANZ, STEFAN PETRAUSCH
  • Publication number: 20160037269
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus reduce feedback in a hearing aid device. The method includes the step of acquiring a first feedback transfer function at a first point in time on a feedback path from a signal processing device via an electro-acoustic transducer, an acoustic signal path from the electro-acoustic transducer to an acousto-electric transducer and via the acousto-electric transducer back to the signal processing device. In a further step, a weighted mean value function is determined in a manner dependent on amplitude absolute values of the first feedback transfer function. A second feedback transfer function is estimated by an adaptive filter, wherein coefficients of the adaptive filter are determined in a manner dependent on the weighted mean value function. The adaptive filter is applied to a signal which is derived from an acoustic input signal of the acousto-electric transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: HENNING PUDER, TOBIAS DANIEL ROSENKRANZ, TOBIAS WURZBACHER
  • Publication number: 20140321683
    Abstract: Feedback whistling and external tonal signals are distinguished during feedback suppression. For that purpose an adaptation increment of an adaptive filter of a hearing apparatus for feedback reduction is controlled. A sound signal is picked up by a microphone and a microphone signal is output, from which an earpiece signal for an earpiece is generated. An adaptive filter reduces a feedback signal in the microphone signal. To this end an autocorrelation value of sampled values of the microphone signal, between which a time difference exists, is obtained, and the adaptation increment of the adaptive filter is controlled based on the autocorrelation value. A frequency of an output signal obtained on the basis of the microphone signal is shifted while creating the earpiece signal and the time difference for obtaining the autocorrelation value is controlled as a function of the shifting of the frequency of the microphone signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: TOBIAS DANIEL ROSENKRANZ, TOBIAS WURZBACHER
  • Publication number: 20140314252
    Abstract: Acoustic feedback in an audio device is reduced or eliminated via a feedback compensator. The feedback compensator disposes of at least one adaptive filter whose adaptation is governed by a step-size parameter p. A step-size parameter p of the adaptive filter is set at a high level to eliminate acoustic feedback and the parameter p is decreased when a critical excitation signal is detected. This way to proceed allows for efficient elimination of feedback whistling while required environment signals are retained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Sebastian Pape, Tobias Wurzbacher
  • Patent number: 8861759
    Abstract: A method is provided for adapting a feedback suppression device of a hearing device to a given situation in order to improve the quality of feedback suppression in hearing devices and in hearing aids in particular. In the method an adaptation procedure of the feedback suppression device is periodically activated and adaptation of the feedback suppression device is performed regularly even if a feedback detector does not detect a feedback situation. A feedback suppression device for a hearing device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Sebastian Pape, Tobias Wurzbacher