Patents by Inventor Valerie Hanson

Valerie Hanson 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: 9906872
    Abstract: A hearing prosthetic has microphones configured to receive audio with signal processing circuitry for reducing noise; apparatus configured to receive a signal derived from a neural interface, and to determine an interest signal when the user is interested in processed audio; and a transducer for providing processed audio to a user. The signal processing circuitry is controlled by the interest signal. In particular embodiments, the neural interface is electroencephalographic electrodes processed to detect a P300 interest signal, in other embodiments the interest signal is derived from a sensorimotor rhythm signal. In embodiments, the signal processing circuitry reduces noise by receiving sound from along a direction of focus, while rejecting sound from other directions; the direction of focus being set according to timing of the interest signal. In other embodiments, a sensorimotor rhythm signal is determined and binned, with direction of audio focus set according to amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
    Inventors: Kofi Odame, Valerie Hanson
  • Publication number: 20160157030
    Abstract: A hearing prosthetic has microphones configured to receive audio with signal processing circuitry for reducing noise; apparatus configured to receive a signal derived from a neural interface, and to determine an interest signal when the user is interested in processed audio; and a transducer for providing processed audio to a user. The signal processing circuitry is controlled by the interest signal. In particular embodiments, the neural interface is electroencephalographic electrodes processed to detect a P300 interest signal, in other embodiments the interest signal is derived from a sensorimotor rhythm signal. In embodiments, the signal processing circuitry reduces noise by receiving sound from along a direction of focus, while rejecting sound from other directions; the direction of focus being set according to timing of the interest signal. In other embodiments, a sensorimotor rhythm signal is determined and binned, with direction of audio focus set according to amplitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: The Trustees of Dartmouth College
    Inventors: Kofi Odame, Valerie Hanson