Patents by Inventor Zhenchao Yang
Zhenchao Yang 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).
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Publication number: 20210337323Abstract: Hearing aids having example antennas tuned to transmit and receive signals having a frequency greater than or equal to 2.4 GHz are described. The antenna includes a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is configured to fit inside a housing of the hearing aid and to be within the ear canal when the hearing aid is inserted into an ear of a wearer. The second segment is configured to be within the housing and disposed near a side of the housing facing toward an outside of the ear canal when the hearing aid is inserted into the ear of the wearer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Ezdeen Elghannai, Karl Joseph Hilde, Zhenchao Yang
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Patent number: 11158935Abstract: Ear-worn devices may include one or more structural elements formed of high-dielectric material. The position and shape of the structural element may be selected relative to an antenna of the ear-worn device to provide specific enhancements of the electric and/or magnetic field generated by the antenna. The structural elements may include a host resin material and a plurality of dielectric material elements. The structural elements may have an effective dielectric constant greater than 5. One or more loading strips may be used to tune a resonating structure formed by the antenna and the structural elements. The antenna may be an antenna array with structural elements disposed between elements of the array.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Casey Murray, Janet Marie Glenn, Zhenchao Yang
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Patent number: 11140496Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device is configured to be worn by a wearer and comprises a housing configured to be supported at, by, in or on the wearer's ear. A processor is disposed in the housing, and a speaker or a receiver is operably coupled to the processor. A radio frequency transceiver is disposed in the housing and operably coupled to the processor. A battery/antenna module is disposed in the housing and comprises a battery, a helical antenna wrapped around the battery, and electrically insulating material disposed between the helical antenna and the battery. The helical antenna is operably coupled to the transceiver.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Dong Xue, Zhenchao Yang, Tim Wilburn
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Publication number: 20210298676Abstract: An ear-worn electronic monitoring system includes an on-ear component comprising a housing configured for placement on, in or about the wearer's ear. The on-ear component comprises a power source and a first interface coupled to the power source. The monitoring system also includes an in-ear component comprising a housing configured for deployment at least partially within an ear canal of the wearer. The in-ear component comprises a second interface configured to couple to and decouple from the first interface, a controller coupled to a memory, one or more physiologic sensors coupled to the controller and memory, and power management circuitry coupled to the controller. The power management circuitry comprises a wireless power receiver configured to receive power from a wireless powering arrangement. The power management circuitry is further configured to receive power from the power source of the on-ear component when the second interface is coupled to the first interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventors: Paul Anders Shriner, Ezdeen Elghannai, Stephen Paul Flood, Gregory J. Haubrich, Zhenchao Yang
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Patent number: 11057723Abstract: Hearing aids having example antennas tuned to transmit and receive signals having a frequency greater than or equal to 2.4 GHz are described. The antenna includes a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is configured to fit inside a housing of the hearing aid and to be within the ear canal when the hearing aid is inserted into an ear of a wearer. The second segment is configured to be within the housing and disposed near a side of the housing facing toward an outside of the ear canal when the hearing aid is inserted into the ear of the wearer.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2020Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Ezdeen Elghannai, Karl Hilde, Zhenchao Yang
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Publication number: 20210126352Abstract: A hearing device adapted to be worn by a wearer comprises a shell configured for placement on an exterior surface of an ear of the wearer. The shell comprises a first end, a second end, a bottom, a top, and opposing sides, wherein the bottom, top, and opposing sides extend between the first and second ends. Circuitry is provided within the shell comprising at least a microphone, signal processing circuitry, radio circuitry, and a power source. A folded antenna is coupled to the radio circuitry and extends longitudinally along one of the bottom and the top and along the opposing sides between the first and second ends. The folded antenna encompasses at least some of the circuitry and forms an elongated gap between the opposing sides. The elongated gap faces the other of the bottom and the top.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2020Publication date: April 29, 2021Inventors: Zhenchao Yang, Deepak Hosadurga, Karl Hilde, Beau Jay Polinske
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Patent number: 10886603Abstract: A hearing device adapted to be worn by a wearer comprises a shell configured for placement on an exterior surface of an ear of the wearer. The shell comprises a first end, a second end, a bottom, a top, and opposing sides, wherein the bottom, top, and opposing sides extend between the first and second ends. Circuitry is provided within the shell comprising at least a microphone, signal processing circuitry, radio circuitry, and a power source. A folded antenna is coupled to the radio circuitry and extends longitudinally along one of the bottom and the top and along the opposing sides between the first and second ends. The folded antenna encompasses at least some of the circuitry and forms an elongated gap between the opposing sides. The elongated gap faces the other of the bottom and the top.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2020Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Zhenchao Yang, Deepak Hosadurga, Karl Hilde, Beau Jay Polinske
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Publication number: 20200329319Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for a hearing device antenna. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer to perform wireless communication. The hearing device includes a housing, hearing electronics within the housing, and an inverted F antenna or loop antenna disposed at least partially in the housing and configured for performing 2.4 GHz wireless communication. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the antenna protrudes from an exterior of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Beau Jay Polinske, Jay Rabel, Randy Kannas, Deepak Pai Hosadurga, Zhenchao Yang, Jay Stewart, Michael J. Tadeusiak, Stephen Paul Flood
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Publication number: 20200275218Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device is configured to be worn by a wearer and comprises a housing configured to be supported at, by, in or on the wearer's ear. A processor is disposed in the housing, and a speaker or a receiver is operably coupled to the processor. A radio frequency transceiver is disposed in the housing and operably coupled to the processor. A battery/antenna module is disposed in the housing and comprises a battery, a helical antenna wrapped around the battery, and electrically insulating material disposed between the helical antenna and the battery. The helical antenna is operably coupled to the transceiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2019Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Dong Xue, Zhenchao Yang, Tim Wilburn
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Publication number: 20200251811Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device is configured to be worn by a wearer and comprises a housing configured to be supported at, by, in or on the wearer's ear. A processor is disposed in the housing. A speaker or a receiver is operably coupled to the processor. A radio frequency transceiver is disposed in the housing and operably coupled to the processor. An antenna is disposed on or in the housing and operably coupled to the transceiver. The antenna comprises a radiating element, a ground plane, and a substrate disposed between the radiating element and the ground plane. The substrate comprises one or both of a dielectric gel and a dielectric liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2019Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Ezdeen Elghannai, Zhenchao Yang, Stephen P. Flood
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Publication number: 20200203812Abstract: Ear-worn devices may include one or more structural elements formed of high-dielectric material. The position and shape of the structural element may be selected relative to an antenna of the ear-worn device to provide specific enhancements of the electric and/or magnetic field generated by the antenna. The structural elements may include a host resin material and a plurality of dielectric material elements. The structural elements may have an effective dielectric constant greater than 5. One or more loading strips may be used to tune a resonating structure formed by the antenna and the structural elements. The antenna may be an antenna array with structural elements disposed between elements of the array.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Casey Murray, Janet Marie Glenn, Zhenchao Yang
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Publication number: 20200203813Abstract: A hearing device adapted to be worn by a wearer comprises a shell configured for placement on an exterior surface of an ear of the wearer. The shell comprises a first end, a second end, a bottom, a top, and opposing sides, wherein the bottom, top, and opposing sides extend between the first and second ends. Circuitry is provided within the shell comprising at least a microphone, signal processing circuitry, radio circuitry, and a power source. A folded antenna is coupled to the radio circuitry and extends longitudinally along one of the bottom and the top and along the opposing sides between the first and second ends. The folded antenna encompasses at least some of the circuitry and forms an elongated gap between the opposing sides. The elongated gap faces the other of the bottom and the top.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2020Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Zhenchao Yang, Deepak Hosadurga, Karl Hilde, Beau Jay Polinske
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Patent number: 10687156Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for a hearing device antenna. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing device configured to be worn in an ear of a wearer to perform wireless communication. The hearing device includes a housing hearing electronics within the housing and an inverted F antenna or loop antenna disposed at least partially in the housing and configured for performing 2.4 GHz wireless communication. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the antenna protrudes from an exterior of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Beau Jay Polinske, Jay Rabel, Randy Kannas, Deepak Pai Hosadurga, Zhenchao Yang, Jay Stewart, Michael J. Tadeusiak, Stephen Paul Flood
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Publication number: 20200145766Abstract: Hearing aids having example antennas tuned to transmit and receive signals having a frequency greater than or equal to 2.4 GHz are described. The antenna includes a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is configured to fit inside a housing of the hearing aid and to be within the ear canal when the hearing aid is inserted into an ear of a wearer. The second segment is configured to be within the housing and disposed near a side of the housing facing toward an outside of the ear canal when the hearing aid is inserted into the ear of the wearer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2020Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Ezdeen Elghannai, Karl Hilde, Zhenchao Yang
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Publication number: 20200077210Abstract: A hearing device includes an enclosure comprising a shell and a faceplate and is configured for at least partial insertion within an ear of a user. An antenna structure of the hearing device is oriented such that a direction of an electric field (E-field) of a propagating electromagnetic signal generated by the antenna structure is directed non-tangentially with respect to the user at the location of the user's ear. The antenna structure includes an antenna disposed in or on the faceplate and a ground plane at least partially supported by the faceplate. A battery and electronic circuitry are disposed within the shell. The electronic circuitry is powered by the battery and is electrically coupled to send and/or receive signals via the antenna structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Beau Jay Polinske, Deepak Hosadurga, Randy Kannas, Zhenchao Yang
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Patent number: 10581144Abstract: A hearing device adapted to be worn by a wearer comprises a shell configured for placement on an exterior surface of an ear of the wearer. The shell comprises a first end, a second end, a bottom, a top, and opposing sides, wherein the bottom, top, and opposing sides extend between the first and second ends. Circuitry is provided within the shell comprising at least a microphone, signal processing circuitry, radio circuitry, and a power source. A folded antenna is coupled to the radio circuitry and extends longitudinally along one of the bottom and the top and along the opposing sides between the first and second ends. The folded antenna encompasses at least some of the circuitry and forms an elongated gap between the opposing sides. The elongated gap faces the other of the bottom and the top.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2019Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Zhenchao Yang, Deepak Hosadurga, Karl Hilde, Beau Jay Polinske
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Patent number: 10547957Abstract: Hearing aids having example antennas tuned to transmit and receive signals having a frequency greater than or equal to 2.4 GHz are described. The antenna includes a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is configured to fit inside a housing of the hearing aid and to be within the ear canal when the hearing aid is inserted into an ear of a wearer. The second segment is configured to be within the housing and disposed near a side of the housing facing toward an outside of the ear canal when the hearing aid is inserted into the ear of the wearer.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Ezdeen Elghannai, Karl Hilde, Zhenchao Yang
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Publication number: 20190386708Abstract: A hearing device includes first, second, and third antennas oriented respectively along first, second, and third axes that are different from one another. The device includes first channel circuitry coupled to transceive and process antenna signals of each of the antennas. The antennas and the first channel circuitry communicate with another hearing device via a near field magnetic induction (NFMI) signal through a first near field magnetic induction (NFMI) communication channel. Second channel circuitry is coupled to transceive and process the antenna signals of each of the antennas. The antennas and the second channel circuitry communicate with the other device via the NFMI signal through a second NFMI communication channel. Third channel circuitry is coupled to transceive and process the antenna signals of each of the antennas. The antennas and the third channel circuitry communicate with the other device via the NFMI signal through a third NFMI communication channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2019Publication date: December 19, 2019Inventors: Zhenchao Yang, Stephen Paul Flood, Greg Haubrich
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Patent number: 10477329Abstract: A hearing device includes an enclosure comprising a shell and a faceplate and is configured for at least partial insertion within an ear of a user. An antenna structure of the hearing device is oriented such that a direction of an electric field (E-field) of a propagating electromagnetic signal generated by the antenna structure is directed non-tangentially with respect to the user at the location of the user's ear. The antenna structure includes an antenna disposed in or on the faceplate and a ground plane at least partially supported by the faceplate. A battery and electronic circuitry are disposed within the shell. The electronic circuitry is powered by the battery and is electrically coupled to send and/or receive signals via the antenna structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Beau Jay Polinske, Deepak Hosadurga, Randy Kannas, Zhenchao Yang
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Patent number: 10404323Abstract: A hearing device includes first, second, and third antennas oriented respectively along first, second, and third axes that are different from one another. The device includes first channel circuitry coupled to transceive and process antenna signals of each of the antennas. The antennas and the first channel circuitry communicate with another hearing device via a near field magnetic induction (NFMI) signal through a first near field magnetic induction (NFMI) communication channel. Second channel circuitry is coupled to transceive and process the antenna signals of each of the antennas. The antennas and the second channel circuitry communicate with the other device via the NFMI signal through a second NFMI communication channel. Third channel circuitry is coupled to transceive and process the antenna signals of each of the antennas. The antennas and the third channel circuitry communicate with the other device via the NFMI signal through a third NFMI communication channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Zhenchao Yang, Stephen Paul Flood, Greg Haubrich