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).

  • Publication number: 20190190129
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Zhenchao Yang, Deepak Hosadurga, Karl Hilde, Beau Jay Polinske
  • Patent number: 10256529
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenchao Yang, Deepak Hosadurga, Karl Hilde, Beau Jay Polinske
  • Publication number: 20180352345
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Beau Jay Polinske, Jay Rabel, Randy Kannas, Deepak Pai Hosadurga, Zhenchao Yang, Jay Stewart
  • Patent number: 10051388
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Beau Jay Polinske, Jay Rabel, Randy Kannas, Deepak Pai Hosadurga, Zhenchao Yang, Jay Stewart
  • Publication number: 20180138583
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Zhenchao Yang, Deepak Hosadurga, Karl Hilde, Beau Jay Polinske
  • Publication number: 20180124528
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Beau Jay Polinske, Deepak Hosadurga, Randy Kannas, Zhenchao Yang
  • Publication number: 20180115050
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Zhenchao Yang, Stephen Paul Flood, Greg Haubrich
  • Publication number: 20180084351
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Beau Jay Polinske, Jay Rabel, Randy Kannas, Deepak Pai Hosadurga, Zhenchao Yang, Jay Stewart
  • Patent number: 9112270
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for wireless communications. A planar antenna element is disposed on a surface of a substrate. The planar antenna element comprises an electrically conductive material. The substrate comprises a dielectric material. The planar antenna element may be arranged in a planar antenna array as a feed for a reflector antenna or as an aperture array. The planar antenna element may comprise a slot patch antenna element with a slot in the electrically conductive material of the planar antenna element circumscribing the planar antenna element. The slot exposes the dielectric material of the substrate. A ground plane may be disposed on the surface of the substrate. The ground plane comprises an electrically conductive material. The slot may be disposed between the ground plane and the patch antenna element. The substrate may include electronic components for beam steering, upconversion, downconversion, amplification, or other functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Brigham Young Univeristy
    Inventors: Karl F. Warnick, Zhenchao Yang
  • Patent number: 9112262
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for wireless communications. A planar antenna element is disposed on a surface of a substrate. The planar antenna element comprises an electrically conductive material and has a circular polarization. The substrate comprises a dielectric material. The planar antenna element may be arranged in a planar antenna array as a feed for a reflector antenna or as an aperture array. The planar antenna element may comprise a slot patch antenna element with a slot in the electrically conductive material of the planar antenna element circumscribing the planar antenna element. The slot exposes the dielectric material of the substrate. A ground plane may be disposed on the surface of the substrate. The ground plane comprises an electrically conductive material. The slot may be disposed between the ground plane and the patch antenna element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Karl F Warnick, Zhenchao Yang
  • Publication number: 20120306698
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for wireless communications. A planar antenna element is disposed on a surface of a substrate. The planar antenna element comprises an electrically conductive material. The substrate comprises a dielectric material. The planar antenna element may be arranged in a planar antenna array as a feed for a reflector antenna or as an aperture array. The planar antenna element may comprise a slot patch antenna element with a slot in the electrically conductive material of the planar antenna element circumscribing the planar antenna element. The slot exposes the dielectric material of the substrate. A ground plane may be disposed on the surface of the substrate. The ground plane comprises an electrically conductive material. The slot may be disposed between the ground plane and the patch antenna element. The substrate may include electronic components for beam steering, upconversion, downconversion, amplification, or other functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Karl F. Warnick, Zhenchao Yang