Power Supply Or Programming Interface Terminals Patents (Class 381/323)
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Patent number: 12138046Abstract: A method is provided which includes receiving first signals indicative of sound in an environment of a recipient. The method further includes receiving second signals indicative of sound perception by the recipient. The method further includes, in response to the first signals and the second signals, determining whether the recipient is experiencing tinnitus. The method further includes, while the recipient is experiencing tinnitus, transmitting stimulation signals to the auditory system of the recipient.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventor: Ryan Orin Melman
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Patent number: 12081945Abstract: A hearing aid includes: a power source; and a switched capacitor DC-DC converter electrically connected to the power source and having an input part configured for receiving charge from the power source at an input voltage of an input voltage range; an output part having multiple output ports, the output part being configured for supplying charge to the multiple output ports for providing multiple predefined output voltages; at least one flying capacitor configured for redistributing charge from the power source to the multiple output ports and/or in between the output ports; and a switching circuitry having a plurality of switches configured for electrically switching the switched capacitor DC-DC converter based on a switching scheme so as to provide the multiple predefined output voltages based on the input voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2022Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Oticon A/SInventor: Kåre Tais Christensen
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Patent number: 12047748Abstract: A hearing device and a method for charging a hearing device is provided, the hearing device comprising an interface comprising a wireless transceiver configured for wireless communication with a charging device; and a power module comprising a charging controller and a receiving coil for wireless charging of a battery positioned in the hearing device; wherein the charging controller is configured to: obtain a first charging parameter; determine a primary charging scheme based on the first charging parameter; and transmit a primary charging indicator indicative of the primary charging scheme via the wireless transceiver.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2021Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: GN HEARING A/SInventors: Kim Rasmussen, Klaus Hagen Jensen
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Patent number: 11825259Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a speaker device including a circuit housing, an ear hook, a rear hook, and a speaker assembly. The speaker assembly may include a headphone core and a housing for accommodating the headphone core, the housing may include a housing panel facing a human body and a housing back opposite to the housing panel, and the headphone core may cause the housing panel and the housing back to vibrate. An absolute value of a difference between a first phase of a vibration of the housing panel and a second phase of a vibration of the housing back may be less than 60 degrees when a frequency of each of the vibration of the housing panel and the vibration of the housing back is between 2000 Hz and 3000 Hz.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2023Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO., LTD.Inventors: Lei Zhang, Yongjian Li, Wenbing Zhou, Jinbo Zheng, Zhuyang Jiang, Xin Qi, Fengyun Liao
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Patent number: 11509989Abstract: Headphones include an earbud, including a knob-shaped body, an earbud tip extending from the knob-shaped body and configured to enter an ear canal of a listener, a harness strap interface disposed on the knob-shaped body and configured to removably accommodate a detachable harness strap.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.Inventor: David Kim
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Patent number: 11405711Abstract: Hearing device housing blanks and methods of making hearing device housings that store energy.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2021Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Michael Au, Yashvant Venkatakrishnan, Lu Zhang
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Patent number: 11355834Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 4, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Ezdeen Elghannai, Zhenchao Yang, Stephen P. Flood
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Patent number: 11355942Abstract: A car charger includes a main body, a charging slot, and a charging module. The main body has an insertion portion and a top portion. The charging slot is located at the top portion. The charging slot has a concave surrounding wall, and the surrounding wall has a receiving space. The charging module includes an input terminal, a first charging terminal, and a conversion circuit. The input terminal is located at the insertion portion. The first charging terminal is located at the surrounding wall. The conversion circuit is electrically connected to the input terminal and the first charging terminal. The conversion circuit is configured to convert power from the input terminal and output the power to the first charging terminal.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: ASAP TECHNOLOGY (JIANGXI) CO., LIMITEDInventors: Rong-Qin Lan, Min Fan, Yun Feng
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Patent number: 11330380Abstract: An ear-wearable device is described that includes a plurality of modules that mate together forming a physical outer shell of the ear-wearable device. Each module from the plurality of modules is associated with a different, corresponding feature of the ear-wearable device and each module from the plurality of modules includes a respective physical portion that comprises a different, corresponding part of the outer shell. In addition, each module from the plurality of modules shares a physical interface with at least one other module from the plurality of modules.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2021Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, Scott Timmerman, Dustin Degen, Jodi Rickheim, Brian Dahl, Christopher Frank Filo, Kenneth Duane Gjerde, Jr.
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Patent number: 11218818Abstract: The maintenance device for at least one hearing aid having an earbud that is connected by an electronic cable to an earloop containing a rechargeable battery includes a device for charging the battery of the hearing aid and an aeraulic circuit that is configured to optimize the drying of the hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: MG DEVELOPPEMENTInventor: Jose Antonio Gil
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Patent number: 11190887Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to a hearing device positioned partially or completely within an ear canal. In some implementations, the hearing device is an ITE with an oval-shaped or elongated battery, where the battery is positioned at an angle relative to a faceplate of the ITE. The hearing device can be a rechargeable, where the rechargeable battery is positioned (e.g., titled) between at an angle between 10 to 25 degrees relative to the faceplate of the ITE. In some implementations, the faceplate of the ITE is configured to enable the battery to pivot or adjust its angle such that the battery position can be adjusted to use space more efficiently. In some implementations, the battery 220 has a long axis, where the long axis is longer than any other battery axis, and the long axis extends from the faceplate at a non-perpendicular angle (e.g., 10 to 35 degrees).Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2017Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Christian Frei, Thomas Winkler
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Patent number: 11082776Abstract: The disclosure presents a method and an amplifier system for minimizing variation in an acoustical signal caused by variation in gain of an amplifier, comprising a battery for providing a supply voltage to the amplifier, a digital signal processor for providing the acoustical signal to the amplifier, a controller unit receiving an enablement signal when the supply voltage is in an offset mode, and based on the enablement signal requesting a measured voltage during a time period, and a first analog-to-digital converter configured for measuring the supply voltage to the amplifier when receiving the request from the controller unit or the first analog-to-digital converter is configured for measuring the supply voltage to the amplifier continuously, and where variations in the measured voltage relates to variations in the supply voltage during the time period. Furthermore, the controller unit is configured to predict offset modes (i.e.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Oticon A/SInventors: Vijay Kumar Bhat, Poul Henriksen, Alberto Escolar Piedras
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Patent number: 10998867Abstract: A power output circuit supplies an audio power output signal that is adjusted to prevent clipping when needed based on an estimate of available energy from the power supply supplying the power output circuit. The power output circuit may be an audio power output circuit that generates an audio power output signal from samples of an audio program that are stored in a buffer. A processing block determines an energy requirement for producing the audio power output signal from the audio program and adjusts an amplitude of the audio power output signal in conformity with the determined energy requirement and an available energy determined for the power supply so that the audio power output signal is reproduced without clipping of the audio power output signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2020Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.Inventors: Thomas Hoff, Eric J. King
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Patent number: 10993045Abstract: An exemplary hearing device includes a first sensor, a second sensor, an audio processing component, and a power management processor. The power management processor may be configured to determine, while the hearing device is in a first low power mode, that the first sensor detects a first state change associated with the hearing device, direct, based on the first sensor detecting the first state change, the hearing device to enter a second low power mode in which the second sensor is active and the audio processing component is inactive, determine, while the hearing device is in the second low power mode, that the second sensor detects a second state change associated with the hearing device, and direct, based on the second sensor detecting the second state change, the hearing device to enter a full power mode in which the audio processing component is active.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2020Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Joachim Thiemann, Anne Thielen, Hans-Ueli Roeck, Julia Seiter, Michael Eckardt, Nadim El Guindi, Nina Stumpf
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Patent number: 10966031Abstract: A method for charging a hearing device uses a charging unit configured for wireless charging. A query signal is emitted wirelessly by a transmitter of the charging unit. Upon receipt of the query signal a first response signal is sent to the charging unit by a response unit of the hearing device. Upon the receipt of the first response signal the charging unit begins a charging operation for the hearing device, by wirelessly emitting a continuous energy signal. A hearing device system, a hearing device and a charging unit are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Gee Heng Ler, Chee Kong Siew
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Patent number: 10932067Abstract: A head-wearable hearing device includes: a housing; a microphone arrangement configured to generate a microphone signal in response to incoming sound; a digital signal processor configured to generate a processed output signal based on the microphone signal in accordance with one or more audio processing algorithms; an impact sensor configured to generate an impact pulse or impact signal in response to mechanical impact of the housing; and a reset circuit configured to apply a reset signal to the digital signal processor to place the digital signal processor in a predetermined logic state; wherein the reset circuit is configured to generate the reset signal in response to the impact pulse or the impact signal generated by the impact sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: GN Hearing A/SInventor: Joseph Renier Gerardus Maria Leenen
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Patent number: 10911878Abstract: An ear-wearable device is described that includes a plurality of modules that mate together forming a physical outer shell of the ear-wearable device. Each module from the plurality of modules is associated with a different, corresponding feature of the ear-wearable device and each module from the plurality of modules includes a respective physical portion that comprises a different, corresponding part of the outer shell. In addition, each module from the plurality of modules shares a physical interface with at least one other module from the plurality of modules.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, Scott Timmerman, Dustin Degen, Jodi Rickheim, Brian Dahl, Christopher Frank Filo, Kenneth Duane Gjerde, Jr.
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Patent number: 10893368Abstract: An antenna for inductively transmitting information and/or energy, in particular a hearing aid antenna, has a foil-like antenna base body that has a central coil core section that holds a first coil, and outer antenna sections arranged opposite one another on both sides of the central coil core section. The outer antenna sections respectively have an edge-side coil core section that adjoins the central coil core section and holds a second coil. The outer antenna sections are at an angle relative to the central coil core section. There is also described a device, in particular a hearing device, which is preferably a hearing aid, with such an antenna.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Peter Nikles, Sebastian Suedekum
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Patent number: 10863289Abstract: A changeable cartridge for a hearing device docking station, the changeable cartridge having a flexible waste reservoir adapted to receive waste products from hearing device fuel cell power packs, and a flexible fuel reservoir adapted to hold and provide fuel to hearing device fuel cell power packs. The present invention further relates to a hearing device docking station and a hearing device docking station assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Widex A/SInventors: Drew Rosskelly, Flemming Risager, Michael Frydendal Larssen
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Patent number: 10820125Abstract: An in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid comprising a body portion provided with a receiving space and a battery drawer configured to be received by the receiving space is disclosed. The battery drawer comprises a space configured to receive and maintain a battery in a fixed position. The battery drawer is slidably arranged in the receiving space of the body portion, in such a manner that the battery drawer is inserted into the receiving space in a slidable manner.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: OTICON A/SInventor: Poul Henriksen
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Patent number: 10805743Abstract: A connector for a hearing instrument, in particular a receiver-in-canal behind-the-ear hearing aid, is small and visually inconspicuous. The connector should be as invisible as possible on the hearing instrument as it is worn, and the connector allows a microphone arrangement favorable for directionality and sound pick-up. The connector is disposed on an earpiece tube, which defines a longitudinal direction at the connector. The connector is connected by insertion into a connector receptacle of a hearing instrument transversely to the longitudinal direction. The hearing instrument has a laterally arranged connector receptacle, into which a connector is inserted transversely to the longitudinal direction. Because of the transverse insertion, the connector can be arranged laterally on the housing and because of the lateral placement, the front end face of the housing is smaller and the housing is overall flatter.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Joachim Roland Barth, Holger Kral, Frank Naumann, Andreas Ratay, Markus Trautner
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Patent number: 10785555Abstract: A positioning and retaining structure for an in-ear earpiece. An outer leg and an inner leg are attached to each other at an attachment end and attached to a body of the earpiece at the other end. The outer leg lies in a plane. The positioning and retaining structure have a stiffness that is greater when force is applied to the attachment end in a counterclockwise direction in the plane of the outer leg than when force is applied to the attachment end in a clockwise direction in the plane of the outer leg. The positioning and retaining structure position an earpiece associated with the earpiece in a user's ear and retains the earpiece in its position.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Bose CorporationInventors: Ryan C. Silvestri, Eric M. Wallace, Kevin P. Annunziato, Ian M. Collier, Michael J. Monahan
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Patent number: 10779092Abstract: The present invention pertains to a rechargeable hearing device (1). The proposed hearing device (1) comprises a power supply system (6) with a control unit (10) adapted to control operation of a sound system (2) of the hearing device (1) dependent on a control input signal, wherein the control input signal depends on a type information provided by an external power source (11) indicative of the type of external power source (11) from which the hearing device (1) is receiving a power signal. Moreover, the present invention provides a hearing system (100) comprising such a hearing device (1) and an external power source (11) as well as a method for operating such a hearing device (1).Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Sudan Jürg, Aazami Sahba
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Patent number: 10771877Abstract: A system, method and device for a set of wireless earpieces anatomically conformed for wearing in the same ear is disclosed. Each wireless earpiece includes an earpiece housing, a speaker disposed within the earpiece housing, a memory device disposed within the earpiece housing, a transceiver disposed within each earpiece housing; and a processor disposed within each earpiece housing and operatively connected to the speaker and the transceiver.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: BRAGI GmbHInventors: Darko Dragicevic, Peter Vincent Boesen
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Patent number: 10764695Abstract: There is provided a hearing instrument comprising a BTE part (10) to be worn behind the ear of a user, the BTE part comprising: a first side, a second side substantially parallel to the first side, and a third side connecting the first side and the second side, wherein the third side is substantially perpendicular to the user's skin when the BTE part is worn behind the ear, an antenna (24), and a transceiver (12) designed for transmission and reception at frequencies from 1 to 6 GHz and connected to the antenna via a non-radiating bifilar transmission line (40).Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Sonova AGInventors: Javier Abadia, Yves Oesch, Francois Callias
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Patent number: 10750296Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hearing instrument comprising a rechargeable battery source providing a battery supply voltage and a switched capacitor DC-DC converter comprising a DC input coupled to the battery supply voltage for converting the battery supply voltage into a higher or lower DC output voltage. The hearing instrument comprises at least one active circuit connected to the DC output voltage for energizing active components of the at least one active circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: GN HEARING A/SInventors: Dennis Oland Larsen, Ivan Harald Holger Jorgensen, Martin Vinter
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Patent number: 10728671Abstract: An acoustic system includes: a charging apparatus, and speakers that are chargeable with the charging apparatus. The speakers include: a speaker unit that generates a sound based on the first electrical signal, and a power reception coil that is configured to be disposed to have at least a part of it overlaps with the extension line of the central axis of a power transmission coil of the charging apparatus and generates electric power to be supplied to the speaker unit with a magnetic flux generated by a power transmission coil.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Audio-Technica CorporationInventors: Yukiko Mochizuki, Toyokazu Eguchi
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Patent number: 10668272Abstract: A cochlear implant of a cochlear implant system is described. The cochlear implant comprises electrodes which are mechanically connected to one another and can be inserted in a row in the form of a spiral into a cochlea in order for auditory nerve receptors to be stimulated, a control circuit that can specifically apply electric pulses to the individual electrodes, and an energy source. The control circuit allows the electrodes to be fed in a pulsed manner with electric signals generated by a processor from the acoustic signals, and auditory nerve receptors adjacent to the electrodes to be stimulated. The electrodes are components of modules, each of which comprises its own decoder-and-control circuit for decoding module addresses and stimulation signals and generating electric pulses for the electrodes. Encoded module addresses and stimulation signals generated from acoustic signals are applied to inputs of the decoder-and-control circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2016Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignees: MEDIZINISCHE HOCHSCHULE HANNOVER, GOTTFRIED WILHELM LEIBNIZ UNIVERSITAET HANNOVERInventors: Holger Blume, Wolfgang Ertmer, Thomas Lenarz, Andrej Kral
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Patent number: 10475354Abstract: Embodiments relate to performing haptic communication using frequency decomposition of speech where dominant frequencies of a speech is detected at a speech source and then sent to a signal generator to actuate actuators mapped to the dominant frequencies. The digitized version of the speech is segmented into a plurality of frames and then a predetermined number of dominant frequencies are detected from each frame. The dominant frequencies of frequencies are sent over to the signal generator so that the actuators corresponding to the dominant frequencies are activated for a time period corresponding to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2018Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Facebook, Inc.Inventor: Robert Turcott
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Patent number: 10448175Abstract: A hearing device having a construction configured to minimize internal noise components of the hearing device is disclosed. In more detail, a hearing device, such as a hearing aid comprising a battery and a compartment configured for receiving a battery is disclosed, wherein the construction of the hearing aid housing is configured such that the noise components arising from the battery being in contact with a battery spring is substantially minimized.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Oticon A/SInventors: Christian Huber, Patrick Walther, Robert Michler
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Patent number: 10419859Abstract: A module for installation in a housing of a hearing aid, comprising a receiver having a first sound opening, for emitting acoustic signals, and an acoustic channel for guiding sound, which is aligned with the first sound opening and runs in a longitudinal direction. The acoustic channel is enclosed by a cup-shaped holder, and the holder has a second sound opening, which is aligned with the acoustic channel. The holder carries a spout, which has a mounting end and a connecting piece for connecting an ear mold. The spout has a channel for conducting sound, which runs in the longitudinal direction and is disposed in alignment with the second sound opening of the holder.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Erwin Singer, Christian Schmitt, Benjamin Schmidt
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Patent number: 10356537Abstract: One illustrative wearable device embodiment includes: a battery; an antenna coil; a wireless charging module coupled to the antenna coil to harvest wireless power for charging the battery; an NFC (near field communications) module coupled to the antenna coil to receive a query signal and provide a tag response signal; and an NFMI (near field magnetic induction) module coupled to the antenna coil to send and receive audio streams. An illustrative wireless communications method embodiment includes: coupling an antenna coil to a wireless charging module to charge a battery; coupling the antenna coil to an NFC (near field communications) module; and coupling the antenna coil to an NFMI (near field magnetic induction) module to send or receive an audio stream. When coupled, the NFC module receives a query signal, provides a tag response signal, and receives a command signal to set at least one parameter value affecting rendering of the audio stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Marcus P. Niklaus, Onur Kazanc
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Patent number: 10341788Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a housing configured to receive a battery is disclosed. The housing comprises a battery drawer configured to receive the battery, wherein the battery drawer comprises a cover and a surrounding structure configured to at least partly surround the battery. The cover is attached to said surrounding structure and at least a part of the battery drawer is slidably attached to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Oticon A/SInventor: Poul Henriksen
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Patent number: 10321217Abstract: Arrangements for bone conduction transducers (BCTs) that couple to wearable devices are described herein. An example BCT couples to a wearable device via a moveable member, and is arranged on the wearable such that the BCT member moves so as to provide an indication as to whether or not the wearable device is being worn.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Michael Kubba, Jeremy Evan Blum, Livius Chebeleu, Chi Kin Benjamin Leung, Jordan Kestler
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Patent number: 10306381Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method of charging a rechargeable battery, the method comprising the steps of: detecting the presence of a rechargeable hearing aid in a hearing aid recharger; generating a unique random ID in the charger; transmitting the unique random ID to the hearing aid using an extremely low power protocol; demodulating the unique ID in the hearing aid; using the demodulated unique ID in a low power protocol to advertise the hearing aid on a network which includes the charger; associating the hearing aid to the charger when the charger which broadcast the unique ID receives that unique ID from a hearing aid using a wireless protocol; using the wireless protocol to communicate between the associated charging station and hearing aid; radiating power from the charger to the hearing aid; and ending the association when the hearing aid is removed from the charger.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: EarLens CorporationInventors: Kulbir Sandhu, Cem Shaquer, Kyu-Hwa Jeong
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Patent number: 10264371Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hearing instrument comprising a rechargeable battery source providing a battery supply voltage and a switched capacitor DC-DC converter comprising a DC input coupled to the battery supply voltage for converting the battery supply voltage into a higher or lower DC output voltage. The hearing instrument comprises at least one active circuit connected to the DC output voltage for energizing active components of the at least one active circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: GN Hearing A/SInventors: Dennis Oland Larsen, Ivan Harald Holger Jorgensen, Martin Vinter
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Patent number: 10136231Abstract: The present invention relates to a changeable cartridge for a hearing device docking station, said changeable cartridge comprising a flexible waste reservoir being adapted to receive waste products from hearing device fuel cell power packs, and a flexible fuel reservoir being adapted to hold and provide fuel to hearing device fuel cell power packs. The present invention further relates to a hearing device docking station and a hearing device docking station assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Widex A/SInventors: Drew Rosskelly, Flemming Risager, Michael Frydendal Larssen
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Patent number: 10110988Abstract: Described is a human-ear-wearable apparatus having a housing, which contains electronic and auditory components for conveying sound into a human hear. An inflatable mounting system is configured to secure the housing to the human ear. The mounting system includes an elastomeric bladder configured to inflate into a customizable counterpart shape of portions of the user's Concha and Meatus areas of a particular user's ear. A pump, coupled to the housing, is configured to pass air through an opening in the housing to the elastomeric bladder. Inflation of the bladder, via the pump, is controllable by a user to form a customized fit of the mounting system's bladder to the Concha and Meatus areas of the user's ear. One or more speakers may be encased in the elastomeric bladder. For example, a dual-hybrid speaker arrangement is described with a cone speaker and a balanced-armature driver embedded in the bladder.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Inventor: Christopher Robert Barry
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Patent number: 9996095Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device having a bulk bias control function is provided. The semiconductor integrated circuit device may be configured to output the first external voltage as a bulk voltage of a transistor in a power-up period, and to output a second external voltage having a higher level than the first external voltage as the bulk voltage of the transistor in a power-down mode.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventor: Yeon Uk Kim
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Patent number: 9986345Abstract: An electronic device, a case, and a case mounting structure of the electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a body and a cover for rotating based on a hinge portion in the body and opening and closing at a specified angle. The case includes a mounting portion for receiving at least part of an electronic device and a pressing projection for protruding outwards from the mounting portion and opening the cover in the electronic device by pressing at least part of the cover of the mounted electronic device. When the electronic device is mounting in the mounting portion and one side of the hinge portion is pressed by the pressing projection, the cover is opened at a specified angle and power of the electronic device is shut off.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Myung-Kyu Kim, Yong Seok Bang, Cheol-Soo La
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Patent number: 9888326Abstract: The invention relates to a transducer comprising a housing, a first and a second diaphragm, and a first and a second signal provider. The housing comprises an inner surface. The first and second diaphragms are positioned in the housing. The first and second diaphragms define a common compartment being delimited by at least both a part of the inner surface and the first and second diaphragms. The first signal provider is configured to convert movement of the first diaphragm into a first signal. The second signal provider is configured to convert movement of the second diaphragm into a second signal. The transducer can be used in a hearing aid.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Sonion Nederland BVInventors: Adrianus Maria Lafort, Andreas Tiefenau, Anne-Marie Sänger, Frederik Cornelis Blom, Alwin Fransen
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Patent number: 9838806Abstract: The invention is directed to a hearing aid device that includes a housing having an opening and a battery drawer. The opening and the battery drawer are parts of a battery door that is rotatably mounted to the housing. The battery drawer also includes a finger engagement portion arranged at the outside surface of the battery drawer. The battery door can be closed by pushing the finger engagement portion, and maintained in a closed state. The battery door can be at least partly opened by pushing the finger engagement portion, and maintained in an at least partly open state. The hearing aid device can be electrically switched on and off by pushing the finger engagement portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Oticon A/SInventors: Oliver Sundberg, Troels Holm Pedersen
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Patent number: 9807490Abstract: Arrangements for bone conduction transducers (BCTs) that couple to wearable devices are described herein. An example BCT couples to a wearable device via a moveable member, and is arranged on the wearable such that the BCT member moves so as to provide an indication as to whether or not the wearable device is being worn.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Michael Kubba, Jeremy Evan Blum, Livius Chebeleu, Chi Kin Benjamin Leung, Jordan Kestler
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Patent number: 9712932Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for a user interface control to allow control of multiple parameters from a single control for a hearing assistance device. One aspect of the present subject matter relates to hearing assistance device for a wearer, including a housing, hearing assistance electronics housed in the housing, and a tinnitus therapy generator housed in the housing. A user interface control is connected to the electronics and the generator, and the control is configured to sense input from the wearer and provide for selection and adjustment of operational parameters for the electronics and the generator based on the sensed input. Other aspects are provided without departing from the scope of the present subject matter.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: John Andrew Dundas
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Patent number: 9712925Abstract: To make the charging of hearing aids more convenient, a charging device for wirelessly charging a hearing aid is provided. The charging device has a cylindrical container, an integrated antenna for generating an alternating magnetic field in the container in the event of electrical excitation, and a charging circuit which can be used to electrically excite the antenna. The antenna is a birdcage antenna in which rods are arranged parallel to a cylinder axis on a cylinder jacket and the ends of the rods at the edges of the cylinder jacket are each connected to an end ring. A switching element is arranged in each of the rods. The charging circuit is used to alternately generate a circular magnetic field, in which case the switching elements are operated in a closed mode, and a linear magnetic field, in which case the switching elements are operated in an open mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Sebastian Martius, Benjamin Sewiolo
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Patent number: 9681213Abstract: A headphone device includes an electric input terminal for receiving an electric audio signal, an electric energy storage device, and a charging device coupled to the electric input terminal and the electric energy storage device. The charging device is configured to charge the electric energy storage device with electric energy from the electric audio signal. An audio device includes an electric output terminal for outputting an electric audio signal from an audio source of the audio device, and an audio energy supply device configured to generate an additional electric audio signal with a frequency above a first frequency value and/or a frequency below a second frequency value, and to output the additional electric audio signal via the electric output terminal.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS INC.Inventor: Georg Siotis
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Patent number: 9648429Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are methods and apparatus for improved microphone protection for hearing assistance devices. One aspect of the present subject matter includes a hearing assistance device, such as a completely-in-the-canal (CIC) type hearing aid, that includes a battery door with a microphone slit and a battery contact including a microphone port. In various embodiments, the microphone slit and the microphone port are configured to create a nonlinear acoustic path to a microphone of the hearing assistance device. In various embodiments, the acoustic path is configured to prevent earwax from blocking and/or damaging the microphone, such as during insertion, removal or cleaning of the hearing assistance device.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2013Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, Gary Zajicek, Toto Saykeo, Jerome C. Ruzicka, Janet Richardson
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Patent number: 9544683Abstract: Techniques herein provide wireless energy transfer to audio devices such as headphones, headsets, hearing aids, and the like. Audio devices are integrated with a device resonator. The device resonator may be positioned and oriented to reduce interaction with lossy or sensitive components of the audio device. A repeater resonator and/or a source resonator is integrated into a headrest of a seat or a chair providing continuous power to the headphones while in use. The audio devices may be recharged wirelessly when positioned near source resonators that may be embedded in pads, tables, carrying cases, cups, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: WiTricity CorporationInventors: Steven J. Ganem, Hiroshi A. Mendoza, Morris P. Kesler, Konrad J. Kulikowski, Andre B. Kurs, Alexander P. McCauley, Eric R. Giler, Katherine L. Hall, Gozde Guckaya
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Patent number: 9445206Abstract: A hearing aid device has a housing with a battery drawer constituting a battery door that is movably mounted to the housing. The battery drawer has a finger engagement portion arranged at an outside surface of the battery drawer and a closing mechanism. The mechanism closes the battery door in response to force pushing the finger engagement portion in a first direction and keeps the battery door closed. The mechanism can also include a member that partly opens the battery door in response to force pushing the finger engagement portion in the same first direction. Moreover, a switch can be included that turns the hearing aid device on and off in response to force pushing the finger engagement portion. The closing mechanism can have a rotatably mounted member that is attached to a base extending from the member with a head that protrudes from the base.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Oticon A/SInventors: Oliver Sundberg, Troels Holm Pedersen
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Patent number: 9439575Abstract: Acquiring and processing heart rate data involves providing glasses having a microcontroller, a heart rate sensor positionable to a user, a configuration memory, at least one data memory, a clock/calendar electronic circuit, a visual and/or audible signaling unit, a rechargeable autonomous electrical power supply, and one switch for the heart rate detection function. The method involves providing a programming and data transfer unit external to the glasses, providing a connection system between the glasses and the external programming and data transfer unit, programming the configuration memory (102) of the glasses using the external programming and data transfer unit, with a minimum heart rate threshold value, a maximum heart rate threshold value, and a heart rate reading frequency value, acquiring readings in data memory of the glasses during activity, processing an alarm signal when a detected heart rate value is above a maximum or below a minimum.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Inventor: Marco Carrara