Testing Of Hearing Aids Patents (Class 381/60)
  • Patent number: 11026602
    Abstract: Disclosed is a graphical user interface operational on a portable device that allows users to test their minimum audio hearing level at various frequencies using a single button. The graphical user interface generates sound frequencies that are played to the user, one ear at a time. Starting from zero decibels, sound intensity levels are gradually increased to intensity levels perceptible by the user. The users indicate recognition of the sound frequency by interacting with the graphical user interface. The intensities of the sound pressure levels (SPLs) are registered as estimates of a user's hearing sensitivity at the tested frequency bands. The process is repeated at different frequency bands for each ear, and hearing levels for each ear established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: BITWAVE PTE LTD
    Inventors: Siew Kok Hui, Leon Shi Terng Tan
  • Patent number: 11020593
    Abstract: A method of enhancing binaural representation for a subject includes receiving a first signal and a second signal in response to a plurality of sound sources, generating a number of estimated interaural time differences using the first signal and the second signal, converting each of the number of estimated interaural time differences to a corresponding interaural level difference, using one or more of the corresponding interaural level differences to generate an adjusted first signal, and using the adjusted first signal to generate a number of signals delivered to the subject for enhancing the hearing of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignees: University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education, Arizona Board of Regents Acting for and on Behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventor: Christopher A. Brown
  • Patent number: 10986454
    Abstract: Method and devices for processing audio signals based on sound profiles are provided. A sound profile can include data related to haptic movement of the audio data which is specific to a left ear or a right ear, demographic information, ethnicity information, age information, location information, social media information, intensity score of the audio data, previous usage information, or device information. A sound profile can be customized for individual user to include the inaudible frequency range at high frequency end and low frequency end. Audio data within the inaudible frequency range can be compensated by haptic movement corresponding to the inaudible frequency range. A sound profile can further include an audio frequency range and its lowest audible volume for a user. A sound profile can be provided to a user without any action from the user's part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: ALPINE ELECTRONICS OF SILICON VALLEY, INC.
    Inventors: Rocky Chau-Hsiung Lin, Thomas Yamasaki, Hiroyuki Toki, Koichiro Kanda
  • Patent number: 10979832
    Abstract: A hearing device includes: a processing unit configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user of the hearing device; and a memory unit; wherein the processing unit is configured to: obtain an access right certificate, the access right certificate comprising an access right identifier, verify the access right certificate, and if the access right certificate is verified, provide an access right according to the access right identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: GN Hearing A/S
    Inventors: Brian Dam Pedersen, Allan Munk Vendelbo
  • Patent number: 10966011
    Abstract: Accurate measurements of the sound pressure level require regular calibration of the microphone. Closed-coupler calibration devices are designed to work with laboratory and working standard microphones, but there are numerous microphones with dimensions that do not fit a standard coupler. For example, micro-electro-mechanical system microphones are very small and widely used due to their size, performance, and cost. Described herein is an acoustical coupler that can accommodate microphones of arbitrary cross-sectional shape. The coupler utilizes a flexible membrane that adapts to the shape of the microphone. In contrast to a rigid enclosure, the permeability of the membrane creates an open system that reduces the sensitivity to fit. The precision and accuracy of the device is demonstrated by calibrating a small, oddly shaped microphone using the substitution method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Colorado State University Research Foundation
    Inventor: Daniel J. Mennitt
  • Patent number: 10887713
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for testing a microphone of a device under test. The apparatus includes a speaker, a mount or bracket that secures a device under test a fixed distance from the speaker, and a controller. The controller causes the speaker to generate a test signal at various amplitudes. The controller receives an output signal generated by the microphone in response to the test signal and generates a prediction of whether the microphone is defective based on the output signal. The prediction may be generated by a machine-learning model such as a neural network or other trained classifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Asfaw, Shaji Parol, Eric Roy Pedersen
  • Patent number: 10805748
    Abstract: Provided is a method of adapting settings of a hearing device. The method includes the step of providing start settings and target settings of a user control, wherein the start settings and target settings define an effect of the user control at a start time and at an acclimatization completion time, and wherein the user control is for adjusting at least one setting of the hearing device. Further the method includes the steps of configuring an acclimatization transfer behavior of the user control from the start settings to the target settings, wherein the configuration defines how the settings, which determine an effect of the user control, change over time; and causing, during an acclimatization phase, the hearing device to adjust user control settings from the start settings to the target settings according to the configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Elmar Fichtl, Harald Krueger
  • Patent number: 10783996
    Abstract: A system, method, hearing aid and software for providing a network connection for a computer device to at least one hearing aid having a gateway to the Internet. The system includes a user account server providing a user account database, each user account includes a unique identity for an associated hearing aid; a control server providing a hearing aid connection register including the unique identity of hearing aids associated with current connection information; and a network connection handling element for detecting the presence of a wireless connection between the hearing a and gateway, and for uploading current connection information to the control server. On receiving connection information, the control server updates the hearing aid connection register, and provides the current connection information to a requesting computer device. The computer device can establish a direct connection to the hearing aid based on current connection information requested from the control server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventors: Soren Erik Westermann, Svend Vitting Andersen, Anders Westergaard, Niels Erik Boelskift Maretti
  • Patent number: 10785580
    Abstract: A method adjusts parameters of a hearing system which has a hearing aid device and a communication device, which is separate from the hearing aid device. A component for acoustic coupling of the hearing aid device to the ear of a hearing-aid wearer is fitted to the hearing aid device. A camera of the communication device is used to capture at least one image of the component used for acoustic coupling. A product identity of the component is identified from the captured image and acoustic transfer characteristics are assigned to the previously identified component. The parameters of the hearing system are adjusted on the basis of these acoustic transfer characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Stefan Aschoff, Roland Weidner, Markus Mueller
  • Patent number: 10728677
    Abstract: The application relates to a hearing device, e.g. a hearing aid, adapted for being located at or in an ear of a user, or for being fully or partially implanted in the head of the user. The application further relates to a method of operating a hearing device. The hearing device comprises a) an input unit for providing at least one electric input signal in a frequency sub-band representation comprising a number K of frequency bands, b) a frequency band to channel allocation unit for allocating said K frequency bands to a number N of frequency channels for each of said electric input signals, wherein K>N; c) antenna and transceiver circuitry allowing reception of at least one further electric signal in said N frequency channels from another device, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: OTICON A/S
    Inventors: Michael Syskind Pedersen, Jesper Jensen
  • Patent number: 10720144
    Abstract: An earphone device/test station pairing (1, 2) includes an earphone device (1) including: at least one electroacoustic driver (32, 33, 34); a digital module (31) including a processor module; and a digital interface configured to connect the earphone device (1) to a media/communications device having a digital output; a test station (2) including at least one transducer (40, 42, 6), the test station (2) being operative to communicate with the earphone device (1) via the digital interface to allow data transmission between the earphone device (1) and the test station (2) during a test/configuration procedure; and a test module (4) for performing automated testing of the earphone device (1) when mounted on/connected to the test station (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: SOUNDCHIP SA
    Inventors: Paul Darlington, Ben Skelton, Mark Donaldson
  • Patent number: 10695452
    Abstract: The device for cleaning a hearing aid by contact with a liquid includes a cleaning cavity suitable for receiving the end piece of the hearing aid and that is provided, at the bottom of same, with an opening for discharging the liquid. The cleaning cavity is defined laterally by an inner skin surrounded by an outer skin, the outer skin including an injector for the liquid while the inner skin defines, at the base of same, an opening overhanging the bottom and allowing the liquid to pass into the cleaning cavity. The invention also concerns an assembly includes the cleaning device and a reloading unit, the reloading unit being suitable for filling a tank of the cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: MG DEVELOPMENT
    Inventor: Jose Gil
  • Patent number: 10681475
    Abstract: The present application describes a plurality of test simulation environment mimic complex listening environment of everyday life, comprising a speech component, and a noise component. The application also describes an auditory testing system and method for evaluating a listener's speech perception and method to test hearing prosthesis or hearing protection device's effect on a person's speech perception in a complex listening environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Defense
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brungart, Benjamin M Sheffield
  • Patent number: 10667031
    Abstract: A wearable device configured to be modeled as both a part of the source and a part of the load in an electro-acoustical source-and-load model of a system where a sound source is coupled to the ear canal. Such a wearable device may be used to determine the acoustic energy density at a point of measurement in or near the ear of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Hefio Oy
    Inventor: Marko Hiipakka
  • Patent number: 10659862
    Abstract: An in-ear device includes a molding shaped to hold the in-ear device in an ear, and an audio package configured to emit sound. The audio package is structured to removably attach to the molding. An electronics package is structured to removably couple to the audio package and removably attach to the molding. The electronics package includes a controller to control the sound output from the audio package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Jason Rugolo
  • Patent number: 10652674
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter includes a mobile compute device configure to produce a set of audiological assessment data based on a set of stimulus signals presented to a user via a source device and a set of response signals provided as a response to the set of stimulus signals. The mobile compute device identifies a personal audiological profile of the user at least based on a psychoacoustic model and the set of audiological assessment data. The mobile compute device builds a digital signal processing model including a set of audio digital signal processing functions. The mobile compute device executes the digital signal processing model to produce an output audio signal in response to an input audio signal received from the source device, the output audio signal is based on a modified version the input audio signal. The mobile compute device transmits the output audio signal via the source device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventor: Jon Lederman
  • Patent number: 10627283
    Abstract: A method of dynamically generating an acoustic noise map of an industrial zone to be used for protecting operators within the zone from exposure to acoustic noise above a safety threshold, the method comprising collecting acoustic noise data using a network of wireless acoustic sensors located within said zone, generating an acoustic noise map using the collected noise data and a numerical model of the propagation of acoustic noise within the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Simon Carlsen, Erling Lunde
  • Patent number: 10575105
    Abstract: A method for characterizing a receiver in a hearing device. The receiver has a response behavior. The receiver converts an electrical audio signal into a sound signal, generating a magnetic field. The magnetic field is measured by a magnetic field sensor. The receiver is then characterized by determining the response behavior of the receiver based on the measured magnetic field. There is also described a hearing device and a test apparatus for a hearing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Bernd Meister, Tom Maennel
  • Patent number: 10567890
    Abstract: An exemplary auditory prosthesis system for a patient includes a body-worn sound processor apparatus configured to control an operation of a cochlear implant, a headpiece configured to facilitate wireless coupling of the body-worn sound processor apparatus to the cochlear implant, an audio accessory that includes a microphone configured to receive incoming audio and convert the incoming audio into an audio signal, a first communication port configured to connect directly to a communication port of the body-worn sound processor apparatus by way of a first cable, a second communication port configured to connect directly to a communication port of the headpiece by way of a second cable, and a control module communicatively coupled to the microphone and the first and second communication ports and that is configured to provide the audio signal to the body-worn sound processor apparatus by way of the first cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Roger S. Meier, Logan P. Palmer, Diane H. Chang, Thomas P. Walsh
  • Patent number: 10567863
    Abstract: Personal speaker systems including headset and earbud systems may be configured to capture audio data using an in-ear microphone while a speaker outputs known audio signals into the ear canal. The system may generate an acoustic model of the compressed ear canal and ear drum of the listener and utilize the acoustic model to provide noise cancellation at the eardrum, modification to the audio to result in a more natural sound at the eardrum, and/or to measure leakage of the personal speaker system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: RevX Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Rauschmayer
  • Patent number: 10547956
    Abstract: A hearing aid includes at least a first input transducer and a second input transducer. The first input transducer generates a first input signal from a surrounding sound signal and the second input transducer generates a second input signal from the sound signal. A first direction is assigned to a first signal source. A first directional signal that is aligned in the first direction is formed on the basis of the first input signal and the second input signal. Signal components of the first directional signal are examined for the presence of a useful signal from a useful signal source that is predetermined in view of its type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Homayoun Kamkar-Parsi, Marko Lugger
  • Patent number: 10498161
    Abstract: An organizer for wearable electronic pieces or wireless communication jewelry. The pieces may be of an enhanced ergonomic form, particularly suitable for long-term wear and the organizer manages unique protocols of recharge for a potential plurality of such pieces. Additionally, charging takes place through a support mechanism which accommodates a discrete securing extension portion of a piece in a substantially matching fashion. Further, a casing of the piece is substantially displaced from the accommodating location. A charging device of the organizer is coupled to the support mechanism such that recharge of the piece may take place through a charge region of the discrete portion of the piece. Notably, the organizer is configured in such a manner that a plurality of pieces may be secured and recharged without the need for an individually dedicated and/or wire-based recharger for each and every piece in a collection of pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventor: William F. Ryann
  • Patent number: 10462566
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hearing protection system and a method for estimating a voice signal of a hearing protection system user. The hearing protection system comprises an ear canal microphone for provision of an ear canal input signal; a receiver for provision of an audio output signal; a compensation module for receiving and filtering the ear canal output signal for provision of a compensation signal; and a mixer connected to the ear canal microphone and the compensation module for provision of a voice signal, wherein the compensation module comprises a filter controller, a primary filter and a secondary filter, wherein the primary filter is a static filter, wherein primary filter coefficients of the primary filter are static, and wherein the secondary filter is an adaptive filter, wherein secondary filter coefficients of the secondary filter are controlled by the filter controller based on the voice signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: GN HEARING A/S
    Inventors: Søren Pedersen, Pete Websdell
  • Patent number: 10453472
    Abstract: A parameter prediction device includes: an environmental characteristic acquirer that acquires an environmental characteristic quantity set which quantifies one or more characteristics of a sound collection environment for an acoustic signal; a target setter that sets a target evaluation value set which provides one or more values obtained by quantifying one or more performances of processing of the acoustic signal, or one or more evaluation values of a processed acoustic signal; and a first predictor that inputs the environmental characteristic quantity set and the target evaluation value set as independent variables to a first prediction model, and predicts a control parameter set for controlling the acoustic signal processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventor: Daijiroh Ichimura
  • Patent number: 10419863
    Abstract: A mobile communication environment (100) can include a mobile device (160) to measure and send sound pressure level data. The mobile device (160) can initiate the collection of audio information responsive to detecting a trigger event. Mobile device (160) can measure or calculate the sound pressure level from the audio information. Metadata including time information and geographic location information can be captured with the collected audio information. Mobile device (160) can send the sound pressure level data and metadata through a wired or wireless communication path to a database (614).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wayne Goldstein, Marc Boillot, Jason McIntosh, John P. Keady
  • Patent number: 10408671
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that may provide audio information about an environment around a wearable device. Such audio information may be correlated with other biometric data to provide physiological information, e.g. regarding a wearer of the wearable device. For example, an illustrative method includes receiving an audio signal via a microphone of a wearable device and rectifying the audio signal with a peak detector. The method further includes amplifying the rectified signal with a logarithmic amplifier and causing an analog to digital converter (ADC) to sample the logarithmic signal. The method also includes causing the ADC to convert the sampled logarithmic signal to a digital output and storing the digital output in a memory of the wearable device. In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting the digital output to a computing device, which may correlate the digital output with other biometric data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Russell Norman Mirov, John Lapetina, Florence Thng
  • Patent number: 10412515
    Abstract: The present invention relates to recipient fitting of a hearing device. An embodiment of the present invention determines the transmission loss for sound applied to the recipient by the hearing device. Separate gains are then determined for compensating for the determined transmission loss and the measured hearing loss of the recipient. For example, in an embodiment, the hearing device may compensate for transmission losses in a 1:1 manner (i.e., the transmission loss in 100% compensated for). The hearing device may apply a different gain to compensate for the hearing loss, such as a gain that is a fraction (e.g., 33-55%) of the measured hearing loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Mark Flynn, Bjorn Davidsson
  • Patent number: 10405112
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for automated assessment and adjustment of tinnitus-masker impact on speech intelligibility during fitting. In various embodiments, a method of fitting a tinnitus-masker device for a patient is provided. The method includes using a speech intelligibility model to predict impact of therapy provided by the tinnitus-maker device on speech understanding of the patient. A parameter of the tinnitus-masker device is automatically adjusted during fitting to reduce the impact of the therapy provided by the tinnitus-maker device on speech understanding of the patient, according to various embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe D. Micheyl, Sridhar Kalluri
  • Patent number: 10368175
    Abstract: A hearing device, e.g. a hearing aid, comprises a forward path for processing an electric signal representing sound including a) an input unit for receiving or providing an electric input signal representing sound, b) a signal processing unit, c) an output transducer for generating stimuli perceivable as sound to a user, d) a feedback detection unit configured to detect feedback or evaluate a risk of feedback via an acoustic or mechanical or electrical feedback path from said output transducer to said input unit and comprising d1) a magnitude and phase analysis unit for repeatedly determining magnitude, Mag, and phase, Phase, of said electric input signal and further parameters based thereon, and d2) a feedback conditions and detection unit configured to check criteria for magnitude and phase feedback condition, respectively, based on said values, and to provide a feedback detection signal indicative of feedback or a risk of feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: OTICON A/S
    Inventors: Martin Kuriger, Bernhard Kuenzle, Meng Guo
  • Patent number: 10357402
    Abstract: Provided is a disclosure for measuring the occlusion effect due to the depth of seal of the earpiece in the ear canal using a single microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Mead C. Killion
  • Patent number: 10339960
    Abstract: Aspects relate to computer implemented methods and systems for monitoring a user's hearing and comprehension. The methods and systems include receiving, by an audio capture device, a first audio input, receiving, by the audio capture device, a second audio input, converting the first and second audio inputs into respective first and second audio signals, transmitting said first and second audio signals to a remote resource, transcribing the first and second audio signals into respective first and second transcriptions, analyzing, by a processor of the remote resource, the first and second transcriptions to determine if a content of the second transcription is related to a content of the first transcription, and recording the analysis to track a hearing and comprehension ability of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eli M. Dow, Thomas D. Fitzsimmons, Maurice M. Materise, Jessie Yu
  • Patent number: 10334376
    Abstract: Systems and methods pertaining to a hearing system programming device are described. The hearing system programming device includes a test signal generator configured to generate at least one acoustic test signal, at least one acoustic reproduction unit or a transmission unit for transmitting the at least one test signal to a reproduction unit, an input unit designed to receive a response of a user in reaction to the at least one test signal, a program modification unit designed for determination of a modified programming of a hearing system while taking into consideration the received reaction, a trainable configuration storage unit, and a communication unit designed for a data communication with the hearing system and for a transmission of the modified programming to the hearing system. A hearing system arrangement including a hearing system programming device and a method for programming a hearing system in a patient-specific manner are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: KOJ Institut fĂĽr Gehoertherapie AG
    Inventor: Andreas Thomas Koj
  • Patent number: 10277993
    Abstract: An exemplary auditory prosthesis system includes an audio accessory configured to be external to a patient and that includes 1) a plurality of microphones that receive incoming audio and convert the incoming audio into a plurality of audio signals, 2) a first communication port that connects directly to a communication port of a body-worn sound processor apparatus by way of a first cable, 3) a second communication port that connects directly to a communication port of a headpiece by way of a second cable, and 4) a control module communicatively coupled to the plurality of microphones and the first and second communication ports and that generates a processed audio signal by processing the plurality of audio signals converted by the plurality of microphones from the incoming audio and provides the processed audio signal to the body-worn sound processor apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Roger S. Meier, Logan P. Palmer, Diane H. Chang, Thomas P. Walsh
  • Patent number: 10261133
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a battery testing apparatus. The battery testing apparatus includes a substrate and a body, the body is located on the substrate. The body includes a bottom, a central body and a cover, the bottom, the central and the cover is electrically insulated from each other. The substrate defines a first electrode point, a second electrode point and a third electrode point, the three electrode points are insulated from each other, the first electrode point is electrically connected with the central body, the second electrode point is electrically connected with the bottom, the third electrode point is electrically connected with the cover. The battery testing apparatus is configured to test electrochemical performance of a battery by a three-electrode method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Li Qian, Yu-Quan Wang, Fu-Jun Wang, Li-Yong Ma, Xue-Wei Guo, Yang Wu
  • Patent number: 10257622
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to an improved connection assembly for hearing assistance devices. The improved connection assembly provides a connection system that is reliable, straightforward to manufacture, and easy to use. The present connection assembly provides a rapid replacement option for the cable and/or the receiver or other electronics connected to the cable. The present subject matter provides for a connection assembly that can be extended to provide connections for a variety of applications which are not limited to a speaker (receiver) in the ear. Sensors and new configurations of component placement are supported using the present assembly, including, but not limited to telecoils, and GMR or TMR sensors. Various electromagnetic interference issues are addressed. In some examples a shielded set of wires are included. In some examples a twisted pair of wires is included. Various combinations of wires for different applications are supported with the present connector system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, James R. Newton
  • Patent number: 10244337
    Abstract: A method of providing a hearing instrument includes: providing at a manufacturer the hearing instrument with a firmware which comprises a plurality of selectable functional properties; distributing the hearing instrument from the manufacturer to a middleman, wherein the hearing instrument is configured to be programmed by a programming station at the middleman, wherein the programming station is configured for selecting at least one of the plurality of selectable functional properties according to an input from the middleman, wherein the programming station is also configured to program the firmware of the hearing instrument according to the selecting to provide a programmed hearing instrument; billing an end user for the programmed hearing instrument, wherein the billing reflects the selecting; and receiving, at the manufacturer, data regarding the selecting from the middleman.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: GN HEARING A/S
    Inventor: Senthil Avanasi
  • Patent number: 10181328
    Abstract: The present disclosure regards a hearing device configured to receive acoustical sound signals and to generate output sound signals comprising spatial cues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: OTICON A/S
    Inventors: Jesper Jensen, Michael Syskind Pedersen, Mojtaba Farmani, Pauli Minnaar
  • Patent number: 10102857
    Abstract: The various implementations described herein include methods and systems for determining device leadership among voice interface devices. In one aspect, a method is performed at an electronic device that includes microphones, a speaker, processors, and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The electronic device: (1) detects a voice input; (2) determines a first quality score for the detected voice input; (3) receives quality scores generated by other electronic devices for detection of the voice input by the other electronic devices; (4) in accordance with a determination that the first quality score is not the highest amongst the quality scores for the voice input, identifies a criterion associated with the voice input; and (5) in accordance with a determination that the identified criterion is the most relevant to the electronic device, responds to the detected input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Mixter, Diego Melendo Casado, Alexander Houston Gruenstein, Terry Tai, Christopher Thaddeus Hughes, Matthew Nirvan Sharifi
  • Patent number: 10104459
    Abstract: An audio system includes a headset and a control device. The headset includes a housing, a speaker and a microphone. When the headset is mounted on an ear, the housing is configured for forming a cavity along with an external auditory canal of the ear. The speaker and the microphone are disposed in the housing. The control device is coupled to the headset. The control device is operable to provide a reference audio signal to the speaker to be broadcasted toward the cavity, further to receive a sampled sound signal through the microphone corresponding to a reflection of the reference audio signal from the cavity, further to calculate an acoustic intensity distribution curve over frequencies from the sampled sound signal, and further to determine whether the cavity has a leakage outlet according to the acoustic intensity distribution curve over frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Lei Chen, Hann-Shi Tong, Yu-Chieh Lai, Hsiu-Po Yang
  • Patent number: 10085096
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method to integrate audiogram data into a device may include obtaining audiogram data including a first amplification value for each of multiple first frequencies. In some embodiments, the first amplification values may be configured to compensate for hearing loss of a user. The method may also include translating the audiogram data to amplification settings for multiple audio frequencies. A number of the multiple audio frequencies may be less than a number of the multiple first frequencies. The method may further include associating the amplification settings with a user profile of the user in a transcription system and directing the amplification settings from the transcription system to a device associated with the user profile. The method may also include applying the amplification settings to audio output by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Sorenson IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shane A. Roylance, James Rollins, Hansen Phangia, Thomas Robert Stringham
  • Patent number: 10085098
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for optimizing the fine tuning of a generally known adaptation process, in particular a hearing aid fitting process, on the basis of the individual needs of a customer, the system comprising: a platform on which at least a customer data base and a training scheme for the customer are provided, a web tool by means of which the customer can interact with the platform, in particular input his data into the customer database, a professional unit which sets up the training scheme for the customer and which monitors the data input by the customer, the professional unit being equipped with means for establishing a personal contact with the customer, as well as to a respective process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventor: Luis Ignacio Martinez Azkorra
  • Patent number: 10057683
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for automatic fitting of all audio signals according to the ear in which a user is using to receive audio signals from a host device. The host device incorporates an audio signal fitting device, which may comprise an inquirer configured to query the host device for an in-use audio producing transducer; an electronic mechanism configured to identify an ear which a user is using to receive audio signals from a host device, based on the in-use audio producing transducer; and a notifier configured to instruct the host device, based on the identified ear, to output a channel of audio signals to the in-use audio producing transducer. The ear in use may be deduced from inertial data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: ACE Communications Limited
    Inventors: Pui Tong Paul Lee, Ka Kui Cheng
  • Patent number: 10051356
    Abstract: Occlusion devices, earpiece devices and methods of forming occlusion devices are provided. An occlusion device is configured to occlude an ear canal. The occlusion device includes an insertion element and at least one expandable element disposed on the insertion element. The expandable element is configured to receive a medium via the insertion element and is configured to expand, responsive to the medium, to contact the ear canal. Physical parameters of the occlusion device are selected to produce a predetermined sound attenuation characteristic over a frequency band, such that sound is attenuated more in a first frequency range of the frequency band than in a second frequency range of the frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventor: Steven W. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 10009704
    Abstract: Techniques of performing binaural rendering involve separating symmetric and antisymmetric terms in the total output rendered in the ears of a listener. Along these lines, a sound field includes a set of sound field weights corresponding to spherical harmonic (SH) functions in a SH expansion of the sound field. In addition, an aggregate head-related transfer function (HRTF) includes a set of HRTF weights that correspond to a SH function. An HRTF weight may be generated from aggregating products of an HRTF at each of a set of loudspeaker positions and a SH function to which the HRTF weight corresponds at that loudspeaker position. The rendered sound field in one of the ears of the listener would be, when the sound field and HRTF is a function of frequency, a sum of the products of corresponding sound field weights and HRTF weights. One may save much computation by grouping the products into symmetric terms and antisymmetric terms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Allen
  • Patent number: 10003906
    Abstract: A device for determining room-optimized transfer functions for a listening room serving for room-optimized post-processing of audio signals in spatial production, is configured to analyze room acoustics of the listening room and to determine, based on the analysis of the room acoustics, the room-optimized transfer functions for the listening room where the spatial reproduction by means of a binaural close-range sound transducer is to take place. The spatial reproduction of the audio signals by means of the binaural close-range sound transducer may then be emulated using known head-related transfer functions und using the room-optimized transfer functions, wherein a room to be synthesized may be emulated based on the head-related transfer functions, and wherein the listening room may be emulated based on the room-optimized transfer functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignees: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V., TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET ILMENAU
    Inventors: Karlheinz Brandenburg, Stephan Werner, Christoph Sladeczek
  • Patent number: 9980053
    Abstract: A method of programming a configurable signal processing unit of a hearing aid device comprises Providing a frequency transposition algorithm in the hearing aid device where content from more than one upper-lying source frequency band is copied or moved into one and the same lower lying destination frequency band; Providing a number of frequency transposition configurations, each comprising a specific combination of source regions and a destination region; Providing a weight parameter that specifies the amount of gain applied to a lowered signal resulting from a given frequency transposition configuration; and Providing a prescription algorithm that selects an optimum frequency transposition configuration for an ear of a user taking an audiogram for the ear in question and an amplification capability of the hearing aid device in question into account. A purpose of the disclosure is to provide an improved audibility of high frequency sound for users with severe-to-profound hearing losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignees: OTICON A/S, BERNAFON AG
    Inventors: Martin Kuriger, Christophe Lesimple, Neil Hockley, Claus Forup Corlin Jespersgaard, Thomas Ulrich Christiansen, Kamilla Angelo
  • Patent number: 9967680
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a feedback reduction system for used in a hearing prosthesis. The hearing prosthesis will receive an input signal, process the input signal, and create a transformed output. However, the hearing prosthesis may suffer from feedback. Thus, a system to minimize the feedback in a hearing prosthesis may be desirable. One system to minimize the feedback includes down-sample circuitry configured to down-sample a first signal, creating a down-sampled signal. They system also includes a filter circuit. The filter circuit filters both the first signal and the down-sampled signal. The filter will output a filtered signal and a filtered down-sampled signal, respectively. Additionally, the system features up-sample circuitry that up-samples the filtered down-sampled signal. The output of the up-sample circuitry is an up-sampled signal. Further, the system features combining circuitry that creates a feedback-reduced signal based on the up-sampled signal, the filtered signal, and an input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Mats Höjlund, Martin Hillbratt
  • Patent number: 9930441
    Abstract: An audio playing system has a first channel output device, a first equalizer and a controller. The first equalizer is electrically coupled to the first channel output device and having a set of first parameters of frequency response, the first equalizer configured to adjust a first channel audio signal with the set of first parameters of frequency response and output the adjusted first channel audio signal to the first channel output device. The controller is electrically coupled to the first channel output device and the first equalizer, wherein in a test mode, the controller is configured to send a set of test audio signals to the first channel output device, to generate a set of first user parameters based on a plurality of pieces of first confirmation signal, and to adjust the set of first parameters of frequency response based on the set of first user parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: GEMTEK TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Wen Chen, Chih-Hsu Yen, Fu-Ming Tien
  • Patent number: 9928607
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for obtaining a vital sign of a subject, comprising an interface (20) for receiving a set of image frames of a subject, a motion analysis unit (30) for analyzing at least one measurement area within the image frames of the set of image frames and for characterizing motion of the subject within the set of image frames, a signal extraction unit (40) for extracting photoplethysmographic, PPG, signals from the set of image frames using the characterization of motion of the subject within the set of image frames, and a vital signs determination unit (50) for determining vital sign information from the extracted PPG signals. The motion analysis unit comprises a motion estimation unit (32), a spatial characteristic extraction unit (34), and a motion characterization unit (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Vincent Jeanne, Marinus Bastiaan Van Leeuwen, Michel Jozef Agnes Asselman
  • Patent number: 9924272
    Abstract: A method and device for processing an audio output in consideration of the hearing characteristics of a user and the characteristics of an audio device connected to an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a user interface; an audio interface configured to establish a connection to an audio device, a memory, and at least one processor electrically connected to the user interface, the memory, and the audio interface, wherein the at least one processor is configured to acquire at least one of identification information of the audio device and characteristics of the audio device, select audio adaptation information, change an audio signal, at least partially based on the audio adaptation information, and transmit the changed audio signal to the audio device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kyoung Ho Bang, Hyunchul Yang, Juhwan Woo, Jae Seong Lee, Kyuhan Kim, Namil Lee, Juntai Kim, Chulhwan Lee, Ho-Chul Hwang