Patents, a fantastical realm of imagination, are a wonderful place to explore and gain understanding of new concepts. What better place to stumble on new definitions than in newly-issued patents from companies in the brain realm? What better place to implement new concepts than the ear?
(editor’s note: This post was updated 9/11/2016 to correct a series of impaired USPTO links).
Rise of the Wearables
As hearing aid research departs the cochlea and embarks on brain exploration, as the hearing aid industry forges into the Hearables realm, as the FDA ponders the definition of hearing aids, we have the aptly-named Thalamic Labs to thank for seizing the initiative by providing the following definition of Wearables:
A wearable electronic device is any portable electronic device that a user can carry without physically grasping, clutching, or otherwise holding onto the device with their hands. For example, a wearable electronic device may be attached or coupled to the user by a strap or straps, a band or bands, a clip or clips, an adhesive, a pin and clasp, an article of clothing, tension or elastic support, an interference fit, an ergonomic form, etc. Examples of wearable electronic devices include digital wristwatches, electronic armbands, electronic rings, electronic ankle-bracelets or ‘anklets,’ head-mounted electronic display units, hearing aids, and so on. (US patent #9,372,535)
And with that, hearing aids hooked into the ear with tubes, plugs, tips, etc., become just one more hands-free device in the Wearable armamentarium – but what an arsenal for a new era of exploration and development.
Hearing Aids Go Forward, Only Forward
The hearing aid industry has Widex to thank (among others) for grabbing back the initiative from Thalamic and its ilk. Widex’ patent #9408552 (Ear Plug with Surface Electrodes) reinvents the classic hearing aid + ear mold by punching holes in it (see feature image above) and creating a “sensor-fusion”, brain-exploring Hearable described in the patent as follows:
…an ear plug “comprising a shell with at least two electrodes …for measuring brain waves” …[in a] “preferred embodiment in which the earplug is adapted for use in a hearing aid …detecting conditions or events related to the user or to the surrounds by combining the signal detected by means of the electrodes with signals obtained with other types of sensors. (paraphrased)
GAME ON!
Editor’s note: The Patent Series is updated every two months. Click links for patents approved in May/Jun 2016, Mar/Apr 2016, Jan/Feb 2016, Nov/Dec 2015, Sept/Oct 2015, Jul/Aug 2015, May/Jun 2015, Mar/Apr 2015, Jan/Feb 2015, Nov/Dec 2014, Sep/Oct 2014, July/Aug 2014, May/Jun 2014, Mar/Apr 2014, Jan/Feb 2014, Nov/Dec 2013, September/October 2013, Jul/Aug 2013, May/Jun 2013, Mar/Apr 2013, Jan/Feb 2013, Nov/Dec 2012
The Patent List
|
Description |
Patent Number |
Assignee |
Issued |
|
dB-Linear Voltage-to-Current Converter |
Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (Woburn, MA) |
6/21/2016 |
|
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Acoustic Sensor |
The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (Austin, TX) |
6/21/2016 |
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|
Systems, Articles, and Methods for Electromyography-Based Human-Electronics Interfaces |
Thalmic Labs Inc. (Kitchener, CA) |
6/21/2016 |
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|
near Field Communication Circuitry Used for Hearing Aid Compatibility |
Nokia Technologies Oy (Espoo, FI) |
6/28/2016 |
|
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Directional MEMS Microphone and Receiver Device |
Shandong Gettop Acoustic Co., Ltd (CN) |
6/28/2016 |
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Systems and Methods for Dampening TDMA Interference |
AT&T Mobility II LLC (Atlanta, GA) |
6/28/2016 |
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Gaming Headset with Programmable Audio Paths |
Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc. (Valhalla, NY) |
6/28/2016 |
|
|
Method and Apparatus Using Head Movement for User Interface |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Suwon-si, KR) |
6/30/2016 |
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Hearing Aid Compatible Mobile Electronic Device |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Suwon-si, KR) |
7/05/2016 |
|
|
Sound Outputting Apparatus and Method of Controlling the Same |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Suwon-si, KR) |
7/05/2016 |
|
|
Vehicle Communication with a Hearing Aid Device |
GM Global Technology Operations LLC (Detroit) |
7/05/2016 |
|
|
Hearing Aid Receiver and a Hearing Aid Comprising Such a Receiver |
GN ReSound A/S (Ballerup, Denmark) |
7/05/2016 |
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Voice Activity Detection and Pitch Estimation |
Malaspina Labs (Barbados) Inc. (Upton, St. Michael, BB) |
7/05/2016 |
|
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Cochlear Implant Electrode Insertion Bridge |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
7/05/2016 |
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Magnet Arrangement for Bone Conduction Hearing Implant |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
7/12/2016 |
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|
Protection Device and Method for Power Transmitter |
Qualcomm Inc (San Diego, CA) |
7/12/2016 |
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|
Output Phase Modulation Entrainment Containment for Digital Filters |
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
7/12/2016 |
|
|
Hearing Aid and Feedback Canceller |
Rion Co., Ltd. (Tokyo) |
7/12/2016 |
|
|
Coupling Member and Hearing System Using It |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, Denmark) |
7/12/2016 |
|
|
Hearing Aid |
GN ReSound A/S (Ballerup, Denmark) |
7/12/2016 |
|
|
Hearing Aid Attached to Mobile Electronic Device |
Postech Academy-Industry Foundation (Pohang-Si, Gyeongsangbuk-Do, South Korea) |
7/12/2016 |
|
|
Microphone Assembly |
ST-Ericsson SA (Plan-les-Ouates, CH) |
7/12/2016 |
|
|
Magnitude and Phase Correction of a Hearing Device |
Meyer Sound Laboratories, Incorporated (Berkeley, CA) |
7/12/2016 |
|
|
Hearing Aid |
Sonova AG (Staefa, CH) |
7/26/2016 |
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|
Wearable Directional Microphone Array Apparatus and System |
Wave Sciences LLC (Charleston, SC) |
7/26/2016 |
|
|
Inductive Pickup Coil for Secure Pairing |
Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Reno, NV) |
7/26/2016 |
|
|
BTE Hearing Aid with an Antenna Partition Plane |
GN ReSound A/S (Ballerup, Denmark) |
7/26/2016 |
|
|
Method and Apparatus for Audio Processing |
Iroquois Holding Co (Nashville, TN) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
Hearing Device with Analog Filtering and Associated Method |
GN ReSound A/S (Ballerup, Denmark) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
Learning Control of Hearing Aid Parameter Settings |
GN ReSound A/S (Ballerup, Denmark) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
Hearing Aid with an Antenna |
GN ReSound A/S (Ballerup, Denmark) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
Hearing Aid with Adaptive Antenna System |
GN ReSound A/S (Ballerup, Denmark) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
Hearing Aid |
Nikon-Essilor Co. Ltd. (Japan) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
Flex Connector for a Hearing Assistance Device |
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
Direct Drive Micro Hearing Device |
The Regents of the University of California (Oakland, CA) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
Securing an Implanted Medical Device in a Patient |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
Methods and Systems for Fitting a Sound Processor to a Patient Using a Plurality of Pre-Loaded Sound Processing Programs |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
Systems, Articles and Methods for Strain Mitigation in Wearable Electronic Devices |
Thalmic Labs Inc. (Kitchener, CA) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
Apparatus for Gain Calibration of a Microphone Array and Method |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Suwon-si, KR) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
System and Method for Wireless Power Control Communication Using Bluetooth Low Energy |
Qualcomm Incorporated (San Diego, CA) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
Metal-Air Button Cells and Method of Manufacturing the Same |
Varta Microbattery GmbH (DE) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
Color Coding for 3D Measurement, More Particularly for Transparent Scattering Surfaces |
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft (DE) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
Apparatuses and Methods to Detect and Obtain Desired Audio |
Kopin Corp. (Westborough, MA) |
8/02/2016 |
|
|
Fitting Verification with in Situ Hearing Test |
Ototronix, LLC (Houston, TX) |
8/09/2016 |
|
|
Hearing Aid Having an Adaptive Antenna Matching Mechanism and a Method for Adaptively Matching a Hearing Aid Antenna |
GN ReSound A/S (Ballerup, Denmark) |
8/09/2016 |
|
|
Magnetometer in Hearing Aid |
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/09/2016 |
|
|
Device and Method for Detecting Change in Characteristics of Hearing Aid |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Suwon-si, KR) |
8/09/2016 |
|
|
Binaural Hearing Assistance System Comprising a Database of Head Related Transfer Functions |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, Denmark) |
8/09/2016 |
|
|
Diagnostic Testing and Adaption |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
8/09/2016 |
|
|
Single-Channel, Binaural and Multi-Channel Dereverberation |
Accusonus, Inc. (Lexington, MA) |
8/09/2016 |
|
|
Ear Plug with Surface Electrodes |
Widex A/S (Lynge, Denmark) |
9/09/2016 |
|
|
Automatic Gain Control for Implanted Microphone |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
8/16/2016 |
|
|
Cartridge for an Electrode Array Insertion Device |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) |
8/16/2016 |
|
|
Low Power Intermittent Messaging for Hearing Assistance Devices |
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/16/2016 |
|
|
Method for Adjusting a Hearing Device Apparatus and Hearing Device Apparatus |
Sivantos Pte. Ltd. (Singapore, SG) |
8/16/2016 |
|
|
Multimedia Playing Apparatus and Method for Outputting Modulated Sound According to Hearing Characteristic of User |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Suwon-si, KR) |
8/16/2016 |
|
|
Diminishing Tinnitus Loudness by Hearing Instrument Treatment |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, Denmark) |
8/16/2016 |
|
|
Binaural Source Enhancement |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, Denmark) |
8/16/2016 |
|
|
Electromagnetic Bone Conduction Hearing Device |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) |
8/16/2016 |
|
|
Low Power Detection of Wireless Power Devices |
Qualcomm Inc (San Diego, CA) |
8/16/2016 |
|
|
Automatic Real-Time Hearing Aid Fitting Based on Auditory Evoked Potentials Evoked by Natural Sound Signals |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, Denmark) |
8/23/2016 |
|
|
Systems and Methods for Obtaining Hearing Enhancement Fittings for a Hearing Aid Device |
Sonic Innovations, Inc. (Salt Lake City, UT) |
8/23/2016 |
|
|
Binaural Hearing Aid System and a Method of Providing Binaural Beats |
Widex A/S (Lynge, Denmark) |
8/23/2016 |
|
|
Direction Indicative Hearing Apparatus and Method |
Umm Al-Qura University (Makkah, Saudi Arabia) |
8/23/2016 |
|
|
Low Power Intermittent Messaging for Hearing Assistance Devices |
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/23/2016 |
|
|
Methods and apparatus for signal sharing to improve speech understanding |
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/23/2016 |
|
|
Member with an Adhesive Surface |
GN Otometrics A/S (Taastrup, Denmark) |
8/23/2016 |
|
|
Electronics in a Receiver-in-Canal Module |
Sonion Nederland B.V. (Hoofddorp, Netherlands) |
8/23/2016 |
|
|
Determination of Individual HRTFs |
GN ReSound A/S (Ballerup, Denmark) |
8/23/2016 |
|
|
Antenna for hearing device, ear tip and hearing device provided with such an antenna |
Sonova AG (Staefa, CH) |
8/23/2016 |
|
|
Hearing Aid with Improved Localization of a Monaural Signal Source |
GN ReSound A/S (Ballerup, Denmark) |
8/30/2016 |
|
|
Hearing Aid Antenna |
NXP B.V. (Eindhoven, Netherlands) |
8/30/2016 |
|
|
Multi-Mode Radio for Hearing Assistance Devices |
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/30/2016 |
|
|
Audio Processing Device Comprising Artifact Reduction |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, Denmark) |
8/30/2016 |
|
|
Hearing device with brainwave dependent audio processing |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, Denmark) |
8/30/2016
|
|
|
Method of Fitting a Hearing Aid |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, Denmark) |
8/30/2016 |
Wow. Link to ReSound’s ‘hearing aid’ didn’t work (for me)….I was dying to read that one.
Hi Kathi — thanks for letting me know. I’ll fix it. We check all links but it still is almost impossible to ensure a list this long won’t have at least one that doesn’t go where it should. FYI, and others in the same predicament, the patents are verey easy to find by just going to the USPTO website and search on the patent number provided in the table. Probably faster than finding out my link is broken!
Thanks again for hellping make the post better.
Hi again Kathi — I second your wow. Five bad Resound links, though alll went to the USPTO site but didn’t pull up the patent, even though typing in the patent numbers in the search option on that page works.Perhaps there is a glitch on their site, but now allI links are redone by hand and working. Thanks for the heads up and we’ll monitor this in future posts.