Ear devices by any name are fast becoming brain portals. Recent Hearables and Augmentation posts probably struck most readers–especially clinicians who fit traditional amplification on aging patients–as fanciful riffs about gimmicky trifles. The growing diversity of patents in the bimonthly list argues that we pay attention to devices and toys which are outside traditional hearing manufacturing and aim for more than targeted sound pressure levels in the ear canal.
The Big 6 are represented in ample proportion in today’s list, but so are commercial electronics manufacturers (e.g., Apply, Koss, Harman Kardon, Bose, Skullcandy, Panasonic, Qualcomm), harkening a future of Hearables. And that’s just for patents already awarded. The real action lies in US patent applications, patents approved outside the US, and patents far afield of the present list. Hints of what lies ahead tell us that many companies and consumers are going to be sticking things in ears for a “plurality” of purposes. To wit:
- New Suppliers Making Ear Amplifiers
- Samsung’s “Hybrid Hearing Device” comprises an audio signal detector, an output signal generator with gain amplifier, and a controller that determines bone conducted or air conducted output through an output unit. (US Patent Application 20150117688)
- The “Earbud Set and Hearing Aid and Earphone Using Same” patent awarded last week to South Korean company Goelbio Co. Ltd. by WIPO{{1}}[[1]]World Intellectual Property Organization.”[[1]] comprises an earbud set, hearing aid, earphone, and Bluetooth.
- Old Suppliers Branching Out
- Oticon envisions an ear instrument to monitor brain waves and respond through a “Sound Stimulator for Memory Enhancement” (US patent application #20150164361)
- Using Ears for Psychological Analyses and Perceptual Manipulation
- Swiss company Nagravision S.A.’s patent-approved “System to identify a User of Television Services by Using Biometrics” describes a head-mounted biological sensor coupled to a “plurality of biological sensors” which, when analyzed, estimate and determine “the psychological state of the user who views or listens to content.“
- My hands-down personal favorite for the future is AT&T Intellectual Property’s patent application #20150154799. It envisions the world as a better place thanks to hearing aids, Hearables and other wearables which are continuously “Replacing a Physical Object Perception with a Modified Perception.” As described:
“When the person dons the … device, or devices, the generic real world object may be perceived in accordance with the person’s preferences…. the image of the real-world object is replaced with the augmented image…. [and] the person may tailor preferences for various individuals. … while immersed in the real world, without adversely affecting a person’s ability to function in the real world.”
Well, you can imagine.
The List
| Description | Patent Number | Assignee | Issued |
| Method and System for Configuring More than One Hearing Devices | 9025499 | Phonak AG (Stafa, CH) | 5/05/2015 |
| Hearing Aid Adapted for Detecting Brain Waves and a Method for Adapting Such a Hearing Aid | 9025800 | Widex A/S (Lynge, Denmark) | 5/05/2015 |
| Hearing Aid with Guiding Means for Insertion | 9025802 | Widex A/S (Lynge, Denmark) | 5/05/2015 |
| Coupalable Hearing Apparatus for a Hearing Device, Coupling Element and Hearing Device | 9025807 | Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. (Singapore, SG) | 5/05/2015 |
| Systems and Methods for Determing Head Related Transfer Functions | 9030545 | GN Resound A/S (Ballerup, Denmark) | 5/12/2015 |
| Method and Device for Frequency Compression with Selective Frequency Shifting | 9031269 | Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. (Singapore, SG) | 5/12/2015 |
| Method, a Listening Device and a Listening System for Maximizing a Better Ear Effect | 9031270 | Oticon A/S (Smorum, Denmark) | 5/12/2015 |
| Method and a Binaural Listening System for Maximizing a Better Ear Effect | 9031271 | Oticon A/S (Smorum, Denmark) | 5/12/2015 |
| Genetic Algorithm Based Auditory Training | 9031663 | Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) | 5/12/2015 |
| Multi-Electrode Channel Configurations for a Hearing Prosthesis | 9031661 | Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) | 5/12/2015 |
| Simulated Surround Sound Hearing Aid Fitting System | 9031242 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) | 5/12/2015 |
| Systems and Methods for Optimizing a Compliance Voltage of an Auditory Prosthesis | 903846 | Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) | 5/19/2015 |
| Transducer Impedance Measurement for Hearing Aid | 9036824 | Envoy Medical Corp. (North Mankato, Minn) | 5/19/2015 |
| External Ear Canal Voice Detection | 9036833 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) | 5/19/2015 |
| Method and Apparatus for a Binaural Hearing Assistance System Using Monaural Audio Signals | 9036823 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) | 5/19/2015 |
| External Input Device for a Hearing Aid | 9036845 | GN Resound A/S (Ballerup, Denmark) | 5/19/2015 |
| Transducer Impedance Measurement for Hearing Aid | 9036824 | Envoy Medical Corporation (North Mankata, MN) | 5/19/2015 |
| System and Method for Electrode Selection and Frequency Mapping | 9037253 | Ed-El elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Innsbruck, AT) | 5/19/2015 |
| Cap for an Implantable Electrical Lead Assembly | 9037231 | Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) | 5/19/2015 |
| Low-Power Dual-Edge-Triggered Storage Cell with Scan Test Support and Clock Gating circuit Therefore | 9041450 | Oticon A/S (Smorum, Denmark) | 5/26/2015 |
| Input Converter for a Hearing Aid and Signal Conversion Method | 9041574 | Widex A/S (Lynge, Denmark) | 5/26/2015 |
| Method and Apparatus for Own-Voice Sensing in a Hearing Assistance Device | 9042586 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) | 5/26/2015 |
| Music Pre-Processing for Hearing Prostheses | 9042583 | Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) | 5/26/2015 |
| Wireless Communications in Medical Devices | 9042996 | Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) | 5/26/2015 |
| Compact Programming Block Connector for Hearing Assistance Devices | 9049526 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) | 6/02/2015 |
| Reference Electrode Apparatus and Method for Neurostimulation Implants | 9044588 | Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) | 6/02/2015 |
| Electrode Constructions and Methods for Making the Same | 9044589 | Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) | 6/02/2015 |
| Removable Attachment of a Passive Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Device with Limited Skin Deformation | 9049527 | Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) | 6/02/2015 |
| Noise Reduction in Auditory Prostheses | 9049524 | Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) | 6/02/2015 |
| Hearing Aid System and Method of Fitting a Hearing Aid System | 9049525 | Widex A/S (Lynge, Denmark) | 6/02/2015 |
| Hearing Aids and Methods and Apparatus for Audio Fitting | 9049529 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) | 6/02/2015 |
| Compact Programming Block Connector for Hearing Assistance Devices | 9049526 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) | 6/02/2015 |
| Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for a High Power Factor Single Phase Rectifier | 9048748 | QUALCOMM Inc (San Diego, CA) | 6/02/2015 |
| Gain Control for a Hearing Aid with a Facial Movement Detector | 9048798 | QUALCOMM Inc (San Diego, CA) | 6/02/2015 |
| Method for Producing a Tube for a Hearing Aid | 9055380 | Sonion Nederland B.V. (Hoofddorp, NL) | 6/02/2015 |
| Audio Device | 9047876 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd (Osaka, JP) | 6/02/2015 |
| Assessment System of Speech Sound Listening, and Method and Program | 9044157 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd (Osaka, JP) | 6/02/2015 |
| Systems and Methods for Facilitating Electro-Acoustic Stimulation Using an Off-the-Ear Sound Processor Module | 9044608 | Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) | 6/02/2015 |
| Spectral Contrast Enhancement in a Cochlear Implant Speech Processor | 9044607 | Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) | 6/02/2015 |
| Products and Processes for Providing Multimodal Feedback in a User Interface Device | 9046922 | Immersion Corp (San Jose, CA) | 6/02/2015 |
| Wireless Earphones | 9049502 | Koss Corp (Milwaukee, WI) | 6/02/2015 |
| Personal Communication Device with Hearing Support and Method for Providing the Same | 9055377 | JAOTI BVBA (Boechout, BE) | 6/09/2015 |
| Optically Coupled Acoustic Middle Ear Implant Systems and Methods | 9055379 | EarLens Corp (Menlo Park, CA) | 6/09/2015 |
| Multi-Directional and Omnidirectional Hybrid Microphone for Hearing Assistance Devices | 9055357 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) | 6/09/2015 |
| Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer Switch for Hearing Assistance Devices | 9055378 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) | 6/09/2015 |
| Compensation Current Optimization for Cochlear Implant Systems | 9050467 | Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) | 6/09/2015 |
| Methods and Systems for Facilitating Adjustment of One or More Fitting Parameters by an Auditory Prosthesis Patient | 9050467 | Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) | 6/09/2015 |
| Fully Implantable Cochlear Implant Systems Including Optional External Components and Methods for Using the Same | 9050466 | Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) | 6/09/2015 |
| Bottom Port Surface Mount MEMS Microphone | 9051171 | Knowles Electronics, LLC (Itasca, IL) | 6/09/2015 |
| Sound Identification and Discernment Device | 9055368 | The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy (Washington, DC) | 6/09/2015 |
| Method and System for Determining an Auditory Pattern of an Audio Segment | 9055374 | Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University (Scottsdale, AZ) | 6/09/2015 |
| Earbuds Securable to Users’ Outer Ears and Related Headphone Systems and Methods | 9055365 | Skullcandy, Inc. (Park City, UT) | 6/09/2015 |
| Image Capture and Earpiece Sizing System and Method | 9050029 | Harman International Industries, Inc. (Stamford, CT) | 6/09/2015 |
| High Voltage Multiplier for a Microphone and Method of Manufacture | 9059630 | Knowles Electronics, LLC (Itasca, IL) | 6/16/2015 |
| Low Noise Electret Microphone | 9056204 | Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) | 6/16/2015 |
| Low Noise Electret Microphone | 9060229 | Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) | 6/16/2015 |
| Compensation Current optimization for Auditory Prosthesis Systems | 9056205 | Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) | 6/16/2015 |
| Audio Signal Level Control System | 9059670 | Bose Corp (Framingham, MA) | 6/16/2015 |
| Wireless Earphone | 9060225 | Dexin Corp (New Taipei, TW) | 6/16/2015 |
| Electrical Connector | 9059544 | Molex Inc (Lisle, IL) | 6/16/2015 |
| Frequency Translation by High-Frequency Spectral Envelope Warping in Hearing Assistance Devices | 9060231 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) | 6/16/2015 |
| Programmable Interact for Fitting Hearing Devices | 9060231 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) | 6/16/2015 |
| Hearing Aid Device with a Directional Microphone System and Method for Operating a Hearing Aid Device Having a Directional Microphone System | 9060232 | Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd. (Singapore, SG) | 6/16/2015 |
| Rechargeable Canal Hearing Device and Systems | 9060233 | iHear Medical, Inc. (San Leandro, CA) | 6/16/2015 |
| Canal Hearing Devices and Batteries for Use with Same | 9060234 | InSound Medical, Inc. (Newark, CA) | 6/16/2015 |
| Single Channel, Binaural and Multi-Channel Dereverberation | 9060052 | Acusonus S.A. (Patras, GR) | 6/16/2015 |
| Ear Cleaning Apparatus | 9060230 | Aria Innovations, Inc. (Mountain View, CA) | 6/16/2015 |
| Protection Structure for Implantable Connector and Apparatus for Manipulations Same | 9065197 | Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) | 6/23/2015 |
| Hearing Aid Detection | 9065929 | Apple Inc. (Cupertino, CA) | 6/23/2015 |
| Speech Intelligibility Predictor and Applications Thereof | 9064502 | Oticon A/S (Smorum, Denmark) | 6/23/2015 |
| Implantable Microphone | 9066185 | OtoKinetics Inc. (Cincinnati, OH) | 6/23/2015 |
| Hearing Aid Detection | 9065929 | Apple Inc. (Cupertino, CA) | 6/23/2015 |
| Independent Volume Control in Electro-Acoustic Stimulation Systems | 9061149 | Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) | 6/23/2015 |
| Methods of Maufacture of Top Port Multi-Par Surface Mount Silicon Condenser Microphones | 9061893 | Knowles Electronics, LLC (Itasca, IL) | 6/23/2015 |
| Combined Microphone and Receiver Assembly for Extended Wear Canal Hearing Devices | 9071914 | InSound Medical, Inc. (Newark, CA) | 6/30/2015 |
| Ball and socket connection with an acoustic seal and mounting interface for a hearing assistance device | 9071918 | Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) | 6/30/2015 |
| Sound Processor Housings, Sound Processors and Implantable Cochlear Stimulation Systems Including the Same | 9071896 | Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) | 6/30/2015 |
| Implantable Microphone Device | 9071910 | Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, NSW, AU) | 6/30/2015 |
| Method for Testing a Hearing Device as Well as an Arrangement for Testing a Hearing Device | 9071915 | Phonak AG (Stafa, CH) | 6/30/2015 |
| Telephone to Hearing Device Communication | 9071916 | Phonak AG (Stafa, CH) | 6/30/2015 |
| Methods of Manufacture of Top Port Surface Mount MEMS Microphones | 9067780 | Knowles Electronics, LLC (Itasca, IL) | 6/30/2015 |
Editor’s note: The Patent Series is updated every two months. Click links for patents approved in 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
feature image courtesy of photofest
