Sometimes it’s the little things in life that require attention, such as how to keep track of your sunglasses and Hearables (c.f. USPTO #10052235: Lanyard with integrated ear plugs and retractable sheath).
Sometimes it’s the little ones in life that deserve attention. “Headset enabling extraordinary hearing” (USPTO #10051372 ) by Bose doesn’t bestow auditory superpowers on children. But it does teach them about sound and headphones. If you’re wondering why Bose cares, look to Lee Zamir, Director of BoseBuild and inventor of record for this patent, who wants to get kids excited about sound. His vision is to have children “…build their own great-sounding Bluetooth headphones while exploring the world of sound, learning about how their ears work and how to keep them working.”
Fig 1. Silent Partner ANC body noise device for dog barking
And sometimes it’s your own little things that don’t deserve attention (feature image). Silent Partner, Ltd. has you covered with patent #10056069 . It’s Wearable noise cancellation device consists of one or more acoustic transducers which are placed near or over some noise-making part of your body “so as to direct the noise canceling sounds they produce in a direction …away from the surface of the body part.“
According to the patent, strategic placement of Silent Partner devices can control a variety of body sounds, including snoring, teeth grinding, mumbling, heavy breathing, stomach noises, intestine noises and flatulence. Besides enhancing people’s attractiveness by silencing their bodily functions, cat burglers and stalkers are likely to find some appeal in the devices.
And the noise cancellation device can be customized to silence barking of different breeds and sizes of dogs (see Fig 1), so long as they’re close by.
The August 2018 List
|
Description |
Patent Number |
Assignee |
Issued |
|
Vibro-electro tactile ultrasound hearing device |
Inventor: Aghamohammadi, Ali Mohammad (Bakersfield, CA) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
Ear stimulation with neural feedback sensing |
Elwha, LLC (Bellevue, WA) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
Mobile devices and methods employing acoustic vector sensors |
10042038 |
Digimarc Corp. (Beaverton, OR) |
8/07/2018 |
|
Human auditory system modeling with masking energy adaptation |
Digimarc Corp. (Beaverton, OR) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
Wireless communication between endpoint devices |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
Eartip that conforms to a user’s ear canal |
Harman International Industries, Inc. (Stamford, CT) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
On/off head detection using capacitive sensing |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
Earpiece positioning and retaining |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
Ear attachment apparatus |
Human, Inc. (Seattle, WA) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
Hearing device test system for non-expert user at home and non-clinical settings |
iHear Medical, Inc. (San Leandro, CA) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
Measurement apparatus for a bone conduction hearing device |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
In-ear utility device having voice recognition |
SmartEar, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
System and method for automated hearing aid profile update |
III Holdings 4, LLC (Wilmington, DE) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
Method of fitting a hearing aid system, a hearing aid fitting system and a computerized device |
Widex A/S (Lynge, DK) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
Variable sound attenuator with hearing aid |
Applicants: Bauman, Natan (Hamden, CT), Campagna, Ralph T. (Danielson, CT) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
Apparatus for secure hearing device communication and related method |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
Adaptive channel mapping for wireless communications |
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/07/2018 |
|
|
Connectorized cochlear implant systems |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Audio systems and method for perturbing signal compensation |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Communication device and methods for use by hearing impaired |
Ultratec, Inc. (Madison, WI) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Methods and devices for occluding an ear canal having a predetermined filter characteristic |
Applicant: Goldstein, Steven W. (Delray Beach, FL) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Pressure equalization in earphones |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Headphone on-head detection using differential signal measurement |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Headset enabling extraordinary hearing |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Method and apparatus for noise suppression based on inter-subband correlation |
Sivantos Pte. Ltd. (Singapore, SG) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Hearing aid comprising a receiver assembly |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) and Bernafon AG (Berne, CH) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Distortion free filter bank for a hearing device |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Method and apparatus for a binaural hearing assistance system using monaural audio signals |
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Hearing Aid |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Hearing device with adaptive processing and related method |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Radio frequency antenna for an in-the-ear hearing device |
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Hearing device comprising an electric cable |
Bernafon AG (Berne, CH) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Hearing aid adapted for embedded electronics |
Starkey Laboratories, Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Spacer and hearing device comprising it |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Hearing aid configuration detection |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Ear bud |
Fitbit, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) |
8/14/2018 |
|
|
Hearing protection device with convoluted acoustic horn |
3M Innovative Properties Company (St. Paul, MN) |
8/21/2/18 |
|
|
Lanyard with integrated ear plugs and retractable sheath |
Applicants: Andersen, Cade; Andersen, Brian (Kaysville UT) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Fitting bilateral hearing prostheses |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Cochlear implant apparatus, systems and methods with automatic contralateral signal routing |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Training algorithm for collision avoidance using auditory data |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Adaptive modeling of secondary path in an active noise control system |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Audio systems for providing isolated listening zones |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Wearable noise cancellation device |
Silent Partner, Ltd. (Tekoa, IL) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Integration of sensors into earphones |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Wearable wirelessly controlled enigma system |
Applicant: Manning, Lloyd Douglas (Banner Elk, NC) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
System for fitting audio signals for in-use ear |
Ace Communications Limited (Hong Kong, HK) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Hearing device comprising an improved feedback cancellation system |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) and Bernafon AG (Berne, CH) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Method for predicting the intelligibility of noisy and/or enhanced speech and a binaural hearing system |
Oticon A/S (Smourm, DK) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Hearing device and method of updating a hearing device |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Charger |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Hearing aid battery door module |
ZPower, LLC (Camarillo, CA) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Vibration transducer and implantable hearing aid device |
Kyungpook National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation (KR) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Hearing device with a barrier element |
Oticon A/S (Smorum, DK) |
8/21/2018 |
|
|
Thermoformed electrode arrays |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
8/28/2018 |
|
|
Asymmetric cochlear implant electrodes and method |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
8/28/2018 |
|
|
Implantable leads with flag extensions |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
8/28/2018 |
|
|
Implant magnet system |
Cochlear Limited (Macquarie University, AU) |
8/28/2018 |
|
|
Access to a wearable computing system using randomized input origins |
Avaya, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA) |
8/28/2018 |
|
|
Wearable device configuration interaction |
International Business Machines Corporation (Armonk, NY) |
8/28/2018 |
|
|
Voice band detection and implementation |
Bose Corporation (Framingham, MA) |
8/28/2018 |
|
|
Interchangable ear cushions for headphones |
Muzik, Inc. (Raleigh, NC) |
8/28/2018 |
|
|
Hearing aid with power management |
GN Hearing A/S (Ballerup, DK) |
8/28/2018 |
|
|
Method for improving a picked-up signal in a hearing system and binaural hearing system |
Sivantos Pte. Ltd. (Singapore, SG) |
8/28/2018 |
|
|
Bone conduction hearing aid system |
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH (Inssbruck, AT) |
8/28/2018 |
|
|
Hearing damage limiting headphones |
III Holdings 4, LLC (Wilmington, DE) |
8/28/2018 |
|
|
Methods for connecting a wire to a feedthrough pin and apparatus including a wire connected to a feedthrough pin by the method |
Advanced Bionics AG (Staefa, CH) |
8/28/2018 |
|
|
Wearable electronic device accessory |
ONvocal, Inc. (Northborough, MA) |
8/28/2018 |
|
|
Tri-tab ear retention fitment |
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (Scottsdale, AZ) |
8/28/2018 |
*feature image from imgurinc.com
Editor’s note: Interested readers can click the following links for patents approved in July 2018, June 2018, May 2018, April 2018, Q1 2018, Nov/Dec 2017, October 2017, September 2017, August 2017, June/July 2017, May 2017, April 2017, March 2017, February 2017, January 2017, December 2016, November 2016, October 2016, Sept 2016, Jul/Aug 2016, 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
Holly Hosford-Dunn, PhD, owned and operated a dispensing audiology practice in Tucson and was active in management of HearingHealthMatters.org through 2017. She holds BA degrees in Communication Sciences, Psychology and Economics; MA in Communication Disorders; PhD in Hearing Sciences. Following post-doctoral work at Max Planck Institute (Munich, DE) and Eaton-Peabody Auditory Physiology Lab (Boston), she joined the Stanford medical school faculty as director of audiology. She has authored/edited numerous text books, chapters, journals, and articles and taught Marketing and Practice Management in a variety of academic settings. She continues to consult and write on topics related to hearing health care vis-à-vis consumer demands, professional training, technological advancement, capital investment, industry consolidation, regulatory control, product and service distribution, and strategic pricing.
