公开(公告)号：US20240268708A1

公开(公告)日：2024-08-15

申请号：US18436646

申请日：2024-02-08

Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Inventor： Andy S. Lin ,  Sidney A. Higgins ,  Kyle Olson ,  Peter Flanagan

IPC: A61B5/11 ,  A61B5/00

CPC classification number: A61B5/1117 ,  A61B5/6815

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to ear-wearable devices that can be used to provide vibration stimulation to device wearers to reduce fall risk. In an embodiment, an ear-wearable device is included having a control circuit, a microphone, and a sensor package. The sensor package can include a touch sensor. The ear-wearable device can further include a vibration generator. The ear-wearable device is configured to evaluate signals from the touch sensor to detect device touching and generate vibrations using the vibration generator when device touching is detected. Other embodiments are also included herein.

公开(公告)号：US20240109699A1

公开(公告)日：2024-04-04

申请号：US18376190

申请日：2023-10-03

Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Inventor： Sidney A. Higgins ,  Denise Klokow ,  Chris Howes

IPC: B65D51/26 ,  B65D25/10 ,  B65D43/02 ,  B65D43/16

CPC classification number: B65D51/26 ,  B65D25/10 ,  B65D43/0225 ,  B65D43/163 ,  B65D2543/00092 ,  B65D2543/00194

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to cases such as battery cases and wearable device cases that can be used to prolong the life of batteries used for powering wearable devices. In a first aspect, a case can be included having a base portion defining one or more battery wells and a lid portion including one or more battery well plugs. The lid portion moves between a closed position wherein it can be engaged with the base portion and an open position wherein it can be disengaged from the base portion to allow access to contents therein. The one or more battery well plugs engage with the one or more battery wells when the lid is in the closed position to prevent the flow of oxygen into a battery within the battery well thereby slowing or ceasing the oxidation reaction of the battery and preserving battery life. Other embodiments are also included herein.

公开(公告)号：US11930327B2

公开(公告)日：2024-03-12

申请号：US18101625

申请日：2023-01-26

Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Inventor： Sidney A. Higgins ,  Brian Thomas Dahl

IPC: H04R25/00

CPC classification number: H04R25/652 ,  H04R25/604 ,  H04R2225/021 ,  H04R2225/025

Abstract: A hearing aid assembly includes a receiver speaker enclosed within a receiver housing. The receiver housing defines a circuitous receiver acoustic channel, wherein the receiver channel defines an open side along at least a portion of the receiver channel. The receiver channel also defines a pass-through passage extending from a first side of the receiver housing to a second side of the receiver housing, wherein the pass-through passage is partially defined by the wall defining a receiver opening. The hearing aid assembly also includes an earbud configured to fit over at least a portion of the receiver housing and partially cover the open side of the receiver channel.

公开(公告)号：US11812246B2

公开(公告)日：2023-11-07

申请号：US17585166

申请日：2022-01-26

Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Inventor： Sidney A. Higgins ,  David Alan Fabry

IPC: H04R5/04 ,  H04W76/10 ,  G06F3/01 ,  H04R1/02 ,  H04R1/10 ,  H04R5/033

CPC classification number: H04R5/04 ,  G06F3/017 ,  H04R1/028 ,  H04R1/1008 ,  H04R1/1025 ,  H04R5/033 ,  H04W76/10 ,  H04R2420/07

Abstract: A hearing assistance system and method are described herein. The system includes a first ear-worn device, a second ear-worn device, and a case. The system is configured to detect a vibration sequence at an IMU and decide whether to pair wireless communication devices of the first and second ear-worn devices based on the vibration sequence detected at the IMU.

公开(公告)号：US11765531B2

公开(公告)日：2023-09-19

申请号：US17372745

申请日：2021-07-12

Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Inventor： Douglas F. Link ,  David Prchal ,  Sidney A. Higgins

IPC: H04R25/00

CPC classification number: H04R25/609 ,  H04R25/604 ,  H04R25/65 ,  H04R25/603

Abstract: A hearing aid comprising a microphone, a receiver, hearing aid electronics coupled to the microphone and the receiver, and conductive traces overlaying an insulator, the conductive traces configured to interconnect the hearing aid electronics and to follow non-planar contours of the insulator. Examples are provided wherein the insulator includes a hearing aid housing.

公开(公告)号：US20230254653A1

公开(公告)日：2023-08-10

申请号：US18101625

申请日：2023-01-26

Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Inventor： Sidney A. Higgins ,  Brian Thomas Dahl

IPC: H04R25/00

CPC classification number: H04R25/652 ,  H04R25/604 ,  H04R2225/021 ,  H04R2225/025

Abstract: A hearing aid assembly includes a receiver speaker enclosed within a receiver housing. The receiver housing defines a circuitous receiver acoustic channel, wherein the receiver channel defines an open side along at least a portion of the receiver channel. The receiver channel also defines a pass-through passage extending from a first side of the receiver housing to a second side of the receiver housing, wherein the pass-through passage is partially defined by the wall defining a receiver opening. The hearing aid assembly also includes an earbud configured to fit over at least a portion of the receiver housing and partially cover the open side of the receiver channel.

公开(公告)号：US20230199365A1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-22

申请号：US17553729

申请日：2021-12-16

Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Inventor： Kyle Olson ,  Sidney A. Higgins ,  Brad Guertin

IPC: H04R1/10 ,  G06F3/01

CPC classification number: H04R1/1041 ,  G06F3/015 ,  G06F3/016 ,  H04R1/1091 ,  H04R2420/07

Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer, electronic circuitry disposed in or supported by the housing, a controller disposed in the housing and coupled to the electronic circuitry, and a rechargeable power source and charging circuitry respectively disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to the controller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at a wall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is operatively coupled to the controller and comprises a touch sensor coupled to the first and second charge contacts. The touch sensor comprises a threshold detector configured to distinguish between skin contact with the first and second charge contacts and contact between a conductive material more conductive than skin and the first and second charge contacts.

公开(公告)号：US20230098807A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-30

申请号：US17948464

申请日：2022-09-20

Applicant: STARKEY LABORATORIES, INC.

Inventor： Kyle Olson ,  Sidney A. Higgins ,  Jay Stewart ,  Fue Yang ,  Casey Murray

IPC: H04R1/10 ,  H04R25/00

Abstract: An ear-wearable electronic device comprises a shell and a faceplate connected to the shell. Electronic circuitry and a power source are respectively disposed in the shell. A removal handle includes a proximal end connected to the faceplate. First and second electrical conductors extend along the removal handle and comprise first and second proximal ends coupled to the electronic circuitry. An electrical contact module is disposed at a distal end of the removal handle. The electrical contact module comprises a substrate. A first electrical contact is mounted on, or supported by, the substrate and coupled to a first distal end of the first electrical conductor. A second electrical contact is mounted on, or supported by, the substrate and coupled to a second distal end of the second electrical conductor.

公开(公告)号：US20230095933A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-30

申请号：US17800092

申请日：2021-02-25

Applicant: STARKEY LABORATORIES, INC.

Inventor： Sidney A. Higgins ,  David Fabry ,  Fue Yang

IPC: H04R25/02 ,  H04R1/10

Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing, electronic circuitry, a power source, a microphone, and a receiver or speaker. The housing comprises a nozzle dimensioned for deployment within at least a portion of an ear canal. The nozzle comprises a distal portion, a proximal portion, a cavity within the nozzle, and a terminus surface at the distal portion comprising a sound port through which sound can pass out of the nozzle. The nozzle comprises an acoustical vent arrangement comprising a proximal port provided at the proximal portion, a plurality of distal ports provided at the terminus surface, and at least a portion of the nozzle cavity in fluid communication with the proximal port and the distal ports. Each of the distal ports has a volume smaller than that of the proximal port, and a volume of the proximal port is substantially equal to that of the distal ports cumulatively.

公开(公告)号：US11595769B2

公开(公告)日：2023-02-28

申请号：US17237579

申请日：2021-04-22

Applicant: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Inventor： Sidney A. Higgins ,  Brian Thomas Dahl

IPC: H04R25/00

Abstract: A hearing aid assembly includes a receiver speaker enclosed within a receiver housing. The receiver housing defines a circuitous receiver acoustic channel, wherein the receiver channel defines an open side along at least a portion of the receiver channel. The receiver channel also defines a pass-through passage extending from a first side of the receiver housing to a second side of the receiver housing, wherein the pass-through passage is partially defined by the wall defining a receiver opening. The hearing aid assembly also includes an earbud configured to fit over at least a portion of the receiver housing and partially cover the open side of the receiver channel.