Erik F Wiederholtz

US Patent:

20190215621, Jul 11, 2019

Filed:

Dec 30, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/236560

Inventors:

- Itasca IL, US
Christopher Monti - Elgin IL, US
Thomas Miller - Arlington Heights IL, US
Charles King - Oak Park IL, US
Christopher Jones - Carpentersville IL, US
Brenno Varanda - Hoffman Estates IL, US
Erik Wiederholtz - St. Charles IL, US

International Classification:

H04R 25/00

Abstract:

The present disclosure pertains to hearing devices configurable between open fit and closed fit configurations at different times through actuation of one or more acoustic valves located in one or more corresponding sound passages of the hearing device. The one or more acoustic valves of the hearing device are adaptively controlled based on context detected by one or more sensors. The context may be, but is not limited to, a mode of operation of the hearing devices which may include, for example, an audio content playback mode and a voice communication mode. The actuatable valves may be actuatable in situ without having to remove the hearing device from the user's ear thereby enabling the user to experience the benefit of a closed fit or an open fit depending on the user's desire or other context.

US Patent:

20190208302, Jul 4, 2019

Filed:

Dec 29, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/236376

Inventors:

- Itasca IL, US
Thomas Miller - Arlington Heights IL, US
Erik Wiederholtz - St. Charles IL, US

International Classification:

H04R 1/10

Abstract:

An ear tip includes a body member that forms an internal chamber. The body member has an exterior portion configured to contact at least a portion of an ear canal of a user of the ear tip. The internal chamber has a nominal volume when the internal chamber is not deformed. A fluid is disposed in the internal chamber of the body member where a volume of the fluid-filled internal chamber is less than the nominal volume when the fluid-filled internal chamber is deformed.

US Patent:

20190208343, Jul 4, 2019

Filed:

Dec 29, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/236378

Inventors:

- Itasca IL, US
Shehab Albahri - Hanover Park IL, US
Erik Wiederholtz - St. Charles IL, US
Charles King - Oak Park IL, US
Christopher Jones - Carpentersville IL, US
Timothy Wickstrom - Elk Grove Village IL, US
Thomas Miller - Arlington Heights IL, US
Brenno Varanda - Hoffman Estates IL, US

International Classification:

H04R 25/00

Abstract:

A hearing device such as a hearing aid, ear pod, headphone, or other wearable is provided, whose components include the following: an acoustic transducer with a vent port operable to produce sound, a housing of the acoustic transducer with a sound opening, and an actuatable acoustic valve disposed in the housing, where the acoustic valve is actuatable to alter passage of sound through the acoustic vent to change the state of the hearing device between an open vent state and a closed vent state, so that actuation of the valve changes an acoustic characteristic of the hearing device.

US Patent:

20170272868, Sep 21, 2017

Filed:

Mar 18, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/074801

Inventors:

- Itasca IL, US
Erik Wiederholtz - St. Charles IL, US

International Classification:

H04R 25/00
H04R 1/28

Abstract:

In one aspect, a low frequency driver is provided having a diaphragm operable to produce sound, a front volume, and an outlet that receives sound from the front volume and directs sound out from the low frequency driver. The low frequency driver further includes a low-pass filter chamber in communication with the front volume.

US Patent:

20170251292, Aug 31, 2017

Filed:

Feb 26, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/055184

Inventors:

- Itasca IL, US
Erik Wiederholtz - St. Charles IL, US

International Classification:

H04R 1/10

Abstract:

In accordance with one aspect, an in-the-ear component of an audio device is provided that includes a receiver operable to produce sound, an ear canal-engaging portion, and an outer portion. The in-the-ear component further includes a passage extending through the ear canal-engaging portion and the outer portion and an acoustic valve operable to open and close the passage.

US Patent:

20140355787, Dec 4, 2014

Filed:

May 22, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/284962

Inventors:

- Itasca IL, US
Erik Wiederholtz - Saint Charles IL, US
Thomas E. Miller - Arlington Heights IL, US

Assignee:

Knowles Electronics, LLC - Itasca IL

International Classification:

H04R 3/04

US Classification:

381 98

Abstract:

An acoustic apparatus includes a high frequency driver that has a first front volume and a low frequency driver that has a second front volume. The first front volume and the second front volume communicate with each other to form a common front volume. At least one acoustic resistance is placed between the first front volume and the second front volume. The acoustic resistance acts as a low pass filter.