Nicholas R Michael

US Patent:

8041062, Oct 18, 2011

Filed:

Mar 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/569499

Inventors:

Ephram Cohen - San Francisco CA, US
Nicholas R. Michael - San Francisco CA, US
Hannes Muesch - San Francisco CA, US
Caslav Pavlovic - Palo Alto CA, US
Amad Shamsoddini - Cupertino CA, US
Chirag Shah - Santa Clara CA, US

Assignee:

Sound ID - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04R 25/00
H04M 1/00

US Classification:

381315, 381328, 4555691

Abstract:

A personal sound system is described that includes a wireless network supporting an ear-level module, a companion module and a phone. Other audio sources are supported as well. A configuration processor configures the ear-level module and the companion module for private communications, and configures the ear-level module for a plurality of signal processing modes, including a hearing aid mode, for a corresponding plurality of sources of audio data. The ear module is configured to handle variant audio sources, and control switching among them.

US Patent:

8112166, Feb 7, 2012

Filed:

Jan 3, 2008

Appl. No.:

11/968943

Inventors:

Caslav V. Pavlovic - Palo Alto CA, US
Brent W. Edwards - San Francisco CA, US
Rodney Perkins - Woodside CA, US
Ephram Cohen - San Francisco CA, US
Nicholas R. Michael - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

Sound ID - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

700 94

Abstract:

A method of generating a personalized sound system hearing profile for a user. The method begins by selecting an initial profile, based on selected factors of user input. In an embodiment, the initial profile is selected based on demographic factors. Then the system identifies one or more alternate profiles, each having a selected relationship with the initial profile. The relationship between alternate profiles and the initial profile can be based on gain as a function of frequency, one alternate profile having a higher sensitivity at given frequencies and the other a lower sensitivity. The next step links at least one audio sample with the initial and alternate profiles and then plays the selected samples for the user. The system then receives identification of the preferred sample from the user; and selects a final profile based on the user's preference. An embodiment offers multiple sound samples in different modes, resulting in the selection of multiple final profiles for the different modes.

US Patent:

8121325, Feb 21, 2012

Filed:

Jan 7, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/521902

Inventors:

Andy P. Atamaniuk - Redwood City CA, US
Rodney Perkins - Woodside CA, US
Caslav V. Pavlovic - Palo Alto CA, US
Nicholas R. Michael - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

Sound ID - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04R 25/00

US Classification:

381322, 381328, 381370

Abstract:

An ear module, which can be selectively worn on either left or right ear, comprises an interior lobe, adapted to fit within the concha, comprising a speaker and a compressive member/cover assembly. The compressive member/cover assembly is positionable, typically rotatable, relative to the remainder of the inner lobe between left and right ear orientations to permit the ear module to be worn on either the left or the right ear. A method for improving the quality of sound emanating from an ear module includes selecting the sound bore within the ear module to help improve the frequency response of the ear module so that the ear module has a resonant peak near 2. 7 kHz and a maximum 20 dB decrease in high frequency response as measured at 5 kHz from the average frequency response as measured at 500 Hz, 800 Hz, and 1600 Hz.

US Patent:

8379871, Feb 19, 2013

Filed:

May 12, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/778930

Inventors:

Nicholas R. Michael - San Francisco CA, US
Ephram Cohen - San Francisco CA, US
Meena Ramani - Cupertino CA, US
Caslav V. Pavlovic - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

Sound ID - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04R 29/00

US Classification:

381 60, 381312, 381314, 600558, 600559

Abstract:

A personalized hearing profile is generated for an ear-level device comprising a memory, microphone, speaker and processor. Communication is established between the ear-level device and a companion device, having a user interface. A frame of reference in the user interface is provided, where positions in the frame of reference are associated with sound profile data. A position on the frame of reference is determined in response to user interaction with the user interface, and certain sound profile data associated with the position. Certain data is transmitted to the ear level device. Sound can be generated through the speaker based upon the audio stream data to provide real-time feedback to the user. The determining and transmitting steps are repeated until detection of an end event.

US Patent:

8442435, May 14, 2013

Filed:

Jul 21, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/841084

Inventors:

Michael R. Jones - Naperville IL, US
Caslav V. Pavlovic - Palo Alto CA, US
Ephram Cohen - San Francisco CA, US
Nicholas R. Michael - San Francisco CA, US
Meena Ramani - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

Sound ID - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04B 7/00

US Classification:

455 412, 455418, 455419, 455 411, 4555692, 4555752

Abstract:

A method controls a functional element of an ear-level device of a type including a functional element, a memory, a microphone and a speaker, each coupled to a processor. Communication between the ear-level device and a companion device, such as a mobile phone, is established. A functional element for control is selected through the user interface of the companion device. A control instruction for controlling the selected functional element is chosen using the user interface and is transmitted from the companion device to the ear-level device to provide instruction to the ear-level device to control the selected functional element in the chosen way.

US Patent:

20090180631, Jul 16, 2009

Filed:

Jan 8, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/350823

Inventors:

NICHOLAS R. MICHAEL - San Francisco CA, US
Ephram Cohen - San Francisco CA, US
Caslav V. Pavlovic - Palo Alto CA, US
Meena Ramani - Mountain View CA, US

Assignee:

SOUND ID - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04R 29/00
H04B 1/38

US Classification:

381 58, 455566

Abstract:

A cell phone providing a display of sound pressure level or other environmental condition is described. An ear-level module, which includes a microphone or other sensor, and processing resources for analyzing the input from the microphone to provide a measure of an environmental condition, such as sound pressure level, at the ear, and deliver it to a cell phone or other hand held device for display in a manner readable by the user. The companion cell phone provides a display and supporting processing resources, presenting a graphical meter view. Alternatively, the audio data or other measurement is produced using a microphone on the cell phone.

US Patent:

20110217967, Sep 8, 2011

Filed:

Mar 2, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/716209

Inventors:

Ephram COHEN - San Francisco CA, US
Nicholas R. MICHAEL - San Francisco CA, US
Caslav V. PAVLOVIC - Palo Alto CA, US
Michael R. JONES - Naperville IL, US

Assignee:

SOUND ID - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04M 3/00
G10L 21/00

US Classification:

455418, 704270, 704E21001

Abstract:

An ear-level device which can be operable in multiple modes supports a voice menu by which more complex functions executable by the ear-level device or by a companion module can be selected using input at the ear-level device. By pushing a button on an earpiece for example, a voice menu is activated announcing a set of functions such as voice dial, last number redial and so on. When the function that the user wants is announced, the user presses the same button which activates the execution of the function.

US Patent:

20110250932, Oct 13, 2011

Filed:

Jun 22, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/166620

Inventors:

Ephram Cohen - San Francisco CA, US
Nicholas R. Michael - San Francisco CA, US
Hannes Muesch - San Francisco CA, US
Caslav Pavlovic - Palo Alto CA, US
Amad Shamsoddini - San Francisco CA, US
Chirag Shah - Santa Clara CA, US

Assignee:

Sound ID - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04M 1/00

US Classification:

4555691

Abstract:

A personal sound system is described that includes a wireless network supporting an ear-level module, a companion module and a phone. Other audio sources are supported as well. A configuration processor configures the ear-level module and the companion module for private communications, and configures the ear-level module for a plurality of signal processing modes, including a hearing aid mode, for a corresponding plurality of sources of audio data. The ear module is configured to handle variant audio sources, and control switching among them.