Norman P Matzen

6694034, Feb 17, 2004

Dec 28, 2000

09/752806

Stephen D. Julstrom - Chicago IL
Elmer V. Carlson - Glenview IL
Norman P. Matzen - Campbell CA
Robert B. Schulein - Evanston IL
Willem Soede - JL Leiden, NL

Etymotic Research, Inc. - Elk Grove Village IL

H04R 2500

381315

A hearing aid system for selecting one of two audio sources is disclosed. The hearing aid system comprises hearing aid circuitry, such as, for example, a hearing aid amplifier and speaker, as well as a primary source for audio, such as, for example, a hearing aid microphone. The hearing aid system also comprises a secondary source for audio, such as, for example, a directional microphone worn or otherwise supported by a person speaking or by the hearing aid user, as well as detection and switch circuitry to select which of the primary and secondary audio sources should be directed to the hearing aid circuitry. In operation, the detection and switch circuitry receives a signal transmission (preferably wireless) from the secondary audio source and determines whether the signal received is desirable. If the signal transmission is desirable, the circuitry selects that signal for coupling with the hearing aid circuitry. If the transmission signal is not desirable, the circuitry selects the signals from the primary audio source for coupling with the hearing aid circuitry.

7460677, Dec 2, 2008

Mar 2, 2000

09/517848

Willem Soede - Leiden, NL
Robert B. Schulein - Evanston IL, US
Norman P. Matzen - Campbell CA, US
Roland Horsten - Delft, NL

Etymotic Research Inc. - Elk Grove Village IL

H04R 3/00
H04R 1/02

381 92, 381 91, 381122

A directional microphone array system generally for hearing aid applications is disclosed. The system may employ a broadside or an endfire array of microphones. In either case, the signals generated by the microphone are added using a plurality of summation points that are connected together via a single signal wire or channel. In the case of the endfire array, all but one of the signals is delayed so that the summation of the signals are in phase. The summation of the signals is then used to generate an output signal for a speaker of a hearing aid or the like.

7697705, Apr 13, 2010

Oct 15, 2002

10/271266

Mead C. Killion - Elk Grove Village IL, US
John S. French - Arlington IL, US
Steven Viranyi - Palatine IL, US
Timothy Monroe - Schaumburg IL, US
David Preves - Chanhassen MN, US
Norman Matzen - Campbell CA, US
Gail Gudmundsen - Elk Grove Village IL, US

Etymotic Research, Inc. - Elk Grove Village IL

H04R 25/00

381316, 381312

A programmable digital hearing aid circuit and method for operating and programming same are disclosed. The device provides a flexible means to compensate for undesirable frequency response distortion normally due to the electro-acoustical characteristics of the microphone, receiver, and sound coupling mechanisms employed in hearing aid design. Parameters of the programmable hearing aid circuit may also be set to tailor the hearing aid response characteristics for the frequency-dependent hearing loss of an individual hearing aid user. The device is intended to make available a significant improvement in audio fidelity to users of hearing aid devices.

7764801, Jul 27, 2010

Sep 17, 2004

10/943456

Willem Soede - Leiden, NL
Robert B. Schulein - Evanston IL, US
Norman P. Matzen - Campbell CA, US
Roland Horsten - Delft, NL

Etymotic Research Inc. - Elk Grove Village IL

H04R 3/00
H04R 1/02

381 92, 381 91, 381122

A directional microphone array system generally for hearing aid applications is disclosed. The system may employ a broadside or an endfire array of microphones. In either case, the signals generated by the microphone are added using a plurality of summation points that are connected together via a single signal wire or channel. In the case of the endfire array, all but one of the signals is delayed so that the summation of the signals are in phase. The summation of the signals is then used to generate an output signal for a speaker of a hearing aid or the like.

20110228947, Sep 22, 2011

Jun 1, 2011

13/150798

Mead C. Killion - Elk Grove Village IL, US
Norman P. Matzen - El Dorado Hills CA, US

ETYMOTIC RESEARCH, INC. - Elk Grove Village IL

A61F 11/06

381 72

Electronic earplugs, methods of enhancing and/or attenuating sound using electronic earplugs, and kits including electronic earplugs are provided. Certain electronic earplugs may include a circuit operatively connected to a microphone. The circuit may be configured to receive input electrical signals from the microphone and provide output electrical signals to a receiver. Further, the circuit may be configured to modify a sound output level from the electronic earplug based on a sound input level of ambient sound received at the microphone and a gain characteristic setting selected from a plurality of gain characteristic settings. The circuit may be configured such that it can be switched between the plurality of gain characteristic settings, wherein the switching to the selected gain characteristic setting produces an audible switch indication. Certain electronic earplugs also include a receiver configured to convert the output electrical signals into sound that is communicated to a user's ear canal.

51310465, Jul 14, 1992

Nov 3, 1989

7/431531

Mead C. Killion - Elk Grove Village IL
Norman P. Matzen - Campbell CA
Clyde M. Brown - Cupertino CA
William A. Cole - Mossby, CA
James B. Compton - Los Gatos CA
Steven J. Iseberg - Schaumburg IL
Jonathan K. Stewart - Bensenville IL
Donald L. Wilson - Roselle IL

Etymotic Research Inc. - Elk Grove Village IL

H04R 2500
H03F 345

381 682

A high fidelity hearing aid amplifier is operable at a very low battery voltage and includes a single integrated circuit chip which provides a variable gain amplifier and gain control circuitry operative at low signal levels to enhance gain at higher frequencies relative to gain at lower frequencies, such circuitry including a logarithmic rectifier arrangement and a peak detector in a compression ratio control circuit. Operation at a low battery voltage is enhanced through a compression ratio control circuit which provides a level shift between an AC output of the logarithmic rectifier arrangement and the peak detector. Current mirrors are provided to obtained balanced and stable operation, and an arrangement is provided for manual control by a user to obtain an optimum response characteristic.

60093110, Dec 28, 1999

Feb 21, 1996

8/604684

Mead C. Killion - Elk Grove Village IL
Norman P. Matzen - Campbell CA

Etymotic Research - Elk Grove Village IL

H04B 110

455 63

Apparatus and method for reducing the interference of digital cellular telephones with hearing aids. A digital cellular phone is provided with a second antenna that transmits a local, low-power signal which fills in the gaps in the transmitted switched information carrier. This prevents the hearing aid from demodulating the low frequency switched carrier components of the digital cellular phone. Alternatively, the main antenna can transmit on a garbage frequency between time slots, or the hearing aid can detect and cancel the interfering signal.

56968337, Dec 9, 1997

Mar 20, 1995

8/407465

Norman P. Matzen - Campbell CA
Mead Killion - Elk Grove Village IL

Etymotic Research, Inc. - Elk Grove Village IL

H04R 2900

381 60

An electronic device is set forth that allows external control of a controllable electronic function of the device. The device includes a function circuit for implementing an electronic function in response to a signal at a function control signal input. The function circuit receives DC power from a power supply that is connected between two battery terminals. The DC power from the power supply circuit is supplied at a predetermined DC voltage level. A control circuit is included in the device and is responsive to a signal superimposed on the predetermined DC voltage level of the power supply at the two battery terminals for generating a function control signal to the function control signal input of the function circuit. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the invention is implemented in the context of a hearing aid.