David Allan Preves

US Patent:

6359992, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

Feb 6, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/795545

Inventors:

David A. Preves - Minnetonka MN
Robert L. Millier - Minnetonka MN
Lawrence T. Hagen - Edina MN
Ning Shen - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Micro Ear Technology - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

381312, 381106, 381123, 381317

Abstract:

An acoustic conditioning apparatus. The mechanism includes an attenuator to limit excessive noise levels. The attenuator includes a circuit for compressing an output sound pressure level below a desired level, such as 90 dBA over an eight-hour period. The mechanism also includes an amplifier for conditioning ambient sound level in accordance with the normal needs of a hearing impaired person using the conditioning apparatus. Additionally included is a switch in an electrical circuit to enable selection of attenuation of excessive noise levels or normal amplification. The switch can be controlled either manually by means of a toggle on a housing enclosing the various components, or automatically in response to the sensed noise level.

US Patent:

6389142, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Mar 31, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/052631

Inventors:

Lawrence T. Hagen - Minneapolis MN
David A. Preves - Minnetonka MN

Assignee:

Micro Ear Technology - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

381313, 381 92, 381328

Abstract:

Apparatus for use as an in-the-ear hearing aid. The apparatus includes a housing having a shell and a face plate, wherein the shell is molded to custom fit a hearing aid wearers ear. A first non-directional microphone system is included having a first output signal representative of the sound received. A second non-directional microphone system is included having a second output signal representative of the sound received. A switch mechanism is included having an operator extending through the housing for switching the in-the-ear hearing aid between a non-directional mode and a directional mode. In the directional mode, the microphone system is adjustable to account for component tolerances. The switched directional/non directional microphone feature is employed in a custom in-the-ear Contralateral Routing of Signals (CROS) or Bilateral Routing of Signals (BiCROS) two instrument hearing aid system.

US Patent:

6424722, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

Jul 18, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/896484

Inventors:

Lawrence T. Hagen - Minnetonka MN
David A. Preves - Minnetonka MN

Assignee:

Micro Ear Technology, Inc. - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

381314, 381323

Abstract:

An improved hearing aid programming system with a host computer for providing at least one hearing aid program and having at least one personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) defined port in combination with a PCMCIA card inserted in the port and arranged for interacting with the host computer for controlling programming of a hearing aid. The host computer provides power and ground to the PCMCIA card and provides for downloading the hearing aid programming software to the PCMCIA card upon initialization. A microprocessor on the PCMCIA card executes the programming software. A hearing aid interface for adjusting voltage levels and impedance levels is adapted for coupling signals to the hearing aid being programmed. A portable programming arrangement utilizes a portable multiprogram unit to store one or more hearing aid programs, and having an electrical interconnection to a portable multiprogram unit interface, whereby one or more programs selected at the host computer can be downloaded and stored in the portable multiprogram unit. The portable multiprogram unit includes a wireless interconnection for transmitting selected ones of the programs to hearing aids to be programmed.

US Patent:

6442279, Aug 27, 2002

Filed:

Oct 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/687799

Inventors:

David A. Preves - Minnetonka MN
Robert L. Millier - Minnetonka MN
Lawrence T. Hagen - Edina MN
Ning Shen - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Micro Ear Technology, Inc. - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

H03G 700

US Classification:

381 72, 381 55, 381106, 381119

Abstract:

An acoustic conditioning apparatus. The mechanism includes an attenuator to limit excessive noise levels. The attenuator includes a circuit for compressing an output sound pressure level below a desired level, such as 90 dBA over an eight-hour period. The mechanism also includes an amplifier for conditioning ambient sound level in accordance with the normal needs of a hearing impaired person using the conditioning apparatus. Additionally included is a switch in an electrical circuit to enable selection of attenuation of excessive noise levels or normal amplification. The switch can be controlled either manually by means of a toggle on a housing enclosing the various components, or automatically in response to the sensed noise level.

US Patent:

6888948, May 3, 2005

Filed:

Mar 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/096335

Inventors:

Lawrence T. Hagen - Minnetonka MN, US
David A. Preves - Minnetonka MN, US

Assignee:

Micro Ear Technology, Inc. - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

H04R025/00

US Classification:

381314, 381323

Abstract:

An improved hearing aid programming system with a host computer for providing at least one hearing aid program and having at least one personal computer memory card international association (PCMCIA) defined port in combination with a PCMCIA card inserted in the port and arranged for interacting with the host computer for controlling programming of a hearing aid. The host computer provides power and ground to the PCMCIA card and provides for downloading the hearing aid programming software to the PCMCIA card upon initialization. A microprocessor on the PCMCIA card executes the programming software. A hearing aid interface for adjusting voltage levels and impedance levels is adapted for coupling signals to the hearing aid being programmed. A portable programming arrangement utilizes a portable multiprogram unit to store one or more hearing aid programs, and having an electrical interconnection to a portable multiprogram unit interface, whereby one or more programs selected at the host computer can be downloaded and stored in the portable multiprogram unit. The portable multiprogram unit includes a wireless interconnection for transmitting selected ones of the programs to hearing aids to be programmed.

US Patent:

7010136, Mar 7, 2006

Filed:

Feb 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/251592

Inventors:

Randall W. Roberts - Eden Prairie MN, US
David A. Preves - Minnetonka MN, US
Mark A. Bren - Laretto MN, US

Assignee:

Micro Ear Technology, Inc. - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

H04R 25/00

US Classification:

381320, 381321, 381317

Abstract:

An apparatus for and method of employing an electronic hearing aid device to assist a hearing impaired patient. The resonance curve of the outer auditory canal of the patient is determined. A device in accordance with the present invention is tuned to a frequency response curve which matches the measured resonance curve. The device is tuned by adjusting the overshoot of a low pass filter stage which is interposed between the microphone input and a class D output stage.

US Patent:

7324652, Jan 29, 2008

Filed:

Dec 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/749133

Inventors:

David A. Preves - Chanhassen MN, US
Mike Sacha - Chanhassen MN, US

Assignee:

Starkey Laboratories, Inc. - Eden Prairie MN

International Classification:

H04R 25/00

US Classification:

381323, 429152

Abstract:

A system includes a number of electronic devices that uses multiple voltage sources and a supply source to provide the different supply voltages without up-converting a voltage level or down-converting a voltage level. In an embodiment, the supply source is realized using a battery having multiple voltage taps, where the battery provides the multiple voltage sources. In an embodiment, the system is a hearing aid. A single battery includes a common substrate on which a number of battery regions is formed, where each battery region provides a supply voltage at a rated voltage level different than the other battery regions. The common substrate may be configured as a rigid platform, a flexible platform in a folded configuration, a flexible platform in a rolled configuration, or other platform configurations that provide for multiple battery regions on a single platform.

US Patent:

7369669, May 6, 2008

Filed:

May 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/146536

Inventors:

Lawrence Hagen - Deephaven MN, US
Mark A. Bren - Lorretto MN, US
Randall W. Roberts - Eden Prairie MN, US
Timothy S. Peterson - Lino Lakes MN, US
David A. Preves - Princeton Junction NJ, US

Assignee:

Micro Ear Technology, Inc. - Plymouth MN

International Classification:

H04R 25/00

US Classification:

381313, 381 231, 381315, 381 92

Abstract:

Systems, devices and methods are provided for diotically presenting second-order gradient directional hearing aid signals. The present subject matter provides an improved signal-to-noise ratio, and presents a desired directional signal to each ear. One aspect is a hearing aid system. In one embodiment, the system includes a first microphone system in a first device and a second microphone system in a second device. The first microphone system has a first output signal, and the second microphone system has a second output signal. Each output signal includes a first-order directional signal. The system further includes a first receiver circuit and a second receiver circuit. The combination of the first output signal and the second output signal provides a diotic presentation of a second-order gradient signal to both the first receiver circuit and the second receiver circuit. Other aspects are provided herein.