Did You Know...
...that the video game, Pong, was invented by a guy who graduated at the bottom of his engineering class? Nolan Bushnell spent more time running the games at a local amusement park than he did on his studies at the University of Utah. His dreams of working for Disney's amusement empire were dashed when the company wouldn't hire him. Taking a boring job, Nolan daydreamed about electronic versions of popular games. He invented Pong, the first video game, and went on to found Atari Co.
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US Patent 5795287 - Tinnitus masker for direct drive hearing devices
US Patent Issued on August 18, 1998
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
September 30, 2016Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
September 30, 2016Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.AbstractTinnitus maskers for direct drive hearing devices are provided. A circuit generates signals corresponding to sounds to mask tinnitus a user perceives. A direct drive hearing device which is coupled to a structure in the user vibrates in response to the signals. The vibrating direct drive hearing device stimulates hearing by vibrating the structure to which it is coupled. A user may select the frequency, intensity and phase of a tone generated. Additionally, a second tone or a background sound may be selected.Other References
| InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 723855 filed on 09/30/1996US Classes:600/25, SURGICALLY IMPLANTED VIBRATORY HEARING AID600/28, Audio (e.g., heartbeat, "white noise", etc.)600/559Ear or testing by auditory stimulusField of Search600/25, SURGICALLY IMPLANTED VIBRATORY HEARING AID600/26, SLEEP OR RELAXATION INDUCING THERAPY (E.G., DIRECT NERVE STIMULATION, HYPNOSIS, ANALGESIA)600/27, Sensory (e.g., visual, audio, tactile, etc.)600/28, Audio (e.g., heartbeat, "white noise", etc.)600/559, Ear or testing by auditory stimulus607/55, Promoting auditory function607/56, Producing aural effects by stimulation607/57, By partially or wholly implanted device607/136, External auditory canal607/137Inner ear (e.g., cochlea)ExaminersPrimary: Lacyk, John P.Attorney, Agent or FirmUS Patent References4034741, Noise generator and transmitterIssued on: 07/12/1977 Inventor: Adams , et al.4222393, Tinnitus masker Issued on: 09/16/1980 Inventor: Hocks , et al.4226248, Phonocephalographic device Issued on: 10/07/1980 Inventor: Manoli4759070, Patient controlled master hearing aid Issued on: 07/19/1988 Inventor: Voroba , et al.4850962, Implantable hearing aid and method of improving hearing Issued on: 07/25/1989 Inventor: Schaefer4956391, Protected complex of procaine for the treatment of symptoms from narcotics addiction, tinnitus and alzheimer's disease Issued on: 09/11/1990 Inventor: Sapse4984579, Apparatus for treatment of sensorineural hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus and aural fullness Issued on: 01/15/1991 Inventor: Burgert, et al.5015224, Partially implantable hearing aid device Issued on: 05/14/1991 Inventor: Maniglia5024612, External ear canal pressure regulating device and tinnitus suppression device Issued on: 06/18/1991 Inventor: van den Honert, et al.5064858, Protected complex of procaine for the treatment of symptoms from narcotics addiction, tinnitus and Alzheimer's disease Issued on: 11/12/1991 Inventor: Sapse5167236, Tinnitus-masker Issued on: 12/01/1992 Inventor: Junker5325872, Tinnitus masker Issued on: 07/05/1994 Inventor: Westermann5403262Minimum energy tinnitus masker Issued on: 04/04/1995 Inventor: Gooch International ClassH04R 025/00 |
