US 12,133,054 B2
Devices and methods for hearing
Sunil Puria, Boston, MA (US); Micha Rosen, Tzur Hadassah (IL); Jonathan P. Fay, Dexter, MI (US); Paul Rucker, San Francisco, CA (US); and James Stone, Saratoga, CA (US)
Assigned to Earlens Corporation, Menlo Park, CA (US)
Filed by Earlens Corporation, Menlo Park, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 28, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/243,497.
Application 17/243,497 is a continuation of application No. 16/260,684, filed on Jan. 29, 2019, granted, now 11,057,714.
Application 16/260,684 is a continuation of application No. 15/706,236, filed on Sep. 15, 2017, granted, now 10,237,663, issued on Mar. 19, 2019.
Application 15/706,236 is a continuation of application No. 15/425,684, filed on Feb. 6, 2017, granted, now 10,743,110, issued on Aug. 11, 2020.
Application 15/425,684 is a continuation of application No. 14/491,572, filed on Sep. 19, 2014, granted, now 9,749,758, issued on Aug. 29, 2017.
Application 14/491,572 is a continuation of application No. 13/069,262, filed on Mar. 22, 2011, granted, now 8,858,419, issued on Oct. 14, 2014.
Application 13/069,262 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2009/057719, filed on Sep. 21, 2009.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/139,526, filed on Dec. 19, 2008.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/099,087, filed on Sep. 22, 2008.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/109,785, filed on Oct. 30, 2008.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/217,801, filed on Jun. 3, 2009.
Prior Publication US 2021/0266686 A1, Aug. 26, 2021
Int. Cl. H04R 25/00 (2006.01); H04R 11/02 (2006.01); H04R 17/00 (2006.01); H04R 23/00 (2006.01); H04R 25/02 (2006.01)
CPC H04R 25/606 (2013.01) [H04R 11/02 (2013.01); H04R 17/00 (2013.01); H04R 23/008 (2013.01); H04R 25/02 (2013.01); H04R 25/554 (2013.01); H04R 25/65 (2013.01); H04R 25/652 (2013.01); H04R 2225/025 (2013.01); H04R 2460/09 (2013.01); H04R 2460/13 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of inductively transmitting an audio signal to a user, the method comprising:
inductively coupling a first coil to a second coil, wherein the first coil is placed in an ear canal of the user and the second coil is connected to a part of a transducer placed at least partially against an eardrum of the user;
bending a piezoelectric element in response to current driven through the second coil;
vibrating the eardrum of the user through the bending of the piezoelectric element; and
supporting the transducer while the piezoelectric element is bent in response to the current driven through the second coil by providing a support configured for placement at least partially against an outer portion of the eardrum without penetrating the outer portion.