US 8582789

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 8582789:

US Patent 8582789: Hearing Enhancement Systems

• Title: Hearing enhancement systems
• Assignee: Ingeniospec LLC
• Inventors: Kwok Wai Cheung, Peter P. Tong, C. Douglass Thomas
• Filing Date: June 6, 2008 (Application number US12/157,092)
• Issue Date: November 12, 2013
• Abstract: A hearing enhancement system that enhances a user's hearing is disclosed. For example, the system can include an interface unit that has a directional speaker and a microphone. The microphone captures input audio signals that are transformed into ultrasonic signals. The speaker transmits the ultrasonic signals, which are transformed into output audio signals by interaction with air. At least a portion of the output audio signals are modified to enhance the hearing of the user. Based on the system, the user's ear remains free from any inserted objects and thus is free from annoying occlusion effects. Compared to existing hearing aids, the system is relatively inexpensive. In another embodiment, the system can also be used as a phone. In yet another embodiment, the system can also access audio signals from other portable or non-portable instruments, wired or wirelessly, such as from home entertainment units, phones, microphones at a conference or speakers at a movie theater.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

The patent contains three independent claims: Claim 1, Claim 13, and Claim 20.

• Claim 1: Hearing Enhancement System
  This claim describes a complete hearing enhancement system for a user. It includes an "audio system" that takes in sound signals, converts them into high-frequency wireless signals (up-converts), and transmits them. The system also has a "wireless receiver" to pick up these high-frequency signals. A "down-converter" then converts them back into regular audio signals. A "modifier" adjusts these audio signals based on the user's specific hearing characteristics to improve their hearing. Finally, a "speaker" generates the enhanced audio output for the user.
• Claim 13: Hearing Enhancement Apparatus
  This claim focuses on a portable "apparatus" (device) that works with an existing audio system. The audio system, in this context, is separately configured to up-convert input signals into wirelessly transmittable high-frequency signals. The apparatus itself comprises a "wireless receiver" to get these signals, a "down-converter" to change them back to audio, a "modifier" to adjust them based on the user's hearing needs for enhancement, and a "speaker" to produce the customized audio for the user. This claim emphasizes the apparatus as a wirelessly coupled component, distinct from the initial audio source.
• Claim 20: Hearing Enhancement Apparatus (with an interface unit)
  Claim 20 describes a hearing enhancement apparatus that includes an "interface unit." This interface unit has a directional speaker and a microphone. The microphone captures audio signals, which are then converted into ultrasonic signals by the system. The directional speaker transmits these ultrasonic signals through the air towards the user's ear. The air then transforms these ultrasonic signals back into audible sound (output audio signals). The crucial part is that at least some of these output audio signals have a higher power level compared to the original input audio signals at corresponding frequencies, thereby enhancing the user's hearing. This claim specifically details the use of ultrasonic transformation for directional audio delivery.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:

As of April 26, 2026, a search of CAFC 2026 dockets did not yield any specific litigation directly referencing US patent 8582789. The search results provided general information about CAFC case summaries and the court's activities in 2026, but no specific docket entries for this patent were found.The initial plan was to search USPTO and CAFC 2026 dockets. I have successfully gathered information about the patent from Google Patents, which is authoritative for USPTO data. This includes the title, assignee, inventors, filing date, issue date, and abstract. I have also identified and summarized the independent claims from the provided patent text.

The search for CAFC 2026 dockets did not yield any specific results for patent 8582789, only general CAFC activity. Therefore, I have sufficient information to answer the user's request.

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 8582789:

US Patent 8582789: Hearing enhancement systems

• Title: Hearing enhancement systems
• Assignee: Ingeniospec LLC
• Inventors: Kwok Wai Cheung, Peter P. Tong, C. Douglass Thomas
• Filing Date: June 6, 2008 (Application number US12/157,092)
• Issue Date: November 12, 2013
• Abstract: A hearing enhancement system that enhances a user's hearing is disclosed. For example, the system can include an "interface unit" that has a directional speaker and a microphone. The microphone captures input audio signals that are transformed into ultrasonic signals. The speaker transmits the ultrasonic signals, which are transformed into output audio signals by interaction with air. At least a portion of the output audio signals are modified to enhance the hearing of the user. Based on the system, the user's ear remains free from any inserted objects and thus is free from annoying occlusion effects. Compared to existing hearing aids, the system is relatively inexpensive. In another embodiment, the system can also be used as a phone. In yet another embodiment, the system can also access audio signals from other portable or non-portable instruments, wired or wirelessly, such as from home entertainment units, phones, microphones at a conference or speakers at a movie theater.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

US Patent 8582789 contains three independent claims: Claim 1, Claim 13, and Claim 20.

• Claim 1: A Hearing Enhancement System
  This claim describes a hearing enhancement system that receives input audio signals, converts them into high-frequency wireless signals (up-converts), and transmits them. A separate wireless receiver within the system then receives these up-converted signals, which are subsequently converted back to audio signals (down-converted). These down-converted signals are then adjusted (modified) based on the user's specific hearing characteristics to improve their hearing. Finally, a speaker generates the enhanced audio output for the user.
• Claim 13: A Hearing Enhancement Apparatus
  This claim defines a standalone hearing enhancement apparatus designed to be wirelessly connected to an external audio system. The external audio system is responsible for up-converting its input signals into wireless high-frequency signals. The apparatus itself comprises a wireless receiver to capture these high-frequency signals, a down-converter to convert them into audio, a modifier to adjust these audio signals according to the user's hearing characteristics for enhancement, and a speaker to produce the personalized audio output.
• Claim 20: A Hearing Enhancement Apparatus with Ultrasonic Transmission
  Claim 20 describes a hearing enhancement apparatus that includes an interface unit equipped with a directional speaker and a microphone. The microphone picks up audio signals, which are then processed and transformed into ultrasonic signals by the system. The directional speaker then transmits these ultrasonic signals through the air towards the user's ear. As these ultrasonic signals travel through the air, they are naturally converted back into audible sound (output audio signals). The key feature is that at least a part of these output audio signals has a higher power level compared to the initial received audio signals at corresponding frequencies, thereby improving the user's hearing.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:

As of April 26, 2026, no specific litigation or docket entries directly referencing US patent 8582789 were found in the CAFC 2026 dockets through the conducted search.