Patents Examined by Ammar T Hamid
  • Patent number: 11743645
    Abstract: In one implementation, a method of transforming a sound into a virtual sound for a synthesized reality (SR) setting is performed by a head-mounted device (HMD) including one or more processors, non-transitory memory, a microphone, a speaker, and a display. The method includes displaying, on the display, an image representation of a synthesized reality (SR) setting including a plurality of surfaces associated with an acoustic reverberation property of the SR setting. The method includes recording, via the microphone, a real sound produced in a physical setting. The method further includes generating, using the one or more processors, a virtual sound by transforming the real sound based on the acoustic reverberation property of the SR setting. The method further includes playing, via the speaker, the virtual sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Avi Bar-Zeev
  • Patent number: 11740858
    Abstract: An audio playback method includes the following steps: receiving an ultrasound signal via a microphone; processing the ultrasound signal to obtain a characteristic value of the ultrasound signal; obtaining time lag information based on the characteristic value; and controlling audio delay according to the time lag information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tien-Chiu Hung, Chung-Shih Chu, Wei-Chung Ting, Tse-En Lin
  • Patent number: 11741936
    Abstract: An advanced acoustic awareness platform configured to classify environmental sounds. The advanced acoustic awareness platform comprises an audio signal acquisition sensor array and one or more processors programmed to augment the audio signal, extract features for the audio signal, visualize, and classify the signal using one or more labels. In at least one embodiment, the signal is classified based on transfer learning associated with a pretrained machine learning model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: The U.S. Government as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Jackson Yeboah
  • Patent number: 11733550
    Abstract: An in-ear device is implemented as part of an audio system to present a user with improved audio content within an artificial reality system. The in-ear device is a fully integrated device with an internal microphone, an external microphone, and a transducer in which portions of the transducer form portions of the body of the device. This integration of transducer into the body of the in-ear device reduces the size of the in-ear device and allows for placement deeper within the ear canal of the user. The transducer generates audio content based on instructions received from an audio system that may be located on a device that is external to the in-ear device. The external microphone provides hear-through functionality, while the internal microphone provides feedback information to the audio system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chuming Zhao, Drew Stone Briggs, Michael Edward Franks, Derek Wallin
  • Patent number: 11736856
    Abstract: An earphone device includes a speaker unit, an inner housing body and an outer housing body. The inner housing body covers the speaker unit through an insert molding technique. The outer housing body covers the inner housing body through the insert molding technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Jabil Circuit (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Hong Wang, Ching-Feng Lin, Chia-Chien Chen, Po-Cheng Huang, Shih-Hsien Yang, Cheng-Kun Chiang, Ching-Hsin Chen, Ching-Chieh Lin, Che-Hao Liao
  • Patent number: 11736889
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and program products for generating a virtual studio are disclosed. In one embodiment a method includes processing image information for at least one pinna of a user to generate a head-related transfer function (HRTF) profile of the user. A studio model that includes a studio-specific acoustic profile is accessed such as by a virtual studio client application executing on a laptop. An audio configuration of the studio model is selected based on the studio-specific acoustic profile. An audio media source is activated and the audio configuration is applied in combination with the HRTF profile of the user to audio generated by the audio media source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: EMBODYVR, INC.
    Inventors: Kaushik Sunder, Kieran Coulter, Kapil Jain
  • Patent number: 11726523
    Abstract: A head-mountable device can include a head securement element that provides limited flexibility while also providing adequate stiffness to reduce the effects of sagging components under their own weight. Such stiffness can help the forces be distributed evenly across the face. For example, rather than allowing excessive forces to weigh on the cheeks and/or nose of the user, certain types of stiffness about the head-mountable device can help distribute forces along the forehead of the user and/or other regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin A. Hatfield, Geng Luo
  • Patent number: 11720321
    Abstract: An embodiment vehicle includes a camera, a speaker, and a controller electrically connected to the camera and the speaker, wherein the controller is configured to acquire a first external image outside the vehicle from the camera, input the first external image to a pre-trained first neural network and extract a first feature corresponding to the first external image, and control the speaker to output a first sound sample among a plurality of sound samples, based on a comparison of the first feature and pre-stored features corresponding to the plurality of sound samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Kyoung-Jin Chang, Dong Chul Park, Jinsung Lee, Sangjin Hong
  • Patent number: 11720322
    Abstract: An audio apparatus includes a network interface, a receiver, at least one storage, and at least one processor. The processor is configured to determine that the audio apparatus is in a state capable of communicating with the other audio apparatus via the network interface. The processor is also configured to receive audio data via the receiver transmitted from an external apparatus different from the other audio apparatus. The processor is also configured to output a sound based on the received audio data. The processor is also configured to transmit the sound emission control information stored in the at least one storage to the other audio apparatus. The sound emission control information includes one or more of a sound volume, and a frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Daigo Sugiura
  • Patent number: 11716580
    Abstract: Each accessory device in a set of accessory devices may establish a respective communication link between the accessory device and an ear-wearable device. A particular accessory device in the set of accessory devices may receive data via the communication link between the particular accessory device and the ear-wearable device. The data comprise information generated based on sensor signals from sensors that monitor a user of the ear-wearable device. The accessory devices perform a health monitoring activity based on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: STARKEY LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Paul Solum, Gregory John Haubrich
  • Patent number: 11709651
    Abstract: A Bluetooth audio broadcasting system includes: an audio broadcasting device, a first Bluetooth member device, and a second Bluetooth member device. The audio broadcasting device broadcasts BLE audio packets. After the first Bluetooth member device issues a volume adjusting request, the audio broadcasting device transmits a volume adjusting instruction to the first Bluetooth member device and the second Bluetooth member device. The first Bluetooth member device acquires a predetermined audio data from the BLE audio packets, controls a first audio playback circuit to playback the predetermined audio data, and adjusts an audio volume of the first audio playback circuit according to the volume adjusting instruction. The second Bluetooth member device acquires the predetermined audio data from the BLE audio packets, controls a second audio playback circuit to playback the predetermined audio data, and adjusts an audio volume of the second audio playback circuit according to the volume adjusting instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Yu Hsuan Liu, Yung Chieh Lin, Qing Gu, Bi Wei, Yi-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11706567
    Abstract: A display apparatus is capable of outputting a stereo sound. The display apparatus includes a display panel configured to display an image; a sound generating device on a rear surface of the display panel; a rear cover on the rear surface of the display panel and configured to support the sound generating device; a partition member between the rear surface of the display panel and the rear cover and configured to divide the display panel into first, second, third, fourth and fifth areas; and first, second, third, fourth, and fifth sound generating devices attached to the rear surface of the display panel and configured to vibrate the display panel. The first, second, third, fourth and fifth sound generating devices are in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth areas, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sungsu Ham, YeongRak Choi, Sungtae Lee, Joongsup Han
  • Patent number: 11706551
    Abstract: Presented herein are contaminant-proof microphone assemblies for use with devices/apparatuses, such as auditory prostheses, that include one or more microphones disposed within a housing. A contaminant-proof microphone assembly in accordance with certain embodiments presented herein includes a microphone, a microphone plug, and a contaminant-proof membrane. The microphone plug has a first end coupled to the microphone and a second end that is configured to be positioned adjacent the contaminant-proof membrane. As such, the microphone plug is disposed between a sound inlet of the microphone and the contaminant-proof membrane. The microphone plug may be configured to mate with the housing or a gasket attached to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Nathan Isaacson, Adam Mujaj
  • Patent number: 11696062
    Abstract: A system for detecting a presence of a feature or function of an output device used with an electronic device. The system includes a connector associated with the output device, the connector having a magnetic region comprising one or more magnetized members to provide a magnetic field. The system further includes a magnetic sensor associated with the electronic device, the magnetic sensor being positioned proximate a connection port of the electronic device, the connection port being configured to receive the connector to enable the magnetic sensor to detect a presence of the magnetic field and to determine the feature or function of the output device. The system further includes control logic associated with the magnetic sensor, the control logic controlling the electronic device based on the presence of the magnetic field and according to the determined feature or function of the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Finnovate Group LLC
    Inventor: Kari Kristian Rauhala
  • Patent number: 11694711
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and logic to post-process raw gains determined by input processing to generate post-processed gains, comprising using one or both of delta gain smoothing and decision-directed gain smoothing. The delta gain smoothing comprises applying a smoothing filter to the raw gain with a smoothing factor that depends on the gain delta: the absolute value of the difference between the raw gain for the current frame and the post-processed gain for a previous frame. The decision-directed gain smoothing comprises converting the raw gain to a signal-to-noise ratio, applying a smoothing filter with a smoothing factor to the signal-to-noise ratio to calculate a smoothed signal-to-noise ratio, and converting the smoothed signal-to-noise ratio to determine the second smoothed gain, with smoothing factor possibly dependent on the gain delta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Xuejing Sun, Glenn N. Dickins
  • Patent number: 11693621
    Abstract: A device system includes an acoustic device, a sensor, and a sound processor. The acoustic device is configured to be worn by a user. A sensor is configured to detect a movement of a shielding object. The sound processor is configured to generate sound with a first sound quality for a block state in which the shielding object blocks a virtual sound source localized on an opposite side of the shielding object and emit the sound from the acoustic device. The sound processor is further configured to change a sound quality of the sound from the first sound quality to a second sound quality for a non-block state in which the shielding object does not block the virtual sound source, in response to the sensor detecting that the shielding object moves from a position blocking the virtual sound source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukio Tada, Kazuya Kumehara, Mitsuki Arita
  • Patent number: 11696086
    Abstract: An auditory wearable device management system for supporting effective use of an auditory wearable device shared by a collection of people (hereinafter abbreviated as an auditory device) is provided. An auditory wearable device management system for distributing audio information from one or more information sound sources to an auditory device worn by each wearer constituting a collection of people and acting collectively includes wearing information holding means that associates the wearer with a wearing status of the auditory device worn by the wearer as wearing information, audio information distribution control means that outputs distribution control information for designating the wearer, the wearer being a distribution destination of the audio information from each of the one or more information sound sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki Nagano
  • Patent number: 11689841
    Abstract: An earbud includes an earbud speaker, a microphone array including a plurality of microphones, an orientation sensing subsystem, and a beamforming subsystem. The orientation sensing subsystem is configured to output an orientation signal indicating an orientation of the earbud. The beamforming subsystem is configured to output a beamformed signal. The beamformed signal is based at least on the orientation signal and a plurality of microphone signals from the plurality of microphones in the microphone array. The beamformed signal spatially selectively filters the plurality of microphone signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Amir Zyskind, Eliza C. Arango-Vargas, Olli-Pekka Ahokas
  • Patent number: 11676569
    Abstract: A sound production device includes memories, processors, a rotation speed correlation value acquisition device configured to acquire a rotation speed correlation value of a rotating body, and a speaker. A noise order sound has a characteristic in which a sound pressure of the noise order sound reaches a maximum sound pressure in a first range of the rotation speed correlation value, and the sound pressure becomes smaller than the maximum sound pressure in second ranges adjacent to both sides the first range. When the rotation speed correlation value falls within the first range, the processors do not output a dummy noise. When the rotation speed correlation value falls within either of the second ranges, the processors output the dummy noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yu Miyahara, Yuta Tsukada
  • Patent number: 11678105
    Abstract: The headphones (10) comprise: a transducer (16) (12); an noise-canceling processing chain (30, 40) comprising: a microphone (31, 41); a noise-canceling processing filter (34, 44) which comprises in series: a stabilisation filter (34A, 44A) whose transfer function is substantially equal to the inverse of the transfer function of the processed secondary path, and a noise cancellation filter (34B, 44B) whose transfer function is a noise cancellation transfer function. The secondary path is formed between the transducer (16) and the eardrum, and the transfer function of the processed secondary path is the transfer function of the secondary path combined with the transfer functions of the processing components, excluding the processing filter (34, 44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: DEVIALET
    Inventor: Vu Hoang Co Thuy