Patents Examined by Brenda Bernardi
  • Patent number: 9728204
    Abstract: The present invention is applicable to the technical field of noise maps and provides a method for drawing a noise map and device, the method for drawing a noise map comprises: obtaining an environmental noise uploaded by a terminal, the environmental noise includes a noise value, a time information, and a position information; when the terminal uploads a picture corresponding to the environmental noise, detecting whether the picture is a valid picture or not; when the picture is a valid picture and the position where the picture is taken lies indoor, identifying the environmental noise as an indoor environmental noise; when the picture doesn't exist, identifying the environmental noise as an outdoor environmental noise, or when the picture is invalid, identifying the environmental noise as an outer door environmental noise, or when the picture is a valid picture and the position where the picture is taken lies outdoor, identifying the environmental noise as the outdoor environmental noise; drawing a noise ma
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN GRANDSUN ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yanan Song, Haiquan Wu, Ruiwen Shi, Xinian Geng, Guozhong Du, Jiayun Xu
  • Patent number: 9729118
    Abstract: An example method may involve a device determining a first loudness representation for a playback device based on a first equalization setting applied to a representation of average music. The device may also determine a second loudness representation for the playback device, based on a second equalization setting applied to the representation of average music. The device may also determine a loudness adjustment factor based on the first and second loudness representations, and then causing the playback device to play back media based on the second equalization setting and the determined loudness adjustment factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Hartung, Matthew Buoni, Romi Kadri
  • Patent number: 9723403
    Abstract: A wearable, shoulder-mounted microphone array apparatus and system used as a bi-directional audio and assisted listening device system. The present invention advances hearing aids and assisted listening devices to allow construction of a highly directional audio array that is wearable, natural sounding, and convenient to direct, as well as to provide directional cues to users who have partial or total loss of hearing in one or both ears. The advantages of the invention include simultaneously providing high gain, high directivity, high side lobe attenuation, and consistent beam width; providing significant beam forming at lower frequencies where substantial noises are present, particularly in noisy, reverberant environments; and allowing construction of a cost effective body-worn or body-carried directional audio device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Wave Sciences LLC
    Inventor: James Keith McElveen
  • Patent number: 9716962
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method of processing an audio signal to optimize audio for a room environment. One example method of operation may include recording the audio signal generated within a particular room environment and processing the audio signal to create an original frequency response based on the audio signal. The method may also include creating at least two iterative filters based on at least two separate frequency ranges of the original frequency response, calculating an error difference between the frequency response modified by the at least two iterative filters and the original frequency response, and applying the error difference to the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: AMX LLC
    Inventor: Fawad Nackvi
  • Patent number: 9711131
    Abstract: A system and method for arranging sound zones in a room including a listener's position and a speaker's position with a multiplicity of loudspeakers disposed in the room and a multiplicity of microphones disposed in the room. The method includes establishing, in connection with the multiplicity of loudspeakers, a first sound zone around the listener's position and a second sound zone around the speaker's position, and determining, in connection with the multiplicity of microphones, parameters of sound conditions present in the first sound zone. The method further includes generating in the first sound zone, in connection with the multiplicity of loudspeakers, and based on the determined sound conditions in the first sound zone, speech masking sound that is configured to reduce common speech intelligibility in the second sound zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Christoph
  • Patent number: 9712934
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for testing an individual's hearing and correcting audio signals to compensate for the significant variance in each listener's sensitivity to various frequencies of the audible spectrum. An auditory calibration procedure includes identifying a first volume level as a minimum volume level at which nominal frequency tones are audible, a minimum frequency at which said first volume level is audible, a maximum frequency at which said first volume level is audible, and a minimum volume level at which a number of intervening sample frequencies are audible. A substantially parabolic correction curve is generated based on the minimum volume levels at the various sample frequencies. The correction curve is applied to modify real time audio signals generated upon execution of an audio file functionally linked to the processor, wherein the modified real time audio signals are provided to an audio output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: EARIQ, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Harold Moore, Stephen Rhett Davis
  • Patent number: 9712917
    Abstract: A speaker system may include a dome-shaped shell defining an internal cavity, a receiver configured to receive audio signals from a wireless-enabled device and positioned in the internal cavity, and a plurality of speakers positioned at least partially within the internal cavity and in audio communication with the receiver, wherein the wireless receiver and speakers are configured to project audio outward of the dome-shaped shell. At least some of the plurality of speakers are facing outward of the dome-shaped shell, wherein the at least some of the plurality of speakers are at least partially upward and partially forward facing and configured to project audio outward of the dome-shaped shell in at least a partially forward direction. Some of the plurality of speakers could also be forward facing and downward facing. The shell can take the form of a sports helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Audio Icons, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Clark, Ted Mayer
  • Patent number: 9706304
    Abstract: In one aspect, a device includes a processor and storage accessible to the processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the processor to, based on input received from a sensor, control a first audio output per at least a first setting for a left ear of a user. The instructions are also executable by the processor to, based on input received from a sensor, control a second audio output per at least a second setting for a right ear of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Edwards Kelso, Russell Speight VanBlon, Arnold S. Weksler
  • Patent number: 9705460
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a learning unit which learns sound level manipulation relating to a sound level of a terminal device used by a user based on information relating to the user. The information processing apparatus includes a determination unit which determines a reproduction mode at the time when the terminal device reproduces an audio contained in a content according to a learning result of the learning unit. The information processing apparatus includes a controller which controls an audio contained in the content in the reproduction mode determined by the determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: YAHOO JAPAN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Kuromusha, Yoshihito Nishikawa, Yoshio Ikai, Toru Takei, Kazutaka Kimura, Kanta Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9704471
    Abstract: The technology described herein can be embodied in a computer implemented method that includes detecting, by one or more processing devices, onset of an unstable condition in an active noise control system. The method also includes obtaining, responsive to detecting the onset of the unstable condition, updated filter coefficients for a system-identification filter configured to represent a transfer function of a secondary path of the active noise control system. The updated filter coefficients are generated using a set of multiple subband adaptive filters, wherein filter coefficients of each subband adaptive filter in the set are configured to adapt to changes in a corresponding portion of a frequency range associated with potential unstable conditions in the active noise control system. The method also includes programming the system identification filter with the updated coefficients to affect operation of the active noise control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventor: Emery M. Ku
  • Patent number: 9699557
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method of processing an audio signal to optimize audio for a room environment. One example method of operation may include recording the audio signal generated within a particular room environment and processing the audio signal to create an original frequency response based on the audio signal. The method may also include identifying a target sub-region of the frequency response which has a predetermined area percentage of a total area under a curve generated by the frequency response, determining whether the target sub-region is a narrow energy region, creating a filter to adjust the frequency response, and applying the filter to the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: AMX LLC
    Inventor: Fawad Nackvi
  • Patent number: 9694746
    Abstract: A user may freely generate a vehicle driving sound using a mounted mobile terminal so as to generate various types of driving sounds through a speaker. A vehicle includes a setting unit configured to set response characteristics of a vehicle driving sound for at least one of a plurality of pieces of vehicle state information and set a section-specific volume of the vehicle driving sound for at least one of a plurality of set response characteristics including revolutions per minute (RPM) and a controller configured to control an output of the vehicle driving sound generated according to a setting of the setting unit and control sound transfer characteristics unique to the vehicle to be reflected when the vehicle driving sound is generated and output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Enusoo Jo, Ju In Kim, Taekun Yun, Kyoung Jin Chang, Seonghyeon Kim, Doyoung Park, Dong Chul Park, Seok Gwan Hong, Ki Woong Jeong
  • Patent number: 9699538
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone device is provided in the present disclosure. The MEMS microphone device includes a circuit board, an electromagnetic shielding cover mounted on the circuit board to define an accommodating space, electronic components received in the accommodating space and electrically connected to the circuit board, and a metal shielding member disposed between the electronic components and the electromagnetic shielding cover. The electromagnetic shielding cover has an inner surface and an outer surface; and at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface is provided with a first metal shielding layer. At least one of the electromagnetic shielding cover and the metal shielding member is electrically connected to the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: AAC ACOUSTIC TECHNOLOGIES (SHENZHEN) CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Guojun Liu, Peng Zeng, Zhijiang Wu
  • Patent number: 9693139
    Abstract: Example systems and methods for electronic sound enhancement tuning are disclosed. An example disclosed method includes sampling, with a microphone, an audio profile of engine noises in a cabin of a vehicle. The example method also includes comparing the sampled audio profile to a model audio profile. Additionally, the example methods includes, when the sampled audio profile does not satisfy a similarity threshold, applying a convergence function to the sampled audio profile to generate a target audio profile, and iterating until the target audio profile satisfies a similarity threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Tecghnologies, LLC
    Inventors: Athanasios Teknos, Chin Lim Vong, Jr., Michael Peter Mongeau
  • Patent number: 9693127
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for transmitting audio data. The method includes setting a connection with a plurality of slave devices by using a short range wireless communication protocol, generating a data packet comprising the audio data, and repetitively transmitting the data packet to the plurality of slave devices through a multicast/broadcast channel a number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Su-Hwan Kim, Soo-Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 9691409
    Abstract: Disclosed are an earset that may correct a frequency band of a voice coming from a user's ears into a frequency band of a voice coming from the user's mouth, and a control method for the same. According to an embodiment, the control method for the earset including a first earphone unit that is inserted into ears of a user while including a first microphone and a first speaker, and a main body in which a second microphone is disposed, the control method includes: determining whether a voice correction function is activated; and correcting a frequency band of a voice input to the first microphone into a frequency band of a voice input to the second microphone, when the voice correction function is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Haebora Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Doo Sik Shin
  • Patent number: 9689966
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying the location of gunfire from a moving object in which at least two spaced apart microphones are positioned on the moving object. The output from the microphones is decomposed into intrinsic mode functions by using empirical mode decomposition. A transient pulse is then identified in the intrinsic mode function representative of the gunfire. The location of the origin of the gunfire is then determined from the transient pulses through multilateration using time difference of arrival of the transient pulses by the microphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Thyagaraju Damarla
  • Patent number: 9693168
    Abstract: Audio spatial effects are provided using a spherical array of ultrasonic speakers, with the azimuth angle and, if desired, elevation angle demanded by a control signal from, for example, a game console being matched to the sonic axis of one of the speakers in the array to activate the matching speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory Carlsson, Masaomi Nishidate, Morio Usami, Kiyoto Shibuya, Norihiro Nagai, Peter Shintani
  • Patent number: 9693134
    Abstract: A waterproof sound-transmitting member includes a waterproof sound-transmitting membrane and a support layer. The support layer includes a polyolefin-based resin foam. The support layer has a loss modulus of 1.0×107 Pa or less and a loss factor of 1.0×10?1 or more. The waterproof sound-transmitting membrane is, for example, a stretched porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. The waterproof sound-transmitting membrane may include an adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Karube, Tsuyoshi Kashima, Yuri Horie, Yuichi Abe
  • Patent number: 9686611
    Abstract: A sound enhancement system of an engine of a vehicle includes a vibration sensor disposed on the casing of the engine to generate an electrical signal indicative of the engine sound. A signal processor is connected to the vibration sensor to process the electrical signal-indicative of the engine sound and generate an output audio signal. A speaker is disposed in the vehicle compartment and connected to the signal processor to receive the output audio signal and generate an enhancement sound of the engine sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: ASK INDUSTRIES SOCIETA' PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Francesco Violi, Emanuele Ugolotti, Maurizio Arletti