Patents Examined by Daniel R. Sellers
  • Patent number: 11778369
    Abstract: Provided is a notification technique that makes it possible to notify a person of a direction in which a danger exists, using a sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazunori Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11778383
    Abstract: A device for reducing crosstalk in an audio system that has first and second pairs of loudspeakers and first and second audio sources. The device is connected to each audio source and to at least the first pair of loudspeakers. The device includes a module for acquiring first audio signals from the first source and second audio signals from the second source, a module for determining crosstalk reduction filters resulting from a loudspeaker of the second pair, a module for calculating corrective signals, by applying the reduction filters to the second audio signals, and a module for generating corrected audio signals for the first pair, obtained from the first audio signals and corrective signals. Each reduction filter is obtained from transfer functions, each representing an acoustic path between a loudspeaker and a user's ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Faurecia Clarion Electronics Europe
    Inventors: Nicolas Lopez Zuleta, Mounira Rigaud-Maazaoui, Camille Georges
  • Patent number: 11757420
    Abstract: A leveling equalizer includes a graphic equalizer circuit, a first multiplication circuit, a second multiplication circuit, an addition circuit, and a gain control circuit. The graphic equalizer circuit processes a first input signal and output a first output signal and a second output signal. The first multiplication circuit multiplies the first output signal and one of an adjustable gain value and a fixed gain value to generate a first adjusted output signal. The second multiplication circuit multiplies the second output signal and another of the adjustable gain value and the fixed gain value to generate a second adjusted output signal. The addition circuit combines the first adjusted output signal and the second adjusted output signal to generate an equalizer output signal. The gain control circuit dynamically adjusts the adjustable gain value according to the equalizer output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Elite Semiconductor Microelectronics Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Jung-Kuei Chang
  • Patent number: 11711648
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for audio-based detection and tracking of an acoustic source. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes generating acoustic signal spectra from signals provided by a microphone array, and performing beamforming on the acoustic signal spectra to generate beam signal spectra, using time-frequency masks to reduce noise. The method also includes detecting, by a deep neural network (DNN) classifier, an acoustic event, associated with the acoustic source, in the beam signal spectra. The DNN is trained on acoustic features associated with the acoustic event. The method further includes performing pattern extraction, in response to the detection, to identify time-frequency bins of the acoustic signal spectra that are associated with the acoustic event, and estimating a motion direction of the source relative to the array of microphones based on Doppler frequency shift of the acoustic event calculated from the time-frequency bins of the extracted pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Kuba Lopatka, Adam Kupryjanow, Lukasz Kurylo, Karol Duzinkiewicz, Przemyslaw Maziewski, Marek Zabkiewicz
  • Patent number: 11700497
    Abstract: A system for providing augmented spatialized audio in a vehicle, including a plurality of speakers disposed in a perimeter of a cabin of the vehicle; and a controller configured to receive a position signal indicative of the position of a first user's head in the vehicle and to output to a first binaural device, according to the first position signal, a first spatial audio signal, such that the first binaural device produces a first spatial acoustic signal perceived by the first user as originating from a first virtual source location within the vehicle cabin, wherein the first spatial audio signal comprises at least an upper range of a first content signal, wherein the controller is further configured to drive the plurality of speakers with a driving signal such that a first bass content of the first content signal is produced in the vehicle cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Remco Terwal, Yaduvir Singh, Eben Kunz, Charles Oswald, Michael S. Dublin
  • Patent number: 11689849
    Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer-readable media to manage undesired sound sources in microphone pickup/focus zones preferably mitigates one or more of the undesired sound source(s) in a space having a plurality of microphones and at least one desired sound source. Preferably, at least one microphone input receives plural microphone input signals from the plurality of microphones in the space. Preferably, the least one processor is coupled to the at least one microphone input and receives the plural microphone input signals. Preferably, the at least one processor determines plural micro-zones in the space. Preferably, the at least one processor determines a threshold sound field level for each micro-zone based on received plural microphone input signals that correspond to the one or more undesired sound source(s). Preferably, the at least one processor recognizes a desired sound source when received plural microphone input signals exceed one or more threshold sound field level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventors: Richard Dale Ferguson, Linshan Li, Mahdi Javer, Nicholas Alexander Norrie
  • Patent number: 11671776
    Abstract: A test module for testing microphones comprises an outer chamber being airtight, and a sound chamber comprising an electrical test device for testing the microphones. The sound chamber is located within the outer chamber, and the sound chamber is coupled to the outer chamber with a connection suppressing structure-borne noise between the outer chamber and the sound chamber. A space between the outer chamber and the sound chamber has a gas pressure being lower than an ambient air pressure. A method of testing microphones comprises evacuating the space between the outer chamber and the sound chamber to having a lower gas pressure than an ambient air pressure, and testing the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Cohu GmbH
    Inventor: Anton Schuster
  • Patent number: 11647331
    Abstract: A circuit device (100) includes a PWM signal output circuit (110) that outputs a PWM signal (SPWM) to a sound outputter (10), and a processing circuit (120) that controls the PWM signal output circuit (110). The frequency band that the sound outputter (10) can output is denoted as an outputtable band, and the frequency band lower than a lower limit of the outputtable band is denoted as a non-output low frequency band. The PWM signal output circuit (110) outputs a PWM signal (SPWM) based on pseudo sound data in which overtones, of a plurality of overtones of a fundamental tone belonging to the non-output low frequency band, that belong to the outputtable band are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takao Katayama, Fumihito Baisho, Tsutomu Nonaka
  • Patent number: 11641183
    Abstract: An improved dynamics processing control system incorporates an integration release window to virtually eliminate ripple in the final control signal used to control a Voltage Controlled Amplifier in a signal processor. The input audio signal is level detected using a logarithmic level detector and filtered to provide a very fast time constant. The fast release time constant signal is clamped at a maximum level equal to the user defined threshold and filtered by a second filter providing a very long release time constant. The long release time constant is dynamically varied by the fast time constant to provide an adaptive slow time constant. The fast time constant signal modifies the adaptive slow time constant when the difference between the fast time constant and the slow time constant exceeds a predefined integration release window. The integration release window is based on a minimum number of decibels which is larger than the maximum possible ripple in the fast time constant signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: EAR PHYSICS, LLC
    Inventor: James Kinney Waller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11641558
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a microphone condition of a microphone, the method comprising: applying an electrical stimulus to a microphone; measuring an electrical response to the electrical stimulus at the microphone; comparing the electrical response to an expected response; and determining the microphone condition based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Anindya Bhattacharya, Bhoodev Kumar, Jaimin Mehta, Yongsheng Shi, Aleksey S. Khenkin, John L. Melanson
  • Patent number: 11632621
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method for controlling the volume of a wireless headset, a wireless headset and a mobile terminal. The method comprises: when the mobile terminal is connected to a wireless headset in an in-ear state, acquiring a target play volume range of the wireless headset; adjusting the play volume of the wireless headset within the target play volume range; when volume determination information from the wireless headset is received, determining that the play volume of the wireless headset at the moment the volume determination information is received is a target play volume value; and adjusting the play volume of the wireless headset to be the target play volume value. The play volume of a wireless headset suitable for a user can be automatically and quickly set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinhua Gong, Baoti Li
  • Patent number: 11627430
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for storing, organizing, and maintaining acoustic data for mixed reality systems. A system may include one or more sensors of a head-wearable device, a speaker of the head-wearable device, and one or more processors configured to execute a method. A method for execution by the one or more processors may include receiving a request to present an audio signal. An environment may be identified via the one or more sensors of the head-wearable device. One or more audio model components associated with the environment may be retrieved. A first audio model may be generated based on the audio model components. A second audio model may be generated based on the first audio model. A modified audio signal may be determined based on the second audio model and based on the request to present an audio signal. The modified audio signal may be presented via the speaker of the head-wearable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Remi Samuel Audfray, Mark Brandon Hertensteiner, Samuel Charles Dicker, Blaine Ivin Wood, Michael Z. Land, Jean-Marc Jot
  • Patent number: 11606641
    Abstract: Magic cube speaker with charging stand, charging block, and methods for controlling the same, comprising a magic cube module having a liner with a cavity inside and splicing blocks installed on surface of the liner, a speaker inside the cavity, a charging interface, and a button mounted to the splicing block. The splicing block comprises sound passages formed by a sound inlet port, a sound outlet port, and a middle section between the sound inlet and outlet ports. A first sound transmission channel is formed by the cavity inside the liner, the sound transmission holes, the sound inlet port, the hollow space inside the splicing block, and the sound outlet port, and a second sound transmission channel is formed by the cavity inside the liner, the sound transmission holes, the sound inlet port, the hollow space inside the splicing block, and the plurality of the micro holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Dan Lu
  • Patent number: 11600285
    Abstract: A method for speech equalization, comprising the steps of receiving an input audio signal, processing said input audio signal in dependence on frequency and to providing an equalized electric audio signal according to an equalization function, wherein said equalization function comprises at least an actuator part configured to dynamically applying a compensation filter to the received input signal and dynamically applying a transparent filter to the received input signal, and further transmitting an output signal perceivable by a user as sound representative of said electric acoustic input signal or a processed version thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: EPOS Group A/S
    Inventors: Anders Røser Hansen, Poul Peder Hestbek, Svend Feldt, Casper Fynsk
  • Patent number: 11599329
    Abstract: A networked speaker system automatically adjusts certain audio speaker system settings based on whether the system is inside a building or has been moved outside as may be sensed by one or capacitors on a speaker. Also, techniques are described for adjusting speaker driver direction based on walls or other barriers in a room or based on the location of a listener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James R. Milne, Allison Joi Burgueno, Gregory Peter Carlsson, Keith Resch
  • Patent number: 11564036
    Abstract: Techniques for presence-detection devices to detect movement of a person in an environment by emitting ultrasonic signals using a loudspeaker that is concurrently outputting audible sound. To detect movement by the person, the devices characterize the change in the frequency, or the Doppler shift, of the reflections of the ultrasonic signals off the person caused by the movement of the person. However, when a loudspeaker plays audible sound while emitting the ultrasonic signal, audio signals generated by microphones of the devices include distortions caused by the loudspeaker. These distortions can be interpreted by the presence-detection devices as indicating movement of a person when there is no movement, or as indicating lack of movement when a user is moving. The techniques include processing audio signals to remove distortions to more accurately identify changes in the frequency of the reflections of the ultrasonic signals caused by the movement of the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Krishna Kamath Koteshwara, Zhen Sun, Spencer Russell, Tarun Pruthi, Yuzhou Liu, Wan-Chieh Pai
  • Patent number: 11562751
    Abstract: Systems and methods for data communication using audio patterns are described. The methods include encoding a message into an audio pattern, mixing the audio pattern with an audio content to obtain a mixed audio content, wherein the audio pattern is inaudible in the mixed audio content, and transmitting the mixed audio content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ng Woo Hong, Yiqun Hu, Ider Cheng
  • Patent number: 11564027
    Abstract: An n-phonic energy detection (“NED”) system includes two antenna structures separated by a distance and configured to be placed adjacent one of a pair of human ears. Each of the two antenna structures includes antenna elements. The NED system also includes speakers configured to be placed adjacent one of the pair of human ears. The NED system also includes radio frequency (“RF”) detectors configured to detect RF energy emitted from a source and received by the two antenna structures, and an amplifier that amplifies signals from the RF detectors and outputs the amplified signals to a computer and to the speakers corresponding to the antenna structure to be placed adjacent the same one of the pair of human ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventor: Nathaniel Hawk
  • Patent number: 11558705
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a system includes a digital calibration filter device configured to receive a digital input signal based on a sensor output signal from a sensor, receive a sensor-specific control signal, and perform digital filter processing of the digital input signal to produce a calibrated output signal, wherein the digital filter processing is based on the sensor-specific control signal; and a control device configured to select the sensor-specific control signal from a plurality of sensor-specific control signals based on an ascertained influencing parameter, and provide the sensor-specific control signal to the digital calibration filter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Straeussnigg, Alessandro Caspani, Andreas Wiesbauer
  • Patent number: 11558687
    Abstract: An interactive control method and device of earphones, an earphone and a storage medium are disclosed. The earphones include a first earphone and a second earphone. The method comprises: acquiring putting-on sequential order information or taking-off sequential order information of the first earphone and/or the second earphone; determining a first functional instruction corresponding to the putting-on sequential order information or a second functional instruction corresponding to the taking-off sequential order information according to a preset correspondence between the putting-on sequential order information or the taking-off sequential order information and functional instructions of a mobile terminal; and sending the first functional instruction or the second functional instruction to the mobile terminal, so that the mobile terminal executes the first functional instruction or the second functional instruction to realize a first interaction function or a second interaction function with the earphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventor: Jifu Zhao