Patents Examined by Thang Tran
  • Patent number: 10028072
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to, for a scene comprising a representation of at least one object and at least one sound source: obtaining a decomposition of the at least one object, the decomposition comprising at least one geometric component; modelling at least one interaction of the at least one object and the at least one sound source using the at least one geometric component; and, in dependence on the modelling of the at least one interaction, processing an audio input associated with the at least one sound source to obtain an audio output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Abesh Thakur, Ross Taylor, Tobias Graham Fone Carpenter, Varun Nair
  • Patent number: 10021497
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and a computer storage medium for selecting a microphone are disclosed. The method includes: employing ultrasonic measurement to determine a microphone, which is closest to a primary sound source, of a matrix of a plurality of microphones arranged in a device for recording sound; and taking the microphone which is closest to the primary sound source as the current primary microphone and taking other microphones of the matrix of the plurality of microphones as secondary microphones, wherein the primary microphone is used to collect the primary sound source, and the secondary microphones are used to collect ambient noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Yong Gong
  • Patent number: 10012691
    Abstract: Various additional and alternative aspects are described herein. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a method of testing a system-on-chip (SoC). The method includes generating data for a plurality of audio channels. The data comprises first data corresponding to a first audio channel and second data corresponding to a second audio channel. The method further includes outputting the first audio channel over a first output port of the SoC for output by a speaker. The method further includes outputting the second audio channel over a second output port. The method further includes looping back the second audio channel from the second output port to a first input port of the SoC as third data. The method further includes comparing the third data to the second data. The method further includes determining if the SoC is operating correctly based on the comparison of the third data to the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Feng Zhou, King Tam, Shaowen Sun, Rahul Gulati, Dariusz Krolikowski, Peter Koster, Serafim Loukas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10015612
    Abstract: Some methods may involve receiving a block of audio data, the block including N pulse code modulated (PCM) audio channels, including audio samples for each of the N channels, receiving metadata associated with the block of audio data and receiving a first set of values corresponding to reference audio samples. A second set of values, corresponding to audio samples from the block of audio data, may be determined. The first and second set of values may be compared. Based on the comparison, it may be determined whether the block of audio data is synchronized with the metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Kent Bennett Terry, Scott Gregory Norcross, Jeffrey Riedmiller
  • Patent number: 10013866
    Abstract: The present invention provides a production equipment monitoring method and system, and the method comprises: receiving production equipment alarm information; determining abnormal production equipment according to the production equipment alarm information, and determining a user group corresponding to the abnormal production equipment according to preset correspondence between production equipment and user group; and sending the production equipment alarm information to a user in the determined user group in a preset alarm manner. As a result, alarm information can be sent to the corresponding user(s) in the preset alarm manner the first time an abnormity in the production equipment is found, so as to notify related personnel to handle the abnormity timely and accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignees: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd., Ordos Yuansheng Optoelectronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Yan, Xiaohua Zhang, Shuang Liu
  • Patent number: 10013970
    Abstract: A sound effect producing apparatus includes an input portion, a memory portion, a pseudo sound reflection producing portion, and an effect provision portion. The input portion performs inputting of an audio signal. The memory portion stores sound effect information that includes production information for producing a pseudo sound reflection corresponding to a sound reflection generated in a predetermined acoustic space and sound source position information showing a sound source position of the pseudo sound reflection. The pseudo sound reflection producing portion produces a pseudo sound reflection based on the production information. The effect provision portion performs a process of localizing the pseudo sound reflection using a predetermined direction as a reference, based on the audio signal and the sound source position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Morishige Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 10008094
    Abstract: An electric meter apparatus with a light-blinking function includes a positive-side probe, a negative-side probe, a resistor measuring circuit, a voltage supply unit, a micro control unit and a light-blinking indication unit. The resistor measuring circuit is configured to measure an external resistor to obtain a resistance value of the external resistor through the positive-side probe and the negative-side probe. The resistor measuring circuit is configured to inform the micro control unit of the resistance value of the external resistor. If the resistance value of the external resistor is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the micro control unit is configured to control the light-blinking indication unit to light, to be turned off or to light blinkingly, in order to remind the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: BRYMEN TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Po-Chao Tan
  • Patent number: 10008217
    Abstract: A multi-rate audio processing system and method provides real-time measurement and processing of amplitude/phase changes in the transition band of the lowest frequency subband caused by the audio processing that can be used to apply amplitude/phase compensation to the higher subband(s). Tone signals may be injected into the transition band to provide strong tonal content for measurement and processing. The real-time measurement and compensation adapts to time-varying amplitude/phase changes regardless of the source of the change (e.g. non-linear time-varying linear or user control parameters) and provides universal applicability for any linear audio processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: DTS, INC.
    Inventors: Daekyoung Noh, Themis Katsianos
  • Patent number: 10008988
    Abstract: To prevent temperature rise of an amplifier. An AV amplifier 1 that amplifies an audio signal includes a PWM modulator 5 that controls dynamic range of the audio signal to not more than a setting value, and a microcomputer 2 sets the setting value based on consumption current. The microcomputer 2 sets the setting value to a predetermined value (?35 dB) in case that state that consumption current is not less than a predetermined threshold (4.9 A or 3.6 A) continues for a predetermined time (2 minutes or 7.5 minutes).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Onkyo Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Takahama, Tsukasa Kato
  • Patent number: 10007481
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for physical detecting movement of a playback device which plays audio sound via a speaker enclosed in the playback device. While the speaker plays the audio sound, a determination is made whether the playback device is physically moving. In response to the playback device physically moving, the audio sound played by the speaker is modified, for example, by adjusting the volume or equalization of the audio sound, so as to reduce the physical movement of the playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventor: Seamus Daly
  • Patent number: 10003902
    Abstract: A signal mixing architecture dealing with signal spatialization and distributing signals to more than two destinations that provides a single axis of pan control where a user can move a signal across N-number of channels. Inverse panning and complex pan choreography can be achieved from a simple set of controls in addition to standard mixer functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Inventor: Erik Dower
  • Patent number: 10002634
    Abstract: In a multilayer optical disc having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, because the type of each information layer is not recorded in the other information layers, in read and write operations by a compatible optical disc device conforming to a plurality of optical disc standards, every time the information layer being accessed changes, it has been necessary to read the type of the information layer and select a method of generating a tracking error signal adapted to the type of information layer, so access has taken time. In order to solve the above problem, in the optical multilayer disc according to the present invention, having information layers conforming to a plurality of different optical disc standards, in an area in one of the information layers, information about the other information layers is recorded. The time required to access the other information layers can be reduced by using this information to select a tracking error signal generating method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hironori Nakahara, Nobuo Takeshita, Masaharu Ogawa
  • Patent number: 10003899
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve multiple calibrations for one or more playback devices. An example implementation may involve detecting, via a microphone, calibration sounds as emitted by one or more playback devices during a calibration sequence, perhaps by recording first samples while the microphone is in motion through a given environment and recording second samples while the microphone is stationary at one or more particular locations. The implementation may also include determining a first calibration for the one or more playback devices based on at least the first samples of the calibrations sounds and determining a second calibration for the one or more playback devices based on at least the second samples of the calibrations sounds. The implementation may further include applying at least one of (a) the first calibration or (b) the second calibration to playback by the one or more playback devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Hartung, Dayn Wilberding
  • Patent number: 9997033
    Abstract: A safety rail monitoring system, and associated methods of operation, for monitoring use of a safety rail that borders a footpath to help prevent injuries while the user traverses the footpath. The safety system includes a sensor system for detecting the presence of a user on the footpath and the presence of a contact by the user on the safety rail. A sensor observation system in communication with the sensor system receives signals indicating whether the user is present on the footpath and whether the user is holding on to the safety rail. If the user is not holding on to the safety rail, the sensor observation system generates an alert signal to the user to remind the user to hold the safety rail. In some embodiments, the safety system may include a barrier that prevents the user from continuing along the footpath without contacting the safety rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Elizabeth E. Nugent, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9984540
    Abstract: A system for exerting forces on a user. The system includes a user-mounted device including one or more force exerting devices, one or more sensors configured to acquire sensor data, and a processor coupled to the one or more force exerting devices and to the one or more sensors. The processor is configured to determine, based on the sensor data, at least one of an orientation and a position associated with the user-mounted device. The processor is further configured to compute a force to be exerted on the user via the one or more force exerting devices based on a force direction associated with a force event and at least one of the orientation and the position, and generate a control signal for the one or more force exerting devices based on the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jaime Elliot Nahman, Stefan Marti, Davide Di Censo
  • Patent number: 9980077
    Abstract: A method of interpolating a head-related transfer function (HRTF) and an audio output apparatus using the same are disclosed. The method includes receiving HRTF data corresponding to a point at which an altitude angle and an azimuth angle cross and receiving complementary information about a point at which the HRTF data is present, generating an HRTF interpolation signal corresponding to an altitude angle of a sound localization point, using HRTF data corresponding to two points constituting an altitude angle segment nearest the sound location point, calculating an amount of variation up to an azimuth angle ? of the sound localization point, using complementary information of two points constituting an azimuth angle segment nearest the sound localization point, and generating a final HRTF interpolation signal corresponding to the sound localization point by applying the amount of variation to the HRTF interpolation signal corresponding to the altitude angle of the sound localization point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Tung Chin Lee, Jongyeul Suh, Ling Li
  • Patent number: 9972148
    Abstract: A key-less entry system for motor vehicle uses actuations of one or more pre-existing vehicle components accessible from outside the vehicle, such as door handles, to generate an unlock an unlock code that is stored in a control unit. The code represents a sequence of actuations of component(s). Upon leaving the vehicle, the user locks the vehicle and sets the code by actuating the components in the desired sequence. To later unlock the vehicle, the user repeats the sequence of actuations, and the control unit sends an unlock signal to one or more door latches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johannes Huennekens, Gregory Foletta, Samuel Ellis
  • Patent number: 9973842
    Abstract: There is disclosed a portable sound equipment comprising a neckband wire configured to wrap a predetermined region of a user's neck; a main body coupled to one end of the neckband wire; a first printed circuit board disposed on an upper or lower surface of the main body; a flat bracket disposed on the first printed circuit board and having one surface which contacts with the first printed circuit board; a lateral bracket coupled to a lateral surface of the flat bracket; a second printed circuit board supported to the lateral bracket and toward a lateral surface of the main body; and a side button disposed on the second printed circuit board and exposed outside the lateral surface of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Donghan Kim, Ehwan Cho, Obyoung Kang
  • Patent number: 9973874
    Abstract: The methods and apparatus described herein optimally represent full 3D audio mixes (e.g., azimuth, elevation, and depth) as “sound scenes” in which the decoding process facilitates head tracking. Sound scene rendering can be performed for the listener's orientation (e.g., yaw, pitch, roll) and 3D position (e.g., x, y, z), and can be modified for a change in the listener's orientation or 3D position. As described below, the ability to render an audio object in both the near-field and far-field enables the ability to fully render depth of not just objects, but any spatial audio mix decoded with active steering/panning, such as Ambisonics, matrix encoding, etc., thereby enabling full translational head tracking (e.g., user movement) beyond simple rotation in the horizontal plane, or 6-degrees-of-freedom (6-DOF) tracking and rendering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Stein, Martin Walsh, Guangji Shi, David Corsello
  • Patent number: 9963083
    Abstract: Forms of a vehicle loudspeaker system may include: a vehicle interior space defined on an inner side of a front windshield, a vehicle exterior storage space defined on a front side of the vehicle interior space such that a partition is disposed between the vehicle exterior storage space and the vehicle interior space, a cowl box disposed between an upper end of the partition and a lower end of the front windshield, and a loudspeaker including a diaphragm. The loudspeaker may be disposed in the cowl box such that sound pressure generated by the diaphragm is emitted to the vehicle interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: Alpine Electronics, Inc., Blueprint Acoustics Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Ito, Arata Tada, Keita Tanno