Patents by Inventor John Woodruff
John Woodruff has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11978469Abstract: Signal to noise ratio, SNR, is determined in an acoustic ambient environment of an against-the-ear audio device worn by a user, wherein the acoustic ambient environment contains speech by a talker. When the SNR is above a threshold, dynamic range control is applied, as positive gain versus input level, to an audio signal from one or more microphones of the audio device. When the SNR is below the threshold, the dynamic range control applies as zero gain or negative gain to the audio signal. Other aspects are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John Woodruff, Yang Lu, Tom-Davy W. Saux
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Publication number: 20240050339Abstract: Described herein are compositions including p-Menthane-3,8-diol (PMD) having antiviral properties. The compositions are formulated to be stable and sprayable. Other formulations may be formulated as a topical barrier preparation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2021Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventor: John Woodruff
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Publication number: 20240029754Abstract: Implementations of the subject technology provide systems and methods for providing audio source separation for audio input, such as for audio devices having limited power and/or computing resources. The subject technology may allow an audio device to leverage processing and/or power resources of a companion device that is communicatively coupled to the audio device. The companion device may identify a noise condition of the audio device, select a source separation model based on the noise condition, and provide the source separation model to the audio device. In this way, the audio device can provide audio source separation functionality using a relatively small footprint source separation model that is specific to the noise condition in which the audio device is operated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Carlos M. AVENDANO, John WOODRUFF, Jonathan HUANG, Mehrez SOUDEN, Andreas KOUTROUVELIS
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Publication number: 20240005902Abstract: Microphone signals of a primary headphone are processed and either a first transparency mode of operation is activated or a second transparency mode of operation. In another aspect, a processor enters different configurations in response to estimated ambient acoustic noise being lower or higher than a threshold, wherein in a first configuration a transparency audio signal is adapted via target voice and wearer voice processing (TVWVP) of a microphone signal to boost detected speech frequencies in the transparency audio signal, and in a second configuration the TVWVP is controlled to, as the estimated ambient acoustic noise increases, reduce boosting of, or not boost at all, the detected speech frequencies in the transparency audio signal. Other aspects are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: John Woodruff, Andreas Koutrouvelis, Fatemeh Pishdadian, Jonathan D. Sheaffer, Yang Lu, Carlos M. Avendano, Nasim Radmanesh
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Publication number: 20230421945Abstract: A method performed by a first headset worn by a first user, the method includes the first headset performing noise cancellation on a microphone signal captured by a microphone of the first headset that is arranged to capture sounds within an ambient environment in which the first user is located. The first headset receives, from a second headset that is being worn by a second user who is in the ambient environment and over a wireless communication link, at least one sound characteristic generated by at least one sensor of the second headset and passing through select sounds from the microphone signal based on the received sound characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: Prateek Murgai, Jonathan D. Sheaffer, David M. Fischer, John Woodruff, Tony S. Verma
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Patent number: 11810588Abstract: Implementations of the subject technology provide systems and methods for providing audio source separation for audio input, such as for audio devices having limited power and/or computing resources. The subject technology may allow an audio device to leverage processing and/or power resources of a companion device that is communicatively coupled to the audio device. The companion device may identify a noise condition of the audio device, select a source separation model based on the noise condition, and provide the source separation model to the audio device. In this way, the audio device can provide audio source separation functionality using a relatively small footprint source separation model that is specific to the noise condition in which the audio device is operated.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Carlos M. Avendano, John Woodruff, Jonathan Huang, Mehrez Souden, Andreas Koutrouvelis
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Publication number: 20220270629Abstract: Implementations of the subject technology provide systems and methods for providing audio source separation for audio input, such as for audio devices having limited power and/or computing resources. The subject technology may allow an audio device to leverage processing and/or power resources of a companion device that is communicatively coupled to the audio device. The companion device may identify a noise condition of the audio device, select a source separation model based on the noise condition, and provide the source separation model to the audio device. In this way, the audio device can provide audio source separation functionality using a relatively small footprint source separation model that is specific to the noise condition in which the audio device is operated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Carlos M. AVENDANO, John WOODRUFF, Jonathan HUANG, Mehrez SOUDEN, Andreas KOUTROUVELIS
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Patent number: 11418894Abstract: A media system and a method of using the media system to accommodate hearing loss of a user, are described. The method includes selecting a personal level-and-frequency dependent audio filter that corresponds to a hearing loss profile of the user. The personal level-and-frequency dependent audio filter can be one of several level-and-frequency-dependent audio filters having respective average gain levels and respective gain contours. An accommodative audio output signal can be generated by applying the personal level-and-frequency dependent audio filter to an audio input signal to enhance the audio input signal based on an input level and an input frequency of the audio input signal. The audio output signal can be played by an audio output device to deliver speech or music that the user perceives clearly, despite the hearing loss of the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: John Woodruff, Yacine Azmi, Ian M. Fisch, Jing Xia
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Patent number: 11393486Abstract: Signal to noise ratio, SNR, is determined in an acoustic ambient environment of an against-the-ear audio device worn by a user, wherein the acoustic ambient environment contains speech by a talker. When the SNR is above a threshold, dynamic range control is applied, as positive gain versus input level, to an audio signal from one or more microphones of the audio device. When the SNR is below the threshold, the dynamic range control applies as zero gain or negative gain to the audio signal. Other aspects are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: John Woodruff, Yang Lu, Tom-Davy W. Saux
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Patent number: 11368776Abstract: Signal energy in auditory sub-bands of an input audio signal is determined. Sound pressure level, SPL, in those sub-bands is then determined, based on the signal energy and based on sound output sensitivity of the against-the-ear audio device. In one instance, at least first and second gain lookup tables are determined based on a hearing profile of a user of the against-the-ear audio device. Sub-band gains that are to be applied to the input audio signal are determined based on the determined SPL. When the input audio signal is for example telephony the sub-band gains are computed using the first gain lookup table, and when the input audio signal is for example media the sub-band gains are computed using the second gain lookup table. Other aspects are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2020Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: John Woodruff, Jing Xia, Yacine Azmi
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Patent number: 11362839Abstract: A security data processing device comprising a processor and memory, the processor configured to: receive a digital document comprising a primary programming requirement for programming a programmable device; determine if there is a record stored in the memory that corresponds to the digital document; receive a programming request from a programming module of a programming machine in communication with said processor, said programming request requesting the programming of the programmable device; determine if the programming request complies with the primary programming requirement in the digital document; and wherein if said programming request complies with the primary programming requirement in the digital document and if there is no record stored in the memory that corresponds to the digital document, the processor is configured to: output programming information to the programming module for programming the programmable device; and permanently store a further record, corresponding to said digital documenType: GrantFiled: February 7, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Secure Thingz LimitedInventors: Andrew Bott, Timothy John Woodruff
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Patent number: 11335331Abstract: A system and method provides for multibeam keyword detection. A composite audio signal may include sound components. The system and method groups the sound components into subsets based on the angles of arrival of sound components. Keyword detectors evaluate each subset and determine whether a keyword is present.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC.Inventors: Harsha Rao, Malakapati Loka Nagendra Prasad, Hindupur Keerthi Sagar, Pratik Shah, Murali Mohan Deshpande, John Woodruff, Sai Ravi Teja Pulugurtha, Rohit Paturi
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Publication number: 20220150626Abstract: A media system and a method of using the media system to accommodate hearing loss of a user, are described. The method includes selecting a personal level-and-frequency dependent audio filter that corresponds to a hearing loss profile of the user. The personal level-and-frequency dependent audio filter can be one of several level-and-frequency-dependent audio filters having respective average gain levels and respective gain contours. An accommodative audio output signal can be generated by applying the personal level-and-frequency dependent audio filter to an audio input signal to enhance the audio input signal based on an input level and an input frequency of the audio input signal. The audio output signal can be played by an audio output device to deliver speech or music that the user perceives clearly, despite the hearing loss of the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: John Woodruff, Yacine Azmi, Ian M. Fisch, Jing Xia
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Patent number: 11276384Abstract: An audio system has an ambient sound enhancement function, in which an against-the-ear audio device having a speaker converts a digitally processed version of an input audio signal into sound. The audio system also has an acoustic noise cancellation (ANC) function that may be combined in various ways with the sound enhancement function, and that may be responsive to voice activity detection. Other aspects are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: John Woodruff, Tom-Davy W. Saux, Vladan Bajic, Vasu Iyengar, Andrew E. Greenwood, Tyrone T. Chen, Jakub Mazur, Tony S. Verma
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Patent number: 11277445Abstract: A security profile for programming target devices may be provided. A base security profile may be obtained that defines security parameter(s) having a configurable value. A first security profile, generated from the base security profile, may include security parameter(s) that are assigned with a value of a first set of values by: (i) retrieving the value of the first set of values from a first data storage location coupled to a computing device and setting the configurable value of the security parameter using the retrieved value, or (ii) associating the security parameter with an instruction to obtain the value of the first set of values and set the configurable value of the security parameter using the obtained value, the instruction selected from one or more instructions. A second security profile may be generated from the base security profile in response to receiving further input from for the security parameter(s).Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Secure Thingz LimitedInventors: Haydn Povey, Steve Pancoast, Timothy John Woodruff
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Patent number: 11252518Abstract: A media system and a method of using the media system to accommodate hearing loss of a user, are described. The method includes selecting a personal level-and-frequency dependent audio filter that corresponds to a hearing loss profile of the user. The personal level-and-frequency dependent audio filter can be one of several level-and-frequency-dependent audio filters having respective average gain levels and respective gain contours. An accommodative audio output signal can be generated by applying the personal level-and-frequency dependent audio filter to an audio input signal to enhance the audio input signal based on an input level and an input frequency of the audio input signal. The audio output signal can be played by an audio output device to deliver speech or music that the user perceives clearly, despite the hearing loss of the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: John Woodruff, Yacine Azmi, Ian M. Fisch, Jing Xia
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Patent number: 11238137Abstract: A method of enabling program code stored on target data processing devices, the method comprising: receiving an in encrypted value of a permitted number of target data processing devices that are permitted to have program code stored on them enabled, and using a security data processing device to decrypt the encrypted value and store the decrypted value on the security data processing device; and for each target data processing device, using the security data processing device to: determine whether the value of the permitted number of target data processing devices is greater than zero; if so, obtain a device identifier from the target data processing device; generate a license key from the device identifier; store the license key on the target data processing device; and decrement the value of the permitted number of target data processing devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: SECURE THINGZ LIMITEDInventors: Haydn Povey, Steve Pancoast, Mike Moreton, Timothy John Woodruff
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Patent number: 11234077Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces and techniques for managing audio exposure using a computer system (e.g., an electronic device). In accordance with some embodiments, the electronic device displays a graphical indication of a noise exposure level over a first period of time with an area of the graphical indication that is colored to represent the noise exposure level, the color of the area transitioning from a first color to a second color when the noise exposure level exceeds a first threshold. In accordance with some embodiments, the electronic device displays noise exposure levels attributable to a first output device type and a second output device type and, in response to selecting a filtering affordance, visually distinguishes a set of noise exposure levels attributable to the second output device type.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Felton, Tyrone Chen, Elizabeth Caroline Cranfill, Ian M. Fisch, Eamon Francis Gilravi, Pedro Mari, John Woodruff, Jing Xia
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Patent number: 11153677Abstract: An audio system has an ambient sound enhancement function, in which an against-the-ear audio device having a speaker converts a digitally processed version of an input audio signal into sound. The input audio signal may be amplified where the amplification may be in accordance with a stored hearing profile of the user (personalized ambient sound enhancement.) The audio system also has an acoustic noise cancellation (ANC) function that may be combined in various ways with the sound enhancement function, and that may be responsive to voice activity detection. Other aspects are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: John Woodruff, Tom-Davy W. Saux, Vladan Bajic, Vasu Iyengar, Andrew E. Greenwood, Tyrone T. Chen, Jakub Mazur, Tony S. Verma
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Publication number: 20210105303Abstract: A security profile for programming target devices may be provided. A base security profile may be obtained that defines security parameter(s) having a configurable value. A first security profile, generated from the base security profile, may include security parameter(s) that are assigned with a value of a first set of values by: (i) retrieving the value of the first set of values from a first data storage location coupled to a computing device and setting the configurable value of the security parameter using the retrieved value, or (ii) associating the security parameter with an instruction to obtain the value of the first set of values and set the configurable value of the security parameter using the obtained value, the instruction selected from one or more instructions. A second security profile may be generated from the base security profile in response to receiving further input from for the security parameter(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2019Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: Haydn Povey, Steve Pancoast, Timothy John Woodruff