Patents by Inventor Nikolas T. Vitt

Nikolas T. Vitt 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).

  • Publication number: 20240121541
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing, an audio component, and a gasket. The housing can define a first internal volume and the audio component can define a second internal volume. The audio component can include membrane and a venting element having a fluid impermeable layer. The venting element can define a fluid path placing the first internal volume and the second internal volume in fluid communication. At least a portion of the fluid path can extend parallel to the fluid impermeable layer. The gasket can define a seal between the first internal volume and an ambient environment adjacent the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Andrew L. Doyle, Nikolas T. Vitt, Yingyi Wang, David W. Robison
  • Publication number: 20240073638
    Abstract: A method for self-calibrating a sound pickup process that uses a microphone array in a wearable device that also includes a loudspeaker, where the microphone array being in a physical arrangement with respect to the loudspeaker. The method obtains, for each of several microphones of the microphone array, one or more transfer functions that each represent a response of the microphone to sound from a position in an acoustic space. The method determines whether a physical arrangement of the microphone array with respect to the loudspeaker has changed and adjusts the transfer function, for at least one of the microphones of the several microphones, in response to determining that the current physical arrangement of the microphone array with respect to the loudspeaker has changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Sheaffer, Daniel K. Boothe, Martin E. Johnson, Neal D. Evans, Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher T. Eubank, Peter V. Jupin, Symeon Delikaris Manias, Shai Messingher Lang
  • Patent number: 11902772
    Abstract: A system including an audio source device having a first microphone and a first speaker for directing sound into an environment in which the audio source device is located and a wireless audio receiver device having a second microphone and a second speaker for directing sound into a user's ear. The audio source device is configured to 1) capture, using the firs microphone, speech of the user as a first audio signal, 2) reduce noise in the first audio signal to produce a speech signal, and 3) drive the first speaker with the speech signal. The wireless audio receiver device is configured to 1) capture, using the second microphone, a reproduction of the speech produced by the first speaker as a second audio signal and 2) drive the second speaker with the second audio signal to output the reproduction of the speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Meade, Christopher T. Eubank, Neal D. Evans, Nikolas T. Vitt
  • Patent number: 11889249
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing, an audio component, and a gasket. The housing can define a first internal volume and the audio component can define a second internal volume. The audio component can include membrane and a venting element having a fluid impermeable layer. The venting element can define a fluid path placing the first internal volume and the second internal volume in fluid communication. At least a portion of the fluid path can extend parallel to the fluid impermeable layer. The gasket can define a seal between the first internal volume and an ambient environment adjacent the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Andrew L. Doyle, Nikolas T. Vitt, Yingyi Wang, David W. Robison
  • Patent number: 11832082
    Abstract: A method for self-calibrating a sound pickup process that uses a microphone array in a wearable device that also includes a loudspeaker, where the microphone array being in a physical arrangement with respect to the loudspeaker. The method obtains, for each of several microphones of the microphone array, one or more transfer functions that each represent a response of the microphone to sound from a position in an acoustic space. The method determines whether a physical arrangement of the microphone array with respect to the loudspeaker has changed and adjusts the transfer function, for at least one of the microphones of the several microphones, in response to determining that the current physical arrangement of the microphone array with respect to the loudspeaker has changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Sheaffer, Daniel K. Boothe, Martin E. Johnson, Neal D. Evans, Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher T. Eubank, Peter V. Jupin, Symeon Delikaris Manias, Shai Messingher Lang
  • Patent number: 11809774
    Abstract: A method performed by a processor of a computer system including a headset that is to be worn on a head of a user. The method drives a speaker of the headset with an input audio signal to output sound into an environment. The method determines that the speaker is at least partially covered with a cupped hand. In response to determining that the speaker is at least partially covered with the cupped hand, applying a gain to the input audio signal to reduce an output sound level of the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Jonathan D. Sheaffer, Neal D. Evans, Christopher T. Eubank, Jae Hwang Lee
  • Patent number: 11812194
    Abstract: A method performed by a processor of an electronic device. The method presents a computer-generated reality (CGR) setting including a first user and several other users. The method obtains, from a microphone, an audio signal that contains speech of the first user. The method obtains, from a sensor, sensor data that represents a physical characteristic of the first user. The method determines, based on the sensor data, whether to initiate a private conversation between the first user and a second user of the other users, and in accordance with a determination to initiate the private conversation, initiates the private conversation by providing the audio signal to the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Vandyke, Nikolas T. Vitt, Sean A. Ramprashad, Neal D. Evans, Jonathan D. Sheaffer
  • Publication number: 20230350349
    Abstract: An electronic watch may include a housing at least partially defining an interior cavity divided into at least a first volume and a second volume, a pressure-sensing component positioned within the first volume, a speaker positioned within the first volume, a processor positioned within the second volume, a battery positioned within the second volume, and a barometric vent that allows air pressure equalization between the first volume and an external environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Shannon X. Yang, Willam C. Lukens, Mandeep Gill, Jeanny Wang, William S. Lee, Stephen P. Jackson, Rex T. Ehman, Colin M. Ely, Nikolas T. Vitt, Trevor J. Ness
  • Patent number: 11740591
    Abstract: An electronic watch may include a housing at least partially defining an interior cavity divided into at least a first volume and a second volume, a pressure-sensing component positioned within the first volume, a speaker positioned within the first volume, a processor positioned within the second volume, a battery positioned within the second volume, and a barometric vent that allows air pressure equalization between the first volume and an external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Shannon X. Yang, William C. Lukens, Mandeep Gill, Jeanny Wang, William S. Lee, Stephen P. Jackson, Rex T. Ehman, Colin M. Ely, Nikolas T. Vitt, Trevor J. Ness
  • Publication number: 20230232151
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing sidewall defining an opening and a display component, such as a display cover, disposed in the opening to form a gap between the housing sidewall and the display component. In at least one example, the cavity is defined by the sidewall and the display cover with the cavity in fluid communication with an external environment through the gap. In at least one example, an epoxy component at least partially defines the cavity and can be in direct contact with the housing sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Eric T. Chiang, David W. Robison, Nikolas T. Vitt, Tyler S. Atura Bushnell
  • Publication number: 20230229205
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing sidewall defining an opening and a display component, such as a display cover, disposed in the opening to form a gap between the housing sidewall and the display component. In at least one example, the cavity is defined by the sidewall and the display cover with the cavity in fluid communication with an external environment through the gap. In at least one example, an epoxy component at least partially defines the cavity and can be in direct contact with the housing sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Daniela M. Deschamps, Brad G. Boozer, Stephen P. Jackson, Nikolas T. Vitt, David W. Robison, Rebecca J. Russell, Megan L. Banh, Ryan C. Perkins
  • Patent number: 11682414
    Abstract: Audio processing with audio transparency can include receiving a user content audio signal and receiving a microphone signal. The microphone signal can contain sensed sound of a user environment. Strength of the sensed sound can be increased based on strength of the user content audio signal, to reduce a masking of the sensed sound during playback. The sensed sound and the user content audio signal can be combined in a composite output audio signal used to drive a speaker. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher T. Eubank, Jonathan D. Sheaffer, Tomlinson Holman
  • Publication number: 20230143588
    Abstract: A method for routing audio content through an electronic device that is to be worn by a user. The method obtains a communication and determines whether the communication is private. In response to determining that the communication is private, the method drives a bone conduction transducer of the electronic device with an audio signal associated with the communication. In response to determining that the communication is not private, however, the method drives a speaker of the electronic device with the audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Robert D. Silfvast, Neal D. Evans, Nikolas T. Vitt, Jonathan D. Sheaffer
  • Patent number: 11523244
    Abstract: A system including an audio source device having a first microphone and a first speaker for directing sound into an environment in which the audio source device is located and a wireless audio receiver device having a second microphone and a second speaker for directing sound into a user's ear. The audio source device is configured to 1) capture, using the first microphone, speech of the user as a first audio signal, 2) reduce noise in the first audio signal to produce a speech signal, and 3) drive the first speaker with the speech signal. The wireless audio receiver device is configured to 1) capture, using the second microphone, a reproduction of the speech produced by the first speaker as a second audio signal and 2) drive the second speaker with the second audio signal to output the reproduction of the speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paul Meade, Christopher T. Eubank, Neal D. Evans, Nikolas T. Vitt
  • Patent number: 11501760
    Abstract: A method for routing audio content through an electronic device that is to be worn by a user. The method obtains a communication and determines whether the communication is private. In response to determining that the communication is private, the method drives a bone conduction transducer of the electronic device with an audio signal associated with the communication. In response to determining that the communication is not private, however, the method drives a speaker of the electronic device with the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Robert D. Silfvast, Neal D. Evans, Nikolas T. Vitt, Jonathan D. Sheaffer
  • Publication number: 20220269221
    Abstract: An electronic watch may include a housing at least partially defining an interior cavity divided into at least a first volume and a second volume, a pressure-sensing component positioned within the first volume, a speaker positioned within the first volume, a processor positioned within the second volume, a battery positioned within the second volume, and a barometric vent that allows air pressure equalization between the first volume and an external environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Shannon X. Yang, William C. Lukens, Mandeep Gill, Jeanny Wang, William S. Lee, Stephen P. Jackson, Rex T. Ehman, Colin M. Ely, Nikolas T. Vitt, Trevor J. Ness
  • Patent number: 11334032
    Abstract: An electronic watch may include a housing at least partially defining an interior cavity divided into at least a first volume and a second volume, a pressure-sensing component positioned within the first volume, a speaker positioned within the first volume, a processor positioned within the second volume, a battery positioned within the second volume, and a barometric vent that allows air pressure equalization between the first volume and an external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Shannon X. Yang, William C. Lukens, Mandeep Gill, Jeanny Wang, William S. Lee, Stephen P. Jackson, Rex T. Ehman, Colin M. Ely, Nikolas T. Vitt, Trevor J. Ness
  • Patent number: 11304001
    Abstract: A method for detecting wind using a microphone and a speaker of an electronic device. The method obtains a microphone signal produced by the microphone. The method obtains a speaker input signal produced by the speaker that is emulating a microphone capturing ambient sound in an environment through the speaker. The method determines a coherence between the microphone signal and the speaker input signal and determines whether the coherence is below a coherence intensity threshold. In response to determining that the coherence is below the coherence intensity threshold, the method determines a presence of wind in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Joyce E. Gorny, Thomas M. Jensen, Jeffrey N. Gleason, Tyrone T. Chen
  • Publication number: 20220095024
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a housing, an audio component, and a gasket. The housing can define a first internal volume and the audio component can define a second internal volume. The audio component can include membrane and a venting element having a fluid impermeable layer. The venting element can define a fluid path placing the first internal volume and the second internal volume in fluid communication. At least a portion of the fluid path can extend parallel to the fluid impermeable layer. The gasket can define a seal between the first internal volume and an ambient environment adjacent the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Andrew L. Doyle, Nikolas T. Vitt, Yingyi Wang, David W. Robison
  • Publication number: 20220076662
    Abstract: A method for routing audio content through an electronic device that is to be worn by a user. The method obtains a communication and determines whether the communication is private. In response to determining that the communication is private, the method drives a bone conduction transducer of the electronic device with an audio signal associated with the communication. In response to determining that the communication is not private, however, the method drives a speaker of the electronic device with the audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Robert D. Silfvast, Neal D. Evans, Nikolas T. Vitt, Jonathan D. Sheaffer