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).
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Publication number: 20240121541Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Andrew L. Doyle, Nikolas T. Vitt, Yingyi Wang, David W. Robison
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Publication number: 20240073638Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11902772Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 21, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Paul Meade, Christopher T. Eubank, Neal D. Evans, Nikolas T. Vitt
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Patent number: 11889249Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Andrew L. Doyle, Nikolas T. Vitt, Yingyi Wang, David W. Robison
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Patent number: 11832082Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 11809774Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 2, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Jonathan D. Sheaffer, Neal D. Evans, Christopher T. Eubank, Jae Hwang Lee
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Patent number: 11812194Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 17, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: James W. Vandyke, Nikolas T. Vitt, Sean A. Ramprashad, Neal D. Evans, Jonathan D. Sheaffer
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Publication number: 20230350349Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11740591Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 10, 2022Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20230232151Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2022Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Eric T. Chiang, David W. Robison, Nikolas T. Vitt, Tyler S. Atura Bushnell
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Publication number: 20230229205Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2022Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Daniela M. Deschamps, Brad G. Boozer, Stephen P. Jackson, Nikolas T. Vitt, David W. Robison, Rebecca J. Russell, Megan L. Banh, Ryan C. Perkins
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Patent number: 11682414Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 14, 2022Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Christopher T. Eubank, Jonathan D. Sheaffer, Tomlinson Holman
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Publication number: 20230143588Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Robert D. Silfvast, Neal D. Evans, Nikolas T. Vitt, Jonathan D. Sheaffer
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Patent number: 11523244Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 9, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Paul Meade, Christopher T. Eubank, Neal D. Evans, Nikolas T. Vitt
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Patent number: 11501760Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 12, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Robert D. Silfvast, Neal D. Evans, Nikolas T. Vitt, Jonathan D. Sheaffer
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Publication number: 20220269221Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11334032Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 11304001Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Joyce E. Gorny, Thomas M. Jensen, Jeffrey N. Gleason, Tyrone T. Chen
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Publication number: 20220095024Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Jiahui Liang, Andrew L. Doyle, Nikolas T. Vitt, Yingyi Wang, David W. Robison
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Publication number: 20220076662Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Inventors: Robert D. Silfvast, Neal D. Evans, Nikolas T. Vitt, Jonathan D. Sheaffer