Patents by Inventor Shawn O'Connor

Shawn O'Connor 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: 20240149148
    Abstract: Attaching a mobile game controller to a computing device brings to life an entirely new gaming player device and gaming environment. A combination of a user input device, platform operating service, cloud service, screen, and mobile operating system allows the system to take advantage of a plethora of synergies and offers entirely new experiences. The embodiments described herein can provide a sophisticated and highly-extensible gaming experience that is vastly more than the sum of the parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn O'Connor, Maneet Khaira, Andrew Sibert
  • Publication number: 20240149163
    Abstract: Attaching a mobile game controller to a computing device brings to life an entirely new gaming player device and gaming environment. A combination of a user input device, platform operating service, cloud service, screen, and mobile operating system allows the system to take advantage of a plethora of synergies and offers entirely new experiences. The embodiments described herein can provide a sophisticated and highly-extensible gaming experience that is vastly more than the sum of the parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn O'Connor, Maneet Khaira, Andrew Sibert, Kauhi Kukulukahalelaupilionaali’i Hookano, Casey Chow, Joshua Donlan
  • Patent number: 11614916
    Abstract: Many headsets include automatic noise cancellation (ANC) which dramatically reduces perceived background noise and improves user listening experience. Unfortunately, the voice microphones in these devices often capture ambient noise that the headsets output during phone calls or other communication sessions to other users. In response, many headsets and communication devices provide manual muting circuitry, but users frequently forget to turn the muting on and/or off creating further problems as they communicate. To address this, the present inventors devised, among other things, an exemplary headset that detects the absence or presence of user speech, automatically muting and unmuting the voice microphone without user intervention. Some embodiments leverage relationships between feedback and feedforward signals in ANC circuitry to detect user speech, avoiding the addition of extra hardware to the headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: AVNERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jiajin An, Michael Jon Wurtz, David Wurtz, Manpreet Khaira, Amit Kumar, Shawn O'Connor, Shankar Rathoud, James Scanlan, Eric Sorensen
  • Patent number: 11366633
    Abstract: An apparatus can include an audio playback device configured to provide an audio output to a user, and a controller configured to: receive an initial playback position within the audio output; determine that an off-ear event has occurred; identify a time corresponding to the off-ear event; instruct the audio playback device to pause the audio output at the identified time; and calculate a new playback position within the audio output based at least in part on the identified time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: AVNERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shawn O'Connor, Eric Sorensen, Manpreet S. Khaira, Sydney Newton
  • Publication number: 20210154584
    Abstract: A device for editing video gameplay, comprising a display, an interface configured to receive one or more outputs from a game controller concurrently with the video game displayed; and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configure to record a video of the video game displayed on the display; store the one or more outputs from the game controller received concurrently with the video game displayed; determine based on the one or more outputs from the game controller time series data indicating an amount of user activity; and align the time series data with the video of the video game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Shawn O'Connor, Maneet Khaira
  • Publication number: 20200348901
    Abstract: Many headsets include automatic noise cancellation (ANC) which dramatically reduces perceived background noise and improves user listening experience. Unfortunately, the voice microphones in these devices often capture ambient noise that the headsets output during phone calls or other communication sessions to other users. In response, many headsets and communication devices provide manual muting circuitry, but users frequently forget to turn the muting on and/or off creating further problems as they communicate. To address this, the present inventors devised, among other things, an exemplary headset that detects the absence or presence of user speech, automatically muting and unmuting the voice microphone without user intervention. Some embodiments leverage relationships between feedback and feedforward signals in ANC circuitry to detect user speech, avoiding the addition of extra hardware to the headset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Jiajin AN, Michael Jon WURTZ, David WURTZ, Manpreet KHAIRA, Amit KUMAR, Shawn O'CONNOR, Shankar RATHOUD, James SCANLAN, Eric SORENSEN
  • Patent number: 10564925
    Abstract: Many headsets include automatic noise cancellation (ANC) which dramatically reduces perceived background noise and improves user listening experience. Unfortunately, the voice microphones in these devices often capture ambient noise that the headsets output during phone calls or other communication sessions to other users. In response, many headsets and communication devices provide manual muting circuitry, but users frequently forget to turn the muting on and/or off, creating further problems as they communicate. To address this, the present inventors devised, among other things, an exemplary headset that detects the absence or presence of user speech, automatically muting and unmuting the voice microphone without user intervention. Some embodiments leverage relationships between feedback and feedforward signals in ANC circuitry to detect user speech, avoiding the addition of extra hardware to the headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Inventors: Jiajin An, Michael Jon Wurtz, David Wurtz, Manpreet Khaira, Amit Kumar, Shawn O'Connor, Shankar Rathoud, James Scanlan, Eric Sorensen
  • Patent number: 10474420
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a case, an audio input, speakers, an accelerometer, and a computer processor. The audio input is structured to receive a program audio signal from an audio device. The speakers are configured to play an audio output based on the program audio signal, the audio output causing a vibration of the case. The accelerometer is configured to detect the vibration of the case as well as a user tap on the case. The computer processor is configured to identify a user gesture that includes the tap on the case, to identify the tap apart from the case vibration by processing the detected vibration of the case and the detected user tap on the case based on information from the program audio signal to separate the detected user tap from the detected vibration, and to commence a particular function associated with the user gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Avnera Corporation
    Inventors: Manpreet S. Khaira, Shawn O'Connor, Frank Prestrelski, Patrick Allen Quinn, Richard Andrew Sorensen, Eric Sorensen
  • Patent number: 10403279
    Abstract: A system for detecting and capturing voice commands, the system comprising a voice-activity detector (VAD) configured to receive a VAD-received digital-audio signal; determine the amplitude of the VAD-received digital-audio signal; compare the amplitude of the VAD-received digital-audio signal to a first threshold and to a second threshold; withhold a VAD interrupt signal when the amplitude of the VAD-received digital-audio signal does not exceed the first threshold or the second threshold; generate the VAD interrupt signal when the amplitude of the VAD-received digital-audio signal exceeds the first threshold and the second threshold; and perform spectral analysis of the VAD-received digital-audio signal when the amplitude of the VAD-received digital-audio signal is between the first threshold and the second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Avnera Corporation
    Inventors: Xudong Zhao, Alexander C. Stange, Shawn O'Connor, Ali Hadiashar
  • Publication number: 20190146746
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a case, an audio input, speakers, an accelerometer, and a computer processor. The audio input is structured to receive a program audio signal from an audio device. The speakers are configured to play an audio output based on the program audio signal, the audio output causing a vibration of the case. The accelerometer is configured to detect the vibration of the case as well as a user tap on the case. The computer processor is configured to identify a user gesture that includes the tap on the case, to identify the tap apart from the case vibration by processing the detected vibration of the case and the detected user tap on the case based on information from the program audio signal to separate the detected user tap from the detected vibration, and to commence a particular function associated with the user gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Manpreet S. Khaira, Shawn O'Connor, Frank Prestrelski, Patrick Allen Quinn, Richard Andrew Sorensen, Eric Sorensen
  • Patent number: 10198239
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a case, an audio input, speakers, an accelerometer, and a computer processor. The audio input is structured to receive a program audio signal from an audio device. The speakers are configured to play an audio output based on the program audio signal, the audio output causing a vibration of the case. The accelerometer is configured to detect the vibration of the case as well as a user tap on the case. The computer processor is configured to identify a user gesture that includes the tap on the case, to identify the tap apart from the case vibration by processing the detected vibration of the case and the detected user tap on the case based on information from the program audio signal to separate the detected user tap from the detected vibration, and to commence a particular function associated with the user gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Avnera Corporation
    Inventors: Manpreet S. Khaira, Shawn O'Connor, Frank Prestrelski, Patrick Allen Quinn, Richard Andrew Sorensen, Eric Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20190012135
    Abstract: An apparatus can include an audio playback device configured to provide an audio output to a user, and a controller configured to: receive an initial playback position within the audio output; determine that an off-ear event has occurred; identify a time corresponding to the off-ear event; instruct the audio playback device to pause the audio output at the identified time; and calculate a new playback position within the audio output based at least in part on the identified time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Shawn O'Connor, Eric Sorensen, Manpreet S. Khaira, Sydney Newton
  • Publication number: 20180225082
    Abstract: Many headsets include automatic noise cancellation (ANC) which dramatically reduces perceived background noise and improves user listening experience. Unfortunately, the voice microphones in these devices often capture ambient noise that the headsets output during phone calls or other communication sessions to other users. In response, many headsets and communication devices provide manual muting circuitry, but users frequently forget to turn the muting on and/or off, creating further problems as they communicate. To address this, the present inventors devised, among other things, an exemplary headset that detects the absence or presence of user speech, automatically muting and unmuting the voice microphone without user intervention. Some embodiments leverage relationships between feedback and feedforward signals in ANC circuitry to detect user speech, avoiding the addition of extra hardware to the headset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Jiajin An, MIchael Jon Wurtz, David Wurtz, Manpreet Khaira, Amit Kumar, Shawn O'Connor, Shankar Rathoud, James Scanlan, Eric Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20180174583
    Abstract: A system for detecting and capturing voice commands, the system comprising a voice-activity detector (VAD) configured to receive a VAD-received digital-audio signal; determine the amplitude of the VAD-received digital-audio signal; compare the amplitude of the VAD-received digital-audio signal to a first threshold and to a second threshold; withhold a VAD interrupt signal when the amplitude of the VAD-received digital-audio signal does not exceed the first threshold or the second threshold; generate the VAD interrupt signal when the amplitude of the VAD-received digital-audio signal exceeds the first threshold and the second threshold; and perform spectral analysis of the VAD-received digital-audio signal when the amplitude of the VAD-received digital-audio signal is between the first threshold and the second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Xudong Zhao, Alexander C. Stange, Shawn O'Connor, Ali Hadiashar
  • Publication number: 20170199716
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a case, an audio input, speakers, an accelerometer, and a computer processor. The audio input is structured to receive a program audio signal from an audio device. The speakers are configured to play an audio output based on the program audio signal, the audio output causing a vibration of the case. The accelerometer is configured to detect the vibration of the case as well as a user tap on the case. The computer processor is configured to identify a user gesture that includes the tap on the case, to identify the tap apart from the case vibration by processing the detected vibration of the case and the detected user tap on the case based on information from the program audio signal to separate the detected user tap from the detected vibration, and to commence a particular function associated with the user gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: MANPREET S. KHAIRA, SHAWN O'CONNOR, FRANK PRESTRELSKI, PATRICK ALLEN QUINN, RICHARD ANDREW SORENSEN, ERIC SORENSEN
  • Patent number: 9645786
    Abstract: A tabletop speaker system includes an amplifier, proximity and acceleration detectors, and a processor. The processor is operatively coupled to receive signals from the proximity and accelerometer detectors, and in response to the proximity and acceleration signals, activate various functions local to the tabletop speaker system to operate and control various behaviors or features of the tabletop speaker system. In this way, the tabletop speaker system can respond to user gestures for a very natural control interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: AVNERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Manpreet S. Khaira, Shawn O'Connor, Frank Prestrelski, Patrick Allen Quinn, Richard Andrew Sorensen, Eric Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20150193193
    Abstract: A tabletop speaker system includes an amplifier, proximity and acceleration detectors, and a processor. The processor is operatively coupled to receive signals from the proximity and accelerometer detectors, and in response to the proximity and acceleration signals, activate various functions local to the tabletop speaker system to operate and control various behaviors or features of the tabletop speaker system. In this way, the tabletop speaker system can respond to user gestures for a very natural control interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Avnera Corporation
    Inventors: Manpreet S. Khaira, Shawn O'Connor, Frank Prestrelski, Patrick Allen Quinn, Richard Andrew Sorensen, Eric Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20140308475
    Abstract: A camouflage device includes a plurality of threads connected together to form a plurality of strips. The plurality of strips are connected to a hunting device using an attachment device. The strips are attached to the hunting device in overlapping rows to substantially cover the hunting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Shawn O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20060131744
    Abstract: A BGA (Ball Grid Array Structure) having improved drop test performance by increasing the area of the solder bond at the corner of the array using existing assembling machinery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Shawn O'Connor, Mark Gerber, Wyatt Huddleston