Sound Circuit Patents (Class 348/738)
  • Patent number: 8792059
    Abstract: A control device signals user inputs to an audio-video display. The control device may be configured as a pillow speaker and include a speaker for reproducing audio from the audio-video display. The control device is coupled to the audio-video display by wiring. Shared signals in the wiring are used to provide power to operate the control device and are used to signal the user inputs to the audio-video display. A touch panel is used to sense user inputs. The touch panel may be transparent with an underlay containing indicia of user-selectable commands located below the touch panel. The arrangement and selection of commands available to the user may be modified by changing the underlay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Anacom Medtek
    Inventors: Joachim Kuciera, Kevin Paul Finnegan, Kevin E. Nortrup
  • Publication number: 20140176813
    Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and systems for adjusting audio output based on eye tracking input. In some embodiments, a memory stores data defining a boundary based on a coordinate system. The boundary corresponds to a display element of displayed content. An input receives data indicating coordinates of a gaze point location of a user viewing the displayed content. A processor compares the received coordinates of the gaze point location to the boundary corresponding to the display element to determine whether the gaze point location is inside the boundary corresponding to the display element. In response to determining that the gaze point location is inside the boundary corresponding to the display element, the processor adjusts an audio setting of the displayed content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jason W. Conness, Phil Golyshko, Thomas Woods, Shrirang Nilkanth Jambhekar, Melvin Grefalda, Richard Bullwinkle, Minah Oh
  • Patent number: 8761420
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a generating unit configured to generate image signals for displaying content on each of a plurality of screens; and a synthesizing unit configured to synthesize a plurality of sound signals corresponding to the plurality of image signals to cause positions where sounds based on the plurality of sound signals are localized to vary from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Negi, Hiroshige Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20140160362
    Abstract: A television audio device has a multiple channel television audio system having provisions for providing multiple channel audio to a speaker system and multiple channel audio for receipt by a multiple channel headphone system. A switch is configured to detect operation of the multiple channel headphone system. A processor is selectively programmable to configure the multiple channel television audio system to provide a monaural audio signal to all channels of the multiple channel headphone system when the multiple channel headphone system is detected to be in operation. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Peter Rae SHINTANI, Kazumoto KONDO
  • Patent number: 8749716
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamic volume punch through in a home entertainment system that includes a client device that receives programming signals coupled to an audio/video amplifier, and a television coupled to the audio/video amplifier. A remote control that communicates over a radio frequency interface with the client device “punches through” volume adjustment commands from a user to either the audio/video amplifier or to the television depending on the power state of the audio/video amplifier. The remote control receives the information indicating this power state from the client device that detects the power state of the audio/video amplifier through a bidirectional bus in a cable interface, for example, HDMI-CEC bus. The volume is “punched through” to the audio/video amplifier or to the television over a second communication link, for example an infrared optical interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Christopher Burns, Adam Schafer
  • Patent number: 8730405
    Abstract: In order to display selected content as desired by a viewer by performing an easy operation without interrupting current viewing, a display apparatus includes a reception unit for receiving from a remote controller for transmitting an operation instruction to the display apparatus operation information including the amount of operation of a selection member which is detected at the time of selecting content and identification information identifying selected content, a determination unit for determining an output attribute of the selected content identified using the identification information based on the amount of operation, an output image generation unit for generating an output image of the selected content based on the output attribute determined by the determination unit, and a display control unit for displaying the output image generated by the output image generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshio Nishioka
  • Patent number: 8717503
    Abstract: In a television device (audio output device), audio output performance information of the television device is pre-stored in an EDID-ROM. When an AV amplifier is connected to the television device, a control unit rewrites “2ch” audio output performance information of the television device stored in the EDID-ROM of an HDMI port which is different from the HDMI port to which the AV amplifier is connected, to “5.1ch” audio output performance information of the AV amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruki Kikkawa, Michihiro Izumi, Yoshikazu Shibamiya, Yasushi Shikata, Hirofumi Urabe, Daisuke Takayanagi, Chika Masuda
  • Patent number: 8717504
    Abstract: A picture conversion information supply section 130 calculates per frame an affine transformation parameter for picture conversion based on motion information about a moving picture. With reference to a reference picture, a picture conversion section 140 affine-transforms pictures making up the moving picture per frame using the calculated affine transformation parameters. Based on information indicating the center position, angle or scaling factor about the transformed pictures coming from the picture conversion section 140, a sound conversion information calculation section 190 calculates sound conversion information for converting the sound corresponding to the pictures. Based on the sound conversion information, a sound conversion processing section 200 controls the volume of each of the channels making up the sound, adds up the controlled sound of each channel, and outputs the result as output sound to speakers 220.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo Tsurumi
  • Publication number: 20140111701
    Abstract: An audio data spread spectrum embedding and detection method is presented. For each audio frame, a noise sequence is chosen according to the data to be embedded. Then, a spectrum of a chosen noise sequence is shaped by a spectrum of a current audio frame and subtracted from a current frame's spectrum. During detection, a detector is used on a watermarked audio frame to first whiten the watermarked audio frame. Detection scores are then computed against two competing Adaboost learning models. A detected bit is chosen according to the model with a maximum detection score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Regunathan Radhakrishnan
  • Patent number: 8698963
    Abstract: A projection system and an operation method thereof are provided. The projection system includes a video and audio source, an image duplication unit, a plurality of image segmentation units, and a plurality of projectors. The video and audio source receives a sum image parameter, and provides a non-standard format image. The image duplication unit receives and sends one of sum image parameters to the video and audio source. The image segmentation units provide the same sum image parameters, though only one is transmitted to the video and audio source through the image duplication unit. Each of the image segmentation units receives the non-standard format image, and segments a part of the non-standard format image as a standard format image, where the standard format images are partially overlapped with each other. The projectors are respectively coupled to the corresponding image segmentation unit, and display according to the corresponding standard format image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Jyun-Lin Cian, Jui-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 8698962
    Abstract: A content processing device includes an input section, a memory section, a selection section and an output section. The input section is configured to receive content having a video signal and a plurality of audio signals with different audio types. The memory section is configured to store selection information indicative of a predetermined audio type, and order information indicative of a preset order of a plurality of audio types. The selection section is configured to select one of the audio signals based on the selection information and the order information. The output section is configured to output the video signal and the one of the audio signals that was selected by the selection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Miyagawa, Seiji Miyabe, Hirokazu Suzu
  • Patent number: 8681278
    Abstract: An application for a system for controlling speaker volume of externally amplified speakers connected to a television includes a television with one or more external amplifiers, each driving one or more speakers. There is a channel for connecting the external amplifiers to the television providing an audio signal to the external amplifiers and a channel for communicating commands from the television to the externally amplifiers, which in some embodiments is the same channel. Responsive to a signal (e.g. remote control command) to the television indicating a request to change the volume of one or more of the external amplifiers, a volume change command is sent to one or more of the external amplifiers over the channel for communicating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Vizio, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Blake McRae, John Schindler
  • Patent number: 8675140
    Abstract: Hierarchically-encoded video image data and audio data associated with a predetermined encoded layer of the hierarchically-encoded video image data are received, and the audio-associated encoded layer with which the audio data is associated is specified from among a plurality of encoded layers of the hierarchically-encoded video image data. Then, the ratio of the field of view of a decoded video image of an encoded layer to be played back to the field of view of a decoded video image of the audio-associated encoded layer is calculated. A prestored audio correction amount is multiplied by the calculated ratio, and the resulting new audio correction amount is used to correct the audio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Urabe, Atsushi Mizutome
  • Publication number: 20140043543
    Abstract: An audio processing device including a feature calculation unit, a boundary calculation unit and a judgment unit, detects points of change of audio features from an audio signal in an AV content. The feature calculation unit calculates, for each unit section of the audio signal, section feature data expressing features of the audio signal in the unit section. The boundary calculation unit calculates, for each target unit section among the unit sections of the audio signal, a piece of boundary information relating to at least one boundary of a similarity section. The similarity section consists of consecutive unit sections, inclusive of the target unit section, which each have similar section feature data. The judgment unit calculates a priority of each boundary indicated by one or more of the pieces of boundary information and judges whether the boundary is a scene change point based on the priority.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Konuma, Tsutomu Uenoyama
  • Publication number: 20140036127
    Abstract: A novel headphone system includes a first speaker assembly, a second speaker assembly, and an interactive visual display system. The interactive visual display system includes a display operative to output visual contents according to interaction with a user. In a more particular embodiment, the headphone system includes an external device interface that enables a user to interact with the contents displayed from the screen via an external device or via the Internet. In another embodiment, the interactive visual display system is removable from the rest of the headphone system and can optionally be installed in another compatible non-headphone device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald Pong, King Hei Liu
  • Patent number: 8638394
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes an information display module, a change instruction receiver, and an information display controller. The information display module is configured to display output information at start-up time of the electronic apparatus. The change instruction receiver is configured to receive an instruction to change the displayed output information. The information display controller is configured to control the information display module to change display of the output information in accordance with the change instruction when the electronic apparatus in a standby state receives the change instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yu Onodera
  • Patent number: 8614769
    Abstract: Disclosed is an intermediate frequency processing device for processing both analogue and digital television intermediate frequency signals including vision and sound intermediate frequency signal components, comprising an intermediate frequency signal input for receiving digital or analogue intermediate frequency signals, a processing section, coupled to said intermediate frequency signal input means, for processing intermediate frequency signals, and an output for outputting signals processed in said processing section. The processing section comprises a first band pass filter (1,2,3) connected to said intermediate frequency signal input, and at least two parallel processing portions (4,6a,7,19-22,30-40,42-45;5,6b,8,18,23-29,46) coupled in parallel to said band pass filter (1,2,3), wherein each of said processing portions includes an inphase quadrature processing means (18,23;19,22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventor: Thomas Hafemeister
  • Publication number: 20130321713
    Abstract: Device interaction based on media content is described, including receiving a portion of media data; generating metadata associated with the media data; identifying another metadata based on the metadata; identifying content information associated with the another metadata; and issuing a command based on the content information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: AXWAVE INC.
    Inventor: Damian A. SCAVO
  • Publication number: 20130321714
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes: a first detector configured to detect an orientation of the electronic apparatus; a video display unit configured to display video; a second detector configured to detect whether an audio signal of the video is corresponding to multichannel reproduction; and a sound controller configured to cause a first speaker that is located on a top-left of the displayed video to output a surround L sound, cause a second speaker located on a bottom-left of the displayed video to output an ordinary L sound, cause a third speaker located on a top-right of the displayed video to output a surround R sound, and cause a fourth speaker located on a bottom-right of the displayed video to output an ordinary R sound, in a case that the audio signal is corresponding to the multi-channel reproduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kaori KOBAYASHI, Yasuhiko KITAMURA, Akira ARAFUNE, Mitsutaka KUWABARA, Tooru NAKAGAWA
  • Patent number: 8599319
    Abstract: When a person arrives home with his mobile phone, the phone sends a presence signal via Bluetooth to the TV system in the home, which enables a telephone feature in which phone calls to the phone are relayed to the TV system. The remote control associated with the TV has a microphone and speaker so that a person can use the RC not only to control the TV but also to respond to phone calls, with the TV system relaying voice signals from the RC back to the phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Barry, Rafael Calderon, Jorge Hernandez, Daniel Jastorff, Rolando Zorrilla
  • Patent number: 8599320
    Abstract: A picture conversion information supply section 130 calculates per frame an affine transformation parameter for picture conversion based on motion information about a moving picture. With reference to a reference picture, a picture conversion section 140 affine-transforms pictures making up the moving picture per frame using the calculated affine transformation parameters. Based on information indicating the center position, angle or scaling factor about the transformed pictures coming from the picture conversion section 140, a sound conversion information calculation section 190 calculates sound conversion information for converting the sound corresponding to the pictures. Based on the sound conversion information, a sound conversion processing section 200 controls the volume of each of the channels making up the sound, adds up the controlled sound of each channel, and outputs the result as output sound to speakers 220.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporatiion
    Inventor: Shingo Tsurumi
  • Publication number: 20130314610
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a plurality of oscillators (10) that output modulation waves of a parametric speaker; a display unit (40) that displays a plurality of contents at the same time; a recognition unit that recognizes the locations of a plurality of users; and a control unit that controls the oscillators (10) so as to reproduce sounds corresponding to the contents. The control unit controls the oscillators (10) so as to reproduce the sound corresponding to the content selected by each user, toward the location of each of the plurality of users which is recognized by the recognition unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: NEC CASIO MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ayumu Yagihashi, Kenichi Kitatani, Hiroyuki Aoki, Yumi Katou, Atsuhiko Murayama, Seiji Sugahara
  • Publication number: 20130308063
    Abstract: A system and related method are disclosed herein. The system includes an entertainment device having an audio signal and a video signal, a signal broadcasting device that broadcasts the audio signal of the entertainment device, and a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may contain computer programmable code that is configured to receive, from the signal broadcasting device, the audio signal corresponding to the entertainment device and further output the audio signal. A server may be provided in communication with the signal broadcasting device and the mobile computing device and may be configured for sending advertising media to the mobile computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: SYNCHEAR, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin A. Szogas, Stephen C. Friedman
  • Patent number: 8587723
    Abstract: Electronic equipment and methods for permitting quick control of the operating state of a source equipment side from sink equipment. A television receiver (sink equipment) 100 and an amplifier (repeater equipment) 200 are interconnected over an HDMI cable 610, and the amplifier 200 and a DVD recorder (source equipment) 300 are interconnected over an HDMI cable 620. Each of the pieces of equipment includes, in addition to an HDMI receiving unit and an HDMI transmitting unit, a high-speed data line I/F included in a bidirectional communication unit that uses predetermined lines of the HDMI cable. The bidirectional communication unit is used to transmit channel selection information, a remote control code instructing recording, “theater mode” designating information, a remote control code, or the like from the television receiver 100 to the audio amplifier 200 or DVD recorder 300.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Nakajima, Hidekazu Kikuchi, Takamichi Mitsuhashi
  • Publication number: 20130300843
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image display system, including a television having a screen, a sound projector, a control unit in signal communication with said screen and said sound projector, said control unit being configured for said sound projector to project one or more audible beams in a room towards one or more target paths. The system includes an optical instrument having a frame and a pair of lenses, detection means and transmission means, said detection means being designed to receive at their input an audio signal having a frequency falling in a 20-20 kHz frequency band and to output a processed signal, said transmission means being designed to receive at their input said processed signal, and to output a calibration signal. The control unit calibrates said sound projector according to said calibration signal generated by said optical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alessandro Morcelli, Andrea Mario Onetti, Marco Angelici
  • Publication number: 20130293689
    Abstract: Wireless communication techniques are described. In one or more implementations, techniques are described that involve active power control such that a device may bypass use of a power amplifier to communicate wirelessly. In one or more additional implementations, wireless communication techniques are described in which multiple bands may be leveraged to provide wireless communication. In one or more further implementations, wireless communication techniques are described in which a frame buffer on a receiving device is leveraged by a sending device. Yet further, in one or more implementations wireless communication techniques are described in which a sending device employs codec adaptation. Still yet further, in one or more implementations, wireless communication techniques are described which may be used to change characteristics of a channel used to communicate data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Rod G. Fleck, Jedd A. Perry, Peter S. Hoang
  • Patent number: 8576343
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a mixed-signal tuner for analog and digital TV reception incorporates a demodulator for analog TV, employing various features for resolving limitations of the analog circuitry and for achieving compatibility with various global TV standards. Such features, which may be present in one or more embodiments, include the use of a variable sample rate in all digital clocks for frequency planning, and use of a microcontroller (MCU) to control various circuitry of the tuner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Hendrickson, David Trager, Mitch Reid, Li Gao, John Khoury
  • Publication number: 20130278839
    Abstract: An application for present invention includes a television with a set of speaker outputs including at least a left speaker and a right speaker. On screen displays are used to properly configure the speakers and assure maximum audio quality from the television. In some embodiments, a cross-point switch connects the speakers attached to the television with the correct outputs of an internal amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: VIZIO INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Lowe, William Wang
  • Patent number: 8548306
    Abstract: An audio and video recording and reproduction apparatus includes an audio signal switch section for outputting one of a first audio signal having a first volume level and a second audio signal having a second volume level by a switching operation; and a mute section for muting the first audio signal which is output from the audio signal switch section when the audio signal switch section switches the second audio signal to the first audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ogata, Hiroji Takebayashi, Atsushi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20130222704
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus (100) includes an image projection unit that projects an image plane (14): an oscillation device that oscillates an ultrasonic wave (24) for sensors and an ultrasonic wave (26) for an audio reproduction toward the image plane (14) : a control unit that controls the oscillation device: and an sound wave detection unit that is connected to the control unit. The sound wave detection unit detects the ultrasonic wave (24) for sensors, which is reflected from the image plane (14). The control unit adjusts a sound pressure of a sound to be reproduced based on detection strength detected by the sound wave detection unit. Accordingly, decreased power consumption in the electronic apparatus can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: NEC CASIO MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Kishinami, Yasuharu Onishi, Motoyoshi Komoda, Yukio Murata, Jun Kuroda, Shigeo Satou
  • Publication number: 20130215332
    Abstract: An image and sound controller for a vehicle includes: an output control device for controlling image display devices and a sound output device on the vehicle. The output control device executes application programs simultaneously so that images and sounds are provided by the application programs, distributes the images to the image display devices so that each image display device displays at least one image, and controls the sound output device to output the sounds. The application programs include predetermined audio application programs, each of which provides a sound content. When the output control device executes the predetermined audio application programs simultaneously, the output control device controls the image display devices and the sound output device to output the images and sounds exclusively between the predetermined audio application programs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Denso Corporation
  • Patent number: 8502921
    Abstract: The digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention includes: a signal separating section that separates a main audio signal and a video signal from a decoded digital broadcast signal, and when the decoded digital broadcast signal includes the sub-audio signal, further separates the sub-audio signal; an audio generating section that decodes the main audio signal to generate a decoded main audio signal, and decodes the sub-audio signal, when it has been further separated, to generate a decoded sub-audio signal; a video generating section that decodes the video signal to generate a decoded video signal; a detecting section that detects an input to the audio generating section of the separated sub-audio signal; and a control section that, when the detecting section has detected an input of the sub-audio, controls the video generating section to further generate a sub-audio image signal to display a sub-audio image indicating the presence of sub-audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Shunsuke Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8503696
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus such as an audio apparatus, television signal receiver, or other apparatus provides an equalizer interface that enables equalizer settings to be adjusted via acoustic user feedback. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic apparatus includes a sound generator for generating a first tone for a first frequency band. A processor enables a user to adjust a first volume level of the first tone. A memory stores the first volume level for the first frequency band. A volume controller applies the first volume level to output signals in the first frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Paul Gothard Knutson, Jun Li
  • Patent number: 8497944
    Abstract: A playback apparatus to play back content data including sound data includes an instruction operating portion to detect an instruction operation that instructs execution of prescribed processing, a hold operating portion to detect a hold setting operation that sets a state of not accepting the instruction operation to the instruction operating portion, a state control portion to set the state of not accepting the instruction operation to the instruction operating portion if the hold setting operation is detected by the hold operating portion, and a video processing portion to perform processing for displaying a video. If the video processing portion performs processing for displaying the video when the hold setting operation is detected, the state control portion controls the video processing portion to suspend at least a part of processing for displaying the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kinouchi
  • Publication number: 20130188099
    Abstract: An audio adjustment device including a plurality of filters respectively amplifying or attenuating signal components of a multiplicity of frequency bands among input audio components, an adjustment part that adjusts gain characteristics of the plurality of filters, and a characteristic display part that displays gain characteristics adjusted by the adjustment part. The adjustment part is capable of independently adjusting gain in signal components of central frequencies of signal components subject to amplification or attenuation by the filters, and Q value of gain characteristics of the filters. The characteristic display part displays the gain characteristics of the plurality of filters in a row along one frequency axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130182193
    Abstract: A system includes a first computerized device configured for communicating in an infrastructure mode and an ad hoc mode and a second computerized device configured for communicating at least in the ad hoc mode. A first computerized device operating in infrastructure mode prompts the user of the first computerized device to switch to ad hoc mode in order to communicate with the second computerized device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Peter SHINTANI, Koichi OSHIMA, Takamichi MITSUHASHI
  • Patent number: 8483414
    Abstract: An image display device for displaying images includes an image display unit for displaying images, an audio output unit for outputting audio from multiple positions corresponding to the images displayed by the image display unit, and an audio output position control unit for analyzing the images, controlling the audio output unit according to content of the images, and selecting the position from which to output audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Yoshinori Watanabe, Naohide Yamada
  • Publication number: 20130169884
    Abstract: A control method for a voice control system applied to an electronic apparatus is provided. The method includes: launching a predetermined audio receiving period and lowering an output volume of the electronic apparatus when determining to receive an audio signal for controlling the electronic apparatus; receiving the audio signal and executing a corresponding command; and restoring the output volume of the electronic apparatus when the predetermined audio receiving period ends. The audio signal is for controlling the electronic apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung-Chi Huang
  • Patent number: 8477248
    Abstract: A system and method for demodulating signals are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a signal at an input and determining a first noise estimate of the signal. The method also includes providing a first output indicating a second noise estimate of the signal at a primary carrier frequency and providing a second output indicating a third noise estimate of the signal at a secondary carrier frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sigmatel, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon David Hendrix, Jeffrey Donald Alderson, Glen Ragan
  • Patent number: 8463184
    Abstract: A wireless media player and a related system and methodology are disclosed. One aspect of the wireless media player system pertains to a virtual connector system, apparatus, and method for the automatic establishment of wireless connectivity with other electronic devices. In one embodiment, the media player device employs the use of integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to exchange communication settings, media capability, and other parameters with an external device that also has integrated RFID technology. The automatic exchange of settings and other information via a proximity-based RFID data exchange allows a media player to quickly establish a secure communication link with another device via a commonly supported wireless protocol such as Ultra Wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth. Another aspect of the media player system pertains to a method of using the captured media capability of the connecting device to customize certain menu options and software parameters in the media player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Robin Dua
  • Patent number: 8462967
    Abstract: An application for present invention includes a television with a set of speaker outputs including at least a left speaker and a right speaker. On screen displays are used to properly configure the speakers and assure maximum audio quality from the television. In some embodiments, a cross-point switch connects the speakers attached to the television with the correct outputs of an internal amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Vizio, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Lowe, William Wang
  • Patent number: 8451388
    Abstract: An audio processing apparatus includes: a transmission signal input/output unit that inputs or outputs a video signal, an audio signal, and a control signal; a reproduction processing unit that reproduces the audio signal inputted to the transmission signal input/output unit or an audio signal inputted to any other audio signal input unit; an output unit that outputs the audio signal, which is processed by the reproduction processing unit, through a loudspeaker; and a control unit that when detecting that a control signal signifying that a predetermined mode concerning the display image quality represented by the video signal should be designated is inputted to the transmission signal input/output unit, instructs the reproduction processing unit to perform predetermined sound-field processing or sound-quality processing during the reproduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Higuchi, Takayuki Niitsuma, Keisuke Satou, Junichiro Matsumoto, Hiromichi Fujita
  • Patent number: 8446533
    Abstract: In an AV system in which a television apparatus and a recorder are individually connected to an AV amplifier through an HDMI, in the case where sound is output from the AV amplifier, if insertion of headphones into the television apparatus is detected, control information to switch the destination of the audio data is transmitted from the television apparatus to the AV amplifier. The AV amplifier switches the destination of the audio data that is input from the recorder from a speaker output section to the television apparatus in accordance with the control information. Thus, even if the headphones are inserted into the television apparatus while the AV amplifier is outputting sound reproduced by the recorder, the sound can be output from the headphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Shikata, Takashi Yamamoto, Tomoyasu Yoshikawa, Katsuhiro Ito, Tomoki Kuroda, Kiyohiro Uemura, Masaki Tamura, Masatsugu Sasaki, Kinshirou Suzawa
  • Patent number: 8436947
    Abstract: When a person arrives home with his mobile phone, the phone sends a presence signal via Bluetooth to the TV system in the home, which enables a telephone feature in which phone calls to the phone are relayed to the TV system. The remote control associated with the TV has a microphone and speaker so that a person can use the RC not only to control the TV but also to respond to phone calls, with the TV system relaying voice signals from the RC back to the phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Barry, Rafael Calderon, Jorge Hernandez, Daniel Jastorff, Rolando Zorrilla
  • Patent number: 8436948
    Abstract: A remote control system of the present invention is provided with a TV apparatus and a remote controller, and performs two-way communication. The remote controller is provided with a microphone and a speaker, and generates and outputs sound source data. Furthermore, by the use of wireless communication modules, the sound source data produced by the remote controller is transmitted to the TV apparatus, and the sound source data is transmitted from the TV apparatus to the remote controller, that is, the sound source data is exchanged, with the result that the sound source data is outputted from the TV apparatus and the remote controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigehide Yano, Koichi Saito, Masahide Tanaka, Yasuyuki Hatayama
  • Patent number: 8433085
    Abstract: An acoustic signal output control section extracts, from an acoustic signal, a low-frequency-component acoustic signal and a high-frequency-component acoustic signal. A sound image localization processing filter section performs a sound image localization process on the low-frequency-component acoustic signal. The low-frequency-component acoustic signal having been subjected to the sound image localization process is outputted from loudspeakers in an AV rack loudspeaker apparatus. A television sound image localization processing filter section performs a sound image localization process on the high-frequency-component acoustic signal. The high-frequency-component acoustic signal having been subjected to the sound image localization process is outputted from loudspeakers in a television via HDMI communication sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ko Mizuno, Toshihiko Date
  • Patent number: 8427584
    Abstract: An output device to output an image and/or a sound based on a signal input from one of a plurality of external devices connected to the output device, the external devices including an HDMI source device to input an HDMI signal to the output device. The output device is configured to instruct an adjustment of sound volume of the sound output from the output device; to adjust the sound volume of the output sound in accordance with an instruction from an instruction section; to judge whether a header of an Audio InfoFrame exists in InfoFrame data in the HDMI signal input from the HDMI source device or not; and to invalidate the instruction from the instruction section during a period from time when the header of the Audio InfoFrame is judged not to exist by the judgment section to time when the header is judged to exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuki Higaki
  • Patent number: 8427589
    Abstract: A circuit for audibly indicating at least one state of a television receiver includes memory operative to store at least one audio file, and a controller. The controller is operative during a power-on interval of the television receiver to forward the at least one audio file to an audio indicating device associated with the television receiver for audibly indicating the at least one state of the television receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Agere Systems LLC
    Inventor: Roger A. Fratti
  • Publication number: 20130088581
    Abstract: An AV system that executes image recognition of an identification mark 9 provided on headphones 8 in a seat side shot image taken with a camera 2, calculates the coordinate position of the identification mark 9 in the shot image, decides from the coordinate position of the identification mark 9 as to which one of a plurality of seats a user wearing the headphones 8 sits on, and transmits audio data which corresponds to video data to be displayed on the display screen facing the seat, as to which a decision is made that the user sits on, to the headphones 8 to be produced as audio output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kanehide Arai, Yasushi Fujii, Makoto Oi
  • Publication number: 20130076991
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a display, a speaker, a connector, a multi-display module, an audio driver, and an audio-output controller. The connector is configured to output a video signal and an audio signal. The multi-display module is configured to control an outputting of the video signal in order to display a part of an image on the display and another part of the image at an external apparatus connected to the connector. The audio driver is configured to control an outputting of the audio signal at the speaker and the connector. The audio-output controller is configured to control the audio driver to output the audio signal to the speaker or the connector in accordance with the state of displaying the image at the display or the external apparatus, if the multi-display module displays the parts of the image on the display and the external apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba