Miscellaneous Patents (Class 381/124)
  • Patent number: 11580950
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle privacy system (700), comprising audio input means (130, 190, 720) for receiving an external audio signal (725) indicative of audio from within a vehicle (900), audio source means (710, 910) for receiving the external audio signal (725) and determining an output audio signal (735) based thereon for reducing an external intelligibility of speech within the vehicle (900), and audio output means (145, 146, 147, 730, 920) for receiving the output audio signal (735) and outputting audio (925) corresponding thereto to be at least partly audible external to the vehicle (900).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Wells, Paul Wiles
  • Patent number: 11540425
    Abstract: A cooling device generating unidirectional air flow to cool an electrical component. The cooling device is an equivalent of an electrical acoustic diode to make air flow only one direction. A speaker generates air flow in a first passageway to a cavity, and then expels air out from the cavity through a second passageway. An electrical component is cooled by the air flow, and may be positioned adjacent the passageways, or positioned in the cavity. In one example, eyewear having an electrical component positioned in a temple is cooled by the cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Ashwood, Dillon Johnson, Daniel C. Wiggins
  • Patent number: 11458760
    Abstract: A wheel assembly may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, and an outer rim surrounding the inner rim. Gas springs may be operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim and permitting relative movement therebetween. The wheel assembly may also include a sensor configured to sense the relative movement between the inner and outer rims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: GACW INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Zoltan Kemeny
  • Patent number: 11405719
    Abstract: The Architectural Speaker Tuning System is a sand-filled plastic reinforcing sub-baffle for an architectural custom installed loudspeaker mounted in drywall paneling. The mechanical acoustical resonance of the drywall distorts the sound of the custom loudspeaker. The speaker tuning system shifts drywall resonance to a more suitable frequency. The sand-tuned result revives the fidelity of the loudspeaker. The sub-baffle shipped empty, filled with sand provided by the installer, installs through the loudspeaker drywall panel cut-put, and adheres to the rear of the drywall. The custom loudspeaker is then inserted and clamped to the sub-baffle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventor: Edward Avalos
  • Patent number: 11307874
    Abstract: Provided are an audio reproduction device and a method of controlling an operation thereof, which involve a user interface that allows a user to more effectively control various functions. The audio reproduction device includes a processor configured to obtain function information of the audio reproduction device corresponding to a user input received using mapping information for mapping between a user input received based on at least one of at least one wheel region rotatable clockwise or counterclockwise and at least one touch region and function information of the audio reproduction device, and to control the audio reproduction device according to the obtained function information of the audio reproduction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mi-youn Won, Jung-geun Kim, Ji-hyae Kim, Won-hee Lee
  • Patent number: 10999725
    Abstract: A method applied into a controller of a wireless Bluetooth device includes: providing a first flag and a second flag; asserting the first flag when the controller successfully receives the particular packet transmitted from the audio gateway; asserting the second flag when the controller successfully receives an acknowledgement from a secondary device wherein a reception of the acknowledgement indicates that the secondary device successfully receives the particular packet; and transmitting an acknowledgement of a particular packet to an audio gateway when the first flag and the second flag are asserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Audiowise Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Sung, Pete Hsinhsiang Liu, Jing-Syuan Jia, Wei-Chung Peng, Kuang-Hu Huang, Jeng-Hong Chen, I-Ken Ho, Wei-Chih Chen, De-Hao Tseng
  • Patent number: 10921852
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes: a display panel configured to display an image, one or more sound generation devices configured to vibrate the display panel to generate sound, a supporting member configured to support the display panel, a partition between the display panel and the supporting member, the partition including: a first side in a horizontal direction, and a second side in a vertical direction, one or more first pad parts on the first side of the partition, and one or more second pad parts on the second side of the partition, wherein a first of the one or more first pad parts includes a different material from a material of a first of the one or more second pad parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: YeongRak Choi, Sungtae Lee, Hogeol Lim, Daeho Kim, Hongseok Jung
  • Patent number: 10917774
    Abstract: A method applied to a wireless Bluetooth audio communication system includes: providing an audio gateway of a first piconet to communicate with a master device in the first piconet and to transmit at least one packet of audio stream to the master device and a slave device; employing a first transceiver as the master device to receive the at least one packet of the audio stream from the audio gateway; and, employing a second transceiver as the slave device to receive the at least one packet of the audio stream from the audio gateway and to acknowledge the first transceiver whether the second transceiver has successfully received the at least one packet of the audio stream from the audio gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Audiowise Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Kuang-Hu Huang, Wei-Chung Peng, Jeng-Hong Chen, Pete Hsinhsiang Liu, De-Hao Tseng, Jing-Syuan Jia, Chih-Wei Sung, I-Ken Ho
  • Patent number: 10915077
    Abstract: An inflatable device including an inflatable body, at least one processor and communication circuit, at least one fan connected to the at least one processor, at least one lighting component connected to the at least one processor, and at least one speaker connected to the at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured to control operation of the at least one fan to manage the inflation of the inflatable body, control operation of the at least one lighting component, and control operation of the at least one speaker. The processor may be further configured to execute operational control responsive to signals from an application installed on a mobile device. The inflatable device may be configured to play audio from the mobile device over the at least one speaker and match light patterns of the at least one lighting component to the audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Aqua-Leisure Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. de Grasse, Gregory J. Autore, Jesse Kane
  • Patent number: 10715985
    Abstract: A method applied to a wireless Bluetooth audio communication system includes: providing an audio gateway of a first piconet to communicate with a master device in the first piconet and to transmit at least one packet of audio stream to the master device and a slave device; employing a first transceiver as the master device to receive the at least one packet of the audio stream from the audio gateway; and, employing a second transceiver as the slave device to receive the at least one packet of the audio stream from the audio gateway and to acknowledge the first transceiver whether the second transceiver has successfully received the at least one packet of the audio stream from the audio gateway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Audiowise Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Kuang-Hu Huang, Wei-Chung Peng, Jeng-Hong Chen, Pete Hsinhsiang Liu, De-Hao Tseng, Jing-Syuan Jia, Chih-Wei Sung, I-Ken Ho
  • Patent number: 10667872
    Abstract: A robotic punch system employs a robot unit and a control unit. The robot unit includes a robot and an endoscopic punch mounted to the robot. The endoscopic punch includes a calibrated spatial alignment of an endoscope and a punch. The control unit commands the robot for deploying the endoscopic punch in executing a puncture of an anatomical tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Aleksandra Popovic
  • Patent number: 10448232
    Abstract: A method applied into a wireless Bluetooth device includes: receiving a particular packet from an audio gateway through a first piconet; receiving a first acknowledgement from a secondary device through a second piconet, the first acknowledgement corresponding to a retransmission of the particular packet; and transmitting a second acknowledgement corresponding to the particular packet to the audio gateway through the first piconet when the particular packet is received through the first piconet and the first acknowledgement corresponding to the retransmission of the particular packet is received through the second piconet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Audiowise Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Sung, Pete Hsinhsiang Liu, Jing-Syuan Jia, Wei-Chung Peng, Kuang-Hu Huang, Jeng-Hong Chen, I-Ken Ho, De-Hao Tseng
  • Patent number: 10431395
    Abstract: A single device operable as a controller with multiple functions includes a mounting member, a control member, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a processing unit. The control member can be pressed and rotated with respect to the mounting member. The first switch, the second switch, and the third switch are located on the mounting member. The processing unit is electrically connected to all the switches. The processing unit receives a first control signal from the first switch when the control member is pressed, a second control signal from the second switch when the control member is rotated clockwise, and a third control signal from the third switch when the control member is rotated counterclockwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ying-Tsen Lin, Chi-Wen Chiang
  • Patent number: 10405077
    Abstract: A speaker including a case, a display configured to display an image, at least one vibrating element configured to actuate the display to move the display relative to the case to generate acoustic waves, a gasket interfacing the case and the display, and a transceiver located within a speaker internal volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Thorsten Behles, Pasi Kemppinen, Mikko Jyrkinen
  • Patent number: 10318608
    Abstract: Systems and methods may identify at least a first set of right singular vectors and a first set of singular values of a subset of the matrix, reduce the subset by an amount of energy of a selected data entry of the subset based on the first set of right singular vectors and the first set of singular values, incorporate a new data entry from the matrix into the subset, update the first set of right singular vectors and the first set of singular values of the subset based on the new data entry by a singular value decomposition (SVD) update, and generate the low-rank approximation of the matrix based on the updated first set of right singular vectors and the updated first set of singular values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignees: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Galvin, Christopher C. Yu, Piotr Indyk, Lei Hamilton, William Whitacre
  • Patent number: 10271135
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform determining a change of position of the apparatus, and processing at least one audio signal dependent on the change in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Preben Kvist, Bjarne Kielsholm-Ribalaygua
  • Patent number: 10154179
    Abstract: An ornamental designed housing to attach a video recording device on or in flower bouquets. The invention improves and compliments the floral bouquet. The housing has a plurality of slots to thread either a ribbon or a stick for attachment to the bouquet. It also has areas that allow for optimum sound recording and ease of use during a ceremony.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: BoCam LLC
    Inventors: Donna Marie Golik, Lauren Marie Golik
  • Patent number: 9874953
    Abstract: A vehicle operating system includes an operating device disposed in a vehicle compartment and an in-vehicle device equipped to the vehicle and selecting graphical user interface displayed on a display device corresponding to selection manipulation made to the operating device. The operating device includes a base capable of being disposed by a user, a rotatable knob supported by the base, a posture detector detecting an attachment posture of the operating device, a connection unit connectable to the in-vehicle device, a manipulation signal output unit outputting a manipulation signal of the rotatable knob, and a posture signal output unit outputting an attachment posture signal. The in-vehicle device includes a display control unit controlling the display device to display the graphical user interface corresponding to the attachment posture signal, and a selection display unit controlling the display device to perform selection display of the graphic user interface corresponding to the manipulation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kimiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9855165
    Abstract: A method of interrupting the life cycle of sperm that includes subjecting a user to a first and a second treatment session in a male birth-control cycle. The first treatment session including a mature-sperm inhibition step of emitting, through at least one transducer, an amount energy for a predetermined period of time that is directed to the entire male reproductive system including but not limited to at least one of an epididymal tubules and an ejaculation ducts of the user, via a constant coupling configuration of the transducer with the user, to render a plurality of sperm transported therein to be immotile. The second treatment session includes subjecting the user to the mature-sperm inhibition step before a sperm-maturation time whereby sperm carried by the user are in a mature state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SOUND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Miller, Robert Sewak
  • Patent number: 9832555
    Abstract: Provided is a sound reproduction device including: speakers; light emitting elements provided to a part of each of the speakers, or in a vicinity of each of the speakers; a detecting section configured to detect a beat of an audio signal reproduced by the speakers, and output a detection signal corresponding to the beat; and a light emission control signal outputting section configured to output a light emission control signal for controlling a light emission mode of the light emitting elements according to the detection signal. The light emission control signal outputting section outputs a first light emission control signal according to the detection signal, and outputs a second light emission control signal when a period in which the beat is not detected exceeds a set period, the second light emission control signal being for controlling the light emitting elements to perform a predetermined light emission mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Saijo, Satoshi Akagawa, Hiroshi Sato
  • Patent number: 9736635
    Abstract: A method for controlling a network of dynamic signage devices, comprising the following steps such as: collecting the destination of a user; detecting the user within a detection perimeter of a determined dynamic signage device, comparing the destination with respect to the position and to a coverage area of the determined dynamic signage device, when the destination is outside the coverage area of the determined dynamic signage device, an itinerary is determined by selecting at least one dynamic signage device of the network which will relay the determined dynamic signage device; ending a first control signal to the determined dynamic signage device, the control signal indicating the angle of rotation that has to be taken by the directional display member of the determined dynamic signage device; sending a second control signal to the determined dynamic signage device, the second control signal indicating at least the destination of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: CHAVRET INDUSTRIES
    Inventor: Christophe Quatrini
  • Patent number: 9733884
    Abstract: A display apparatus, control method, and system are provided. The display apparatus includes a display; one or more loudspeakers; a signal processor configured to process an image signal so that an image may be displayed on the display and sound may be output from the loudspeaker; a communication interface configured to communicate with one or more external display apparatuses; and a controller configured to transmit sound processed by the signal processor to the one or more loudspeakers in accordance with a preset output designation state, determine a divided and displayed state of an image with respect to the display apparatus and the one or more external display apparatuses, and adjust the output designation state of the sound with respect to the one or more loudspeakers based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-hoon Jeong, Sang-bae Park, Min-hyok Bang, Keum-ok Lee, Dong-jin Lee, Jung-kun Lee, Kyung-sun Cho, Seong-seol Hong
  • Patent number: 9728035
    Abstract: A gaming machine including housing in which a game sequence controller, at least one display device for displaying a gaming unit and at least one switching element, actuatable by a user and in contact with the game sequence controller, are arranged. At least one electromagnetic device coupled to the game sequence controller is associated with the switching element and, if the switching element is actuated, generates information that can be detected tactilely by the user in the form of a vibration and/or a change of the actuating resistance depending on the course of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: NOVOMATIC AG
    Inventors: Thomas Faul, Michael Rudolph Luft
  • Patent number: 9720640
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention enable a storage device (e.g., a recordable book, toy, computing device) to be controlled with a single control button that performs multiple functions. Different interactions with the button produce a different control input. In one aspect, the storage device is an audio recording device that can record, lock, unlock, transfer to a separate storage device, or play back one or more audio recordings. These five functions (i.e., recording, locking, unlocking, transferring, and playing back) are initiated or facilitated by depressing a single button located on the audio storage device for different lengths of time or in different patterns. Audio recordings may be played in response to user interactions with the button to help the user interact with the button properly and warn the user of action that is about to be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas Pedersen, Jill Marie Klegin, Kevin J. Bridges
  • Patent number: 9445653
    Abstract: A Bluetooth audio that can be selectively installed on an umbrella shaft of an umbrella includes an audio body, a coupling shell and a clamp device. The audio body includes an installation recess which has an installation space for installing the umbrella shaft. The installation recess has a closed end corresponding to the substantial center of the audio body and an open end located on an edge of the audio body and corresponding to the closed end. The coupling shell can be selectively placed in the installation space through the open end and installed in the installation recess to close the open end and confine the umbrella shaft at the closed end. The clamp device is located in the audio body corresponding to the closed end and operable by a user's hand to clamp the umbrella shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: KEYSHEEN INDUSTRY (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lausan Chung-Hsin Liu, Shopo Hsin Tsu Liu, Fibro Tsu Kun Liu
  • Patent number: 9451724
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for cooling one or more components of a playback device using speaker vibrations that result from inaudible audio. Movement of air molecules arising from the speaker vibrations may disperse heat away from the one or more components of a playback device. In an example implementation, while playing audible audio content via the at least one speaker, a playback device may receive input data indicating an instruction to stop playback of the audible audio content. The playback device may determine that playback of the audible audio content has stopped and based on that determination, play inaudible audio content to cause the at least one speaker to vibrate thereby inducing air movement within the playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Hilmar Lehnert
  • Patent number: 9354677
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for cooling one or more components of a playback device using speaker vibrations that result from inaudible audio. Movement of air molecules arising from the speaker vibrations may disperse heat away from the one or more components of a playback device. The playback device may include a thermal sensor to determine the temperature on or around one or more components. If the playback device is no longer playing audible audio and temperature on or around one or more components rises above a first predetermined threshold, the playback device may play inaudible audio. Playback of inaudible audio may result in movement of air molecules and the dispersion of heat away from the one or more components. Playback of the inaudible audio may stop if the playback device begins playing audible audio or if the temperature on or around one or more components drops below a second predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Hilmar Lehnert
  • Patent number: 9020180
    Abstract: A microphone apparatus, which includes a microphone comprising at least one display means provided about a head thereof, wherein the display means comprises at least one of a static display for displaying a static communication and an electronically variable display means for displaying electronically variable communication/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Steven Mark Levinsohn
  • Patent number: 8996149
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include a box-shaped housing having an upper face; a sound output device for reproducing sound; and an attachment device provided on the upper face of the housing and configured so that a portable audio player can be directly attached thereto. The attachment device allows the sound output device to communicate with the audio player attached thereto, whereby the sound output device can reproduce the sound data stored in the audio player as sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Tsuge, Yuuta Matsuura
  • Patent number: 8929960
    Abstract: A voice call processing method and apparatus for a mobile terminal are provided for improving voice communication quality by switching between matching circuits that are optimized for respective audio output modes of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes at least two matching circuits designated for individual audio output modes, a mode tracking unit for detecting a change from a first audio output mode to a second audio output mode, a control unit for identifying the second audio output mode and the matching circuit designated for the second audio output mode and for outputting a control signal for switching to the matching circuit designated for the second audio output mode, and a switch for switching the signal path between the at least two matching circuits based on the control signal output by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joo Hwan Park
  • Patent number: 8923521
    Abstract: Device for localizing acoustic sources and/or measuring their intensities, intended in particular to be used in confined spaces, the device including at least one acoustic antenna having a first series of microphones delimiting a first volume, and a second series of microphones delimiting a volume containing at least substantially the first series of microphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: MicroDB, Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Bernard Beguet, Lucille Lamotte, Charles Cariou
  • Patent number: 8848948
    Abstract: The Christmas tree is a fake Christmas tree rotatably engaged with respect to a stand having rotating means integrated thereon. The stand features a USB port and MP3 dock that enables audio to be played upon speakers vertically arranged upon said tree. The Christmas tree shall be either permanently or temporarily affixed to said stand. The rotating means of the stand consist of a motor and gearing system that can optionally provide different rates of rotation of said Christmas tree. An optional light system may be included to illuminate said Christmas tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Duvall Daniels
  • Patent number: 8787586
    Abstract: A controller device is provided whereby players can experience realistic sounds. The controller device is connected to the main body of an information processing apparatus, wherein the controller device comprises a first speaker for emitting a sound signal in a low frequency range, and a second speaker for emitting a sound signal in a frequency range that is higher in comparison with the first speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Hamada, Toru Akazawa
  • Publication number: 20140093105
    Abstract: A sequence of performance data to be loop-reproduced is read out repetitively for at least two cycles, and audio data repeating for at least two cycles are created on the basis of the read-out performance data. Audio data of a second or subsequent cycle of the created audio data have mixed therein a residual portion (release portion or reverberation portion) of a tone generated in a preceding cycle. The audio data of the second or subsequent cycle are stored as audio data for loop reproduction, and thus, the stored audio data for loop reproduction will include a residual portion of a tone generated in a preceding cycle. Thus, if the stored audio data for loop reproduction are reproduced repetitively, it is possible to achieve loop reproduction reflecting therein a residual portion of a tone generated in a preceding cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporaion
    Inventors: Tadashi OKANO, Takuma Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8611564
    Abstract: The invention relates to a 3.5 mm audio plug with built-in light source, particularly to a light-emitting element arranged in a hollow tube and two conductive portions and several insulating portions arranged on a predetermined position of a surface of the audio plug for acquiring power and supplying the power to the light-emitting element in order to form a laser pen. At the same time, the electronic products are able to maintain normal output sound from a speaker when the audio plug is inserted into the audio jack of the predetermined electronic product, avoiding missed calls. Moreover, the audio plug is arranged in the audio jack except the light-emitting hole; that is, the present invention is nearly integrated with the smartphone 70, which is not only beautiful but easy to carry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Conary Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsien-Cheng Yen, Wen-Wei Lin
  • Patent number: 8509471
    Abstract: A speaker device, wherein vibration of a magnetic circuit section is suppressed with a magnetic influence on the magnetic circuit section suppressed. A speaker device having a vibration section and generating an audio sound by vibration of the vibration section is provided with a magnetic circuit section for forming a magnetic field for vibrating the vibration section and also with a weight section fixed to the magnetic circuit section and suppressing vibration of the magnetic circuit section subjected to reaction force caused by vibration of the vibration section. The weight section is fixed to the magnetic circuit section through a joint section for joining the magnetic circuit section and the weight section to each other, and this forms between the magnetic circuit section and the weight section a predetermined space for magnetically separating the magnetic circuit section and the weight section from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventor: Kiyosei Shibata
  • Patent number: 8498726
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bi-directional broadcasting system for a small space. More particularly, multiple users enjoy the optimum surround sound and pursue the best convenience simultaneously by wirelessly connected an external receiver, multiple headphones, and external speakers which can be installed and composed variously, while watching a video media which was received through a television transmitting and receiving antenna or external signal input devices by a host television, that was related to a bi-directional broadcasting system for a small space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventors: Young-Eon Kim, Hyun-Jeong Kim
  • Patent number: 8416957
    Abstract: In a sound source localization system using a light emitting device for visualizing sound information, including: a light emitting device (40) including a microphone for receiving sound from a sound source (1, 2) and a light emitting means for emitting light based on the sound from the microphone; a generating section for generating light emitting information for the light emitting device (40); and a sound source localization section (60) for determining a position of the sound source based on the light emitting information from the generating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsujino, Kazuhiro Nakadai, Hiroshi Okuno, Takeshi Mizumoto, Ikkyu Aihara
  • Patent number: 8396232
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for playing, storing, accessing, and retrieving multimedia content and providing the content to a surgical environment. In particular, the audio playback function can provide a means to play background music in an operating room to provide a soothing and/or entertaining background to the surgical team and/or a patient. Further audio and video playback can provide a walkthrough of preparing surgical cassettes, hand pieces and other consumables used in ophthalmic surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventor: Roger D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8380329
    Abstract: An adapter for a cassette tape player couples to a digital audio player. The adapter enables controls operated on the cassette tape player to control an external digital audio player. The digital audio player may be coupled to the adapter to receive signals indicative of which controls on the cassette tape player were operated. For example, in one embodiment the adapter may determine the direction of cassette tape player rotation, the initiation of rotation and the speed of rotation to detect which controls were operated. Appropriate signals may then be provided to the digital audio player, either through a wired or wireless connection, to enable the digital audio player to respond accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Randolph E. Crutchfield
  • Patent number: 8363861
    Abstract: An entertainment system for use with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device that includes video glasses and headphones. A Faraday shield encloses the entertainment system to reduce adequately RF signals from entering or leaving the entertainment system. The entertainment system may have non-ferromagnetic RF low-pass filters between parts of the system, such as the control unit and the video glasses, to reduce higher RF signals from entering or leaving those parts. To replace the battery and or entertainment media, a person opens the entertainment system's Faraday shield when not MRI imaging or outside the MRI magnet room. The door has an Faraday shield overlapping the system Faraday shield and making low resistance RF contact. The entertainment system has a minimal amount of ferromagnetic material so that it may operate within the high magnetic field of the MRI magnet bore with minimal performance degradation. The entertainment system uses non-ferromagnetic speakers in the headphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventors: Brian Hughes, Ryan A. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8356250
    Abstract: A mobile terminal including an output unit configured to output sound, an equalizer configured to adjust parameters of the sound output by the output unit, a display unit including a touch screen and configured to display a Graphic User Interface (GUI) including a graphical guide that can be touched and moved to adjust the parameters of the sound output by the output unit, and a controller configured to control the equalizer to adjust the parameters of the sound output by the output unit in accordance with a shape of the graphical guide that is touched and moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Dong-Seuck Ko
  • Patent number: 8306813
    Abstract: An encoding device reduces the encoding distortion as compared to the conventional technique and obtains a preferable sound quality for auditory sense. In the encoding device, a shape quantization unit quantizes the shape of an input spectrum with a small number of pulse positions and polarities. The shape quantization unit sets a pulse amplitude width to be searched later upon search of the pulse position to a value not greater than the pulse amplitude width which has been searched previously. A gain quantization unit calculates a gain of a pulse searched by the shape quantization unit for each of bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Morii, Masahiro Oshikiri, Tomofumi Yamanashi
  • Patent number: 8300868
    Abstract: A fabric bag for holding an audio playback device. The fabric bag includes a control device constructed substantially in fabric for controlling an audio playback device. The control device comprises a control portion having indicated regions thereon. The indicated regions are responsive to individually applied manual presses so as to control discrete operations of said audio playback device, and the control portion, including the indicated regions, is responsive to manually applied strokes or gestures so as to control variable operations of the audio playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Peratech Limited
    Inventors: Gemma Kilburn, Tania Jane Beagley
  • Patent number: 8282227
    Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention discloses a device that is a lamp on the one hand, and also a speaker on the other, comprising a light-emitting element, a surface that acts as a sound-emitting element, and a base socket that can fit to an ordinary household lamp socket. The surface can be translucent and act as a lamp cover at the same time. There is also an electronic assembly in the lamp that controls both the light-emitting and sound-emitting elements, as well as communicates with an external host or other devices. In another embodiment, the lamp cover can also couple with an acoustic-wave transducer unit so that the audio lamp device becomes a light and a microphone. Various sensors can also be equipped within the audio lamp, and the results can be sent to the external host through the electronic assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventors: Andrew Massara, Jaron Rothkop
  • Patent number: 8275144
    Abstract: An intelligent audio speaker that uses a power line communication element to provide audio distribution within homes, businesses, apartment complexes, and other buildings. Multiple intelligent audio speakers may be networked together, with common control. The intelligent audio speaker may, in some embodiments of the present invention, contain enhanced ambient backlight effects to further enhance the listener's experience. In some embodiments of the present invention, an existing audio speaker is retrofitted to an intelligent audio speaker using a retrofit kit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Oleg Logvinov, Brion John Ebert
  • Patent number: 8249433
    Abstract: A data multiplexing apparatus for arranging video streams and audio streams respectively into packs and multiplexing these packs to create a system stream. The apparatus includes a virtual decoding video buffer occupancy calculator virtually calculating an occupancy of a decoding video buffer temporarily storing the video streams, a virtual decoding audio buffer occupancy calculator virtually calculating an occupancy of a decoding audio buffer temporarily storing the audio streams, a virtual decoding audio buffer storing a calculation result in the virtual decoding audio buffer occupancy calculator, and a payload length setting section setting an overflow limit value for the virtual decoding audio buffer. The payload length setting section sets the overflow limit value to a value of an integral multiple of an audio frame length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8238565
    Abstract: A system for adapting a hearing aid to a user includes a unit generating an image of the user's ear together with a model of the hearing aid, wherein the model of the hearing aid in-situ includes a physical model of the hearing aid inserted in the user's ear prior to generating the image. The system also generates a mesh based on the image, calculates acoustic response to a simulated acoustic signal in the mesh, calculates a frequency response curve for a fixed position in the mesh, and identifies an optimal position of a microphone of the hearing aid in-situ from the acoustic response. They system also includes a comparator configured to compare the frequency response curve for the fixed position in the mesh with a maximum frequency response curve for the mesh stored by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Rene Burmand Johannesson
  • Patent number: 8233644
    Abstract: A fan control system includes a controller that is coupled to a plurality of fan couplers. A computer-readable medium is coupled to the controller and includes a first fan identification corresponding to a first fan, a second fan identification corresponding to a second fan, and at least one fan property associated with each of the first fan identification and the second fan identification. The controller is operable to monitor at least one operating parameter of each of the first fan and the second fan when the first fan and the second fan are coupled to a respective fan coupler. The controller is further operable to use the at least one fan property associated with each of the first fan identification and the second fan identification and the at least one operating parameter of each of the first fan and the second fan in order to adjust a speed of the second fan relative to a speed of the first fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: Jeffrey DeMoss
  • Patent number: 8218805
    Abstract: A multi-channel wireless speaker system to be used with ceiling fans wherein the audio source generator can be one of many medias, not limited by the following: television, stereophonic, monophonic, video game, home theater, public address system or security system. The audio source generator sends an audio signal to the transmitter that in turn relays the audio signal to the wireless receiver located in the ceiling fan housing member. The ceiling fan housing member includes speakers, and a light source if desired. The speakers produce an omni directional sound due to their unique positioning within the ceiling fan. The wireless speaker system is powered by the existing voltage available to the ceiling fan, so no new wiring is required to install the speaker system. The speaker settings are manipulated via a remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Charles Hornback