Stereo Speaker Arrangement Patents (Class 381/300)
  • Patent number: 11962994
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving audio content comprising left input channel signals and right input channel signals, and generating first and second input signals from the left and right input channel signals. The first input signal is based on a sum of the left and right input channel signals, and the second input signal is based on a difference of the left and right input channel signals. An array transfer function is applied to the first and second input signals to produced audio output signals, which can be provided to a plurality of audio transducers on one or more playback devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Paul MacLean
  • Patent number: 11956597
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for audio synchronization for hearing devices. An audio packet is received from a host device at a first hearing device configured to be worn in a first ear of a wearer, the audio packet compatible with a wireless low energy digital communication protocol, and the audio packet is received from the host device at a second hearing device configured to be worn in a second ear of the wearer. Upon one or more programmable conditions, a synchronization packet is sent from the first hearing device to the second hearing device. An acknowledgment packet is sent from the second hearing device to the first hearing device upon receipt of the synchronization packet, and a first transducer at the first hearing device and a second transducer at the second hearing device are unmuted to deliver synchronized audio to the first ear and to the second ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Chaitanya Jidge, Jacob Christian Kyro, Jeffrey Paul Solum
  • Patent number: 11941318
    Abstract: The present application provides an audio and video playing system, a playing method and a playing device. The system comprises: a display device; a directional sound output module configured to output a directional sound signal; a tracking element configured to monitor a target visual area and to monitor the target display area on the display screen; and a processor, connected with the directional sound output module and the tracking element respectively, and configured to acquire a first audio and video data to be output in the target display area, display image information of the first audio and video data in the target display area, and output sound information of the first audio and video data to the directional sound output module such that the directional sound output module output a directional sound signal towards the target visual area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaomang Zhang, Xiangjun Peng, Tiankuo Shi, Chenxi Zhao, Shuo Zhang, Yifan Hou, Yan Sun, Li Tian, Jing Liu, Wei Sun, Zhihua Ji, Yanhui Xi
  • Patent number: 11922955
    Abstract: Multichannel audio playback devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some examples, a first playback device is configured to receive a source stream of audio content comprising left, right and center input channels. In a first mode, the first playback device is configured to play back audio via a plurality of transducers based on the left, right, and center input channels. In a second mode, in which the first playback device is bonded to second and third playback devices, the first playback device is configured to (i) play back audio via the plurality of transducers based on at least the center input channel, (ii) cause audio to be played via the second playback device based on at least the right input channel, and (iii) cause audio to be played via the third playback device based on at least the left input channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Jackson, Hilmar Lehnert, Chris Davies, Paul MacLean, Roberto Maria Dizon
  • Patent number: 11910176
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating one or more audio channels. The apparatus comprises a metadata decoder for generating one or more reconstructed metadata signals from one or more processed metadata signals depending on a control signal, wherein each of the one or more reconstructed metadata signals indicates information associated with an audio signal of one or more audio signals, wherein the metadata decoder is configured to generate the one or more reconstructed metadata signals by determining a plurality of reconstructed metadata samples for each of the one or more reconstructed metadata signals. Moreover, the apparatus comprises an audio channel generator for generating the one or more audio channels depending on the one or more audio signals and depending on the one or more reconstructed metadata signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Christian Borss, Christian Ertel, Johannes Hilpert
  • Patent number: 11910177
    Abstract: An audio system that is configured to convert a plurality of audio input channels to object-based audio, and a related computer program product. Correlation between input channels and energy balance between the input channels are determined. The determined correlation and energy balance are mapped to output three-dimensional spatial locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventor: James Tracey
  • Patent number: 11910141
    Abstract: A speaker system is disclosed with user-selectable output modes including controlled directivity output modes (e.g. selectable monopole, dipole, or cardioid radiation patterns), that may be implemented with adjustable electronic delay of out-of-phase driver elements, and that provides for both even-orderharmonic distortion reduction and driver force cancellation in a compact assembly suitable for home or studio use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Lamassu LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Brandt Kwiram
  • Patent number: 11902771
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, operations may include obtaining a virtual space that includes a virtual speaker distribution of virtual speakers within the virtual space. The operations may further include obtaining an audio file that includes audio corresponding to an audio object of an audio scene and generating one or more audio signals based on the virtual speaker distribution and the audio file. In these or other embodiments, the operations may include mapping each respective virtual speaker to a respective point source in an audio localization environment that corresponds to the virtual space. In addition, the operations may include providing the one or more audio signals to an audio localization system according to the mapping of the virtual speakers to their respective point sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SPATIALX INC.
    Inventors: Rainer Brodersen, Michael Plitkins, Calin Pacurariu, Xavier Prospero, Robert Aric Marshall, Kristin Miltner, Kenneth P. Felton, Kenneth Pearce
  • Patent number: 11900809
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle notification sound generation system mounted on a self-driving capable electric bus, and the system has a speaker that outputs a verbal speech about arrival of the electric bus at a destination and outputs a non-verbal sound corresponding to a state of acceleration/deceleration of the electric bus before acceleration/deceleration operation or during acceleration/deceleration of the electric bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tohru Takamura, Jun Kokaji, Masahiro Mori
  • Patent number: 11875803
    Abstract: When compressing an HOA data frame representation, a gain control (15, 151) is applied for each channel signal before it is perceptually encoded (16). The gain values are transferred in a differential manner as side information. However, for starting decoding of such streamed compressed HOA data frame representation absolute gain values are required, which should be coded with a minimum number of bits. For determining such lowest integer number (?e) of bits the HOA data frame representation (C(k)) is rendered in spatial domain to virtual loudspeaker signals lying on a unit sphere, followed by normalisation of the HOA data frame representation (C(k)). Then the lowest integer number of bits is set to ?e=?log2(?log2(?{square root over (KMAX)}·O)?+1)?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Sven Kordon, Alexander Krueger
  • Patent number: 11871199
    Abstract: A sound signal processor and a control method therefor that enable appropriate processing to be applied to each sound signal and the sound signals to be outputted to an appropriate output destination, while avoiding equipment connection complexity. A first processing unit performs first processing on a first sound signal to generate a second sound signal, and outputs the second sound signal to a mix bus, a second processing unit performs second processing on a third sound signal to generate a fourth sound signal, and outputs the fourth sound signal to the mix bus and a first output destination, and the mix bus mixes the second sound signal with the fourth sound signal to generate a fifth sound signal, and outputs the fifth sound signal to a second output destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Usui, Takashi Ito, Masafumi Kanada
  • Patent number: 11871206
    Abstract: In a case where a virtual microphone has moved to an extent greater than a predetermined reference in a virtual space, during a predetermined period from the movement of the virtual microphone, first interpolation for changing from a relative distance before the movement to a relative distance after the movement over the predetermined period, and second interpolation for changing from a relative direction before the movement to a relative direction after the movement over the predetermined period, are each performed. Then, the volume and the balance of sounds to be outputted are set on the basis of the relative distance by the first interpolation and the relative direction by the second interpolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Taniwa
  • Patent number: 11830504
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decoding a compressed Higher Order Ambisonics (HOA) representation of a sound or soundfield. The method may include receiving a bit stream containing the compressed HOA representation and decoding, based on a determination that there are multiple layers, the compressed HOA representation from the bitstream to obtain a sequence of decoded HOA representations. A first subset of the sequence of decoded HOA representations is determined based only on corresponding ambient HOA components. A second subset of the sequence of decoded HOA representations is determined based on corresponding ambient HOA components and corresponding predominant sound components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Sven Kordon, Alexander Krueger, Oliver Wuebbolt
  • Patent number: 11818565
    Abstract: A method of playing back audio content with improved immersiveness can include receiving, at a playback device, audio input including vertical content having a high-frequency portion and a low-frequency portion. The playback device can face along a first sound axis and comprise an up-firing transducer configured to direct sound along a second sound axis that is vertically angled with respect to the primary sound axis and a side-firing transducer or array configured to direct sound along a third axis that is horizontally angled with respect to the first sound axis. The low-frequency portion of the vertical content can be played back via the side-firing transducer or array, while the high-frequency portion of the vertical content can be played back via the up-firing transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul MacLean
  • Patent number: 11818558
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to audio generation in a media playback system. Based on one or more first functions and first characteristics of an area, the system may generate first audio that includes a first audio signal and a second audio signal. The system provides the first audio signal to at least one first audio driver and the second audio signal to at least one second audio driver, thereby causing a first playback device and a second playback device to play back the first audio synchronously. The system receives second characteristics of the area and based on one or more second functions and the second characteristics, generates second audio comprising a third audio signal and a fourth audio signal. The system provides the third audio signal to the at least one first audio driver and the fourth audio signal to the at least one second audio driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Chamness, Aurelio Rafael Ramos, Timothy Sheen, Hilmar Lehnert
  • Patent number: 11812252
    Abstract: A device may be configured to play one or more of a plurality of audio streams. The device may include a memory configured to store the plurality of audio streams, each of the audio streams representative of a soundfield. The device also may include one or more processors coupled to the memory, and configured to present a user interface to a user, obtain an indication from the user via the user interface representing a desired listening position, select, based on the indication, at least one audio stream of the plurality of audio streams, and output, for a display and in response to obtaining the indication representing the desired listening position, a graphical user interface element suggesting an alternative listening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Isaac Garcia Munoz, Siddhartha Goutham Swaminathan, Nils Günther Peters, S M Akramus Salehin
  • Patent number: 11765507
    Abstract: Some disclosed systems and methods include assigning channel streams to satellite playback devices, delaying initial transmission of surround sound content to satellite playback devices to accumulate audio samples for transmission in individual frames of surround sound content, and taking advantage of configured playback delays for different channels of surround sound content to prioritize transmission of channels of surround sound content having shorter configured playback delays over transmission of channels of surround sound content having longer configured playback delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Beckhardt
  • Patent number: 11758329
    Abstract: A method including determining location of at least one second device relative to a first device, where at least two of the devices are configured to play audio sounds based upon audio signals; and mixing at least two of the audio signals based, at least partially, upon the determined location(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Lasse Juhani Laaksonen, Olli Ali-Yrkko, Jari Hagqvist
  • Patent number: 11758348
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of virtual loudspeaker arrays and their channels are produced, based on a corresponding microphone array and microphone signals thereof. Channels of a hallucinated loudspeaker array are determined based on the channels of the plurality of virtual loudspeaker arrays. The plurality of virtual loudspeaker arrays and the hallucinated loudspeaker array share a common geometry and orientation. Spatial audio is rendered based on the channels of the hallucinated loudspeaker array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jared King, Shai Messingher Lang, Symeon Delikaris Manias
  • Patent number: 11751003
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to personalization of a head-related transfer function (HRTF) for a given user. A sound source is spatialized for an initial position using an initial version of a HRTF to obtain an initial spatialized sound source. Upon presentation of the initial spatialized sound source, at least one property of the HRTF is adjusted in an iterative manner based on at least one perceptive response from the user to generate a version of the HRTF customized for the user. Each perceptive response from the user indicates a respective offset between a perceived position and a target position of the sound source. The customized version of the HRTF is applied to one or more audio channels to form spatialized audio content for the perceived position. The spatialized audio content is presented to the user, wherein the offset between the perceived position and the target position is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Owen Brimijoin, II, Tomasz Rudzki, Sebastià Vicenç Amegnual Gari, Michaela Warnecke, Andrew Francl
  • Patent number: 11612810
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a device housing. A monorail having a monorail body defining a first end and a second end separated from the first end along a major axis of the monorail body is mechanically coupled to a minor face of the device housing by a bridge member. A first electrical connector is positioned at the first end of the monorail body, while a second electrical connector positioned at the second end of the monorail body. The first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are of the same type. An attachment having a housing defining a monorail receiver with an aperture at a first end and a bounding wall at a second end includes an electrical connector situated within the monorail receiver at the bounding wall. The attachment can be coupled in two configurations to the monorail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Nasti, Nigil Valikodath, George Standish
  • Patent number: 11606660
    Abstract: Electronic glasses track head movement of a user with respect to a location in empty space on top of a physical object. One or more processors process sound that externally localizes as binaural sound to the location in empty space on top of the physical object. Speakers in the electronic glasses provide the binaural sound to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventors: Glen A. Norris, Philip Scott Lyren
  • Patent number: 11496849
    Abstract: A method of producing an acoustic radiation pattern, the method comprising receiving an input audio signal representing a first acoustic radiation pattern, generating an acoustic monopole and an acoustic dipole based on the input audio signal, wherein generating the acoustic monopole and the acoustic dipole is to produce a second acoustic radiation pattern substantially similar to the first acoustic radiation pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Zound Industries International AB
    Inventors: Dan Anders Edgren, Malcolm Ian Kennedy
  • Patent number: 11496853
    Abstract: A sound signal processing device includes: a vocal remover which generates a first output signal based on first-channel and second-channel sound signals and a first coefficient indicating a vocal bandwidth to be removed; a surround sound processor which generates a second output signal by adding a surround sound effect to the first output signal; an amplifier which amplifies a signal at an amplification factor that is based on a second coefficient; a synthesizer which synthesizes the second output signal with one of the first-channel and second-channel sound signals, and synthesizes a signal that is the second output signal inverted with another one of the first-channel and second-channel sound signals; and a coefficient determination unit which sets the second coefficient such that the amplification factor, used when the vocal bandwidth to be removed is greater than a first bandwidth, is greater than the amplification factor for the first bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: SOCIONEXT INC.
    Inventors: Kai Kobayashi, Takeshi Fujita, Shuji Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 11462222
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decoding a compressed Higher Order Ambisonics (HOA) representation of a sound or soundfield. The method may include receiving a bit stream containing the compressed HOA representation and decoding, based on a determination that there are multiple layers, the compressed HOA representation from the bitstream to obtain a sequence of decoded HOA representations. A first subset of the sequence of decoded HOA representations is determined based only on corresponding ambient HOA components. A second subset of the sequence of decoded HOA representations is determined based on corresponding ambient HOA components and corresponding predominant sound components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Sven Kordon, Alexander Krueger, Oliver Wuebbolt
  • Patent number: 11462200
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a signal processing apparatus and method, and a program that can easily make a leaking sound difficult to hear. A signal processing apparatus includes a masking sound generation unit that, in a case where a first content is reproduced in a first region and a second content is reproduced in a second region by wave field synthesis using a speaker array, generates a masking sound for masking a sound of the first content and a sound of the second content heard in a region between the first region and the second region. The present technology can be applied to content reproduction systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Osako, Yuhki Mitsufuji, Masafumi Takahashi, Yukara Ikemiya
  • Patent number: 11462838
    Abstract: A transceiver having a virtual array is disclosed that includes a transmit antenna array and a receive antenna array. The transmit antennas are spaced apart by a transmit array spacing. Similarly, the receive antennas are spaced apart by a receive array spacing. One of the receive and transmit arrays has more antenna elements than a ratio of either the transmit array spacing divided by the receive array spacing or of the receive array spacing divided by the transmit array spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Alecsander Petru Eitan, Evgeny Levitan, Evyatar Hemo
  • Patent number: 11432097
    Abstract: A device may be configured to play one or more of a plurality of audio streams. The device may include a memory configured to store the plurality of audio streams, each of the audio streams representative of a soundfield. The device also may include one or more processors coupled to the memory, and configured to present a user interface to a user, obtain an indication from a user via the user interface representing a desired listening position; and select, based on the indication, at least one audio stream of the plurality of audio streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Isaac Garcia Munoz, Siddhartha Goutham Swaminathan, Nils Günther Peters, S M Akramus Salehin
  • Patent number: 11417310
    Abstract: An inspection device is provided, including a base, a circuit assembly, an electrocardiogram sensor, a diaphragm, an annular member, and a positioning member. The base has a top surface, a bottom surface, a guiding portion, an opening, and an accommodating space. The guiding portion is formed on the top surface, the opening is formed on the bottom surface, and the accommodating space is formed between the top surface and the bottom surface. The circuit assembly is disposed in the accommodating space, and has a first contact and a second contact. The electrocardiogram sensor is disposed on the bottom surface and electrically connected to the circuit assembly. The diaphragm covers the opening. The annular member is rotatably connected to the base and has a guiding member. The guiding member is slidably connected to the guiding portion. The positioning member is affixed to the annular member and has a contacting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Chia-Yuan Chang, Jung-Wen Chang, Kao-Yu Hsu, Tung-Han Lee
  • Patent number: 11410325
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus and method for configuration of an audio reproduction system is provided. The electronic apparatus captures a set of stereo images of the listening environment and identifies a plurality of objects, including a display device and a plurality of audio devices, in the set of stereo images. The electronic apparatus estimates first location information of the plurality of audio devices and second location information of the display device. Based on first location information and the second location information, the electronic apparatus identifies a layout of the plurality of audio devices. The electronic apparatus receives an audio signal from each audio device and determines a distance between each audio device of the plurality of audio devices and a user location based on the received audio signal. The electronic apparatus determines an anomaly in connection of at least one audio device and generates connection information based on the determined anomaly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sharanappagouda Patil, Kaneaki Fujishita
  • Patent number: 11395084
    Abstract: A method for compressing a HOA signal being an input HOA representation with input time frames (C(k)) of HOA coefficient sequences comprises spatial HOA encoding of the input time frames and subsequent perceptual encoding and source encoding. Each input time frame is decomposed (802) into a frame of predominant sound signals (XPS(k?1)) and a frame of an ambient HOA component ({tilde over (C)}AMB(k?1)). The ambient HOA component ({tilde over (C)}AMB(k?1)) comprises, in a layered mode, first HOA coefficient sequences of the input HOA representation (cn(k?1)) in lower positions and second HOA coefficient sequences (cAMB,n(k?1)) in remaining higher positions. The second HOA coefficient sequences are part of an HOA representation of a residual between the input HOA representation and the HOA representation of the predominant sound signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Sven Kordon, Alexander Krueger, Oliver Wuebbolt
  • Patent number: 11363402
    Abstract: A signal processing system and method for delivering spatialized sound by optimizing sound waveforms from a sparse array of speakers to the ears of a user. The system can provide listening areas within a room or space, to provide spatialization sounds to create a 3D audio effect. In a binaural mode, a binary speaker array provides targeted beams aimed towards a user's ears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Comhear inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Claar
  • Patent number: 11363382
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to audio synchronization. An example method includes, at a first device with a communication device: performing an audio timing synchronization process that includes: transmitting, via the communication device, to a second device, a request for the second device to participate in the audio timing synchronization process; subsequent to transmitting the request to the second device, causing an output of an audio tone; subsequent to causing the output of the audio tone, receiving data from the second device based on the audio tone; and adjusting an audio timing synchronization setting of a third device based at least in part on the data received from the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor G. Carrigan, Joseph Labarck, Christopher John Sanders, Jarrad A. Stallone, Patrick L. Coffman
  • Patent number: 11350214
    Abstract: A speaker system is provided having a primary speaker module configured to communicate with an external audio device and having a speaker output face and a back surface, and a secondary speaker module in signal communication with the primary speaker module and having a speaker output face and a back surface. The primary speaker module and the secondary speaker module combine in at least two configurations, a first configuration in which the primary speaker module and the secondary speaker module are connected at their back surfaces and their respective speaker output faces face opposite directions, and a second configuration in which the primary speaker module and the secondary speaker module are side by side and their respective speaker output faces face substantially the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: DGL GROUP LTD.
    Inventors: Marc Liniado, Andrew Kohlsmith
  • Patent number: 11337019
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating one or more audio channels is provided. The apparatus comprises a metadata decoder for generating one or more reconstructed metadata signals from one or more processed metadata signals depending on a control signal, wherein each of the one or more reconstructed metadata signals indicates information associated with an audio object signal of one or more audio object signals, wherein the metadata decoder is configured to generate the one or more reconstructed metadata signals by determining a plurality of reconstructed metadata samples for each of the one or more reconstructed metadata signals. The apparatus comprises an audio channel generator for generating the one or more audio channels depending on the one or more audio object signals and depending on the one or more reconstructed metadata signals. The metadata decoder is configured to receive a plurality of processed metadata samples of each of the one or more processed metadata signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Christian Borss, Christian Ertel, Johannes Hilpert
  • Patent number: 11337026
    Abstract: A method generates binaural headphone playback signals given multiple audio source signals with associated metadata and a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) database, where the audio source signals can be channel-based, object-based, or a mixture of both signals. The method groups the audio source signals according to positions of the audio sources, divides BRIR into blocks and frames, where the BRIR is divided into a direct block and diffuse blocks, and divides each audio source signal into blocks and frames, wherein the source signal is divided into a current block and previous blocks, and the current block is further divided into the frames. The method further averages, for each of previous frames of the source signals, the divided BRIR identified with the grouping result by downmixing the previous frames of the source signals according to the grouping result, and performs a convolution with the downmixed previous frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ehara, Kai Wu, Sua Hong Neo
  • Patent number: 11337023
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for generating and presenting virtual audio for mixed reality systems. A method may include determining a collision between a first object and a second object, wherein the first object comprises a first virtual object. A memory storing one or more audio models can be accessed. It can be determined if the one or more audio models stored in the memory comprises an audio model corresponding to the first object. In accordance with a determination that the one or more audio models comprises an audio model corresponding to the first object, an audio signal can be synthesized, wherein the audio signal is based on the collision and the audio model corresponding to the first object, and the audio signal can be presented to a user via a speaker of a head-wearable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Colby Nelson Leider, Justin Dan Mathew, Michael Z. Land, Blaine Ivin Wood, Jung-Suk Lee, Anastasia Andreyevna Tajik, Jean-Marc Jot
  • Patent number: 11330369
    Abstract: A noise cancelling soundbar that may be integrated into a piece of furniture, such as a bed, comprising one or more loudspeakers, an integrated power amplifier, one or more microphones, an audio input communication module, and an active noise cancellation module. After receiving an audio input signal from a media source, such as a TV or smartphone, the noise cancelling soundbar may produce an amplified output signal. By using its microphones and active noise cancellation technology, the noise cancelling soundbar may, in addition to reproducing input audio via its loudspeakers, generate negative sound waves which destructively interfere with ambient noise to allow users to listen to audiovisual media without disturbing non-listeners in the area, and without using headphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventor: Richard Stoerger
  • Patent number: 11310586
    Abstract: A loudspeaker parameter system for vented box driver excursion modeling, may include a loudspeaker driver having a conductor, a magnet and a diaphragm. The system may further include a processor for excursion modeling configured to receive an input signal, determine a voltage level of the input signal, an enclosure having a resonant port, estimate port parameters including at least one of an acoustic resistance or acoustic mass, and apply a voltage limit based on the vented box excursion model utilizing the port parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Russell H. Lambert, Douglas J. Button
  • Patent number: 11290807
    Abstract: The speaker device (100) includes a diaphragm (11), an exciter (13) which vibrates in response to an input electrical signal, and a vibration-transmitter (15) which is connected to both the diaphragm (11) and the exciter (13) and transmits the vibration of the exciter (13) to the diaphragm (11), in which the diaphragm (11) has a loss coefficient at 25° C. of 1×10?2 or higher and the vibration-transmitter (15) has a specific elastic modulus of 20 mm2/s2 or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: AGC Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Akiyama, Kento Sakurai
  • Patent number: 11265668
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus and method for audio reproduction virtualization in an enclosed physical space. The electronic apparatus generates a 3D model of an enclosed physical space based on one or more images and applies a machine learning model on the 3D model, to determine a plurality of objects and one or more acoustic parameters of the plurality of objects. The electronic apparatus controls an audio capturing device to determine a first frequency response for a first sound in the enclosed physical space based on the determined one or more acoustic parameters. The electronic apparatus applies a plurality of combinations of operational modes, and 3D positions of the first audio reproduction device on the 3D model and the first frequency response to generate a second frequency response. The electronic apparatus selects first combination based on the second frequency response and displays output information associated with the selected first combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sharanappagouda Patil
  • Patent number: 11255689
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to providing an audible route sequence for guiding a user along a route. A user apparatus determines a user location, distance and directional aspects for one or more waypoint of the route, and a cadence. A distance aspect of a waypoint is a distance between the waypoint and the user location. A directional aspect of a waypoint is the angle between a reference heading and straight line connecting the waypoint to the user location. The cadence is determined based on the distance between consecutive waypoints. The user apparatus determines a route sequence based on the distance and directional aspects for the waypoints and the cadence. The route sequence comprises a sequence of audible pitches that each correspond to a waypoint of the route. The user apparatus causes the route sequence to be audibly provided via a sound device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Francesco Grani, Sven Krome
  • Patent number: 11228839
    Abstract: In a virtual sound image control system according to the present invention, a signal processor generates an acoustic signal and outputs the acoustic signal to two-channel loudspeakers and so as to create a virtual sound image to be perceived by a user as a stereophonic sound image. The two-channel loudspeakers and have the same emission direction. The two-channel loudspeakers and are arranged in line in the emission direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wakio Yamada, Daichi Toh
  • Patent number: 11223923
    Abstract: Disclosed is a data processing method, comprising: receiving M channels of encoded audio data; decoding the M channels of encoded audio data, to acquire space information of an audio corresponding to the M channels of audio data, wherein M is a positive integer; determining Q speaker devices corresponding to the M channels of audio data according to the acquired space information of the audio and position information of the speaker devices, wherein Q is a positive integer; and rendering the M channels of audio data with the determined Q speaker devices. Embodiments of the present invention further provide an acquisition device, a data processing device, and a storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Liang Wang, Xiaoyang Ye, Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 11212635
    Abstract: A method of playing back audio content with improved immersiveness can include receiving, at a playback device, audio input including vertical content having a high-frequency portion and a low-frequency portion. The playback device can face along a first sound axis and comprise an up-firing transducer configured to direct sound along a second sound axis that is vertically angled with respect to the primary sound axis and a side-firing transducer or array configured to direct sound along a third axis that is horizontally angled with respect to the first sound axis. The low-frequency portion of the vertical content can be played back via the side-firing transducer or array, while the high-frequency portion of the vertical content can be played back via the up-firing transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul MacLean
  • Patent number: 11153680
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a housing that has a plurality of walls, which together define an acoustic cavity. An electro-acoustic transducer is mounted to a front wall of the housing, and a motion axis of the electro-acoustic transducer is offset from a centroid of the front wall. The loudspeaker is configured to be stacked with an other loudspeaker of identical construction in a first configuration such that the stacked loudspeakers radiate acoustic energy to produce an omnidirectional radiation pattern; and in a second configuration such that the stacked loudspeakers radiate acoustic energy to produce a cardioid radiation pattern. The loudspeaker includes keyed features which do not interlock and thereby inhibit stacking when the loudspeaker is in a first orientation relative to the other loudspeaker, and which interlock to allow stacking when the loudspeaker is in a second orientation relative to the other loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Small, Peter C. Santoro
  • Patent number: 11144277
    Abstract: According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device includes a first speaker, a second speaker, at least one sensor that detects a state of at least one of the first speaker and the second speaker and at least one processor electrically connected to the first speaker, the second speaker and the at least one sensor, wherein the at least one processor outputs an audio signal through the first speaker and the second speaker, identifies states of the first speaker and the second speaker by using the at least one sensor, and decreases a volume level of an audio signal output by the first speaker and increases a volume level of an audio signal output by the second speaker when it is determined that the state of the first speaker is an abnormal state. In addition, various embodiments understood from the specification are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youngsoo Park, Jungyeol An, Hyungmo Moon, Gangyoul Kim, Hyunmin Choi, Jongmo Keum, Yangsu Kim, Namwoog Lee, Keunwon Jang, Seungyoon Heo
  • Patent number: 11140505
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an audio processing apparatus and method and a program that make it possible to obtain sound of higher quality. An acquisition unit acquires an audio signal and metadata of an object. A vector calculation unit calculates, based on a horizontal direction angle and a vertical direction angle included in the metadata of the object and indicative of an extent of a sound image, a spread vector indicative of a position in a region indicative of the extent of the sound image. A gain calculation unit calculates, based on the spread vector, a VBAP gain of the audio signal in regard to each speaker by VBAP. The present technology can be applied to an audio processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Yamamoto, Toru Chinen, Minoru Tsuji
  • Patent number: 11087031
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a configuration for a loudspeaker arrangement for radiating sound into a space, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing an initial configuration having initial configuration parameters for a loudspeaker arrangement for radiating sound into a space in the computer, determining configurations having respectively associated configuration parameters by means of a target function-based optimisation method, wherein, proceeding from the initial configuration, in the computer a sound field for the space and/or parts thereof into which sound is to be radiated is determined iteratively to a candidate configuration by means of simulation, a value of a target function associated with the candidate configuration and the simulated sound field is determined and a new candidate configuration for the loudspeaker arrangement is selected, and selecting a configuration having configuration parameters from the iteratively determined candidate configurations in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SDA SOFTWARE DESIGN AHNERT GMBH
    Inventor: Stefan Feistel
  • Patent number: 11039265
    Abstract: Various implementations include approaches for controlling a wearable audio device. In some cases, a method includes: adjusting a primary audio output at the wearable audio device from a first audio location to a second, distinct audio location in response to detecting an ambient acoustic signal or an additional audio input signal unrelated to the primary audio output, where the first audio location includes a stereo audio output from a plurality of audio locations or spatialized audio output from a first spatially rendered audio location, and where the second audio location comprises spatialized audio output from a second, distinct spatially rendered audio location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Felix Daniel Izarra