Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling power distribution during transitory power-up period of multi-domain electronic circuits that are supplied by multiple power supplies. The power distribution is controlled by self-regulating power control circuits that operate based on power-up sequencing requirements. Described embodiments of the invention illustrate examples of power-switch and power-switch controller circuits used as elements of the power control circuitry.

Abstract: The invention provides a sound-processing device with automatic howl cancellation. The sound-processing device includes an array microphone, a digital signal processor, a power amplifier, and a loudspeaker. The array microphone includes a plurality of microphones, receiving a sound wave at different locations and converting the sound wave to a plurality of audio signals, wherein the audio signals carry howl induced by a sound wave feedback. The digital signal processor includes a beam forming module and an acoustic echo cancellation module. The beam forming module derives a beam signal from the audio signals to suppress out-of-beam howl, and the acoustic echo cancellation module estimates and eliminates howl carried by the beam signal. The power amplifier then amplifies the beam signal subsequent to eliminating howl. Finally, the loudspeaker converts the amplified beam signal to an amplified sound wave.

Abstract: A device comprises a microphone housing and a uni-directional microphone. The microphone housing includes a first acoustic passage and a second acoustic passage. The unidirectional microphone is disposed in the microphone housing, comprising a first surface receiving external sound via the first acoustic passage, and a second surface receiving the external sound via the second acoustic passage, wherein the first acoustic passage runs parallel to the first surface of the unidirectional microphone.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a uni-directional microphone, and a cover. The housing has a first acoustic opening and a second acoustic opening. The uni-directional microphone is disposed in the housing to receive external sound via the first acoustic opening and the second acoustic opening. The cover is disposed in the housing to cover the first acoustic opening, the second acoustic opening, and the unidirectional microphone. A process for mounting a microphone includes providing a first acoustic opening and a second acoustic opening on a housing, fixing a uni-directional microphone in the housing beside the first acoustic opening, and covering the first acoustic opening, the second acoustic opening, and the uni-directional microphone with a cover.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a circuit board, a first microphone module, and a second microphone module. The first microphone module includes a first omnidirectional microphone connected to the circuit board, a first boot also connected to the circuit board, and a first tube extending from the first boot. The second microphone module includes a second omnidirectional microphone connected to the circuit board, a second boot also connected to the circuit board, and a second tube extending from the second boot. The first and second omnidirectional microphones are identical, and the first and second boots are identical.

Abstract: A broadside small array microphone beamforming apparatus comprises first and second omni-directional microphones, a microphone calibration unit, and a directional microphone forming unit. The first and second omni-directional microphones respectively convert voice from a desired near-end talker into first and second signals. The second and first omni-directional microphones and the desired near-end talker are respectively arranged at three points of a triangle. The microphone calibration unit receives the first and second signals and correspondingly outputs first and second calibration signals. The directional microphone forming unit receives the first and second calibration signals to generate a first directional microphone signal with a bidirectional polar pattern. The adaptive channel decoupling unit receives the first calibration signal and the first directional microphone signal to generate a first main channel signal and a first reference channel signal for noise detection.

Abstract: The small array microphone apparatus comprises first and second omni-directional microphones, a microphone calibration unit and a directional microphone forming unit. The first and second omni-directional microphones respectively convert sound from a desired near-end talker into first and second signals. The second and first omni-directional microphones and the desired near-end talker are arranged in a line. The microphone calibration unit receives the first and second signals, calibrates on gain, and correspondingly outputs first and second calibration signals. The directional microphone forming unit receives the first and second calibration signals to output a first directional microphone signal with a predefined directivity according to a control signal and a second directional microphone signal with a fixed directivity for noise detection. Determination of the control signal is based on whether environmental noise power generated by an environmental detection unit, exceeds a predefined threshold.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a body and a microphone module. The body includes a plurality of corners and a plurality of edges meeting at the corners. The microphone module is provided with a plurality of acoustic openings and disposed at the corners and/or the edges of the body to expose the acoustic openings.

Abstract: A voice recognition system and method thereof. The communication system comprises a setup controller, a voice recognition controller, and an application controller. The setup controller receives a voice keyword table including a voice recognizable keyword and a corresponding application instruction. The voice recognition controller, coupled to the setup controller, receives the voice keyword table from the setup controller, receives a first voice input, and matches a first voice input to the voice recognizable keyword to determine the corresponding application instruction. The application controller, coupled to the voice recognition controller, receives and performs the corresponding application instruction. The setup controller, the voice recognition controller, and the application controller communicate through wireless communication.

Abstract: A pen-type voice computer generating a voice index table and the method thereof. The method comprises recording voice data by a microphone, generating a handwriting index of the voice data by inputting drawing data using a handwriting input device, and associating the handwriting index with the corresponding voice data to generate the voice index table.

Abstract: An improved voice recognition system in which a Voice Keyword Table is generated and downloaded from a set-up device to a voice recognition device. The VKT includes visual form data, spoken form data, phonetic format data, and an entry corresponding to a keyword, and TTS-generated voice prompts and voice models corresponding to the phonetic format data. A voice recognition system on the voice recognition device is updated by the set-up device. Furthermore, voice models in the voice recognition device are modified by the set-up device.

Abstract: An acoustic echo canceller having an adaptive filter, a step size control unit, and (optionally) a stability control unit. The adaptive filter derives an estimate of the echo in a near-end signal using a digital filter (e.g., a FIR filter) and further cancels the echo estimate from the near-end signal to provide an output signal. The step size control unit derives step sizes to be used to adjust the coefficients of the digital filter. The step sizes are determined based on the characteristics of a reference signal and the output signal and (optionally) the characteristics of the coefficients. For example, the step size is set proportional to the reference signal amplitude, inversely proportional to the output signal amplitude, and based on a difference in the coefficient power at two different time instants. The stability control unit constrains the adjustments to the coefficients to prevent instability.

Abstract: A microphone module. The module comprises a carrier having a first side and an opposing second side and comprising a through hole. A microphone is disposed on the first side of the carrier and corresponding to the through hole. A processing chip is disposed on the first side of the carrier and coupled to the microphone. An encapsulant is disposed on the first side of the carrier to encapsulate the microphone and the processing chip.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a body, a first microphone, and a second microphone. The first microphone is disposed in the body. The second microphone is detachably connected to the body. The first and second microphones constitute a microphone array to receive sound from a predetermined direction when the second microphone is connected to the body.

Abstract: A microphone module is externally connected to an electronic device which includes a first sound input jack. The microphone module includes a microphone array, a digital signal processor, and a first connecting part. The microphone array receives sound and generates a first electrical signal. The digital signal processor receives the first electrical signal, performs beam forming and noise suppression, and obtains a second electrical signal. The first connecting part is inserted into the first sound input jack, transmitting the second electrical signal to the electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a plurality of microphones, and a plurality of guide tubes. The plurality of microphones are disposed in the housing. The plurality of guide tubes extend from the housing toward the plurality of microphones, whereby the plurality of microphones in the housing are capable of receiving external sound via the guide tubes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for mixing signals with an analog-to-digital converter. The analog-to-digital converter receives a plurality of analog signals. First, the plurality of analog signals are respectively converted to a plurality of first datastreams with a plurality of first delta-sigma modulators. The plurality of first datastreams are then mixed to generate at least one second datastream. The at least one second datastream is then converted to at least one third datastream with at least one second delta-sigma modulator. The at least one second delta-sigma modulator and the plurality of first delta-sigma modulators are triggered by the same clock signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for mixing signals with an analog-to-digital converter. The analog-to-digital converter receives a plurality of analog signals. First, the plurality of analog signals are respectively converted to a plurality of first datastreams with a plurality of first delta-sigma modulators. The plurality of first datastreams are then mixed to generate at least one second datastream. The at least one second datastream is then converted to at least one third datastream with at least one second delta-sigma modulator. The at least one second delta-sigma modulator and the plurality of first delta-sigma modulators are triggered by the same clock signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for reducing phase variation of a signal generated by an electret condenser microphone. An error of a capacitance of the electret condenser microphone is reduced. An impedance of the electret condenser microphone is increased. A shunt resistance is added to the electret condenser microphone. A ?3 dB cut-off frequency of the electret condenser microphone is lowered.