Patents Assigned to ForteMedia, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20120128180
    Abstract: The invention provides an analog-to-digital converter. In one embodiment, the analog-to-digital converter receives a first audio signal from a microphone, and comprises a coding selection module, a pre-amplifier, a 1-bit ?? modulator, and a signal coding module. The coding selection module receives a mode signal and a channel selection signal, and generates a control signal according to the mode signal and the channel selection signal. The pre-amplifier amplifies the first audio signal to obtain a second audio signal. The 1-bit ?? modulator converts the second audio signal from analog to digital to obtain a third audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: FORTEMEDIA, INC.
    Inventors: Min-Yung Shih, Jui-Te Chiu, Yann-Ming Way, Ching-Tzung Lin, Kuo-Hsuan Chang
  • Publication number: 20120106755
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a body and a microphone array. The body includes a side and a recess formed on the side. The microphone array includes a first microphone and a second microphone. Either the first and second microphones are disposed in the recess, or the first microphone is disposed in the recess while the second microphone is disposed outside the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: FORTEMEDIA, INC.
    Inventor: Ming ZHANG
  • Patent number: 8170238
    Abstract: The invention provides an integrated circuit attached to a microphone. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit comprises a buffer, a gain stage, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a memory module. The buffer buffers a first signal generated by the microphone, and outputs the first signal as a second signal. The gain stage amplifies the second signal according to an adjustable gain to obtain a third signal. The analog-to-digital converter converts the third signal from analog to digital to obtain a fourth signal as an output of the integrated circuit. The memory module stores the adjustable gain and outputs the adjustable gain to the gain stage for controlling amplification of the gain stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventor: Li-Te Wu
  • Patent number: 8154347
    Abstract: An audio processing circuit is provided, receiving a microphone signal from a microphone to output a differential signal. A preamplifier receives the microphone signal to output a first preamplified voltage and a second preamplified voltage. A gain stage receives the first preamplified voltage and the second preamplified voltage to output the differential signal comprising a first differential output and a second differential output. In the preamplifier, a first operational amplifier is provided. A first voltage controlled current source is controlled by the output end of the first operational amplifier to provide a first current. A first transistor has a gate coupled to a ground voltage supply, a source coupled to the first voltage controlled current source for receiving the first current, and a drain coupled to a voltage ground. Likewise, a second voltage controlled current source and a second transistor are presented symmetrically to render the differential output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Jui-Te Chiu, Li-Te Wu
  • Patent number: 8155364
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first acoustic opening, a first microphone, a second acoustic opening, a second microphone, two flexible boots, and two chambers. The first microphone receives sound through the first acoustic opening. The second microphone receives the sound through the second acoustic opening. The first and second acoustic openings are spaced at least about 8 cm. The first microphone and the second microphone are identical and disposed in the flexible boots. The flexible boots are identical and disposed in the chambers. The chambers are identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan An, Xiao-Hu Yu
  • Patent number: 8139790
    Abstract: The invention provides an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit receives a first signal from a microphone via a first node. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit comprises a biasing circuit and a buffering circuit. The biasing circuit is coupled between the first node and a second node, drives the microphone with a first voltage source, and filters the first signal to generate a second signal at the second node. In one embodiment, the biasing circuit comprises a first resistor, a first capacitor, and a load element. The first resistor is coupled between the first voltage source and the first node. The first capacitor is coupled between the first node and the second node. The load element is coupled between the second node and a second voltage source. The buffering circuit is coupled between the second node and a third node and buffers the second signal to generate a third signal at the third node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventor: Li-Te Wu
  • Patent number: 8135155
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a display, a plurality of chambers, and a microphone array. The display includes a front cover and a rear cover affixed to the front cover. The plurality of chambers is formed on the rear cover. The microphone array includes a plurality of microphones disposed in the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu-Hsi Lan, Li-Te Wu, Yu-De Tsai
  • Patent number: 8116467
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing array microphones. First, signal delays of a plurality of microphones are measured. The microphones are then categorized into a plurality of categories according to the signal delays. A plurality of array microphones are then assembled with a number of component microphones selected from the same categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Zhang, Lili Chen, Jie Yu
  • Patent number: 8111099
    Abstract: A multi-channel audio playback apparatus including a channel interface, a first switching amplifier and a second switching amplifier is provided. The channel interface is used to receive multi-channel digital data and generate first channel digital data and second channel digital data. The first switching amplifier is used to convert the first channel digital data into a first pulse width modulation (PWM) signal according to a first reference signal with a first frequency. The second switching amplifier is used to convert the second channel digital data into a second PWM signal according to a second reference signal with a second frequency. The second frequency is different from the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Li-Te Wu, Cheng-Feng Shih
  • Patent number: 8103026
    Abstract: A microphone module includes a cabinet, a sensor, an integrated circuit chip, a first substrate, and a second substrate. The first substrate carries the integrated circuit chip and includes a first top surface, a first bottom surface, and a first shielding part with a fixed electric potential extending from the first top surface to the first bottom surface. The second substrate includes a second top surface contacting the first bottom surface, a second bottom surface, and a second shielding part with the fixed electric potential on the second bottom surface, wherein the second shielding part is arranged in such a way that no electromagnetic waves can pass between the first shielding part and the second shielding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Li-Te Wu, Yan-Li Lin
  • Patent number: 8102015
    Abstract: A microphone package includes a carrier, a cap, an integrated circuit chip, and a microphone unit. The cap covers the carrier to form a storage space. The integrated circuit chip is disposed in the storage space. The microphone unit is disposed in the storage space and stacked on the integrated circuit chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Chin Gong, Wei-Chan Hsu
  • Patent number: 8077899
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu-Hsi Lan, Shien-Neng Lai
  • Patent number: 8073179
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical-system microphone package includes a substrate, a micro-electro-mechanical-system microphone chip mounted on the substrate, and a cover attached to the substrate to cover the micro-electro-mechanical-system microphone chip. The cover is provided with a sound inlet through which the micro-electro-mechanical-system microphone receives external sound. The micro-electro-mechanical-system microphone chip includes a conductive base connected to a constant voltage, a shielding layer supported by the conductive base and connected to the constant voltage, a diaphragm disposed between the conductive base and the shielding layer, and a back plate also disposed between the conductive base and the shielding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Li-Te Wu, Chia-Jen Hsu
  • Patent number: 8068619
    Abstract: A small array microphone system includes an array microphone having a plurality of microphones and operative to provide a plurality of received signals, each microphone providing one received signal. A first voice activity detector (VAD) provides a first voice detection signal generated using the plurality of received signals to indicate the presence or absence of in-beam desired speech. A second VAD provides a second voice detection signal generated using the plurality of received signals to indicate the presence or absence of out-of-beam noise when in-beam desired speech is absent. A reference signal generator provides a reference signal based on the first voice detection signal, the plurality of received signals, and a beamformed signal, wherein the reference signal has the desired speech suppressed. A beamformer provides the beamformed signal based on the second voice detection signal, the reference signal, and the plurality of received signals, wherein the beamformed signal has noise suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Zhang, Xiaoyan Lu
  • Patent number: 8064619
    Abstract: The invention provides an integrated circuit of a microphone. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit receives a first signal converted from a sound and receives a reference signal with a digital format for echo cancellation. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit comprises a pre-amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital signal processor, and a post amplifier. The pre-amplifier amplifies the first signal according to a first gain to obtain a third signal. The analog-to-digital converter converts the third signal from analog to digital to obtain a fourth signal. The digital signal processor cancels an echo component from the fourth signal according to the reference signal to obtain a fifth signal, and determines the first gain and a second gain, wherein a product of the first gain and the second gain is kept constant, and the first gain is determined so that an amplitude of the third signal is kept equal to an amplitude of the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventor: Li-Te Wu
  • Patent number: 8059837
    Abstract: An audio processing system is provided. The audio processing system comprises a transducer, a gain stage, a capacitor network, and a preamplifier. The transducer transduces a sound signal to a voltage signal. The gain stage comprises an input coupled to the transducer and an output. The capacitor network, coupled between the output of the gain stage and the transducer, provides an equivalent capacitance. The preamplifier coupled to the transducer amplifies the voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventor: Li-Te Wu
  • Patent number: 8059838
    Abstract: The invention provides an interfacing circuit for a removable microphone. In one embodiment, the interfacing circuit comprises a jack for receiving the removable microphone and an integrated circuit comprising a biasing circuit, a buffer amplifier, and an insertion detecting circuit. The jack comprises a first terminal receiving an output voltage of the removable microphone and a second terminal coupling the removable microphone to a ground voltage source. The integrated circuit is coupled to the first terminal of the jack via a first node. The biasing circuit, coupled between the first node and a second node, biases the removable microphone and passes only an alternative current (AC) portion of the output voltage of the removable microphone to the second node. The buffer amplifier, coupled to the second node, buffers the AC portion to generate a voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventor: Li-Te Wu
  • Patent number: 7991168
    Abstract: The invention provides a microphone. The microphone receives a first sound signal and at least one second electrical signal and outputs a third electrical signal. In one embodiment, the microphone comprises a transducer and a signal processor. The transducer converts the first sound signal to a first electrical signal. The signal processor has a first input terminal receiving the first electrical signal and at least one second input terminal receiving the at least one second electrical signal, and derives the third electrical signal from the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal. In one embodiment, the at least one second electrical signal is derived from a t least one second sound signal by at least one second microphone located in the vicinity of the microphone. In another embodiment, the at least one second electrical signal comprises a wind noise signal derived from wind pressure by a pressure sensor located in the vicinity of the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Li-Te Wu, Wei-Chan Hsu
  • Patent number: 7986794
    Abstract: The invention provides a beam forming method for a small array microphone apparatus to generate cone beam pattern by processing a combined bi-directional beam pattern of two virtual bi-directional microphones formed through at least three omni-directional microphones arranged in an L-shape. The invention also provides a small array microphone apparatus using the beam forming method according to the invention to suppress noise by processing a combined bi-directional beam pattern of two virtual bi-directional microphones formed through at least three omni-directional microphones arranged in an L-shape, thereby outputting a clear audio signal with cone beam pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventor: Ming Zhang
  • Patent number: 7986800
    Abstract: A device includes a main body, a microphone module, and an acoustic guard. The microphone module is connected to the main body and comprises a first acoustic opening and a second acoustic opening, wherein the microphone module receives sound waves via both the first and second acoustic openings. The acoustic guard covers the second acoustic opening and comprises a first sound inlet via which the sound waves enter the acoustic guard and reach the second acoustic opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Zhang, Kai Xu