Patents Assigned to Turtle Beach Corporation
  • Patent number: 12483452
    Abstract: A method for generating a modulated carrier signal that can be emitted as a parametric wave includes measuring an average amplitude of an audio signal, and adjusting an average amplitude of a carrier signal based on the average amplitude of the audio signal. The carrier signal is then modulated with the audio signal to generate a modulated carrier signal. Various circuits, components and software are also provided for implementing the modulated carrier signal generation scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2025
    Assignee: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventor: Elwood G. Norris
  • Publication number: 20230370312
    Abstract: A method for generating a modulated carrier signal that can be emitted as a parametric wave includes measuring an average amplitude of an audio signal, and adjusting an average amplitude of a carrier signal based on the average amplitude of the audio signal. The carrier signal is then modulated with the audio signal to generate a modulated carrier signal. Various circuits, components and software are also provided for implementing the modulated carrier signal generation scheme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventor: Elwood G. NORRIS
  • Patent number: 10397679
    Abstract: An integrated transparent ultrasonic audio speaker and touchscreen panel, includes a first transparent layer comprising a first base layer and a first conductive layer; and a second transparent layer disposed adjacent the first transparent layer, the second transparent layer comprising a second base layer and a second conductive layer; wherein the second transparent layer is a touchscreen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: TURTLE BEACH CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Hecht, Brian Kappus, Keith Chipperfield, Mark W. Norris, Elwood Grant Norris
  • Patent number: 9941841
    Abstract: An audio system includes a processor including an input configured to: receive a baseband audio signal and modulate the baseband audio signal to create a modulated audio signal comprising audio signal frequency components in a first frequency range; clip the modulated audio signal to create a clipped, modulated audio signal the clipped modulated audio signal comprising the audio signal frequency components in the first range and further comprising distortion frequency components outside the first frequency range. The system can further be configured to filter the clipped, modulated audio signal to remove frequency components outside the first frequency to remove distortion components outside that frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Alan Kappus, Victor Joseph Manzella, Jr., Gavin Alistair David Cutting
  • Patent number: 9794694
    Abstract: An ultrasonic audio transducer system includes an ultrasonic speaker. The ultrasonic speaker may be an electrostatic emitter, a piezoelectric emitter (single crystal or stack), a piezoelectric film emitter, or any other emitter capable of emitting ultrasound. The ultrasonic speaker is configured to be coupled (via a wired or wireless connection) to an audio modulated ultrasonic carrier signal from an amplifier, wherein upon application of the audio modulated ultrasonic carrier signal, the ultrasonic speaker is configured to launch a pressure-wave representation of the audio modulated ultrasonic carrier signal into the air. Additionally, the ultrasonic speaker may be implemented with an impedance matching element or optimized for matching the response within a user's ear canal, and the ultrasonic audio transducer system may include The ultrasonic audio headphone system can further include a frequency mismatched microphone to avoid feedback when the microphone and the ultrasonic speaker are, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: Elwood Grant Norris, Brian Alan Kappus, James A. Barnes
  • Patent number: 9780753
    Abstract: An ultrasonic audio system includes adaptive equalization techniques configured to adjust the overall output of the ultrasonic audio system. This can be done by adjusting the equalization of the electronic audio signal representing the audio content being reproduced by the ultrasonic audio system. For example, in various embodiments, systems and methods can be implemented to increase the gain of higher frequency portions of the electronic audio signal while making a corresponding decrease in the amount of gain at the lower frequency portions of the same signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Alan Kappus, Elwood Grant Norris
  • Publication number: 20170272034
    Abstract: An audio system includes a processor including an input configured to: receive a baseband audio signal and modulate the baseband audio signal to create a modulated audio signal comprising audio signal frequency components in a first frequency range; clip the modulated audio signal to create a clipped, modulated audio signal the clipped modulated audio signal comprising the audio signal frequency components in the first range and further comprising distortion frequency components outside the first frequency range. The system can further be configured to filter the clipped, modulated audio signal to remove frequency components outside the first frequency to remove distortion components outside that frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Alan Kappus, Victor Joseph Manzella, JR., Gavin Cutting
  • Patent number: 9769573
    Abstract: A transparent ultrasonic emitter includes a first transparent conductive layer; a second transparent conductive layer; and a plurality of transparent spacers disposed between the first and second transparent layers conductive of the ultrasonic audio speaker, the transparent spacers having a thickness and being arranged to define an open area between the first and second transparent layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Hecht, Brian Alan Kappus, Elwood Grant Norris, Mark W. Norris
  • Publication number: 20170171677
    Abstract: A tinnitus treatment device can include an ultrasonic signal generator; an amplifier coupled to the ultrasonic signal generator; and an ultrasonic emitter coupled to an audio generating apparatus configured to output an audio modulated ultrasonic carrier signal into the air; wherein parameters of the tinnitus treatment device are configured to deliver tinnitus masking audio content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: Elwood Grant Norris, Brian Alan Kappus, James Arthur Bames, Sara Louise Madison, Ritvik Prakash Mehta
  • Patent number: 9667173
    Abstract: An electrostatic ultrasonic transducer includes a first conductive layer; a second conductive layer spaced apart from the first conductive layer; and a third conductive layer disposed between the first and second conductive layers, the third conductive layer being spaced apart from the first conductive layer and in physical contact with a part of the second conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Alan Kappus, Mark W. Norris, Elwood Grant Norris
  • Patent number: 9661423
    Abstract: A transparent ultrasonic emitter includes a first transparent conductive layer; a second transparent conductive layer; and a plurality of transparent spacers disposed between the first and second transparent layers conductive of the ultrasonic audio speaker, the transparent spacers having a thickness and being arranged to define an open area between the first and second transparent layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Hecht, Brian Alan Kappus, Elwood Grant Norris, Mark W. Norris
  • Patent number: 9654229
    Abstract: An ultrasonic emitter can launch an unmodulated ultrasonic carrier signal towards an audio source. The ultrasonic carrier signal, upon being reflected from the audio source, undergoes modulation by the audio source. The modulated ultrasonic signal may then be received by an ultrasonic microphone and demodulated to retrieve the audio. A highly directional microphone system is achieved through the use of the ultrasonic emitter and ultrasonic microphone, where the modulated ultrasonic signal only arises when the audio source is in the ‘beam’ of the ultrasonic carrier signal and the ultrasonic microphone can ignore other potential noise, ambient sound(s), etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Alan Kappus, Elwood Grant Norris
  • Patent number: 9635466
    Abstract: An ultrasonic audio transducer system includes an ultrasonic speaker. The ultrasonic speaker may be an electrostatic emitter, a piezoelectric emitter (single crystal or stack), a piezoelectric film emitter, or any other emitter capable of emitting ultrasound. The ultrasonic speaker is configured to be coupled (via a wired or wireless connection) to an audio modulated ultrasonic carrier signal from an amplifier, wherein upon application of the audio modulated ultrasonic carrier signal, the ultrasonic speaker is configured to launch a pressure-wave representation of the audio modulated ultrasonic carrier signal into the air. Additionally, the ultrasonic speaker is implemented with an impedance matching element or optimized for matching the response within a user's ear canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TURTLE BEACH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Alan Kappus, Elwood Grant Norris
  • Patent number: 9596529
    Abstract: An ultrasonic emitter system includes a digital processing system for adjusting the amplitude of an ultrasonic carrier signal to increase audio levels of an audio signal during lower power portions of the audio signal. To increase the audio levels without introducing unwanted audio and/or distortion, an additive constant is added to the ultrasonic carrier signal based on a rolling average audio signal power measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Alan Kappus, Elwood Grant Norris
  • Publication number: 20160373864
    Abstract: A transparent ultrasonic emitter includes a first transparent conductive layer; a second transparent conductive layer; and a plurality of transparent spacers disposed between the first and second transparent layers conductive of the ultrasonic audio speaker, the transparent spacers having a thickness and being arranged to define an open area between the first and second transparent layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Hecht, Brian Alan Kappus, Elwood Grant Norris, Mark W. Norris
  • Patent number: 9510089
    Abstract: An ultrasonic audio system includes a location sensor includes a location tracking module configured to receive information from the location sensor and to determine a location of a listener in a listening environment; a time delay module configured to receive audio content and to generate a plurality of audio content signals, the generated audio content signals comprising a plurality of individual instances of the audio content signal each instance delayed in time relative to the other instances of the audio content signals; and an ultrasonic emitter comprising a plurality of electrically isolated sections, each section having an input electrically coupled to receive one of the individual instances of the audio content signal, and configured to emit an audio-modulated ultrasonic signal from each of the plurality of electrically isolated sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: Elwood Grant Norris, Brian Alan Kappus, James Arthur Barnes
  • Publication number: 20160269831
    Abstract: An ultrasonic audio transducer system includes an ultrasonic speaker. The ultrasonic speaker may be an electrostatic emitter, a piezoelectric emitter (single crystal or stack), a piezoelectric film emitter, or any other emitter capable of emitting ultrasound. The ultrasonic speaker is configured to be coupled (via a wired or wireless connection) to an audio modulated ultrasonic carrier signal from an amplifier, wherein upon application of the audio modulated ultrasonic carrier signal, the ultrasonic speaker is configured to launch a pressure-wave representation of the audio modulated ultrasonic carrier signal into the air. Additionally, the ultrasonic speaker is implemented with an impedance matching element or optimized for matching the response within a user's ear canal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Alan Kappus, Elwood Grant Norris
  • Publication number: 20160269833
    Abstract: An ultrasonic audio transducer system includes an ultrasonic speaker. The ultrasonic speaker may be an electrostatic emitter, a piezoelectric emitter (single crystal or stack), a piezoelectric film emitter, or any other emitter capable of emitting ultrasound. The ultrasonic speaker is configured to be coupled (via a wired or wireless connection) to an audio modulated ultrasonic carrier signal from an amplifier, wherein upon application of the audio modulated ultrasonic carrier signal, the ultrasonic speaker is configured to launch a pressure-wave representation of the audio modulated ultrasonic carrier signal into the air. Additionally, the ultrasonic speaker may be implemented with an impedance matching element or optimized for matching the response within a user's ear canal, and the ultrasonic audio transducer system may include The ultrasonic audio headphone system can further include a frequency mismatched microphone to avoid feedback when the microphone and the ultrasonic speaker are, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: Elwood Grant Norris, Brian Alan Kappus, James A. Barnes
  • Publication number: 20160255441
    Abstract: A transparent ultrasonic emitter includes a first transparent conductive layer; a second transparent conductive layer; and a plurality of transparent spacers disposed between the first and second transparent layers conductive of the ultrasonic audio speaker, the transparent spacers having a thickness and being arranged to define an open area between the first and second transparent layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Hecht, Brian Alan Kappus, Elwood Grant Norris, Mark W. Norris
  • Patent number: 9432785
    Abstract: Systems and methods for removing or reducing distortion in an ultrasonic audio system can include receiving a first audio signal, wherein the first audio signal represents audio content to be reproduced using the ultrasonic audio system; calculating a first error function for the ultrasonic audio system, the first error function comprising an estimate of distortion introduced by reproduction of the audio content by the ultrasonic audio system; transforming the first audio signal into a first pre-conditioned audio signal by combining the first error function with the first audio signal; and modulating the transformed audio signal onto an ultrasonic carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Turtle Beach Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Alan Kappus, Elwood Grant Norris