Patents Examined by Ammar T Hamid
-
Patent number: 11483644Abstract: A system that performs early reflections filtering to suppress early reflections and improve sound source localization (SSL). During music playback and/or when a device is placed in a corner, acoustic reflections from nearby surfaces get boosted due to constructive interference, negatively impacting SSL and other processing of the device. To suppress these early reflections, the device uses an Early Reflections Filter (ERF) that makes use of Linear Prediction Coding (LPC), which is already being performed during speech processing. For example, the device generates raw audio signals using multi-channel LPC coefficients and then uses single-channel LPC coefficients for each raw audio signal in order to generate a filter that estimates the reflections. The device then uses this filter to suppress the early reflections and generate filtered audio signals, thus resulting in better audio processing and better overall device performance.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2021Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mohamed Mansour
-
Patent number: 11482203Abstract: A broadband sparse acoustic reflector includes a periodic array of laterally spaced apart unit cells, each unit cell having a plurality of longitudinally positioned Helmholtz resonators. Each unit cell includes a Helmholtz resonator having a neck that places the resonator interior in fluid communication with an ambient fluid, in the lateral direction. Each Helmholtz resonator of the unit cell has a different resonance frequency, providing broadband reflection.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2020Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Taehwa Lee, Hideo Iizuka
-
Patent number: 11471011Abstract: A body dryer includes an airflow generator to generate a flow of air, an inlet to pass air from the surroundings to the airflow generator, an outlet to vent the air from the airflow generator, a body, and a movable bar, the bar supported by the body. A drive assembly is provided between the body and the bar, the bar movably driven relative to the body. A noise cancellation device is provided to cancel or reduce noise in at least one of the airflow generator and the drive assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Hyun Sun Yoo, Seung Yup Lee, Sang Yoon Lee, Byung Soo Oh, Hyun-Joo Jeon, So Ra Cheon, Ji Sun Yoon
-
Patent number: 11477569Abstract: A method of obtaining a directional microphone signal, the method comprising: receiving first and second microphone signals from first and second microphones separated by a distance; obtaining a combined microphone signal based on one or more of the first and second microphone signals; obtaining a difference microphone signal by subtracting the second microphone signal from the first microphone signal; obtaining a transformed combined microphone signal by applying a Hilbert transform to the combined microphone signal; combining the transformed combined microphone signal with the difference microphone signal to obtain the directional microphone signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2021Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Dayong Zhou, Brad Zwernemann
-
Patent number: 11472228Abstract: A strap center fixed type resonator may include a resonator body configured to be mounted on a rim portion of a wheel supporting a tire; a resonating portion formed on a surface of the resonator body; and a strap inserting portion formed on a bottom internal surface of the resonating portion inside the resonating portion to allow a strap to be inserted in the strap inserting portion, wherein the strap is inserted into the strap inserting portion to fix the resonator body to the rim portion of the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Sang-Min Shin
-
Patent number: 11453334Abstract: A controller executes output state control in which an output status of a sound signal outputted from a sound source device and that of a blowing sound outputted from a sounding device are controlled based on driving environment information. In the output state control, it is judged whether or not an output condition of the blowing sound is satisfied based on the driving environment information. If it is judged that the output condition is satisfied, a mute signal is outputted to a sound source device to mute the output of the sound signal and also a blowing signal including mute information is outputted to the sounding device. The mute information includes information on a start timing to output the blowing sound. The start timing is variably set in accordance with an importance of the information provided to an occupant of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2021Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Ko Igarashi, Naoki Nishimura, Takahiko Kuwabara
-
Patent number: 11451919Abstract: A system includes one or more computing devices that decorrelates a monaural channel into a plurality of output channels. A computing device determines a target amplitude response defining one or more constraints on a summation of the plurality of channels. The target amplitude response is defined by relationships between amplitude values of the summation and frequency values of the summation. The computing device determines a transfer function of a single-input, multi-output all pass filter based on the target amplitude response and determines coefficients of the allpass filter based on the transfer function. The computing devices processes the monaural channel with the coefficients of the allpass filter to generate the plurality of channels.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2021Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Boomcloud 360, Inc.Inventor: Joseph Anthony Mariglio, III
-
Patent number: 11437011Abstract: A method and an apparatus for active noise suppression in a vehicle. The apparatus includes an actuator in the vehicle and a part of the vehicle. The part of the vehicle is designed according to a first transfer function, which characterizes a transmission behavior of the part of the vehicle for sound. At least a part of the actuator is configured according to a second transfer function, which characterizes a transmission behavior of the at least one part for sound. The actuator is controllable in dependence on a control variable for active noise suppression.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2021Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Inventors: Frank Stalter, Luken Hemmes
-
Patent number: 11422392Abstract: An in-ear device is implemented as part of an audio system to present a user with improved audio content within an artificial reality system. The in-ear device is a fully integrated device with an internal microphone, an external microphone, and a transducer in which portions of the transducer form portions of the body of the device. This integration of transducer into the body of the in-ear device reduces the size of the in-ear device and allows for placement deeper within the ear canal of the user. The transducer generates audio content based on instructions received from an audio system that may be located on a device that is external to the in-ear device. The external microphone provides hear-through functionality, while the internal microphone provides feedback information to the audio system.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLCInventors: Chuming Zhao, Drew Stone Briggs, Michael Edward Franks, Derek Wallin
-
Patent number: 11424780Abstract: A head utility system (20) comprising: a headset (22) comprising: a first power or data connector (28) for connecting to an off-headset power or data system (30); and a second power or data connector (38); the head utility system further comprising: headwear (24) for wearing over the headset, the headwear comprising: a headwear power or data connector (44) for connecting to the second power or data connector; wherein the second connector and the headwear connector are arranged to be releasably connected when the headwear is worn over the headset, such that power or data can be transferred between the headset and the headwear.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2018Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: THALES HOLDINGS UK PLCInventor: John Foley
-
Patent number: 11425524Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method and device for processing an audio signal. A specific embodiment of the method includes acquiring a head image of a target user and an audio signal to be processed; determining head attitude angles of the target user based on the head image, and determining a distance between a target sound source and the head of the target user; and inputting the head attitude angles, the distance and the audio signal to be processed into a preset head related transfer function to obtain a processed left channel audio signal and a processed right channel audio signal, wherein the head related transfer function is used to characterize a correspondence between the head attitude angles, the distance and the audio signal to be processed, and the processed left channel audio signal and the processed right channel audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2019Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: BEIJING BYTEDANCE NETWORK TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Chuanzeng Huang
-
Patent number: 11418903Abstract: An audio rendering system includes a processor that combines audio input signals with personalized spatial audio transfer functions preferably including room responses. The personalized spatial audio transfer functions are selected from a database having a plurality of candidate transfer function datasets derived from in-ear microphone measurements for a plurality of individuals. Alternatively, the personalized transfer function datasets are derived from actual in-ear measurements of the listener. Foreground and background positions are designated and matched with transfer function pairs from the selected dataset for the foreground and background direction and distance. Two channels of input audio such as voice and music are processed. When a voice communication such as a phone call is accepted the music being rendered is moved from a foreground to a background channel corresponding to a background spatial audio position using the personalized transfer functions.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Creative Technology LtdInventors: Wong Hoo Sim, Teck Chee Lee
-
Patent number: 11412338Abstract: Methods of operating a system of nodes are provided. A method of operating first and second nodes that are in a system of nodes includes processing first data from a first plurality of sensors of the first node. The method includes controlling a first digital display of the first node in response to the processed first data. The method includes uploading the processed first data from the first node via the Internet. The method includes processing second data from a second plurality of sensors of the second node. The method includes controlling a second digital display of the second node in response to the processed second data. The method includes uploading the processed second data from the second node via the Internet. Each of the first and second nodes is attached to a utility pole, a light pole, a kiosk, or a motor vehicle. Related systems are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: DUKE ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Norvin Clontz, II, James Douglas Cleveland, Steven Patrick Hinkel
-
Patent number: 11405741Abstract: A method (900) for rendering audio in a virtual reality rendering environment (180) is described. The method (900) comprises rendering (901) an origin audio signal of an origin audio source (113) of an origin audio scene (111) from an origin source position on a sphere (114) around a listening position (201) of a listener (181). Furthermore, the method (900) comprises determining (902) that the listener (181) moves from the listening position (201) within the origin audio scene (111) to a listening position (202) within a different destination audio scene (112). In addition, the method (900) comprises applying (903) a fade-out gain to the origin audio signal to determine a modified origin audio signal, and rendering (903) the modified origin audio signal of the origin audio source (113) from the origin source position on the sphere (114) around the listening position (201, 202).Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Dolby International ABInventors: Leon Terentiv, Christof Fersch, Daniel Fischer
-
Patent number: 11405728Abstract: The present invention relates to a flat-type slim speaker, specifically, to a rectangular flat-type slim speaker having an integrated yoke enabling a slim magnetic core. The present invention comprises: a voice coil plate which comprises a voice coil vertically erected; magnets separated with the voice coil plate therebetween; a diaphragm coming into contact with an upper end surface of the voice coil plate and having an edge part which adheres to a seating part of the upper end of a yoke; a damper which is connected to a damper attachment part of the lower end surface of the voice coil plate and adheres to the lower end of the yoke; and the yoke having a slit into which the voice coil plate can be inserted in a longitudinal direction at the center thereof, and a space into which the magnets can be inserted from side to side.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Inventor: Sung Jin Leem
-
Patent number: 11402461Abstract: [Object] To make it possible to estimate the position of a sound source resulting from a wearing displacement, even in the case where the wearing displacement occurs in a wearable device.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2017Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Yuichiro Koyama, Toshiyuki Sekiya
-
Patent number: 11404038Abstract: A method of selectively preventing surreptitious listening by a smart speaker by placing an audible interference device into physical proximity with the microphone(s) on the smart speaker, and whenever ensured privacy is desired toggling a feature on the audible interference device from a listening mode, wherein the device allows the microphone to receive and the smart speaker to interact with intelligible speech from the surrounding environment, and a deaf mode wherein the device inhibits reception of intelligible speech by the microphone and thereby prevents both desired and surreptitious listening by the smart speaker.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Inventor: Ronald J. Zenk
-
Patent number: 11399238Abstract: Microphone devices and methods for manufacturing microphone devices that include a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a cover secured to the first surface of the substrate to form an enclosed back volume, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) embedded between the first surface and the second surface of the substrate, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) transducer mounted on the first surface of the substrate, and an inductor mounted on the first surface of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2021Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Joshua Watson, Karan Jumani, Donald Yochem
-
Patent number: 11399248Abstract: In one example, a video endpoint obtains, from a vertical microphone array, a first audio signal including audio from a target sound source and audio from a horizontally-displaced sound source. The video endpoint obtains, from a horizontal microphone array, a second audio signal and a third audio signal both including the audio from the target sound source and the audio from the horizontally-displaced sound source. Based on the second audio signal and the third audio signal, the video endpoint determines at least one of a first degree of arrival of the audio from the target sound source or a second degree of arrival of the audio from the horizontally-displaced sound source. Based on the at least one of the first degree of arrival or the second degree of arrival, the video endpoint adjusts a gain of the first audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2021Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventor: Lennart Burenius
-
Patent number: 11392173Abstract: A wearable device includes a body having fasteners and a frame coupled between two fasteners. The frame includes first and second sections. A first portion of the body includes the first section of the frame and one fastener and a second portion of the body includes the second section of the frame and the other fastener. A speaker and a microphone are connected to the first portion and another speaker and another microphone are connected to the second portion. The body also includes a processor, memory accessible to the processor, and programming in the memory for configuring the processor to selectively activate the speakers and microphones such that a first speaker emits an output sound signal while a first microphone and a second speaker are deactivated and a second microphone captures an input sound signal during the emission of the output sound signal by the first speaker.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2021Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Snap Inc.Inventors: Russell Douglas Patton, Jonathan M. Rodriguez, II, Julio Cesar CastaƱeda, Samuel Bryson Thompson