Patents Examined by David Ton
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Patent number: 9945746Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of sensing motion includes receiving a first signal from a first pressure sensor and a second signal from a second pressure sensor, comparing the first signal and the second signal, and characterizing a motion based on the comparing.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2017Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGInventors: Andreas Wiesbauer, Christian Mandl, Andreas Kopetz, Roland Helm
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Patent number: 9949015Abstract: A case for a wireless electronic listening device (e.g., a pair of wireless earbuds) is configured to house a pair of wireless earbuds and charge the earbuds when they are in the case. The case is further configured to receive media received by the wireless earbuds and transmit the media to a non-wireless output device connected to the case. The case may further include its own wireless radio that can wirelessly communicate audio to the wireless earbuds when the earbuds are not in the case. The case may further include an input port to receive an audio signal from a non-wireless source and may be configured to wirelessly transmit the audio received from the source to the wireless earbuds.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2017Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jahan C. Minoo, Lee M. Panecki, Zachary C. Rich, Patrick T. Ryan
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Patent number: 9949053Abstract: A method for processing an audio signal includes: decomposing an audio signal comprising spatial information into a set of audio signal components; and processing a first subset of the set of audio signal components according to a first processing scheme and processing a second subset of the set of audio signal components according to a second processing scheme different from the first processing scheme, wherein the first subset comprises audio signal components corresponding to at least one frontal signal source and the second subset comprises audio signal components corresponding to at least one ambient signal source; and wherein the second processing scheme is based on crosstalk cancellation.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.Inventors: Peter Grosche, Yue Lang
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Patent number: 9924270Abstract: Techniques are provided for automatically channelizing a stereo audio signal in a headphone device such that a correct audio channel is output to a user's ear regardless of which ear an earbud is inserted. In an embodiment, at least one earbud is configured with a sensor arranged on a housing of the earbud. The placement of the sensor can be keyed or otherwise positioned to identify a right or left ear based on proximity/contact with certain anatomy of the ear. For instance, the sensor can be in detectable range of ear anatomy such as a tragus/antitragus when inserted in one ear and outside of detectable range of the same when inserted in the other. By automatically detecting which ear an earbud has been inserted, audio channels can be switched as necessary enabling users to insert earbuds without regard for which is a right earbud and which is a left earbud.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: INTEL CORPORATIONInventors: Rajeev Rema Shanmugam, Gopinath Kandasamy
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Patent number: 9924269Abstract: A filter gain compensation method for a specific frequency band for use in an electronic device is provided. In the method, a windowed filter is applied on each of a plurality of band-pass filters in a multi-segment band-pass filter corresponding to the high-frequency signal and different frequency bands of the low-frequency signal. In addition, a high-frequency cancellation filter corresponding to the high-frequency signal of an input digital signal is calculated. A compensation gain for the high-frequency cancellation filter and each of the band-pass filters is calculated according to fitting frequency gains and a fitting frequency relationship matrix. The output acoustic signal is synthesized using output signals from the windowed band-pass filters and the high-frequency cancellation filter that are obtained according to updated filter features and compensation gain for the windowed band-pass filters and the high-frequency cancellation filter.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2017Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: ACER INCORPORATEDInventors: Po-Jen Tu, Jia-Ren Chang, Kai-Meng Tzeng
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Patent number: 9917562Abstract: Automatic gain control systems disclosed herein can incorporate a confidence metric that can estimate the accuracy of gain adjustments calculated by an automatic gain control module. The confidence metric may be based on a percentage of valid audio samples in a given period of time. Based on the confidence metric, the AGC response may be reduced, delayed, frozen, or otherwise altered from the baseline gain adjustment. Time-averaging process may be used to estimate the input signal power level and determine an appropriate baseline gain adjustment. Additionally, weighting functions can be adjusted to prevent overestimation of the signal power.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Arvindh Krishnaswamy, Juha O. Merimaa, Kapil Krishnamurthy, Yuchao Song
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Patent number: 9913061Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, embodiments receiving audio content in a multi-channel sound format over a communication network resulting in multi-channel audio content. Further embodiments can include identifying a compression ratio of the audio content. Additional embodiments can include determining a rendered sound externalization for rendering the audio content according to the compression ratio of the audio content. Also, embodiments can include rendering the audio content in a binaural audio format for headphone playback on an audio device according to the rendered sound externalization. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventor: Manuel Briand
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Patent number: 9913058Abstract: According to one implementation, a sonic field sound system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a memory storing a sound modulation software code. The sound system further includes an acoustic object coupled to an input of the computing platform via a capacitance sensing unit. The acoustic object has one or more input interface(s) coupled to an output of the computing platform, and also has a resonant cavity having at least one outlet. The hardware processor is configured to execute the sound modulation software code to generate a waveform for driving the one or more input interface(s) of the acoustic object via the output of the computing platform to produce a sound.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Ali Israr, Ivan Poupyrev, Yoshio Ishiguro, Olivier Bau, Yuri Suzuki, James H. Auger
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Patent number: 9906863Abstract: Headphones include a left loudspeaker element; a right loudspeaker element; and a holder for holding the left loudspeaker element and the right loudspeaker element, such that the loudspeaker elements can be attached to the ears, wherein the left loudspeaker element or the right loudspeaker element includes: a first sound converter; a second sound converter, wherein the first sound converter is implemented such that the first sound converter provides directed emission in the direction of an ear in the operating position of the headphones, and the second sound converter is implemented such that the second sound converter provides no or less directed emission than the first sound converter in the direction of the ear in the operating position of the headphones.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Kaetel Systems GmbHInventor: Klaus Kaetel
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Patent number: 9906876Abstract: An audio signal is transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver in a hearing device, particularly a hearing aid. A communication facility configured for transmitting and/or receiving the audio signal. A hearing device system has two hearing devices configured to transmit audio signals between the two hearing devices by way of their communication facilities in accordance with the method.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2017Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.Inventor: Tobias Daniel Rosenkranz
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Patent number: 9906856Abstract: A non-limiting example information processing apparatus comprises a housing, and a left speaker and a right speaker are provided in a left end portion and a right portion of the housing and in an inside of this housing. Each speaker is arranged such that a vibration direction of a diaphragm becomes in a direction perpendicular to a plane surface of a display panel that is provided in the front of the housing. Sound emission portions for emitting sounds from the speakers are formed in both end portions of the housing and on a side surface at near side or this side that the speakers are arranged. Therefore, sounds are emitted toward a side of a player who holds the information processing apparatus. A vibrator that is provided between the two speakers is driven simultaneously with the speakers or in a predetermined order.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kazutoshi Obana
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Patent number: 9899979Abstract: A method for recording a playback setting of sound is disclosed. The method is applied to an electronic device having an equalizer and includes the following steps of: acquiring an archival data of a sound file played by the electronic device; receiving a set record command; acquiring a gain setting data of the equalizer according to the set record command; pairing the archival data with the gain setting data to generate a pairing data; and saving the pairing data.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: UNLIMITER MFA CO., LTD.Inventors: Kuo-Ping Yang, Neo Bob Chih-Yung Young, Kuan-Li Chao, Ming-Ren Ma, Chih-Long Chang
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Patent number: 9883278Abstract: An earphone able to function as a left or as a right earphone and receive sound channels accordingly comprises a processing unit, a capturing unit, and a touch sensor. The capturing unit gets images of ear canal. The touch sensor senses a first and second ear contact points. The processing unit applies sensor readings and captured images to an imaginary circle having a default radius, to determine whether earphone is being worn in the right or in the left ear. The output of sound can be channeled appropriately to an earphone in the left ear or in the right ear or both. A method and a system for detecting wearing state are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2017Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: NANNING FUGUI PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Yen-Hsin Lin, Chen-Chi Fan
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Patent number: 9877135Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed. Near field communication is detected between at least two devices. A location of at least one of the at least two devices is determined based on the detected near field communication. An audio channel of a multi-channel audio file is assigned based on the determined location of the at least one of the at least two devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2013Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Nokia Technologies OyInventors: Juha Reinhold Backman, Miikka Olavi Tikander
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Patent number: 9870719Abstract: The described examples provide for a sound recognition and notification process and apparatus that provides a notification to a hearing impaired person via a portable device in response to the recognition of a selected sound. A processor of the sound notification apparatus is configured to compare the detected sound data to a model for recognition. If the sound data matches the model, features are extracted from the detected sound data and used by the processor to generate reference data, e.g. an updated sound model. The reference is retained in a memory of the apparatus to facilitate subsequent sound recognition without having to rely upon an external device for analysis. Recognition of a sound, based on a substantial match to stored reference data, may trigger transmission of a notification message indicating an occurrence of the corresponding sound.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2017Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Inventors: Greyson Kendall Watkins, Zachary Baltzer, Nicholas Lamb
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Patent number: 9854359Abstract: A pop-free headset detection circuit includes a socket unit, a first operational amplifier, a second operational amplifier and a detection and control circuit. An inverting input end of the first operational amplifier is connected to a left-channel audio source. A non-inverting input end of the first operational amplifier receives a first reference voltage. An inverting input end of the second operational amplifier is connected to a right-channel audio source. A non-inverting input end of the second operational amplifier receives a second reference voltage. When there is a headset plug of a headset plugged into the socket unit, the detection and control circuit controls the first operational amplifier and the second operational amplifier to be in a Hi-Z state, disconnects the first operational amplifier and the second operational amplifier and their feedback resistors, and then determines the type of the headset.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2017Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: ANPEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATIONInventor: Ming-Hung Chang
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Patent number: 9853602Abstract: For use in professional audio amplifier applications, high current charge pump circuits including charge circuits and dynamic release circuits are connected between respective storage capacitors and the audio power amplifier output. The charge circuits charge their storage capacitors when an output signal swing of the power amplifier is below a corresponding predetermined positive and negative threshold. The dynamic release circuits release power from their charged storage capacitors to dynamically vary the voltage levels of their positive and negative power supply rails in direct relation to the output signal swing of the power amplifier, preferably at unity gain. Multiple positive and negative power supply rails at different voltage levels can be used with cascaded multi-stage dynamic release circuits to maximize system efficiency. The charge and dynamic release circuits can be connected between their storage capacitors and a buffer amplifier which also receives the power amplifier audio input.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2017Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Inventor: James K. Waller, Jr.
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Patent number: 9843881Abstract: A content presentation system including a display screen and an array of speakers behind the display screen is described herein. In some examples, speaker-associated screen areas, the volume of a sound, and a screen location of a sound source may be used to determine one or more speakers that are associated with the sound. For example, the volume of a sound and the screen location of a sound source may be used to determine a sound range for the sound that may be used to associate one or more speakers with the sound. In some examples, upon determination of the sound range, one or more speaker-associated screen areas that are wholly or partially included within the sound range may then be identified. Each speaker that is represented by an identified speaker-associated screen area may then be associated with the sound.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Harvey Oates, III, Kevin Kalima Ashman
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Patent number: 9838784Abstract: Systems and methods for improving performance of a directional audio capture system are provided. An example method includes correlating phase plots of at least two audio inputs, with the audio inputs being captured by at least two microphones. The method can further include generating, based on the correlation, estimates of salience at different directional angles to localize a direction of a source of sound. The method can allow providing cues to the directional audio capture system based on the estimates. The cues include attenuation levels. A rate of change of the levels of attenuation is controlled by attack and release time constants to avoid sound artifacts. The method also includes determining a mode based on an absence or presence of one or more peaks in the estimates of salience. The method also provides for configuring the directional audio capture system based on the determined mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLCInventors: Harinarayanan Erumbi Vallabhan, Shailesh Sakri, Carlos Avendano, Ludger Solbach
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Patent number: 9832554Abstract: A magnetic floating speaker includes a seat having a shell and a magnetic floating controller and a lower magnet both received in the shell. A floating member floating and located above the seat has a cover, a bass unit, two full range units and an upper magnet all received in the cover. The magnetism of the upper magnet and the lower magnet is mutually exclusive. The bass unit is surrounded by said two full range units and faces to a first direction, said two full range units face to a second direction and a third direction respectively which located at two sides of the first direction, the second direction and the third direction each forms an acute angle with the first direction respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDInventors: Hui-Cheng Chen, Jui-Kuang Chung, Chung-Hung Chen