Patents Examined by Fan S. Tsang
  • Patent number: 10847171
    Abstract: Disclosed methods and systems are directed to determining a best microphone pair and segmenting sound signals. The methods and systems may include receiving a collection of sound signals comprising speech from one or more audio sources (e.g., meeting participants) and/or background noise. The methods and systems may include calculating a TDOA and determining, based on the TDOA and via robust statistics, the best pair of microphones. The methods and systems may also include segmenting sound signals from multiple sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Pablo Peso Parada, Dushyant Sharma, Patrick Naylor
  • Patent number: 10841431
    Abstract: An echo cancellation detector for controlling an acoustic echo canceller that is configured to cancel an echo of a far-end signal in a near-end signal in a telephony system, the echo cancellation detector comprising a comparison generator configured to compare the far-end signal with the near-end signal, a decision unit configured to make a determination about a first acoustic echo canceller based on that comparison and a controller configured to control an operation of a second acoustic echo canceller in dependence on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Imagination Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Senthil Kumar Mani, Srinivas Akella, Anupama Ghantasala
  • Patent number: 10841687
    Abstract: A headphone apparatus includes a neckband having a first arm and a second arm joined by a central portion therebetween. The first and second arms each have a flexible section proximal to the central portion, the flexible sections including a memory material for dynamically creating and maintaining a desired shape of the neckband. The headphone apparatus further includes first and second earbuds connected to the neckband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryan Ott, Daniel I. Radin, Effrosini A. Karayiannis, Kent Jopling, Torry Xu
  • Patent number: 10841702
    Abstract: A BGM signal of sound of BGM is outputted over time, and a sound effect signal of sound of a sound effect is outputted at a timing determined based on information processing. If it is determined that a sound intensity at a predetermined frequency component of the sound effect to be outputted is low or a sound intensity at the predetermined frequency component of the BGM is high, adjustment is performed such that the sound intensity at the predetermined frequency component of the BGM to be outputted at the same timing as the sound effect is decreased. Then, a final sound signal including the sound of the sound effect and the sound of the BGM on which the adjustment has been performed, is synthesized and outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Kita, Yoshito Sekigawa
  • Patent number: 10841675
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes an acoustic enclosure, and an electro-acoustic transducer that is supported by the acoustic enclosure. A grille covers the electro-acoustic transducer, and a weather-resistant member is disposed between the acoustic enclosure and the grille. A spring member is disposed between the weather-resistant member and the acoustic enclosure. The spring member is configured to apply a force to the weather-resistant layer thereby to hold the weather-resistant member against the grille.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Thomas Howard, Michaela Freed
  • Patent number: 10838691
    Abstract: Techniques for switching between different playback modes are described herein. The disclosed techniques include detecting a state of playing a content item using Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH); determining whether there is a need of switching between a first playback mode and a second playback mode based on the detected state of playing the content item; determining a segment number of a segment among the plurality of segments currently being played based on a timestamp of the segment in response to determining that there is the need of switching between the first playback mode and the second playback mode; obtaining content of the content item based at least in part on the segment number and a playback mode to be switched to; and playing the content item in a switched playback mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Shanghai Bilibili Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhou Geng, Yiyun Gu
  • Patent number: 10827280
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing sound and vibration (10) for a user to hear and feel via surface contact, which comprises a damper mass plate (15) and an inertial actuator (16) attached thereto, which inertial actuator (16) comprises a damper mass (14), which is via a primary suspension (11) supported in a springing manner on the inertial actuator (16) to be moving substantially in one linear direction, which inertial actuator comprises a power source for the damper mass (14). The device (10) comprises a secondary suspension (12) and a mechanical limiter (13) for improving the performance of the inertial actuator and/or protecting it from external disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Flexound Systems Oy
    Inventors: Jukka Linjama, Tommi Immonen
  • Patent number: 10824232
    Abstract: A sound outputting apparatus which includes a communicator communicate with an electronic apparatus and receive first audio data, an output module to output the first audio data received, and to output second audio data, which is modified data of the first audio data, a sensor to detect brainwave data of a user, and a processor to control so that the brainwave data of the user detected through the sensor is transmitted to the electronic apparatus through the communicator, and so that the second audio data is received from the electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-ho Hwang, Mi-young Kim, Min-su Hwangbo, Jong-youb Ryu
  • Patent number: 10827269
    Abstract: System, device, and method for audio reproduction are provided. The system includes a media computing device and an electronic device connected such that their speakers can be used in combination in optimizing the audio reproduction of media being played or streamed. Each device can be portable and the audio reproduction can include virtual/spatial/surround audio reproduction. When connecting, the media computing device serves as a host and the electronic device serves as a slave for data communication. As such, the media computing device can process an audio signal into any portion for reproduction on any speaker. Further, when connecting and if needed, the electronic device serves as a host and the media computing device serves as a slave for power management. Depending on the system configuration, a suitable connection can be made via a wireless or single cable wired connection between the media computing device and the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Wong Hoo Sim, Teck Chee Lee
  • Patent number: 10820081
    Abstract: A speaker mounting system having a driver housing and a plurality of clamping assemblies is disclosed. The driver housing includes a face surrounded by a flange, a driver and a central axis. The clamping assemblies are coupled to the driver housing, each including an enclosure, a dog ear, an actuator, and a biasing element. Each dog ear has a core, a threading, and an arm, is rotatably coupled to the enclosure along a first axis, and slideable along a path. Each actuator has a body and a threading, and is rotatably coupled to the enclosure along a second axis. Each biasing element biases the dog ear towards the face. Each clamping assembly is movable between a hidden configuration, an extended configuration, and a tightened configuration. The speaker mounting system may also include a powered rough-in assembly having a mounting frame and a wiring block with two terminals and two wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: SOUNDVISION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brock Belliston, Kary Wawrzyniak, Bryan Garner
  • Patent number: 10818457
    Abstract: Electrical switch devices are installed at in-wall electrical boxes of a building. Each device features a switch module with multiple electrically controlled switches for respective connection of multiple load circuits. A control panel with a user interface is mountable over the electrical box and is connected or connectable to the switch module. A communications transceiver of each device is operable to transmit and receive communications to and from each of the other devices. The control panel has a touch-screen display, and is configured to display virtual on-screen switches, including at least one virtual switch whose output is assigned to a respective one of the electrically controlled switches of the other devices. The at least one virtual switch at one device is thereby operable to control at least one load at another of said devices. User selected names are assignable to the switches, and used to label the virtual switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Umbrela Smart Inc.
    Inventors: Salman Qureshi, Filipe Fernandes, Ryan Ramchandar
  • Patent number: 10820105
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a speaker having a lower magnetic conductive plate for carrying a magnet thereon and an upper magnetic conductive plate engaging with the lower magnetic conductive plate. The lower magnetic conductive plate includes a first oblique portion and a first horizontal portion for increasing an outer diameter of the lower magnetic conductive plate. The upper magnetic conductive plate includes a second oblique portion and a second horizontal portion both for increasing an outer diameter of the upper magnetic conductive plate. The lower and upper magnetic conductive plates cooperatively form a receiving space for accommodating a suspension to support a coil assembly. The lower magnetic conductive plate further includes a protruding portion extending perpendicularly from a middle portion of the bottom for carrying the magnet. The suspension is used for supporting the coil assembly for providing balanced vibration to the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei Song
  • Patent number: 10820084
    Abstract: Aspects describe an earpiece with structure for positioning and retaining the earpiece and with structure for sealing against the entrance to the ear canal. According to aspects, the retaining structure has at least one substantially elliptical leg configured to follow the curve of the anti-helix and/or the cymba concha at the rear of the concha. The leg increases in thickness from a tip of the earpiece towards the body of the earpiece. The sealing structure is substantially frusto-conical and extends from a nozzle. The nozzle is angled to align with ear geometry. In an example, he sealing structure has a slight radius on an outer surface of the sealing structure. In another example, the sealing structure has a substantially constant thickness from the nozzle to the wide end of the sealing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Zalisk, Liam Robert Kelly, Thomas Aquinas Nilsen
  • Patent number: 10820124
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a hearing aid receiver is described in which the receiver is contained within a receiver can. A cover assembly may be provided for covering the open top end of the receiver can and for containing the receiver's spout when the receiver is mounted within the receiver can. To dampen or reduce the transmission of receiver vibrations within the receiver can, a spout seal and corner bumpers may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sidney A. Higgins, Brian Dobson
  • Patent number: 10820111
    Abstract: A circular acoustic membrane having an upper surface and an opposite lower surface, said membrane being intended to be coupled, at the lower surface thereof, to a mobile winding via a support. The membrane has an annular fold concentrically delimiting, in the membrane, a circular central portion and an annular peripheral portion. In addition, the central portion has a concavity turned towards the upper surface and the internal edge of the fold is carried by the lower surface and comprises an attachment surface intended for the coupling of said support of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: FOCAL JMLAB
    Inventor: Giuliano Nicoletti
  • Patent number: 10820073
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a speaker box. The speaker box includes a housing having a top wall, and a sounding unit accommodated in the housing. The sounding unit includes a diaphragm, which together with the top wall are disposed with a spacing therebetween to form a front acoustic cavity. The speaker box further includes a sound guiding channel. The front acoustic cavity and the sound guiding channel together constitute a front chamber of the speaker box. At least two first through-holes disposed with a spacing therebetween are provided in a region of the top wall corresponding to the front chamber. The speaker box further includes a cover plate provided on the top wall. The cover plate includes hard sheets covering the first through-holes and a soft rubber fixing portion, which surrounds and spaces the hard sheets from the top wall, and is fixedly connected with the top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Shan, Yue Ren
  • Patent number: 10812914
    Abstract: A tactile sound device in proximate contact with a user, comprising a multistage arrangement of vibrotactile materials to impart visceral sensations to a user. The device imparts a physical sensation via a multistage arrangement of vibrotactile materials embodied in a wearable or seated configuration, in response to a wired or wireless signal input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: SUBPAC, INC.
    Inventors: John Alexiou, Todd Chernecki, Sarosh S. Khwaja
  • Patent number: 10809965
    Abstract: Example techniques related to a sub-index of a media index. An example implementation may involve maintaining, on a mobile device, a first index of audio tracks associated with a particular user profile, the audio tracks indexed in the first index consisting of a particular subset of audio tracks that are indexed in a second index. Based on the receiving the input data indicating the search query, the mobile device searches, within the first index, for audio tracks corresponding to the search query. If the audio tracks corresponding to the search query are not found in the first index, the mobile device sends to one or more servers of the cloud service, a request to search the second index for audio tracks corresponding to the search query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Amber Brown, Diane Roberts
  • Patent number: 10805741
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an audio system can replace a portion of an audio signal within a first range of frequencies, with an amplitude modulated noise signal comprising frequencies within the first range of frequencies and having a volume envelope corresponding to a volume envelope of the audio signal within a second range of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Inventor: Dean Robert Gary Anderson
  • Patent number: 10805713
    Abstract: Intra-concha earphones are disclosed. In an embodiment, an intra-concha earphone includes a housing having a rear space divided into a back volume, a bass duct, and a vent chamber between a driver and a rear wall. The vent chamber may be acoustically coupled with the back volume through both an acoustic port and the bass duct. Furthermore, the vent chamber may be acoustically coupled with a surrounding environment through a vent port, which may be a sole acoustic opening in the rear wall. Thus, sound emitted by the driver may propagate through the acoustic port and the bass duct to meet in the vent chamber before being discharged through the vent port to the surrounding environment. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Yacine Azmi, Esge B. Andersen, Jonathan S. Aase, Michael B. Howes