Patents Examined by Fatimat O Olaniran
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Patent number: 8649531Abstract: Improved approaches to flexibly implementing graphic equalizers on media players are disclosed. These approaches provide dynamic order reduction of a multi-band graphic equalizer so that equalizer effects can be timely performed with only limited computational resources. In one embodiment, a media player receives a media item and associated equalizer settings for a multi-band graphic equalizer. The media player can then automatically (i.e., without user action) approximate the multi-band graphic equalizer with the equalizer settings for the media item using a fewer number of filters. Fewer filters means order reduction, and thus reduction in computational requirements. After the multi-band graphic equalizer is approximated, the media player can present the media item to its user in accordance with the reduced complexity, approximated equalizer.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aram Lindahl, Joseph Mark Williams
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Patent number: 8620011Abstract: A method, medium, and system generating a 3-dimensional (3D) stereo signal in a decoder by using a surround data stream. According to such a method, medium, and system, a head related transfer function (HRTF) is applied in a quadrature mirror filter (QMF) domain, thereby generating a 3D stereo signal by using a surround data stream.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2007Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junghoe Kim, Eunmi Oh, Kihyun Choo, Miao Lei
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Patent number: 8605917Abstract: A hand-held passenger control unit for use by a passenger on an aircraft or any other type of vehicle is provided. The control unit may include a controller, a memory, and a display panel. The control unit may have a first and a second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the control unit controls its own display panel. In the second mode of operation, the control unit controls a remote video display unit that is disposed proximate to the passenger. The control unit may also have an integrated audio player, thereby permitting passengers to bring their own audio content aboard the aircraft without having to bring their own audio players.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Thales Avionics, Inc.Inventors: Brett Bleacher, Mark Thompson, Robert Kandel
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Patent number: 8594341Abstract: A system and method for selectively switching between a plurality of audio channels are provided. The system and method of the present disclosure will enable a user to listen to desired audio content, e.g., music with a total lack of distraction while selectively allowing certain important and selected sounds to interrupt the audio content. The system for selectively switching between a plurality of audio channels includes an audio content device (ACD) for supplying audio content on a first channel; at least one microphone input device for generating an acoustic signal from sound external to the system on a second channel; an audio signal processing control unit (ASPCU) for receiving the audio content on the first channel and the acoustic signal on the second channel and for selectively switching between the first and second channel; and an audio output device (AOD) for audibly producing sounds from the selected channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Inventor: Leigh M. Rothschild
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Patent number: 8571224Abstract: In various embodiments, a system is used to provide an apparatus configured to measure sound in an ear canal of a wearer's ear at a distance from a tympanic membrane of the ear. The sound is measured and received by the apparatus to produce a signal. A frequency analysis is performed on the signal to determine output as a function of the frequency and to determine the frequency of the minima (null). Further, a distance equal to a quarter wavelength of the null frequency is calculated. A correction factor associated with the quarter wavelength is retrieved and applied to the output to generate a corrected output. An estimated sound pressure level at the tympanic membrane from the corrected output is produced.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Karrie LaRae Recker, Tao Zhang, Wei Li Lin
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Patent number: 8565447Abstract: An instrument amplification system provides improved low frequency enhancement. A powered subwoofer system enhances the low frequency components of a standard instrument amplifier by incorporating a speaker level high-pass filter crossover network prior to connection to a standard instrument speaker. The speaker level instrument amplifier output is also attenuated, low-pass filtered and re-amplified to drive a dedicated low frequency subwoofer speaker. In one embodiment, a single speaker cabinet connects via a single speaker cable and includes both typical instrument speakers and an active powered subwoofer system. In another embodiment, a stand alone active powered subwoofer connects to a standard instrument amplifier and includes a speaker level high-pass crossover output for connection to a standard instrument speaker cabinet. The instrument amplifier speaker output is attenuated, low-pass filtered, re-amplified and connected to a low frequency subwoofer speaker.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2004Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Inventors: James K. Waller, Jr., Jon J. Waller
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Patent number: 8559651Abstract: A system, processor implemented method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for playing a synthetic stereo on a mono headset with motion sensing. The method comprises a processor receiving movement data from an accelerometer detecting movement of the mono headset. In response to receiving movement data, the processor mixing an output audio signal comprising a left channel signal and a right channel signal and providing the output audio signal comprising a combination of the left channel signal and right channel signal based at least in part on detected movement of the mono headset. The output audio signal having either a substantially equal or unequal combination of the left channel signal and right channel signal based at least in part on detected movement of the mono headset.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventor: Michael Joseph DeLuca
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Patent number: 8553891Abstract: A stereo audio decoder generates a set of stereo output channels in response to a parametric audio input including signal parameters and stereo related parameters. A parameter processor generates two different set of parameters based on the input signal parameters thus up-mixing the signal parameters by altering or manipulating the signal parameters corresponding to the stereo related parameters. The two different parameters are synthesized by separate signal synthesizers to form respective stereo output channels. The signal synthesizers may be sinusoidal synthesizers, and the decoder also includes transient and noise synthesizers to generate transient and noise signal portions to be applied to the stereo output channels. Further, different transient and noise signal portions to the output channels may be provided by applying different gains based on the stereo related parameter. The two different parameters may be determined from current and previous signal parameter inputs using an input delay line.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2008Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Marek Zbigniew Szczerba, Erik Gosuinus Petrus Schuijers, Paulus Henricus Antonius Dillen
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Patent number: 8538034Abstract: A method and arrangement for cancelling echoes in a communication terminal (400) during a voice call with an opposite party. The communication terminal (400) comprises an echo cancelling unit (416,600) adapted to produce an estimate of echo information in received speech signals coming from a microphone in the communication terminal (400), and subtract the estimate from the received microphone signals, before being transmitted to the opposite party. The estimate is produced based on down-sampled received microphone signals and down-sampled received speech signals from the opposite party. The down-sampled speech signals from the opposite party are filtered in a digital filter (606), and the output signals from the filter (606) are up-sampled to form the estimate.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ)Inventors: Anders Eriksson, Per Ahgren
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Patent number: 8526630Abstract: An active sound control apparatus includes a delay circuit for delaying the output of a frequency component of a sound effect by delaying an engine rotation frequency signal representative of an engine rotation frequency [Hz], a delay circuit for delaying the output of an amplitude component of the sound effect by delaying an engine rotation frequency change signal representative of an engine rotation frequency change [Hz/second], and delay circuits for delaying the output of all components of the sound effect by delaying a control signal for controlling the outputs of speakers.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2008Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kosuke Sakamoto, Toshio Inoue, Akira Takahashi, Yasunori Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8526631Abstract: An audio device 100 which replays audio on the basis of an external audio signal PAS outputted from a portable audio device (500) includes: a power supply unit 170, that is a power supply element which supplies power at a predetermined voltage to the portable audio device 500; a control unit 110, that is a control element which, along with notifying to the portable audio device 500 function setting information FRP that is operability information specifying whether or not inherent actuation input is possible using an inherent actuation input element provided to the portable audio device, also controls the details notified; and speakers 130L and 130R, that are audio replay element for replaying audio on the basis of the external audio signal PAS. As a result, an audio device 100 is implemented which can enhance the convenience to the user, in cooperation with the portable audio device 500.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Pioneer CorporationInventor: Takeo Nakabayashi
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Patent number: 8520876Abstract: An assembly structure for a speaker system includes an iron grille, a speaker frame, a plurality of magnets and a plurality of pads. The speaker frame is covered with the iron grille and includes a plurality of through-holes on one face thereof. Each of the through-holes includes a first receiving portion and a second receiving portion. The speaker frame further includes a plurality of magnets each received in the first receiving portion of a respective one of the through-holes. The speaker frame further includes a plurality of pads each received in the second receiving portion of the respective one of the through-holes.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Inventor: Tzu-Chung Chang
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Patent number: 8520861Abstract: A processing system generates an output signal which includes desired signal components, and reduces or eliminates tonal noise. The output signal may be provided to any subsequent signal processing system, including voice recognition systems, pitch detectors, and other processing systems. The subsequent processing systems are less likely to mistake tonal input signal noise for desired signal content, to needlessly consume computational resources to analyze noise, and to take spurious actions induced by the tonal noise.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2005Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: QNX Software Systems LimitedInventors: Phillip A. Hetherington, Alex Escott
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Patent number: 8520862Abstract: An audio system for enhancing localization of sound perceived by a listener in a listening position includes two loudspeakers and a signal processing unit. The loudspeakers are arranged distant from each other and from the listening position. The sound is transmitted from each of the loudspeakers to the listening position according to a respective transfer function. The transfer functions have different phase responses over frequency. The signal processing unit is connected upstream of the loudspeakers and receives two electrical input signals to be radiated as respective sound signals by the two loudspeakers. The signal processing unit includes a phase shifter unit that phase-shifts at least one of the electrical input signals such that a difference in phase responses is constant over a substantial portion of the human audible frequency in a frequency band.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbHInventor: Leander Scholz
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Patent number: 8488806Abstract: A separation signal generation unit generates a plurality of separation signals which are independent from one another from the mixed signals for one frame which are converted into those in a frequency region. A mask processing unit judges a noise condition of a first separation signal for each frequency bin on the basis of the first separation signal and second separation signals. The mask processing unit further removes a first noise component obtained on the basis of a judgment result on the noise condition from the first separation signal. A noise amount measuring unit measures the amount of noise in the first separation signal. A noise signal selection unit selects a noise signal for each frequency bin on the basis of the amount of noise measured by the noise amount measuring unit. A noise removing unit removes a second noise component from a noise removal signal inputted from the mask processing unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: National University Corporation Nara Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Hiroshi Saruwatari, Eiji Baba, Hiromitsu Mori
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Patent number: 8467546Abstract: Audio circuits for a mobile terminal include a microphone and an audio signal processing circuit having an input coupled to the microphone. The audio signal processing circuit has a switchable portion and is configured to switch between a voice mode utilizing the switchable portion and a full fidelity mode not utilizing the switchable portion responsive to a mode signal coupled thereto.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2005Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Edward Craig Hyatt
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Patent number: 8467552Abstract: A method and system for reducing head related transfer function (HRTF) storage requirements for 3-D sound processing of an input sound having a specified source angle increment is provided. Interaural time difference (ITD) values are selected based directly on the source angle increment; and HRTFs for processing the input sound are stored in angle increments larger than the source angle increment.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2004Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: LSI CorporationInventor: Ben Sferrazza
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Patent number: 8428277Abstract: A mixing system provides both clipping protection and signal level conservation while the system operates in the original width type. The mixing system includes a first input multiplier multiplying a first digital input signal by a first gain value to provide a first scaled signal, a second input multiplier multiplying a second digital input signal by the first gain value to provide a second scaled signal, a combiner combining the first scaled signal and the second scaled signal to provide a combined signal, a soft limiter soft limiting the combined signal by reducing some of the amplitudes of the combined signal to provide a soft limited signal, and an output multiplier multiplying the soft limited signal by a second gain value to provide a mixed output signal, wherein the first gain value is a value that is equal to an inverse value of the second gain value.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Jan Skoglund, Andrew John MacDonald
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Patent number: 8428272Abstract: In a masking sound generating apparatus, a band divider divides a target sound signal into a plurality of frequency bands to generate a plurality of band signals. An envelope signal generating part generates a plurality of envelope signals representing respective envelopes of the plurality of the band signals. A signal converter segments each of the plurality of the envelope signals into a plurality of frames, then specifies frames of segmented envelope signals which have an amplitude greater than a first threshold and less than a second threshold, and changes an order of the specified frames in an arrangement of the plurality of the frames. A multiplier multiplies each of the plurality of the envelope signals by a noise signal, each envelope signal having the order of the frames changed by the signal converter, and outputs the plurality of the envelope signals multiplied by the noise signal as individual band masking signals.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Mikio Tohyama, Mai Koike, Yasushi Shimizu
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Patent number: 8374360Abstract: A sound setting apparatus includes: a manipulating unit capable of making an input manipulation in upward, downward, left, right, and rotation directions; a band setting unit that sets each of individual frequency bands corresponding to low, midrange, and high frequencies in controlling an equalizer, in response to an input manipulation to the manipulating unit in the left and right directions; a level setting unit that sets an output level of each of the bands set by the band setting unit, in response to an input manipulation in the upward and downward directions; a center frequency setting unit that sets a center frequency of each of the bands set by the band setting unit, in response to an input manipulation in the rotation directions; and a display unit that collectively displays setting images to set the band, the output level, and the center frequency on a screen on the same layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Makoto Utsugi