Patents Examined by James Mooney
  • Patent number: 9774933
    Abstract: A housing assembly of an electronic device includes an outer housing, an inner housing mounted to the outer housing, a first waterproof film positioned between the outer housing and the inner housing, and a second waterproof film spaced from the first waterproof film. The first waterproof film, the outer housing, and the inner housing cooperatively define a first cavity of the housing assembly. The second waterproof film, the inner housing, and the first waterproof film cooperatively form a second cavity of the housing assembly. The first and second waterproof films provide the housing assembly an excellent waterproof property. The electronic device using the housing assembly is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Chiun Mai Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Feng Yeh, Wei-Jen Chang, Meng-Jer Huang, Chih-Wei Su, Chun-Yen Liu, Chih-Cheng Chang
  • Patent number: 9769585
    Abstract: Methods and systems for positioning audio signals on virtual soundstages. The mobile device may include one or more orientation components that are used to generate orientation data that track directional changes that are used to position an audio signal on a virtual soundstage. A listener of the sound from the audio signal may be associated with the orientation data such that the positioning of the audio signal provides virtual acoustic presence on the virtual soundstage. The audio signal is received, the audio signal may be associated with a plurality audio channels. The orientation data for positioning the audio signal is also received. A position for the audio signal on the virtual soundstage is determined based in part on the orientation data. The audio signal is then positioned on the virtual soundstage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Hills
  • Patent number: 9762198
    Abstract: Disclosed are examples of systems, apparatus, methods and computer-readable storage media for dynamically adjusting thresholds of a compressor. An input audio signal having a number of frequency band components is processed. Time-varying thresholds can be determined. A compressor performs, on each frequency band component, a compression operation having a corresponding time-varying threshold to produce gains. Each gain is applied to a delayed corresponding frequency band component to produce processed band components, which are summed to produce an output signal. In some implementations, a time-varying estimate of a perceived spectrum of the output signal and a time-varying estimate of a distortion spectrum induced by the perceived spectrum estimate are determined, for example, using a distortion audibility model. An audibility measure of the distortion spectrum estimate in the presence of the perceived spectrum estimate can be predicted and used to adjust the time-varying thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Alan J. Seefeldt
  • Patent number: 9761213
    Abstract: An acceleration sound generation device for a vehicle using at least one of an acceleration operation of the vehicle, an acceleration force generated by the acceleration operation, and an acceleration state obtained by the acceleration force as a control parameter. The acceleration sound generation device includes a sound generation unit and an acceleration sound delay unit. The sound generation unit generates an acceleration sound in a vehicle passenger compartment in response to an acceleration sound signal that is generated based on the control parameter. The acceleration sound delay unit delays output of the acceleration sound by the sound generation unit such that the acceleration sound changes and is delayed with respect to a change in the control parameter. The acceleration sound delay unit sets a delay degree of the acceleration sound at a rising time of the control parameter separately from at a falling time of the control parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunichi Kanehara, Wataru Ogose, Koji Shionome
  • Patent number: 9762188
    Abstract: Methods and system are described for cancelling interference in a microphone system. A positive bias voltage is applied to a first microphone diaphragm and a negative bias voltage is applied to a second microphone diaphragm. The diaphragms are configured to exhibit substantially the same mechanical deflection in response to acoustic pressures received by the microphone system. A differential output signal is produced by combining a positively-biased output signal from the first microphone diaphragm and a negatively-biased output signal from the second microphone diaphragm. This combining cancels common-mode interferences that are exhibited in both the positively-biased output signal and the negatively-biased output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: John Matthew Muza, Philip Sean Stetson
  • Patent number: 9748647
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for frequency routing based on orientation are disclosed. An example method includes receiving, by a playback device, an audio data stream. The example method includes determining, by the playback device, an orientation of the playback device. The example method includes routing, by the playback device, a first set of frequencies in the audio data stream to at least one of a plurality of speaker drivers based on the first orientation. The example method includes routing, by the playback device, a second set of frequencies in the audio data stream to the at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers based on the second orientation, wherein the first set of frequencies is different than the second set of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Jonathan P. Lang, Craig Wisneski, Jonathon Reilly, Seamus Daly, Todd Mansfield
  • Patent number: 9748646
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to shape sound based on a speaker orientation. An example playback device includes a network interface; a processor; and a memory including instructions stored therein. The instructions are executable by the processor to perform functions including: receiving, via the network interface from a network device, an indication that an orientation of the playback device is one of a first orientation or a second orientation; when the received indication is the first orientation, then configuring the playback device to reproduce sound according to a first equalization setting; and when the received indication is the second orientation, then configuring the playback device to reproduce sound according to a second equalization setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Jonathan P. Lang, Craig Wisneski, Jonathon Reilly, Seamus Daly, Todd Mansfield
  • Patent number: 9738384
    Abstract: An aircraft flight deck audio system, including a central management unit and pilot, co-pilot and third-man terminals. Estimation units estimate the quality of uplink and/or downlink digital signals of the pilot and co-pilot terminals. A control unit is configured such that, when the quality of the digital signals on the uplink and/or the downlink of the pilot or co-pilot terminal is estimated as unsatisfactory, the digital signals intended for the pilot or co-pilot terminal are routed toward the third-man terminal downlink and the digital signals originating from the third-man terminal and present on the uplink are routed toward the output of the pilot or co-pilot terminal. Transceiver units of the pilot, co-pilot and third-man terminals, respectively, transmit the digital signals of the pilot or co-pilot terminal on the third-man terminal downlink and the digital signals on the uplink of the third-man terminal toward the pilot or co-pilot terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Francois De La Tousche, Benoit Gauduin
  • Patent number: 9729602
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a method for measuring a quality of an audio signal in a mobile device. In some examples, the mobile device includes a receiving unit configured to receive an audio signal transmitted from another device; an audio quality measuring unit configured to measure a quality of the received audio signal; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the measured quality of the audio signal to the another device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: INHA-INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Joon-Hyuk Chang
  • Patent number: 9728176
    Abstract: A sound generator (1) includes a casing (10) with at least one exhaust gas inlet (11) and at least one exhaust gas outlet (12) that is different from the at least one exhaust gas inlet (11) and at least one electro-acoustical transducer (20). The electro-acoustical transducer (20) is configured to produce sound in dependence on an electrical control signal. The electro-acoustical transducer (20) is located within the casing or directly attached to the casing. An active noise control system (9) includes the sound generator (1). A vehicle (8) with an internal combustion engine (6) includes the active noise control system (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Eberspächer Exhaust Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mathias Keck, Martin Romzek
  • Patent number: 9729115
    Abstract: Techniques for optimizing a player based on the addition of a second player are disclosed. In an embodiment, when a first player no longer needs to play certain audio frequencies due to the addition of a second player, the gain of the first player is automatically increased as part of the setup process. In another embodiment, when a first player needs to play certain audio frequencies, for example due to the removal of a second player, the gain of the first player is automatically decreased. Many other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Mike Chamness, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson
  • Patent number: 9693159
    Abstract: A method of fitting a hearing aid having means (104) for determining a real ear response. The invention also provides a hearing aid adapted for improved fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventor: Martin Rung
  • Patent number: 9681239
    Abstract: An audio output apparatus and a method for audio correction is provided. An audio correction method of an audio output apparatus may include receiving a test signal from a terminal device, generating correction filter information of the terminal device based on the received test signal and a standard signal of the terminal device, and in response to an audio signal being received from the terminal device, correcting the received audio signal based on the correction filter information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-cheol Lee, Kee-yeong Cho
  • Patent number: 9668074
    Abstract: A method for processing a time-domain signal with transient oscillations includes: performing, by one or more computer systems, a time-frequency representation transform on the time-domain signal to obtain a plurality of coefficients for, with a coefficient corresponding to a presence of an impulse response of a filter used by the time-frequency representation transform; selecting one or more of the coefficients, with the selected one or more of the coefficients having attributes that are more indicative of the transient oscillations; and reconstructing, based on performing an inverse transform on the selected one or more coefficients, a portion of the time-domain signal that represents the transient oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: LitePoint Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Drullinger, Michael Smedegaard, Rick Chao, Soren Louis Pedersen
  • Patent number: 9668053
    Abstract: Audio landscape/pathway lights, devices, apparatus, systems and methods using BLUETOOTH wireless communication technology with integrated speakers, receivers/transmitters, outdoor speaker, PCB control card, driver, amplifier and FM receivers/transmitters. A single primary unit, which can be a pathway (landscape) light, can have a BLUETOOTH receiver and an FM transmitter, a speaker and a light (LED) and LED control. Secondary units can each contain a pathway/landscape light and FM receivers and speaker, and LED control. A Bluetooth enabled device from a portable digital device can send BLUETOOTH audio signals to the primary unit which automatically relays the audio signal to the secondary units so that the audio signal (music, words, and the like) can be synchronized and played simultaneously at all the units without lag time, echoes or reverberation, and without any other undesirable noise effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignees: Chien Luen Industries Co., Ltd., Inc., DBest Limited
    Inventors: Eliezer Rivera, Tien S. Lowe, Jianwei Feng
  • Patent number: 9658100
    Abstract: An environmental analysis system and method. Remote sensing devices detect nonvisual information. One or more loudspeakers are each associated with one or more of the plurality of remote sensing devices to determine acoustic properties of an area. Another implementation relates to a method for environmental analysis where non-visual information is detected. The non-visual information is classified and is communicated to a server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Tae Hong Park
  • Patent number: 9635469
    Abstract: A hearing aid includes at least one electrode located at a surface of a housing of the hearing aid to allow the electrodes to contact the skin of a user during use of the hearing aid, at least one electrode being adapted to pick up a low voltage signal from the user's brain, an amplifier unit operationally connected to the electrode(s) and adapted for amplifying the low voltage signal(s) to provide amplified brain signal(s), and a signal processing unit adapted to process the amplified brain signal(s) to provide a processed brain signal as well as to apply a time and frequency dependent gain to an input audio signal and to provide a processed audio output signal. Also a method of operating a hearing aid and a hearing aid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: OTICON A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Lunner, Tobias Neher
  • Patent number: 9608389
    Abstract: A connector for receiving a cylindrical plug includes a body defining a plug aperture and a cavity for receiving the cylindrical plug. A plurality of electrical contacts in communication with the cavity make electrical connections with the cylindrical plug and retain the cylindrical plug. A microphone is coupled to the body such that the plug aperture and the cavity provide an acoustic path to the microphone. The microphone may be at an end of the connector opposite the plug aperture or on a side of the connector adjacent the plug aperture. The connector allows a microphone to be added to a device, such as a mobile telephone, without the need for an additional external aperture. The microphone in the connector may operate with a second microphone and processing electronics in the device to provide audio processing functions such as noise cancellation or audio beamforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shaohai Chen, Phillip George Tamchina, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Jae Han Lee, Trent Weber, Michelle Yu, Adam D. Mittleman
  • Patent number: 9595201
    Abstract: A wireless mobile training device has a microprocessor, a first switch, a microphone, and a speaker. The microprocessor generates a first control signal to induce the speaker to emit a first audible instruction requesting a training program identifier. The microphone generates a first input signal corresponding to a received audible training program identifier. The microprocessor generates a second control signal to induce the speaker to emit a second audible instruction associated with a predetermined training program name, if the received audible training program identifier corresponds to the predetermined training program identifier. The microprocessor determines a first time interval for completing a first user task associated with the second audible instruction based on second and third input signals from either the first switch or the microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ka-Ching!, LLC
    Inventor: William Warren Crose
  • Patent number: 9591423
    Abstract: A nonlinear power supply generator is provided that nonlinearly changes a power supply voltage for a circuit during power up of the circuit to reduce high-frequency noise in an output signal from the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Mustafa Keskin, Khalid Junaid Sidiqi, Derick Hugunin, James Ian Jaffee, Louis Dominic Oliveira