Patents Examined by Jesse A Elbin
  • Patent number: 9521494
    Abstract: An antenna system is provided for hearing instruments to be worn in the auditory canal. A hearing instrument has a data transmission system improved in respect of transmission bandwidth with no increase or only an insignificant increase in space and energy requirement. The antenna system has an antenna with a preferred send and receive spatial direction, and a hearing instrument component which emits noise radiation predominantly in a noise radiation spatial direction. The antenna and the hearing instrument component are disposed so that the send and receive spatial direction and the noise radiation spatial direction are oriented transverse to one another such that a coupling-in of noise radiation into the antenna is reduced. The reduction of the noise couplings into the antenna make possible a higher send and receive bandwidth, with the installation volume and energy requirement remaining the same. The hearing instrument component is a receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Nikles
  • Patent number: 9507560
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for audio device playback failure recovery and redistribution. The systems and methods may be configured to cause a plurality of playback devices to render audio content in a synchronized manner, detect a failure of a first playback device of the plurality of playback devices, determine a playback responsibility of the first playback device, and cause an adjustment of the rendering of the audio content by at least a second playback device of the plurality of playback devices. The systems and methods may further be configured to detect an addition of a new playback device to the plurality of playback devices, determine a playback responsibility of the new playback device for rendering the audio content, and cause an adjustment of the rendering of the audio content by at least a one playback device from the plurality of playback devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Jonathan Paul Lang, Jonathon Reilly
  • Patent number: 9497549
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes an acoustic diaphragm, a lever, and an oscillatory force source for driving the lever in oscillatory, rotary motion about a pivot axis. The loudspeaker also includes a connector that couples the lever to the acoustic diaphragm. The connector includes a first rotary joint that defines a first rotary axis that is fixedly attached to the acoustic diaphragm, a second rotary joint that defines a second rotary axis that is fixedly attached to the lever, and a linkage coupling the first and second rotary joints. The connector allows for rotational and translational movement of the lever and the diaphragm relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Lucas, Johan H. Isaksson, Geoffrey C. Chick, Weidong Zhu, Benjamin G. K. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9483229
    Abstract: An audio apparatus for a portable device is provided. The portable device includes computing hardware coupled to associated data memory, which stores one or more audio or computer program products that include a plurality of audio libraries. The audio apparatus is operable to execute the audio products upon the computing hardware, whereby the audio products are operable to call the audio libraries to generate digital audio data. The digital audio data so generated is provided to sound-generating hardware, which is then operable to generate acoustic audio signals corresponding to the digital audio data. The audio apparatus is operable to host one or more replacement audio products, which are storable in the data memory. The audio apparatus is operable to invoke the replacement audio products as an alternative to the audio products for generating the digital audio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Unity Technologies Finland Oy
    Inventor: Antti Tapaninen
  • Patent number: 9485577
    Abstract: Provided is an audio output device capable of preventing noises and improving the S/N ratio even if no audio signal is inputted in the middle of the input of audio signals, or even if an audio-signal input state and a no-signal state are alternately repeated. In the provided audio output device, a multiplier is provided on the input side of each of the delayers. Each multiplier multiplies the addition output of the corresponding one of adders by a multiplier coefficient supplied by the coefficient counter. If there is no input of digital audio signals into a ?? modulator, the counter control circuit decreases the output of the coefficient counter down to 0 stepwise at predetermined intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasutomo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 9472181
    Abstract: An audio read-out device comprises an audio signal generator, a first information receiver, a first information transmitter, a first controller, and a mixed audio signal generator, and when the first information receiver receives audio output enablement information indicating that audio output is disabled, the first controller causes the mixed audio signal generator to generate a mixed audio signal composed of a broadcast audio signal and causes the first information transmitter to transmit the mixed audio signal until the first information receiver receives audio output enablement information indicating that audio output is enabled; and when the first information receiver receives audio output enablement information indicating that audio output is enabled, the first controller causes the mixed audio signal generator to generate a mixed audio signal obtained by mixing a read-out audio signal and a broadcast audio signal, and causes the first information transmitter to transmit the mixed audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuma Adachi
  • Patent number: 9471531
    Abstract: A method of and a system for synchronizing isochronous audio data frames provided by a USB interface to a clock of a wireless RF communication device is provided. The USB interface and the wireless RF communication device are connected via an I2S link, the method comprising receiving the isochronous audio data frames and the wireless RF communication device clock in a streaming controller, phase locking the isochronous audio data frames to a USB interface clock, counting start-of-frame pulses of the phase locked isochronous audio data frames, comparing the counted start-of-frame pulses with the wireless RF communication device clock to determine a difference signal, the difference signal triggering a synchronization event code when a threshold difference has been reached, rate matching the isochronous audio data frames to the wireless RF communication device clock upon receiving the synchronization event code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventor: Rene Elbæk Jensen
  • Patent number: 9454967
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a wave field synthesis (WFS) signal in consideration of a height of a speaker are disclosed. The WFS signal generation apparatus may include a waveform propagation distance determination unit to determine a propagation distance of a waveform propagate from a sound source based on a height of a speaker, and a WFS signal generation unit to generate a WFS signal corresponding to the speaker using the propagation distance of the waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Instit
    Inventors: Jae-Hyoun Yoo, Keun Woo Choi, Jeong Il Seo, Kyeong Ok Kang
  • Patent number: 9456269
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plug earphone with a front portion and a rear portion, wherein a flexible plug can be placed on the front portion which includes an outer portion and an inner portion. An electroacoustic transducer is arranged in the rear portion, wherein the front portion is positioned on the electroacoustic transducer and on an opening of the rear portion produced in this area. To achieve a reliable acoustic friction piece which is easy to manufacture, the front portion, and optionally an inner portion and an outer portion, together with a front wall of the rear portion, forms at least one radial channel leading from the interior of the front portion to the outside, and an acoustic friction piece is optionally arranged in the radial channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: AKG Acoustics GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Perkmann, Hannes Lehdorfer, Alex Dobrocsi
  • Patent number: 9454604
    Abstract: A method comprising acquiring a plurality of measurements from at least one sensor in a mobile device, determining an activity classification of a user of the mobile device based on the plurality of measurements, acquiring an audio file for the mobile device, wherein the audio file is selected based on the activity classification, and playing the audio file by the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Chin Chong, Jianyu Zhang
  • Patent number: 9449084
    Abstract: A method implemented by a mobile device for music recommendation to a user of the mobile device, the method comprising acquiring one or more measurements from at least one biometric sensor to obtain biometric information of the user, determining a music based at least in part on the biometric information, and recommending the music to the user for playing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Chin Chong, Jianyu Zhang
  • Patent number: 9451370
    Abstract: A method for operating a hearing device worn by a hearing device user. The method includes picking up an audio signal (a) by an input transducer of the hearing device. The audio signal (a) includes a source signal (s) of a sound source (SS) and a disturbing signal (d) of a disturbing source (DS). The method also includes receiving a transmission signal (d_AIS) via an interface unit of the hearing device. The transmission signal (d_AIS) includes the disturbing signal (d) or at least characteristic features of the disturbing signal (d). The method also includes at least partially eliminating the disturbing signal (d) from the audio signal (a) by using the disturbing signal (d) transmitted by the transmission signal (d_AIS) or by using the characteristic features of the disturbing signal (d) transmitted by the transmission signal (d_AIS) for obtaining an adjusted audio signal (a*), and processing the adjusted audio signal (a*).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SONOVA AG
    Inventors: Ivo Hasler, Micha Knaus
  • Patent number: 9451379
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sound field is mapped by extracting spatial angle information, diffusivity information, and optionally, sound level information. The extracted information is mapped for representation in the form of a Riemann sphere, wherein spatial angle varies longitudinally, diffusivity varies latitudinally, and level varies radially along the sphere. A more generalized mapping employs mapping the spatial angle and diffusivity information onto a representative region exhibiting variations in direction of arrival that correspond to the extracted spatial information and variations in distance that correspond to the extracted diffusivity information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: David Gunawan, Dong Shi, Glenn N. Dickins
  • Patent number: 9445202
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of acoustics, sound reproduction technologies, and the design principle of the loudspeaker, and more particularly, to an electroacoustic transducer having controlled ion generation. The electroacoustic transducer may include an anode having one or more discharge elements electronically connected to a first terminal of a voltage source, the one or more discharge elements of the anode having a first surface area configured to generate ions in conjunction with the connected voltage source. The electroacoustic transducer may also include a cathode having one or more discharge elements electronically connected to a second terminal of the voltage source, the one or more discharge elements of the cathode having a second surface area configured to generate ions in conjunction with the connected voltage source, wherein a ratio of the first surface area to the second surface area is greater than one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: AGA ad Media, LLP
    Inventor: Maksym Viktorovich Chyzhov
  • Patent number: 9445203
    Abstract: A signal processor for a hearing device with an implantable stimulator having two or more electrodes for emitting electric charge pulses to neural-fibers of an individual. The processor has a signal path comprising an input circuit adapted to receive an acoustic-signal from the surroundings and provide at least one corresponding input audio-signal; a filter bank adapted to provide at least one band-limited audio-signal in dependence on the at least one input audio-signal; and a noise filter adapted to attenuate undesired signal components in the at least one band-limited audio-signal and to provide at least one corresponding noise-filtered signal. The processor is characterised in that the portion of the signal path preceding the noise filter neither causes an effective level compression nor an effective level expansion of the at least one noise-filtered signal when the at least one noise-filtered signal is derived from an acoustic signal having a level within the comfortable acoustic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: OTICON MEDICAL A/S
    Inventors: Manuel Segovia Martinez, Jonathan Laudanski, Dan Gnansia, Yves Wenzinger, Bertrand Philppon, Emilie Daanouni
  • Patent number: 9445180
    Abstract: A headphone storage system that includes a headphone and a headphone storage device. The headphone includes a speaker, a cord and a plug. The cord extends from the speaker. The plug is attached to an end of the cord that is opposite the speaker. The headphone storage device includes a main body portion having a first end and a second end. The headphone storage device has a first aperture and a second aperture formed therein. The first aperture and the second aperture both permit the cord and the plug to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Christopher Max Tite
  • Patent number: 9438988
    Abstract: Headsets presented herein may include at least one earpiece having an adjustable bone conduction element and an ear bud. The location of the bone conduction element may be repositioned by sliding a slidably-coupled section to which the bone conduction element is attached. The ear bud may be disengaged without disturbing the positioning of the bone conduction element. Additionally, the earpiece may be attached to a base member via a pivoting element that is coupled to wire that retracts into the base member. The base member can be controlled by a cell phone and charge by plugging into a solar harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Todd Campbell
  • Patent number: 9432789
    Abstract: A sound separation device includes: a signal obtainment unit which obtains a plurality of acoustic signals including a first acoustic signal and a second acoustic signal; a differential signal generation unit which generates a differential signal that is a signal representing a difference in a time domain between the first acoustic signal and the second acoustic signal; an acoustic signal generation unit which generates, using at least one acoustic signal among the acoustic signals, a third acoustic signal; and an extraction unit which generates a frequency signal by subtracting, from a signal obtained by transforming the third acoustic signal into a frequency domain, a signal obtained by transforming the differential signal into a frequency domain, and generates a separated acoustic signal by transforming the generated frequency signal into a time domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Yoshizawa, Keizo Matsumoto, Aiko Kawanaka
  • Patent number: 9432775
    Abstract: Provided is an energy conversion apparatus including a diaphragm on which a coil of a lead pattern is formed, a magnet substrate configured to generate a magnetic field towards the coil on the diaphragm, and a magnetic film configured to generate magnetic force between the magnetic film and the magnet substrate to support the diaphragm therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michiaki Shinotsuka
  • Patent number: 9426585
    Abstract: A binaural hearing aid system (100) is adapted to provide binaural beats to a hearing aid user. The invention further provides a method of generating binaural beats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventor: Thilo Volker Thiede