Abstract: The presence and/or state of an accessory having a connector of a first type (e.g. male connector) adapted to be plug into a connector of a second type (e.g. female connector) of an electronic device is detected based on an analysis of an electrical line coupled to the female connector of the device, wherein the electrical line analysis is started only when it is determined that the connector of the accessory is completely inserted into the connector of the device.
Abstract: A method of matching a hearing aid antenna in a binaural hearing aid in accordance with a detected signal strength of a received communication signal, the binaural hearing aid having a first hearing aid to be positioned at one ear of a user and a second hearing aid to be positioned at another ear of the user, the method includes: receiving a communication signal by a wireless communication unit in the first hearing aid; detecting a signal strength of the received communications signal; and controlling a matching mechanism positioned in the first hearing aid and/or the second hearing aid to improve antenna reception and/or antenna transmission according to the detected signal strength.
Abstract: A loudspeaker module includes a housing having a plurality of side walls and a cover plate positioned over a top surface of the plurality of side walls, a bottom of the housing remaining open. A driver mounting plate is secured to the plurality of side walls and divides the housing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment. At least one of the plurality of side walls includes an aperture linking the lower compartment to the external environment surrounding the housing. A driver is mounted to the driver mounting plate, the driver being positioned to fire into the lower compartment of the housing. A mounting bracket is secured to the at least one of the plurality of side walls including an aperture.
Abstract: Feedback whistling and external tonal signals are distinguished during feedback suppression. For that purpose an adaptation increment of an adaptive filter of a hearing apparatus for feedback reduction is controlled. A sound signal is picked up by a microphone and a microphone signal is output, from which an earpiece signal for an earpiece is generated. An adaptive filter reduces a feedback signal in the microphone signal. To this end an autocorrelation value of sampled values of the microphone signal, between which a time difference exists, is obtained, and the adaptation increment of the adaptive filter is controlled based on the autocorrelation value. A frequency of an output signal obtained on the basis of the microphone signal is shifted while creating the earpiece signal and the time difference for obtaining the autocorrelation value is controlled as a function of the shifting of the frequency of the microphone signal.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 24, 2014
Date of Patent:
July 19, 2016
Assignee:
Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
Inventors:
Tobias Daniel Rosenkranz, Tobias Wurzbacher
Abstract: A three channel speaker system is provided that includes a three-channel processor to receive a signal from an audio source, where the speaker system includes a center-channel speaker on a first face, a left-channel speaker on a second face, and a right-channel speaker on a third face, where the first face further includes first and second passive radiators positioned on opposite sides of the center-channel speaker, and also includes a fourth face comprising third and fourth passive radiators. Where all three-channel speakers are on a front face, passive radiators may be positioned in between each of the speakers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 27, 2013
Date of Patent:
June 14, 2016
Inventors:
Donald J. North, Dennis H. Barnes, Thomas Richard Farr
Abstract: A method includes determining a first feature of a first audio signal at a first location in a signal processing path and determining, using the first feature, a first environmental classification of the first signal. Further, the method includes, based on the first environmental classification, enabling, modifying or disabling one or both of a first signal processing mode at the first location and a second signal processing mode at a second location in the signal processing path. The method also includes determining a second feature of a second audio signal at the second location and determining, using the second feature, a second environmental classification of the second signal. Further, the method includes, based on the second environmental classification, enabling, modifying or disabling one or both of the first signal processing mode at the first location and the second signal processing mode at the second location.
Abstract: A full-audio-range speaker has a box, at least one dynamic speaker unit, and a vibration speaker. The box has multiple side walls and at least one wall hole. The at least one dynamic speaker unit is mounted in the box and has a sound hole aligned with the at least one wall hole. The vibration speaker is mounted through the box. The at least one dynamic speaker unit and the vibration speaker respectively improve midrange, treble, and bass performances of the full-audio-range speaker. Therefore, the full-audio-range speaker can have relatively good midrange, treble, and bass performances simultaneously.
Abstract: A novel system and method for adjusting the dynamic range of an audio recording or signal, which does not require user manipulation of threshold and ratio (and other parameters). Unlike prior audio compressors or limiters, the present invention provides for the ability to set the dynamic range without complicated user settings and knowledge. The process can be done automatically by a computer or processor.
Abstract: An approach is described for evaluating a selected hearing stimulation strategy in a hearing impaired patient. A healthy neurogram represents a normal auditory neural response to a selected sound input by a healthy auditory system. An impaired neurogram represents an impaired auditory neural response to the selected sound input by a hearing impaired patient auditory system using the hearing stimulation strategy. The impaired neurogram is compared to the healthy neurogram based on: i. partitioning the neurograms into corresponding temporal and frequency domain tiles, ii. determining local variability between corresponding individual tiles by comparison of selected tile features, iii. determining global variability between the neurograms by weighted averaging of the individual tile comparisons, and iv. developing from the local and global variabilities a perception estimate representing effectiveness of the selected hearing stimulation strategy in approaching normal healthy hearing for the implanted patient.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 16, 2014
Date of Patent:
May 24, 2016
Assignees:
MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH, Technische Universität München
Inventors:
Stefano Rini, Michael Drews, Michele Nicoletti, Werner Hemmert
Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle having a multilayer roof structure and a microphone unit integrated into the roof structure. Here, a supporting layer has a through opening reaching to a lower covering layer, wherein the through opening is covered by the lower covering layer, wherein the microphone unit is associated with the through opening and wherein the microphone unit is opposite the lower covering layer with its sound entry region.
Abstract: Flexible connectors that can be mated into specially designed electronic receptacles are described. In some embodiments, additional connections on the connector can make contact with the receptacle. However, the additional connections are also provided in a manner wherein if the connector is plugged into a legacy, conventional receptacle, the additional connectors become disengaged and slide away from, back from, or inside the jack so that the connector can still be used on legacy devices.
Abstract: An articulating speaker assembly includes a first member including a first driver and a second member including second driver. The first member and the second member are pivotally connected for selectively changing the profile of the speaker assembly. A central housing member is pivotally connected to each of the first member and the second member, wherein the central housing member supports a third driver.
Abstract: A personal audio device, such as a wireless telephone, includes noise canceling circuit that adaptively generates an anti-noise signal from a reference microphone signal and injects the anti-noise signal into the speaker or other transducer output to cause cancellation of ambient audio sounds. An error microphone may also be provided proximate the speaker to measure the output of the transducer in order to control the adaptation of the anti-noise signal and to estimate an electro-acoustical path from the noise canceling circuit through the transducer. A processing circuit that performs the adaptive noise canceling (ANC) function also detects frequency-dependent characteristics in and/or direction of the ambient sounds and alters adaptation of the noise canceling circuit in response to the detection.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 4, 2013
Date of Patent:
April 19, 2016
Assignee:
CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
Inventors:
Jeffrey Alderson, Jon D. Hendrix, Dayong Zhou
Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method to permit control and operation of an electronic device while participating in another activity, including a variety of sports and recreational activities. A fabric helmet liner, one or more speakers, a microphone, a breakaway connector, and a slap switch are provided and configured to enhance the ability of users to answer or end telephone calls or start, stop, or resume audio output t the speakers while a user is in motion or wearing gloves that would render the use of conventional call answer buttons difficult or impossible.
Abstract: There is provided a control device (220) for an induction loop system configured to: generate a calibration signal (202) having a known amplitude and frequency; feed the calibration signal (202) to an induction loop amplifier (106); detect level of electric current at the output of the induction loop amplifier (106); and determine an adjustment model (400) on the basis of the detected level of electric current and the known amplitude and frequency, wherein the adjustment model (400) is for adjusting the amplitude of a to-be-fed output signal (200) based on the frequency of a to-be-received input electrical audio signal (105) such that the level of the electric current at the output of the induction loop amplifier (106) is within predetermined limits.
Abstract: An earpiece system for adapting an electronic sound producing module to an elastomeric earpiece device. The earpiece system includes an elastomeric base that mechanically snaps together with the electronic sound producing module, and a vibration dampening tube that prevents sound feedback of the overall amplification unit while also interfacing with one of a selection of elastomeric devices that fit in the ear, or a custom molded in-the-ear housing.
Abstract: In an audio speaker network, setup of speaker location, sound track or channel assignation, and speaker parameters is facilitated by an application detecting speaker locations and prompting a user to input rough room boundaries and a desired listener location in the room. Based on this, optimum speaker locations/frequency assignations/speaker parameters may be determined and output.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 20, 2014
Date of Patent:
March 15, 2016
Assignee:
Sony Corporation
Inventors:
Gregory Peter Carlsson, Steven Martin Richman, James R. Milne
Abstract: A sound system processor for converting left and right channel signals from an audio source into composite left and right signals and employing a mid-side processor, at least one low and high pass filters, and one or more sum processors, together which create at least two or more composite signals for delivery to speaker drivers to generate a broad sound field from a compact multi-speaker sound system source.
Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for determining tones and/or volumes based on color information associated with an image file. Some embodiments provide for generating tones as background chords, automatically in an auto-play mode, and/or manually (e.g., based on a user touching a touch screen).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 28, 2013
Date of Patent:
March 8, 2016
Assignee:
uSOUNDit Partners, LLC
Inventors:
Jean Cheever, Tom Polum, Tamra Hayden-Rice
Abstract: A power converter has an output that is coupled in parallel with an energy reservoir circuit and a power supply node of an audio power amplifier. The converter can set an upper limit on its input supply current that is variable in accordance with a control input. A controller is to produce a signal, coupled to the control input of the power converter, that is responsive to a measure of input supply voltage of the power converter and either output voltage of the power converter or output power of the amplifier. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 13, 2014
Date of Patent:
January 5, 2016
Assignee:
Apple Inc.
Inventors:
Roderick Hogan, Joseph J. Curcio, Nathan A. Johanningsmeier, Casey L. Hardy