Patents Examined by Kile Blair
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Patent number: 9332122Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method and system may be provided for providing notification that an emergency call is being placed. The system and method includes identifying a telephone call as being an emergency call, identifying a calling party of the telephone call, locating a notification list associated with the identified calling party, and sending a notification to members on the notification list.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2009Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLCInventors: John Zeigler, Jeffrey L. Leister, Cadathur V. Chakravarthy
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Patent number: 9318095Abstract: The disclosed active vibration noise control device is suitable for use in cancelling out vibration noise by outputting control noise from a plurality of speakers. When a vibration noise frequency is in a dip bandwidth, the active vibration noise control device alters the step size parameters used to update the filter coefficient at at least one filter coefficient update means from among a plurality of filter coefficient update means. Thus, the filter coefficient update speed can be retarded in unstable dip bandwidths, enabling loss in silencing effect which occurs during dip characteristics to be appropriately reduced.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2010Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: PIONEER CORPORATIONInventors: Kensaku Obata, Yoshiki Ohta, Yoshitomo Imanishi, Akihiro Iseki
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Patent number: 9301049Abstract: In one embodiment, a directional microphone array having (at least) two microphones generates forward and backward cardioid signals from two (e.g., omnidirectional) microphone signals. An adaptation factor is applied to the backward cardioid signal, and the resulting adjusted backward cardioid signal is subtracted from the forward cardioid signal to generate a (first-order) output audio signal corresponding to a beampattern having no nulls for negative values of the adaptation factor. After low-pass filtering, spatial noise suppression can be applied to the output audio signal. Microphone arrays having one (or more) additional microphones can be designed to generate second-(or higher-) order output audio signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: MH Acoustics LLCInventors: Gary W. Elko, Jens M. Meyer, Tomas Fritz Gaensler
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Patent number: 9277309Abstract: Broadly speaking, the embodiments described herein relate to a media apparatus that can be used in conjunction with a host device to provide an end user a pleasurable listening experience especially during periods of physical activity. In the described embodiments, the host device can take the form of a portable media player. In particular, the media apparatus can include a listening device.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Jorge S. Fino
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Patent number: 9269359Abstract: A system comprises: first and second base stations; and a plurality of relay nodes, each of said relay nodes connected to the first base station, each of said relay nodes being connected to at least one other relay node, whereby at least one relay node is configured to at least one of receive and send information for another of said relays nodes; wherein when at least one of the plurality of relay nodes is handed over to a second base station the at least one relay node is configured to receive and/or send information via another of the relay nodes connected to the first base station.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Nokia Technologies OyInventor: Juha Ojanperä
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Patent number: 9258419Abstract: A system and method for managing emergency calls are disclosed herein. The method includes receiving an emergency related call at a call center, and during the emergency related call, retrieving information related to i) a type of incident being reported, ii) a location of the incident being reported, and iii) a description of the incident being reported. A public safety answering point to notify of the incident is identified, where such identification is based upon at least some of the retrieved information. A database is searched for outgoing calls to the identified public safety answering point, and based upon results from the searching, a determination is made as to whether to contact the identified public safety answering point.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: General Motors LLCInventor: Travis L. Bradburn
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Patent number: 9252727Abstract: A peripheral apparatus, for connecting to a first or a second transmission port of an electronic device, includes a signal transmission interface, a triggering unit, an amplifying unit and an adjusting unit. The signal transmission interface, coupled to the first or the second transmission port, includes a first and a second group of pins. The triggering unit is coupled to the signal transmission interface. When the signal transmission interface is coupled to the first or the second transmission port, the triggering unit outputs a first or a second voltage level signal, respectively. The amplifying unit is coupled to the signal transmission interface and a functional unit. The adjusting unit, coupled to the signal transmission interface, the triggering unit, the amplifying unit and the functional unit, changes an output power transmitted from the amplifying unit to the functional unit according to the first or the second voltage level signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: KYE SYSTEMS CORP.Inventors: Jen-Fu Huang, Chih-Chien Liao, Nine-Ren Kang
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Patent number: 9236041Abstract: There is provided a filter circuit for producing a noise reduction signal for reducing a noise signal collected by a microphone, including: a digital section including an analog/digital conversion section configured to convert the noise signal into a digital noise signal, a digital filter section configured to produce a digital noise reduction signal based on the digital noise signal, and a digital/analog conversion section configured to convert the digital noise reduction signal into an analog noise reduction signal; an analog path connected in parallel to said digital section and configured to output the noise signal as it is or after processed by an analog filter; and a synthesis section configured to synthesize the analog noise reduction signal outputted from said digital/analog conversion section of said digital section and the analog signal outputted from said analog path to produce a noise reduction signal to be used for noise reduction.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Kohei Asada, Tetsunori Itabashi
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Patent number: 9237393Abstract: An audio headset system for a mobile phone or other audio player includes a pair of earpieces, each including a speaker in a housing and configured to provide audio output, the housing configured for positioning with respect to a user's ear to direct audio output to the ear; and a pair of accelerometers configured to provide acceleration information representative of acceleration of the respective earpieces, wherein together the acceleration information provided from both accelerometers is representative of angular motion in a horizontal plane of the head of a user. The angular motion may be used as inputs to carry out functions of the mobile phone, e.g., to provide sound adjustments for three dimensional stereophonic sound, to provide navigation information to a user, to play games, and so on.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications ABInventors: Magnus Abrahamsson, David Johansson
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Patent number: 9226066Abstract: An active vibration noise control device is preferably used for canceling a vibration noise by making a speaker generate a control sound. Concretely, the active vibration noise control device includes an attenuating unit which attenuates a control signal generated by an adaptive notch filter, and provides the attenuated control signal to the speaker, when amplitude of a filter coefficient is larger than a threshold. Therefore, it is possible to suppress continuous ups and downs of the filter coefficient during an occurrence of an abnormality. Hence, it becomes possible to appropriately suppress an occurrence of a cyclic abnormal sound and an increase in the vibration noise during the occurrence of the abnormality.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: PIONEER CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshiki Ohta, Manabu Nohara, Yusuke Soga, Shin Hasegawa, Hisashi Kihara
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Patent number: 9225309Abstract: The invention relates to an audio amplifier (1) for amplifying an input signal into an output signal, comprising an output amplification stage (6), wherein the output amplification stage (6) for the amplification of an intermediate signal into the output signal is designed as an amplifier operating in switching operation, and further comprising a limiter device (4), which from a programming and/or a circuit design point of view is designed to generate the intermediate signal on the basis of the input signal, wherein the level of the intermediate signal is always limited by a maximum load as a function of a settable maximum output and a load impedance which is coupled and/or can be coupled the audio amplifier or equivalent parameter thresholds such that the output signal does not exceed the maximum load at the load impedance, or the equivalent parameter thresholds, independently of the input signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Josef Taffner, Gregor Sauer, Christian Glueck, Josef Plager, Peter Hallstein
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Patent number: 9210524Abstract: An aircraft audio panel includes a plurality of audio inputs each configured for receiving audio communications from an audio source; a plurality of audio outputs each configured for outputting the audio communications to audio equipment in the aircraft; selecting circuitry for selecting the audio communications between the audio inputs and the audio outputs; a single selector for permitting selection of one of the audio inputs or audio outputs for adjustment; and a single audio controller for permitting adjustment of an audio characteristic of the selected audio input or audio output. The audio panel may also include an audio characteristic indicator for indicating an audio characteristic of the selected audio input or audio output. The selecting circuitry may also implement a routing mode in which a user may first initiate the routing mode, then select one of the audio inputs for routing, and then select any one of the audio outputs for receiving audio communications from the selected audio input.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2010Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.Inventors: Charles Gregory Sherwood, Luke E. Bogner, Joseph E. Gepner, Tyler O. Vrooman, Timothy W. James
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Patent number: 9204232Abstract: A method of identifies an appropriate wireless communication channel in an audio receiving device, that comprises 1) a wireless receiver receiving an audio signal on a particular transmission channel selected among a predefined number of possible transmission channels, and 2) a microphone for picking up a sound in the environment of the audio receiving device. The method comprises a) selecting a channel as the receiving channel among a predefined number of possible transmission channels; b) analyzing the received signal received and the signal picked up by the microphone; c) determining whether a predefined criterion concerning the degree of similarity of the received signal and the signal picked up by the microphone is fulfilled; d) KEEPING the channel as the receiving channel, if the predefined criterion is fulfilled; and e) CHANGING the receiving channel to another channel if the predefined criterion is NOT fulfilled.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: OTICON A/SInventor: Bjarne Klemmensen
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Patent number: 9164561Abstract: A peripheral device configured to be plugged into an audio jack of an electronic device includes an audio plug having an input terminal; a load electrically connected to the input terminal of the audio plug and configured to draw a first amount of current; a variable resistor electrically connected to the input terminal; a sensor configured to measure a voltage at the input terminal or an amount of current flowing into the load; and a controller that receives a signal from the sensor and is configured to control a resistance of the variable resistor such that a sum of the first amount of current and a second amount of current flowing through the variable resistor is substantially equal to a predetermined current value.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2012Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: SQUARE, INC.Inventor: Kartik Lamba
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Patent number: 9100755Abstract: In a sound reproducing apparatus, part of a frequency band where mode-coupled vibration can be excited is regarded as a carrier frequency. A frequency of mode coupling, with a low rate of change in vibration displacement with respect to the frequency, is regarded as a carrier signal so that a signal in an audible band which is outputted from an audible band signal source can be demodulated and reproduced with stable sound pressure in a broad frequency band.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2009Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsu Takeda, Masaki Tada, Masashi Minakuchi, Fumiyasu Konno
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Patent number: 9094755Abstract: An audio monitoring system for an audio performance consists of one or more terminal units and one or more base units. The base units are configured to send transmission data consisting of channel labels, frequencies, and mix identifiers to the terminal units. The terminal units are configured to receive and store the transmission data. The terminal units permit a user to select the stored transmission data and to display the transmission data on a user display. The terminal units can receive audio signals from the base units over the stored frequencies and are configured to output the corresponding audio signals to a sound transmission device.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2009Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Babarskas, Junjie Gu, Ryan Perkofski, Nick Wood, Mike Nagel, Mark Manthei
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Patent number: 9088857Abstract: An audio apparatus includes a sound generation unit configured to generate a measuring signal, a sound collection unit configured to obtain a sound collection signal, a detection unit configured to detect a level difference between the sound collection signal and background noise, a characteristic calculation unit configured to extract each signal period of the measuring signal from the sound collection signal, a feature amount calculation unit configured to calculate a feature amount representative of sudden noise for each period based on each of the period signals, and a determination unit configured to compare feature amounts of the periods and to remove, from periods to be used for averaging the period signals, a period or periods whose feature amounts are not within a range between a threshold value and a minimum value of the feature amounts as a reference, wherein the threshold value is determined according to the detected level difference.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Noriaki Tawada
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Patent number: 9082411Abstract: A method and device reduce artifacts in an audio processing algorithm for applying a time and frequency dependent gain to an input audio signal. The method provides a time frequency representation of an input audio signal comprising a number of frequency bands; applies an audio processing algorithm providing an estimated algorithm output signal; determines for each frequency band a difference between a value of the estimated gain signal at a given time and at a preceding time; averages the difference over a predefined time; provides a confidence estimate based on the time averaged difference, the said confidence estimate being relatively low in case said time averaged difference is above a predetermined threshold level and relatively high in case said time averaged difference is below a predetermined threshold level; and optionally applies the confidence estimate to the noise reduced output signal thereby providing an improved algorithm output signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: OTICON A/SInventor: Michael Syskind Pedersen
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Patent number: 9071206Abstract: An audio amplification circuit comprises an amplifier having an input and an output, as well as an audio output to which a load can be connected. It additionally comprises a first driver stage having an input and an output which is not coupled to the audio output, and a second driver stage having an input and an output which is coupled to the audio output. The output from the amplifier is selectively coupled to the input of the first driver stage in a first phase of operation and then selectively to the input of the second driver stage in a second phase of operation following the first phase of operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: ST-Ericsson SAInventors: Remy Cellier, Francois Amiard
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Patent number: 9060229Abstract: An electret microphone having reduced noise due to reduced leakage current is provided. The microphone includes a flexible diaphragm, and sensor member disposed in opposing, spaced relation to the diaphragm and comprising a semi-conductor channel. At least one electret surface, comprised of a dielectric material having a permanently-embedded static electric charge, is disposed on one of the diaphragm and the sensor member. In turn, the semi-conductor channel of the sensor member has an electrical conductivity dependent upon relative movement of the diaphragm and support member responsive to acoustic signals incident upon the diaphragm, wherein the channel provides an output signal indicative of the acoustic signals. The electret surface may be disposed on the diaphragm. Alternatively, the electret surface may be disposed on the sensor member in spaced, face-to-face relation to an electrically conductive surface located on the diaphragm.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Scott Allan Miller, III, Denis Dupeyron