Patents Examined by Mark Fischer
  • Patent number: 12686614
    Abstract: A MEMS loudspeaker manufacturing method and a MEMS loudspeaker are provided. The MEMS loudspeaker manufacturing method includes positioning a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate, inverting a MEMS chip and electrically connecting the PCB substrate to a first side of the PCB substrate having a first groove. filling and solidifying a polymer protection material in the gap between the MEMS chip and the PCB substrate, and combining the MEMS chip and the PCB substrate into a combination component. Since the PCB substrate and the MEMS chip are combined into the combination component through using the polymer protection component made of the polymer protection material, and the polymer protection component is coated with the conducting component, an overall packaging size of the MEMS loudspeaker basically is enabled to be consistent with a size of the MEMS chip, and sensitivity parameters of the MEMS loudspeaker may be significantly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Assignee: AAC Kaitai Technologies (Wuhan) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qiang Dan, Rui Cai, Yiwei Zhou, Yu Shen, Yang Li
  • Patent number: 12689863
    Abstract: Examples can provide circuits, methods, and apparatus that can determine a quality of a seal formed using an audio device, can inform a user of the quality of the seal, and can help the user to improve the quality of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
  • Patent number: 12671938
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system includes: a first sound generator with a first emission direction, and a second sound generator with a second emission direction, wherein the first sound generator and the second sound generator are arranged with respect to each other such that the first emission direction and the second emission direction intersect in a sound chamber; a third sound generator with a third emission direction, and a fourth sound generator with a fourth emission direction, wherein the third sound generator and the fourth sound generator are arranged such that the third emission direction and the fourth emission direction intersect in the sound chamber; and a housing that accommodates the first sound generator and the second sound generator, the third sound generator and the fourth sound generator, and the sound chamber, wherein the housing has a gap configured to enable gas communication between the sound chamber and a surrounding area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2026
    Assignee: KAETEL SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Klaus Kaetel
  • Patent number: 12666204
    Abstract: A terminal is provided with a first audio output unit and a second audio output unit configured to output an audio content, and the terminal includes: an audio acquiring unit configured to acquire a first audio content and a second audio content; a setting unit configured to set information indicating an output destination of the first audio content and the second audio content; and an audio output controller configured to output the first audio content to one of the first audio output unit and the second audio output unit and output the second audio content to the other of the first audio output unit and the second audio output unit based on the information set by the setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2026
    Assignee: Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shogo Kitamura, Yuusuke Yatabe, Takashi Matsubara
  • Patent number: 12666206
    Abstract: A technique for accurately measuring acoustic characteristics of a parametric array is provided. A first calculation unit that calculates a complex amplitude d of an optical phase at a frequency fd from an amount of change ?s of the optical phase caused by demodulated sound S, assuming that qdiff(??, ??) is a function defined using a Gaussian beam expansion method, a second calculation unit that calculates a function value qdiff(?, ?) at a point X and a line integral value ?Lqdiff(??, ?)d?? of the function qdiff(??, ?) along the optical path L, and a third calculation unit that calculates a complex amplitude p of the demodulated sound with the frequency fd at the point X using the complex amplitude d, the function value qdiff(?, ?), and the line integral value ?Lqdiff(??, ?)d?? are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2026
    Assignee: NTT, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Ishikawa, Yoshifumi Shiraki, Takehiro Moriya
  • Patent number: 12666195
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe MEMS sound transducers for generating sound, having an actuator, wherein the actuator is separated from a surrounding structure by one or more gaps and is configured to execute a relative movement between the actuator and the surrounding structure. Additionally, the MEMS sound transducer has the surrounding structure, wherein the actuator and the surrounding structure has a plurality of recesses and projections which are separated by one or more gaps, wherein the plurality of projections belonging to the actuator are arranged to interdigitate into the plurality of recesses belonging to the surrounding structure, and/or the plurality of projections belonging to the surrounding structure to interdigitate into the plurality of recesses belonging to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2026
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Fabian Stoppel, Malte Florian Niekiel, Bernhard Wagner, Fabian Lofink
  • Patent number: 12641365
    Abstract: A control apparatus (10) includes a position information acquiring unit (110) and a control unit (120). The position information acquiring unit (110) acquires information (position information) indicating a position of a person in a store. The position information acquiring unit (110) generates position information by, for example, acquiring and processing image data generated by an image capture apparatus installed in the store in real time. The control unit (120) controls a plurality of speakers (22 and 24) in the store independently of each other by using the position information generated or acquired by the position information acquiring unit (110). A target of control to be performed herein includes, as described above, at least one of selection of sound data to be supplied, a timing of supplying sound data, and a sound volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Miyazaki, Takahiro Matsui, Satoshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 12621619
    Abstract: Examples described herein involve configuring a playback device based on distortion, such as that caused by a barrier. One implementation may involve causing the playback device to play audio content according to an existing playback configuration, determining an existing frequency response of the playback device in a given system, and determining whether a difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and a predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than a predetermined distortion threshold. If it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then the existing playback configuration of the playback device is changed to an updated playback configuration of the playback device and the playback device plays audio content according to the updated playback configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H. Bush
  • Patent number: 12598427
    Abstract: A vibration apparatus includes a first cover member, a second cover member, and a vibration part disposed between the first cover member and the second cover member. The vibration part includes a vibration layer including a plurality of first portions and a second portion disposed between the plurality of first portions. The plurality of first portions can include a transparent single crystalline piezoelectric material, and the second portion can include a transparent organic material. The vibration part can further include a first electrode layer disposed at a first surface of the vibration layer, and a second electrode layer disposed at a second surface of the vibration layer being different from the first surface of the vibration layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seunghyun Sung
  • Patent number: 12598434
    Abstract: Ear-worn devices such as hearing aids are described herein. The ear-worn devices include a machine learning model for enhancing received audio signals to be played out to the wearer. The machine learning model is re-trainable based on the received audio signals. The ear-worn device is configured to selectively store received audio signals to be used in re-training the machine learning model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: Fortell Research Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Lovchinsky, Jonathan Macoskey, Philip Meyers, IV, Israel Malkin, Nicholas Morris
  • Patent number: 12581224
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a multi-layer seal and a speaker mesh attached to a speaker frame. In at least one example, the cavity is defined by the sidewall and the display cover with the cavity in fluid communication with an external environment through the gap. In some examples, an electronic device includes a housing sidewall defining an opening; an electronic positioned adjacent to the opening; and a seal between the electronic and the first opening, the seal including a perforated support; a first adhesive layer on the perforated support; a first membrane layer on the first adhesive layer; a second adhesive layer on the first membrane layer; and a second membrane layer on the second adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2026
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Daniela M. Deschamps, Dylan L. Vassberg
  • Patent number: 12581231
    Abstract: A coaxial loudspeaker with a horn and a shape optimization method therefor are provided. The coaxial loudspeaker includes: a woofer unit; a tweeter unit; and a horn having an inner cavity, an open upper end and an open lower end. The tweeter unit comprises a high-pitch cone, the horn surrounds the high-pitch cone, a lower end portion of the horn is connected to the tweeter unit, and an upper end portion of the horn has the largest inner diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2026
    Assignee: Suzhou Sonavox Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mingwei Lu, Guoqiang Chai, Renfang Xu, Xiafeng Xue
  • Patent number: 12574693
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are systems and methods for person-to-person voice communication between ear-wearable devices. A method includes receiving, using a microphone of a first hearing device configured to be worn on or in an ear of the first user, a first acoustic own voice signal from the first user. The method further includes transmitting, from the first hearing device via a wireless connection to a second hearing device configured to be worn on or in an ear of a second user, a first audio packet based on the received first acoustic own voice signal. The method also includes receiving, at the second hearing device via the wireless connection, the first audio packet from the first hearing device, and playing, at the second hearing device using a second receiver, an output signal for the second user based on the first audio packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Achintya Kumar Bhowmik, William F. Austin, Madj Srour
  • Patent number: 12574677
    Abstract: One of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides a sensor device, including: a housing and a transducer unit, wherein the housing has an accommodating cavity inside, the transducer unit includes a vibration pickup structure configured to pick up a vibration of the housing and produce an electrical signal, and the transducer unit in the accommodating cavity separates the accommodating cavity to form a front cavity and a rear cavity on opposite sides of the vibration pickup structure. At least one cavity of the front cavity and the rear cavity is filled with liquid, the liquid is in contact with the vibration pickup structure, and an air cavity is formed between the liquid and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenbing Zhou, Wenjun Deng, Yongshuai Yuan, Yujia Huang, Xin Qi, Fengyun Liao
  • Patent number: 12568328
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for detecting bone-conducted sound. A voice accelerometer can include a substrate and a plurality of sensing elements associated with a plurality of frequency bands. Each frequency band can be associated with one or more sensing elements of the plurality of sensing elements having a respective resonance frequency within the frequency band. The voice accelerometer can include a back cavity enclosed by the plurality of sensing elements and the substrate. Each respective sensing element of the plurality of sensing elements can be configured to vibrate in response to a first force corresponding to a bone-conducted sound wave coupled into the voice accelerometer, and a second force corresponding to a back cavity pressure coupling between the plurality of sensing elements, the back cavity pressure coupling based on respective vibration of each sensing element of the plurality of sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2026
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Shuwan Xue, Jong Soo Choi, Robert John Littrell
  • Patent number: 12556877
    Abstract: A wearable spatial audio device is provided. The wearable spatial audio device includes one or more audio speakers, one or more processors, and a storage machine holding instructions executable by the one or more processors. Map data is obtained for a real-world environment that includes one or more dynamic audio objects. A device-specific subset of audio tracks is obtained, and a device-specific spatialized audio mix of the device-specific subset of audio tracks that is based on the map data is obtained. An indication of a change in an environmental condition relative to one or more of the dynamic audio objects is received. The device-specific spatialized audio mix is adjusted based on the change in the environmental condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Arthur Charles Tomlin, Kendall Clark York, Jeffrey Sipko, Adolfo Hernandez Santisteban, Aaron Daniel Krauss, Andrew Frederick Muehlhausen
  • Patent number: 12556863
    Abstract: A loudspeaker includes a first sound generator with a first emission direction, and a second sound generator with a second emission direction, wherein the first sound generator and the second sound generator are arranged with respect to each other such that the first emission direction and the second emission direction intersect in a sound chamber and comprise an intersection angle that is larger than 60° and smaller than 120°; and a housing that accommodates the first sound generator and the second sound generator and the sound chamber, wherein the housing comprises a gap configured to enable gas communication between the sound chamber and the surrounding area of the loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: KAETEL SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Klaus Kaetel
  • Patent number: 12549887
    Abstract: Proposed is a headset including a head band provided with a head pad, a length adjustment member including a plurality of length adjustment members respectively mounted on both sides of the head band, an ear cup which is mounted on the length adjustment member and in which the speaker is mounted by a baffle, an ear pad mounted on the ear cup, a rotation member mounted on one of the ear cups and provided with a microphone, and a cable mounted on the ear cup around the rotation member and provided with a connection cable that is connected to the speaker and the microphone. More particularly, the baffle includes a baffle body having a first mounting portion, a second mounting portion, and a second plate, and includes a baffle plate. A space of the baffle body includes a focusing space portion, an emission space portion, and a dispersion space portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignees: Headsets Korea Inc., PCI Race Radios
    Inventor: Jong Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 12549894
    Abstract: A device, including an implantable microphone, including a transducer, and a chamber in which a gas is located such that vibrations originating external to the microphone based on sound are effectively transmitted therethrough, wherein the transducer is in effective vibration communication with the gas, wherein the transducer is configured to convert the vibrations traveling via the gas to an electrical signal, the chamber and the transducer correspond to a microphone system, wherein the chamber corresponds to a front volume of the microphone system, and the transducer includes a back volume corresponding to the back volume of the microphone system, and the implantable microphone is configured to enable pressure adjustment of the front and/or back volume in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: James Roy Easter, Maekele Gebrekidan
  • Patent number: 12549892
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a vibration member, a vibration apparatus configured to vibrate the vibration member, and a supporting member disposed at a rear surface side of each of the vibration member and the vibration apparatus and including a hole region overlapping with the vibration apparatus. A size of the hole region is greater than a size of the vibration apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2026
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd
    Inventor: JeongMan Lee