Patents Examined by Mohammad Islam
  • Patent number: 9924291
    Abstract: A master device receives audio, down-mixes the audio to stereo if it is not already in stereo, and then up-mixes the stereo into as many channels as there speakers in the network. The up-mixing can be based on the number and locations of the speakers, which may be determined automatically using a real time location system such as ultra wide band (UWB) location determination techniques. The master device sends each speaker the stereo only, with each speaker also up-mixing the stereo into at least its own respective channel and in some cases into all N channels, selecting from the rendered “N” channels that result from the up-mix the channel indicated as being associated with the particular location of the particular speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Milne, Gregory Carlsson
  • Patent number: 9912312
    Abstract: A controller of a boost converter may be configured to dynamically adjust conditions within the boost converter by monitoring conditions in the boost converter. For example, the controller may determine an current inductance value for an inductor of the boost converter by monitoring a current through the inductor. When the inductance value of the inductor is known, a slope compensation value may be used in determining a transition time between charging the inductor of the boost converter and discharging the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Ullas Pazhayaveetil, Jeffrey May, Gautham Kamath, John Christopher Tucker, Christian Larsen
  • Patent number: 9913056
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for calibrating a speaker in a device having a microphone by inputting an original audio signal to a processing component and an output stage of the device for playback through the speakers, receiving playback sound output from the speakers through the microphone to generate a microphone signal, and inputting the microphone signal into the processing component to calibrate the speakers for optimal playback of the original audio signal, wherein the processing component is configured to compare the original audio signal to the microphone signal and correct the microphone signal by one or more audio processing functions in accordance with a refresh schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Steven Master, Alan J. Seefeldt, Yu Cecilia Hou
  • Patent number: 9906884
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing adaptive rectangular decomposition (ARD) to perform head-related transfer function (HRTF) simulations are disclosed herein. According to one method, the method includes obtaining a mesh model representative of head and ear geometry of a listener entity and segmenting a simulation domain of the mesh model into a plurality of partitions. The method further includes conducting an ARD simulation on the plurality of partitions to generate simulated sound pressure signals within each of the plurality of partitions and processing the simulated sound pressure signals to generate at least one HRTF that is customized for the listener entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Alok Namdeo Meshram, Dinesh Manocha, Ravish Mehra, Enrique Dunn, Jan-Michael Frahm, Hongsheng Yang
  • Patent number: 9905244
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for real-time audio processing employs a gaze detection sensor to detect a direction of a user's gaze and output a gaze signal corresponding to the detected direction of the user's gaze. A digital signal processing unit responds to a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of sounds received at the apparatus, and the determined direction of gaze to identify a signal of interest from the plurality of signals using the gaze signal. The signal of interest is processed for output to the user. In embodiments, a microphone array provides the plurality of signals. An imaging sensor may work with either the microphone array or the gaze detection sensor to identify the signal of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: EBAY INC.
    Inventors: Dane Glasgow, David Ramadge, Matthew Bret MacLaurin, Justin Van Winkle, Corinne Elizabeth Sherman
  • Patent number: 9895086
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a monitoring device to be attached to a user is provided. Prior to attachment of the device, the device is aligned with respect to the user such that the measurement reference frame of the device is substantially aligned with a reference frame of the user. A first measurement of the orientation of the device with respect to a world reference frame is obtained. After attachment of the device, a second measurement of the orientation of the device with respect to a world reference frame is obtained. A transformation matrix is determined for use in transforming subsequent measurements obtained by the device into the reference frame of the user. The matrix is calculated using the first and second measurements and information on the amount of rotation of the device relative to the user about a vertical axis in the world reference frame between the first and second measurements being taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jakob Van De Laar, Haris Duric, Teun Van Den Heuvel
  • Patent number: 9897582
    Abstract: Methods and systems for failure prediction using analysis of oil or other lubricant. Raw data about feature(s) of each of a plurality of particles filtered from a fluid sample are used to categorize each particle into one of a plurality of categories, each category being defined by one or more of: chemical composition, size and morphology. Particle physical characteristics in each category are quantified to obtain a set of categorized data. The categorized data are compared with historical data. Results of the comparing are evaluated to generate a prediction of any failure or mechanism of failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Maurice Jean, Daniel Meilleur
  • Patent number: 9900693
    Abstract: An XY-type microphone unit and a sound recording apparatus are provided which can effectively record a high-res sound source or the like. The XY-type microphone unit includes a left microphone unit and a right microphone unit. The left microphone unit includes a high-band microphone unit of the left microphone unit which collects sounds of a high band and a low-band microphone unit of the left microphone unit which collects sounds of low band. The right microphone unit includes a high-band microphone unit of the right microphone unit which collects sounds of a high band and a low-band microphone unit of the right microphone unit which collects sounds of a low band. Vibration plates of the high-band microphone unit, the low-band microphone unit, the high-band microphone unit, and the low-band microphone unit are placed on approximately the same straight line in a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: TEAC Corporation
    Inventor: Hironao Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 9891538
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a process window for a process performed on a specimen are provided. In general, the embodiments preferentially sample locations in an instance of at least a portion of a device formed on a specimen at a value of a parameter of a process performed on the specimen that is closest to an edge of a determined process window for the process. If defects are detected at the sampled locations, then the sampling may be performed again but for a different instance of the device formed at a value of the parameter that is closer to nominal than the previously used value. When no defects are detected at the sampled locations, then the sampling may be ended, and the determined process window may be modified based on the value of the parameter corresponding to the instance of the device in which no defects were detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corp.
    Inventor: Martin Plihal
  • Patent number: 9886234
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving data indicating a configuration of one or more playback devices. The one or more playback devices may include one or more transducers. The method further includes, based on the received data, associating each of one or more audio streams respectively with at least one transducer of the one or more transducers. The method further includes generating the one or more audio streams and sending at least one of the generated one or more audio streams to each of the one or more playback devices. An example non-transitory computer readable medium and an example computing device related to the example method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted Lin, Romi Kadri
  • Patent number: 9881600
    Abstract: A headphone includes an electroacoustic transducer and a support structure for suspending the transducer adjacent to a user's ear when worn by the user such that the headphone is acoustically open. A first microphone is coupled to one or more of the transducer and the support structure such that the first microphone is located in a substantially broadband acoustic null of the transducer. A processor is coupled to the headphone. The microphone receives sound pressure waves and outputs a related electronic signal to the processor. The processor uses the electronic signal to operate the transducer to reduce targeted sound pressure waves at the user's ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Mihir D. Shetye, Ole Mattis Nielsen, Ryan C. Silvestri
  • Patent number: 9883267
    Abstract: In a dropped ceiling assembly system elements are provided which include an elongate planar shelf held below an elongate spine. The shelf has lateral edges which can support edges of a ceiling tile resting thereon. This spine is configured to be held in position either adjacent to spines of other elements within a dropped ceiling or from above, such as by suspension wires passing through suspension holes in the spine. A compartment is provided on an underside of the shelf which is sized and shaped to receive and hold at least a portion of a loudspeaker therein. The loudspeaker mounting system is thus integrated into the shelf which also acts to hold ceiling tiles within a dropped ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Silvio Porciatti
  • Patent number: 9883300
    Abstract: A hearing instrument and a method for operating a hearing instrument for relieving tinnitus, hyperacusis, and/or hearing loss is provided. The hearing instrument and/or the method includes receiving and manipulating an audio signal at a signal processor to create a manipulated audio signal, providing a tinnitus relief sound having an operational level based on a present volume level from an audio signal, and generating an output signal based on the manipulated audio signal and the tinnitus relief sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Björn Ohl, Dorthe Hofman-Bang, Marianne Philipsson, Jacob Anders Roug, Jesper Nøhr Hansen, Gary Jones
  • Patent number: 9883304
    Abstract: A first lifetime estimate is determined for a first acoustic component of a first audio playback device configured with first signal processing settings. A second audio playback device is configured with second signal processing settings. A second lifetime estimate is determined for a second acoustic component of the second audio playback device configured with the second signal processing settings, where the second lifetime estimate is determined based on first lifetime estimate and where the first acoustic component is substantially similar to the second acoustic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Little
  • Patent number: 9880804
    Abstract: A method of automatically adjusting sound output is disclosed. The method includes the following the steps of: receiving a sound message via a microphone; analyzing the sound message to determine whether the sound message is a voice message; controlling a sound player to stop playing sound or to lower volume of the sound if the sound message is a voice message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: UNLIMITER MFA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ho-Hsin Liao, Kuan-Li Chao, Neo Bob Chih-Yung Young, Kuo-Ping Yang
  • Patent number: 9874628
    Abstract: A system is provided including a first elongated object proximate a first surface on a first side of a structure and a second elongated object proximate a second surface on a second side of the structure, the second surface and the second side opposite the structure relative to the first surface and the first side, the first object aligned with the second object at a first point on the first surface. The system also includes a first plurality of corner cubes affixed to the first object at first known distances from each other and from the first point, wherein the first object abuts the first surface at the first point. The system also includes a second plurality of corner cubes affixed to the second object at second known distances from each other and from the first point, wherein the second object abuts second surface at second point opposite first point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: John Willard Dorsey-Palmateer, Michael Richard Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9872121
    Abstract: A down-mixing method of 5.1 audio input channels for two channel replay by DRC processing of the LFE and the LS and RS channel signal before mixing, and by filtering LS and RS channels with BRTFs measured from placing a loud speaker at a corner of a room and measuring head at the diagonal corner of the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: WATA Electronics Co., LTD
    Inventors: Ren Xu, Litang Gu
  • Patent number: 9869645
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that reduce the amount of data that is transferred among the components of the system. In one embodiment, the testing system comprises a scanner device such as a computed-tomography (CT) scanner that generates a volumetric representation of a part-under-inspection. The testing system is further configured to identify a region of interest in the volumetric representation, wherein the region of interest may correspond to an area of the part-under-inspection where a defect or flaw may form. The testing system may further format the data of the volumetric representation so the resulting formatted volumetric representation comprises less data than the original volumetric representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ingo Stuke, Til Florian Guenzler, Michael Wuestenbecker, Andreas Beyer
  • Patent number: 9872118
    Abstract: A method for identifying the position of loudspeaker boxes in a loudspeaker box arrangement includes the operation of a first loudspeaker box in the loudspeaker box arrangement as an acoustic test signal generator. An acoustic test signal from the first loudspeaker box is received at other loudspeaker boxes in the loudspeaker box arrangement. A positional relationship between the signal-generating first loudspeaker box and at least one of the other loudspeaker boxes in the loudspeaker box arrangement is ascertained on the basis of the acoustic test signal received in the other loudspeaker boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: D&B AUDIOTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Bothe, Matthias Christner, Fabian Braun
  • Patent number: 9866932
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic helmet for cancelling noises, which comprises a helmet including a plurality of microphones, a plurality of speakers and a first communication unit; and a mobile device including a second communication unit and a control unit. When the first communication unit in the helmet connects to the second communication unit in the mobile device, the control unit generates a plurality of control signals according to at least one sound or noise detected by the plurality of microphones. The mobile device uses the plurality of control signals to control the plurality of speakers outputting the at least one sound or anti-noise cancelling the noise. By the above electronic helmet, the present invention also provides a method integrating active noise control, hands-free communication, music listening, and voice navigation so as to achieve the proposes of cancelling the noises and improving the riding quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventors: Cheng-Yuan Chang, Sen-Maw Kuo