Patents Examined by Norman Yu
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Patent number: 10586544Abstract: A device includes an encoder configured to determine, during a first period, that a first audio signal is a leading signal and that a second audio signal is a lagging signal. The encoder is also configured to generate a first frame of at least one encoded signal based on a first modified version of the second audio signal that is generated by adjusting the second audio signal based on a first mismatch value. The encoder is configured to determine, during a second period, that the first audio signal is the leading signal and that the second audio signal is the lagging signal. The encoder is configured to generate a second frame of the at least one encoded signal based on a second modified version of the second audio signal that is generated by adjusting the second audio signal based on the first mismatch value and a second mismatch value.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2018Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Qualcomm IncorporatedInventors: Venkatraman Atti, Venkata Subrahmanyam Chandra Sekhar Chebiyyam, Daniel Jared Sinder
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Patent number: 10575091Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are disclosed. The method includes acquiring an instruction, picking up an audio signal with an electronic device, determining whether an output apparatus is connected to the electronic device, outputting the audio signal via the output apparatus, and recording the audio signal. The apparatus includes a processor, an output apparatus, a microphone, and a storage apparatus, wherein the processor acquires an instruction, picks up an audio signal, determines whether the output apparatus is connected, outputs the audio signal via the output apparatus and records the audio signal to the storage medium. The computer program product includes executable code to perform acquisition of an instruction, pickup of an audio signal with an electronic device, a determination of whether an output apparatus is connected, output of the audio signal, and recording of the audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) LimitedInventor: Bin Yuan
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Patent number: 10560776Abstract: An in-ear microphone allowing assessment of sound pressure level directly of an individual's ear canal without intervening conduits between the sound source (i.e., ear canal) and the microphone is provided. Sound from an in-ear communications device may also be isolated from ambient noise using an in-line noise detector for recording the noise from the in-ear communications device.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: WiSys Technology Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Lynn Gilbertson, Donna Jean Holzer Vosburgh, Timothy Klein
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Patent number: 10531193Abstract: A temperature detecting and controlling integration device for the micro speaker is provided. After the filter receives an input signal, the power amplifier adjusts the power amplification, and the multi-frequency detection signal is generated with the waveform generator. The extracted signal is generated to drive the micro speaker to emit a sound signal. Afterwards, the voltage signals are extracted at two ends of the coil and the temperature signal is obtained by converting, capturing, and integrating to pass the temperature value to the external device, and the temperature value of the non-linear temperature-controlling unit is analyzed to adjust the compensation gain in real time. The smoothly control of speaker temperature and stable playback of the sound signals is played that can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: XIAMEN FOURIER ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Xuexin Ding, Weiji Liu, Jian Xu, Lin Zhang, Xiaolei Liu, Yingshun Jiang, Fangkang Shen
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Patent number: 10531181Abstract: Examples are disclosed for tuning loudspeakers to have complementary impedance characteristics. An example loudspeaker system includes an amplifier configured to generate an audio signal, and a plurality of speakers connected in parallel to the amplifier to receive the audio signal, wherein each speaker of the plurality of speakers has a unique impedance characteristic that, when combined with the impedance characteristics of the other speakers of the plurality of speakers, shows all speaker impedance characteristics to be complementary, resulting in a more level, or resistive, overall speaker system load impedance. This more level, or resistive, overall speaker system load impedance results in a more dynamic sound with more extended low end in comparison to conventional speaker systems.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventor: Chris N. Hagen
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Patent number: 10531179Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a battery-less, noise-cancellation headset compatible with 4-pin audio jack are generally described herein. An example device to support a noise cancellation function may include an audio socket including a microphone contact, and an ambient noise detection module to receive an ambient noise data signal from a headset via the microphone contact, and detect an impedance at the microphone contact. The ambient noise detection module further to provide a first noise cancellation signal responsive to the impedance having a first value and to provide a second noise cancellation signal responsive to the impedance having a second value.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Meenakshisundaram Gurunathan
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Patent number: 10531190Abstract: A computationally implemented system and method that is designed to, but is not limited to: electronically providing audio output information to one or more portions of a portable electronic device to be outputted from said portable electronic device via one or more acoustic ultrasonic signals; and electronically outputting, said one or more acoustic ultrasonic signals to be demodulated into one or more acoustic audio signals containing one or more portions of said audio output information at one or more locations spaced from said portable electronic device based at least in part according to said one or more acoustic ultrasonic signals and based at least in part according to one or more portable electronic device ultrasonic emitter arrangements. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Elwha LLCInventors: Michael H. Baym, William David Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Patent number: 10524070Abstract: An example playback device may identify a first version of audio content for play back from a first source, and further identify a first value of an audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content, where the playback device includes a capability corresponding to the audio characteristic. The playback device may determine that the first value of the audio characteristic of the first version of the audio content does not match the capability of the playback device. The playback device may then identify a second version of the audio content from a second source, where the second version of the audio content includes the audio characteristic having a second value that is closer to the capability of the playback device. The playback device may then cause playback of the second version of the audio content.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Romi Kadri
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Patent number: 10514885Abstract: An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: based on a plurality of distinct audio sources visible in a current virtual or augmented reality view, provide for control of audio mixing of groups of the distinct audio sources in the virtual or augmented reality view, the groups determined by automatic grouping of the distinct audio sources based on analysis of the type of audio from each of the distinct audio sources.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Nokia Technologies OyInventors: Jussi Leppänen, Antti Eronen, Arto Lehtiniemi
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Patent number: 10516945Abstract: The present invention relates to a high power microspeaker having a separate sub-diaphragm on a top end surface of a coil, in addition to a diaphragm and a suspension. The present invention provides a structure in which an acoustic system including a main diaphragm and a conductive suspension of a microspeaker is attached to a top end surface of a coil and a separate sub-diaphragm is attached to the same surface of the coil.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2018Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: EM-TECH Co., Ltd.Inventors: Cheon Myeong Kim, Ji Hoon Kim, Sung Chul Jung, Seul Ki Nam
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Patent number: 10516939Abstract: Described is a way to steer speaker array or microphone array based on direction outputs of tiny light sensors attached to TV viewers, noisy-environment workers, or AR/VR system users. More specifically, a light projector is disposed on a ceiling, which sends out different sequential on/off signals for each pixel. Two light sensors are attached to each speaker array or microphone array, and one or more light sensors are attached to each user. Because each projector pixel corresponds to a specific direction, when a light sensor receives sequential signal from the projector, the light sensor can determine its direction corresponding to the projector and report that to the central station. With the speaker/microphone array direction and user direction known, the system can generate proper phase shifts for different speaker signals and generate directional sound for each individual. Similarly, the central station can determine phase shifts for combining audios from different microphones.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2018Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.Inventors: Qiong Liu, Donald Kimber, Shang Ma
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Patent number: 10506328Abstract: A system includes a first earpiece having an earpiece housing configured to isolate an ambient environment from a tympanic membrane by physically blocking ambient sound, a microphone disposed within the housing and configured to receive a first ambient audio signal from the ambient environment, a processor operatively connected to the microphone wherein the processor is configured to receive the first ambient audio signal from the microphone and determine if the first ambient signal exceeds a threshold sound level, and a speaker operatively connected to the processor. In a first mode of operation the processor determines the first ambient audio signal exceeds the threshold sound level and processes the first ambient audio signal to modify the first ambient audio signal. In a second mode of operation the processor determines the first ambient audio signal does not exceed the threshold sound level and reproduces the first ambient audio signal at the speaker.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: BRAGI GmbHInventors: Peter Vincent Boesen, Darko Dragicevic
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Patent number: 10506337Abstract: A multi-ringed differential microphone array includes a first number of microphones situated along a first substantial circle having a first radius, a second number of microphones situated along a second substantial circle having a second radius, and a processing device, communicatively coupled to the first number microphones and the second number of microphones, to receive a plurality of electronic signals generated by the first number of microphones and the second number of microphones, determine a differential order (N) based on the second number, and execute an N-th order minimum-norm beamformer to calculate an estimate of the sound source based on the plurality of electronic signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Northwestern Polytechnical UniversityInventors: Jingdong Chen, Gongping Huang
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Patent number: 10499139Abstract: Audio device systems and methods are provided to enhance speech pick-up from a user. The systems and methods receive signals from a plurality of microphones coupled to one or more earpieces. The signals are processed using a first array processing technique to enhance their acoustic response from a selected direction, such as a direction of the user's mouth, to provide a primary signal. The signals are also processed using a second array processing technique to enhance response from the selected direction, to provide a secondary signal. The primary signal and the secondary signal are compared, and a selected signal is provided based upon the primary signal, the secondary signal, and the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Bose CorporationInventor: Alaganandan Ganeshkumar
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Patent number: 10497353Abstract: A system comprises automatic noise cancellation circuitry and interface circuitry operable to provide an interface via which a user can configure which sounds said automatic noise cancelling circuitry attempts to cancel and which sounds said automatic noise cancelling circuitry does not attempt to cancel. The interface circuitry may be operable to provide an interface via which a user can select a sound to whitelist or blacklist. The interface circuitry may be operable to provide an interface via which a user can increase or decrease an amount of noise cancellation that is desired. The interface circuitry may be operable to provide an interface via which a user can select from among three or more levels of noise cancellation.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2015Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc.Inventors: Richard Kulavik, Christopher Church
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Patent number: 10499181Abstract: Audio reproduction apparatus that includes a memory and a control circuitry. The memory stores an encoded object-based audio stream that includes a plurality of audio frames which include at least one encoded audio object that comprises an audio segment and metadata information. The control circuitry extracts the metadata information and controls movement of a first speaker of a plurality of speakers in a physical three dimensional (3D) space from a first position to a second position at a first time instant, based on the extracted metadata information associated with the at least one encoded audio object. The control circuitry decodes the audio segment from the at least one encoded audio object and controls play back of the decoded audio segment, at a second time instant, by the first speaker at the second position in a first audio frame of the plurality of audio frames.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Prabakaran Ramalingam
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Patent number: 10499140Abstract: An apparatus includes a horn bracket, a magnet system and a vibration system, where the horn bracket includes a through hole configured for positioning the magnet system, the magnet system includes an inner magnetic ring and an outer magnetic ring sleeved on an exterior of the inner magnetic ring, the inner magnetic ring is coaxial with the outer magnetic ring, a gap is provided between an inner annular surface of the outer magnetic ring and an outer annular surface of the inner magnetic ring, where the inner annular surface and the outer annular surface have opposite magnetic polarities, magnetic flux lines formed in the gap by the outer magnetic ring and the inner magnetic ring are radially disposed, the vibration system includes a voice diaphragm, a voice coil having one end coupled to the voice diaphragm, and a winding coupled to the other end of the voice coil.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: SHENZHEN GRADSUN ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Weiyong Gong, Haiquan Wu, Ruiwen Shi
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Patent number: 10489105Abstract: Arrangements described herein can control audio within a vehicle by stopping sound from two or more audio sources based on one quiet-all input. Systems can output sound via one or more speakers in response to audio signals from two or more audio sources. A quiet-all input can be received via a user interface, where the quiet-all input is a single input to stop sound from the two or more audio sources. Responsive to receiving the quiet-all input, all sound output through the one or more speakers from the two or more audio sources can be stopped or reduced to a predetermined volume.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Andrew F. Stewart
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Patent number: 10477289Abstract: A sound generating device is provided on a vehicle to reduce or generate engine sound, and is used in particular for an exhaust system of a combustion engine of the vehicle. The sound generating device has a housing into which a loudspeaker is positioned to divide an inner space of the housing into two sub-spaces separated in a gas-tight manner. A seal rim provides the gas-tight sealing of the loudspeaker towards the housing. An abutment rim positions the loudspeaker in the inner space of the housing. The abutment rim and the seal rim are spaced apart from each other in a direction of a central axis of the loudspeaker. There is also described an exhaust system of a combustion engine of a vehicle with a sound generating device.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, Germany GmbHInventors: Hannes Steinkilberg, Juergen Klement
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Patent number: 10466959Abstract: A system that includes an automatic volume leveler (AVL) that processes audio data based on audio category and desired volume level. The system may select different settings for audio data associated with different audio sources (e.g., content providers), audio categories (e.g., types of audio data, such as music, voice, etc.), genres, and/or the like. For example, the system may distinguish between music signals and voice signals (e.g., speech) and may apply a first gain curve for the music and a second gain curve for the speech. Additionally or alternatively, the system may distinguish between different genres of music and may apply different gain curves based on the genre. Further, the system may select a gain curve based on a desired volume level. Therefore, output audio data generated by performing AVL may be optimized based on the audio category, audio source, genre, desired volume level, and/or the like.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Jun Yang, Zezhang Hou