Patents Examined by Paul Huber
  • Patent number: 9913028
    Abstract: A mixing console including a plurality of audio inputs and a plurality of audio processing channels. Control data is received from a microphone which is connected to a given audio input to provide audio data. The control data includes an indication of an audio source associated with a microphone. A router of the mixing console is configured to route the audio data from the given audio input to a given audio processing channel based on the received indication of the audio source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Studer Professional Audio GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Huber, Roger Heiniger, Roman Riedi
  • Patent number: 9913039
    Abstract: An audio adaptor and method of communication is provided. The audio adaptor includes a first connector for connecting to a source of audio, a second connector for connecting to a telephone, a third connector for connecting to an audio output device, and a microcontroller. The method involves receiving a first audio signal at a line level from the source of audio, receiving a second audio signal at the line level from a telephone, transmitting the first audio signal and the second audio signal at the line level to an audio output device, attenuating the first audio signal from the line level to a microphone level and transmitting the attenuated first audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: New Brunswick Community College
    Inventors: William J. McIver, Jr., Jonathan Daigle, Noah Hay, Denis Thomas Leger, Jakob Skodje, Dennis Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 9904488
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a product includes a magnetic medium having written thereon data in a data track. The data includes encrypted data written over unencrypted data. An indicator of a physical position on the magnetic medium that corresponds to an end of the encrypted data is stored on the product. A product according to another embodiment includes a magnetic medium having written thereon data in a data track. The data includes encrypted data written over unencrypted data. A portion of the unencrypted data is located before the encrypted data on the medium. An indicator of a physical position on the magnetic medium that corresponds to a beginning of the encrypted data is stored on the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Erika M. Dawson, Scott M. Fry, Paul M. Greco, Gavin S. Johnson, Joel K. Lyman, Jon A. Lynds, Cory G. Smith
  • Patent number: 9905249
    Abstract: Monitoring a plurality of machines located in an operating environment. First and second acoustic signal readings and their respective detecting locations are received from a sensing device. First and second acoustic signal spatialization map containing characteristic data signatures for the machines are generated based on the first and second acoustic signal readings. One or more differences are determined that exceed a predetermined threshold value, between corresponding characteristic data signatures in each of the first and second acoustic signal spatialization maps. At least one of the machines that are associated with the determined differences is identified. A corrective action to perform on the machine is identified, based on the determined one or more differences. Commands are transmitted to a corrective action module in the operating environment to cause the corrective action module to perform the corrective action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Theodoros Salonidis, Dinesh C. Verma, David A. Wood, III
  • Patent number: 9906635
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and a method for the mobile terminal to switch between microphones during a call are disclosed. The mobile terminal includes a sound source determining module, a switching module and at least two microphones, wherein the sound source determining module is configured to determine a sound source location when the mobile terminal is answering an incoming call, and the switching module is configured to switch between the at least two microphones according to the sound source location so as to control at least one of the at least two microphones to act as a primary microphone to receive a first sound signal emitted from the sound source location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Huizhou TCL Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yan Yang
  • Patent number: 9906862
    Abstract: There is provided a stereo microphone unit having a first and a second interference tube which are arranged at an angle relative to each other and which respectively have a first end and a second end. The stereo microphone unit has a first and a second microphone capsule for detecting an audio signal. The microphone capsules are respectively provided at an end of the first and second interference tubes. The microphone unit further has a securing unit for jointly securing the first and second interference tubes, in particular to a mobile device or to a stand. There is also a cover as a wind protector which is connected to the securing unit and completely encloses the first and second interference tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lars Heinrich, Lars Heine
  • Patent number: 9900688
    Abstract: An apparatus for audio beamforming is composed of a wearable device (100). Wearable device (100) includes a central processing unit (102), motion sensors (116) and microphones (118). Multiple microphones (118) of wearable device (100) are used to create a microphone array that can be beamformed towards the speaker's voice. A method for adjusting beamforming is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jian Wang, Hong W. Wong, Xiaoguo Liang, Alexander Uan-Zo-Li
  • Patent number: 9898247
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided which includes a housing, a connecting member having a first conductive pattern formed on an inner surface thereof, and a processor configured to control a function of the electronic device according to a rotation of a plug corresponding to an alignment between the first conductive pattern and a second conductive pattern formed on the plug when the plug is inserted into a hole of the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shin-Ho Kim, Hwan-Woo Shim
  • Patent number: 9899031
    Abstract: Provided is a tag insertion method performed by an apparatus for inserting a tag into a stereo audio signal, the method including receiving an original stereo audio signal, analyzing an energy distribution of the original stereo audio signal based on an azimuth, determining valid azimuths for control information and for a plurality of pieces of tag information based on the energy distribution, wherein the control information is used to control tag information, modulating the plurality of pieces of tag information and the control information generated based on the valid azimuths, generating a left signal and a right signal based on the modulated control information and the plurality of pieces of modulated tag information, and generating a multi-tagged stereo audio signal by mixing the generated left signal and the generated right signal with the original stereo audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Young Ho Jeong, Dae Young Jang, Tae Jin Lee, Jin Soo Choi
  • Patent number: 9892744
    Abstract: Monitoring a plurality of machines located in an operating environment. First and second acoustic signal readings and their respective detecting locations are received from a sensing device. First and second acoustic signal spatialization map containing characteristic data signatures for the machines are generated based on the first and second acoustic signal readings. One or more differences are determined that exceed a predetermined threshold value, between corresponding characteristic data signatures in each of the first and second acoustic signal spatialization maps. At least one of the machines that are associated with the determined differences is identified. A corrective action to perform on the machine is identified, based on the determined one or more differences. Commands are transmitted to a corrective action module in the operating environment to cause the corrective action module to perform the corrective action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Theodoros Salonidis, Dinesh C. Verma, David A. Wood, III
  • Patent number: 9886965
    Abstract: Systems and methods herein utilize psychoacoustic principles to process audio signals to achieve a desired result. In some embodiments, an exemplary process utilizes a combination of re-harmonization and auditory processing techniques in which a plurality of filtered audio cues are sampled, created and down-mixed into a final music file output, which may be designed to trigger specific effects on the function of the body and the brain. In some embodiments, enhanced audio material may be altered during the stream or fixed for a desired result at the beginning of the stream. In some embodiments, a signal enhancement process may be embedded into silicon or a media player, decoder or device with software. In other embodiments, audio or video material may be encoded or finalized into the media file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventors: Zappa Ahmet, Finbar O'Hanlon
  • Patent number: 9880962
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed relating to in-vehicle entertainment, information presentation, and/or processing. Aspects of multimedia in-vehicle entertainment systems that may incorporate removable and/or portable tablet-type computing devices are described. In certain configurations, a hinged tablet computer carrier includes guide rails into which a portable tablet computer may slide while in an open position, and which can hinge into a closed or locked position that holds the tablet computer in place, positions it for viewing, and effects mechanical and electrical coupling of the tablet computer with other components of the in-vehicle entertainment system. Exemplary placement could include headrest, seatback, overhead, or in-dash mounting. Hinging or sliding could be vertical or horizontal. Various other mechanical, electronic, and electro-mechanical aspects of the methods and systems are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: TMI PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene Michael Tuccinardi, Roel Castillo Espina, Jon Parker Lawrence, Jonathan Daniel Fether
  • Patent number: 9883268
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a loudspeaker module and relates to the technical field of electroacoustic products. The loudspeaker module composes a housing, a loudspeaker unit being received in the housing, the loudspeaker unit is electrically connected with a module external circuit via a cable, an end of the cable located in the interior of the module is electrically connected with the loudspeaker unit, an end of the cable located external to the module is electrically connected with the module external circuit, a positioning slot is disposed at a position on the housing corresponding to the cable in the interior of the module, the cable is restricted in the positioning slot, a hot melt line is disposed on each of end faces of sidewalls on both sides of the positioning slot, and the hot melt lines, after being hot molten, encapsulate the cable in the positioning slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Goertek Inc.
    Inventors: Zhibing Zhang, Gang Chen
  • Patent number: 9877102
    Abstract: A receiver assembly comprising a first and a second receiver housing and a spout. The second receiver housing is positioned over a first sound outlet port of the first receiver housing and the spout is positioned over a second outlet port of the second receiver housing. An acoustic duct is located between the first and second receiver housing acoustically connecting the first sound outlet port to the spout and is provided with an acoustic mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Onno Geschiere, Mike Geskus
  • Patent number: 9871992
    Abstract: A content output apparatus, methods for controlling a content apparatus, and a mobile apparatus are provided. The content output apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive content, a display configured to output a video signal of the content, a speaker configured to output an audio signal of the content, a communicator configured to transmit the audio signal to at least one external speaker, and a controller configured to determine whether the audio signal is related to the video signal, and display a user interface screen for inducing a selection of an output mode which transmits the audio signal to the at least one external speaker with a communication method corresponding to the determination result among a plurality of output modes via the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byung-keuk Lim, Se-hyoung Park, Sang-bum Sung
  • Patent number: 9860634
    Abstract: In one invention embodiment two microphones are attached to the ear cup and are configured as an end-firing array. The end-firing array suppresses unwanted sounds using an adaptive spectral method and spectral subtraction. According to a second embodiment, Automatic Calibration of an end-firing Microphone Array is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventors: John Norris, Robert Bliss
  • Patent number: 9855019
    Abstract: A mounting system is provided to allow the attachment of an acoustic collector to a handheld electronic device such that sound is conducted directly to the device's microphone. A fitted case or band encloses part of the device and includes a tube running from the collector to the device's microphone. In certain embodiments, the tube may be embedded in the case, and a detachable mount may be provided to connect the collector to the case. The collector may be a stethoscope chestpiece, or an open air collector, such as a parabolic collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: StratoScientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Suman K. Mulumudi, Mahesh S. Mulumudi
  • Patent number: 9860635
    Abstract: When a microphone array apparatus sound-picks up voice in a prescribed sound volume or higher, which is output from a sound source, and sends voice data on the voice to voice processing apparatus, a sound source direction detection unit causes sound source marks, each of which indicates a directivity direction, to be displayed on a display, and urges a user to make a selection among the sound source marks and to input camera information. A voice processing apparatus transmits the camera information that is input, and the directivity direction, to the microphone array apparatus. The microphone array apparatus stores the camera information and the directivity direction, as a preset information table, in a storage unit. Accordingly, where a positional relationship between the camera and the microphone array is unclear, directionality is formed in a determined image capture position, and voice in the predetermined image capture position is output clearly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Teppei Fukuda, Shuichi Watanabe, Hiroyuki Matsumoto, Hisashi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 9859859
    Abstract: A sound-effect setting method and an electronic device are provided. The sound-effect setting method comprises decoding an audio data stream; performing sound-effect processing on the decoded audio data stream according to a sound-effect parameter to obtain sound-effect processed audio data; encoding the sound-effect processed audio data to obtain encoded data and outputting the encoded data and the sound-effect parameter. When the audio playing is switched from the current apparatus to the external apparatus, the sound-effect coordination is achieved, and the problem that the playing effect will become poor if there is no sound-effect coordination is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: AUTOCHIPS INC.
    Inventor: Jingjian Yu
  • Patent number: 9854361
    Abstract: A receiver assembly comprising a first and a second receiver housing and a spout. The second receiver housing is positioned over a first sound outlet port of the first receiver housing and the spout is positioned over a second outlet port of the second receiver housing. An acoustic duct is located between the first and second receiver housing acoustically connecting the first sound outlet port to the spout and is provided with an acoustic mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Sonion Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Onno Geschiere, Mike Geskus