Patents Examined by Qin Zhu
  • Patent number: 11404040
    Abstract: A method of automated feedforward filter design comprising designing a feedforward filter for a system implementing active noise cancelling is described. The method includes designing the feedforward filter by determining a filter transfer function of the feedforward filter. Optionally, the filter transfer function is determined using a least square method. The method also includes determining the filter transfer function by defining a target transfer function of the feedforward filter and applying the least square method using the target transfer function to determine a filter expression for the filter transfer function. Optionally, the least square method is a weighted least square method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor B.V.
    Inventors: Fotios Kontomichos, Wessel Harm Lubberhuizen, Paul Shields
  • Patent number: 11399249
    Abstract: A reproduction system includes an output apparatus that outputs multitrack data including a plurality of track-by-track audio data of sounds of (i) musical instruments, (ii) singing voices, or both (i) and (ii), the plurality of track-by-track audio data including audio data of at least an acoustic instrument, a vibrator that vibrates the acoustic instrument in accordance with the audio data of the acoustic instrument included in the plurality of track-by-track audio data included in the multitrack data, and a speaker that outputs the sounds of (i) the musical instruments, (ii) the singing voices, or both (i) and (ii) in accordance with the plurality of track-by-track audio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Tsuge
  • Patent number: 11388539
    Abstract: Binaurally reproduced audio signals are often perceived as unnatural. For example, speech intelligibility may be reduced. For improving the spatial reproduction of audio signals, the invention enables binaurally virtualizing a single-channel audio signal only partially by filtering. A degree of binaural virtualization for the audio signal based on one or more processing parameters (PC, PFC, PTC) may be freely chosen. A control allows a smooth transition between a completely binaural virtualization based on HRTF and a non-binaural virtualization corresponding to panning. A first range (B1) starts with a completely binaural virtualization and the HRTFs that are commonly used for this. In this range, the HRTFs are modified by scaling and by approaching them to the gain factors of the panning while decreasing a degree of binaural virtualization. In a subsequent second range (B2) that leads to a completely panning-like virtualization, the resulting phase is reduced, or adjusted to the panning phase of 0°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Renato Pellegrini
  • Patent number: 11381211
    Abstract: A system is provided to analyze frequency (or phase) modulation distortion in an audio device, which may include testing with audio frequencies. In one embodiment a change in pitch (or frequency) is measured at an output of the audio device. One or more distortion signals from the audio device may be measured for an amplitude, phase, and or frequency modulation effect. In another embodiment a musical signal may be used as a test signal. Providing additional test signals to the audio device can induce a time varying cross-modulation distortion signal (or static cross-modulation distortion signal) from an output of the audio device. Also utilizing at least one additional filter, filter bank, demodulator and or frequency converter and or frequency multiplier provides extra examination of distortion. Also frequency and or phase response can be measured with the presence of a de-sensing signal and or another signal that induce near slew rate limiting or near overload condition of the device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Ronald Quan
  • Patent number: 11373673
    Abstract: A sound inspection system that can reduce power consumption is provided. A sound inspection system 1 that determines a state based on a sound of an inspection target object 2 includes a sound sensor device 10 that collects the sound of the inspection target object 2, analyzes the collected sound, and transmits an analysis result, and a sound data determination device 30 that determines a state of the inspection target object based on the analysis result from the sound sensor device. The sound sensor device transmits, as the analysis result, intensities of the collected sound for each predetermined frequency set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Reiso Sasaki, Takuma Nishimura, Takahiro Yamada, Tsukasa Fujimori
  • Patent number: 11375332
    Abstract: Described is a method of processing position information indicative of an object position of an audio object, wherein the object position is usable for rendering of the audio object, that comprises: obtaining listener orientation information indicative of an orientation of a listener's head; obtaining listener displacement information indicative of a displacement of the listener's head; determining the object position from the position information; modifying the object position based on the listener displacement information by applying a translation to the object position; and further modifying the modified object position based on the listener orientation information. Further described is a corresponding apparatus for processing position information indicative of an object position of an audio object, wherein the object position is usable for rendering of the audio object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Dolby International AB
    Inventors: Christof Fersch, Leon Terentiv, Daniel Fischer
  • Patent number: 11375333
    Abstract: A media system and a method of using the media system to reproduce spatial audio based on head-to-torso orientation, are described. The method includes determining a head-to-source orientation and a head-to-torso orientation based on head orientation data generated by a head tracking device. Determining the head-to-torso orientation includes determining torso movements based on movements of the head. The torso can be determined to move when the head movements meet a head movement condition, such as a predetermined angle of movement or pattern of movement. A binaural audio filter that is based on a head-related transfer function corresponding to both the head-to-source orientation and the head-to-torso orientation is applied to an audio input signal to generate an audio output signal. The audio output signal is played to accurately recreate spatial audio having sounds emitted to the user by a sound source. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Antti J. Vanne, Darius A. Satongar, James W. Vandyke, Juha O. Merimaa, Martin E. Johnson, Tomi A. Huttunen
  • Patent number: 11368807
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising means for: in response to user input, selecting at least one sound source of a spatial audio scene, comprising multiple sound sources, the spatial audio scene being defined by spatial audio content; selecting at least one related contextual sound source based on the at least one selected sound source; and causing rendering of an audio preview, representing the spatial audio content, that can be selected by a user, wherein the audio preview comprises a mix of sound sources including at least the at least one selected sound source and the at least one related contextual sound source but not all of the multiple sound sources of the spatial audio scene, and wherein selection of the audio preview causes an operation on at least the selected sound source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventors: Lasse Laaksonen, Miikka Vilermo, Arto Lehtiniemi, Sujeet Shyamsundar Mate
  • Patent number: 11363401
    Abstract: An apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: generate audio effect information, wherein the audio effect information enables control of audio signal processing associated with audio signals related to one or more audio sources based on at least a zooming factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Lasse Laaksonen, Antti Eronen, Sujeet Shyamsundar Mate, Arto Lehtiniemi, Kari Jarvinen
  • Patent number: 11356795
    Abstract: An audio system, method, and computer program product which includes a wearable audio device and a mobile peripheral device. Each device is capable of determining its respective absolute or relative position and orientation. Once the relative positions and orientations between the devices are known, virtual sound sources are generated at fixed positions and orientations relative to the peripheral device such that any change in position and/or orientation of the peripheral device produces a proportional change in the position and/or orientation of the virtual sound sources. Additionally, first order and second order reflected audio paths may be simulated for each virtual sound source to increase the realism of the simulated sources. Each sound path can be produced by modifying the original audio signal using head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) to simulate audio as though it were perceived by the user's left and right ears as coming from each virtual sound source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Freeman, David Avi Dick, Wade P. Torres, Daniel R. Tengelsen, Eric Raczka Bernstein
  • Patent number: 11356793
    Abstract: A device may be configured to process one or more audio streams in accordance with the techniques described herein. The device may comprise: one or more processors and a memory. The one or more processors may be configured to obtain an indication of a boundary separating an interior area from an exterior area, and obtain a listener location indicative of a location of the device relative to the interior area. The one or more processors may be configured to obtain, based on the boundary and the listener location, a current renderer as either an interior renderer configured to render audio data for the interior area or an exterior renderer configured to render the audio data for the exterior area, and apply, to the audio data, the current renderer to obtain one or more speaker feeds. The memory may be configured to store the one or more speaker feeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: S M Akramus Salehin, Nils Günther Peters, Siddhartha Goutham Swaminathan, Isaac Garcia Munoz
  • Patent number: 11343632
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for broadcasting a spatialized audio stream to terminals of spectators attending a sports event. The method comprises the acquisition of a plurality of audio streams constituting a soundscape. The soundscape is analyzed by a server in order for the sound spatialization of the audio streams and of the playback thereof on terminals, depending both on the localization of the audio flows and also the position of the spectators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: INSTITUT MINES TELECOM
    Inventors: Raphael Blouet, Slim Essid
  • Patent number: 11342062
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for analysing audio (eg. music) tracks. A predictive model of the neuro-physiological functioning and response to sounds by one or more of the human lower cortical, limbic and subcortical regions in the brain is described. Sounds are analysed so that appropriate sounds can be selected and played to a listener in order to stimulate and/or manipulate neuro-physiological arousal in that listener. The method and system are particularly applicable to applications harnessing a biofeedback resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: X-SYSTEM LIMITED
    Inventors: Nigel Osborne, Robert Ashcroft, Paul Robertson, Peter Kingsley
  • Patent number: 11343634
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for rendering an audio signal for a playback to a user is disclosed. In one example, the apparatus is configured to determine information about an orientation of a head of the user using an optical sensor. The apparatus is configured to determine information about an orientation of the optical sensor using an orientation sensor which is arranged in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the optical sensor. The apparatus is configured to consider the information about the orientation of the optical sensor when determining the information about the orientation of the head. The apparatus is configured to perform a spatial rendering of an audio signal in dependence on the information about the orientation of the head of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Dominik Häussler, Frederick Melville, Dennis Rosenberger, Stefan Döhla
  • Patent number: 11343635
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code with the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to analyze a level difference between a left channel and a right channel of a stereo audio signal and to determine if the level difference between the left channel and the right channel is above a threshold. The apparatus is also caused to conditionally, if the determined level difference is above the threshold, move signal energy from a louder one of the left channel and the right channel to the other of the left channel and the right channel to create a processed left channel and a processed right channel of a processed stereo audio signal. A corresponding method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventor: Mikko-Ville Laitinen
  • Patent number: 11335354
    Abstract: A schematic block diagram of a decoder for decoding an encoded audio signal is shown. The decoder includes an adaptive spectrum-time converter and an overlap-add-processor. The adaptive spectrum-time converter converts successive blocks of spectral values into successive blocks of time values, e.g. via a frequency-to-time transform. Furthermore, the adaptive spectrum-time converter receives a control information and switches, in response to the control information, between transform kernels of a first group of transform kernels including one or more transform kernels having different symmetries at sides of a kernel, and a second group of transform kernels including one or more transform kernels having the same symmetries at sides of a transform kernel. Moreover, the overlap-add-processor overlaps and adds the successive blocks of time values to obtain decoded audio values, which may be a decoded audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Christian Helmrich, Bernd Edler
  • Patent number: 11337022
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an information processing apparatus, a method, and a program that can create a great sense of realism with a small number of computations. An information processing apparatus includes a gain determination section that determines an attenuation level on the basis of a positional relationship between a given object and another object and determines a gain of a signal of the given object on the basis of the attenuation level. The present technology is applicable to a signal processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Honma, Toru Chinen, Yoshiaki Oikawa
  • Patent number: 11330391
    Abstract: Reverberation techniques for 3D audio are disclosed. In an example method, a three-dimensional (3D) reverberation is applied to a sound object placed at a sound object position in a sound room. The sound object originates from a sound object position. A sound object signal is received. A 3D spatial room response (SRR) signal is computed corresponding to the user-selected position. A time convolution operation is performed between an audio signal of the sound object signal and the computed SRR value to generate a reverberated signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: FUNDACIÓ EURECAT
    Inventors: Julien De Muynke, Adan Amor Garriga Torres, Andrés Pérez-López, Gerard Erruz López, Timothy Schmele, Umut Sayin, Niklas Reppel, Antonio Farran Masana
  • Patent number: 11323831
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a hearing aid for placement on head of a user comprising a first second part. The first part may comprise an acoustic input transducer adapted to convert ambient sound picked up at the ear of the user to an electric signal, a signal processor adapted to process the electric signal according to specifications of user into a processed electric signal, and an output transducer adapted to covert the processed electric signal into a transmission signal, The second part may comprise an anchor adapted to fixate said second part under the skin to skull bone of the user, and a receiver adapted to receive the transmission signal and convert the transmission signal to an output signal perceivable as sound by the user. The first part may comprise an inner recess adapted to receive an insert element, where the insert element may comprise a first magnet adapted to in cooperation with the second part to cause the first part to attach to the head of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Oticon Medical A/S
    Inventors: Emilie Munk Haagerup, Peder Hesselbjerg Pedersen, Mads Buur Mortensen, Johan Rosengren
  • Patent number: 11310609
    Abstract: A data system for handling user data for a hearing aid user and at least one hearing aid (10, 11) having a memory for storing personal settings for alleviating a hearing loss for the hearing aid user includes a remote server (25) accessible by means of an Internet enabled computer device. A personal communication device (13) is Internet enabled and is able to act as a gateway to the Internet for the at least one hearing aid. The user may create a user account on the remote server, enter personal information into the user account and store the entered personal information on the remote server, and enter the gateway information to the user account. The personal communication device and the at least one hearing aid are provided with respective transceivers for establishing a wireless connection under guidance of said application software. The least one hearing aid uploads the personal settings for alleviating the hearing loss via the gateway to the remote server for storing in the user account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Widex A/S
    Inventors: Soren Erik Westermann, Svend Vitting Andersen, Anders Westergaard, Niels Erik Boelskift Maretti