Patents Examined by Ryan Robinson
  • Patent number: 12108203
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for audio signal output. The apparatus may include a bone conduction assembly configured to generate a bone conduction acoustic wave. The apparatus may include an air conduction assembly configured to generate an air conduction acoustic wave, the bone conduction acoustic wave and the air conduction acoustic wave may represent a same audio signal. The apparatus may include a phase difference between bone conduction acoustic wave and the air conduction acoustic wave may be smaller than a threshold. The apparatus may include a housing configured to accommodate at least a portion of the bone conduction assembly and the air conduction assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lei Zhang, Xin Qi, Junjiang Fu, Zhen Wang, Liwei Wang
  • Patent number: 12108219
    Abstract: A processing chip for processing audio signals using at least one deep neural network (DNN) in a hearing device comprises a first compute unit having a hardware architecture adapted for processing one or more convolutional neural network layers of the at least one DNN, a second compute unit having hardware architecture adapted for processing one or more recurring neural network layers of the at least DNN, a control unit for directing the first and second compute units when to compute a respective layer of the at least one DNN, a shared memory unit of storing data to be processed in respective layers of the at least one DNN, and a data bus system for providing access to the shared memory unit for each of the first and the second compute unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Samuel Bucher, Hans-Ueli Roeck, Fethi Cherigui
  • Patent number: 12101606
    Abstract: A method for fitting a hearing instrument comprises obtaining sensor data from a plurality of sensors belonging to a plurality of sensor types; applying a machine learned (ML) model to determine, based on the sensor data, an applicable fitting category of the hearing instrument from among a plurality of predefined fitting categories, wherein the plurality of predefined fitting categories includes a fitting category corresponding to a correct way of wearing the hearing instrument and a fitting category corresponding to an incorrect way of wearing the hearing instrument; and generating an indication based on the applicable fitting category of the hearing instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kendra Griffin, Paul Reinhart, Tracie Tuss, Kent Collins, Michael Karl Sacha
  • Patent number: 12096186
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hearing aid and detachable speaker unit assembly. The detachable speaker unit assembly comprises a fastening structure to provide an enhanced removal force and stable insertion into the ear canal of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Bjarne Laursen, Bozhidar Kuzhuharov
  • Patent number: 12088984
    Abstract: A set of earphones enable a user to automatically activate and/or deactivate an electronic device. The earphones comprise an electronic device controller which controls the operation of an electronic device. The controller is configured to send a signal to an electronic device activation circuit which operates the electronic device based upon a coupling status of the earbuds with the one or more magnetically attractable surfaces and/or one or more magnets. The earphones are usable with an electronic device that is able to be customized to blend in with its background such as when worn with specific clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Snik LLC
    Inventor: Rob Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 12088987
    Abstract: A set of headphones and audio system comprises a first set of buttons for controlling a volume level of transmitted audio to the headphones and a second set of buttons for controlling a volume level of external audio played by the headphones. The transmitted audio comprises audio received from an audio source such as an electronic device and the external audio comprises surrounding ambient noise received by a microphone coupled to the headphones. With the first set of controls and the second set of controls a user is able to adjust the volume level of the transmitted audio and the volume level of the external audio in order to listen to the transmitted audio while still interacting with the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Snik LLC
    Inventor: Rob Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 12089001
    Abstract: A hearing device includes a loudspeaker having a loudspeaker diaphragm for generating acoustic signals, a drive or actuator acting on the loudspeaker diaphragm, and a loudspeaker housing in which the drive or actuator and the loudspeaker diaphragm are accommodated. A housing encloses a housing interior. A loudspeaker box is disposed in the housing interior and has a sound outlet opening coupled with a sound conductor leading out of the housing. The loudspeaker is sealed in the loudspeaker box against the housing interior in a fluid-tight manner. The loudspeaker is disposed in the loudspeaker box clear or free of a sound channel element, disposed within the loudspeaker box and coupling the loudspeaker with the sound outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Sivantos Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hoong Yih Chan, Agustiar Agustiar, Soon Hon Lim, Shinq Yee Chia
  • Patent number: 12081931
    Abstract: A headset may comprise at least one ear cup and an ear cup shaper configurable into at least two configurations. When the ear cup shaper is configured in a first of the configurations, the ear cup is shaped to contact the temple of a wearer of the headset. When the adjustable ear cup shaper is configured in a second of the configurations, the ear cup is shaped to accommodate the temple piece of a pair of eyeglasses of a wearer of the headset. The ear cup may comprise a filler material such as foam, and the adjustable ear cup shaper when configured in the second of the configurations may create a depression in the foam. The adjustable ear cup shaper may comprise a strap and/or a plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kulavik, Andy Logan
  • Patent number: 12081934
    Abstract: A portable electronic device comprising: an enclosure having an enclosure wall that forms an interior chamber and an opening to an environment surrounding the enclosure wall; and a valve comprising a number of sliding actuators operable to open and close the opening to the environment surrounding the enclosure wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gokhan Hatipoglu, Peter C. Hrudey, Scott C. Grinker, Ankur Jain, Patrick B. Wright
  • Patent number: 12075211
    Abstract: Provided are a laminated piezoelectric element and an electroacoustic transducer capable of obtaining high piezoelectric characteristics and easily ensuring an electric contact to an electrode layer. A plurality of layers of piezoelectric films, each of which is formed by laminating a first protective layer, a first electrode layer, a piezoelectric layer, a second electrode layer, and a second protective layer in this order, are laminated. Each of the piezoelectric layers is polarized in a thickness direction. In each of the piezoelectric films, the first electrode is disposed on an upstream side in a polarization direction of the piezoelectric layer, and the second electrode is disposed on a downstream side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Teruo Ashikawa, Kazuo Hiraguchi, Yusuke Kagawa, Tetsu Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 12072230
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes a first casing and a second casing, and a distortion sensor attached to an inner wall of the casing. One side of the first casing is opened by a first opening, one side of the second casing is opened by a second opening, the casing is formed by fixing the first casing to the second casing to face each other. Moreover, the first and second casings are fixed by two or more fixing portions, the distortion sensor has a strip shape having first and second ends in the longitudinal direction, and the distortion sensor is attached to an inner wall of the second casing such that the longitudinal direction is a direction along an edge of the second opening, the first end is relatively close to the fixing portion, and the second end is far from the fixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kitada
  • Patent number: 12069458
    Abstract: An electronic device and method for generating an audio signal is provided. According to various example embodiments, an electronic device may include a display configured to depict visual information to the outside of the electronic device. The electronic device further includes an actuator to cause the display to vibrate. A processor is electrically connected to the actuator and the display. The processor applies a pilot signal to the actuator, and detects an amount of vibration of the display caused by applying the pilot signal. The processor sets an environment of the audio signal based on the amount of vibration of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaehwan Lee, Jeonggyu Jo, Incheol Baek
  • Patent number: 12069427
    Abstract: A sound generator includes a vibration plate, a vibration portion including a first vibration device and a second vibration device disposed at a rear surface of the vibration plate to intersect with each other, and a connection portion connected between the vibration plate and the vibration portion, wherein each of the first vibration device and the second vibration device includes a plurality of piezoelectric layers and a common electrode disposed between the plurality of piezoelectric layers and including at least one weight member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaehun Ye, Takayuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 12063468
    Abstract: [Problem] The present invention is directed to a higher-performance and higher-quality curved diaphragm speaker system without deficiency of performance for both a hearing-impaired person and a normal hearing person. [Solution] A speaker unit 10 according to the present invention includes at least a first diaphragm 1 having a corn shape, a second diaphragm 2 having a curved sheet shape, and a driver unit 3 that drives both the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm. A small diameter side 1a of the first diaphragm and one end side 2a of the second diaphragm are coupled to the driver unit. When the speaker unit is mounted in a housing 50 to be a speaker 100, a large diameter side 1b of the first diaphragm is coupled to a support plate 511 of a support member 51 that is a part of the housing, and the other end side 2b of the second diaphragm is coupled to a support leg 513 of the support member that is a part of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: SOUND FUN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunori Sato, Nobuhiro Miyahara, Yoshio Sakamoto, Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 12063474
    Abstract: A sound transducer device includes a multilayer component board having a first side and an opposite second side, and a sound port extending between the first and second sides of the multilayer component board. The sound transducer also includes a MEMS sound transducer die including a suspended membrane structure, wherein the MEMS sound transducer die is arranged at the first side of the multilayer component board such that the suspended membrane structure is in fluid communication with the sound port. The sound transducer also includes a mesh structure for providing an environmental barrier, the mesh structure covering the sound port from either one of the first and second sides of the multilayer component board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Paul Westmarland, Bernd Goller, Scott Palmer, Mark Pavier
  • Patent number: 12063467
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sound producing device, at least comprising a housing assembly. The housing assembly comprises a housing and a sealing member. The housing is provided with a plug-in hole, and the plug-in hole runs through a side wall of one side of the housing; the sealing member is used for plugging and sealing the plug-in hole; the plug-in hole comprises at least one hole wall segment provided along a plugging direction of the sealing member; the cross-sectional area of a reference cross section of at least part of the at least one hole wall segment perpendicular to the plugging direction of the sealing member increases gradually along the plugging direction; the sealing member is in plugging fit with the at least one hole wall segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Song Yang, Fen You, Yonggen Wang, Zhiqing Liu, Xinnan Mao
  • Patent number: 12063480
    Abstract: A hearing aid includes a microphone, an electro-acoustic transducer, and a housing that supports the electro-acoustic transducer such that the housing and the electro-acoustic transducer together define a first acoustic volume and a second acoustic volume. The electro-acoustic transducer is arranged such that a first radiating surface of the transducer radiates acoustic energy into the front acoustic volume and such that a second radiating surface of the transducer radiates acoustic energy into the second acoustic volume. The hearing aid is configured such that the first and second acoustic volumes are acoustically coupled to the microphone when the hearing aid is worn. The housing supports an acoustic element that is acoustically coupled to the microphone and the second acoustic volume and is arranged such that acoustic energy radiated from the acoustic element sums with acoustic energy leaked from the first acoustic volume at the microphone so as to cancel each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventor: Liam Kelly
  • Patent number: 12058505
    Abstract: The present application provides a sound production device. The sounding device includes: an outer shell having two ends communicating with each other and comprising a first shell and a second shell, wherein the first shell and the second shell are distributed along a direction from one of the two ends to another of the two end and engaged with each other; a diaphragm integrally formed with the first shell; and a side magnetic conductive plate integrally formed with the second shell. The technical solution of the present application improves the reliability of connection between the side magnetic conductive plate and the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventors: Zhilei Han, Huawei Liu
  • Patent number: 12052538
    Abstract: Voice communication in hostile noisy environment is described. An example apparatus is integral with or attachable to a headgear including a multi-sensor array having a bone conduction microphone, an air conduction microphone, signal processor, a cushioned bendable material and audio output devices, such as speakers or headphones. A signal processor can be included that processes vibration signal data and tonal signal data to produce combined data representative of the vocal communication to substantially reduce or eliminate noise. A signals optimized combination process can be used to optimize the output by intelligently combining the outputs from the two different types of sensors for both to cooperate in a hostile noise environment to suppress or eliminate such noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: BITWAVE PTE LTD.
    Inventor: Siew Kok Hui
  • Patent number: 12047723
    Abstract: Aspects describe a raised feature to help a user remove an in-ear audio output device from a case. Aspects describe a device comprising an earbud housing shaped to fit in a concha of an ear of a wearer of the device, and a body coupled to the earbud housing, the body extending away from an ear canal of the wearer and oriented outside of the ear when the device is worn, the body comprising a top cap comprising a flat external portion and a raised feature proximate to a concha cymba of the wearer and external to the ear when the device is worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richmond Andrew Real, Colin Taylor Mosgrove