Patents Examined by Simon King
  • Patent number: 11805356
    Abstract: A system and method setting an appearance of an earbud having a display attached to an outward facing surface of a support structure. The display has a curved edge having a perimeter that matches a perimeter of the support structure, the curved edge of the display screen conceals the support structure making only the display visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Damian Mackiewicz, Alexander Efimov, Amin Einakian
  • Patent number: 11800299
    Abstract: A MEMS transducer system has a transducer configured to convert a received signal into an output signal for forwarding by a transducer output port, and an integrated circuit having an IC input in communication with the transducer output port. The IC input is configured to receive an IC input signal produced as a function of the output signal. The system also has a dividing element coupled between the IC input and the transducer output port. The dividing element is configured to selectively attenuate one or more signals into the IC input to at least in part produce the IC input signal. Other implementations may couple a feedback loop to the ground of the transducer (similar to bootstrapping), or pick off voltages at specific portions of the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Littrell, Ronald Gagnon
  • Patent number: 11777999
    Abstract: Provided is a server system robust against a communication path failure. A first server system 2-1 and a second server system 2-2 are respectively installed on a first network 3-1 and a second network 3-2 provided by common carriers different from each other. The first and second server systems are connected to each other by a dedicated line 6. Even when a failure occurs in the first network, communication through the second network can be maintained, and even when a failure occurs in the second network, communication through the first network can be maintained. Further, when a failure occurs in the dedicated line, operations can be performed within each of the first and second networks in a degeneracy mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ICOM INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Akira Nakano
  • Patent number: 11778363
    Abstract: An audio data transmission method. An electronic device transmits audio data to a first earbud of a TWS headset by using a first CIS of a first CIG, and transmits audio data to a second earbud of the TWS headset by using a second CIS of the first CIG. The electronic device determines that the TWS headset is switched from a double-earbud mode (namely, a mode in which the first earbud and the second earbud are used together as audio input/output devices of the electronic device) to a first single-earbud mode (namely, a mode in which the first earbud is independently used as an audio input/output device of the electronic device). In response to the determining, the electronic device deactivates the second CIS, stops transmitting audio data to the second earbud by using the second CIS, and continues transmitting audio data to the first earbud by using the first CIS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuhong Zhu, Liang Wang, Yong Zheng, Jingyun Zhang
  • Patent number: 11778403
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of generating personalized HRTFs. The system is prepared by calculating a model for HRTFs described as the relationship between a finite example set of input data, namely anthropometric measures and demographic information for a set of individuals, and a corresponding set of output data, namely HRTFs numerically simulated using a high-resolution database of 3D scans of the same set of individuals. At the time of use, the system queries the user for their demographic information, and then from a series of images of the user, the system detects and measures various anthropometric characteristics. The system then applies the prepared model to the anthropometric and demographic data as part of generating a personalized HRTF. In this manner, the personalized HRTF can be generated with more convenience than by performing a high-resolution scan or an acoustic measurement of the user, and with less computational complexity than by numerically simulating their HRTF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: McGregor Steele Joyner, Alex Brandmeyer, Scott Daly, Jeffrey Ross Baker, Andrea Fanelli, Poppy Anne Carrie Crum
  • Patent number: 11778081
    Abstract: A phone stand designed to hold a tablet, smartphone or an e-reader in an easily viewable position. The stand includes a single body of wood, metal or plastic, and is comprised of a taller rear wall, a pair of parallel side surfaces and two front legs forming the front portion; each front leg has a plurality of angular holding slots cut at different angles to support the smartphone; an inclined middle portion to support the rear surface of the smartphone; and a longitudinal support surface taller than the inclined middle portion and equal in height to the rear wall to further support the rear surface of the smartphone. To place a phone in a longitudinal of landscape orientation, a first placement space is placed between the rear wall and the longitudinal support surface and a second placement space is placed between the support surface and the inclined middle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Sean Wilinski
  • Patent number: 11778358
    Abstract: A detection device includes a pressure sensor, which provides a pressure signal indicative of an ambient pressure in an operating environment. An electrostatic-charge-variation sensor provides a charge-variation signal indicative of a variation of electrostatic charge associated with the operating environment, and processing circuitry is coupled to the pressure sensor and to the electrostatic-charge-variation sensor so as to receive the pressure signal and the charge-variation signal, and jointly processes the pressure signal and the charge-variation signal for detecting a variation between a first operating environment and a second operating environment for the detection device. The second operating environment is different from the first operating environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Enrico Rosario Alessi, Fabio Passaniti, Tiziano Chiarillo, Massimiliano Pesaturo
  • Patent number: 11765502
    Abstract: A technique for rotational correction of a microphone array includes generating first audio signals representative of sounds emanating from an environment and captured with an array of microphones of an ear-mountable listening device; identifying a characteristic human behavior having at least one of a typical head orientation or a typical head motion associated with the characteristic human behavior by monitoring sensors mounted in fixed relation to the array of microphones; determining a rotational position of the array of microphones relative to the ear based at least in part upon identifying the characteristic human behavior; applying a rotational correction to the first audio signals to generate a second audio signal, wherein the rotational correction is based at least in part upon the rotational position; and driving a speaker of the ear-mountable listening device with the second audio signal to output audio into an ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Iyo Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Carlile, Jason Rugolo, Devansh Gupta
  • Patent number: 11758316
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of charging wireless earphones, in particular to a wireless earphone charging case convenient for replacing outer shells. Its outer shell has an upper shell and a lower shell that are capable of being disengaged/engaged from/with each other, wherein a containing space is arranged inside the lower shell, a charging chamber is arranged within the containing space, a screw slot is arranged on bottom of the charging chamber, the bottom of the lower shell is fixed to the screw slot on the bottom of the charging chamber by means of a metal screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: Yong Huang
  • Patent number: 11749249
    Abstract: A system and method for integrating a home media system and other home systems. As a non-limiting example, various aspects of this disclosure provide a system and method that flexibly and efficiently provide communication and/or resource sharing between a home media system and various other home systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: SOUND UNITED, LLC.
    Inventors: Bradley M. Starobin, Matthew Lyons, Stuart W. Lumsden, Michael DiTullo, Paul O'Connor
  • Patent number: 11750962
    Abstract: Systems and processes for user identification using headphones associated with a first device are provided. For example, first movement information corresponding to movement of a second electronic device is detected. Second movement information corresponding to movement of a third electronic device is detected. A similarity score is determined based on the first movement information and the second movement information. In accordance with a determination that the similarity score is above a threshold similarity score, a user is identified as an authorized user of the first electronic device and the second electronic device. Based on the identification, an output is provided to the second electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Gong, Gierad Laput
  • Patent number: 11745670
    Abstract: A protective case system for use with an electronic device includes a protective case, a handle, and an adapter. The protective case removably receives the electronic device and a display screen of the electronic device remains accessible when the electronic device is installed in the protective case. The handle is attached to and extends outward from a back surface of the protective case. The handle is configured for carrying the protective case and the installed electronic device. The adapter is configured to be removably attachable to the handle and bendable by a user to a plurality of positions. The adapter is configured to function as a multi-position stand for the protective case and the installed electronic device. The adapter is further configured to removably affix the protective case and the installed electronic device to headrest posts of a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Shanshan Li, Joseph A. Prizzi, Kevin M. Malak, Jeffrey C. Wicks, Andrew J. Walla
  • Patent number: 11750963
    Abstract: Disclosed by the present invention are a communication control method, device and system, a charging box and a wireless earpiece, the method comprising: when charging a first wireless earpiece by means of two power pins, the charging box obtains first data to be sent if communication with the first wireless earpiece is needed; and according to the first data to be sent, the charging box controls the output voltages of the two power pins to be correspondingly exchanged, so that the first wireless earpiece switches according to the output voltage of a corresponding power pin so as to obtain the first data to be sent during the charging process. In the present method, the charging box controls the output voltages of the two power pins to be correspondingly exchanged according to the first data to be sent, so that the wireless earpiece may obtain the first data to be sent according to the switching of the charging voltages when using the switchable charging voltages of the two power pins to perform charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yichao Shan, Lei Lin
  • Patent number: 11743649
    Abstract: The technology provides for a pair of earbuds. For instance, a first earbud and a second earbud may each include one or more sensors. The pair of earbuds may further include one or more processors configured to receive one or more first sensor signals from a first sensor in the first earbud and one or more second sensor signals from a second sensor in the second earbud. The one or more processors may compare the first sensor signals with the second sensor signals. Based on the comparison, the one or more processors may detect whether the first earbud and the second earbud are being worn by different users. Based on detecting that the first earbud and the second earbud are being worn by different users, the one or more processors may control the first earbud and the second earbud to use a shared mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Martin Kraemer, Deborah Kathleen Vitus, Dilip Prasanna Kumar, Kristen Lawton, Adam Champy, Christopher Branson, Sandeep Singh Waraich
  • Patent number: 11743631
    Abstract: A wearable device may include a processor configured to perform active noise cancelation (ANC) applied to an input audio signal received by at least one microphone, and detect a self-voice signal, based on one or more transducers. The processor may also be configured to apply a first filter to an external audio signal, detected by at least one external microphone on the wearable device, during a listen through operation based on an activation of the audio zoom feature to generate a first listen-through signal that includes the external audio signal. The processor may also be configured to after the activation of the audio zoom feature terminate a second filter that provides low frequency compensation. The processor may be configured to produce an output audio signal that is based on at least the first listen-through signal that includes the external signal, and is based on the detected self-voice signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporation
    Inventors: Lae-Hoon Kim, Dongmei Wang, Fatemeh Saki, Taher Shahbazi Mirzahasanloo, Erik Visser, Rogerio Guedes Alves
  • Patent number: 11743391
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a multi-channel intercom system for audio communications between users, with reduced crosstalk, are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: receive, by a first user station, a modulation carrier signal; capture a first audio signal from a first user, wherein the first audio signal has a first phase; at a rate based on the modulation carrier signal, invert the first phase of the first audio signal to generate a phase-flipped audio signal; transfer the phase-flipped audio signal to a second user station; at a second rate based on the modulation carrier signal, invert a phase of the phase-flipped audio signal to generate an intermediate audio signal; and present a second audio signal based on the intermediate audio signal to the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: H.M. Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Gish, Charles Butten
  • Patent number: 11736851
    Abstract: Disclosed in the present disclosure are a wireless playback device, a playback control method thereof, and a head-mounted wireless headset system. The device includes: a housing, a headband detection device, a processor, a power amplifier (PA) operational amplification device, and a speaker. The headband detection device collects connection condition data of a headband device and the housing. The processor is connected to the headband detection device and controls the PA operational amplification device to adjust an operation power mode of the speaker according to the connection condition data. The PA operational amplification device is connected to the processor and the speaker, respectively, and adjusts the operation power mode of the speaker according to control of the processor. Therefore, the function automatically switching the headphone function and a small speaker function is realized, and the user experience is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventors: Zongxu Yang, Tao Sui, Haizhu Xu, Feixiang Liu
  • Patent number: 11736844
    Abstract: An earphone module includes a first circuit board. The first circuit board includes a touch panel layer, a grounding layer, an antenna layer and a touch circuit layer assembly. The grounding layer is disposed apart from and below the touch panel layer. The antenna layer includes an antenna flat portion, an antenna feed wire and an antenna short-circuit wire. The antenna flat portion is disposed apart from and below the grounding layer, and the antenna feed wire and the antenna short-circuit wire are connected to the antenna flat portion. The touch circuit layer assembly is disposed apart from and below the antenna flat portion and includes a touch chip. The touch panel layer is electrically connected to the touch chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Merry Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jui-Hsien Chien, Wan-Hsuan Weng, Ying-Ying Peng
  • Patent number: 11728679
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a kit comprising a microphone and a headphone, and also a case member provided with a first cut-out region for accommodating the microphone and a second cut-out region for accommodating the headphone as well as electronics means for charging the microphone and/or the headphone; the microphone comprising: a sound-receiving portion; a headphone connecting portion; an extension portion connecting a distal end arranged to connect to the sound-receiving portion and a proximal end opposite the distal end thereof and arranged to connect to the headphone connecting portion, the proximal end extending a distance from the distal end such that a voice signal received is greater than the environmental noise thus yielding a higher signal to noise ratio; the headphone comprising: a main body portion dimensioned for adapting to the user's ear contour to retain the headphone on the ear; a microphone connecting portion provided on the main body portion; each of the headphone connecting portion
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: LINEAR FLUX COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: David Chung-Sing Leung, Einstein Celso Galang, Nicolas Jean Declunder
  • Patent number: 11729540
    Abstract: An ear-worn electronic device comprises a housing configured to be worn in, at or about an ear of a wearer, electronic circuitry disposed in or supported by the housing, a controller disposed in the housing and coupled to the electronic circuitry, and a rechargeable power source and charging circuitry respectively disposed in the housing. The charging circuitry is coupled to the controller and comprises first and second charge contacts situated at a wall of the housing. A user-actuatable control is operatively coupled to the controller and comprises a touch sensor coupled to the first and second charge contacts. The touch sensor comprises a threshold detector configured to distinguish between skin contact with the first and second charge contacts and contact between a conductive material more conductive than skin and the first and second charge contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Starkey Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Olson, Sidney A. Higgins, Brad Guertin