Patents Examined by Vivian Chin
  • Patent number: 10112671
    Abstract: A saddlebag speaker assembly for housing a speaker within a saddlebag and a method of forming a saddlebag speaker assembly are provided. The assembly includes a saddlebag lid opening cover configured to cover the saddlebag lid opening and couple to the saddlebag lid and the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Inventor: Paul Yaffe
  • Patent number: 10115293
    Abstract: An alert system for generating a signal indicating at least one aspect of sound within a workspace environment, the system comprising at least a first sensor positioned one of within and proximate a workspace, the at least a first sensor sensing at least one aspect of sound generated within the workspace and generating a signal indicating the at least one aspect, a communication device located within the workspace, the communication device configured to generate a signal perceivable within the workspace and a processor receiving signals from the at least a first sensor and linked to the communication device, the processor programmed to perform the steps of identifying when the at least one aspect exceeds a threshold value and driving the communication device to indicate that the at least one aspect exceeds the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Robert Scheper, Matthew Warner, Karl J. Mead, Brett Kincaid, Kurt Heidmann
  • Patent number: 10109292
    Abstract: An audio system includes an external microphone to receive a near-end audio content and a loudspeaker transducer and a corresponding enclosure defining an acoustic chamber. An internal pressure-gradient microphone is positioned in the acoustic chamber to detect a radiated output from the loudspeaker transducer. The audio system also includes a processor and a memory having instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the audio system to receive a near-end signal from the external microphone and a reference signal from the internal microphone. The instructions, when executed, further cause the processor to cause the audio system to filter the reference signal from the near-end signal to define a clean near-end signal, and to emit the clean near-end signal. Related principles are described by way of reference to method and apparatus examples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sylvain J. Choisel, Simon K. Porter
  • Patent number: 10110995
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for converting an input signal into a mechanical or acoustical output signal by using a transducer and additional means for generating a desired transfer behavior and for protecting said transducer against overload. Transducers of this kind are for example loudspeaker, headphones and other mechanical or acoustical actuators. The additional means comprise a controller, a power amplifier and a detector. The detector identifies parameters of the transducer model if the stimulus provides sufficient excitation of the transducer. The detector permanently identifies time variant properties of the transducer for any stimulus supplied to the transducer. The controller provided with this information generates a desired linear or nonlinear transfer behavior; in particular electric control linearizes, stabilizes and protects the transducer against electric, thermal and mechanical overload at high amplitudes of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventor: Wolfgang Klippel
  • Patent number: 10103694
    Abstract: An audio driver equipped with a distortion compensation unit corrects for detected distortion and includes a digital to analog converter (DAC), an amplifier, and an output driver that drives a loudspeaker. Between the output driver and the loudspeaker, the audio driver can include a series resistor and a differential amplifier to measure the voltage across the resistor. A distortion detection unit can use the detected voltage to determine whether distortion, such as rub and buzz distortion is present. The distortion detection unit can comprise an analog to digital converter (ADC) to digitize the voltage data, an FFT to transform the voltage data into frequency information, a root-mean-square (RMS) module that measures the energy at each frequency, and an analysis module which looks for the distortion signature in the energy spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Trausti Thormundsson, Ragnar H. Jonsson, Vilhjalmur S. Thorvaldsson, James Walter Wihardja
  • Patent number: 10104484
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for identifying and locating an emitted acoustic signal from a source entity is disclosed. The system and method is capable of distinguishing between source entities of the same type. The system and method may further allow a user of the system to observe the movement of a source entity in real-time from a remote location as well as access stored data representative of the movement of the source entity from a remote location. The system and method is capable of identifying the identity of a source entity by using an average sound source comparing a received emitted acoustic signal from the source entity to a database of sounds. The system and method is capable calculating the source entity's distance and direction from an origin input sensor for each occurrence of emitted acoustic signals received from the source entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventors: Steven Kenneth Bradford, Britton James Bradford
  • Patent number: 10104464
    Abstract: A method includes providing a set of earpieces comprising a left ear piece and a right ear piece, each of the earpieces comprising an ear piece housing, a wireless transceiver disposed within the ear piece housing, a processor disposed within the housing and operatively connected to the wireless transceiver. The method further includes providing a set of eyeglasses comprising an eyeglass frame, a wireless transceiver disposed within the eyeglass frame, a processor disposed within the eyeglass frame, and a first lens and a second lens operatively connected to the eyeglass frame. The method provides for communicating data between at least one of the set of earpieces and the set of eyeglasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventors: Peter Vincent Boesen, Jake Berry Turner
  • Patent number: 10102843
    Abstract: A hearing protection headset that can be worn by a user includes left and right earcups. The headset includes a radio communication system enabling at least one radio signal to be received and played through one or both of the earcups. Noise control circuitry in the headset is configurable by a user between at least three active modes of operation—the circuitry having a first active mode in which the headset provides automatic noise reduction, a second active mode in which the headset provides automatic noise cancellation, and a third active mode in which the headset provides both automatic noise reduction and automatic noise cancellation. A switch is manually operable by the user to configure the circuitry between the first active mode and the second active mode and the third active mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Safariland, LLC
    Inventors: David Trinh Le, John Brad Medine, Peter Hoang
  • Patent number: 10104473
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatus for processing audio input signals, for example, so as to linearize the output of a given loudspeaker. An audio processor is provided, for modifying an audio signal to be provided to a loudspeaker, the audio processor comprising: a first filter stage, for applying to an audio signal a linear model describing an excursion of the loudspeaker in response to a given input signal, the linear model containing only linear terms, and for generating one or more excursion signals; a plurality of second filters for receiving the one or more excursion signals, each of the second filters configured to apply to a respective one of a plurality of frequency bands in the one or more excursion signals the inverse of a model describing an excursion of the loudspeaker in response to a given input signal; and a combiner for combining the outputs of each of the plurality of second filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ylva Ellen Maria Bjork, Erik Vilhelm Lindahl
  • Patent number: 10097920
    Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in an apparatus that includes an array of multiple microphones, and a passive directional acoustic element disposed between at least two of the multiple microphones. The passive directional acoustic element includes a pipe having an elongated opening along at least a portion of the length of the pipe, and an acoustically resistive material covering at least a portion of the elongated opening. One or more structural characteristics of the passive acoustic element is configured for capturing a target frequency range in accordance with a target beam pattern associated with the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Wontak Kim, Austin Mackey, Joseph A. Coffey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10096312
    Abstract: An adaptive noise canceling system can include a noise cancellation processor having an audio input for receiving an input audio signal, a microphone input structured to receive one or more microphone signals from a monitored environment, and a filter processor structured to produce a filtering function based on one or more filter parameters. The system can also include an adaptivity processor structured to change the one or more filter parameters in the noise cancellation processor based on a changing operating environment of the adaptive noise canceling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: AVNERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amit Kumar, Wai Laing Lee, Jianping Wen
  • Patent number: 10090813
    Abstract: A power amplifier includes an input amplifier, a comparator, a switching circuit, an output filter and a feedback filter. The input amplifier receives an input signal of the power amplifier at a positive input of the input amplifier and an output signal of the feedback filter at a negative input of the input amplifier. The input amplifier has a capacitive feedback from an output of the input amplifier to the negative input of the input amplifier. The comparator receives the output signal of the input amplifier at a positive input of the comparator and the output signal of the feedback filter at a negative input of the comparator. The comparator provides a control signal based on a comparison between signal levels of the signals at the positive and the negative inputs of the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: BOLECANO HOLDING AB
    Inventor: Patrik Boström
  • Patent number: 10090119
    Abstract: In one embodiment a sound generating system comprises: a housing; a speaker located at least partially inside the housing; and an interactive faceplate subassembly comprising: a front surface, wherein a portion of the front surface contains a first plurality of openings forming a speaker grille; a display operable to display through a first portion of the front surface; the display disposed behind the front surface of the interactive faceplate subassembly and coupled to a second surface having a second plurality of openings, and wherein at least one of the openings in the second plurality of openings aligns with one or more of the openings in the first plurality of openings, thereby promoting improved sound transmission from the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventor: James Thomas O'Keeffe
  • Patent number: 10091584
    Abstract: In some embodiments, portable speakers can be small and lightweight and can communicate with one or more audio device over wired or wireless connections. In some embodiments, portable speakers achieve reduced complexity as compared to typical high fidelity systems (e.g., by including a reduced number of speaker drivers and amplifiers), while still maintaining high fidelity stereo audio playback, thereby achieving both portability and high quality audio capability. For instance, certain implementations of the speaker include two primary speakers disposed on opposing faces of the speaker enclosure (e.g., full or mid-range drivers) and two tweeters, also disposed on opposing faces. Primary speakers can be disposed on respective ends of the housing and each can output a different stereo channel. Each tweeter can be positioned on different face of the housing. The speaker system according to some embodiments generates a mono high frequency signal to drive the tweeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Fugoo Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Barone, Dennis Stone
  • Patent number: 10091574
    Abstract: A pneumatic audio system which is compatible with use within an MRI environment is disclosed. The system has an audio transducer including a housing having a plurality of walls, a foam insert supported within the housing, and a speaker supported by the foam insert and extending at an angle with respect to the walls of the housing. The system further has a hollow tube coupled to the audio transducer at a first end and configured to transmit audio signals from the speaker through the tube. The system further has an earphone coupled to a second end of the hollow tube and configured to deliver audio signals to an ear canal of a human user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Neocoil, LLC
    Inventors: Terry Smith, Paul Ropella, Matthew Brown, Cindy Comeau, Brian Brown
  • Patent number: 10091572
    Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling the functionality of a pair of earbuds. The first earbud establishes a connection between the first earbud and an electronic device, searches for the second earbud of the pair of earbuds using Body Coupled Communication, BCC, and sends a signal from the first earbud to the electronic device including information defining whether the first earbud detected the second earbud during the search. The electronic device receives a signal from the at least one of the earbuds, the signal comprising information defining whether the earbud has detected the other earbud of the pair of earbuds using Body Coupled Communication, BCC, and sends a signal to the at least one earbud wherein the signal is controlled based on the received signal and includes information associated with controlling the functionality of the pair of earbuds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Rodzevski, Magnus Midholt
  • Patent number: 10091568
    Abstract: A portable speaker assembly includes a first shell that may insertably receive an electronic device. The first shell is comprised of a rigid material to protect the electronic device from impact damage. A second shell is slidably coupled to the first shell such that each of the first shell and the second shell form a case. The second shell insertably receives the electronic device. The second shell is comprised of a rigid material to protect the electronic device from impact damage. An audio unit is coupled to the case to emit audible sounds outwardly from the case. The audio unit is in wireless electrical communication with the electronic device thereby facilitating the audio unit to receive an audio signal from the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventor: Tahjier Hammary
  • Patent number: 10085090
    Abstract: Disclosed is a loudspeaker array with a multiplicity of array loudspeakers. The multiplicity of array loudspeakers is mounted in a surface of a rigid hemisphere that encloses an acoustic volume. The array loudspeakers are regularly or quasi-regularly distributed over the surface of the rigid hemisphere, and a loudspeaker arrangement includes such an array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Christoph, Matthias Kronlachner
  • Patent number: 10080084
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a digital correcting network for correcting for an intrinsic highpass filter of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone such that a combined phase and magnitude response of a cascade of the intrinsic highpass filter and the digital correcting network substantially approximates the response of a target highpass filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Sunder S. Kidambi, John C. Tucker, Aleksey Khenkin
  • Patent number: 10079028
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to enhancing sound through reverberation matching. In sonic implementations, a first sound recording recorded in a first environment is received. The first sound recording is decomposed to a first clean signal and a first reverb kernel. A second reverb kernel corresponding with a second sound recording recorded in a second environment is accessed, for example, based on a user indication to enhance the first sound recording to sound as though recorded in the second environment. An enhanced sound recording is generated based on the first clean signal and the second reverb kernel. The enhanced sound recording is a modification of the first sound recording to sound as though recorded in the second environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Ramin Anushiravani, Paris Smaragdis, Gautham Mysore