Patents Examined by Yosef K Laekemariam
  • Patent number: 10534574
    Abstract: An acoustic system comprises an operation condition determination part for determining an operation condition of an operating element for controlling sound volume of a sound reproduction device which reproduces sounds from a plurality of sound sources, and a control part for changing a control object of the sound volume by the operating element in accordance with the sound source which is reproduced by the sound reproduction device, based on the operation condition determined by the operation condition determination part. The control part prohibits switching of the control object of the sound volume by operation of the operating element even when the sound source to be reproduced has been changed while it is determined by the operation condition determination part that the operation of the operating element is continuously performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mutsumi Katayama
  • Patent number: 10534573
    Abstract: Systems, methods and software for sample rate conversion with unknown input and output clocks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for an asynchronous transfer of audio data includes: receiving the audio data by an antenna of a receiver (RX); storing the audio data in an input buffer of the RX; and receiving data words from the input buffer by a sample rate converter (SRC). The consecutive data words are received from the input buffer at an adjustable period T. The method further includes tracking a filling level of the input buffer; and based on the filling level of the input buffer, adjusting the adjustable period T. When the filling level of the input buffer is below the target level of the input buffer, the adjustable period T is increased. When the filling level of the input buffer is above the target level of the input buffer, the adjustable period T is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Sonova AG
    Inventors: Amre El-Hoiydi, Timothee Jost, Till Schmalmack, Jordi Hidalgo, Alessandro Gallo
  • Patent number: 10531212
    Abstract: Described is a screen surface layer comprising a plurality of light-emitting pixels including a plurality of red pixels, a plurality of green pixels and a plurality of blue pixels; a transducer layer comprising a plurality of acoustic transducers, wherein the transducer layer is affixed below the screen surface layer; and a cover layer having a plurality of cylinder-shaped perforations, wherein the cover layer is affixed above the screen surface layer. In addition, an average “transducer model” describing a phasor distribution in space may be produced describing the output signal at the carrier frequency in the air at a known spatial offset from an averaged transducer. Further, phased array systems may have numerous individual transducer elements that will likely fail before the product incorporating the transducers reaches end-of-life. By detecting such failed transducers, the transducer array may function at peak performance by working around the missing transducer output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ultrahaptics IP Ltd.
    Inventors: Benjamin John Oliver Long, Thomas Andrew Carter, Brian Kappus
  • Patent number: 10531192
    Abstract: A set of shielded headphones (1) having speaker housings (6) that are electroplated to provide metallic surfaces to create a Faraday cage around each speaker (5) contained therein. The protective metallic encasement prevents electromagnetic radiation from interfering with the speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: LINSTOL USA, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Russell, Zhong Gui Bin, Alberto de Lucio
  • Patent number: 10523906
    Abstract: An audio-video communication system comprises a wireless exterior module located proximate an entrance, a computerized controller running a software application, and a remote peripheral device. The wireless exterior module includes a proximity sensor for detecting a person at the entrance, a video camera for recording an image of the person at the entrance, a microphone for recording the person at the entrance, a speaker for playing audio to the person at the entrance, a transmitter for communicating sounds and images of the person at the entrance, and a receiver for receiving communications at the wireless exterior module. The computerized controller is disposed in wireless electronic communication with the wireless exterior module via the transmitter and the receiver of the wireless exterior module. The remote peripheral device is configured to electronically communicate with the computerized controller for viewing an image from the video camera communicated from the wireless exterior module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Eyetalk365, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald Carter
  • Patent number: 10524039
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for enhanced digital headsets are disclosed. An enhanced USB-C headset includes a USB-C connector, a cable extending from the USB-C connector, an inline control box coupled to the USB-C connector through the cable, and a first earphone and a second earphone. The cable includes conductors for transmitting DC bus power, power return, and differential digital signals and extends at least one foot in length. The control box includes a single circuit board, with circuitry for managing digital communications, converting audio data, and providing output signals to drive analog speaker elements of the earphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Leng Ooi, Changzhan Gu, Jae-won Hwang
  • Patent number: 10524080
    Abstract: An audio processing system has one or more processors that process an audio signal on three paths. The first path has a direct gain and a direct virtual source algorithm operating on the audio signal. The second path has a plurality of early reflection gains operating on the audio signal. Operation with the early reflection gains produces a plurality of early reflections. Each of the early reflection signals may be subjected to a delay and may be processed according to an early reflections virtual source algorithm. The third path has a reverb gain and binaural reverb filters operating on the audio signal. The third path also has a crosstalk canceler. A mixer combines left and right channel outputs of each of the first path, second path and third path. The mixer produces a left loudspeaker signal and a right loudspeaker signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Darius A. Satongar, Stuart J. Wood, Lance F. Reichert, Juha O. Merimaa, Joshua D. Atkins
  • Patent number: 10516930
    Abstract: A system, method, and wireless earpieces for managing power settings. Sensor measurements are performed utilizing a first sensor array of the wireless earpieces to detect light and motion. Sensor measurements are performed utilizing a second sensor array of the wireless earpieces to detect light and motion. The sensor measurements are analyzed from the first sensor array and the second sensor array. A determination is made whether a change event is detected in response to the sensor measurements. The change event is confirmed as detected. The wireless earpieces enter a full power mode in response to the change event being confirmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: BRAGI GmbH
    Inventors: Toby Martin, Eric Christian Hirsch, Volker Klein, Christian Begusch, Matthias Lackus, Arne D. Loermann, Nikolaj Hviid
  • Patent number: 10511901
    Abstract: A method of customizing the fit of a portion of an in-ear audio device within a portion of an ear includes determining a degree of sealing between the in-ear audio device and the portion of the ear and applying a voltage to at least a portion of an ear tip coupled to the in-ear audio device to selectively expand or contract the portion of the ear tip based on the determination until the degree of sealing between the in-ear audio device and the portion of the ear achieves a desired degree of sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventor: George Sean Garrett
  • Patent number: 10510332
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a noise reduction apparatus includes a speaker, a generator and a controller. The speaker outputs control sound. The generator generates self-excited sound. The controller controls a phase and an amplitude of the control sound to reduce noise generated from a noise source, based on the control sound and the self-excited sound that is synchronized with the control sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Goto, Akihiko Enamito
  • Patent number: 10511917
    Abstract: An adaptive level estimator for providing a level estimate of an electric input signal representing sound is provided. The adaptive level estimator comprises a first level estimator that provides a first level estimate of the electric input signal in a first number K1 of frequency bands; a second level estimator that provides attack/release time constants associated with a second level estimate of the electric input signal in a second number K2 of frequency bands, wherein K2 is smaller than K1; and a level control unit that provides a resulting level estimate based on said first level estimates and said attack/release time constants associated with said second level estimates. The level estimator may be used in devices or applications that benefit from a dynamic adaptation of an input signal level to a listener's dynamic range of sound level perception, or to any other specific dynamic range deviating from that of the environment sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: OTICON A/S
    Inventors: Anders Højsgaard Thomsen, Jan Petersen, Jan Mark De Haan
  • Patent number: 10505640
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a system and method that control idling current of a pulse modulated driver. The system may include an audio input device configured to receive an audio input signal. The system can include sliding bias control circuitry configured to generate a sliding bias control signal based on a level of the audio input signal. The system may include sliding bias generation circuitry configured to generate a sliding bias voltage superimposed onto the audio input signal to generate a pulse modulated driver input signal that is input into an amplifier. The sliding bias voltage may be based on the sliding bias control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: ETYMOTIC RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventor: Mead C. Killion
  • Patent number: 10499151
    Abstract: A system and method for processing and enhancing utility of a sound mask noise signal, including generating, by a signal processor, the sound mask noise signal by modulating a noise signal with embedded additional information; outputting, by a plurality of audio speakers, sound signals comprising the sound mask noise signal with the embedded additional information; and receiving, by one or more microphones, the outputted sound signals comprising the sound mask noise signal, wherein an impulse response between each audio speaker and each microphone is measured in real time based on the embedded additional information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Nureva, Inc.
    Inventor: Grant Howard McGibney
  • Patent number: 10494969
    Abstract: A device includes a housing and a core configured to be secured within the housing. The core includes a microphone configured to detect a sound signal. The core also includes a control board configured to generate a noise-canceling sound signal based on the sound signal and a set of transfer functions. The core further includes a speaker configured to deliver the noise-canceling sound signal. The device also includes a fastener configured to connect the housing to an air filter of an intake vent of an enclosure of a power generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Quoc Hoai Nguyen, Arkadiusz Bartlomiej Nagorski, Eric YuHang Fung, Eric Tracy Watson
  • Patent number: 10492004
    Abstract: Speakers for locating in a vehicle exhaust system having a speaker surround that is formed from a rubber compounded using a polyacrylate polymer. Speakers having a speaker surround that is integral with a coating that covers or substantially covers at least one surface of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: PSS BELGIUM NV
    Inventor: Jan Goossens
  • Patent number: 10490204
    Abstract: A system, article, and method of acoustic dereverberation factoring the actual non-ideal acoustic environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Intel IP Corporation
    Inventors: Shmuel Markovich Golan, Alejandro Cohen
  • Patent number: 10484801
    Abstract: As disclosed, an external device is associated with the recipient of a hearing prosthesis and provides to the hearing prosthesis a control signal carrying an indication that the recipient is looking at output of the external device, perhaps including an indication of one or more characteristics of visual output and/or audio output from the external device. In response to such a control signal, the hearing prosthesis then automatically configures its sound processor in a manner based at least in part on the provided indication, such as to help process audio coming from the external device and/or to process audio in a manner based on the indicated characteristic(s) of visual output and/or audio output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Yves Wernaers, Tom Van Assche
  • Patent number: 10484779
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a headphone system is provided. The system includes a first housing, a second housing, a flexible coated wire, a first loudspeaker, a second loudspeaker, and a magnet. The flexible coated wire is coupled to the first housing and the second housing. The first loudspeaker is positioned within the first housing for transmitting an audio signal. The second loudspeaker is positioned within the second housing for transmitting the audio signal. The magnet is embedded within the flexible coated wire for electrical coupling with a sensor positioned within the first housing to control an operation of playback of the audio signal based on a distance of the magnet in relation to the first housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Imran Anis Ansari
  • Patent number: 10477327
    Abstract: A point of sale system includes: a transceiver; an activator; and a processing unit; wherein the transceiver is configured for, upon activation of the activator, detecting radio frequency signals transmitted from at least one device; wherein the processing unit is configured for: associating a measurement value with each of the at least one device, selecting a device from the at least one device for reception of an audio stream, based on the measurement value of the device fulfilling at least one selection criteria, and operating the transceiver to transmit the audio stream to the selected device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GN HEARING A/S
    Inventor: Brian Dam Pedersen
  • Patent number: 10477304
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an article of manufacture has microphones mounted at different locations on a non-spheroidal device body and a signal-processing system that processes the microphone signals to generate a B Format audio output having a zeroth-order beampattern signal and three first-order beampattern signals in three orthogonal directions. The signal-processing system generates at least one of the first-order beampattern signals based on effects of the device body on an incoming acoustic signal. The microphone signals used to generate each first-order beampattern signal have an inter-microphone effective distance that is less than a wavelength at a specified high-frequency value (e.g., <4 cm for 8 kHz). In preferred embodiments, the inter-microphone effective distance is less than one-half of that wavelength (e.g., <2 cm for 8 kHz).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: MH Acoustics, LLC
    Inventors: Gary W. Elko, Tomas F. Gaensler, Jens M. Meyer, Eric J. Diethorn