Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Kuramoto

Jeffrey Kuramoto has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11979705
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for adjusting the playback speed of accessories based on the buffer level of the received content. The accessories may receive content from a host device at a certain speed. The incoming speed of the content may be different than the playback speed of the content. Therefore, a buffer level of the received content may be determined using a linear least square (“LLS”) fit of the buffer level, the average of the buffer level, or a phased locked loop (“PLL”) approach. Based on a difference between the buffer level and the playback speed, a speed adjustment may be determined. Instructions may be transmitted from a primary accessory to a secondary accessory to adjust the playback speed by a certain amount at a certain time. This may ensure that the accessories remain in sync. The accessories may then adjust their respective playback speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yongkang Jia, Jeffrey Kuramoto
  • Publication number: 20230188894
    Abstract: An auxiliary device charging case is used to facilitate translation features of a mobile computing device or auxiliary device. A first user, who may be a foreign language speaker, holds the charging case and speaks into the charging case. The charging case communicates the received speech to the mobile computing device, either directly or through the auxiliary device, which translates the received speech into a second language for a second user, who is the owner of the mobile computing device and auxiliary device. The second user may provide input in the second language, such as by speaking or typing into the auxiliary or mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may translate this second input to the first language, and transmit the translated input to the charging case either directly or through the auxiliary device. The charging case may output the translated second input to the first user, such as through a speaker or display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Maksim Shmukler, Adam Champy, Dmitry Svetlov, Jeffrey Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 11540054
    Abstract: An auxiliary device charging case is used to facilitate translation features of a mobile computing device or auxiliary device. A first user, who may be a foreign language speaker, holds the charging case and speaks into the charging case. The charging case communicates the received speech to the mobile computing device, either directly or through the auxiliary device, which translates the received speech into a second language for a second user, who is the owner of the mobile computing device and auxiliary device. The second user may provide input in the second language, such as by speaking or typing into the auxiliary or mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may translate this second input to the first language, and transmit the translated input to the charging case either directly or through the auxiliary device. The charging case may output the translated second input to the first user, such as through a speaker or display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Maksim Shmukler, Adam Champy, Dmitry Svetlov, Jeffrey Kuramoto
  • Publication number: 20220201381
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for adjusting the playback speed of accessories based on the buffer level of the received content. The accessories may receive content from a host device at a certain speed. The incoming speed of the content may be different than the playback speed of the content. Therefore, a buffer level of the received content may be determined using a linear least square (“LLS”) fit of the buffer level, the average of the buffer level, or a phased locked loop (“PLL”) approach. Based on a difference between the buffer level and the playback speed, a speed adjustment may be determined. Instructions may be transmitted from a primary accessory to a secondary accessory to adjust the playback speed by a certain amount at a certain time. This may ensure that the accessories remain in sync. The accessories may then adjust their respective playback speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Yongkang Jia, Jeffrey Kuramoto
  • Publication number: 20220159782
    Abstract: Role switch between wirelessly paired master/slave devices may be performed without perceived glitches in audio. The devices negotiate an anchor point, such as a point in time or a point in relation to other events, for performing the role switch. To prepare for the role switch prior to the anchor point, the devices communicate a variety of information, such as information for communicating with the host device after the role switch and information for bit processing after the role switch. The slave device may use such information to serve in the master role, without the host knowing that a role switch occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Xuemei Ouyang, Jeffrey Kuramoto, Shijing Xian, Jiang Zhu
  • Patent number: 11272571
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for role switch with perceptible continuity of audio streaming during the role switch. The role switch occurs in two stages, with a first stage including a host link role switch and a second stage including a relay link role switch. For example, the host link role switch concerns the relationship of each audio receiver device to the host device, where the master device receives audio directly from the host for relay to the slave. The relay link role switch concerns a relationship between the audio receiver devices. For example, the communication master controls timing, such as when to send packets between the master and slave devices. Each stage of the two stage procedure may take approximately 100 ms or less. Between each stage, the audio buffers of the master and slave devices have an opportunity to refill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Shijing Xian, Guang Xie, Jeffrey Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 11271605
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for improving signal quality in communications among fully wireless systems including a host device in wireless communication with a primary accessory which further wirelessly communicates with a secondary accessory. The host device generates information for use by the primary accessory in determining which channels have interference and should be avoided. The information may include an adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) channel map for communications between the host and the primary device, from which the primary device can infer which frequency bands have interference and generate a second AFH map for communications between the primary accessory and the secondary accessory accordingly. In other examples the information includes the second AFH map generated by the host, for example, based on an out-of-band scan. In further examples, the information includes an indication of channels used by recognized nearby access points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Xuemei Ouyang, Jeffrey Kuramoto, Jiang Zhu, Wenjing Su, Ke Dong, Seang Chau, Chi Fai Yip
  • Patent number: 11202334
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for detection of conditions, and triggering role switch between wirelessly paired devices in response to detection of particular conditions. In response to detection of particular conditions, a primary device may switch roles with a secondary device. Such conditions may include battery level of each device, signal strength of each device, audio buffer levels, whether the devices are being worn by a user, whether a microphone is active, historic data, or any combination of these or other conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Xuemei Ouyang, Jeffrey Kuramoto, Shijing Xian, Smriti Narang, Jiang Zhu, Daniel Barros, Guang Xie
  • Patent number: 11134331
    Abstract: An audio playback system may be adaptable to various situations for improved user experience and audio playback quality. For example, earbuds may be both worn by a same user, worn by two different users within audio range of one another, worn by two different users outside of audio range of one another, etc. A second earbud with a secondary microphone operates in a second mode in which it captures audio and encodes it for transmission to the first earbud having a primary microphone. The first earbud with the primary microphone operates in a first mode in which it mixes the audio received from the second earbud with audio received through its own microphone for playback. The first earbud in the first mode may also delay its own microphone stream to compensate for wireless transmission delay and correlate the two audio streams to improve audio quality in case there are sounds that can be picked up by both microphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Vitali Lovich, Jeffrey Kuramoto
  • Publication number: 20210234572
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for improving signal quality in communications among fully wireless systems including a host device in wireless communication with a primary accessory which further wirelessly communicates with a secondary accessory. The host device generates information for use by the primary accessory in determining which channels have interference and should be avoided. The information may include an adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) channel map for communications between the host and the primary device, from which the primary device can infer which frequency bands have interference and generate a second AFH map for communications between the primary accessory and the secondary accessory accordingly. In other examples the information includes the second AFH map generated by the host, for example, based on an out-of-band scan. In further examples, the information includes an indication of channels used by recognized nearby access points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Xuemei Ouyang, Jeffrey Kuramoto, Jiang Zhu, Wenjing Su, Ke Dong, Seang Chau, Chi Fai Yip
  • Publication number: 20210037281
    Abstract: A buffer size of an electronic media accessory, such as a wireless audio or video player, is dynamically adjusted based on machine learning optimizations balancing low latency and high media quality. A host device that is wirelessly paired with the electronic media accessory may detect various environmental conditions, and communicate a recommended buffer size to the electronic accessory based on such conditions. The electronic accessory adjusts its buffer in accordance with the recommended size, thereby achieving a latency of approximately 100 ms or less in good RF conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: Google LLC
    Inventors: Shijing Xian, Jeffrey Kuramoto
  • Publication number: 20200205227
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for role switch with perceptible continuity of audio streaming during the role switch. The role switch occurs in two stages, with a first stage including a host link role switch and a second stage including a relay link role switch. For example, the host link role switch concerns the relationship of each audio receiver device to the host device, where the master device receives audio directly from the host for relay to the slave. The relay link role switch concerns a relationship between the audio receiver devices. For example, the communication master controls timing, such as when to send packets between the master and slave devices. Each stage of the two stage procedure may take approximately 100 ms or less. Between each stage, the audio buffers of the master and slave devices have an opportunity to refill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Shijing Xian, Guang Xie, Jeffrey Kuramoto
  • Publication number: 20200196043
    Abstract: An audio playback system may be adaptable to various situations for improved user experience and audio playback quality. For example, earbuds may be both worn by a same user, worn by two different users within audio range of one another, worn by two different users outside of audio range of one another, etc. A second earbud with a secondary microphone operates in a second mode in which it captures audio and encodes it for transmission to the first earbud having a primary microphone. The first earbud with the primary microphone operates in a first mode in which it mixes the audio received from the second earbud with audio received through its own microphone for playback. The first earbud in the first mode may also delay its own microphone stream to compensate for wireless transmission delay and correlate the two audio streams to improve audio quality in case there are sounds that can be picked up by both microphones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Vitali Lovich, Jeffrey Kuramoto
  • Publication number: 20200196372
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for detection of conditions, and triggering role switch between wirelessly paired devices in response to detection of particular conditions. In response to detection of particular conditions, a primary device may switch roles with a secondary device. Such conditions may include battery level of each device, signal strength of each device, audio buffer levels, whether the devices are being worn by a user, whether a microphone is active, historic data, or any combination of these or other conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Xuemei Ouyang, Jeffrey Kuramoto, Shijing Xian, Smriti Narang, Jiang Zhu, Daniel Barros, Guang Xie
  • Publication number: 20200128617
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for role switch with perceptible continuity of audio streaming during the role switch. The role switch occurs in two stages, with a first stage including a host link role switch and a second stage including a relay link role switch. For example, the host link role switch concerns the relationship of each audio receiver device to the host device, where the master device receives audio directly from the host for relay to the slave. The relay link role switch concerns a relationship between the audio receiver devices. For example, the communication master controls timing, such as when to send packets between the master and slave devices. Each stage of the two stage procedure may take approximately 100 ms or less. Between each stage, the audio buffers of the master and slave devices have an opportunity to refill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Shijing Xian, Guang Xie, Jeffrey Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 10631363
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for role switch with perceptible continuity of audio streaming during the role switch. The role switch occurs in two stages, with a first stage including a host link role switch and a second stage including a relay link role switch. For example, the host link role switch concerns the relationship of each audio receiver device to the host device, where the master device receives audio directly from the host for relay to the slave. The relay link role switch concerns a relationship between the audio receiver devices. For example, the communication master controls timing, such as when to send packets between the master and slave devices. Each stage of the two stage procedure may take approximately 100 ms or less. Between each stage, the audio buffers of the master and slave devices have an opportunity to refill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Shijing Xian, Guang Xie, Jeffrey Kuramoto
  • Publication number: 20190208324
    Abstract: An auxiliary device charging case is used to facilitate translation features of a mobile computing device or auxiliary device. A first user, who may be a foreign language speaker, holds the charging case and speaks into the charging case. The charging case communicates the received speech to the mobile computing device, either directly or through the auxiliary device, which translates the received speech into a second language for a second user, who is the owner of the mobile computing device and auxiliary device. The second user may provide input in the second language, such as by speaking or typing into the auxiliary or mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may translate this second input to the first language, and transmit the translated input to the charging case either directly or through the auxiliary device. The charging case may output the translated second input to the first user, such as through a speaker or display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Maksim Shmukler, Adam Champy, Dmitry Svetlov, Jeffrey Kuramoto