Patents by Inventor Jianchun Dong
Jianchun Dong 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).
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Patent number: 9900676Abstract: Exemplary wearable computing systems may include a head-mounted display that is configured to provide indirect bone-conduction audio. For example, an exemplary head-mounted display may include at least one vibration transducer that is configured to vibrate at least a portion of the head-mounted display based on the audio signal. The vibration transducer is configured such that when the head-mounted display is worn, the vibration transducer vibrates the head-mounted display without directly vibrating a wearer. However, the head-mounted display structure vibrationally couples to a bone structure of the wearer, such that vibrations from the vibration transducer may be indirectly transferred to the wearer's bone structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Jianchun Dong, Liang-Yu Tom Chi, Mitchell Heinrich, Leng Ooi
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Patent number: 9779758Abstract: Example methods and systems use multiple sensors to determine whether a speaker is speaking. Audio data in an audio-channel speech band detected by a microphone can be received. Vibration data in a vibration-channel speech band representative of vibrations detected by a sensor other than the microphone can be received. The microphone and the sensor can be associated with a head-mountable device (HMD). It is determined whether the audio data is causally related to the vibration data. If the audio data and the vibration data are causally related, an indication can be generated that the audio data contains HMD-wearer speech. Causally related audio and vibration data can be used to increase accuracy of text transcription of the HMD-wearer speech. If the audio data and the vibration data are not causally related, an indication can be generated that the audio data does not contain HMD-wearer speech.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Michael Patrick Johnson, Jianchun Dong, Mat Balez
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Publication number: 20170171656Abstract: A wearable audio component includes a first cable and an audio source in electrical communication with the first cable. A housing defines an interior and an exterior, the audio source being contained within the interior thereof. The exterior includes an ear engaging surface, an outer surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the front and outer surfaces. The peripheral surface includes a channel open along a length to surrounding portions of the peripheral surface and having a depth to extend partially between the front and outer surfaces. A portion of the channel is covered by a bridge member that defines an aperture between and open to adjacent portions of the channel The cable is connected with the housing at a first location disposed within the channel remote from the bridge member and is captured in so as to extend through the aperture in a slidable engagement therewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2017Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventors: Haley Toelle, Jianchun Dong, Michael Kai Morishita, Eliot Kim, Hayes Solos Raffle, Livius Dumitru Chebeleu
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Patent number: 9668042Abstract: The present disclosure provides an earphone device with sound adjustment capability that allows a user to dynamically adjust sound acoustics resonating from the device. In one aspect, the earphone device includes a housing having an acoustic output port. The acoustic output port is adapted to receive an audio signal. In this regard, sound resonates from the acoustic output port based on the audio signal. The earphone device also includes a telescopic portion having a hollow tube portion attached to the housing. The hollow tube portion may be in communication with the acoustic output port. The telescopic portion is configured to receive a fitting member. The fitting member is configured to adjust a bass range of the outputted sound resonating from the acoustic output port by passing through the telescopic portion so as to adjust a length of the hollow tube portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Eliot Kim, Jianchun Dong, Michael Kai Morishita
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Patent number: 9609412Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatuses for the transmission of audio information from a bone-conduction headset to a user. The bone-conduction headset may be mounted on a glasses-style support structure. The bone-conduction transducer may be mounted near where the glasses-style support structure approach a wearer's ears. In one embodiment, an apparatus has a bone-conduction transducer with a diaphragm configured to vibrate based on a magnetic field. The magnetic field being based off an applied electric field. The apparatus may also have an anvil coupled to the diaphragm. The anvil may be configured to conduct the vibration from the bone-conduction transducer. Additionally, the anvil may be coupled to a metallic component. The metallic component may be configured to couple to a magnetic field created by the bone-conduction transducer.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Jianchun Dong, Mitchell Heinrich, John Stuart Fitch, Matthew Martin, Eliot Kim
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Patent number: 9596536Abstract: The present application describes bone conduction microphone (BCM) systems and applications thereof. An example apparatus includes: (a) an enclosing structure having a cavity therein, wherein a first portion of the enclosing structure is formed by an elastic material, and wherein the elastic material is moveable to transfer vibration from an exterior source to gas within the cavity; and (b) a microphone coupled to the enclosing structure and located within the gas-filled cavity, wherein gas in the cavity separates the microphone from the first portion of the enclosing structure, such that the vibration transferred from the exterior source to the gas in the cavity is detectable by the microphone.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Farhad Farzbod, Michael Kai Morishita, Jianchun Dong, Richard Daniel Herr
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Patent number: 9589559Abstract: A wearable computing device can receive, via at least one input transducer, a first audio signal associated with ambient sound from an environment of the device. The device can then process the first audio signal so as to determine a second audio signal that is out of phase with the first audio signal and effective to substantially cancel at least a portion of the first audio signal. The device may then generate a noise-cancelling audio signal based on the second audio signal, based on a third audio signal, and based on one or more wearer-specific parameters, where the third audio signal is representative of a sound to be provided by the device. The device may then cause a bone conduction transducer (BCT) to vibrate so as to provide to an ear a noise-cancelling sound effective to substantially cancel at least a portion of the ambient sound.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2016Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Xuan Zhong, Jianchun Dong
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Publication number: 20170026753Abstract: A device is provided that comprises a membrane that includes one or more layers of an electrically resistive material. The device also comprises a film disposed along a surface of the membrane to form a coil. The film includes one or more layers of an electrically conductive material. The device also comprises a support structure coupled to a periphery of the membrane. The device also comprises a magnet arranged to provide a magnetic field that is substantially parallel to the surface of the membrane. The device also comprises a signal conditioner configured to provide an electrical signal to the coil to generate an electrical current flowing through the coil. The electrical current interacts with the magnetic field to cause a vibration of the membrane. Characteristics of the vibration are based on at least the electrical signal provided by the signal conditioner.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventor: Jianchun Dong
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Publication number: 20170026744Abstract: The present application describes bone conduction microphone (BCM) systems and applications thereof. An example apparatus includes: (a) an enclosing structure having a cavity therein, wherein a first portion of the enclosing structure is formed by an elastic material, and wherein the elastic material is moveable to transfer vibration from an exterior source to gas within the cavity; and (b) a microphone coupled to the enclosing structure and located within the gas-filled cavity, wherein gas in the cavity separates the microphone from the first portion of the enclosing structure, such that the vibration transferred from the exterior source to the gas in the cavity is detectable by the microphone.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Farhad Farzbod, Michael Kai Morishita, Jianchun Dong, Richard Daniel Herr
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Patent number: 9547175Abstract: Example embodiments may relate to methods and systems for adapting an array of piezoelectric transducers, placed on a head-mounted device (HMD), to different head sizes. For example, an HMD (e.g., a wearable computer) may include an array of transducers that are configured to operate as bone conduction transducers (BCTs), and alternatively as pressure sensors. In particular, methods and systems may be implemented to determine a respective power level for each vibration transducer in the array based at least in part on a determined mechanical load on each transducer in the array. Once the respective power level for each vibration transducer is determined, the system may cause each vibration transducer in the array to operate at the determined respective power level.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2014Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Farhad Farzbod, Jianchun Dong
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Patent number: 9525936Abstract: Disclosed are systems and devices for transmission of an audio signal. In some embodiments, the system may include a wearable computing device, a first audio receiver, and a second audio receiver. The wearable computing device may include an audio source configured to generate an audio signal that includes a first channel and a second channel, and a transmission coil configured to transmit the audio signal. The first audio receiver may include a first receiving coil configured to receive the audio signal, a first circuit configured to process the audio signal to determine the first channel, and a first audio output configured to output the first channel. Similarly, the second audio receiver may include a second receiving coil configured to receive the audio signal, a second circuit configured to process the audio signal to determine the second channel, and a second audio output configured to output the second channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Jianchun Dong, Richard Herr
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Patent number: 9462365Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatuses for the transmission of audio information from a bone-conduction headset to a user. The bone-conduction headset may be mounted on a glasses-style support structure. The bone-conduction transducer may be mounted near where the glasses-style support structure approach a wearer's ears. In one embodiment, an apparatus has a bone-conduction transducer with a diaphragm configured to vibrate based on a magnetic field. The magnetic field being based off an applied electric field. The apparatus may also have an anvil coupled to the diaphragm. The anvil may be configured to conduct the vibration from the bone-conduction transducer. Additionally, the anvil may be anvil may include at least one passage configured to enable the anvil to be physically coupled to the diaphragm. Thus, the anvil may be coupled to the diaphragm after the anvil is positioned on the diaphragm.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Jianchun Dong, Mitchell Heinrich, John Stuart Fitch, Matthew Martin, Eliot Kim
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Patent number: 9456284Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for minimizing mechanical-vibration-induced noise in audio signals. In one aspect, a microphone is disclosed that includes a first backplate, a first diaphragm, a second backplate, and a second diaphragm. The first diaphragm moves relative to the first backplate in response to acoustic pressure waves in an environment and mechanical vibrations of the microphone, thereby causing a first capacitance change between the first diaphragm and the first backplate. The second diaphragm is substantially acoustically isolated from the acoustic pressure waves, and moves relative to the second backplate in response to the mechanical vibrations of the microphone, thereby causing a second capacitance change between the second diaphragm and the second backplate. The microphone further includes or is communicatively coupled to an integrated circuit configured to generate an acoustic signal based on the first capacitance and the second capacitance.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Michael Kai Morishita, Jianchun Dong
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Publication number: 20160217781Abstract: A wearable computing device can receive, via at least one input transducer, a first audio signal associated with ambient sound from an environment of the device. The device can then process the first audio signal so as to determine a second audio signal that is out of phase with the first audio signal and effective to substantially cancel at least a portion of the first audio signal. The device may then generate a noise-cancelling audio signal based on the second audio signal, based on a third audio signal, and based on one or more wearer-specific parameters, where the third audio signal is representative of a sound to be provided by the device. The device may then cause a bone conduction transducer (BCT) to vibrate so as to provide to an ear a noise-cancelling sound effective to substantially cancel at least a portion of the ambient sound.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Xuan Zhong, Jianchun Dong
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Publication number: 20160192048Abstract: Exemplary wearable computing systems may include a head-mounted display that is configured to provide indirect bone-conduction audio. For example, an exemplary head-mounted display may include at least one vibration transducer that is configured to vibrate at least a portion of the head-mounted display based on the audio signal. The vibration transducer is configured such that when the head-mounted display is worn, the vibration transducer vibrates the head-mounted display without directly vibrating a wearer. However, the head-mounted display structure vibrationally couples to a bone structure of the wearer, such that vibrations from the vibration transducer may be indirectly transferred to the wearer's bone structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2016Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Jianchun Dong, Liang-Yu Tom Chi, Mitchell Heinrich, Leng Ooi
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Publication number: 20160161748Abstract: A wearable computing device includes a bone conduction transducer, an extension arm, a light pass hole, and a flexible touch pad input circuit. When a user wears the device, the transducer contacts the user's head. A display is attached to a free end of an extension arm. The extension arm is pivotable such that a distance between the display and the user's eye is adjustable to provide the display at an optimum position. The light pass hole may include a light emitting diode and a flash. The touch pad input circuit may be adhered to at least one side arm such that parting lines are not provided between edges of the circuit and the side arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2016Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Mitchell Joseph Heinrich, Maj Isabelle Olsson, John Lapetina, Joseph John Hebenstreit, Jianchun Dong, Harvey Ho
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Publication number: 20160165357Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for minimizing mechanical-vibration-induced noise in audio signals. In one aspect, a microphone is disclosed that includes a first backplate, a first diaphragm, a second backplate, and a second diaphragm. The first diaphragm moves relative to the first backplate in response to acoustic pressure waves in an environment and mechanical vibrations of the microphone, thereby causing a first capacitance change between the first diaphragm and the first backplate. The second diaphragm is substantially acoustically isolated from the acoustic pressure waves, and moves relative to the second backplate in response to the mechanical vibrations of the microphone, thereby causing a second capacitance change between the second diaphragm and the second backplate. The microphone further includes or is communicatively coupled to an integrated circuit configured to generate an acoustic signal based on the first capacitance and the second capacitance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: June 9, 2016Applicant: Google Inc.Inventors: Michael Kai Morishita, Jianchun Dong
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Publication number: 20160150312Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatuses for the transmission of audio information from a bone-conduction headset to a user. The bone-conduction headset may be mounted on a glasses-style support structure. The bone-conduction transducer may be mounted near where the glasses-style support structure approach a wearer's ears. In one embodiment, an apparatus has a bone-conduction transducer with a diaphragm configured to vibrate based on a magnetic field. The magnetic field being based off an applied electric field. The apparatus may also have an anvil coupled to the diaphragm. The anvil may be configured to conduct the vibration from the bone-conduction transducer. Additionally, the anvil may be coupled to a metallic component. The metallic component may be configured to couple to a magnetic field created by the bone-conduction transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2016Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Jianchun Dong, Mitchell Heinrich, John Stuart Fitch, Matthew Martin, Eliot Kim
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Patent number: 9324313Abstract: A wearable computing device can receive, via at least one input transducer, a first audio signal associated with ambient sound from an environment of the device. The device can then process the first audio signal so as to determine a second audio signal that is out of phase with the first audio signal and effective to substantially cancel at least a portion of the first audio signal. The device may then generate a noise-cancelling audio signal based on the second audio signal, based on a third audio signal, and based on one or more wearer-specific parameters, where the third audio signal is representative of a sound to be provided by the device. The device may then cause a bone conduction transducer (BCT) to vibrate so as to provide to an ear a noise-cancelling sound effective to substantially cancel at least a portion of the ambient sound.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Xuan Zhong, Jianchun Dong
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Publication number: 20160080850Abstract: A wearable audio component includes a first cable and an audio source in electrical communication with the first cable. A housing defines an interior and an exterior, the audio source being contained within the interior thereof. The exterior includes an ear engaging surface, an outer surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the front and outer surfaces. The peripheral surface includes a channel open along a length to surrounding portions of the peripheral surface and having a depth to extend partially between the front and outer surfaces. A portion of the channel is covered by a bridge member that defines an aperture between and open to adjacent portions of the channel. The cable is connected with the housing at a first location disposed within the channel remote from the bridge member and is captured in so as to extend through the aperture in a slidable engagement therewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Haley Toelle, Jianchun Dong, Michael Kai Morishita, Eliot Kim, Hayes Solos Raffle, Livius Dumitru Chebeleu