Patents by Inventor John Usher

John Usher 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).

  • Method And Device For Voice Operated Control
    Publication number: 20180359564
    Abstract: Methods and devices for processing and voice operated control are provided. The method can include performing a non-difference comparison between a first received sound and a second received sound, determining if speech exists based on the comparison, and transmitting or providing a decision that the speech is present to at least one among the device, a cell phone, a media player, or a portable computing device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, Steven Goldstein, Marc Boillot
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM TO DETERMINE A SOUND SOURCE DIRECTION USING SMALL MICROPHONE ARRAYS
    Publication number: 20180343517
    Abstract: Herein provided is a method and system to determine a sound source direction using a microphone array comprising at least four microphones by analysis of the complex coherence between at least two microphones. The method includes determining the relative angle of incidence of the sound source and communicating directional data to a secondary device, and adjusting at least one parameter of the device in view of the directional data. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: STATON TECHIYA, LLC
    Inventor: John Usher
  • Method And Device For Spectral Expansion For An Audio Signal
    Publication number: 20180336912
    Abstract: A method and device for automatically increasing the spectral bandwidth of an audio signal including generating a “mapping” (or “prediction”) matrix based on the analysis of a reference wideband signal and a reference narrowband signal, the mapping matrix being a transformation matrix to predict high frequency energy from a low frequency energy envelope, generating an energy envelope analysis of an input narrowband audio signal, generating a resynthesized noise signal by processing a random noise signal with the mapping matrix and the envelope analysis, high-pass filtering the resynthesized noise signal, and summing the high-pass filtered resynthesized noise signal with the original an input narrowband audio signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, Dan Ellis
  • Method And Device For Spectral Expansion For An Audio Signal
    Publication number: 20180336914
    Abstract: A method and device for automatically increasing the spectral bandwidth of an audio signal including generating a “mapping” (or “prediction”) matrix based on the analysis of a reference wideband signal and a reference narrowband signal, the mapping matrix being a transformation matrix to predict high frequency energy from a low frequency energy envelope, generating an energy envelope analysis of an input narrowband audio signal, generating a resynthesized noise signal by processing a random noise signal with the mapping matrix and the envelope analysis, high-pass filtering the resynthesized noise signal, and summing the high-pass filtered resynthesized noise signal with the input narrowband audio signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, Dan Ellis
  • Method and device for acute sound detection and reproduction
    Patent number: 10134377
    Abstract: Earpieces and methods for acute sound detection and reproduction are provided. A method can include measuring an external ambient sound level (xASL), monitoring a change in the xASL for detecting an acute sound, estimating a proximity of the acute sound, and upon detecting the acute sound and it's proximity, reproducing the acute sound within an ear canal, where the ear canal is at least partially occluded by an earpiece. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wayne Goldstein, John Usher, Marc Andre Boillot
  • Method and device for voice operated control
    Patent number: 10129624
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method and device for voice operated control with learning. The method can include measuring a first sound received from a first microphone, measuring a second sound received from a second microphone, detecting a spoken voice based on an analysis of measurements taken at the first and second microphone, learning from the analysis when the user is speaking and a speaking level in noisy environments, training a decision unit from the learning to be robust to a detection of the spoken voice in the noisy environments, mixing the first sound and the second sound to produce a mixed signal, and controlling the production of the mixed signal based on the learning of one or more aspects of the spoken voice and ambient sounds in the noisy environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, Steve Goldstein, Marc Boillot
  • Acoustic dampening compensation system
    Patent number: 10123110
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a communication device that includes a microphone configured to detect an acoustic signal from an acoustic environment, and a processor, configured to detect an acoustical dampening between the acoustic environment and the microphone, based on a change in a characteristic of the acoustic signal and, responsive to the acoustical dampening, apply a compensation filter to the acoustic signal to form a compensated acoustic signal that is reproduced. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, Steve Goldstein
  • Earhealth Monitoring System And Method II
    Publication number: 20180306637
    Abstract: Methods of operating an audio device are provided. A method includes measuring sound pressure levels (SPLECM) for acoustic energy received by an ear canal microphone (ECM) during a time increment ?t and calculating a SPL_Dose?t during the time increment ?t using SPLECM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: Steven W. Goldstein, John Usher, Brian Fligor, John P. Keady
  • ACOUSTIC DAMPENING COMPENSATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180279037
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a communication device that includes a microphone configured to detect an acoustic signal from an acoustic environment, and a processor, configured to detect an acoustical dampening between the acoustic environment and the microphone, based on a change in a characteristic of the acoustic signal and, responsive to the acoustical dampening, apply a compensation filter to the acoustic signal to form a compensated acoustic signal that is reproduced. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, Steve Goldstein
  • Method and device for voice operated control
    Patent number: 10051365
    Abstract: Methods and devices for processing and voice operated control are provided. The method can include performing a non-difference comparison between a first received sound and a second received sound, determining if speech exists based on the comparison, and transmitting or providing a decision that the speech is present to at least one among the device, a cell phone, a media player, or a portable computing device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, Steven Goldstein, Marc Boillot
  • Method and device for spectral expansion for an audio signal
    Patent number: 10043534
    Abstract: A method and device for automatically increasing the spectral bandwidth of an audio signal including generating a “mapping” (or “prediction”) matrix based on the analysis of a reference wideband signal and a reference narrowband signal, the mapping matrix being a transformation matrix to predict high frequency energy from a low frequency energy envelope, generating an energy envelope analysis of an input narrowband audio signal, generating a resynthesized noise signal by processing a random noise signal with the mapping matrix and the envelope analysis, high-pass filtering the resynthesized noise signal, and summing the high-pass filtered resynthesized noise signal with the original an input narrowband audio signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, Dan Ellis
  • Method and device for spectral expansion for an audio signal
    Patent number: 10043535
    Abstract: A method and device for automatically increasing the spectral bandwidth of an audio signal including generating a “mapping” (or “prediction”) matrix based on the analysis of a reference wideband signal and a reference narrowband signal, the mapping matrix being a transformation matrix to predict high frequency energy from a low frequency energy envelope, generating an energy envelope analysis of an input narrowband audio signal, generating a resynthesized noise signal by processing a random noise signal with the mapping matrix and the envelope analysis, high-pass filtering the resynthesized noise signal, and summing the high-pass filtered resynthesized noise signal with the input narrowband audio signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, Dan Ellis
  • Earhealth monitoring system and method II
    Patent number: 10012529
    Abstract: Methods of operating an audio device are provided. A method includes measuring sound pressure levels (SPLECM) for acoustic energy received by an ear canal microphone (ECM) during a time increment ?t; and calculating a SPL_Dose?t during the time increment ?t using SPLECM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: Steven W. Goldstein, John Usher, Brian Fligor, John P. Keady
  • Acoustic Sealing Analysis System
    Publication number: 20180132048
    Abstract: A device or a method using the device includes a balloon configured to seal a user's orifice, where the balloon is configured to produce an acoustic seal between a first side and a second side of the balloon in an ear canal. At least a second side of the balloon is fitted into the ear canal. Audio processing circuitry produces an audio signal for driving a speaker in the device and to measure sound level using output from the microphone in the device while the speaker is being driven by the audio signal. The device or method further includes control circuitry to evaluate a seal quality of the device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, John P. Keady
  • Acoustic sealing analysis system
    Patent number: 9781530
    Abstract: A device or a method using the device includes a sealing section configured to seal a user's orifice, where the sealing section is configured to produce an acoustic seal between a first side of the sealing section and a second side of the sealing section and audio processing circuitry to produce an audio signal for driving a speaker in the device and to measure sound level using output from the microphone in the device while the speaker is being driven by the audio signal. The device or method further includes control circuitry to evaluate a seal quality of the device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: STATON TECHIYA LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, John P. Keady
  • Automotive constant signal-to-noise ratio system for enhanced situation awareness
    Patent number: 9763003
    Abstract: Audio systems for a vehicle and methods for increasing auditory situation awareness in a vehicle are provided. An audio system includes at least one ambient microphone disposed on the vehicle, a processor and at least one loudspeaker. The at least one ambient microphone is configured to capture ambient sound external to the vehicle and to produce an ambient sound signal. The processor is configured to receive the ambient sound signal and an audio content signal, and to mix the ambient sound signal with the audio content signal to generate a mixed output signal. The at least one loudspeaker is configured to reproduce the mixed output signal in the vehicle cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Staten Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, Steven W. Goldstein, John G. Casall
  • SPL dose data logger system
    Patent number: 9757069
    Abstract: A method for using an earpiece (800) in a work environment is provided. The earpiece (800) attenuates sound from the work environment to the user's ear. The earpiece (800) includes an ear canal microphone (820) for measuring a sound pressure level in an ear canal of the user. Sound pressure levels are measured periodically while in the work environment. Each measured sound pressure levels is stored in memory (127) of the earpiece with time and location information. The sound pressure level information is downloaded to a database (1704) when the earpiece is removed from the user ear for recharging. The sound pressure level information is analyzed and any potential noise compliance issues in the work environment are identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: John Keady, Steven Goldstein, Gary Hoshizaki, Marc Boillot, John Usher
  • Method and device for voice operated control
    Patent number: 9706280
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an acoustic device including an ear canal microphone configured to detect a first acoustic signal, an ambient microphone configured to detect a second acoustic signal, and a processor operatively coupled to the ear canal microphone and the ambient microphone. The processor is configured to detect a predetermined speech pattern based on an analysis of the first acoustic signal and the second acoustic signal and upon detection of the predetermined speech pattern, subsequently process acoustic signals from the ear canal microphone for a predetermined time or until the ear canal microphone detects a lack of an acoustic signal for a second predetermined time. After the predetermined time or after a second predetermined time, the processor processes acoustic signals from the ear canal microphone and the ambient microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Personics Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, Steve Goldstein, Marc Boillot
  • Automatic sound pass-through method and system for earphones
    Patent number: 9491542
    Abstract: Earphone systems and methods for automatically directing ambient sound to an earphone device are provided. An ambient microphone signal from an ambient microphone proximate a sound isolating earphone or headset device is directed to a receiver within an earphone device according to mixing circuitry. The mixing circuitry is controlled by voice activity of the earphone device wearer. This enables hands-free operation of an earphone system to allow the earphone device wearer to maintain situation awareness with the surrounding environment. During detected voice activity, incoming audio content is attenuated while ambient sound is increased and provided to the earphone device. User voice activity is detected by analysis of at least one of an ear canal microphone signal or an ambient sound microphone signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Personics Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: John Usher
  • Method and earpiece for visual operational status indication
    Patent number: 9462100
    Abstract: An earpiece, headphone, or other headset audio delivery device can include an a transceiver, an illumination element, and a processor to provide visual operational mode indication via the illumination element. The operational mode can correspond to an active phone call, an incoming phone call, a terminated phone call, a caller-on-hold condition, a recording mode, a voice mail mode, a mute mode, an audible transparency mode, a do not disturb mode, listening to audio content mode, a sound signature detection mode, a voicing activity level detecting mode, a voicing level detecting mode, a speaking rate detecting mode, a background noise condition detection mode or an ear-plug mode. The intensity, frequency, amplitude, color or duration of the lighting can be adjusted according to the operational mode. Other embodiments disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Personics Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, Steven W. Goldstein, Marc A. Boillot