Patents by Inventor Kenichi Makino

Kenichi Makino 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: 11543521
    Abstract: To provide a mechanism for selectively taking an external sound from an appropriate sound source into an internal space of a moving object. An information processing apparatus including an acquisition unit configured to acquire an audio signal from a sound source existing outside a moving object, a generation unit configured to generate an audio signal from a target sound source at a distance from the moving object, the distance being a distance according to a speed of the moving object, of the sound sources, on the basis of the audio signal acquired by the acquisition unit, and an output control unit configured to output the audio signal generated by the generation unit toward an internal space of the moving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiichi Osako, Kohei Asada, Tetsunori Itabashi, Kazuma Yoshii, Kenichi Makino, Yasunobu Murata, Shigetoshi Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20220254329
    Abstract: Provided is a speaker unit that constitutes a sound system that reduces noise in an open space, including: a housing; a driver; and a microphone, in which the microphone and the driver are provided in the housing such that sensitivity of the microphone to a signal output from the driver is lower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: SHIGETOSHI HAYASHI, TETSUNORI ITABASHI, KOHEI ASADA, KENICHI MAKINO
  • Publication number: 20220130364
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a noise cancellation signal generation device, method, and program capable of improving noise reduction performance. A noise cancellation signal generation device includes: a reference sensor; a speaker that outputs sound based on a noise cancellation signal; a memory that records second information for obtaining a filter coefficient of a noise cancellation filter calculated on the basis of first information obtained in consideration of a change in a relative position between the speaker and a noise cancellation point; and a noise cancellation processor that acquires the second information from the memory using a signal acquired by a sensor, and generates the noise cancellation signal on the basis of the filter coefficient obtained from the acquired second information and a reference signal acquired by the reference sensor. The present technology can be applied to an ANC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: KENICHI MAKINO, KOHEI ASADA, TETSUNORI ITABASHI
  • Patent number: 11200880
    Abstract: Provided is an information processor including a signal processing section that acquires a first signal to be detected by an acoustic input section of a first unit including the acoustic input section disposed within a predetermined distance from one ear hole of a user in a state of being worn by the user, acquires a second signal, which indicates a noise generated from a noise source, to be acquired by a second unit, and generates a noise cancellation signal directed to the noise on the basis of the first signal and the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Makino, Kohei Asada, Tetsunori Itabashi, Shigetoshi Hayashi, Go Igarashi
  • Publication number: 20210286073
    Abstract: To provide a mechanism for selectively taking an external sound from an appropriate sound source into an internal space of a moving object. An information processing apparatus including an acquisition unit configured to acquire an audio signal from a sound source existing outside a moving object, a generation unit configured to generate an audio signal from a target sound source at a distance from the moving object, the distance being a distance according to a speed of the moving object, of the sound sources, on the basis of the audio signal acquired by the acquisition unit, and an output control unit configured to output the audio signal generated by the generation unit toward an internal space of the moving object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: KEIICHI OSAKO, KOHEI ASADA, TETSUNORI ITABASHI, KAZUMA YOSHII, KENICHI MAKINO, YASUNOBU MURATA, SHIGETOSHI HAYASHI
  • Patent number: 11024280
    Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes a signal processor configured to: generate a first noise reduction signal using an adaptive filter based on a signal output from a first input apparatus, and cause the generated first noise reduction signal to be output by a first output apparatus; and generate a second noise reduction signal using a feedback filter based on a signal output from a second input apparatus, and cause the generated second noise reduction signal to be output by a second output apparatus. The feedback filter has a fixed feedback coefficient. The first input apparatus is located at a first noise-cancellation target location in an environment, and the second input apparatus is located at a second noise-cancellation target location in the environment, which may be different from the first noise-cancellation target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsunori Itabashi, Kohei Asada, Shigetoshi Hayashi, Kenichi Makino, Kazuma Yoshii
  • Publication number: 20200286461
    Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes a signal processor configured to: generate a first noise reduction signal using an adaptive filter based on a signal output from a first input apparatus, and cause the generated first noise reduction signal to be output by a first output apparatus; and generate a second noise reduction signal using a feedback filter based on a signal output from a second input apparatus, and cause the generated second noise reduction signal to be output by a second output apparatus. The feedback filter has a fixed feedback coefficient. The first input apparatus is located at a first noise-cancellation target location in an environment, and the second input apparatus is located at a second noise-cancellation target location in the environment, which may be different from the first noise-cancellation target location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsunori Itabashi, Kohei Asada, Shigetoshi Hayashi, Kenichi Makino, Kazuma Yoshii
  • Patent number: 10748519
    Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes a signal processor configured to: generate a first noise reduction signal using an adaptive filter based on a signal output from a first input apparatus, and cause the generated first noise reduction signal to be output by a first output apparatus; and generate a second noise reduction signal using a feedback filter based on a signal output from a second input apparatus, and cause the generated second noise reduction signal to be output by a second output apparatus. The feedback filter has a fixed feedback coefficient. The first input apparatus is located at a first noise-cancellation target location in an environment, and the second input apparatus is located at a second noise-cancellation target location in the environment, which may be different from the first noise-cancellation target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsunori Itabashi, Kohei Asada, Shigetoshi Hayashi, Kenichi Makino, Kazuma Yoshii
  • Publication number: 20200202837
    Abstract: [Object] There is proposed a mechanism that allows for a higher noise cancellation effect by operating a plurality of units in coordination. [Solution] An information processor including a signal processing section that: acquires a first signal to be detected by an acoustic input section of a first unit including the acoustic input section disposed within a predetermined distance from one ear hole of a user in a state of being worn by the user; acquires a second signal, which indicates a noise generated from a noise source, to be acquired by a second unit; and generates a noise cancellation signal directed to the noise on the basis of the first signal and the second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: KENICHI MAKINO, KOHEI ASADA, TETSUNORI ITABASHI, SHIGETOSHI HAYASHI, GO IGARASHI
  • Publication number: 20200043459
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a structure that can effectively reduce a noise containing a component varying in characteristic. [Solution] A signal processing apparatus including: a signal processing section configured to generate a first noise reduction signal using an adaptive filter on the basis of a signal output from a first input apparatus, and cause the generated first noise reduction signal to be output by a first output apparatus, and generate a second noise reduction signal using a fixed filter on the basis of a signal output from a second input apparatus, and cause the generated second noise reduction signal to be output by a second output apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsunori Itabashi, Kohei Asada, Shigetoshi Hayashi, Kenichi Makino, Kazuma Yoshii
  • Patent number: 10440475
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a signal processing device, a signal processing method, and a program. [Solution] The signal processing device includes: a first arithmetic processing unit that performs first suppressing processing for suppressing a first audio signal based on a first microphone on a basis of a second audio signal based on a second microphone; and a second arithmetic processing unit that performs second suppressing processing for suppressing the second audio signal on a basis of the first audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Makino, Kohei Asada, Keiichi Osako, Shigetoshi Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20190251948
    Abstract: [Object] To reduce the influence of noise in a more preferred aspect even in an environment in which a user hears an acoustic sound output to an open space. [Solution] A signal processing device includes: a generation unit configured to generate a first noise reduction signal for driving a first acoustic device which outputs a first acoustic sound for reducing noise; and an acquisition unit configured to acquire a sound collection result of an acoustic sound collected by a predetermined sound collection unit, the acoustic sound including the first acoustic sound propagating from the first acoustic device via a first propagation path and a second acoustic sound propagating from a second acoustic device different from the first acoustic device via a second propagation path. The generation unit generates the first noise reduction signal on a basis of the sound collection result and a cancellation signal based on a second noise reduction signal for driving the second acoustic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shigetoshi Hayashi, Kohei Asada, Tetsunori Itabashi, Kenichi Makino
  • Publication number: 20180262837
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a signal processing device, a signal processing method, and a program. [Solution] The signal processing device includes: a first arithmetic processing unit that performs first suppressing processing for suppressing a first audio signal based on a first microphone on a basis of a second audio signal based on a second microphone; and a second arithmetic processing unit that performs second suppressing processing for suppressing the second audio signal on a basis of the first audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Makino, Kohei Asada, Keiichi Osako, Shigetoshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10034088
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a sound processing device, a sound processing method, and a program, which can collect a desired sound. A sound processing device includes: a sound collection unit configured to collect a sound; an application unit configured to apply a predetermined filter to a signal of the sound collected by the sound collection unit; a selection unit configured to select a filter coefficient of the filter applied by the application unit; and a correction unit configured to correct the signal from the application unit. The selection unit selects the filter coefficient on the basis of the signal of the sound collected by the sound collection unit. The selection unit creates, on the basis of the signal of the sound collected by the sound collection unit, a histogram which associates a direction where the sound occurs and a strength of the sound and selects the filter coefficient on the basis of the histogram. The present technology can be applied to a sound processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiichi Osako, Kenichi Makino, Kohei Asada, Tetsunori Itabashi
  • Publication number: 20170332172
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a sound processing device, a sound processing method, and a program, which can collect a desired sound. A sound processing device includes: a sound collection unit configured to collect a sound; an application unit configured to apply a predetermined filter to a signal of the sound collected by the sound collection unit; a selection unit configured to select a filter coefficient of the filter applied by the application unit; and a correction unit configured to correct the signal from the application unit. The selection unit selects the filter coefficient on the basis of the signal of the sound collected by the sound collection unit. The selection unit creates, on the basis of the signal of the sound collected by the sound collection unit, a histogram which associates a direction where the sound occurs and a strength of the sound and selects the filter coefficient on the basis of the histogram. The present technology can be applied to a sound processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: KEIICHI OSAKO, KENICHI MAKINO, KOHEI ASADA, TETSUNORI ITABASHI
  • Patent number: 9675866
    Abstract: A movement supporting method includes the following steps: detecting a movement tempo of a user; determining whether a movement tempo detection value is within a target range; and outputting a warning when the movement tempo detection value is out of the target range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sako, Hirofumi Tamori, Susumu Takatsuka, Toshiro Terauchi, Makoto Inoue, Katsuya Shirai, Motoyuki Takai, Kenichi Makino, Takatoshi Nakamura, Akihiro Komori, Akane Sano, Toru Sasaki, Yuichi Sakai
  • Patent number: RE46481
    Abstract: A content reproducing apparatus is disclosed which includes: a sensor; a discrimination circuit configured to discriminate whether a movement of a user is a first movement or a second movement based on a detection output from the sensor; a storage configured to store contents; a reproduction circuit configured to reproduce the contents; and a control circuit configured to supply the reproduction circuit with contents retrieved from the storage in accordance with a discrimination output from the discrimination circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichiro Sako, Kenichi Makino, Akane Sano, Katsuya Shirai, Motoyuki Takai, Makoto Inoue
  • Patent number: RE47948
    Abstract: By allowing the movement of a user to affect the playback of content, the entertainment characteristic or uplifting spirits derived from content playback itself can be enhanced. The timing at which the user places his/her foot on the ground while walking or the timing at which the user shakes or changes from swinging in one direction to swinging to another direction is detected. Then, content, such as a music piece or moving pictures, is played back by allowing the timing of beats or bars of the music piece or the timing of scene changes or cut changes of the moving pictures to be synchronized with the timing of the movement of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Motoyuki Takai, Toshiro Terauchi, Yoichiro Sako, Yasushi Miyajima, Kosei Yamashita, Makoto Inoue, Masamichi Asukai, Katsuya Shirai, Kenichi Makino
  • Patent number: D889253
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: PIOLAX, INC.
    Inventors: Kenichi Makino, Yasushi Kumakawa
  • Patent number: D910429
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: PIOLAX, INC.
    Inventor: Kenichi Makino