Patents by Inventor Michael Vaudrey
Michael Vaudrey 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: 8284960Abstract: A method for processing audio signals optimizes the listening experience for hearing impaired listeners, as well as non-hearing impaired listeners, without forcing hearing impaired individuals to feel stigmatized by requiring them to employ special hearing-impaired equipment. A user actuated controller controls a mixture of a preferred audio signal and a remaining audio signal across a range sufficiently wide enough to encompass all individuals. The preferred audio is recorded and maintained separate from all remaining audio and delivered to the listener in a manner that maintains the separateness of the preferred audio and the remaining audio. The user actuated controller includes the capability of automatically maintaining the listener established ratio in the face of changes in the audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2008Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Akiba Electronics Institute, LLCInventors: Michael A. Vaudrey, William R. Saunders, Ronald D. Blum
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Patent number: 8170884Abstract: Systems provide an audio/visual output to each of a plurality of listeners in a manner that permits individualized audio adjustment, wherein audio comprises a first signal that is substantially voice and a second signal that is substantially other than voice. The systems may include a video device, a storage medium, and a transmitter that transmits the first and second signals to a plurality of personal listening devices. Each of the plurality of personal listening devices may include first and second receivers, first and second adjustment devices, an audio signal combining device, and one or more transducers, wherein the systems permit each of the plurality of listeners to adjust the first and second signals independently of other ones of the plurality of listeners in an audience.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Akiba Electronics Institute LLCInventors: Michael A. Vaudrey, William R. Saunders
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Patent number: 8108220Abstract: The invention enables the inclusion of voice and remaining audio information at different parts of the audio production process. In particular, the invention embodies special techniques for VRA-capable digital mastering, accommodation of PCPV/PCA and/or SCRA signals in audio CODECs, VRA-capable encoders and decoders, and VRA in DVD and other digital audio file formats. The invention facilitates an end-listener's voice-to-remaining audio (VRA) adjustment upon the playback of digital audio media formats by focusing on new configurations of multiple parts of the entire digital audio system, thereby enabling a new technique intended to benefit audio end-users (end-listeners) who wish to control the ratio of the primary vocal/dialog content of an audio program relative to the remaining portion of the audio content in that program.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2007Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Akiba Electronics Institute LLCInventors: William R. Saunders, Michael A. Vaudrey
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Publication number: 20100325784Abstract: A helmet clip captures a goggle loop and lanyard and provides a mounting mechanism for a helmet accessory. The helmet clip uses a snap mechanism to selectively capture and release the lanyard or goggle loop without removing the accessory.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Michael Abbott, Michael Vaudrey
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Patent number: 7854294Abstract: An earmuff assembly with a double-shell structure is disclosed for use with a sound-attenuating circumaural headset. The earmuff assembly comprises a cup-shaped outer shell mounted on a resilient outer sealing ring and a cup-shaped inner shell mounted on a resilient inner sealing ring. By means of the two sealing rings the outer and the inner shells are brought into abutment with the head surface around an ear of a wearer. Both shells are structurally rigid. The sound attenuation performance is maximized by isolating the inner shell from the outer shell.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2010Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Adaptive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Yu Du, Kenji Homma, Michael A. Vaudrey
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Publication number: 20100218775Abstract: An earmuff assembly with a double-shell structure is disclosed for use with a sound-attenuating circumaural headset. The earmuff assembly comprises a cup-shaped outer shell mounted on a resilient outer sealing ring and a cup-shaped inner shell mounted on a resilient inner sealing ring. By means of the two sealing rings the outer and the inner shells are brought into abutment with the head surface around an ear of a wearer. Both shells are structurally rigid. The sound attenuation performance is maximized by isolating the inner shell from the outer shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Inventors: Yu Du, Kenji Homma, Michael A. Vaudrey
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Patent number: 7703572Abstract: An earmuff assembly with a double-shell structure is disclosed for use with a sound-attenuating circumaural headset. The earmuff assembly comprises a cup-shaped outer shell mounted on a resilient outer sealing ring and a cup-shaped inner shell mounted on a resilient inner sealing ring. By means of the two sealing rings the outer and the inner shells are brought into abutment with the head surface around an ear of a wearer. Both shells are structurally rigid. The sound attenuation performance is maximized by isolating the inner shell from the outer shell. The two sealing rings are interconnected through a thin skin layer of soft compliant materials, which acts as a vibration isolating/decoupling means between the outer shell and the inner shell.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Adaptive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Yu Du, Kenji Homma, Michael A. Vaudrey
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Publication number: 20090245539Abstract: A method for processing audio signals optimizes the listening experience for hearing impaired individuals to feel stigmatized by requiring them to employ special hearing-impaired equipment. A user actuated controller controls a mixture of a preferred audio signal and a remaining audio signal across a range sufficiently wide enough to encompass all individuals. The preferred audio is recorded and maintained separate from all remaining audio and delivered to the listener in a manner that maintains the separateness of the preferred audio and the remaining audio. The user actuated controller includes the capability of automatically maintaining the listener established ratio in the face of changes in the audio signal. The user actuated controller enables the user to specify a range about the ratio in which the audio may vary, which permits the listener to expand the audio across a continuous range to whatever dynamic range his hearing can accommodate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventors: Michael A. Vaudrey, William R. Saunders, Ronald D. Blum
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Patent number: 7457428Abstract: A double hearing protection system comprises a circumaural hearing protector that covers and encircles the pinnae and an earplug device that is inserted into the ear canal. The earplug portion of the system comprises a tether that is coupled to the interior of a circumaural hearing protector. The tether retracts into the earcup when both the earplug and circumaural hearing protector are worn, ensuring that the earseal against the head is not broken by the retractable tether.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Adaptive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Vaudrey, William Saunders, Yu Du, Jonathan Hager
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Patent number: 7415120Abstract: A method for processing audio signals optimizes the listening experience for hearing impaired listeners, as well as non-hearing impaired listeners, without forcing hearing impaired individuals to feel stigmatized by requiring them to employ special hearing-impaired equipment. A user actuated controller controls a mixture of a preferred audio signal and a remaining audio signal across a range sufficiently wide enough to encompass all individuals. The preferred audio is recorded and maintained separate from all remaining audio and delivered to the listener in a manner that maintains the separateness of the preferred audio and the remaining audio. The user actuated controller includes the capability of automatically maintaining the listener established ratio in the face of changes in the audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1999Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Akiba Electronics Institute LLCInventors: Michael A. Vaudrey, William R. Saunders, Ronald D. Blum
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Publication number: 20080130924Abstract: Systems provide an audio/visual output to each of a plurality of listeners in a manner that permits individualized audio adjustment, wherein audio comprises a first signal that is substantially voice and a second signal that is substantially other than voice. The systems may include a video device, a storage medium, and a transmitter that transmits the first and second signals to a plurality of personal listening devices. Each of the plurality of personal listening devices may include first and second receivers, first and second adjustment devices, an audio signal combining device, and one or more transducers, wherein the systems permit each of the plurality of listeners to adjust the first and second signals independently of other ones of the plurality of listeners in an audience.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2008Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Michael A. Vaudrey, William R. Saunders
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Publication number: 20080128198Abstract: An earmuff assembly with a double-shell structure is disclosed for use with a sound-attenuating circumaural headset. The earmuff assembly comprises a cup-shaped outer shell mounted on a resilient outer sealing ring and a cup-shaped inner shell mounted on a resilient inner sealing ring. By means of the two sealing rings the outer and the inner shells are brought into abutment with the head surface around an ear of a wearer. Both shells are structurally rigid. The sound attenuation performance is maximized by isolating the inner shell from the outer shell. The two sealing rings are interconnected through a thin skin layer of soft compliant materials, which acts as a vibration isolating/decoupling means between the outer shell and the inner shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Yu Du, Kenji Homma, Michael A. Vaudrey
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Publication number: 20080059160Abstract: The invention enables the inclusion of voice and remaining audio information at different parts of the audio production process. In particular, the invention embodies special techniques for VRA-capable digital mastering, accommodation of PCPV/PCA and/or SCRA signals in audio CODECs, VRA-capable encoders and decoders, and VRA in DVD and other digital audio file formats. The invention facilitates an end-listener's voice-to-remaining audio (VRA) adjustment upon the playback of digital audio media formats by focusing on new configurations of multiple parts of the entire digital audio system, thereby enabling a new technique intended to benefit audio end-users (end-listeners) who wish to control the ratio of the primary vocal/dialog content of an audio program relative to the remaining portion of the audio content in that program.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: Akiba Electronics Institute LLCInventors: William Saunders, Michael Vaudrey
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Patent number: 7337111Abstract: Systems provide an audio/visual output to each of a plurality of listeners in a manner that permits individualized audio adjustment, wherein audio comprises a first signal that is substantially voice and a second signal that is substantially other than voice. The systems may include a video device, a storage medium, and a transmitter that transmits the first and second signals to a plurality of personal listening devices. Each of the plurality of personal listening devices may include first and second receivers, first and second adjustment devices, an audio signal combining device, and one or more transducers, wherein the systems permit each of the plurality of listeners to adjust the first and second signals independently of other ones of the plurality of listeners in an audience.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Akiba Electronics Institute, LLCInventors: Michael A. Vaudrey, William R. Saunders
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Publication number: 20080025524Abstract: A double hearing protection system is disclosed. The earplug portion of the system contains a tether attachment mechanism that may be selectively attached to the interior of a circumaural hearing protector designed with the mating attachment. The tether retracts into the earcup when both the earplug and circumaural hearing protector are worn, ensuring that the earseal against the head is not broken by the retractable tether. The attachment point inside the ear cup mates to the end of the tether in a way that prevents foreign object damage in dangerous work environments, and limits the vibratory path from the earcup to the earplug through a flexible attachment mechanism. The benefit of both the earplug and earcup combined offers the double passive hearing protection for extreme noise environments while providing for a convenient means by which to achieve the double hearing protection and not compromise its performance through the attachment mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2006Publication date: January 31, 2008Inventors: Michael A. Vaudrey, William Saunders, Yu Du, Jonathan Hager
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Patent number: 7308106Abstract: A tailored active noise control design method is presented that provides for improved noise attenuation performance for each individual user and improved hearing protection in a specified noise field as a function of a specified metric indicative of a noise reduction objection. Characteristics of individual users, behavior of the associated passive hearing protection, and the external noise environment are all concurrently accounted for in an automatic method for designing an active controller that limits the exposed noise level for a specific individual. The controller manufacturing process and implementation may be performed in-situ for each individual automatically. The design method may also account for actuator limitations and can be applied equally well to any passive/active noise control devices including headphones and earplugs.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2004Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Adaptive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Vaudrey, William R. Saunders, Andre Goldstein, William T. Baumann
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Patent number: 7289636Abstract: An electronic earplug for wideband control of pressures at the tympanic membrane is presented. A unique methodology of determining effective component placement inside an earplug that provides acoustic isolation between the ambient noise and tympanic membrane is explained. Methods for providing accurate dosimetry and improved active control result from the unique earplug design process, leading to very wideband active noise reduction at the tympanic membrane.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Adaptive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William R. Saunders, Michael A. Vaudrey, Andre Goldstein
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Patent number: 7266501Abstract: The invention enables the inclusion of voice and remaining audio information at different parts of the audio production process. In particular, the invention embodies special techniques for VRA-capable digital mastering, accommodation of PCPV/PCA and/or SCRA signals in audio CODECs, VRA-capable encoders and decoders, and VRA in DVD and other digital audio file formats. The invention facilitates an end-listener's voice-to-remaining audio (VRA) adjustment upon the playback of digital audio media formats by focusing on new configurations of multiple parts of the entire digital audio system, thereby enabling a new technique intended to benefit audio end-users (end-listeners) who wish to control the ratio of the primary vocal/dialog content of an audio program relative to the remaining portion of the audio content in that program.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Akiba Electronics Institute LLCInventors: William R. Saunders, Michael A. Vaudrey
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Patent number: 7248708Abstract: An improved noise canceling microphone is provided including robust design features and advanced noise control and speech discrimination convergence characteristics. Two adaptive controllers are used to ensure robust performance in quickly changing acoustic environments ensuring an acceptable minimum performance characteristic. Additionally, a new real-time spectral estimation procedure is applied to a noise canceling communications microphone platform that permits continued and optimal adaptation of non-voice bandwidth frequencies during speech transients.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Adaptive Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Vaudrey, William R. Saunders
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Patent number: RE42737Abstract: An integrated individual listening device and decoder for receiving an audio signal including a decoder for decoding the audio signal by separating the audio signal into a voice signal and a background signal, a first end-user adjustable amplifier coupled to the voice signal and amplifying the voice signal; a second end-user adjustable amplifier coupled to the background signal and amplifying the background signal; a summing amplifier coupled to outputs of said first and second end-user adjustable amplifiers and outputting a total audio signal, said total signal being coupled to an individual listening device.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2008Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Akiba Electronics Institute LLCInventors: Michael A. Vaudrey, William R. Saunders