Patents by Inventor Michael W. Stark

Michael W. Stark 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).

  • Publication number: 20240098398
    Abstract: An open-ear headphone with an acoustic module configured to be located at least in part in a concha of an outer ear of a user. The acoustic module comprises a housing that contains an acoustic transducer. There is a first sound-emitting opening in the housing that is configured to emit sound produced by the acoustic transducer. The acoustic module defines a central longitudinal axis and the first sound-emitting opening is offset from the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Michael W. Stark, Brandon L. Hicks, Edgardo Alicea
  • Publication number: 20240029755
    Abstract: Processes, methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for intelligently detecting speech or in audio signals and smoothly transitioning to mode that enables a user to better understand the speech. For example, aspects of the present disclosure provide method for processing and producing audio signals. During playback of an audio signal, the method analyzes content of the audio signal prior to the playback of the content to determine whether one or more predefined conditions are met to indicate that the content includes speech. In response to determining the one or more predefined conditions are met, the method automatically applies to the audio signal a first playback equalization configured to enhance the speech within the content. In response to determining the one or more predefined conditions are not met, the method comprises applying to the audio signal no playback equalization or a second playback equalization different from the first playback equalization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Elio Dante QUERZE, III, Shuo ZHANG, Isaac Keir JULIEN, Yang LIU, Miriam ISRAELOWITZ, Stoyan I. ILIEV, Edward MANIET, Santiago CARVAJAL, Michael W. STARK, James Michael MCHUGH
  • Publication number: 20230247339
    Abstract: An open-ear headphone with an acoustic module configured to be located at least in part in a concha of an outer ear of a user. The acoustic module comprises a housing that contains an acoustic transducer. There is a first sound-emitting opening in the housing that is configured to emit sound produced by the acoustic transducer. The acoustic module defines a central longitudinal axis and the first sound-emitting opening is offset from the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Michael W. Stark, Brandon L. Hicks, Edgardo Alicea
  • Patent number: 10951970
    Abstract: An open audio device includes a housing and an acoustic radiator in the housing and that emits front-side acoustic radiation from its front side and emits rear-side acoustic radiation from its rear side. A front acoustic cavity in the housing receives front-side acoustic radiation, wherein the housing defines a front sound-emitting opening. A rear acoustic cavity in the housing that receives rear-side acoustic radiation, wherein the housing defines a rear sound-emitting opening. A support structure is configured to carry the housing on a user's head such that the housing is held proximate an ear of the user with one of the front or rear sound-emitting openings anterior of and proximate the tragus of the ear. The housing comprises an inner end that is configured to be closest to the user's head. The one of the front or rear sound-emitting openings that is anterior of and proximate the tragus of the ear lies at an angle to the inner end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan C. Struzik, Michael W. Stark, David J. Fustino, Allen T. Graff, Daniel Patrick Baker
  • Publication number: 20210076118
    Abstract: An open audio device includes a housing and an acoustic radiator in the housing and that emits front-side acoustic radiation from its front side and emits rear-side acoustic radiation from its rear side. A front acoustic cavity in the housing receives front-side acoustic radiation, wherein the housing defines a front sound-emitting opening. A rear acoustic cavity in the housing that receives rear-side acoustic radiation, wherein the housing defines a rear sound-emitting opening. A support structure is configured to carry the housing on a user's head such that the housing is held proximate an ear of the user with one of the front or rear sound-emitting openings anterior of and proximate the tragus of the ear. The housing comprises an inner end that is configured to be closest to the user's head. The one of the front or rear sound-emitting openings that is anterior of and proximate the tragus of the ear lies at an angle to the inner end of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan C. Struzik, Michael W. Stark, David J. Fustino, Allen T. Graff, Daniel Patrick Baker
  • Patent number: 10857638
    Abstract: An adjustable clamp for the retention of a vice or work piece onto a slotted worktable. The clamp has a raised rear foot that both spans the standard width of a slot in a slotted worktable regardless of the angle the clamp is secured to the worktable, and generates an increased gripping force at both contact points of the clamp. Its nose accommodates a cylindrical pin recess to accommodate a cylindrical pin to allow the vice to clamp to a vice with a raised peripheral lip. The 30 degree beveled front edge allows the clamp a substantial planar contact surface with the vice or work piece, enhancing stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Michael W Stark
  • Patent number: 10250968
    Abstract: A multimedia system includes at least a first pair of satellite loudspeakers for radiating left and right channel signals, the satellite loudspeakers having a first lower cutoff frequency. The loudspeaker system also includes a separate subwoofer having a first upper cutoff frequency. The first lower cutoff frequency is higher in frequency than the first upper cutoff frequency. The loudspeaker system also includes a center loudspeaker array. The center loudspeaker array radiates center channel signals, and also directionally radiates left and right channel signals in the frequency range between the first lower cutoff frequency and the first upper cutoff frequency. The multi-channel loudspeaker system may also incorporate additional satellite loudspeakers for reproduction of surround channel signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Jahn Dmitri Eichfeld, Wontak Kim, James Michael Rush, Michael W. Stark
  • Publication number: 20190054584
    Abstract: An adjustable clamp for the retention of a vice or work piece onto a slotted worktable. The clamp has a raised rear foot that both spans the standard width of a slot in a slotted worktable regardless of the angle the clamp is secured to the worktable, and generates an increased gripping force at both contact points of the clamp. Its nose accommodates a cylindrical pin recess to accommodate a cylindrical pin to allow the vice to clamp to a vice with a raised peripheral lip. The 30 degree beveled front edge allows the clamp a substantial planar contact surface with the vice or work piece, enhancing stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Michael W Stark
  • Publication number: 20180077485
    Abstract: A multimedia system includes at least a first pair of satellite loudspeakers for radiating left and right channel signals, the satellite loudspeakers having a first lower cutoff frequency. The loudspeaker system also includes a separate subwoofer having a first upper cutoff frequency. The first lower cutoff frequency is higher in frequency than the first upper cutoff frequency. The loudspeaker system also includes a center loudspeaker array. The center loudspeaker array radiates center channel signals, and also directionally radiates left and right channel signals in the frequency range between the first lower cutoff frequency and the first upper cutoff frequency. The multi-channel loudspeaker system may also incorporate additional satellite loudspeakers for reproduction of surround channel signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jahn Dmitri Eichfeld, Eric Freeman, Wontak Kim, James Michael Rush, Michael W. Stark
  • Publication number: 20140161288
    Abstract: Electroacoustical apparatus includes at least first and second acoustically coupled electroacoustical drivers. An electrical network couples their inputs so that an electrical drive signal applied to one reduces the effect of acoustic coupling from that one to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Eric J. Freeman, Michael W. Stark, William Berardi, Klaus Hartung
  • Patent number: 8571240
    Abstract: Adjustments to an electro-acoustic transducer may be made to match the performance of a second electro-acoustic transducer such that a net inertial force generated by movement of the electro-acoustic transducers' diaphragms are substantially zero. Adjustments may include adjusting a moving mass of one of the elector-acoustic transducers. Adjustments may include applying an equalization to one of the electro-acoustic transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Bastyr, Michael W. Stark
  • Patent number: 8553894
    Abstract: An three-way audio system that uses directional arrays for radiating mid-frequency acoustic energy and passive directional devices to radiate the high frequencies. the system includes a left channel, a right channel, and a center channel. A crossover network separates the left channel and the right channel into low frequency content, midrange frequency content, and high frequency content. An omnidirectional acoustical device radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the low frequency content of the combined left channel, right channel and center channel. A first directional array, comprising signal processing circuitry and more than one acoustic driver, radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the midrange content of one of the left channel and right channel signal so that more acoustic energy corresponding to the midrange content of one of the left channel signal and the right channel signal is radiated laterally than in other directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: William Berardi, Michael Dublin, Eric S. Johanson, Joseph Jankovsky, Hilmar Lehnert, Michael W. Stark, Guy Torio
  • Patent number: 8351621
    Abstract: A system for limiting the excursion of an audio speaker. The system may include first lowpass filter circuitry configured to receive a system input signal and to generate a first signal. The system may further include clipping circuitry configured between the first lowpass filter circuitry and the first combiner circuitry. The system may include first highpass filter circuitry configured to receive the system input signal and to generate a second signal. The system may include second lowpass filter circuitry configured to receive a combined output signal from the first combiner circuitry. The system may include allpass filter circuitry configured to receive the system input signal and to generate a fourth signal. The system may include second highpass filter circuitry configured to receive the fourth signal from the allpass filter circuitry. The second combiner circuitry may be configured to generate an excursion limiting output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Michael W. Stark, Joseph B. Gaalaas, Brian J. Gawronski
  • Publication number: 20120224735
    Abstract: Adjustments to an electro-acoustic transducer may be made to match the performance of a second electro-acoustic transducer such that a net inertial force generated by movement of the electro-acoustic transducers' diaphragms are substantially zero. Adjustments may include adjusting a moving mass of one of the elector-acoustic transducers. Adjustments may include applying an equalization to one of the electro-acoustic transducers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin J. Bastyr, Michael W. Stark
  • Patent number: 8180076
    Abstract: Adjustments to an electro-acoustic transducer may be made to match the performance of a second electro-acoustic transducer such that a net inertial force generated by movement of the electro-acoustic transducers' diaphragms are substantially zero. Adjustments may include adjusting a moving mass of one of the elector-acoustic transducers. Adjustments may include applying an equalization to one of the electro-acoustic transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Bastyr, Michael W. Stark
  • Patent number: 8139774
    Abstract: An audio system including a left input channel signal, a right input channel signal, and a discrete center input channel. Circuitry removes correlated content from the left input channel signal and the right input channel signal and inserts the correlated content into the center input channel signal to provide a modified left input channel signal, a modified right input channel signal, and a modified center input channel signal. The modified left input channel signal is radiated by a directional loudspeaker so that radiation in a direction toward a listening area is less than radiation in other directions. The modified right channel input channel signal is radiated by a directional loudspeaker so that radiation in a direction toward a listening area is less than radiation in other directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: William Berardi, Michael Dublin, Hilmar Lehnert, Michael W. Stark, Guy Torio
  • Publication number: 20120039475
    Abstract: An three-way audio system that uses directional arrays for radiating mid-frequency acoustic energy and passive directional devices to radiate the high frequencies. the system includes a left channel, a right channel, and a center channel. A crossover network separates the left channel and the right channel into low frequency content, midrange frequency content, and high frequency content. An omnidirectional acoustical device radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the low frequency content of the combined left channel, right channel and center channel. A first directional array, comprising signal processing circuitry and more than one acoustic driver, radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the midrange content of one of the left channel and right channel signal so that more acoustic energy corresponding to the midrange content of one of the left channel signal and the right channel signal is radiated laterally than in other directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: William Berardi, Michael Dublin, Eric S. Johanson, Joseph Jankovsky, Hilmar Lehnert, Michael W. Stark, Guy Torio
  • Publication number: 20110235824
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a system for limiting the excursion of an audio speaker. The system may include first lowpass filter circuitry configured to receive a system input signal and to generate a first signal. The system may further include clipping circuitry configured between the first lowpass filter circuitry and the first combiner circuitry. The system may include first highpass filter circuitry configured to receive the system input signal and to generate a second signal. The system may include second lowpass filter circuitry configured to receive a combined output signal from the first combiner circuitry. The system may include allpass filter circuitry configured to receive the system input signal and to generate a fourth signal. The system may include second highpass filter circuitry configured to receive the fourth signal from the allpass filter circuitry. The second combiner circuitry may be configured to generate an excursion limiting output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Michael W. Stark, Joseph B. Gaalaas, Brian J. Gawronski
  • Publication number: 20110216907
    Abstract: An audio system including a left input channel signal, a right input channel signal, and a discrete center input channel. Circuitry removes correlated content from the left input channel signal and the right input channel signal and inserts the correlated content into the center input channel signal to provide a modified left input channel signal, a modified right input channel signal, and a modified center input channel signal. The modified left input channel signal is radiated by a directional loudspeaker so that radiation in a direction toward a listening area is less than radiation in other directions. The modified right channel input channel signal is radiated by a directional loudspeaker so that radiation in a direction toward a listening area is less than radiation in other directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: William Berardi, Michael Dublin, Hilmar Lehnert, Michael W. Stark, Guy Torio
  • Patent number: 7995778
    Abstract: A set of filters is configured to distribute input signals representing a single perceptual axis to first and second physically separate arrays of loudspeakers comprising at least first and second transducers, such that the arrays of loudspeakers will create an array pattern corresponding to the input signals when the input signals are between a first frequency and a second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: William Berardi, Eric J. Freeman, Michael W. Stark