Patents by Inventor Scott C. Grinker

Scott C. Grinker 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: 10582284
    Abstract: A low-profile earbud is disclosed that sits securely within an ear of a user. The earbud includes a protruding portion that passes through a channel defined by the tragus and anti-tragus of the ear. In some embodiments, the protruding portion can take the form of a cable configured to supply power and transfer data to the earbud. In some embodiments, the protruding portion can provide additional space for electrical components and sensors supporting the earbud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn K. Trainer, Scott C. Grinker, Ethan L. Huwe, Craig M. Stanley
  • Publication number: 20200020313
    Abstract: A headphone has a driver, an internal microphone, an accelerometer, and an external microphone. An audio processor analyzes signals to detect wind noise. Gain of lower frequencies is reduced relative to higher frequencies, in a first filter that is operating on an audio signal from the external microphone in a feedforward path, responsive to detecting increased wind noise. A second filter in an audio signal feedback path may be adjusted to compensate for the gain change in the first filter that may mitigate occlusion effect. Outputs of the feedforward path in the feedback path are combined to produce an audio signal for the driver. The driver produces sound in the aural canal that has transparency with reduced wind noise, relative to sound external to the headphone. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Thanh Phong HUA, Esge B. ANDERSEN, Tom-Davy W. SAUX, Scott C. GRINKER
  • Publication number: 20200021903
    Abstract: An earbud design is disclosed that is configured to sit securely within an ear of a user. The earbud can be secured within the ear by an anchoring feature formed from an elastomeric material. The anchoring feature has a size and shape in accordance with an interior geometry of an ear of a user. Because the anchoring feature positions the earbud with respect to the ear, geometries of the earbud can be focused upon audio performance and/or device aesthetics. In some embodiments, the earbud housing can have a linear design which allows an audio driver within the earbud housing to be positioned close to an opening defined by the earbud housing. In this way, acoustic degradation associated with a long audio path from the audio driver to the opening can be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn K. Trainer, Craig M. Stanley, Scott C. Grinker
  • Publication number: 20190349665
    Abstract: A user content audio signal is converted into sound that is delivered into an ear canal of a wearer of an in-ear speaker, while the in-ear speaker is sealing off the ear canal against ambient sound leakage. An acoustic or venting valve in the in-ear speaker is automatically signaled to open, so that sound inside the ear canal is allowed to travel out into an ambient environment through the valve, while activating conversion of an ambient content audio signal into sound for delivery into the ear canal. Both user content and ambient content are heard by the wearer. The ambient content audio signal is digitally processed so that certain frequency components have been gain adjusted, based on an equalization profile, so as to compensate for some of the insertion loss that is due to the in-ear speaker blocking the ear canal. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventor: Scott C. Grinker
  • Patent number: 10433045
    Abstract: An earbud design is disclosed that is configured to sit securely within an ear of a user. The earbud can be secured within the ear by an anchoring feature formed from an elastomeric material. The anchoring feature has a size and shape in accordance with an interior geometry of an ear of a user. Because the anchoring feature positions the earbud with respect to the ear, geometries of the earbud can be focused upon audio performance and/or device aesthetics. In some embodiments, the earbud housing can have a linear design which allows an audio driver within the earbud housing to be positioned close to an opening defined by the earbud housing. In this way, acoustic degradation associated with a long audio path from the audio driver to the opening can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn K. Trainer, Scott C. Grinker, Craig M. Stanley
  • Patent number: 10080080
    Abstract: A balanced armature (“BA”) based valve is described. The valve includes a motor having a coil assembly and a magnetic system, an armature extending through or being located adjacent to the motor, a drive pin coupled to the armature, and a valve flap of a membrane having a hole therein. The valve flap is actuated by the drive pin into open and closed positions, in response to respective motions of the armature. A housing contains the motor, the armature, the drive pin, and the membrane. In one embodiment, the membrane is attached to the housing and divides the housing into an upper space and a lower space, and there is airflow through the hole, between the upper space and the lower space, only when the valve flap is open. A first spout of the housing may deliver sound generated by an acoustic driver in the housing into a wearer's ear canal, and is also open to the upper space. A second spout of the housing is open to the bottom space and to an ambient environment. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Scott C. Grinker
  • Publication number: 20180160213
    Abstract: A user content audio signal is converted into sound that is delivered into an ear canal of a wearer of an in-ear speaker, while the in-ear speaker is sealing off the ear canal against ambient sound leakage. An acoustic or venting valve in the in-ear speaker is automatically signaled to open, so that sound inside the ear canal is allowed to travel out into an ambient environment through the valve, while activating conversion of an ambient content audio signal into sound for delivery into the ear canal. Both user content and ambient content are heard by the wearer. The ambient content audio signal is digitally processed so that certain frequency components have been gain adjusted, based on an equalization profile, so as to compensate for some of the insertion loss that is due to the in-ear speaker blocking the ear canal. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventor: Scott C. Grinker
  • Patent number: 9955247
    Abstract: Headphone eartips with internal support components and methods for making the same are provided. At least one support component may provide specific amounts and types of rigidity at specific portions of an inner eartip body defining an inner eartip space that transmits sound to an eardrum when an eartip subassembly is positioned within an ear canal, such that the eartip subassembly may ensure an effective sound path while also at least partially conforming to various ear canal geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ethan L. Huwe, Glenn K. Trainer, Scott C. Grinker
  • Patent number: 9838775
    Abstract: This application relates to earbuds configured with one or more biometric sensors. At least one of the biometric sensors is configured to be pressed up against a portion of the tragus for making biometric measurements. In some embodiments, the housing of the earbud can be symmetric so that the earbud can be worn interchangeably in either a left or a right ear of a user. In such an embodiment, the earbud can include a sensor and circuitry configured to determine and alter operation of the earbud in accordance to which ear the earbud is determined to be positioned within.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Qian, Edward Siahaan, Scott C. Grinker, Jason J. LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20170295425
    Abstract: A balanced armature (“BA”) based valve is described. The valve includes a motor having a coil assembly and a magnetic system, an armature extending through or being located adjacent to the motor, a drive pin coupled to the armature, and a valve flap of a membrane having a hole therein. The valve flap is actuated by the drive pin into open and closed positions, in response to respective motions of the armature. A housing contains the motor, the armature, the drive pin, and the membrane. In one embodiment, the membrane is attached to the housing and divides the housing into an upper space and a lower space, and there is airflow through the hole, between the upper space and the lower space, only when the valve flap is open. A first spout of the housing may deliver sound generated by an acoustic driver in the housing into a wearer's ear canal, and is also open to the upper space. A second spout of the housing is open to the bottom space and to an ambient environment. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventor: Scott C. Grinker
  • Patent number: 9774941
    Abstract: A user content audio signal is converted into sound that is delivered into an ear canal of a wearer of an in-ear speaker, while the in-ear speaker is sealing off the ear canal against ambient sound leakage. An acoustic or venting valve in the in-ear speaker is automatically signaled to open, so that sound inside the ear canal is allowed to travel out into an ambient environment through the valve, while activating conversion of an ambient content audio signal into sound for delivery into the ear canal. Both user content and ambient content are heard by the wearer. The ambient content audio signal is digitally processed so that certain frequency components have been gain adjusted, based on an equalization profile, so as to compensate for some of the insertion loss that is due to the in-ear speaker blocking the ear canal. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Scott C. Grinker
  • Patent number: 9723396
    Abstract: Earphone assemblies with magnets are provided to anchor the assemblies to a user during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Phillip Qian, Scott C. Grinker
  • Publication number: 20170208382
    Abstract: A user content audio signal is converted into sound that is delivered into an ear canal of a wearer of an in-ear speaker, while the in-ear speaker is sealing off the ear canal against ambient sound leakage. An acoustic or venting valve in the in-ear speaker is automatically signaled to open, so that sound inside the ear canal is allowed to travel out into an ambient environment through the valve, while activating conversion of an ambient content audio signal into sound for delivery into the ear canal. Both user content and ambient content are heard by the wearer. The ambient content audio signal is digitally processed so that certain frequency components have been gain adjusted, based on an equalization profile, so as to compensate for some of the insertion loss that is due to the in-ear speaker blocking the ear canal. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventor: Scott C. Grinker
  • Patent number: 9706290
    Abstract: A balanced armature (“BA”) based valve is described. The valve includes a motor having a coil assembly and a magnetic system, an armature extending through or being located adjacent to the motor, a drive pin coupled to the armature, and a valve flap of a membrane having a hole therein. The valve flap is actuated by the drive pin into open and closed positions, in response to respective motions of the armature. A housing contains the motor, the armature, the drive pin, and the membrane. In one embodiment, the membrane is attached to the housing and divides the housing into an upper space and a lower space, and there is airflow through the hole, between the upper space and the lower space, only when the valve flap is open. A first spout of the housing may deliver sound generated by an acoustic driver in the housing into a wearer's ear canal, and is also open to the upper space. A second spout of the housing is open to the bottom space and to an ambient environment. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Scott C. Grinker
  • Publication number: 20170094388
    Abstract: Headphone eartips with internal support components and methods for making the same are provided. At least one support component may provide specific amounts and types of rigidity at specific portions of an inner eartip body defining an inner eartip space that transmits sound to an eardrum when an eartip subassembly is positioned within an ear canal, such that the eartip subassembly may ensure an effective sound path while also at least partially conforming to various ear canal geometries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Ethan L. Huwe, Glenn K. Trainer, Scott C. Grinker
  • Publication number: 20170094384
    Abstract: An earbud design is disclosed that is configured to sit securely within an ear of a user. The earbud can be secured within the ear by an anchoring feature formed from an elastomeric material. The anchoring feature has a size and shape in accordance with an interior geometry of an ear of a user. Because the anchoring feature positions the earbud with respect to the ear, geometries of the earbud can be focused upon audio performance and/or device aesthetics. In some embodiments, the earbud housing can have a linear design which allows an audio driver within the earbud housing to be positioned close to an opening defined by the earbud housing. In this way, acoustic degradation associated with a long audio path from the audio driver to the opening can be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn K. Trainer, Scott C. Grinker, Craig M. Stanley
  • Publication number: 20170094386
    Abstract: A low-profile earbud is disclosed that sits securely within an ear of a user. The earbud includes a protruding portion that passes through a channel defined by the tragus and anti-tragus of the ear. In some embodiments, the protruding portion can take the form of a cable configured to supply power and transfer data to the earbud. In some embodiments, the protruding portion can provide additional space for electrical components and sensors supporting the earbud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn K. Trainer, Scott C. Grinker, Ethan L. Huwe, Craig M. Stanley
  • Patent number: 9602911
    Abstract: This application relates to earbuds configured with one or more biometric sensors. At least one of the biometric sensors is configured to be pressed up against a portion of the tragus for making biometric measurements. In some embodiments, the housing of the earbud can be symmetric so that the earbud can be worn interchangeably in either a left or a right ear of a user. In such an embodiment, the earbud can include a sensor and circuitry configured to determine and alter operation of the earbud in accordance to which ear the earbud is determined to be positioned within.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Qian, Edward Siahaan, Scott C. Grinker, Jason J. LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20170078780
    Abstract: This application relates to earbuds configured with one or more biometric sensors. At least one of the biometric sensors is configured to be pressed up against a portion of the tragus for making biometric measurements. In some embodiments, the housing of the earbud can be symmetric so that the earbud can be worn interchangeably in either a left or a right ear of a user. In such an embodiment, the earbud can include a sensor and circuitry configured to determine and alter operation of the earbud in accordance to which ear the earbud is determined to be positioned within.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Phillip Qian, Edward Siahaan, Scott C. Grinker, Jason J. LeBlanc
  • Publication number: 20160381448
    Abstract: Earphone assemblies with magnets are provided to anchor the assemblies to a user during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Phillip Qian, Scott C. Grinker