Patents by Inventor Todd S. Welti

Todd S. Welti 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: 20240098441
    Abstract: An audio system is provided with at least two low frequency transducers to project sound within a room and a portable device with at least two microphones to receive sound at the first listening location from multiple directions. A microcontroller is programmed to provide a calibration command in response to a user input, and to provide a measurement signal indicative of the sound received by the microphone array. A processor is programmed to provide a test signal in response to receiving the calibration command, wherein each low frequency transducer is adapted to generate a test sound in response to the test signal. The processor is further programmed to: process the measurement signal to predict a sound response at a second listening location adjacent to the first listening location, and adjust a sound setting associated with each low frequency transducer to optimize sound at the first and second listening locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Todd S. WELTI, Kevin SHANK
  • Publication number: 20240045644
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include techniques for generating a low-frequency sound field for an audio system. A computing device in the audio system determines that a first playback level of an audio input is less than a maximum playback level of the audio system. Based on the first playback level, the computing device retrieves one or more first parameters associated with a first loudspeaker included in the audio system, where the one or more first parameters decrease a first cutoff frequency of the first loudspeaker to a second cutoff frequency. The computing device modifies a first portion of an audio signal transmitted to the first loudspeaker to decrease the first cutoff frequency to the second cutoff frequency based on the one or more first parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Todd S. WELTI, Jason RIGGS
  • Publication number: 20230379629
    Abstract: A headphone assembly includes a headband that is coupled to an outer ring, an elastic sheet that is coupled to the outer ring, and a headphone cup that is suspended within the outer ring by the elastic sheet. In some embodiments, the elastic sheet is configured to press the headphone cup against at least one of a portion of a head of a user or a pinna of an ear of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventor: Todd S. WELTI
  • Publication number: 20230370759
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an audio generating element; a sleeve including a longitudinal channel, an outer surface of the sleeve including at least a first portion that is expandable in a cross-sectional size in at least one direction; and a rigid insert configured for insertion into the longitudinal channel. At least the first portion of the outer surface of the sleeve expands in the at least one direction when the rigid insert is inserted into the longitudinal channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Omid KHONSARIPOUR, Todd S. WELTI
  • Publication number: 20230370805
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a method includes receiving a first audio channel signal; causing a first driver and a second driver of an audio output device to output a first frequency range of the first audio channel signal with a first power output; causing the first driver to output a second frequency range of the first audio channel signal with a second power output; and causing the second driver to output the second frequency range of the first audio channel signal with a third power output that is higher than the second power output, wherein the second frequency range is higher than the first frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Todd S. WELTI, Jason RIGGS, Joy LYONS
  • Publication number: 20230292035
    Abstract: A headphone system includes an audio output device, an ear pad coupled to a first side of the audio output device, and an inflatable pouch coupled to a second side of the audio output device. In some embodiments, the inflatable pouch inflates in at least a direction away from the second side of the audio output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Omid KHONSARIPOUR, Todd S. WELTI
  • Patent number: 11601752
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises identifying an audio playback device configured to reproduce audio content based on an audio input signal, wherein the audio playback device has a previously measured characteristic frequency response; retrieving the previously measured characteristic frequency response associated with the audio playback device; generating, based on the previously measured characteristic frequency response and a preferred frequency response curve for a plurality of users, a frequency response filter that modifies the previously measured characteristic frequency response of the audio playback device to a modified frequency response; processing the audio input signal with the frequency response filter to generate a filtered audio signal that differs in relative amplitude from the audio input signal in one or more frequency bands; and causing the audio playback device to play back the filtered audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Todd S. Welti, Omid Khonsaripour, Sean Edward Olive
  • Patent number: 11197095
    Abstract: A memory stores a linear model predicting a preference rating for in-ear headphones. A processor is programmed to generate a headphone response curve defining a frequency response of a headphone, apply the linear model to the headphone response curve to determine a preference rating, and provide the preference rating to predict overall sound quality of the in-ear headphone without listening tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Todd S. Welti, Sean E. Olive, Omid Khonsaripour
  • Patent number: 11134353
    Abstract: A method of audio signal processing, the method comprising: accessing user-specific audio processing information for a particular user; determining identity information of an audio device for producing sound output from an audio signal; based on the identity information of the audio device, accessing device-specific audio processing information for the audio device; generating a customized audio-processing procedure for the audio signal based on the user-specific audio processing information and the device-specific audio processing information; and generating a customized audio signal by processing the audio signal with the customized audio-processing procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel Timothy Pye, Sean Edward Olive, Todd S. Welti, Omid Khonsaripour, Kadagattur Gopinatha Srinidhi, Christopher Ludwig, Michael Knappe
  • Publication number: 20210195328
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises identifying an audio playback device configured to reproduce audio content based on an audio input signal, wherein the audio playback device has a previously measured characteristic frequency response; retrieving the previously measured characteristic frequency response associated with the audio playback device; generating, based on the previously measured characteristic frequency response and a preferred frequency response curve for a plurality of users, a frequency response filter that modifies the previously measured characteristic frequency response of the audio playback device to a modified frequency response; processing the audio input signal with the frequency response filter to generate a filtered audio signal that differs in relative amplitude from the audio input signal in one or more frequency bands; and causing the audio playback device to play back the filtered audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Todd S. WELTI, Omid KHONSARIPOUR, Sean Edward OLIVE
  • Publication number: 20210195329
    Abstract: A memory stores a linear model predicting a preference rating for in-ear headphones. A processor is programmed to generate a headphone response curve defining a frequency response of a headphone, apply the linear model to the headphone response curve to determine a preference rating, and provide the preference rating to predict overall sound quality of the in-ear headphone without listening tests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Todd S. WELTI, Sean E. OLIVE, Omid KHONSARIPOUR
  • Patent number: 10932079
    Abstract: A smart speaker device for acoustical listening area mapping and frequency correction includes a non-transitory storage configured to maintain a listening area response map indicating filter settings corresponding to each of a plurality of locations within a listening area, a microphone array, a loudspeaker; and a controller. The controller is programmed to execute a frequency correcting application to identify a current location of a mobile device in the listening area based on ultrasonic audio received to the microphone array from the mobile device, access the listening area response map to retrieve filter settings corresponding to the current location, and apply the filter settings to an audio stream to be output to the loudspeaker to correct for frequency response of the loudspeaker at the current location of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Todd S. Welti
  • Publication number: 20200252738
    Abstract: A smart speaker device for acoustical listening area mapping and frequency correction includes a non-transitory storage configured to maintain a listening area response map indicating filter settings corresponding to each of a plurality of locations within a listening area, a microphone array, a loudspeaker; and a controller. The controller is programmed to execute a frequency correcting application to identify a current location of a mobile device in the listening area based on ultrasonic audio received to the microphone array from the mobile device, access the listening area response map to retrieve filter settings corresponding to the current location, and apply the filter settings to an audio stream to be output to the loudspeaker to correct for frequency response of the loudspeaker at the current location of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventor: Todd S. WELTI
  • Publication number: 20200221240
    Abstract: A method of audio signal processing, the method comprising: accessing user-specific audio processing information for a particular user; determining identity information of an audio device for producing sound output from an audio signal; based on the identity information of the audio device, accessing device-specific audio processing information for the audio device; generating a customized audio-processing procedure for the audio signal based on the user-specific audio processing information and the device-specific audio processing information; and generating a customized audio signal by processing the audio signal with the customized audio-processing procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel Timothy PYE, Sean Edward OLIVE, Todd S. WELTI, Omid KHONSARIPOUR, Kadagattur Gopinatha SRINIDHI, Christopher LUDWIG, Michael KNAPPE
  • Publication number: 20190087739
    Abstract: A headphone response error curve (HREC) may be calculated based on a difference in response between a headphone response curve for a headphone to be evaluated and a target headphone response curve. A linear model may be applied to the headphone response curve to determine a preference rating predicting overall sound quality of the headphone. The linear model may be developed using independent variables such as mean error (ME) of the headphones response curve to the target response curve, standard deviation (SD) of error of the HREC, or absolute value of a slope (AS) of a logarithmic regression line of the HREC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Sean E. OLIVE, Todd S. WELTI, Omid KHONSARIPOUR
  • Patent number: 10206053
    Abstract: Headphones are provided with a pair of speakers adapted to be suspended a distance away from the listener's ears and movable between a plurality of test positions. At least one microphone is adapted to be positioned near one of the listener's ears. A controller is in communication with the pair of speakers. The controller is programmed to activate the pair of speakers to produce a test sound at a plurality of test positions. The controller receives playback signals from the microphone based on each of the test sounds at the plurality of test positions. A head related transfer function (HRTF) is determined based on the playback signals received by the microphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Todd S. Welti
  • Patent number: 10095306
    Abstract: A wearable device worn on the head of a user determines the head orientation of the user. A tracking application executing on the wearable device determines the orientation of the wearable device relative to a frame of reference. A mobile application executing on a mobile device likewise determines the orientation of the mobile device relative to the frame of reference. The frame of reference may be magnetic north or an inertial reference frame shared between the wearable device and the mobile device. The tracking application estimates the head orientation of the user, relative to the mobile device, based on the relative orientations of the wearable device and the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Todd S. Welti
  • Patent number: 8761419
    Abstract: A system is provided for configuring an audio system for a given space. The system may statistically analyze potential configurations of the audio system to configure the audio system. The potential configurations may include positions of the loudspeakers, numbers of loudspeakers, types of loudspeakers, listening positions, correction factors, or any combination thereof. The statistical analysis may indicate at least one metric of the potential configuration including indicating consistency of predicted transfer functions, flatness of the predicted transfer functions, differences in overall sound pressure level from seat to seat for the predicted transfer functions, efficiency of the predicted transfer functions, or the output of predicted transfer functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Allan O. Devantier, Todd S. Welti
  • Patent number: 8755542
    Abstract: A system is provided for configuring an audio system for a given space. The system may statistically analyze potential configurations of the audio system to configure the audio system. The potential configurations may include positions of the loudspeakers, numbers of loudspeakers, types of loudspeakers, listening positions, correction factors, or any combination thereof. The statistical analysis may indicate at least one metric of the potential configuration including indicating consistency of predicted transfer functions, flatness of the predicted transfer functions, differences in overall sound pressure level from seat to seat for the predicted transfer functions, efficiency of the predicted transfer functions, or the output of predicted transfer functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Allan O. Devantier, Todd S. Welti
  • Patent number: 8705755
    Abstract: A system is provided for configuring an audio system for a given space. The system may statistically analyze potential configurations of the audio system to configure the audio system. The potential configurations may include positions of the loudspeakers, numbers of loudspeakers, types of loudspeakers, listening positions, correction factors, or any combination thereof. The statistical analysis may indicate at least one metric of the potential configuration including indicating consistency of predicted transfer functions, flatness of the predicted transfer functions, differences in overall sound pressure level from seat to seat for the predicted transfer functions, efficiency of the predicted transfer functions, or the output of predicted transfer functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan O. Devantier, Todd S. Welti