Patents by Inventor Tyrone T. Chen

Tyrone T. Chen 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: 12008290
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces and techniques for managing and visualizing sound reduction using a computer system. In accordance with some embodiments, the computer system displays an indication that a second noise level is less than a first sound level when the computer system is using a sound reduction device. In accordance with some embodiments, the computer system displays a representation of a noise level at a plurality of different times that indicates a first noise level when a sound reduction effect was in effect, and that indicates a second noise level when the sound reduction effect was not in effect. In accordance with some embodiments, the computer system displays a representation of a sound reduction level for a first time period and receives an input selling a second time period different from the first time period, and in response to the input, the computer system displays a representation of the sound reduction level for the second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas D. Felton, Tyrone T. Chen, Ian M. Fisch, Ruchi N. Goswami, Andrew E. Greenwood
  • Publication number: 20240176577
    Abstract: A method for dynamic playback of target sound. A target sound sequence is generated in accordance with a user setting and used to drive a speaker. A gain of the target sound sequence is adjusted based on one or more of detecting a user context, detecting an environment of a user, and detecting that media playback has started or stopped. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2024
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Cecilia Casarini, Ian M. Fisch, Jakub Mazur, Mitchell R. Lerner, Pablo David Brazell Ruiz, Stephen W. Ryner, JR., Tyrone T. Chen
  • Patent number: 11928387
    Abstract: A method for controlling target sound playback. A display screen of a control device is configured to display a target sound user setting for controlling target sound playback, wherein the target sound user setting controls a stored target sound level parameter that is stored within memory of the control device. A target sound sequence is generated in accordance with the user setting. A speaker is driven with the target sound sequence. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Cecilia Casarini, Ian M. Fisch, Jakub Mazur, Mitchell R. Lerner, Pablo David Brazell Ruiz, Stephen W. Ryner, Jr., Tyrone T. Chen
  • Patent number: 11853642
    Abstract: A method performed by an audio source device. The method obtains an input audio signal and determines a sound output level of a headset based on the input audio signal, a user volume setting, and a sound output sensitivity of the headset. The method determines whether the sound output level is above a threshold. In response to determining that the sound output level is above the threshold, a scalar gain is applied upon the input audio signal to produce an output audio signal for output by the headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tyrone T. Chen, Joseph M. Williams, Juan C. Martinez Nieto, Tony S. Verma
  • Publication number: 20230367542
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces and techniques for managing and visualizing sound reduction using a computer system. In accordance with some embodiments, the computer system displays an indication that a second noise level is less than a first sound level when the computer system is using a sound reduction device. In accordance with some embodiments, the computer system displays a representation of a noise level at a plurality of different times that indicates a first noise level when a sound reduction effect was in effect, and that indicates a second noise level when the sound reduction effect was not in effect. In accordance with some embodiments, the computer system displays a representation of a sound reduction level for a first time period and receives an input selling a second time period different from the first time period, and in response to the input, the computer system displays a representation of the sound reduction level for the second time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Nicholas D. FELTON, Tyrone T. CHEN, Ian M. FISCH, Ruchi N. GOSWAMI, Andrew E. GREENWOOD
  • Publication number: 20230370765
    Abstract: A method that includes determining a level of sound within an acoustic environment captured by a microphone; receiving, from a headset worn by a user, data indicating an audio processing mode in which the headset is operating; determining a level of attenuation of the sound based on the audio processing mode and the level of sound; estimating sound exposure based on at least the level of attenuation and the level of sound; and transmitting the sound exposure to an application program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew E. Greenwood, Ian M. Fisch, Tyrone T. Chen, Nicholas D. Felton, Mary-Ann Rau, Kevin M. Lynch
  • Patent number: 11818554
    Abstract: In-ear sound pressure level, SPL, is determined that is caused by output audio being converted into sound by a headset worn by a user. The in-ear SPL is converted into a sound sample having units that are suitable for evaluating sound noise exposure. These operations are repeated to produce a sequence of sound samples during playback. This sequence of sound samples is then written to a secure database. Access to the database is authorized by the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jakub Mazur, Tyrone T. Chen, Hang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220374194
    Abstract: A method for controlling target sound playback. A display screen of a control device is configured to display a target sound user setting for controlling target sound playback, wherein the target sound user setting controls a stored target sound level parameter that is stored within memory of the control device. A target sound sequence is generated in accordance with the user setting. A speaker is driven with the target sound sequence. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Cecilia Casarini, Ian M. Fisch, Jakub Mazur, Mitchell R. Lerner, Pablo David Brazell Ruiz, Stephen W. Ryner, JR., Tyrone T. Chen
  • Publication number: 20220374193
    Abstract: A method for headphone playback of target sound. Some of the bins of a sound file are accessed, wherein the sound file has several bins each bin storing a number of audio sections. Audio sections are selected from the accessed bins, and mixed while cross fading to form a target sound sequence. A headphone speaker is driven with the target sound sequence. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Cecilia Casarini, Ian M. Fisch, Jakub Mazur, Mitchell R. Lerner, Pablo David Brazell Ruiz, Stephen W. Ryner, JR., Tyrone T. Chen
  • Patent number: 11499865
    Abstract: In-ear sound pressure level, SPL, is determined that is caused by output audio being converted into sound by a headset worn by a user. The in-ear SPL is converted into a sound sample having units that are suitable for evaluating sound noise exposure. These operations are repeated to produce a sequence of sound samples during playback. This sequence of sound samples is then written to a secure database. Access to the database is authorized by the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jakub Mazur, Tyrone T. Chen, Hang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220178738
    Abstract: In-ear sound pressure level, SPL, is determined that is caused by output audio being converted into sound by a headset worn by a user. The in-ear SPL is converted into a sound sample having units that are suitable for evaluating sound noise exposure. These operations are repeated to produce a sequence of sound samples during playback. This sequence of sound samples is then written to a secure database. Access to the database is authorized by the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jakub Mazur, Tyrone T. Chen, Hang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11304001
    Abstract: A method for detecting wind using a microphone and a speaker of an electronic device. The method obtains a microphone signal produced by the microphone. The method obtains a speaker input signal produced by the speaker that is emulating a microphone capturing ambient sound in an environment through the speaker. The method determines a coherence between the microphone signal and the speaker input signal and determines whether the coherence is below a coherence intensity threshold. In response to determining that the coherence is below the coherence intensity threshold, the method determines a presence of wind in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Joyce E. Gorny, Thomas M. Jensen, Jeffrey N. Gleason, Tyrone T. Chen
  • Patent number: 11276384
    Abstract: An audio system has an ambient sound enhancement function, in which an against-the-ear audio device having a speaker converts a digitally processed version of an input audio signal into sound. The audio system also has an acoustic noise cancellation (ANC) function that may be combined in various ways with the sound enhancement function, and that may be responsive to voice activity detection. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: John Woodruff, Tom-Davy W. Saux, Vladan Bajic, Vasu Iyengar, Andrew E. Greenwood, Tyrone T. Chen, Jakub Mazur, Tony S. Verma
  • Patent number: 11268848
    Abstract: In-ear sound pressure level, SPL, is determined that is caused by output audio being converted into sound by a headset worn by a user. The in-ear SPL is converted into a sound sample having units that are suitable for evaluating sound noise exposure. These operations are repeated to produce a sequence of sound samples during playback. This sequence of sound samples is then written to a secure database. Access to the database is authorized by the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jakub Mazur, Tyrone T. Chen, Hang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11215500
    Abstract: A digital signal processing method for ambient sound acoustic dosimetry. Strength of a microphone signal generated by a watch worn by a user is determined and converted into a sound sample having units for sound noise exposure. This is repeated multiple times to produce a time sequence of sound samples that is written to a secure database access to which is authorized by the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jakub Mazur, Tyrone T. Chen, Hang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20210349681
    Abstract: A method performed by an audio source device. The method obtains an input audio signal and determines a sound output level of a headset based on the input audio signal, a user volume setting, and a sound output sensitivity of the headset. The method determines whether the sound output level is above a threshold. In response to determining that the sound output level is above the threshold, a scalar gain is applied upon the input audio signal to produce an output audio signal for output by the headset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Tyrone T. Chen, Joseph M. Williams, Juan C. Martinez Nieto, Tony S. Verma
  • Patent number: 11153677
    Abstract: An audio system has an ambient sound enhancement function, in which an against-the-ear audio device having a speaker converts a digitally processed version of an input audio signal into sound. The input audio signal may be amplified where the amplification may be in accordance with a stored hearing profile of the user (personalized ambient sound enhancement.) The audio system also has an acoustic noise cancellation (ANC) function that may be combined in various ways with the sound enhancement function, and that may be responsive to voice activity detection. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: John Woodruff, Tom-Davy W. Saux, Vladan Bajic, Vasu Iyengar, Andrew E. Greenwood, Tyrone T. Chen, Jakub Mazur, Tony S. Verma
  • Publication number: 20200396539
    Abstract: A method for detecting wind using a microphone and a speaker of an electronic device. The method obtains a microphone signal produced by the microphone. The method obtains a speaker input signal produced by the speaker that is emulating a microphone capturing ambient sound in an environment through the speaker. The method determines a coherence between the microphone signal and the speaker input signal and determines whether the coherence is below a coherence intensity threshold. In response to determining that the coherence is below the coherence intensity threshold, the method determines a presence of wind in the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Nikolas T. Vitt, Joyce E. Gorny, Thomas M. Jensen, Jeffrey N. Gleason, Tyrone T. Chen
  • Publication number: 20200382859
    Abstract: An audio system has an ambient sound enhancement function, in which an against-the-ear audio device having a speaker converts a digitally processed version of an input audio signal into sound. The input audio signal may be amplified where the amplification may be in accordance with a stored hearing profile of the user (personalized ambient sound enhancement.) The audio system also has an acoustic noise cancellation (ANC) function that may be combined in various ways with the sound enhancement function, and that may be responsive to voice activity detection. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: John Woodruff, Tom-Davy W. Saux, Vladan Bajic, Vasu Iyengar, Andrew E. Greenwood, Tyrone T. Chen, Jakub Mazur, Tony S. Verma
  • Publication number: 20200380945
    Abstract: An audio system has an ambient sound enhancement function, in which an against-the-ear audio device having a speaker converts a digitally processed version of an input audio signal into sound. The audio system also has an acoustic noise cancellation (ANC) function that may be combined in various ways with the sound enhancement function, and that may be responsive to voice activity detection. Other aspects are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: John Woodruff, Tom-Davy W. Saux, Vladan Bajic, Vasu Iyengar, Andrew E. Greenwood, Tyrone T. Chen, Jakub Mazur, Tony S. Verma