Patents Issued in March 4, 2014
  • Patent number: 8666049
    Abstract: Implementing a location and historical trend based quality of session in unified telephony can begin with establishing a conference call. The location of each end-user device can be determined and a query of a previously established data store with historical trend data for quality of session for each end-user device based on the location of an identifier for the end user device can be performed. If the results of the querying indicate that an end-user device has a relatively low quality of session below a baseline established for the conference call, a corrective action designed to ensure the conference call is conducted with a quality of session at or above the baseline can be performed. Alternatively, the location and historical trend data and analysis for the collaboration session can be presented to a human moderator, who can be prompted to select a desired corrective action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chelsea C. Beerse, Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Jeffrey B. Sloyer, Carol S. Zimmet
  • Patent number: 8666050
    Abstract: Data processing and communications devices are configured to generate, using command signals received from at least one user input device, a signal set representing a meeting request, the meeting request signal set comprising signals representing one or more parameters for a proposed meeting and configured for causing a second data processing and communications device to initiate a voice call on receipt of command signals representing a response to the meeting request; and forward the generated meeting request signal set to the second data processing and communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: John Ferguson Wilson, James Andrew Godfrey, Daryl Joseph Martin
  • Patent number: 8666051
    Abstract: A method and system for notifying users of events. User activity of a user is monitored, based on user notification information in a storage location. The user notification information pertains to a scheduled event. In response to a detection, from the monitoring, of a change in the user activity, it is ascertained that the change necessitates notifying the user of the scheduled event due to the change impacting whether the user can participate in the scheduled event. Then the user is notified of the scheduled event. The user notification information in the storage location is modified, based on the detected change in the user activity, in response to receipt of an instruction from the user to change the user notification information in the storage location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Candice B. Gilzean, Gahlya Gregory, Fabian F. Morgan, Michael Eric Rhodes
  • Patent number: 8666052
    Abstract: A universal phone number is provided for connecting to communication methods, including fixed line, mobile line, and internet communication methods. A communication group of communication methods may include multiple communication methods belonging to one individual or to multiple individuals within the communication group, such as a family. The universal phone number may be designated as the primary contact number for the communication group such incoming phone calls and text messages may be automatically routed to the communication methods in the communication group. The universal phone number may provide alerts to the multiple communication methods for notifying when incoming phone calls are answered. A universal voicemail box may also be provided for a scenario when the incoming call is not answered. Additionally, the universal phone number may provide the ability to keep the contact information for each of the individual communication methods private.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Amey Parandekar, Dhigha Sekaran, Shahzaib Younis, Scott A. Plette, Marcelo D. Truffat
  • Patent number: 8666053
    Abstract: A method and system for providing call forwarding in an IP telephone network is disclosed. First, when a telephone number for a first telephone from a second telephone is dialed, the call is routing to a call manager. Call setup procedures with a BRG responsible for the first telephone are then initiated. The BRG then checks stored call forwarding profiles to determine whether there is an active call forwarding profile for the first telephone. The call is connected to the first telephone if an active call forwarding profile is not found. However, if an active call forwarding profile is found, the call forwarding information is sent to the call manager. The call is routed to at least a third telephone based on the call forwarding information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shoretel, Inc.
    Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Jesse Eugene Russell, Anish Sankalia, Hopeton S. Walker, Spencer C. Wang
  • Patent number: 8666054
    Abstract: Telephone users desiring directory assistance services are connected via standard telephone procedures to a directory assistance provider, such as an operator. An operator provides the destination number and initiates a connection to that number. Once that connection is initiated, the connection is monitored for the occurrence of a predetermined condition, such as a busy signal. If no such condition is detected, the caller proceeds with the call in the normal manner. If, however, such a condition is detected, the caller is automatically transferred to a directory assistance provider for further help.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Grape Technology Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary E. Henry
  • Patent number: 8666055
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to methods, systems, user devices and computer program products for providing human-assisted natural language call routing. Systems include a call interface device on an IVR system for receiving a telephone call from a caller. The system also includes a level one agent processing module for facilitating the handling of the telephone call when it is not directed by the IVR system after an initial interaction and a second interaction between the caller and the IVR system. The system further includes a level two agent processing module for facilitating the handling of the telephone call when it is not directed by the IVR system after the initial interaction and when a level two agent is available. In addition the system includes a level three agent processing module for facilitating the handling of the telephone call when a level three agent is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Senis Busayapongchai
  • Patent number: 8666056
    Abstract: A system for soliciting and activating one or more groups of workers to service contact center business includes an interface accessible to the one or more groups for accepting group registration data, publishing contact center business and for enabling the groups to subscribe to receive business; a data repository for storing the registration data for subscribing groups; and a routing server for specifying routing strategies for event routing to the groups. The system is characterized in that the one or more groups of workers may be activated during contact center business activity to perform services based on need.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Petr Makagon, Herbert Willi Artur Ristock, Dan Kikinis
  • Patent number: 8666057
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of remote powering of DSL ADMs are disclosed. In a subscriber communication node, at least communication components that enable the subscriber communication node to communicate with a network switching device, and possibly also subscriber communication components that enable one or more subscriber communication devices to communicate with the network switching device, can be powered either by a local power source or remotely through an electrically conductive twisted wire pair. A network node may derive its own power and also supply power to subscriber communication nodes through twisted wire pairs. A linear or ring topology of subscriber communication nodes can thus be kept operational, and subscriber communications can potentially also be maintained, when a local power source at one or more subscriber nodes becomes unavailable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Genesis Technical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen Peter Cooke, Tino Zottola
  • Patent number: 8666058
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, an echo reduction system can include multiple adaptive filters operable to provide estimated echo replicas based on received signal information coupled to respective multiple adders that can combine a send signal and outputs of the respective adaptive filters and can provide respective output combinations to a filter selector. The filter selector can select from the outputs of the adders and provide a selected output as output for the echo reduction system. In one or more embodiments, the filter selector can control signal processing of the filters by providing control signal to the adaptive filters, where the control signals can indicate to ones of the adaptive filters to pause or continue signal processing. In one or more embodiments, the echo reduction system can include at least one delay unit that can delay receive signal information to at least one of the adaptive filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongyang Deng, Roman A. Dyba
  • Patent number: 8666059
    Abstract: A method and a device process data transmitted via a channel. The channel is at least partially represented by a symmetrical transfer matrix, wherein at least one off-diagonal matrix element of the transfer matrix is determined by its symmetric and/or transposed off-diagonal matrix element and its corresponding diagonal matrix elements of the transfer matrix. In addition, a communication system is provided containing such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks OY
    Inventors: Dietmar Gernegross, Werner Kozek, Josef Mück
  • Patent number: 8666060
    Abstract: A call signal generating device, whose pair of output terminals is connected to a telephone set, includes a rectifier rectifying an inputted high frequency signal and maintaining an output polarity in one of two polarities; and a polarity reverser generating a call signal by periodically reversing the output polarity of the rectifier and supplying it to the telephone set via the pair of output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Access Technica Ltd
    Inventor: Takuma Aoshima
  • Patent number: 8666061
    Abstract: A mobile device is provided. The mobile device includes a panel assembly, a cover window and an adhesive tape. The panel assembly displays images and the cover window is mounted onto the panel assembly. The cover window protects the panel assembly and detects touches that occur thereon. The adhesive tape forms an open hole at the central portion to separate the cover window and the panel assembly. The adhesive tape adheres the cover window to the edge portion of the panel assembly. The adhesive tape further includes an air path part that provides an air passage for communicating an air chamber with the open hole. The air chamber fills with air. The mobile device can display images without a pooling phenomenon, and reduce the chance of malfunction when the user touches the panel assembly via the cover window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Seung Choi, Hee Ryoul Choi, Dong Pil Choi, Hyun Woong Chung
  • Patent number: 8666062
    Abstract: In general terms, the invention provides a finite field engine and methods for operating on elements in a finite field. The finite field engine provides finite field sub-engines suitable for any finite field size requiring a fixed number of machine words. The engine reuses these engines, along with some general purpose component or specific component providing modular reduction associated with the exact reduction (polynomial or prime) of a specific finite field. The engine has wordsized suitable code capable of adding, subtracting, multiplying, squaring, or inverting finite field elements, as long as the elements are representable in no more than the given number of words. The wordsized code produces unreduced values. Specific reduction is then applied to the unreduced value, as is suitable for the specific finite field. In this way, fast engines can be produced for many specific finite fields, without duplicating the bulk of the engine instructions (program).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Certicom Corp.
    Inventor: Robert J. Lambert
  • Patent number: 8666063
    Abstract: A method of masking a cryptographic operation using a secret value, comprising the steps of dividing the secret value into a plurality of parts; combining with each part a random value to derive a new part such that the new parts when combined are equivalent to the original secret value; and utilizing each of the individual parts in the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Certicom Corp.
    Inventors: Farhad Pezeshki, Robert John Lambert
  • Patent number: 8666064
    Abstract: An encryption/decryption method of an endecryptor including a plurality of endecryption units supporting an XES mode with tweak and ciphertext streaming (XTS) includes dividing an input data stream into consecutive data units; inputting the divided data units to the endecryption units, respectively; and simultaneously processing the input data units at the respective endecryption units. According to the encryption/decryption method, parallel processing is performed to encrypt/decrypt data at higher speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Mook Choi, Jisoo Kim, Xingguang Feng, Woo-Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8666065
    Abstract: A system and a method for real-time encryption of input data are described. A character numerical value associated with the input data is encrypted. The encoded character numerical value is then associated with a glyph corresponding to the input data. The encoded character numerical value and the glyph are then stored in a database. The encoded character numerical value is further encrypted using an encryption key to obtain an encrypted encoded character numerical value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Britesmart LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Joseph Zuili
  • Patent number: 8666066
    Abstract: The method comprises, in an electronic component, carrying out a cryptographic calculation that includes the step of obtaining points P on an elliptic curve following the equation Y2+a1XY+a3Y=X3+a2X2+a4+X+a6 (1) where a1, a2, a3, a4 et a6 are elements of a set A of elements; where A is a ring of modular integers Z/qZ where q is a positive integer resulting from a number I of different prime numbers strictly higher than 3, I being an integer higher than or equal to 2, where A is a finite body Fq with q the power of a prime integer; where X and Y are the coordinates of the points P and are elements of A. The method comprises determining a diameter (11), and obtaining the coordinates X and Y of a point P (13) by applying a function (12) to said parameter. The Euler function ? of A corresponds to the equation ?(A) mod 3=1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Morpho
    Inventor: Thomas Icart
  • Patent number: 8666067
    Abstract: A method of protecting a circuit from attacks aiming to discover secret data used during the execution of a cryptographic calculation by the circuit, by, executing a transformation calculation implementing a bijective transformation function, receiving as input a secret data, and supplying a transformed data, executing a cryptographic calculation receiving as input a data to process and the transformed data, and executing an inverse transformation calculation receiving as input the result of the cryptographic calculation, and supplying a result that the cryptographic calculation would have supplied if it had been applied to the data to process and directly to the secret data, the data to process belong to a stream of a multiplicity of data, the transformed data being supplied as input to the cryptographic calculation for all the data of the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Yannick Teglia
  • Patent number: 8666068
    Abstract: A method includes, in a data storage device, receiving data having a particular proportion of zero values and one values and scrambling the data to generate scrambled data that has the particular proportion of zero values and one values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sandisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Eran Sharon, Idan Alrod, Ariel Navon
  • Patent number: 8666069
    Abstract: There is provided a highly secure cryptographic processing apparatus and method where an analysis difficulty is increased. In a Feistel type common key block encrypting process in which an SPN type F function having a nonlinear conversion section and a linear conversion section is repeatedly executed a plurality of rounds. The linear conversion process of an F function corresponding to each of the plurality of rounds is performed as a linear conversion process which employs an MDS (Maximum Distance Separable) matrix, and a linear conversion process is carried out which employs a different MDS matrix at least at each of consecutive odd number rounds and consecutive even number rounds. This structure makes it possible to increase the minimum number (a robustness index against a differential attack in common key block encryption) of the active S box in the entire encrypting function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Taizo Shirai, Kyoji Shibutani
  • Patent number: 8666070
    Abstract: A method of masking a cryptographic operation using a secret value, comprising the steps of dividing the secret value into a plurality of parts; combining with each part a random value to derive a new part such that the new parts when combined are equivalent to the original secret value; and utilizing each of the individual parts in the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Certicom Corp.
    Inventors: Farhad Pezeshki, Robert J. Lambert
  • Patent number: 8666071
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for delivering satellite services at multiple security levels. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising determining a level of security supported by a first set top box, encoding a first IP packet containing a satellite service using the level of security supported by the first set top box, transmitting the first IP encoded packet to the first set top box, determining a level of security supported by a second set top box, wherein the level of security supported by the second set top box is different from the level of security of the first set top box, encoding a second IP packet containing a satellite service using the level of security supported by the second set top box; and transmitting the second encoded IP packet to the second set top box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Barry Jay Weber
  • Patent number: 8666072
    Abstract: This method of receiving a multimedia signal scrambled by means of a control word uses a first cryptographic entity that can be connected to any one of P second cryptographic entities to form part of a device for receiving the scrambled multimedia signal. Only second cryptographic entities of a group of N second cryptographic entities selected from a wider set of P second cryptographic entities use a session key obtained by diversifying a root key identical to the root key used to obtain the session key of the first cryptographic entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Viaccess
    Inventors: Bruno Tronel, Franck Baudot
  • Patent number: 8666073
    Abstract: The present invention provides a safe handover method and system which are applied in a handover process of a terminal in the next generation network, wherein the next generation network comprises a handover management module, an authentication server and a terminal. The safe handover method comprises: presetting initial safety parameters in the authentication server and the terminal, and generating safety parameters from the initial safety parameters; the handover management module obtaining the safety parameters; and the handover management module and the terminal interacting with each other by using the generated safety parameters to ensure a communication safety between the two communication parties. The present invention can ensure the communication safety between the terminal and the handover management module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Hongyan Wang, Yinxing Wei
  • Patent number: 8666074
    Abstract: An optical fiber secure communication apparatus and a data encryption method therefor are provided. The apparatus comprises a transmitter and a receiver being connected with each other via an optical fiber. The transmitter comprises a PPC processor unit, a field programmable gate array test board, a light-emitting module, an optical fiber coupler and a connection optical fiber. The receiver comprises a wavelength division multiplexer, a connection optical fiber, a photodetector, a field programmable gate array test board, a PPC processor unit and a signal output interface. At the transmitter end, two or more paths of input data are forwarded by the PPC, encrypted by the FPGA and then transmitted to the light-emitting module of two or more wavelengths for conversion from electrical signals into optical signals. At the receiver end, signals of two or more wavelengths enter the photodetector for conversion into electrical signals, which are decrypted by the FPGA and then forwarded by the PPC for output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Semiconductors Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Ninghua Zhu, Wei Chen, Jianguo Liu
  • Patent number: 8666075
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for improving communications between players and coaches during a sporting event, more specifically allowing coaches to dynamically transmit secure real-time communications of an intended game plays in text, visual, sketch and/or verbal format to their players or other coaches on/off the field to be effected on the field during a game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: F3M3 Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Isaac Sayo Daniel, Michael Stibilla
  • Patent number: 8666076
    Abstract: A method of elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) using the enhanced window-based mutual opposite form (EW-MOF) on scalar multiplication. First, an elliptic curve and a base point on the elliptic curve are selected. Next, essential pre-computed points for a selected window size are calculated. Then, a private key is randomly generated and the mutual opposite form (MOF) is used to convert the private key's binary representation into a signed binary representation. Finally, a public key is calculated by using the enhanced window (EW) method. By greatly reducing the number of essential pre-computed points, the EW-MOF reduces average key generation time (including pre-computation time).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Hung-Nan Ye, Kuo-Chen Wang, Rong-Hong Jan
  • Patent number: 8666077
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a traffic encryption key is generated based on a count value associated with a mobile. The count value is indicative of network accesses by a mobile, and the traffic encryption key is for encrypting communication traffic between the mobile and a base station. Generation of the traffic encryption key at a base station may be triggered by receipt of a message indicating that the mobile may handoff to the base station. In this embodiment, the message includes the count value. In another embodiment, the traffic encryption key is generated based on the count value and a key count. The mobile may trigger updating the traffic encryption key by changing the key count, and sending the new key count to the base station in a traffic encryption key update request message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Sarvar Patel, Semyon Mizikovsky
  • Patent number: 8666078
    Abstract: A method and a system for generating a key in a handover process, wherein the method comprises the following steps of: according to an evolved Node-B (eNB) (102) of a User Equipment (UE) (101), i.e. a source eNB, a mobility management entity (MME) (103) learning all adjacent eNBs of the source eNB (S130), and generating keys for the source eNB and each of the adjacent eNBs respectively (S140), encrypting the keys with a corresponding eNB public key respectively to obtain cipher texts (S150), and sending all cipher texts, keys and eNB identifiers to the UE (S160); in a handover process of the UE, a target eNB obtaining a cipher text corresponding to the target eNB from the UE and decrypting the cipher text with its own private key to obtain the key (S260).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaochun Bai, Xuwu Zhang
  • Patent number: 8666079
    Abstract: A method includes receiving data which has been encoded according to a first higher complexity protection scheme and compressed. The method also includes decompressing the data. The method also includes decoding the data according to the first higher complexity protection scheme using a first higher complexity key. The method also includes encoding at least the first portion of the data according to a second higher complexity protection scheme using a second higher complexity key. The method also includes encoding at least a second portion of the data according to a lower complexity protection scheme using a lower complexity key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Chad William Kendall, Narendra Sankar
  • Patent number: 8666080
    Abstract: Wearers of hearing apparatuses and in particular of hearing device systems having two speakers are to be able to enjoy the experience of spatial multi-channel reproduction. Provision is accordingly made to generate a dual-channel audio signal for a binaural hearing apparatus comprising a multi-channel audio signal having at least three individual channels. Accordingly at least one spatial impression-influencing signal level in at least one of the individual channels is changed, and a signal of at least one of the individual channels is connected with signals of the remaining individual channels to the dual-channel audio signal. A corresponding hearing apparatus and in particular a corresponding hearing device have a transformation system that takes over this preprocessing from the multi-channel audio signal to the dual-channel audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Instruments Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jens Hain, Robert Kasanmascheff
  • Patent number: 8666081
    Abstract: A method for processing a media signal, comprising: receiving, by an audio processing apparatus, an audio signal including a first channel signal and a second channel signal; estimating center sound by applying a band-pass filter to the first channel signal and the second channel signal; obtaining a first ambient sound by subtracting the center sound from the first channel signal; obtaining a second ambient sound by subtracting the center sound from the second channel signal; applying at least one of delay and reverberation filter to at least one of the first ambient sound and the second ambient sound to generate a processed ambient sound; and, generating pseudo surround signal using the center sound and the processed ambient sound is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyen-O Oh, Jong Ha Moon, Myung Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8666082
    Abstract: A method includes associating a spatially separate audio sensor and/or a vibration sensor with an audio processing system having one or more audio sensor(s) associated therewith. The spatially separate audio sensor is on a remote location distinct from that of the one or more audio sensor(s). The method also includes capturing information uniquely associated with an external environment of the audio processing system through the spatially separate audio sensor and/or the vibration sensor and the one or more audio sensor(s), and adapting an audio output of the audio processing system based on the captured information uniquely associated with the external environment thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: David L Dreifus, Roger A Fratti
  • Patent number: 8666083
    Abstract: A headset is able to be coupled via a cable to an intercom system, is able to be wirelessly coupled to a wireless device via a wireless transceiver of the headset, and is able to be connected to a wired device via another cable. A controller of the headset separately monitors the microphone conductors and audio conductors by which the headset may be coupled to the intercom system to detect whether or not one or both of a communications microphone and an acoustic driver of the headset are coupled to the intercom system, and monitors the operating state of the wireless transceiver to detect whether or not the wireless transceiver is inactive, on standby or in use; and selectively couples a system ground conductor to one of the microphone conductors, and selectively provides a local microphone bias voltage in response to what is observed through such monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Paul G. Yamkovoy, David D. Pape
  • Patent number: 8666084
    Abstract: The inventor has found that a considerable portion of hearing system users have a considerable lack of understanding the effect of adjusting adjustable audio processing parameters of the hearing system. Therefore, the method according to the invention comprises the steps of a) playing a first test sound to a user of a hearing system; r) receiving user input from said user in reaction to step a); s) interpreting said user input as a request for selecting and/or adjusting at least one audio processing parameter of a signal processing unit; h) calculating—based on said request obtained in step s), and in dependence of said first test sound played to said user—at least one value, which is related to said user's ability to make use of one or more adjustable audio processing parameters of said hearing system. This method can be used for improving said user's ability to make use of one or more adjustable audio processing parameters of said hearing system. A corresponding arrangement is disclosed, too.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventor: Michael Boretzki
  • Patent number: 8666085
    Abstract: An active noise reduction (ANR) component for provision in an earphone housing is disclosed. The device includes a driver and a sensing microphone, the driver and sensing microphone being housed in a component housing. The earphone housing has an outlet passageway from the ANR component to an auditory canal. The ANR component is adapted for use with a controller to provide active noise reduction to the auditory canal over a predetermined range of physical dimensions or acoustic parameters of the housing outlet passageway. The ANR component can thus be used with different housings which simplifies the design process for producing ANR earphone products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Phitek Systems Limited
    Inventors: Mark Donaldson, Andre Steyn, Pierre Victor Manuel Guiu, Damien Oliver Givernet, William James Sim
  • Patent number: 8666086
    Abstract: A system and mechanism for monitoring and/or controlling a sound masking system from a computer aided design drawing. According to an embodiment, the system is configured to allow an operator to “click” sound masking components on the design drawing and view operating/configuration settings, and/or edit, change or modify the operating/configuration settings, which are then applied via an interface to the associated physical sound masking component in the sound masking system. According to another embodiment, the system is configured to allow an operator to design or configure sound masking components on a design drawing. The sound masking components correspond to physical sound masking components in a sound masking system and comprise one or more active sound masking elements, which are configured to be responsive to an input and allow an operator to monitor, change and/or modify operating/configuration settings for physical sound masking component via the sound masking element in the design drawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: 777388 Ontario Limited
    Inventors: Niklas Moeller, Peter Babineau
  • Patent number: 8666087
    Abstract: An integrated audio/communication system for use in a motor vehicle includes a processing unit that selectively executes control routines/programs based upon the operational mode of the system. The system may operate in a audio playback mode, and in a telephony mode. In the audio playback mode the processing unit executes a control routine/program associated with audio playback. Whereas, in the telephony mode the processing unit executes a control routine/program associated with telephony. The operational mode of the system may be switched from audio playback to telephony, and visa versa. Selectively configuring the processing unit based upon the operational mode of the system, and allowing the system to easily transition between modes, provides a highly integrated audio/communication system for use in a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Pfaffinger
  • Patent number: 8666088
    Abstract: A tunable, sound enhancing air induction system for an internal combustion engine includes an air supply duct extending between an air cleaner and a throttle body, and an acoustic amplifier mounted to the air supply duct at an anti-node of a desirable engine induction sound. The acoustic amplifier furnishes the desired sound to the passenger compartment of the vehicle, either through a duct, or by a directional horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Roger Khami, Jose Arteaga, Shawn Carney, Steve Connolly, Hovie Jarrett Cassell
  • Patent number: 8666089
    Abstract: A vehicle has a lighting control module and a HD radio receiver. The lighting control module provides an indication of daytime operation of the vehicle and an indication of night-time operation of the vehicle. The HD radio receiver is configured for selecting between outputting digital format audio content of a radio signal and outputting analog format audio content of the HD radio signal dependent upon a HD signal sensitivity threshold. The HD radio receiver sets the HD signal sensitivity threshold to one of a plurality of different night-time HD signal sensitivity threshold values as a function of a signal strength characteristic of the HD radio signal when the lighting control module provides the indication of night-time operation thereto. The HD radio receiver sets the HD signal sensitivity threshold to a daytime HD signal sensitivity threshold value when the lighting control module provides the indication of daytime operation thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Charles Ray Elkins, Dave Richard Tengler, James W. Helmke
  • Patent number: 8666090
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method with independent adjustment of on and off-axis tonality and a system and method for modeling an idealized off-axis polar response of a directional microphone. The system can include two or more microphone capsules arranged in close proximity within a single housing and a filtering algorithm applied to the output of each microphone capsule that results in a signal that has a predominantly idealized on and off-axis user selectable polar pattern responses and user selectable microphone modeling which models the on-axis frequency response of a physical or virtual microphone. Optionally, the system and method can compensate for the on and off-axis polar response changes due to low-frequency proximity-effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Full Code Audio LLC
    Inventor: Chris Townsend
  • Patent number: 8666091
    Abstract: A method for reducing a disturbance in an input signal caused by an output signal in a multi-port connector, a multi-port connector circuit for reducing a disturbance in an input signal caused by an output signal, and a mobile device are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Kaj Ullén, Martin Eriksson
  • Patent number: 8666092
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for estimating the noise spectrum of an audio signal occupying a certain frequency range. The amplitude of the audio signal is measured at only a subset of the frequency range having a low expected signal to noise ratio at the time of measuring such that the measured amplitude is indicative of noise amplitude at that subset of the frequency range. A predefined noise spectral shape is then adapted by fitting to the noise amplitude so as to form the estimated noise spectrum. The noise spectrum so estimated is used to remove interference noise from the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited
    Inventor: Esfandiar Zavarehei
  • Patent number: 8666093
    Abstract: An audio input signal is processed to produce a processed audio output signal. An audio input signal is received as an original signal. The audio input signal is dynamically filtered to produce a first stage signal consisting of a selected frequency band of the input signal. Gain applied to the first stage signal is dynamically controlled in response to a control signal to produce a second stage signal. The control signal is derived from the first stage signal. Processing the original signal in combination with the second stage signal to produce a processed audio output signal. Processing the original signal in combination with the second stage signal and the first stage signal to produce a processed audio output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Red Lion 49 Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Sefton Jenkins, Mark Nicholas Stow
  • Patent number: 8666094
    Abstract: A push-pull-type electrostatic-type ultrasonic transducer includes a first electrode having through holes, a second electrode having through holes each of which is paired with the corresponding through hole of the first electrode, and an oscillation film sandwiched between a pair of the first and second electrodes and having a conductive layer to which direct current bias voltage is applied. When a wavelength obtained from a resonance frequency at a mechanical oscillation resonance point of the oscillation film is ?, a thickness t of the respective fixed electrodes is (?/4)·n or substantially (?/4)·n (where ?: wavelength of ultrasonic wave, n: positive odd number). AC signals as modulation waves produced by modulating carrier waves in an ultrasonic frequency band by signal waves in an audio frequency band are applied between a pair of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kinya Matsuzawa
  • Patent number: 8666095
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a condenser microphone assembly comprising a capacitive electro-acoustic transducer element comprising a diaphragm and a back-plate operatively connected to a DC bias voltage, a fast charge pump adapted to generate the DC bias voltage, and a controllable or programmable current source operatively connected to the DC bias voltage to draw a predetermined DC current there from. The controllable or programmable current source is responsive to a difference between a representative of a detected DC bias voltage and a DC reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Epcos Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Tomasz E. Hanzlik, Jens Kristian Poulsen
  • Patent number: 8666096
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device for using audio plug-ins in a mixer, provided with a mixer and a computer, whereby the mixer has a control panel and signal-processing electronics and the computer has an audio interface, and audio plug-ins can be installed on it, in which an audio plug-in host is installed on the computer for receiving plug-ins, that the mixer has a plug-in control system, that computer and mixer are connected to one another by means of audio tie lines and at least one control line, and that the entire control, including that of the audio plug-ins, can be carried out by the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Lawo AG
    Inventor: Jan Christopher Mussel
  • Patent number: 8666097
    Abstract: An electrostatic speaker is constituted of upper/lower electrodes, upper/lower cushion materials, and a diaphragm. Cutouts are formed in the upper/lower electrodes, upper/lower cushion materials, and diaphragm, wherein they are shifted in position such that a part of the diaphragm and a part of the lower electrode are exposed and seen through those cutouts to horizontally adjoin in the cutout of the upper electrode. The electrostatic speaker is driven via a clip having electrodes in response to audio signals, wherein drive voltages are applied to each of the upper/lower electrodes and the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromi Ichikawa, Yoshikatsu Matsubara
  • Patent number: 8666098
    Abstract: A single Airbed style earphone employing a standard three-conductor stereo headphone plug is adapted to enable the use of one earpiece to hear the combined left and right channels of stereo audio in a single ear. The single Airbed invention employs a three-conductor plug and is wired in such a way that it may be used equally well with both stereo and mono audio devices without the need for any kind of adapter, switch or sensing circuit. A pair of resistors matches the impedance load of a stereo headphone set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Scan Sound, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry Leeper