Patents Issued in August 1, 2017
  • Patent number: 9721541
    Abstract: A portable communication device equipped with a screen and a random access memory. The device receives a data stream through a radio link for automatically displaying information from the data stream on a display screen, without any user's request, a part of this information being stored in random access memory during a period of time that is longer than the duration of display and displays information from the data stream on the display screen, upon user's request, this information being stored in random access memory during the duration of display only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventors: Joris Roussel, Cedric Hutchings
  • Patent number: 9721542
    Abstract: A guitar conversion system for the assembly of a guitar in an easy quick manner, from conventional guitar designs to hybrid guitars. The guitar conversion system includes at least one main body portion and at least one side body portion. Preferably a pair of side body portions is provided. The main body portion includes a headstock, machine heads (or pegheads, or tuners), a neck, and pickups in communication with electronic controls located on the side body portion. The main body portion includes left and right edge walls having attachment means for releasably attaching at least one other main body portion or at least one side body portion to the main body. The side body portion includes at least one electrical control integrated therein for electronic communication with the main body portion. The side body portion comprising a top side wall and at least one side attachment portion that is adapted to mate with the attachment means of the main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Eric Sperr
  • Patent number: 9721543
    Abstract: A 3-point neck attachment system is disclosed where the neck of a guitar is mounted on a guitar body with the neck and body making contact at three points, each contact point consisting of a screw-adjustable member and a contact surface. Two screw-adjustment members are located in the neck pocket of the guitar body and allow fine adjustment of neck yaw angle and overall scale length. A third screw-adjustable member is mounted vertically in the heel of the neck and allows fine adjustment of the neck angle. The geometry of the contact surfaces can be configured to allow the neck to be easily and securely mounted to the guitar body without fasteners, employing only the strings' tension. When combined with a quick string de-tensioning mechanism, the fastener-free neck joint allows the guitar to be quickly disassembled, either for transport or rapid substitution of interchangeable guitar components, and then to be easily and rapidly re-assembled to pitch and precisely adjusted for optimum playing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Timothy P. White
  • Patent number: 9721544
    Abstract: A music string for a fretted instrument with extended life of initial tonal characteristics has a central core wire having a wrapped wire wound around it. The wrapped wire is coated with a metal or metal alloy. The metal coating may be nickel or tin or alloys of nickel or tin. The coating may be applied on the wrapped wire by a process of electroplating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: D'Addario & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James D'Addario
  • Patent number: 9721545
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for carrying a wind instrument. The device comprises a Y-shaped frame having two arms (2, 2?) extending upward, which are arcuate at the free ends (9) of the arms, and a third arm extending downward, which forms a support (4). The two arms (2, 2?) and the support (4) converge in a connecting element (3) and are connected to each other there. The arms (2, 2?) can be designed as one piece together with the support (4) and the connecting element (3) in order to form a unit, or the arms (2, 2?) can be connected to the connecting element (3) in an insertable or pivotable manner. A retaining element (5) for hanging the wind instrument (17) is provided on the connecting element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Silvin M. Jancic
  • Patent number: 9721546
    Abstract: A musical wind instrument, comprising a mouthpiece, key mechanism, body, and an alternative material bridge that is couple a first and second opposite facing tube. There is in an alternative embodiment at least one coupling mechanism affixed to at least one of the opposite facing tubes designed to releasably hold the wood based material bridge against the first and second tubes. Alternatively there is a musical wind instrument made of a predominantly first material, comprising a mouthpiece, key mechanism, and body; at least a first and second tube having a portion thereof being spatially opposite to each other respectively, and a bridge, having a first and second end that are coupled to the first and second tube respectively, wherein the bridge is made of an alternative material that is different from the predominantly first material of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventors: Sheryl Laukat, Tevis Laukat, Ryan Laukat, Ryan Lillywhite, Randal Clark, Howard Summers
  • Patent number: 9721547
    Abstract: A pedal device for an electronic percussion instrument is provided, wherein first and second detection means for detecting a rotation of a pedal by different methods are alternatively disposed in a base. The pedal has a pressing part on a lower surface side. The base includes a first portion located under the pressing part for supporting the first detection means, and a second portion located around the first portion for supporting the second detection means. The first portion supports the first detection means such that a first pressed part of the first detection means is disposed on a displacement trajectory of the pressing part that displaces with the rotation of the pedal, and the second portion disposes the second detection means such that a second pressed part of the second detection means is disposed on the displacement trajectory of the pressing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ROLAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Mori
  • Patent number: 9721548
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bass drum beater apparatus. Specifically, the bass drum beater apparatus comprises a beater head interconnected with a spring element that is, in turn, interconnected to a base element that is connected to a beater rod. A bass drum pedal system is further provided. Methods of making and using the same are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Aaron Krause
  • Patent number: 9721549
    Abstract: Drum stands and drum stand baskets, including those for use with a snare drum, are described. Drum stands and drum stand baskets according to the present disclosure can include an adjustment feature which enables the basket to fit differently sized drums. Additionally, drum stands and drum stand baskets according to the present disclosure can include elements which result in less interference with the sound of a snare drum compared to a snare drum in a prior art drum stand. Finally, embodiments of the present disclosure can be compacted for easy storage or transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: DRUM WORKSHOP, INC.
    Inventors: Richard A Sikra, Ruben Steinhauser
  • Patent number: 9721550
    Abstract: An instrument support adapted for placement between a musical instrument and a musician's body includes a flexible pad joined to a flexible flap. The instrument support has a roughly textured side for resting against a musician's clothing without slipping and a smoothly textured side for contacting the instrument. A transverse ridge extending from an approximately flat upper surface of the pad establishes an accurately repeatable position reference for playing the instrument and prevents the instrument from slipping from the pad. The smoothly textured top of the pad establishes close contact with a smooth surface on the instrument and may establish stiction or suction between the pad and the instrument. An end of the flap may optionally be tucked around a belt worn by a musician to hold the pad in a preferred position against the musician's chosen leg. Some embodiments include a belt clip attached the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel Manrique
  • Patent number: 9721551
    Abstract: Automated music composition and generation machine, systems and methods, and architectures that allow anyone, without possessing any knowledge of music theory or practice, or expertise in music or other creative endeavors, to instantly create unique and professional-quality music, synchronized to any kind of media content, including, but not limited to, video, photography, slideshows, and any pre-existing audio format, as well as any object, entity, and/or event, wherein the system user only requires knowledge of ones own emotions and/or artistic concepts which are to be expressed in a piece of music that will ultimately composed by the automated composition and generation system of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: AMPER MUSIC, INC.
    Inventor: Andrew H. Silverstein
  • Patent number: 9721552
    Abstract: A floor effect unit for actuating a musical effect device is provided. The floor effect unit includes a base plate having at least one electrode configured to collect electric charges; a conductive plate having at least one pressable portion configured to collect electric charges having a polarity opposite to the polarity of charges collected on the electrode, pressable portion being configured such that pressing thereon reduces the distance between the at least one pressable portion and the at least one electrode changing thereby the capacitance therebetween; and a spacer disposed between the base plate and the conductive plate and being configured to provide dielectric gap therebetween, a printed circuit board coupled to the at least one electrode and the conductive plate and being configured to generate an output signal for operating the musical effect device in response to a change in the capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: O.M.B. Guitars Ltd.
    Inventor: Shimon Mizrahi
  • Patent number: 9721553
    Abstract: Percussion devices are described employing sensor arrays based on piezoresistive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: BeBop Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. McMillen, Maxime Stinnett, Brent Allen, Gregory Wille
  • Patent number: 9721554
    Abstract: A whistle system that enables an official or other user to not only have the whistle in a secure position for quick and easy use while also enabling the user to be able to use both hands as well. In particular, the whistle system includes a fingergrip that allows the user to quickly move the the whistle in position for use in a natural motion, while allowing the fingergrip to then quickly separate from the whistle to allow both hands of the user to be utilized. Alternatively, the whistle allows individuals with restricted movement in one arm to still officiate. A user having restricted movement in one arm can simply wear the whistle on one hand, move it into position in the mouth to be blown, and then quickly separated from the whistle to allow the signal to be indicated with one hand. The whistle system includes a whistle with a fingergrip. The fingergrip is securely attached to the whistle by a securement system that also allows the fingergrip to be separated from the whistle with an application of force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Craig Coutlee
  • Patent number: 9721555
    Abstract: A material for audio equipment housing containing a polylactic acid resin composition containing a polylactic acid resin, a plasticizer, an organic crystal nucleating agent, and an inorganic material, wherein the content of the plasticizer is from 1 to 50 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the polylactic acid resin; and a vibration-damping material containing a polylactic acid resin composition containing a polylactic acid resin, a plasticizer, an organic crystal nucleating agent, and an inorganic material, wherein the content of the plasticizer is from 1 to 50 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the polylactic acid resin. The material of the present invention can be suitably used as materials for audio equipment of, for example, speakers, television, radio cassette players, headphones, audio components, or microphones, and manufactured articles, such as electric appliances, transportation vehicles, construction buildings, and industrial equipment, or parts or housing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: KAO CORPORATION, PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Takenaka, Tomoya Tsuboi, Masahiro Mori, Yoshiro Oda, Takashi Nagashima, Suguru Nakao
  • Patent number: 9721556
    Abstract: An adaptive noise canceling (ANC) circuit adaptively generates an anti-noise signal from a reference microphone signal that is injected into the speaker or other transducer output to cause cancellation of ambient audio sounds. An error microphone proximate the speaker provides an error signal. A secondary path estimating adaptive filter estimates the electro-acoustical path from the noise canceling circuit through the transducer so that source audio can be removed from the error signal. Tones in the source audio, such as remote ringtones, present in downlink audio during initiation of a telephone call, are detected by a tone detector using accumulated tone persistence and non-silence hangover counting, and adaptation of the secondary path estimating adaptive filter is halted to prevent adapting to the tones. Adaptation of the adaptive filters is then sequenced so any disruption of the secondary path adaptive filter response is removed before allowing the anti-noise generating filter to adapt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Dayong Zhou, Yang Lu, Jon D. Hendrix, Jeffrey Alderson, Antonio John Miller, Chin Yong, Gautham Devendra Kamath
  • Patent number: 9721557
    Abstract: Boomless-microphones are described for a wireless helmet communicator with siren signal detection and classification capabilities. An acoustic component receives an audio signal and comprises a left acoustic sensor and a right acoustic sensor. The left acoustic sensor is mountable or attachable to the surface of a left wall of a helmet and the right acoustic sensor is mountable or attachable to the surface of a right wall. A speaker component can generate an echoless audio signal via signal inversion of the audio signal, outputs to a left speaker mountable or attachable to a left ear area of the helmet and a right speaker mountable or attachable to a right ear area of the helmet. A signal enhancement component can increase an intensity of the first audio signal associated with an emergency siren based on a determined proximity of an emitting emergency vehicle or emergency object to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: BITWAVE PTE LTD.
    Inventors: Siew Kok Hui, Eng Sui Tan
  • Patent number: 9721558
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for generating customized text-to-speech voices for a particular application. The method comprises generating a custom text-to-speech voice by selecting a voice for generating a custom text-to-speech voice associated with a domain, collecting text data associated with the domain from a pre-existing text data source and using the collected text data, generating an in-domain inventory of synthesis speech units by selecting speech units appropriate to the domain via a search of a pre-existing inventory of synthesis speech units, or by recording the minimal inventory for a selected level of synthesis quality. The text-to-speech custom voice for the domain is generated utilizing the in-domain inventory of synthesis speech units. Active learning techniques may also be employed to identify problem phrases wherein only a few minutes of recorded data is necessary to deliver a high quality TTS custom voice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Bangalore, Junlan Feng, Mazin Gilbert, Juergen Schroeter, Ann K. Syrdal, David Schulz
  • Patent number: 9721559
    Abstract: A method of augmenting training data includes converting a feature sequence of a source speaker determined from a plurality of utterances within a transcript to a feature sequence of a target speaker under the same transcript, training a speaker-dependent acoustic model for the target speaker for corresponding speaker-specific acoustic characteristics, estimating a mapping function between the feature sequence of the source speaker and the speaker-dependent acoustic model of the target speaker, and mapping each utterance from each speaker in a training set using the mapping function to multiple selected target speakers in the training set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xiaodong Cui, Vaibhava Goel, Brian E. D. Kingsbury
  • Patent number: 9721560
    Abstract: A low power sound recognition sensor is configured to receive an analog signal that may contain a signature sound. Sound parameter information is extracted from the analog signal and compared to a sound parameter reference stored locally with the sound recognition sensor to detect when the signature sound is received in the analog signal. A trigger signal is generated when a signature sound is detected. A portion of the extracted sound parameter information is sent to a remote training location for adaptive training when a signature sound detection error occurs. An updated sound parameter reference from the remote training location is received in response to the adaptive training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Lin Sun, Wei Ma
  • Patent number: 9721561
    Abstract: In a speech recognition system, deep neural networks (DNNs) are employed in phoneme recognition. While DNNs typically provide better phoneme recognition performance than other techniques, such as Gaussian mixture models (GMM), adapting a DNN to a particular speaker is a real challenge. According to at least one example embodiment, speech data and corresponding speaker data are both applied as input to a DNN. In response, the DNN generates a prediction of a phoneme based on the input speech data and the corresponding speaker data. The speaker data may be generated from the corresponding speech data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Yun Tang, Venkatesh Nagesha, Xing Fan
  • Patent number: 9721562
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating representation of acoustic sequences. One of the methods includes: receiving an acoustic sequence, the acoustic sequence comprising a respective acoustic feature representation at each of a plurality of time steps; processing the acoustic feature representation at an initial time step using an acoustic modeling neural network; for each subsequent time step of the plurality of time steps: receiving an output generated by the acoustic modeling neural network for a preceding time step, generating a modified input from the output generated by the acoustic modeling neural network for the preceding time step and the acoustic representation for the time step, and processing the modified input using the acoustic modeling neural network to generate an output for the time step; and generating a phoneme representation for the utterance from the outputs for each of the time steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Hasim Sak, Andrew W. Senior
  • Patent number: 9721563
    Abstract: A speech recognition system uses, in one embodiment, an extended phonetic dictionary that is obtained by processing words in a user's set of databases, such as a user's contacts database, with a set of pronunciation guessers. The speech recognition system can use a conventional phonetic dictionary and the extended phonetic dictionary to recognize speech inputs that are user requests to use the contacts database, for example, to make a phone call, etc. The extended phonetic dictionary can be updated in response to changes in the contacts database, and the set of pronunciation guessers can include pronunciation guessers for a plurality of locales, each locale having its own pronunciation guesser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Devang K. Naik
  • Patent number: 9721564
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing ASR in the presence of heterographs are provided. Verbal input is received from the user that includes a plurality of utterances. A first of the plurality of utterances is matched to a first word. It is determined that a second utterance in the plurality of utterances matches a plurality of words that is in a same heterograph set. It is identified which one of the plurality of words is associated with a context of the first word. A function is performed based on the first word and the identified one of the plurality of words.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Akshat Agarwal, Rakesh Barve
  • Patent number: 9721565
    Abstract: In an interactive voice response system, a method is provided for selective enhancement of voice recognition capability during an interaction. The method includes the acts (a) taking a call and prompting for a voice response from the caller, (b) failing to recognize the response, (c) executing a routine to detect and isolate the captured word or phrase in the response, and (d) attempting to recognize the response a second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: GENESYS TELECOMMUNICATIONS LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventor: S. Michael Perlmutter
  • Patent number: 9721566
    Abstract: At a first electronic device with a display and a microphone: sampling audio input using the first microphone; in accordance with the sampling of audio input using the first microphone, sending stop instructions to a second electronic device with a second microphone, the second electronic device external to the first electronic device, wherein the second electronic device is configured to respond to audio input received using the second microphone, and wherein the stop instructions instruct the second electronic device to forgo responding to audio input received using the second microphone, wherein responding to audio input received using the second microphone comprises providing perceptible output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon J. Newendorp, Evan S. Dibiase
  • Patent number: 9721567
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media are described herein related to a user interface (UI) that can be implemented on a head-mountable device (HMD). The UI can include a voice-navigable UI. The voice-navigable UI can include a voice navigable menu that includes one or more menu items. The voice-navigable UI can also present a first visible menu that includes at least a portion of the voice navigable menu. In response to a first utterance comprising one of the one or more menu items, the voice-navigable UI can modify the first visible menu to display one or more commands associated with the first menu item. In response to a second utterance comprising a first command, the voice-navigable UI can invoke the first command. In some embodiments, the voice-navigable UI can display a second visible menu, where the first command can be displayed above other menu items in the second visible menu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. LeBeau, Clifford Ivar Nass
  • Patent number: 9721568
    Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for determining audio context between an audio source and an audio sink and selecting signal profiles based at least in part on that audio context. The signal profiles may include noise cancellation which is configured to facilitate operation within the audio context. Audio context may include user-to-user and user-to-device communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Polansky, Matthew P. Bell, Yuzo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9721569
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods are described including operations for memory access via direct memory access engines, of a Gaussian Mixture Model Accelerator, corresponding to individual data streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ohad Falik, Michael E Deisher, Ioannis Yannis Schoinas, Jenny Chang, Hai Ming Khor
  • Patent number: 9721570
    Abstract: A speech recognition platform configured to receive an audio signal that includes speech from a user and perform automatic speech recognition (ASR) on the audio signal to identify ASR results. The platform may identify: (i) a domain of a voice command within the speech based on the ASR results and based on context information associated with the speech or the user, and (ii) an intent of the voice command. In response to identifying the intent, the platform may perform multiple actions corresponding to this intent. The platform may select a target action to perform, and may engage in a back-and-forth dialog to obtain information for completing the target action. The action may include streaming audio to the device, setting a reminder for the user, purchasing an item on behalf of the user, making a reservation for the user or launching an application for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Bradley Beal, Sumedha Arvind Kshirsagar, Nishant Kumar, Ajay Gopalakrishnan, Kevin Robert Charter
  • Patent number: 9721571
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for enrolling in a database voice prints generated from audio streams may include receiving an audio stream of a communication session and creating a preliminary association between the audio stream and an identity of a customer that has engaged in the communication session based on identification information. The method may further include determining a confidence level of the preliminary association based on authentication information related to the customer and if the confidence level is higher than a threshold, sending a request to compare the audio stream to a database of voice prints of known fraudsters. If the audio stream does not match any known fraudsters, sending a request to generate from the audio stream a current voice print associated with the customer and enrolling the voice print in a customer voice print database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: NICE LTD.
    Inventors: Avraham Lousky, Jade Tarni Kahn, Tamar Sharir Beiser, Amnon Buzaglo, Oren Yaakov Lewkowicz, Moshe Max Samet
  • Patent number: 9721572
    Abstract: A method for controlling an operation of a target device using a plurality of input devices is disclosed. The method comprises: receiving from one of the plurality of the input devices a first operation instruction issued to the target device, with a first data format; recognizing the first operation instruction and the first data format; determining that the one of the plurality of the input devices is a first input device corresponding to the first data format; and providing to a user of the target device a recommendation for a second input device, a type of the second input device being different from a type of the first input device, when it is determined that a type of the first operation instruction is identical to a type of a second operation instruction received from the second input device earlier than the reception of the first operation instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Mayu Yokoya, Katsuyoshi Yamagami, Yasunori Ishii
  • Patent number: 9721573
    Abstract: Non-verbalized tokens, such as punctuation, are automatically predicted and inserted into a transcription of speech in which the tokens were not explicitly verbalized. Token prediction may be integrated with speech decoding, rather than performed as a post-process to speech decoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: MModal IP LLC
    Inventors: Juergen Fritsch, Anoop Deoras, Detlef Koll
  • Patent number: 9721574
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, disclosed is a method and an apparatus thereof for controlling a concealment method for a lost audio frame of a received audio signal. A method for a decoder of concealing a lost audio frame comprises detecting in a property of the previously received and reconstructed audio signal, or in a statistical property of observed frame losses, a condition for which the substitution of a lost frame provides relatively reduced quality. In case such a condition is detected, the concealment method is modified by selectively adjusting a phase or a spectrum magnitude of a substitution frame spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Stefan Bruhn, Jonas Svedberg
  • Patent number: 9721575
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods are described for providing backwards compatibility for legacy devices that are unable to natively render non-channel based audio objects. These systems and methods can also be beneficially used to produce a reduced set of audio objects for compatible object-based decoders with low computing resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: DTS LLC
    Inventors: Roger Wallace Dressler, Pierre-Anthony Stivell Lemieux, Alan D. Kraemer
  • Patent number: 9721576
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture for encoding a compressed media stream are disclosed. Example method of watermarking a digital media signal disclosed herein include copying compressed audio packets associated with an audio stream included in a transport stream of the digital media signal into respective frames of compressed audio data to be watermarked to include media identification information. Such example methods can also include determining whether a composition of the transport stream has changed during copying of the compressed audio packets into the respective frames of the compressed audio data. Such example methods can further include, if the composition of the transport stream has changed, writing the frames of the compressed audio data to an output stream corresponding to the digital media signal without applying a watermark to the frames of the compressed audio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Lois Price, Arun Ramaswamy, Scott Cooper
  • Patent number: 9721577
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for filtering and performing high frequency reconstruction of an audio signal. The apparatus includes an analysis filter bank, a phase shifter, a high frequency reconstructor, and a synthesis filter bank. The analysis filterbank receives real-valued time domain input audio samples and generates complex valued subband samples. The phase shifter shifts a phase of the complex-valued subband samples by an arbitrary amount. The high frequency reconstructor modifies at least some of the complex valued subband samples. A phase shifter unshifts a phase of the modified complex-valued subband samples by the arbitrary amount. The synthesis filter bank receives the modified complex valued subband samples and generates time domain output audio samples. The analysis filter bank comprises analysis filters that are complex exponential modulated versions of a prototype filter with an arbitrary phase shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby International AB
    Inventor: Per Ekstrand
  • Patent number: 9721578
    Abstract: On the basis of a bitstream (P), an n-channel audio signal (X) is reconstructed by deriving an m-channel core signal (Y) and multichannel coding parameters (a) from the bitstream, where 1?m<n. Also derived from the bitstream are pre-processing dynamic range control, DRC, parameters (DRC2) quantifying an encoder-side dynamic range limiting of the core signal. The n-channel audio signal is obtained by parametric synthesis in accordance with the multichannel coding parameters and while cancelling any encoder-side dynamic range limiting based on the pre-processing DRC parameters. In particular embodiments, the reconstruction further includes use of compensated post-processing DRC parameters quantifying a potential decoder-side dynamic range compression. Cancellation of an encoder-side range limitation and range compression are preferably performed by different decoder-side components. Cancellation and compression may be coordinated by a DRC pre-processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignees: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation, Dolby International AB
    Inventors: Jeffrey Riedmiller, Karl J. Roeden, Kristofer Kjoerling, Heiko Purnhagen, Vinay Melkote, Leif Sehlstrom
  • Patent number: 9721579
    Abstract: Despite many practical limitations imposed by mobile device platforms and application execution environments, vocal musical performances may be captured and continuously pitch-corrected for mixing and rendering with backing tracks in ways that create compelling user experiences. Based on the techniques described herein, even mere amateurs are encouraged to share with friends and family or to collaborate and contribute vocal performances as part of virtual “glee clubs.” In some implementations, these interactions are facilitated through social network- and/or eMail-mediated sharing of performances and invitations to join in a group performance. Using uploaded vocals captured at clients such as a mobile device, a content server (or service) can mediate such virtual glee clubs by manipulating and mixing the uploaded vocal performances of multiple contributing vocalists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Smule, Inc.
    Inventors: Perry R. Cook, Ari Lazier, Tom Lieber, Turner Evan Kirk
  • Patent number: 9721580
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for providing situation-dependent transient noise suppression for audio signals. Different strategies (e.g., levels of aggressiveness) of transient suppression and signal restoration are applied to audio signals associated with participants in a video/audio conference depending on whether or not each participant is speaking (e.g., whether a voiced segment or an unvoiced/non-speech segment of audio is present). If no participants are speaking or there is an unvoiced/non-speech sound present, a more aggressive strategy for transient suppression and signal restoration is utilized. On the other hand, where voiced audio is detected (e.g., a participant is speaking), the methods and systems apply a softer, less aggressive suppression and restoration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Skoglund, Alejandro Luebs
  • Patent number: 9721581
    Abstract: A mobile communication device and a method of mitigating wind noise in a speech signal generated at a microphone of the mobile communication device. A primary microphone of the mobile communication device receives speech and wind noise and generates a first speech signal based on the speech and the wind noise that is received. A secondary microphone of the mobile communication device receives attenuated speech and generates a second speech signal based on the attenuated speech that is received. The secondary microphone is shielded from the wind noise when the primary microphone receives speech and the wind noise. A processor of the mobile communication device processes the first speech signal to replace a low frequency portion of the first speech signal with the second speech signal in order to mitigate the wind noise in the first speech signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: Brady Nicholas Laska, James David Gordy, Michael Tetelbaum
  • Patent number: 9721582
    Abstract: Existing post-filtering methods for microphone array speech enhancement have two common deficiencies. First, they assume that noise is either white or diffuse and cannot deal with point interferers. Second, they estimate the post-filter coefficients using only two microphones at a time, performing averaging over all the microphones pairs, yielding a suboptimal solution. The provided method describes a post-filtering solution that implements signal models which handle white noise, diffuse noise, and point interferers. The method also implements a globally optimized least-squares approach of microphones in a microphone array, providing a more optimal solution than existing conventional methods. Experimental results demonstrate the described method outperforming conventional methods in various acoustic scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Yiteng Huang, Alejandro Luebs, Jan Skoglund, Willem Bastiaan Kleijn
  • Patent number: 9721583
    Abstract: An integrated sensor-array processor and method includes sensor array time-domain input ports to receive sensor signals from time-domain sensors. A sensor transform engine (STE) creates sensor transform data from the sensor signals and applies sensor calibration adjustments. Transducer time-domain input ports receive time-domain transducer signals, and a transducer output transform engine (TTE) generates transducer output transform data from the transducer signals. A spatial filter engine (SFE) applies suppression coefficients to the sensor transform data, to suppress target signals received from noise locations and/or amplification locations. A blocking filter engine (BFE) applies subtraction coefficients to the sensor transform data, to subtract the target signals from the sensor transform data. A noise reduction filter engine (NRE) subtracts noise signals from the BFE output. An inverse transform engine (ITE) generates time-domain data from the NRE output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: AAWTEND INC.
    Inventor: Ronald C. Eddington, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9721584
    Abstract: Wind noise reduction is described for audio signals received in a device. In one embodiment, an audio signal is decomposed into a plurality of sub-bands, the audio signal including wind noise, a first sub-band of the plurality of sub-bands low-pass filtered, wind noise is removed from the first sub band and the first sub-band is combined with the other sub-bands after removing wind noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Intel IP Corporation
    Inventors: Navin Chatlani, Fabrice M. Plante, Gurhan Saplakoglu
  • Patent number: 9721585
    Abstract: A processing buffer unit stores an audio signal. A pitch calculation unit and a pitch cycle correction unit calculate a multiple of N as the number of samples in a pitch cycle of the audio signal, in which N is an integer equal to or more than 1. A processing control unit and a start-position movement amount correction unit sequentially determine, as a sample in a start position of a compression process in a time axis domain of the audio signal, a (multiple of N)-th sample from a start position immediately before the start position. An operation unit compresses samples in a predetermined number times the pitch cycle from the sample in the start position in a time axis domain, and sets the number of samples after the compression to be the multiple of N. The present technology, for example, may be applied to an audio signal processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Inoue, Akihiro Mukai
  • Patent number: 9721586
    Abstract: A voice controlled assistant has a housing to hold one or more microphones, one or more speakers, and various computing components. The housing has an elongated cylindrical body extending along a center axis between a base end and a top end. The microphone(s) are mounted in the top end and the speaker(s) are mounted proximal to the base end. A control knob is rotatably mounted to the top end of the housing to rotate about the center axis. A light indicator is arranged on the control knob to exhibit various appearance states to provide visual feedback with respect to the one or more functions being performed by the assistant. In one case, the light indicator is used to uniquely identify participants involved in a call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Christopher Bay, Ramy S. Sadek, Menashe Haskin, Jason Zimmer, Robert Ramsey Flenniken, Heinz-Dominik Langhammer
  • Patent number: 9721587
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to providing visual feedback in a speech recognition system. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method including displaying a graphical feedback indicator having a variable appearance dependent upon a state of the speech recognition system. The method further comprises receiving a speech input, modifying an appearance of the graphical feedback indicator in a first manner if the speech input is heard and understood by the system, and modifying the appearance of the graphical feedback indicator in a different manner than the first manner if the speech input is heard and not understood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Klein, Meg Niman
  • Patent number: 9721588
    Abstract: A storage system includes a magnetic storage medium, a magnetic write head, a channel circuit and a preamplifier. The channel circuit includes a write data input, a differentiated edge emphasis signal generator, a write data output and a differentiated edge emphasis signal output. The preamplifier includes a write data input configured to receive write data from the channel circuit write data output, an edge emphasis signal input configured to receive a differentiated edge emphasis signal from the channel circuit differentiated edge emphasis signal output, and a write current edge emphasis controller configured to generate a write current to the magnetic write head based at least in part on the write data and on the differentiated edge emphasis signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Peter J. Windler, Bruce A. Wilson, Ross S. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9721589
    Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein provide a method comprising emitting light at a plurality of locations across a surface of a recording head, detecting light output from a diffraction grating axis with a detector, and determining a target position for mounting a light source on the surface of the recording head by analyzing the detected light output corresponding to one or more of the plurality of locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Ralph Kevin Smith
  • Patent number: 9721590
    Abstract: A magnetic element can be constructed by forming a write pole with a tip portion that continuously extends from an air bearing surface (ABS) along a plane orthogonal to the ABS to a body portion that continuously extends from the tip portion distal the ABS. A first write gap layer can then be deposited in contact with the write pole before a processing layer is deposited in contact with the first write gap layer. A magnetic shield may then be formed atop the processing layer with the magnetic shield being separated from the write pole by a first gap distance on the ABS throughout the tip portion and by a second gap distance distal the ABS along the plane orthogonal to the ABS along the body portion. The first and second gap distances can be measured parallel to the ABS with the second gap distance being greater than the first gap distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Marcus B. Mooney, Angela B. Moore, Aji Baby, Neil P. McLarnon, Alison M. Bell