Automatic Tone Control Patents (Class 381/101)
  • Patent number: 11847379
    Abstract: An audio processing method and system configured to output at least one clinically-validated cue or combination of cues targeting at least one symptom or aspect of a CNS disease, disorder or condition to at least one user. In accordance with certain embodiments, the at least one clinically-validated cue or combination of cues comprises an audio cue. An audio processing method of the present disclosure comprises one or more steps or operations for selecting at least one audio file comprising a clinically-validated audio cue from a plurality of audio files comprising a plurality of clinically-validated audio cues, applying one or more audio rendering parameters to the at least one audio file, and outputting an acoustic output of one or more audio files to a user for a specified duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Blackbird Neuroscience Inc.
    Inventor: Rishab R. Shyam
  • Patent number: 11792572
    Abstract: An audio signal processing circuit includes a filter, a gain control circuit, and a bass boost circuit. The filter filters an audio signal and produces a filtered signal accordingly. The gain control circuit divides the filtered signal in the time domain into a first segment and a second segment that are substantially equal in length, measures a first amplitude of the first segment and a second amplitude of the second segment, and generates a gain based on the first amplitude which is greater than the second amplitude. The bass boost circuit adjusts the amplitudes of the first segment and the second segment according to the gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tien-Chiu Hung
  • Patent number: 11705973
    Abstract: A frequency combination corresponding to target data to be transmitted is determined. The frequency combination includes at least two different frequencies. Ultrasonic waves of frequencies in the frequency combination are sent within a predetermined duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Runyu Shi, Naichao Guo, Song Mei, Yuqing Hua, Lin Zhang, Wei Lu, Kai Wang
  • Patent number: 11223898
    Abstract: An audio system includes a variable voltage power supply and at least one remotely positioned speaker assembly. The speaker assembly includes a driver (e.g., a tweeter) and a switching amplifier. Moving the switching amplifier to a remote position within the speaker assembly provides numerous design advantages and allows for utilization of a smaller power supply. In addition, the audio system is configured to detect a type of the at least one speaker and to adjust an output voltage of the variable voltage power supply accordingly. This allows for reconfiguration and/or expansion of original systems. A related method of detecting a type of speaker electrically connected to an audio source is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: RADIO SOUND, INC.
    Inventors: Wayne Zinner, Ernest Theodore Sims, III, Matthew Kane Gant
  • Patent number: 11202147
    Abstract: An audio filter and corresponding method with through-zero linearly variable resonant frequency are described. An example method includes receiving an input signal; receiving one or more control input signals; and providing a resonant filter for electronic music for processing the input signal. The resonant filter can include an exponential times linear multiplication to produce the resonant frequency control responsive to control voltages exponentially for musical octave/semitone control, and linearly for timbre modulation, the waveform being invariant over corresponding exponential changes in pitch of both input signal and filter resonance. The linear modulation can include inverting the sign of a bandpass feedback based on the sign of the resonant frequency variable so as to maintain stability. In the example method, to prevent a glitch on the output when frequency changes sign, a separate highpass output signal may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Rossum Electro-Music, LLC
    Inventor: David Rossum
  • Patent number: 11171615
    Abstract: Example embodiments provide a process that includes one or more of receiving an audio signal at a feedback compressor circuit, multiplying the received audio signal with a power feedback signal to create a product audio signal, wherein the feedback signal comprises a low-pass filtered signal, applying a power amplifier to the product audio signal, and providing the amplified product audio signal as an output signal to a speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Blamp Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Aaron Faulstich
  • Patent number: 11019439
    Abstract: An adjusting system and an adjusting method for equalization processing are provided. Frequency band energies of sound receiving signals are obtained. The frequency band energies correspond to different frequency bands, respectively. Target gains corresponding to frequency bands are determined according to the frequency band energies. Frequency responses of filtering processing with respect to a plurality of center frequencies are obtained. Equalization gains corresponding to the frequency bands and having the least gain error are determined. The gain error is related to a difference between the amplitude obtained after the equalization gains are reflected on the frequency responses corresponding to the filtering processing and the target gains. The equalization gains are inputted into the filtering processing according to the corresponding frequency bands. Accordingly, the impact of the filtering processing can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Po-Jen Tu, Jia-Ren Chang, Kai-Meng Tzeng
  • Patent number: 10932074
    Abstract: A detachable smart speaker system and a control method thereof are disclosed. The detachable smart speaker system includes a core device and a pairing device. The core device includes a microphone array, a CPU, a wireless communication module, a core bridge element and a database. The microphone array, the core bridge element and the database are connected to the CPU. The database includes plural audio parameter sets. The pairing device includes a speaker, a microcontroller unit, a pairing bridge element, and an identification code. The speaker and the pairing bridge element are connected to the microcontroller unit, respectively. The pairing device is detachably connected to the core device through the pairing bridge element, and a corresponding audio parameter set is to be selected from the audio parameter sets of the database according to the identification code. The core device controls the pairing device according to the corresponding audio parameter set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chao-Kuei Hsu, Yueh-Hsiang Chen
  • Patent number: 10843080
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for automated program synthesis from a natural language for domain specific computing applications. In one embodiment, a natural language processor may be configured to parse words from a sentence of text formed in a natural language, such as English, following a grammatical structure for the natural language. The words may be compared to a dictionary to identify a token. The text formed in the natural language may be converted to an intermediate format of programming code in a programming language, such as C, where the intermediate format includes the token. The token may invoke a function or a routine of a library written in the programming language. The intermediate format may be compiled into executable program code to generate an application, such as a video game, for execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventor: Michael S. Hsiao
  • Patent number: 10789970
    Abstract: A receiving device includes: a receiver which receives a broadcast signal including an audio signal and obtains a baseband signal of a received signal; a demodulator which obtains the audio signal by demodulating the baseband signal; a middle frequency range detector which detects a signal level of a middle frequency component in a frequency range of the baseband signal; a high frequency range detector which detects a signal level of a high frequency component in the frequency range of the baseband signal; and a processing circuit which sets an effect amount of high-cut processing based on a level difference between the signal level of the middle frequency component and the signal level of the high frequency component. The receiving device further includes a high-cut filtering device which performs the high-cut processing on the audio signal in accordance with a set value of the effect amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Kato
  • Patent number: 10733970
    Abstract: A noise control method and device are provided that relate to the field of noise control. A noise control method includes: acquiring noise information of an ambient environment; generating a noise control message including the noise information, the noise control message being used to notify other devices to adjust a volume; and sending the noise control message to the other devices. Another noise control method includes: receiving, by a device, a noise control message from an external device; judging, according to the noise control message, whether the device is necessary to perform volume adjustment; and adjusting a volume according to a volume adjustment policy if the device is necessary to perform volume adjustment. The noise control method and device in the embodiments of the present application easily and quickly realize control over ambient noise, thereby improving user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Beijing Zhigu Rui Tuo Tech Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jia Liu
  • Patent number: 10672967
    Abstract: An energy harvesting system including an energy harvesting device configured to draw electrical energy from a welding process without direct electrical contact with a weld cable. The energy harvesting system also includes energy harvesting circuitry coupled to the energy harvesting device and configured to process the electrical energy for use by a welding-related device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Lee Denis, Kevin John Mlnarik
  • Patent number: 10636406
    Abstract: A room monitoring System is provided, comprising: a speaker; a microphone; and a digital signal processor (DSP) adapted to generate and transmit a first audio test signal to the speaker to be broadcast in the room, wherein the first audio test signal comprises a power spectral density that is inversely proportional to its frequency, and wherein the transmitted first audio test signal is reflected within the room, and wherein the DSP is further adapted to process the reflected broadcast first audio test signal received by the microphone, generate and save a frequency-amplitude analysis of the received first audio test signal as an initial reference curve, periodically test the room in a substantially similar manner to generate one or more additional reference curves, and compare the one or more additional reference curves to determine whether they are within a known, predetermined tolerance of the initial reference curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Fink
  • Patent number: 10631090
    Abstract: A method is provided for an audio output device connected to a network to perform compatibility check. The audio output device discovers another audio output device connected to the network and transmits a first message to the other audio output device for checking whether the other audio output device is compatible with the audio output device. In response to the first message, the audio output device receives a second message from the other audio output device indicating whether the other audio output device is compatible with the audio output device. The audio output device, based on the second message, determines whether the other audio output device is compatible with the audio output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: BOSE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Elliot, Ranjeet Thooyath Ravindran, Trevor Lai
  • Patent number: 10542345
    Abstract: A virtual bass generating circuit used in a speaker is used to filter out a high frequency part of an audio signal to generate a low passed audio signal, generates an even and odd audio signals respectively having even and odd harmonics of the low passed audio signal according to the low passed audio signal, subtracts an amplified low passed audio signal from an addition of an amplified even audio signal and an amplified odd audio signal to generate a first calculated audio signal, filters out a low frequency part and a high frequency part of the first calculated audio signal to generate a band passed audio signal, and adds the band passed audio signal and the audio signal to generate a second calculated audio signal with enhanced even and odd harmonics of the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Hsin-Yuan Chiu, Tsung-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 10514726
    Abstract: A mobile terminal that sends out sound via a multifunctional battery cover and a method thereof. The mobile terminal includes a processing module that identifies a battery cover including a piezoelectric ceramic speaker based on an ID signal output by the battery cover and outputs an audio signal to the piezoelectric ceramic speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: JRD Communication Inc.
    Inventors: Siqin Feng, Zhihua Wu, Xiulu Jin, Linfang Li, Wenfei Wu
  • Patent number: 10510334
    Abstract: A headphone apparatus and method of designing the apparatus, the apparatus having selectable EQ mode circuitry configured for listening to different types of audio signals. The EQ mode circuits comprise only passive circuit elements, and each is configured for listening to audio signals having a different characteristic sound profile. The EQ circuits can be switched in and out of the audio signal path to the headphone earpieces, using a switch selector. The selector is configured to operate the plurality of switches such that only a select one of them can be closed at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ONANOFF LIMITED
    Inventors: Petur Hannes Olafsson, Morgan Colmer
  • Patent number: 10462593
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for matrixed audio settings. In an audio system that comprises at least one audio output element operable to output audio signals, a first user input that comprises a selection of audio mode may be received, and based on the selected audio mode, one or more audio settings applicable during generating, processing, and/or outputting of the audio signals may be determined. At least one user control element may be configured to enable receiving of a second user input that comprises a selection between the determined one or more corresponding audio settings. The audio system (or at least the audio output element thereof) may be a headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: VOYETRA TURTLE BEACH, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Arthur Robertson, David Gallagher, Nicholas Richard Bourne
  • Patent number: 10448143
    Abstract: A wireless communications headset system for double hearing protection systems that eliminates the problems associated with typical wireless communications systems. The system employs a magnetic-field coupled wireless link from a loop transmitter to a magnetic field receiver. Current through the transmitter wire loops generates magnetic flux which passes through a communications earplug. The earplug has a receiver for converting the magnetic flux to electrical voltage, and this voltage is used to drive a speaker within the earplug. The transmitter can be easily installed into aviation headsets. The loop transmitter has an open center sized so that it fits around the pinna of the human ear enabling a close position to the communications earplug. This close position is advantageous if an efficient system is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Red Tail Hawk Corporation
    Inventor: John W. Parkins
  • Patent number: 10419142
    Abstract: An apparatus including a memory for associating at least one user defined channel identifier with at least one selection item of the apparatus and a control unit coupled to the memory, the control unit being configured to cause one of the at least one user defined channel identifier to play when a corresponding one of the at least one selection item is activated by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Conversant Wireless Licensing S.a r.l.
    Inventor: Juha Arrasvuori
  • Patent number: 10194260
    Abstract: A sound volume control device is loaded on a vehicle and connected to a pair of speakers arranged left and right sides of two listening positions in a vehicle interior. Based on vehicle information, a first frequency characteristic and a second frequency characteristic, which are respective frequency characteristics at the two listening positions, of sound outputted from at least one of the pair of speakers are derived. Based on such characteristics, a sound signal supplied to at least one of the pair of speakers is controlled. When there is a common peak of the sound common to the first and second frequency characteristic, the sound signal is controlled in at least one of peak frequency bands which are the peak frequency bands corresponding to the common peak. Thereby, the sound signal is controlled such that the peaks appearing on the respective frequency characteristics at two listening positions are corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiro Iseki
  • Patent number: 10186265
    Abstract: A system and method for temporarily disabling keyword detection to avoid detection of machine-generated keywords. Audio data received for output by audio speakers is first captured by an effect component, such as an audio equalizer. The effect component may perform various operations including altering the audio data, copying the audio data and delaying the time in which the output audio is sent to the audio speakers. The effect component may generate a copy of the audio data and transmit or route the copy of the audio data to a secondary keyword detector via an audio channel, resulting in a further delay. The secondary detector may determine that the copy of the processed audio data includes a keyword that is likely to be output during a first time interval. The secondary detector may then transmit a signal to a primary keyword detector to disable keyword detection during the first time interval of the output audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Wayne Lockhart, Matthew Joseph Cole, Xulei Liu
  • Patent number: 10149053
    Abstract: To resolve volume shortage of middle and high band of speaker reproduction sound. A DSP 4 performs LPF processing to extract low frequency component of an audio signal to which the first volume processing is performed, DRC processing to compress the audio signal to which the LPF processing is performed in case that the audio signal to which the LPF processing is performed is not less than a predetermined signal level, HPF processing to extract high frequency component of the audio signal to which the first volume processing is performed, second volume processing to attenuate the audio signal to which the HPF processing is performed based on the volume value that is received, and synthesis processing to synthesize the audio signal to which the DRC processing is performed and the audio signal to which the second volume processing is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Onkyo Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Kurosaki, Tsuyoshi Kawaguchi, Yoshinori Nakanishi, Hiroyuki Asahara, Norimasa Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 10128806
    Abstract: A method for controlling an audio amplifier unit having an audio input, an amplifier, a volume regulation unit and an audio output. An audio signal is received via the audio input and is amplified by the amplifier, and an adjustment procedure modifies an operating curve of the volume regulation unit for the received audio signal. From a modified setting of the volume regulation unit, a modified amplification value is calculated according to a first volume operating curve. The amplifier's amplification is modified to match the modified amplification value, and a second volume operating curve is determined and assigned to the calculation of modified amplification values of the amplifier. The modified amplification value is substantially at the center of the second volume operating curve. Further, the volume regulation unit is adjusted mechanically or electrically to a predefined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander Grimm, Axel Grell
  • Patent number: 10097912
    Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for determining a usage configuration of a wearable device and setting an activation state of an air conduction speaker of the wearable device based at least in part on the usage configuration. Additionally, an activation state of a tissue conduction speaker of the wearable device may be set based at least in part on the usage configuration. In one example, the usage configuration is determined based on a set of status signals that indicate one or more of a physical position, a physical activity, a current activation state, an interpersonal proximity state or a manual user request associated with one or more of the air conduction speaker or the tissue conduction speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Glen J. Anderson, Ryan S. Brotman, Giuseppe Raffa, John C. Weast, Daniel S. Lake, Deepak S. Vembar, Lenitra M. Durham, Brad Jackson
  • Patent number: 10009699
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing sealing properties of microphone and/or loudspeaker seals in an electronic device. Sealing properties of the microphone and/or loudspeaker seals are diagnosed by comparing a representation of a total impulse response signal associated with certain stimuli with a representation of a predetermined reference total impulse response signal associated with the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Claes Hovmalm, Georges Siotis, Henrik Antonsson
  • Patent number: 9942678
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to voice interaction in an environment with a media playback system that is playing back audio content. In an example implementation, while playing back first audio in a given environment at a given loudness: a playback device (a) detects that an event is anticipated in the given environment, the event involving playback of second audio and (b) determines a loudness of background noise in the given environment, the background noise comprising ambient noise in the given environment. The playback device ducks the first audio in proportion to a difference between the given loudness of the first audio and the determined loudness of the background noise and plays back the ducked first audio concurrently with the second audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Hartung, Romi Kadri
  • Patent number: 9894440
    Abstract: A system for tuning an audio reproduction device is disclosed. The system includes an audio signal generator for generating an audio signal to be played back in an audio reproduction device and sending the audio signal to the audio reproduction device; a microphone signal module for receiving a microphone signal from a microphone, the microphone signal recording a sound wave reproduced by the audio reproduction device when the audio signal is played back in the audio reproduction device; a comparison module for determining whether the microphone signal matches target sound signature data; and a filter module for applying a digital filter to emulate a target sound signature responsive to determining that the microphone signal does not match the target sound signature data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Skullcandy, Inc.
    Inventor: Tetsuro Oishi
  • Patent number: 9874955
    Abstract: In the use of a touch panel which vibrates in synchronization with a touch operation, discomfort caused by a panel vibration sound is reduced while an operational feeling of a touch operation on the touch panel being maintained. A vibration control device that is used for a touch panel which vibrates in synchronization with a touch operation, includes a sound data acquirer that acquires sound data of a surrounding sound of the touch panel; a predominant frequency acquirer that extracts a predominant frequency of the surrounding sound from the acquired sound data; a consonant sound determiner that determines a consonant sound frequency based on the extracted predominant frequency, the consonant sound frequency being a frequency of a sound which is in consonant with a sound having the extracted predominant frequency; and a vibrational frequency setter that sets a vibrational frequency of the touch panel to the determined consonant sound frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Masashi Sugiyama, Takayuki Nishikawa, Yoichi Nishida, Ryo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 9823761
    Abstract: In the use of a touch panel which vibrates in synchronization with a touch operation, discomfort caused by a panel vibration sound is reduced while an operational feeling of a touch operation on the touch panel being maintained. A vibration control device used for an electronic apparatus which includes a touch panel that vibrates in synchronization with a touch operation and a vibrating source that is different from the touch panel, includes a predominant frequency acquirer that acquires a main component of a vibrational frequency of the vibrating source as a predominant frequency of vibrations of the vibrating source; a consonant sound determiner that determines a consonant sound frequency based on the acquired predominant frequency, the consonant sound frequency being a frequency of a sound which is in consonant with a sound having the acquired predominant frequency; and a vibrational frequency setter that sets a vibrational frequency of the touch panel to the determined consonant sound frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Masashi Sugiyama, Takayuki Nishikawa, Yoichi Nishida, Ryo Yokoyama, Toyoharu Kuroda
  • Patent number: 9820044
    Abstract: A system can be provided for increasing loudness of an audio signal to present a perceived loudness to a listener that is greater than a loudness provided natively by a loudspeaker. The system can include one or more of the following: a frequency suppressor, a loudness adjuster, an equalizer, and a distortion control module. The frequency suppressor can increase headroom in the audio signal by filtering out low and/or high frequencies. The loudness adjuster can calculate a loudness of the audio signal and apply a gain to the audio signal to increase the loudness. The equalizer can further increase headroom by attenuating portions of a passband of the loudspeaker's frequency response. The distortion control module can induce partial harmonic distortion in the audio signal to further increase loudness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: DTS LLC
    Inventors: Sarah Yang, Richard J. Oliver, Robert C. Maling, III
  • Patent number: 9811310
    Abstract: An audio apparatus includes a controller configured to set one of operation units as a master and another as a slave, and to cooperatively operate the slave operation unit while maintaining the level difference with the master operation unit. When an operation value of one of the operation units reaches the maximum or the minimum, the controller stores a level difference at that point in a memory, temporarily cancels the cooperative operation between the operation unit and the master operation unit, and allows for operation of the master operation unit and an operation unit that has not reached the maximum or the minimum. When the master operation unit is operated in a reverse direction and the level difference between the master operation unit and the operation unit matches the level difference stored in the memory, the controller restores the cooperative operation between the operation unit and the master operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: TEAC Corporation
    Inventor: Hirotoshi Shimada
  • Patent number: 9799210
    Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a device to generate a target sound that is audible to a user of the device, the method comprising measuring background noise in an environment in which the device is located; using a perceptual loudness model to predict an audibility of the target sound to the user of the device based on the measured background noise; using the output of the perceptual loudness model to determine a gain value that is to be applied to a source signal used to generate the target sound in order to provide at least a desired level of audibility of the target sound to the user; applying the determined gain value to the source signal to produce a modified source signal; and generating the target sound using the modified source signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Armin Gerhard Kohlrausch, Mun Hum Park, Sam Martin Jelfs, Thomas Falck
  • Patent number: 9729969
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancing the real and/or perceived bass band of an audio signal is disclosed. A computationally simple yet effective bass band enhancement system for use in consumer electronics applications is disclosed. An audio processing system including bass enhancement functionality for use in a mobile audio system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Pär Gunnars Risberg
  • Patent number: 9491549
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an audio having intended sound quality to a user even when a headphone that is different from a headphone used for generating equalizer information is used. A correcting section corrects equalizer curve stored in an equalizer curve storage section based on a correction curve that is a gain difference of a frequency characteristic between a first headphone and a second headphone when the second headphone the frequency characteristic of which is different from that of the first headphone is used so as to output the corrected equalizer curve to a reproducing section. The reproducing section executes an equalizing process based on the equalizer curve output from the correcting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Onkyo Corporation
    Inventors: Kodai Mori, Nobuya Tachimori
  • Patent number: 9401686
    Abstract: A volume control assembly includes a housing that may be positioned proximate an external electronic device. A processor is coupled to the housing. A loud actuator is coupled to the housing and the processor. The loud actuator determines a maximum volume of an audio signal. A quiet actuator is coupled to the housing and the processor. The quiet actuator determines a minimum volume of the audio signal. An amplifier is coupled to the housing and the processor. The amplifier amplifies the audio signal above the minimum volume and below the maximum volume. An input is coupled to the housing, the processor and the external electronic device. The input receives the audio signal from the external electronic device. An output is coupled to the housing, the processor and the external electronic device. The audio signal is directed to the external electronic device between the minimum and maximum volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventor: Paul Bell
  • Patent number: 9380400
    Abstract: A system with speakers in a listening environment is optimized acquiring data to determine characteristics of the acoustic field generated by the speakers. Test signals are supplied to the speakers and sound measurements made at a plurality of microphone positions in the listening environment. A set of parameters is generating reflecting a weighted frequency response curve, the set of parameters being calculated from the frequency response data weighted in proportion to a distance between a listening spot within the listening environment and the microphone position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Sonarworks SIA
    Inventor: Kaspars Sprogis
  • Patent number: 9307322
    Abstract: Frequency response correction systems and methods for consumer electronic (CE) devices are disclosed. Applying one or more of disclosed techniques can improve a consumer's listening experience. The frequency response of a CE device can be corrected to remove or attenuate salient, undesirable features of with minimal user interaction. Audio quality can be tuned for optimal or near optimal performance even at maximum or near maximum volume levels substantially without fluctuations, clipping, or any other distortions. In some embodiments, audio response of the CE device can be captured, smoothed, and corrected. Correction parameters can be stored on the CE device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: DTS LLC
    Inventors: Doug Morton, James Tracey, Alexandra Schoepel
  • Patent number: 9257952
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described to create a desired voice activity detection signal. A main acoustic signal and a plurality of reference acoustic signals are compressed. The compressed main acoustic signal is normalized by the plurality of compressed reference acoustic signals to create a plurality of normalized compressed main acoustic signals. The plurality of normalized compressed main acoustic signals is processed with a plurality of single channel normalized voice threshold comparators to form a plurality of normalized desired voice activity detection signals. One of the plurality of normalized desired voice activity detection signals is selected from the plurality of normalized desired voice activity detection signals to output as the desired voice activity detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: KOPIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dashen Fan
  • Patent number: 9214147
    Abstract: A distorter is provided that allows a musician/sound engineer to affect the operation of a distortion circuit using a second musical instrument or a sound modifier, enabling the musician/audio engineer to vary the behavior of the distorter in real time. The invention enables a musician and/or sound engineer to achieve sounds and effects that are impossible to create using conventional distorters. The invention enables a user to provide a primary audio signal representing a musical instrument that is to undergo audio signal distortion; and to provide a secondary audio signal representing a sound modifier or a second musical instrument that is used to modify psycho-acoustic and/or musical effects of the audio signal distortion. An output signal is produced having substantially non-clipped parts for conveying the sound of the musical instrument, and having clipped parts for conveying psycho-acoustic and/or musical effects responsive to the second musical instrument or the sound modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: William R. Price
  • Patent number: 8995683
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for adapting a ringtone in accordance with ambient noise. In one embodiment a method includes processing an ambient noise signal to determine an ambient noise volume. When there is an incoming communication and it is determined that the ambient noise has a low ambient noise volume, a method can include generating a ringtone having a ringtone volume that is initially a low volume and increasing the ringtone volume over a predetermined period of time. A method can include applying a filter to the ringtone signal to increase a signal-to-noise ratio, the filter configured to increase an amplitude of a frequency that is not one of the predominant frequencies of the ambient noise and that the transducer is configured to output according to the transducer frequency response. In another embodiment, a second transducer may generate a ringtone output in addition to the first transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Christopher A. Evans, Ukrit Visitkitjakarn, Joel Anthony Clark
  • Patent number: 8995689
    Abstract: Electronic devices and accessories such as headsets for electronic devices are provided. A microphone may be included in an accessory to capture sound for an associated electronic device. Buttons and other user interfaces may be included in the accessories. An accessory may have an audio plug that connects to a mating audio jack in an electronic device, thereby establishing a wired communications link between the accessory and the electronic device. The electronic device may include power supply circuitry for applying bias voltages to the accessory. The bias voltages may bias a microphone and may adjust settings in the accessory such as settings related to operating modes. User input information may be conveyed between the accessory and the electronic device using ultrasonic tone transmission. The electronic device may also gather input from the accessory using a voltage detector coupled to lines in the communications path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Sander, Jeffrey Terlizzi, Douglas M. Farrar, Timothy Johnson, Brian Sander, Brian J. Conner, Jesse L. Dorogusker
  • Patent number: 8989406
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed toward user profile based audio adjustment techniques. The techniques are used to render various audio and/or audio/video content having different audio output parameter values in accordance with a user profile that characterizes a user's desired value and/or range of one or more of the output parameter levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Network Entertainment International LLC
    Inventors: Ling Jun Wong, True Xiong
  • Publication number: 20150063595
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a surface; at least one contact transducer, wherein the at least one contact transducer is coupled to the surface and configured to move the surface to generate at least one acoustic signal, wherein the at least one acoustic signal is configured to be transmitted at least by the surface; at least one acoustic enhancer configured to enhance the acoustic output of the at least one contact transducer, wherein the at least one acoustic enhancer comprises at least one further transducer configured to generate at least one further acoustic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Pasi Tuomo Antero KEMPPINEN, Mikko Tapio JYRKINEN
  • Patent number: 8965181
    Abstract: A method of automatic announcer voice removal from a televised sporting event. A sound processing circuit divides an audio input signal of a televised sporting event into multiple audio segments. The audio input signal includes crowd noise and announcer commentary. If an audio segment does not exceed a pre-defined amplitude threshold, a voice removal utility adds the audio segment to a recent crowd noise library and stores the segment in an output buffer. If the amplitude of a segment exceeds the threshold, the utility adds the segment to a recent announcer voice library. The sound processing circuit generates an attenuated version of the segment and blends the attenuated version with one or more mixed segments from the recent crowd noise library. The voice removal utility stores the attenuated and blended segment in the output buffer and outputs one or more audio segments from the buffer in a chronological order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Nathan J. Harrington
  • Publication number: 20150036828
    Abstract: An audio enhancement technique comprises an audio source. Presets for the input audio sound are provided. The presetted ausio sound is tone adjusted to create a tone adjusted presetted audio. The tone adjusted presetted audio is expanded to create an expanded audio and the expanded audio is outputted for use by user. The presetted audio is subjected to a treatment by one or more modules to improve sound quality. The treatment comprises processing the audio source by the following modules: a low pass filter with dynamic offset; an envelope controlled bandpass filter; a high pass filter; and adding an amount of dynamic synthesized sub bass to the audio. The processed audio signals are combined in a summing mixer with the audio source to create an audio out signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Max Sound Corporation
    Inventor: Lloyd Trammell
  • Patent number: 8948417
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a characteristic correcting device includes: a correction filter configured to correct sound quality characteristics of a plurality of bands in a frequency range of an input signal based on a frequency characteristic which is set in advance to generate an output signal; an input module configured to input a surrounding sound signal of sound around an output device outputting the output signal; and an adjusting module configured to reduce the number of the bands of which the sound quality characteristics are to be corrected of the bands in the frequency range of the input signal in accordance with an increase in amplitude of the surrounding sound signal which is input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yusaku Kikugawa, Takashi Sudo, Masataka Osada, Takehiko Isaka
  • Patent number: 8942385
    Abstract: A headphone comprises a plurality of actuatable equalization selectors. Each of the selectors corresponds to an equalization setting that includes a preset distribution of relative amplitudes of sounds in predetermined frequency ranges. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of actuatable equalization selectors is a button-type switch. A knob-type switch or a voice recognition mechanism could also actuate an equalization setting. In a preferred embodiment, an equalizer identification indicator produces a communication perceivable to a headphone wearer and which corresponds to an equalization setting. The communication can be audible, preferably a human voice, or tactile, preferably vibration patterns corresponding to equalization settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Global Drumz, Inc.
    Inventor: Quincy Jones
  • Publication number: 20150010166
    Abstract: A method and process and system for enhancing and customizing movie theatre sound includes receiving an input audio sound and enhancing the received sound. The enhanced audio sound is subsequently tone adjusted to create a tone adjusted enhanced sound, which is then outputted. The enhancement includes the parallel processing the input audio via a low pass filter with dynamic offset, an envelope controlled bandpass filter, a high pass filter, adding an amount of dynamic synthesized sub bass to the audio and combining the four treated audio signals in a summing mixer with the original audio. The tone adjustment includes a first section for adjusting a low frequency tone, a second section for adjusting a mid frequency tone, a third section for adjusting a high frequency tone and mixing the audio outputs processed by the first, second and third sections to produce a tone adjusted enhanced audio sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: Max Sound Corporation
    Inventor: Lloyd Trammell
  • Patent number: 8903097
    Abstract: An information processing device includes: an output device configured to perform notification to a user by outputting ringing sound; a sound pickup device configured to pick up surrounding sound as ambient sound; an adaptive filtering process device configured to perform an adaptive filtering process using the picked-up ambient sound and the ringing sound output from the output device, to thereby extract, from the ambient sound, estimated environmental sound from which the ringing sound picked up by the sound pickup device has been removed; and a control device configured to control, on the basis of the feature quantity of a predetermined feature extracted from the estimated environmental sound, the adjustment of at least one of the sound volume and the sound quality of the ringing sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Chisato Kemmochi