Including Amplitude Or Volume Control Patents (Class 381/104)
  • Patent number: 8817993
    Abstract: An audio device and a volume adjusting method are provided. The audio device includes a speed sensor, a first FIFO buffer unit, and a second FIFO buffer unit. The audio device generates audio signals by playing multimedia files and stores audio signals to the first FIFO buffer unit. The audio device collects ambient sound signals and stores collected sound signals to the second FIFO buffer unit. The audio device further analyzes stored audio signals and sound signals to determine a waveform of environmental noise signals, and determines a SPL of the environmental noise signals according to the determined waveform. The audio device then compares the determined SPL with a preset SPL and compares the sensed speed with a preset speed if the determined SPL is greater than the preset SPL, and adjusts the volume of audio signals according to a comparison result between the sensed speed and the preset speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Hao Hsu, Chi-Sheng Ge
  • Patent number: 8811629
    Abstract: A system may comprise an input circuit, one or more filter circuits, one or more common signal detection circuits, and a controller. The input circuit may receive combined-game-and-chat audio signals generated from a mixing together of a chat audio signal and game audio signals. The filter circuit(s) may filter a first of the combined-game-and-chat audio signals to generate a first vocal-band signal and a first non-vocal-band signal, and filter a second of the combined-game-and-chat audio signals resulting in a second vocal-band signal and a second-non-vocal band signal. The common signal detection circuit(s) may detect strength of a signal component that is common to the first vocal-band signal and the second vocal-band signal, and strength of a signal component that is common to the first non-vocal-band signal and the second non-vocal-band signal. The controller may automatically control a volume setting based on one or both of the detected strengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kulavik, Shobha Devi Kuruba Buchannagari
  • Patent number: 8804975
    Abstract: Devices and methods for digital sound leveling are disclosed. The subject devices and methods can be used to reduce the risk of noise induced hearing loss. According to an embodiment, an audio file can be parsed into frames that are filtered using an A-weighted digital filter and scaled to a desired power level. Accordingly, the dynamic range of an audio output at a particular volume level can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated
    Inventors: John G. Harris, Colleen Garbe Le Prell, Qing Yang
  • Patent number: 8804976
    Abstract: A content reproduction device including: a microphone that collects noise in the surroundings of a casing; a feature amount extractor that extracts a plurality of feature amounts; a distance calculator that calculates an intervector distance between the extracted feature amount vector and a feature amount vector with the same dimensions which is set in advance as a feature amount of a waveform of a music signal; a determinator that determines whether or not music is included in the sounds collected by the microphone; a processor that processes the signal of the sounds collected by the microphone to change the volume or frequency characteristics of the sounds collected by the microphone; and an adder that adds and outputs the signal of the sounds collected by the microphone and the signal of sounds of reproduced content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Emiru Tsunoo, Kyosuke Matsumoto, Akira Inoue
  • Patent number: 8787595
    Abstract: To perform volume control matching the actual auditory sensation level of a human so as to improve the control accuracy. As shown in FIG. 1, an audio gain adjustment device 10 includes: an audio signal input section 12 that acquires an audio signal to be adjusted; a long-term gain reflection section 14 that reflects the adjustment of long-term gain in the acquired audio signal; a frequency division section 20 that divides the audio signal from the long-term gain reflection section 14 into three frequency bands; a short-term gain reflection section 30 that reflects the adjustment of short-term gain in each frequency band; a synthesis section 40 that synthesizes audio signals output from the short-term gain reflection section 30; and an audio signal output section 42 that outputs the synthesized audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigefumi Urata
  • Patent number: 8787594
    Abstract: A volume level and crossfade controller with programmable fades and audio stream priority controls saturation for a multiple audio stream mixer. Start of fade and end of fade events trigger updates of relative volume level targets and volume ramps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen J. Fedigan, Daniel S. Jochalson, Jason D. Kridner, Jeffrey S. Hayes
  • Patent number: 8787593
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a target device including a first input device configured to provide a first input to the target device, a second input device configured to provide a second input to the target device, and a control mixer configured to generate an output using a policy, the first input and the second input, wherein the output comprises a feedback and a target device output, wherein the feedback comprises some function of the state of the target device, the policy, and the state of each input device connected to the control mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Smith, John C. Tang, Glenn C. Scott
  • Patent number: 8781138
    Abstract: A method for outputting a background sound and a mobile communication terminal using the same are provided. The method includes outputting of the background sound during voice communication, and controlling of the volume of the background sound output in correspondence to the volume of a communication voice are disclosed. The mobile communication terminal includes a background sound processing unit for controlling a volume of the background sound in correspondence to a volume level of the communication voice, and an audio processing unit for controlling the volume of the background sound under the control of the background sound processing unit and for outputting both the background sound and the communication voice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byoung Tack Roh
  • Patent number: 8779274
    Abstract: An electronic signal processor for processing signals includes a complex first filter, one or more gain stages and a second filter. The first filter is characterized by a frequency response curve that includes multiple corner frequencies, with some corner frequencies being user selectable. The first filter also has at least two user-preset gain levels which may be alternately selected by a switch. Lower frequency signals are processed by the first filter with at least 12 db/octave slope, and preferably with 18 db/octave slope to minimize intermodulation distortion products by subsequent amplification in the gain stages. A second filter provides further filtering and amplitude control. The signal processor is particularly suited for processing audio frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey Arnold
  • Patent number: 8774425
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling gain in a multi-audio channel system as well as a voice processing system are disclosed. The method includes: judging whether signals on any audio channels are similar or correlated; sorting audio channels of similar or correlated signals into one group if the similar or correlated signals exist on the audio channels, and using the same Automatic Gain Control (AGC) unit to process signals of this group of audio channels; and using different AGC units to process other non-similar or non-correlated signals on audio channels. The gain control apparatus includes: a judging unit, a grouping unit, a control processing unit, and at least two AGC units. Therefore, in a multi-audio channel communication, the perception of the sound locations of similar or correlated audio channels is not damaged, and the non-similar or non-correlated audio channels doe not interfere with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuian Yu, Cong Geng
  • Patent number: 8774426
    Abstract: In a signal processing apparatus, a high frequency level detecting unit detects a level of a high frequency component adjusted with a first adjusting unit, and a first control unit controls a first gain of the adjusting unit according to the level of the high frequency component thus detected. Further, a low frequency level detecting unit detects a level of a low frequency component adjusted with a second adjusting unit. A second control unit controls a second gain according to the level of the high frequency component and the level of the low frequency component thus adjusted, so that a difference between the level of the high frequency component adjusted with the first adjusting unit and the level of the low frequency component adjusted with the second adjusting unit becomes smaller than a specific level determined in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Lapis Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Inazumi, Naotaka Saito
  • Publication number: 20140177873
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a combination button and a gravity sensor. The gravity sensor detects gravity variation of the portable electronic device. When the combination button is pressed for a first predetermined time, the gravity sensor begins. When the combination button is pressed within a second predetermined time and the gravity sensor detects no gravity variation, the combination button's power switch function shuts down the portable electronic device. If the gravity sensor detects a gravity variation, the combination button's volume adjusting function can increase or decrease the volume of the portable electronic device according to the gravity variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicants: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED, SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIH-WEI CHANG, XIAO-SHAN LI
  • Patent number: 8761409
    Abstract: A system for compensating and driving a loudspeaker includes an open loop loudspeaker controller that receives and processes an audio input signal and provides an audio output signal. A dynamic model of the loudspeaker receives the audio output signal, and models the behavior of the loudspeaker and provides predictive loudspeaker behavior data indicative thereof. The open loop loudspeaker controller receives the predictive loudspeaker behavior data and the audio input signal, and provides the audio output signal as a function of the audio input signal and the predictive loudspeaker behavior data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Pfaffinger
  • Patent number: 8761414
    Abstract: A reproduction device includes an information reading unit that reads sensitivity information from a storage unit of a headphone device which has a speaker reproducing an electric signal of an audible signal as a sound and the storage unit storing the sensitivity information for the speaker, an adjustment unit that adjusts an output level of the electric signal supplied to the headphone device, and a control unit that reads the sensitivity information from the storage unit via the information reading unit, and controls the adjustment unit such that the electric signal lies in an allowable maximal output level based on the sensitivity information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kohei Asada, Tetsunori Itabashi, Yoshio Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8761408
    Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes: one or more detection means for detecting movement of a diaphragm of a speaker in correspondence with feedback methods that are different feedback methods; analog-to-digital conversion means for converting one or more detection signals acquired by the detection means into a digital form; feedback signal generating means for generating feedback signals corresponding to the feedback methods using the digital detection signals; synthesis means for combining an audio signal to be output as a driving signal of the speaker with the feedback signals; correction equalizer means for setting an equalizing characteristic to allow a sound reproduced by the speaker to have a target frequency characteristic by changing the digital audio signal; feedback operation setting means for setting feedback methods in which a feedback operation up to combining the audio signal with the feedback signal is performed and the feedback operation is not performed equalizing characteristic changing a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Michiaki Yoneda, Taro Nakagami
  • Publication number: 20140169586
    Abstract: An audio signal adapter device is provided. The audio signal adapter device comprises an input interface, an output interface, a boosting unit, a rectifying unit and a filtering unit. The input interface comprises an audio pin configured to receive an audio signal and to output the audio signal to the boosting unit. The boosting unit is configured to boost a voltage of the audio signal and to output a boosted audio signal to an input end of the rectifying unit. The rectifying unit is configured to rectify the boosted audio signal to obtain a rectified level and to output the rectified level to an input end of the filtering unit. The filtering unit is configured to filter the rectified level to obtain a direct current level and to output the direct current level to a power pin of the output interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Dongsheng Li
  • Patent number: 8755532
    Abstract: An audio circuit and associated method for enhanced intelligibility of audio content includes a first means for receiving reproduced audio content, a microphone for providing a microphone output signal in accordance with ambient noise, a second means for enabling the microphone output signal when the reproduced audio content is off, and disabling the microphone output signal when the reproduced audio content is on, and a signal processor, in communication with the first and second means. The signal processor applies a transfer function to the reproduced audio content for increasing gain to the reproduced audio content as a function of increasing amplitude of the microphone output signal, and decreasing gain to the reproduced audio content signal as a function of decreasing amplitude of the microphone output signal, and applies an equalization curve to the audio content to boost frequencies in a range that enhances consonant perception thus increasing speech intelligibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Bret Evan Lee, Ken Harris
  • Patent number: 8755538
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tuning sound (TS) feedback apparatus. The tuning sound (TS) feedback apparatus includes: a TS pick-up casing which is disposed and fixed inside or near the hearing organ of a sound engineer who manages tuning operations for sound output from a sound output terminal of a sound device having an equalizer; a sound/electric conversion element which is included in the TS pick-up casing, picks up the TS output from the sound output terminal of the sound device, and converts the picked-up TS into an electrical signal; and a TS output module which is included in the TS pick-up casing, converts the TS converted into the electrical signal by the sound/electric conversion element into wired or wireless communication data to be used for external communication, and transmits the data to the sound device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventor: Dae Hoon Kwon
  • Patent number: 8750544
    Abstract: Electronic earplugs, methods of enhancing and/or attenuating sound using electronic earplugs, and kits including electronic earplugs are provided. Certain electronic earplugs may include a circuit operatively connected to a microphone. The circuit may be configured to receive input electrical signals from the microphone and provide output electrical signals to a receiver. Further, the circuit may be configured to modify a sound output level from the electronic earplug based on a sound input level of ambient sound received at the microphone and a gain characteristic setting selected from a plurality of gain characteristic settings. The circuit may be configured such that it can be switched between the plurality of gain characteristic settings, wherein the switching to the selected gain characteristic setting produces an audible switch indication. Certain electronic earplugs also include a receiver configured to convert the output electrical signals into sound that is communicated to a user's ear canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Mead C. Killion, Norman P. Matzen
  • Patent number: 8744091
    Abstract: A communications device is configured to control the intelligibility of speech in a downlink voice signal during a call. The device determines a current noise level based on sampling ambient acoustic noise and based on a previously determined noise level. The device then determines an overall output gain and a frequency response based on the current noise level and based on a user-selected volume setting of the device. The device modifies the downlink voice signal during the call in accordance with the determined overall output gain and the determined frequency response. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shaohai Chen, Guy C. Nicholson, Bruce C. Po
  • Patent number: 8743743
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes receiving, from a first participant of a plurality of participants in an electronic-conference session, a mute request. The mute request comprises information indicating a request to mute communication from a second participant of the plurality of participants in the electronic-conference session, information identifying the first participant as a mute requester, and information identifying the second participant as a mutee. The method includes muting, in response to the mute request, communication from the second participant. The method includes sending, to one or more user devices, the information identifying the first participant as the mute requester and the information identifying the second participant as the mutee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lan Betty Ngoc Mai, Joshua Pacheco Rose, Alan Darryl Gatzke
  • Patent number: 8737645
    Abstract: One example embodiment increases perceived signal strength of a sound signal based on persistence of hearing. When the ear perceives a signal it takes a finite length of time to process it. During that time period the ear does not recognize input and is, in effect, “Turned Off”. In accordance with one aspect of the technology, these periods of “unheard” audio input are utilized so that they supplement the information which the ear sends to the brain. An exemplary system includes a switch, configured to route the audio alternatively to two signal paths—one which includes a delay circuit that delays that audio by an amount equal to the ear's persistence of hearing interval. The system also includes a signal combiner configured to combine outputs from the two signal paths, so as to provide the brain with a signal that it will perceive as being twice as loud as the original.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Archibald Doty
  • Patent number: 8737643
    Abstract: A method for amplifier volume specification and control, the method includes: applying an initial volume level to an amplifier; determining one or more of: which A/V component has been selected for use, which channel or frequency is being outputted, and the type of outputted A/V content; modifying the initial amplifier volume level with one or more stored volume level settings in response to at least one of the following: the determined A/V component in use; the selected channel and frequency outputted, and the type of outputted A/V content; wherein the one or more stored volume level settings include: received volume level settings for audio/video (A/V) components; received volume level settings for selected channels and frequencies that are outputted by the A/V components; and received volume level settings for A/V content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Delia, Wayne M. Delia, Stacey L. Moore
  • Patent number: 8737644
    Abstract: A reproducing apparatus includes: a digital signal processing block configured to execute first boost processing for setting a volume level for an entered digital audio signal and boosting an amplitude level of the signal; a digital-to-analog conversion block configured to convert the digital audio signal into an analog one; an analog signal processing block configured to execute second boost processing for boosting an amplitude level of the analog audio signal; an analog volume adjusting block configured to set a volume level for the analog audio signal from the analog signal processing block; a loudspeaker configured to output the analog audio signal from the analog volume adjusting block; an operating block configured to indicate a volume level of an audio signal from the loudspeaker and turn on/off the boost processing for the audio signals; and a control block configured to control components in accordance with an operation by the operating block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Kino
  • Publication number: 20140140537
    Abstract: An audio loudness control system includes a loudness adjuster module configured to adjust a level of an audio signal based on parameters associated with the audio signal. The parameters may include identification of a source of the audio signal. The parameters associated with the audio signal may be provided to the loudness adjuster in a message associated with the audio signal. The audio loudness control system may also include a database in communication with the loudness adjuster module. The loudness adjuster module may be configured to extract loudness related settings or parameters from the database that are associated with a source of the audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Gilbert Arthur Joseph Soulodre
  • Patent number: 8731216
    Abstract: Systems and methods of this disclosure can operate to provide audio level normalization in multimedia streams. In some implementations, audio level normalization can include partially decoding audio frames included in a multimedia stream, calculating an average energy level of the partially decoded frames, comparing the average energy level of the partially decoded frames to a nominal energy level, modifying a dialnorm setting associated with the multimedia stream, and reencoding the partially decoded audio frames for inclusion as a modified audio stream corresponding to the video stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: AARIS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Santhana Chari, Alexander D. Raji
  • Patent number: 8724830
    Abstract: A volume level and crossfade controller with programmable fades and audio stream priority controls saturation for a multiple audio stream mixer. Start of fade and end of fade events trigger updates of relative volume level targets and volume ramps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen J. Fedigan, Daniel S. Jochelson
  • Patent number: 8718287
    Abstract: A method for controlling a maximum signal level output to headphones of a wireless device is provided. The method includes: determining an impedance of the headphones; determining a carrier specific maximum signal level for headphones having the impedance; and, adjusting an audio amplifier of the wireless device coupled to the headphones to restrict the maximum signal level output to the headphones to the carrier specific maximum signal level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Cyril Martin
  • Patent number: 8717311
    Abstract: A method of controlling a portable electronic device includes detecting a touch on a touch-sensitive display, adjusting a first threshold based on detected conditions during the touch, comparing a value related to the touch on the touch-sensitive display to the first threshold, and when the value related to touch meets the first threshold, turning off the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventors: Alon Shenfield, Thomas James Crugnale, David James Mak-Fan, Lawrence Edward Kuhl, Darcy Phipps
  • Patent number: 8706275
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems, methods, apparatuses and program products configured to intelligently manage sound options for applications of a computer system based on display device characteristics. Various embodiments of the invention are particularly well suited for optimizing the sound options of two or more applications running on two or more display screens of the computer system simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Nathan J. Peterson, Arnold S. Weksler, Rod D. Waltermann, Scott E. Kelso, John C. Mese
  • Patent number: 8705768
    Abstract: Digital mixer includes a plurality of input ports each capable of performing gain adjustment, and a plurality of signal processing channels. Signal of each of the input ports is allocated to one or more desired ones of the channels. Each of the input channels includes an attenuator and can control the level of each signal supplied thereto. Gain value of any one of the input ports is updated in accordance with the gain adjustment performed in that input port, and, when an automatic gain adjustment function is ON in any one of the input channels set as patched-to destinations of the input port, an attenuator value of the input channel is automatically adjusted so as to cancel out an amount of variation of the gain value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Aiso, Masaaki Okabayashi, Takamitsu Aoki
  • Publication number: 20140105419
    Abstract: Psychoacoustic bass audio signal enhancement can be accomplished using a monotonic, asymmetric polynomial distortion. A non-linear process applies a monotonic, asymmetric polynomial distortion function that has continuous first and second derivatives to generate even and odd harmonics of missing fundamental frequencies. This polynomial distortion produces the desired psychoacoustic effect with a fairly rapid roll-off so as to avoid unpleasant aliasing. Moreover, the lack of first-order discontinuities prevents clicks or glitches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl Corban VICKERS
  • Patent number: 8699725
    Abstract: An acoustic processing apparatus includes: a connecting unit to which an instructing device is connected; a situation obtaining unit obtaining information indicative of whether a number of apparatuses connected to the instructing device is a plural number or not, from the instructing device; a receiving unit receiving an instruction value from the instructing device; a storage unit in which a set value is stored; a determining unit, in a case where the information indicates that the number of apparatuses connected to the instructing device is a plural number, comparing the instruction and set values, and determines correspondence relationship between the values in accordance with a result of comparison; a changing unit, when the receiving unit receives a instruction value after the correspondence relationship is determined, specifying a set value which corresponds to the instruction value, based on the correspondence relationship, and changes the set value stored in the storage unit to the specified set value
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichiro Kuzuryu, Kazushi Tamai, Motoyuki Niwa, Yoshinobu Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8700101
    Abstract: A system and methods for controlling a mobile electronic device is disclosed. A notification in response to a prescribed event is outputted. A change in a position of the mobile electronic device is detected. A strength of the notification is reduced, when a change in the position of the mobile electronic device is detected while the notification sound is being outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Reiko Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8699724
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to volume scale selection by a computing device. In an embodiment, the computing device includes a rotational device to assert a volume signal when the rotational device is rotated. Further, the computing device is to select one of a plurality of volume scales based on whether a peripheral audio device is connected to the computing device and is to correlate the volume signal to one of a plurality of values of the selected volume scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Jimmy King
  • Patent number: 8699723
    Abstract: An audio system includes a first audio device and a second audio device. A communications link connects the first and second audio devices together so that each may communicate with the other. The system includes an audio volume manager that varies the audio output level of the second audio device as a function of the perceived loudness of the second audio device as perceived at the first audio device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric P Fried, Suresh Sabarathinam
  • Publication number: 20140098975
    Abstract: One example embodiment increases perceived signal strength of a sound signal based on persistence of hearing. When the ear perceives a signal it takes a finite length of time to process it. During that time period the ear does not recognize input and is, in effect, “Turned Off”. In accordance with one aspect of the technology, these periods of “unheard” audio input are utilized so that they supplement the information which the ear sends to the brain. An exemplary system includes a switch, configured to route the audio alternatively to two signal paths—one which includes a delay circuit that delays that audio by an amount equal to the ear's persistence of hearing interval. The system also includes a signal combiner configured to combine outputs from the two signal paths, so as to provide the brain with a signal that it will perceive as being twice as loud as the original.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: Archibald Doty
  • Patent number: 8693702
    Abstract: A headset having remote controls for a multimedia playback device is provided. The headset is electrically connected to an audio playback device and includes a jack plug for coupling the headset to the audio playback device; a body having a left and a right speaker unit and a microphone that is connected to the jack plug through a cable, and a remote control circuit that is interposed between the jack plug and the body, generating control signals for controlling the audio playback device. The headset is implemented with a remote control circuit on a signal link connecting the headset and a mobile phone, thereby improving portability of the mobile phone and user convenience in controlling the audio playback related function of the mobile phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoung-Min Nho
  • Patent number: 8681998
    Abstract: A volume correction device includes: a variable gain means for controlling a gain, given to an input audio signal, according to a gain control signal; a consecutive relevant sounds interval detection means for detecting a consecutive relevant sounds interval, during which a group of temporally adjoining consecutive relevant sounds is present, in the input audio signal; a mean level detection means for detecting the mean level of the input audio signal attained during the consecutive relevant sounds interval, and whose time constant for mean level detection is set to a smaller value during the leading period of the consecutive relevant sounds interval than during the remaining period; a gain control signal production means for producing the gain control signal, so that the mean level will be equal to a reference level, and feeding the gain control signal to the variable gain means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masayoshi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8675893
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a speaker, a terminal, an amplifier, a power supply circuit, and a first controller. The terminal is configured to input an audio signal from an external apparatus. The amplifier is configured to amplify the audio signal which is input from the terminal, and to output sound from the speaker. The power supply circuit is configured to supply power to the amplifier. The first controller is configured to control the power supply circuit in order to continue the supply of power to the amplifier, if the external apparatus is connected to the terminal when the electronic apparatus transitions from a operative state to a non-operative state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Naoyuki Wada
  • Patent number: 8675894
    Abstract: An audio console system includes an input for receiving an audio signal. The system may also include a user adjustable input amplifier which may amplify audio signals received from the input with a predefined gain. The system may additionally include a direct out output amplifier provided after the adjustable input amplifier. The direct out output amplifier may output a direct out output signal. The direct out output amplifier may adjust a gain of a signal transmitted from the adjustable input amplifier. The direct output amplifier may be configured in such a way, that, upon a user adjustment of the adjustable input amplifier, the direct out output amplifier may adjust the gain of the direct out output signal inversely to the adjustment of the input amplifier resulting in a predefined gain of the audio signal from the at least one input to the direct out output being maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Harman International Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard Ayres
  • Patent number: 8670067
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera apparatus, including: a lens block having an image capturing lens provided therein; a substrate having an image pickup element mounted thereto; a housing for accommodating therein the lens block and the substrate; and a supporting block for supporting the substrate so that the image pickup element and the image capturing lens face each other by bonding thereto the substrate by using an adhesive agent, wherein the supporting block has a side surface making a right angle with an adhesion surface to which the substrate is bonded, and a bottom surface parallel with the adhesion surface on the adhesion surface, and a filling groove which is filled with the adhesive agent is formed in the supporting block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Jumpei Naito, Akihiro Miyazaki, Akihiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8666093
    Abstract: An audio input signal is processed to produce a processed audio output signal. An audio input signal is received as an original signal. The audio input signal is dynamically filtered to produce a first stage signal consisting of a selected frequency band of the input signal. Gain applied to the first stage signal is dynamically controlled in response to a control signal to produce a second stage signal. The control signal is derived from the first stage signal. Processing the original signal in combination with the second stage signal to produce a processed audio output signal. Processing the original signal in combination with the second stage signal and the first stage signal to produce a processed audio output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Red Lion 49 Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Sefton Jenkins, Mark Nicholas Stow
  • Patent number: 8654993
    Abstract: A method of operating a media player includes playing back audio media. During the step of playing back audio media, a maximum volume parameter is refined for the playing back of the media by the media player. The refining is based at least in part on the playing back of audio media during a time period prior to executing the maximum volume refining step. After a period of time, the maximum volume refining step is repeated. The refining is configured to prevent/minimize harm to hearing of the media player user based, for example, on the actual volume of media playback and time/duration profiles provided by occupational safety and/or other organizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Lee, John Eric Arthur, Greg Marriott
  • Publication number: 20140044268
    Abstract: According to a preferred aspect, there is provided a system and method for controlled dynamics adaptation of audio works. The dynamics complexity of the audio is adapted depending on the listening environment and its dynamics properties. The instant invention utilizes a function of stepwise linear and logarithmical sections, which describe individual points of a curve and which therefore with the use of a parameter can be utilized to calculate and control the target value of the loudness range. The curve points are stored and provided as metadata of the musical program, which allows the dynamics scaling functionality to be implemented dynamically and not tied to a certain time or place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: MAGIX AG
    Inventors: Tilman Herberger, Titus Tost, TONI ENGEL
  • Patent number: 8649532
    Abstract: An electronic volume circuit includes a first signal processing circuit and a second signal processing circuit that are cascaded together. The first signal processing circuit includes a first operational amplifier including an input terminal and an output terminal, one or more input resistors inputting one or more signals to the input terminal of the first operational amplifier, and a feedback resistor connected between the input terminal and the output terminal of the first operational amplifier. The second signal processing circuit includes a second operational amplifier including an input terminal and an output terminal, an input capacitor inputting a signal output from the first operational amplifier to the input terminal of the second operational amplifier, and a resistor and a capacitor connected in parallel between the input terminal and the output terminal of the second operational amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichiro Adachi
  • Patent number: 8644526
    Abstract: Fluctuation in decoded signal localization is suppressed to maintain the feel of stereo. A selection unit selects balance parameters when the balance parameters are input from a gain coefficient decoding unit, or selects balance parameters input from a gain coefficient calculation unit when there is no balance parameter input from the gain coefficient decoding unit, and outputs the selected balance parameters to a multiplication unit. The multiplication unit multiplies a gain coefficient input from the selection unit with a decoded monaural signal input from a monaural decoding unit to perform balance adjustment processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ehara, Takuya Kawashima, Koji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8645144
    Abstract: A technique is provided for limiting distortion of an audio signal being processed for playback by an audio device. In accordance with the technique, the audio signal is compressed to generate a compressed audio signal having a level that does not exceed a compression limit. The compressed audio signal is then soft clipped signal to generate a soft-clipped audio signal having a level that does not exceed a soft clipping limit, wherein the compression limit exceeds the soft clipping limit. The technique may also include passing the audio signal through a shaping filter prior to compressing the audio signal, wherein passing the audio signal through a shaping filter comprises modifying the level of selected frequency components of the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Wilfrid LeBlanc, Taro Umezawa
  • Publication number: 20140029764
    Abstract: In general, embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for VM-based sound control (e.g., volume control, playback, recording, etc.) for computerized/electronic devices (e.g., personal computers (PCs), tablets, smart phones, media players, etc) in a networked computing environment (e.g. a cloud computing environment). In a typical embodiment, a system/architecture is provided that comprises a virtual machine (VM) in communication with a computerized device (e.g., a PC) over a network (e.g., a cloud computing network). These components each comprise elements that provide for optimal control of recording and playing back of sounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: LG CNS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: San Sun PARK, Sang Deuk SHIM, Yoon Hee SHIN, Eun Young CHOI, Sang Hyun KIM
  • Patent number: RE44929
    Abstract: A motion picture soundtrack reproduction system has a center front soundtrack channel and a plurality of other soundtrack channels. A volume control adjusts the gain of all the channels. The volume control has a range of settings from a minimum to a maximum, the gain of the center front channel having substantially a first relationship to the volume control settings and the gain of the other channels having substantially a second relationship to the volume control settings, the relationships being such that for a range of volume control settings less than a first setting the gain of the center front channel remains substantially constant while the gain of the other channels decreases as the setting decreases or decreases more gradually than the gain of the other channels as the setting decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen M. Jacobs