Remote Patents (Class 381/105)
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Patent number: 8699725Abstract: 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 valueType: GrantFiled: September 9, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Yuichiro Kuzuryu, Kazushi Tamai, Motoyuki Niwa, Yoshinobu Iwasaki
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Patent number: 8699723Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 20, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric P Fried, Suresh Sabarathinam
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Publication number: 20140093098Abstract: A handheld device communicates with an electronic device. The handheld device includes a setting unit, an audio sampling unit, and a controlling unit. The setting unit is used for setting a standard volume. The audio sampling unit samples a volume of the electronic device. The controlling unit calculates a difference value between the volume of the electronic device sampled by the audio sampling unit and the standard volume, and generates an adjusting signal for adjusting the volume of the electronic device to the standard volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: CHIH-CHUN CHANG, CHIA-WEN CHUANG
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Patent number: 8670574Abstract: A sound volume adjuster includes: a storage which stores a first value of a volume setting value and an allowable maximum change amount; a receiver which receives a change request indicating a second value of the volume setting value; a determiner which, when a change amount of the volume setting value between the first value and the second value exceeds the allowable maximum change amount, determines that the change request is an excessive request; and an adjuster which, when the determiner determines that the change request is the excessive request: changes the first value stored in the storage by a change amount which is equal to or smaller than the allowable maximum change amount to set a third value of the volume setting value; and adjusts a sound volume by the third value.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Taini Ito, Koichi Fuse
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Publication number: 20140044284Abstract: A remote controller is disclosed. The remote controller includes a remote control board, on which a volume up control unit, a volume down control unit and a muting control unit are provided, and the muting control unit is set between the volume up control unit and the volume down control unit. The remote controller is more reasonably designed and more convenient for use.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Inventor: Ka Wing Cheung
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Patent number: 8626322Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system are provided for profiling or analyzing audio data based on an audio parameter. The audio data is divided into audio data into segments. Each segment is characterized by the audio parameter in a defined range. Effects are selected according to the segments meeting criteria for the audio parameter of the effects. A media presentation is authored or generated using the selected effects.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2009Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ralf Weber, Guillaume Vergnaud
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Patent number: 8615316Abstract: An apparatus for processing an audio signal and method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes receiving the audio signal and preset information; obtaining preset matrix from the preset information, wherein the preset matrix indicates contribution degree of the object to output channel; and adjusting output level of the object by using the preset matrix. Accordingly, without user's setting for each object, if preset metadata to be applied to an audio signal is selected with reference to previously-set preset metadata, levels of objects included in the audio signal can be easily adjusted using preset rendering data corresponding to the selected preset metadata.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Hyen O Oh, Yang Won Jung
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Patent number: 8606381Abstract: Techniques pertaining to providing an appropriate recording mode to achieve optimum record data in accordance with the recording environment are described. In one embodiment, a current audio recording mode is initially selected to be one of a low sensitivity audio recording mode and a high sensitivity audio recording mode. A digital gain for digital audio recording data in the current audio recording mode is obtained. The current audio recording mode is automatically switched between the low sensitivity audio recording mode and the high sensitivity audio recording mode when the digital gain reaches a gain threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2009Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Wuxi Vimicro CorporationInventors: Chen Zhang, Yuhong Feng
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Patent number: 8600077Abstract: A device (1) is arranged for controlling the sound levels of a group of audio channels including a user selected main channel (MC) and at least one auxiliary channel (AC1; AC2). The audio channels can be rendered simultaneously. The device comprises automatic level adjustment means (12, 13) for adjusting the sound level of the at least one auxiliary channel relative to the main channel. The level adjustment means (12, 13) may be arranged for adapting the respective sound levels to the content or signal characteristics of each associated audio channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Mark Jozef Willem Mertens, Ronaldus Maria Aarts
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Patent number: 8588949Abstract: A multimedia controller including a processor, the controller configured to: provide a user interface for a player group, wherein the player group includes a plurality of players in a local area network, and wherein each player is configured to playback a multimedia output from a multimedia source; accept an input to facilitate formation of the player group, indicating that at least two of the players in the local area network are to be included in the player group; for each of the plurality of players within the player group, accept an input to adjust a volume associated with the player, that causes the player to adjust its volume; and accept an input to adjust a volume associated with the player group, wherein the input to adjust the volume associated with the group causes the players in the player group to adjust their volumes.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Lambourne, Nicholas A. J. Millington
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Patent number: 8571236Abstract: A volume control system comprises: an amplifying apparatus; and a controller connectable to the amplifying apparatus. The amplifying apparatus includes; a first receiving section for receiving a volume value from the controller, a first input section into which an instruction for changing the volume value is input by a user's operation, a first transmitting section for transmitting the volume value input into the first input section to the controller, and a volume control section for, when the first receiving section receives the volume value or the changed volume value is input into the first input section, controlling a volume value of the amplifying apparatus based on the volume value.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Onkyo CorporationInventors: Takashi Yamada, Kazushige Otsu
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Patent number: 8554347Abstract: An apparatus is provided for remotely monitoring a plurality of amplifiers on a display device. The amplifiers are provided to process audio signals and directly or indirectly connected to a network. In the apparatus, a collecting section collects a group code from each of the amplifiers through the network. The group code is allocated to each amplifier according to a grouping system for grouping the plurality of the amplifiers. A display control section displays a tree diagram of the amplifiers according to the collected group codes on the display device as a graphical representation of the grouping system.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Akio Suyama, Takaaki Muto, Naohide Kohyama, Ken Iwayama
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Patent number: 8538043Abstract: A method of processing an audio signal is disclosed. The present invention includes receiving, by an audio processing apparatus, an input signal; receiving user gain input; generating a linear gain factor and a non-linear gain factor using the user gain input; modifying the non-linear gain factor using absolute threshold of hearing and power of the input signal to generate a modified non-linear gain factor; and, applying the linear gain factor and the modified non-linear gain factor to the audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Hyen-O Oh, Alexis Favrot, Christof Faller, Myung Hoon Lee, Jong Ha Moon
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Patent number: 8526637Abstract: A volume control apparatus that is connectable to a controller and controls a volume value of a sound signal based on an instruction from the controller includes a receiving section for, when a controller-side volume setting value settable in the controller is changed by a user's operation, receiving the changed controller-side volume setting value from the controller. The apparatus also includes a first difference value calculating section for calculating a first difference value between the changed controller-side volume setting value and the controller-side volume setting value before change, a second difference value calculating section for calculating a second difference value between a maximum volume value controllable by the controller and a current volume value, and an increase value calculating section for multiplying the second difference value by a ratio of the first difference value so as to calculate an increase value of the volume value.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Onkyo CorporationInventor: Shuntaro Kashi
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Patent number: 8521314Abstract: Information useful for modifying the dynamics of an audio signal is derived from one or more devices or processes operating at one or more respective nodes of each of a plurality of hierarchy levels, each hierarchical level having one or more nodes, in which the one or more devices or processes operating at each hierarchical level takes a measure of one or more characteristics of the audio signal such that the one or more devices or processes operating at each successively lower hierarchical level takes a measure of one or more characteristics of progressively smaller subdivisions of the audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2007Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Alan Jeffrey Seefeldt, Kenneth James Gundry
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Patent number: 8515087Abstract: A method of processing an audio signal is disclosed. The present invention includes receiving, by an audio processing apparatus, an input signal; estimating indicator function using a signal power of the input signal; obtaining an adapted filter using the indicator function and an equalization filter; and, generating an output signal by applying the adapted filter to the input signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Hyen-O Oh, Alexis Favrot, Christof Faller, Myung Hoon Lee, Jong Ha Moon
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Patent number: 8515093Abstract: A system includes a plurality of inputs each configured to receive a filtered version of a source signal. The system extracts the energy information from each input signal and compares the energy information of a plurality of input signals. Alternatively, the system extracts energy information from a signal that is the difference of two input signals. Based on the energy information, the system determines at least one parameter that may be changed in at least one circuit in a plurality of circuits to minimize the differences in energy of the input signals or to minimize the energy of the difference signal. Parameters may include for example amplification, delay, and corner frequency values. The set of circuits may include microphone interface circuits. Merely by way of example, a system with microphone interface circuits may be included in a hearing enhancement device or in a hands-free earpiece.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: National Acquisition Sub, Inc.Inventors: Sanjay M. Bhandari, Paul D. Smith, Jiang (Jennifer) Yu, Sheng-Yu Peng, Priscilla E. Escobar-Bowser
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Publication number: 20130208918Abstract: An adaptive gain control system and related operating method for digital audio samples is provided. The method is suitable for use with a digital media encoding system that transmits encoded media streams to a remotely-located presentation device such as a media player. The method begins by initializing the processing of a media stream. Then, the method adjusts the gain of a first set of digital audio samples in the media stream using a fast gain adaptation scheme, resulting in a first group of gain-adjusted digital audio samples having normalized volume during presentation. The method continues by adjusting the gain of a second set of digital audio samples in the media stream using a steady state gain adaptation scheme that is different than the fast gain adaptation scheme, resulting in a second group of gain-adjusted digital audio samples having normalized volume during presentation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2013Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: SLING MEDIA PVT LTDInventor: SLING MEDIA PVT LTD
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Patent number: 8502648Abstract: A method of directing an audio signal to an intended user by a remote-control device coupled to an audio/video device is described. The remote-control device sends an instruction to the audio/video device to transmit an audio signal. The remote-control device receives the audio signal and processes the audio signal to generate a directional audio. The directional audio is then routed to an intended user such that the directional audio signal is audible to the intended user, but not to other recipients in the vicinity.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Dasaradha Gude, Gunjan Porwal, Murli Krishna Kocherla
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Patent number: 8483409Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the volume of multiple VoIP streams are disclosed. The system includes a VoIP server configured to receive an input audio stream from a first VoIP handset, create separate output audio streams from the input audio stream for transmission to second and third VoIP handsets, and to connect to a communications network. The system also includes a volume control table coupled to the VoIP server, the volume control table including records of volume adjustments made during prior conversations between the two or more VoIP handsets. The VoIP server is further configured create the separate output audio streams such that one or more of the output streams has a volume that is different than input audio stream based on the records.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2008Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Nicholas F. Campion
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Patent number: 8463412Abstract: A signal processing platform (300) presents (101) a signal to be processed and identifies (102) signal portions with specific characteristics that are used (103) to automatically determine at least one bounding frequency that can be used to facilitate bandwidth extension for the signal. Identifying these signal portions can comprise identifying signal portions that exhibit at least a predetermined level of energy. The step of determining the bounding frequency can comprise computing a magnitude spectrum for each of the identified signal portions that can be used to determine a corresponding measure of flatness within a pass band as pertains to a corresponding normalized signal portion to thereby provide corresponding vetted signal portions. Determining the bounding frequency can then comprise accumulating the magnitude spectrum for these vetted signal portions and using the resultant accumulation to estimate a corresponding signal envelope.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2008Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLCInventors: Tenkasi V. Ramabadran, Mark A. Jasiuk
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Patent number: 8457334Abstract: An audio apparatus, an audio signal transmission method, and an audio system are provided. The audio signal transmission method includes: wirelessly receiving an audio signal from a first external device; converting the received audio signal into audio signals of multi-channels; and wirelessly transmitting an audio signal of at least one of the multi-channels to at least one of second external devices. Therefore, the audio apparatus wirelessly communicates with a plurality of external devices, and thus a user can connect an audio device to an external device without using wired cables.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eung-sik Yoon, Yong-jin Kang
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Patent number: 8452430Abstract: An apparatus for processing an audio signal and method thereof are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an information receiving unit receiving a downmix signal including and a plurality of preset informations; an external preset information receiving unit receiving a plurality of external preset informations being inputted from external; an external preset applying-determining unit determining whether the plurality of the external preset informations applies to the downmix signal; an external preset information selecting unit selecting one external preset information, if the plurality of external preset informations is selected; and a rendering unit controlling the object by applying the external preset information to the all data regions. Accordingly, an audio signal can be efficiently reconstructed by individually selecting and applying external preset information by a data region unit or by selecting and applying the same external preset information to a whole downmix signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2009Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Hyen O Oh, Yang Won Jung
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Patent number: 8443179Abstract: A system and method for improved audio controls on a personal computer is provided. The system and method provide a unified architecture for audio controls across hardware and software interfaces of the personal computer. An intelligent facility may automatically change audio controls for users to simply interact with various communications and media applications. To this end, a configurable audio controller intelligently handles various aspects of the system's audio devices by following various rules that may be based at least in part on user-configurable settings and a current operating state. The present invention also provides audio controls so that a user may easily change audio settings such as the volume of an audio output device. There are many applications that may use the present invention for automatic control of audio devices based upon the user's context.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Eric Gould Bear, Chad Magendanz, Aditha May Adams, Carl Ledbetter, Steve Kaneko, Dale C. Crosier
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Patent number: 8431957Abstract: A method for controlling consumer exposure to audio dosage for a composite audio signal, the method comprising: sampling the composite audio signal; transforming the sampled audio signal, using a fast fourier transform algorithm, to produce a signal representative of the amplitude of component frequencies of the audio signal; comparing the transformed audio signal with a predefined impulse control threshold profile, representing the target maximum amplitude for each frequency component for the audio signal threshold profile to produce a configuring signal representative of the difference between the broadcast signal and the profile; using the configuring signal to automatically configure in real time a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter so that it attenuates the amplitude of the transformed audio signal in frequency bands centered on the frequencies at which the target threshold is exceeded; and outputting the attenuated audio signal for consumer exposure.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2006Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Beaumont Freidman & Co.Inventor: Kim Lovejoy
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Patent number: 8422692Abstract: Speaker control systems are implemented using a variety of systems and methods. In one such system, an audio signal is distributed to at least one speaker selected from a set of speakers. The system includes a set of audio-distribution circuits for distributing the audio signal to the set of speakers. Logic circuitry is used to automatically determine an impedance-based parameter for use in distributing the audio signal to the at least one selected speaker based at least partly on a load-tolerance parameter for an audio source and on an impedance of the at least one selected speaker. The logic circuitry controls distribution of the audio signal to the selected speakers based at least partly on the impedance-based parameter. One or more of the set of audio-distribution circuits are used by the logic circuitry to distribute the audio signal to the at least one selected speaker.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Core Brands, LLCInventors: Timothy W. Dygert, James Suchora, Jason Dunaway, Robert P. Farinelli, Jr.
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Patent number: 8406432Abstract: An apparatus and a method for automatically controlling a gain using phase information are provided. The apparatus includes a frequency conversion unit converting each of input signals received from a plurality of acoustic input apparatuses to frequency input signals, a factor determination unit determining a scaling factor according to a gain difference between the input signals based on a phase difference of the frequency input signals, and a scaling performance unit performing scaling for gain compensation between the input signals based on the scaling factor.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kyuhong Kim, Kwang Cheol Oh
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Patent number: 8401680Abstract: When any one of a plurality of amplifiers has been selected in response to amplifier selecting operation, an amplifier Detail View of the selected amplifier is displayed, where corresponding parameters are displayed via elements of the amplifier Detail View. When any one of a plurality of groups has been selected in response to group selecting operation, a group Detail View of the selected group is displayed, where maximum and minimum values detected from among values of a parameter of individual amplifiers of the selected group are displayed via a band-shaped element of a corresponding fader element. In another example, where a hierarchical group is selected in a tree display section on a control screen, respective state information, including parameter values or states of parameters, of a plurality of amplifiers belonging to the selected hierarchical group is displayed in a state information section.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Takaaki Muto, Ken Iwayama, Takaaki Makino, Naohide Kohyama, Akihiko Suyama
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Publication number: 20130064393Abstract: A sound reproducing device includes: a wireless communication unit receiving an audio signal and outputting the audio signal by wireless communication; an audio reproducing unit including speakers reproducing the audio signal; and a control unit controlling on/off of a first power supply with respect to the audio reproducing unit, wherein the control unit turns on the first power supply when receiving a connection notification from the wireless communication unit in a standby state in which a second power supply with respect to the wireless communication unit and the control unit is on and allows the audio reproducing unit to reproduce the audio signal from the wireless communication unit, and the control unit turns off the first power supply when receiving a cutoff notification from the wireless communication unit and allows the reproduction of the audio signal from the wireless communication unit to be stopped.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Satoshi Yamazaki, Makoto Kawabata, Shinya Haraguchi
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Patent number: 8363854Abstract: A device and method are provided for automatically adjusting gain, including a conversion module for converting an audio time-domain signal to an audio frequency-domain signal, an analysis module for analyzing the audio frequency-domain signal in accordance with an equal-loudness level contour of human hearing so as to generate strength weightings and generating a signal strength in accordance with the weightings, a calculation module for calculating a gain by analysis of the audio frequency-domain signal when the signal strength falls outside a default range, and a control module for generating an audio output signal in accordance with the gain and the audio time-domain signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2008Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.Inventors: Kai-Hsiang Chou, Wen-Haw Wang, Yu-Heng Chen, Mei-Yu Fan
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Patent number: 8351624Abstract: An audio output apparatus which outputs an audio signal to an audio control apparatus controlling processing of the audio signal, and to which an external device having an external terminal is connectable includes an output terminal, a detecting section, a generating section, and a transmitting section. The output terminal is connected with the external terminal and outputs the audio signal to the external device via the external terminal. The detecting section detects whether or not the external terminal is connected to the output terminal. The generating section generates a control signal based on a result of the detection by the detecting means. The transmitting section transmits the generated control signal to the audio control apparatus in order that the audio control apparatus controls the processing of the audio signal based on the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Kensuke Motomura
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Patent number: 8351620Abstract: The present invention can adjust a volume of a sound on the basis of sound signals to suit a user's preference. The present invention arbitrarily sets movement settable control values application range DR2 for a plurality of continuous preamp control values PD from a desired minimum preamp control value PD to a desired maximum preamp control value PD against a group of preamp control available values PDS. Thus, the present invention can control gains so as to compensate external sound signals with different signal levels supplied from external input terminal OI for difference of signal level according to the external sound signal or can control gains in a predetermined range according to the signal level so that the volume of the external sound on the basis of the external sound signals can be arbitrarily adjusted in a range between a desired minimum value and a desired maximum value. In this manner, a volume of a sound on the basis of an external sound signal can be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2004Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Tomonori Arakawa
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Patent number: 8340330Abstract: An audio apparatus includes a main unit to extract audio signals for at least two channels from a multichannel audio signal; and a transmitter to wirelessly transmit at least one audio signal of the extracted audio signals to a first receiver, and to wirelessly transmit at least one other audio signal of the extracted audio signals to a second receiver.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eung-sik Yoon, Dae-hyun Kim
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Patent number: 8335324Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus capable of automatic volume adjustment. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a speaker, an array microphone located in the vicinity of the speaker, a beamforming module, a signal-to-noise ratio calculation module, and a volume adjustment module. The speaker first broadcasts a first audio signal. The array microphone converts a sound into a plurality of second audio signals. The beamforming module derives a speaker sound signal and an ambient noise signal from the second audio signals, wherein the speaker sound signal mainly comprises speaker sound components generated by the speaker and the ambient noise signal mainly comprises noises other than the speaker sound components. The signal-to-noise ratio calculation module calculates a ratio of a first power of the speaker sound signal to a second power of the ambient noise signal to obtain a signal-to-noise ratio.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2008Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.Inventors: Ming Zhang, Chi-Chian Yu
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Patent number: 8320587Abstract: An audio device includes an internal sound producer, an earphone jack, a detection circuit, a volume adjustor, and an amplifier. The detection circuit detects a connection between the earphone jack and an external sound producer, generates a first state signal when the connection is established, generates a second state signal when no connection is established. The volume adjustor is preset with first predetermined volume levels and second predetermined volume levels, generates first adjustment signals based on the first predetermined volume levels in response to the first state signal, and generates a second adjustment signal based on the second predetermined volume levels in response to the second state signal. The amplifier amplifies audio signals and adjusts the volume of the amplified audio signals according to the adjustment signals, then sends the amplified audio signals to the internal sound producer and earphone jack.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Lung Dai, Shao-Lin Zhang
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Patent number: 8320586Abstract: A system and method for reducing volume spike during switching of audio output devices of an electronic device is provided. The system and method adjusts a volume level of a first audio output device currently adopted by the electronic device for audible output to a muted level, and switches the audible output from the first audio output device to a second audio output device with the muted level. The system and method further receives a desired volume level input by a user, and adjusts the second audio output device from the muted level to the desired volume level.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.Inventor: Yai-Nan Shen
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Patent number: 8315410Abstract: A circuit for preventing clipping in an Automatic Level Control (ALC) or Limiter, where the amplitude of the signal above the clipping point is estimated, then the signal level is automatically reduced over a defined period substantially equal to the feedforward delay in the ALC/Limiter. By adaptively controlling, based on the excess amplitude and the delay time available, an attack rate used in the ALC/Limiter to reduce the gain applied to an input signal, it can be ensured that the output amplitude is brought within the clipping level sufficiently quickly to prevent audible clipping.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Wolfson Microelectronics plcInventor: Anthony James Magrath
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Patent number: 8314893Abstract: Embodiments of a remote control and a method are provided for automatically adjusting the volume output of an audio device, such as a television. In one embodiment, the remote control includes a wireless transmitter configured to transmit command signals to the audio device, a microphone configured to monitor sound levels external to the remote control, a memory storing a first threshold, and a controller. The controller is configured to: (i) determine a signal-to-noise ratio as a function of the sound levels detected by the microphone, and (ii) transmit via the wireless transmitter a first command to adjust the volume output of the audio device if the signal-to-noise ratio passes the first threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Sling Media Pvt. Ltd.Inventor: Deepak Malode Ravi
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Patent number: 8295510Abstract: An power-saving amplifying device is disclosed, the power-saving amplifying device uses a micro controller unit (MCU) to receive a control signal transmitted by a volume controller and to generate a decision signal based on the control signal; the MCU transmits the decision signal to the volume controlling circuit for obtaining a drive signal, then the volume controlling circuit transmits the drive signal to a power amplifier for driving a speaker to output a sound with a required volume; the MCU also calculates an output value of a PWM signal and transmits the PWM signal to a DC integrating circuit for rectifying and integrating the PWM signal into a DC voltage; the DC voltage is coupled with a voltage control terminal of the power supply to increase or decrease the DC voltage outputted by the power supply to the power amplifier, thereby reducing power consumption by using the volume to control the output voltage of the power supply.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Sound Cheers LimitedInventor: Chi-Lien Lin
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Patent number: 8295501Abstract: The performance of an echo canceller is assessed using a) a test signal launched from originating test equipment and b) a simulated echo of the test signal launched from terminating test equipment. The launch of the simulated echo signal is timed in such a way that it arrives at the tandem echo canceller(s) at a particular point in time relative to the arrival of the test signal, at the tandem echo canceller(s), when the tandem echo canceller(s) is (are) not able to cancel the simulated echo signal. The latter thus arrives uncanceled at the target echo canceller. The launch of the simulated echo signal is further timed in such a way that it arrives at the target echo canceller at a point in time relative to the arrival of the test signal, at the target echo canceller, when the target echo canceller is able to cancel the simulated echo signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: James H James, Wallace F. Smith, Jr.
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Patent number: 8290185Abstract: A method of compensating for spatial audio frequency characteristics that varies in accordance with a mounting condition of a down firing speaker of an audio/video (AV) apparatus includes calculating a listening distance between the AV apparatus and a listener, calculating a distance between a speaker mounted on the AV apparatus and a neighboring reflective surface, setting a spatial frequency compensation filter value and a speaker frequency characteristic compensation filter value based on the calculated distances, and compensating for frequency characteristics of an audio signal by combining the spatial frequency compensation filter value and the speaker frequency characteristic compensation filter value.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jong-bae Kim
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Patent number: 8290603Abstract: In general, user interfaces for controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user interface is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network. The user interface is further configured to illustrate graphically a size of a group, the larger the group appears relatively, the more plays there are in the group.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Lambourne
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Patent number: 8284955Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for digitally processing audio signals. Some embodiments receive an audio signal and converting it to a digital signal. The gain of the digital signal may be adjusted a first time, using a digital processing device located between a receiver and a driver circuit. The adjusted signal can be filtered with a first low shelf filter. The systems and methods may compress the filtered signal with a first compressor, process the signal with a graphic equalizer, and compress the processed signal with a second compressor. The gain of the compressed signal can be adjusted a second time. These may be done using the digital processing device. The signal may then be output through an amplifier and driver circuit to drive a personal audio listening device. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may be part of the personal audio listening device.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Bongiovi Acoustics LLCInventors: Anthony Bonglovi, Phillip Fuller, Glenn Zelniker
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Patent number: 8243959Abstract: An audio output control device includes: display means for displaying two screens; speaker output control means for recognizing whether a main screen or a sub screen is being selected on the display means that is displaying the two screens and performing a control process to output a main or sub sound of the selected main or sub screen through a speaker; and headphone output control means for, before a headphone is connected, performing a control process to supply to a headphone terminal of the headphone the sub or main sound of the sub or main screen that is not being selected.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Kazuo Mishima
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Patent number: 8233640Abstract: A sound output device of the present invention for outputting sound according to audio data fed thereto includes: a volume adjuster that is operated by a user in a predetermined manner, and that determines a ratio of volume of the sound to predetermined reference volume according to how it is operated by the user; a time detector detecting that a predetermined time has come; and a reference volume adjuster adjusting the reference volume according to a detection result of the time detector. Thus, the maximum level of the volume (which is dependent on the reference volume) can be automatically adjusted according to the current time. The volume adjuster determines the ratio of volume to reference volume according to the operation by the user. Thus, for example, the same operation performed by the user even under different levels of reference volume produces almost the same ratio of volume to reference volume.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ryuuji Takahashi
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Patent number: 8229136Abstract: The present invention provides for methods and systems for digitally processing audio signals by adjusting the gain of a signal a first time, using a digital processing device located between a radio head unit and a speaker. The methods and systems may filter the adjusted signal with a first low shelf filter, compress the filtered signal with a first compressor, process the signal with a graphic equalizer, compress the processed signal with a second compressor and adjust the gain of the compressed signal a second time. The methods and systems may also filter the signal received from the first low shelf filter with a first high shelf filter prior to compressing the filtered signal with the first compressor. The signal may be filtered with a second low shelf filter prior to processing the signal with the graphic equalizer. Some embodiments filter the signal with a second high shelf filter after the signal is filtered with the second low shelf filter.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Inventors: Anthony Bongiovi, Phillip Fuller, Glenn Zelniker
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Patent number: 8218791Abstract: A disclosed set top box or other type of multimedia handling device (MHD) is configured to support a toggle volume feature that enables the end user to toggle between two or more substantially different audible volume settings using a single push of a single remote control button or other type of control, e.g., a touch screen control. In some embodiments, the MHD includes a processor, storage media accessible to and readable by the processor, a remote control interface in communication with the processor, a multimedia decoder, and an audio digital-to-analog converter. The remote control interface receives input from a remote control device. The multimedia decoder module receives and processes multimedia streams. The decoder generates a decoder audio output and a decoder video output. The DAC processes the decoder audio output and produces an audio signal having a particular volume level.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Steven M. Wollmershauser, William Averill, William O. Sprague, Jr.
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Patent number: 8208656Abstract: An array microphone system includes a first omni-directional microphone, a second omni-directional microphone, a gain control, and a beam former. The first omni-directional microphone faces a first direction. The second omni-directional microphone faces a second direction opposing the first direction. When receiving sound, the first omni-directional microphone and the second omni-directional microphone respectively generate a first signal and a second signal. The gain control amplifies the second signal to transform into a third signal, wherein strength of the third signal is equal to that of the first signal when the sound comes from the first direction. The beam former separates an in-beam sound signal and an out-beam sound signal from the first signal and the third signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Fortemedia, Inc.Inventors: Yu-Chun Feng, Shien-Neng Lai, Yu-Hsi Lan, Ying-Te Chu
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Patent number: 8204256Abstract: An audio source (TV, stereo) detects, through a wireless signal from a headphone or from its cradle, when the headphone has been disengaged from the cradle. In response the audio device automatically mutes or lowers the volume output by its speakers.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2007Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.Inventors: Arthur Hironari Ozaki, Peter Shintani
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Patent number: RE44170Abstract: A home theater system, an audio output adjusting device of a home theater system and methods thereof allow a prescribed or three-dimension audio configuration state for at least one prescribed position even when the prescribed location and/or a configuration of the speakers in a home theater system are modified. The device can include a checker for analyzing at least one of volume and delay time of a test audio signal outputted from speakers and providing the analyzed information to a controller. The controller can control output level and timing of audio signals subsequently output from the speakers based on the analyzed information.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Jeong-Hyun Park