Automatic Patents (Class 381/107)
  • Patent number: 8855343
    Abstract: An earpiece and method to control a level of audio reproduction within an occluded ear canal are provided. The method includes the steps of measuring an ambient sound level from an Ambient Sound Microphone (ASM) at an entrance to an occluded ear canal, measuring a residual background noise level within an occluded ear canal from an Ear Canal Microphone (ECM), measuring a level of audio content delivered to the occluded ear canal, and adjusting a gain of the audio content so as to maintain reproduction of the audio content within a predetermined level range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Personics Holdings, LLC.
    Inventors: John Usher, Steven Goldstein
  • Patent number: 8855332
    Abstract: A sound enhancement apparatus and method which produce low IMD over a broadband frequency region and performs BSE to offer a sound which is natural to the human ears, are provided. The sound enhancement apparatus includes a preprocessor, a BSE signal generator, and a gain controller. The preprocessor divides a source signal into a high-frequency signal and a low-frequency signal and analyzes the low-frequency signal to obtain prediction information regarding a degree of distortion that will be generated by the low-frequency signal. The BSE signal generator generates a higher harmonic signal for the low-frequency signal as a BSE signal to be substituted for the low-frequency signal, wherein the order of the higher harmonic signal is adjusted based on the prediction information regarding the degree of distortion. The gain controller adjusts a synthesis ratio of the low-frequency signal and the BSE signal adaptively depending on the prediction information regarding the degree of distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Woo Choi, Jung-Ho Kim, Young-Tae Kim, Sang-Chul Ko
  • Patent number: 8855322
    Abstract: An original loudness level of an audio signal is maintained for a mobile device while maintaining sound quality as good as possible and protecting the loudspeaker used in the mobile device. The loudness of an audio (e.g., speech) signal may be maximized while controlling the excursion of the diaphragm of the loudspeaker (in a mobile device) to stay within the allowed range. In an implementation, the peak excursion is predicted (e.g., estimated) using the input signal and an excursion transfer function. The signal may then be modified to limit the excursion and to maximize loudness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Sang-Uk Ryu, Jongwon Shin, Roy Silverstein, Andre Gustavo P. Schevciw, Pei Xiang
  • Publication number: 20140294201
    Abstract: Described herein is an audio calibration system and method that determines optimum placement and/or operating conditions of speakers for an entertainment system. The system receives an audio signal and transmits the audio signal to a speaker. A recordation of an emanated audio signal from each speaker is made. The system performs a sliding window fast Fourier transform (FFT) comparison of the recorded audio signal temporally and volumetrically with the audio signal. A time delay for each speaker is shifted so that each of the plurality of speakers is synchronized. The individual volumes are then compared for each speaker and are adjusted to collectively match. The method can align and move the convergence point of multiple audio sources. Time differences are measured with respect to a microphone as a function of position. The method uses any audio data and functions with background noise in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Ronald Douglas Johnson, Mark Alan Schultz
  • Publication number: 20140294200
    Abstract: An audio normalization gain value is applied to an audio signal to produce a normalized signal. The normalized signal is processed to compute dynamic range control (DRC) gain values in accordance with a selected one of several pre-defined DRC characteristics. The audio signal is encoded, and the DRC gain values are provided as metadata associated with the encoded audio signal. Several other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Frank Baumgarte, Eric A. Allamanche, Stefan K. O. Strommer
  • Publication number: 20140294203
    Abstract: An audio system includes a level controller receiving an input audio signal from an audio medium. The level controller includes a gain adjust module producing an output audio signal based on the input audio signal. A filter arrangement is communicatively coupled to the level controller. The filter arrangement receives the output audio signal and divides the output signal into a plurality of filtered signals. Each of the filtered signals corresponds to a respective frequency band. A multiband dynamics controller is communicatively coupled to the filter arrangement. The multiband dynamics controller receives the filtered signals and applies a respective gain characteristic to each of the filtered signals to thereby produce a plurality of gain adjust signals. The gain adjust signals are combined into a multiband dynamics controller output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: LARRY V. CRAIG, MICHAEL T. BURK
  • Publication number: 20140294202
    Abstract: Device for emitting acoustic signals, includes: an upstream bulb cap; a light source including at least one light-emitting diode, powered by the bulb cap; and an electroacoustic transducer, powered by the bulb cap. A reception unit for receiving radio signals representative of a sound signal emitted by the electroacoustic transducer, receives radio signals emitted by at least one first system utilizing at least the Bluetooth specification. An amplifier amplifies the electrical signal supplied by the reception unit so as to transmit an amplified signal to the electroacoustic transducer. A controller controls the amplifier's gain according to signals received by the signal reception unit. The signal reception unit receives signals representative of a command controlling the light power emitted by the light source and controls the light source according to the control signals. The light source and the amplifier are controlled independently and powered by the upstream bulb cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: AWOX
    Inventors: Alain Molinie, Eric Lavigne, Vincent Leclaire
  • Patent number: 8848928
    Abstract: Automatic measurements are made of audio presence and level in an audio signal by direct processing of an MPEG data stream representing the audio signal, without reconstructing the audio signal. Sub-band data is extracted from the data stream, and the extracted sub-band data is dequantized and denormalized. An audio level for the dequantized and denormalized sub-band data is measured without reconstructing the audio signal. Channel characteristics are used in measuring the audio level of the sub-band data, wherein the channel characteristics are used to weight the measured levels. The measured levels are compared against at least one threshold to determine whether an alarm should be triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. James, Jeffrey D. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 8848930
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for adapting an alert signal level generated by a device to an ambient of the device is provided. The method may include processing a sound signal corresponding to a test signal or an alert signal, generating a correlation value by correlating the sound signal with a generated sound signal, comparing the correlation value with a value, and adjusting the alert signal to a level based on result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Magnus Lundin
  • Patent number: 8848932
    Abstract: A mobile device includes at least one speaker and an audio subsystem for providing an audio signal to the at least one speaker for playback by the at least one speaker. The audio subsystem operates by detecting a distance to a user of the mobile device using a proximity sensor and controlling volume output of the at least one speaker based on the distance to the user of the mobile device and the operational status of the proximity sensor. If it is determined that the proximity sensor is functional, the audio subsystem applies a gain factor to the audio signal that varies based on the distance to the user or limits the maximum allowable speaker output based on the distance. A high or low gain setting may be applied for when the user is far away or in close proximity to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jens Kristian Poulsen, Mohamad El-Hage, Antanas Matthew Broga
  • Patent number: 8842843
    Abstract: A signal correction apparatus receives an input audio signal (serving as a first sound reception means). The signal correction apparatus computes, at every frequency, first power that indicates magnitude of sound represented by the input audio signal (serving as a first power computation means). The signal correction apparatus estimates a correction function that is a continuous function defining a relation between each frequency and a correction coefficient used to approximate the first power computed at that frequency to the reference power predetermined for that frequency (serving as a correction function estimation means). The signal correction apparatus multiplies the computed first power by the correction coefficient acquired in accordance with the relation defined by the estimated correction function so as to correct the first power at every frequency (serving as a power correcting means).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Emori, Masanori Tsujikawa
  • Patent number: 8842855
    Abstract: A sound volume control circuit includes: a first operational amplifier; a variable resistor circuit connected between an output and an inverting input of the first operational amplifier and having a plurality of resistance values; an R-2R ladder circuit connected between a voltage source of an input voltage; and a control circuit controlling the variable resistor circuit and the R-2R ladder circuit; wherein when changing a resistance value of the variable resistor circuit from a first resistance value to a second resistance value, so as to change the output voltage in a step size where a difference between the output voltage corresponding to the first resistance value and the output voltage corresponding to the second resistance value is further segmented, the control circuit changes the magnitude of the electric current flowing to the variable resistor circuit by use of the R-2R ladder circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichiro Adachi
  • Publication number: 20140270255
    Abstract: An amplifier including a first gain level is provided. An analog input is provided to the amplifier. An analog output from the amplifier is converted to a digital output. The digital output is analyzed to detect a level of the analog output exceeding a threshold. A second gain level of the amplifier is set lower than the first gain level. An interface is provided to adjust the threshold. A signature of the analog output is identified. A library comprising a plurality of signatures is provided including the signature of the analog output. The signature of the analog output is compared to the plurality of signatures to determine when to reset the first gain level of the amplifier. The level of the digital signal is monitored to determine when to reset the first gain level of the amplifier. The first and second gain levels are set using a digital signal processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Reginald Webb, Laurie Webb
  • Publication number: 20140254831
    Abstract: An adaptive music playback system is disclosed. The system includes a composition system that receives information corresponding to user activity levels. The composition system modifies the composition of a song in response to changes in user activity. The modifications are made according to a set of composition rules to facilitate smooth musical transitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Levi J. Patton
  • Publication number: 20140254832
    Abstract: A volume adjusting system, a volume adjusting method adapted for a mobile phone, and a computer-readable storage medium encoded with a computer program are disclosed. The mobile phone comprises a speaker and stores an optimal hearing volume and a volume range. The method includes steps: detecting a volume of a telephone voice of a caller when the mobile phone establishes a call communication link with the caller, determining whether or not the volume is within the volume range for optimal hearing, adjusting the volume to the optimal hearing volume when the volume is not within the volume range, and controlling the speaker to output the optimal hearing volume. Therefore, when the mobile phone makes a call, even though the volume of the caller is low or high, the system adjusts the volume to the optimal hearing volume, and it is comfortable for the user of the mobile phone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FU TAI HUA INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: XIAN QIAN, JING-TING WANG
  • Publication number: 20140254830
    Abstract: A system of altering an audio signal presented to a user may include an input configured to receive data indicating a status of an environment outside of an audio device, where the audio device is configured to present an audio signal to a user. The system may also include a detection unit configured to detect a condition based on the received data and an audio altering unit configured to direct altering of the audio signal presented to the user based on the detection of the condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Mitsuru TOMONO, Naomi HADATSUKI
  • Patent number: 8831245
    Abstract: A method for modifying a current sound-volume value assigned by an on-board system to an acoustic alert signal emitted on board an aircraft is provided. The method includes furnishing, on board the aircraft, the on-board system with at least one information item defining a modification of the current sound-volume value to a new sound-volume value in accordance with a predetermined rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignees: Airbus Operations SAS, Airbus
    Inventors: Nicolas Fabas, Baptiste Maylin
  • Patent number: 8831246
    Abstract: A control circuit monitors a signal produced by a MEMS or other capacitor microphone. When a criterion is met, for example when the amplitude of the monitored signal exceeds a threshold or the monitored signal has been clipped or analysis of the monitored signal indicates clipping is imminent or likely, the control circuit automatically adjusts a bias voltage applied to the capacitor microphone, thereby adjusting sensitivity of the capacitor microphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Invensense, Inc.
    Inventor: Olafur Mar Josefsson
  • Patent number: 8824701
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an integrated circuit (IC) and a resistor external to the IC. The IC includes a current output digital-to-analog converter (IDAC) circuit configured to provide an adjustable specified current to a resistor external to the apparatus, a voltage sensing circuit configured to sense the voltage of the external resistor, and an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit configured to receive threshold information using the adjustable specified current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Ray Fortier
  • 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: 8818003
    Abstract: Disclosed are a mobile terminal and a control method thereof. The mobile terminal includes: a sound output module configured to output a sound; a user input unit configured to sense a control command for controlling a volume level of the output sound; and a controller configured to control a volume level of the output sound based on the sensed control command, configured to determine whether the controlled volume level corresponds to a preset volume level, and if the controlled volume level corresponds to the preset volume level, configured to output a signal corresponding to the preset volume level in the form of a signal different from the output sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Keansub Lee, Hosung Song
  • Publication number: 20140233760
    Abstract: An ultrasonic speaker system has a first variable gain block, a modulation block, a second variable gain block, an ultrasonic actuator, and a controller, wherein the controller controls gain of the first variable gain block so that a modulation degree of a modulated signal becomes a predetermined value, and when the controller raises the gain of the first variable gain block, the controller lowers the gain of the second variable gain block, while when the controller lowers the gain of the first variable gain block, the controller raises the gain of the second variable gain block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhisa KOTEGAWA, Fumiyasu KONNO, Katsu TAKEDA
  • Publication number: 20140233761
    Abstract: An electronic device and a corresponding gain controlling method are provided. The gain controlling method includes the steps of receiving a sound signal, calculating a sound level according to each value of the sound signal in a past period, determining a gain value according to the sound level, using the gain value to amplify the sound signal, and then storing the sound signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-Ren Hu, Hann-Shi Tong, Chun-Min Lee, Lei Chen, Yu-Chieh Lai, Chao-Hung Tai
  • Publication number: 20140233759
    Abstract: A method of controlling an audio system includes generating a situation response model for a situation parameter, determining a situation parameter value, and at least one of (1) providing an audio system output as a function of the situation response model and the situation parameter value and (2) receiving an audio system input as a function of the situation response model and the situation parameter value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: James M. McCollough, Tom Brooks, David Steinhoff, Lynn Morgan
  • Patent number: 8804984
    Abstract: Techniques are described herein that are capable of spectrally shaping audio signal(s) for audio mixing. Spectrally shaping an audio signal means modifying a frequency spectrum of the audio signal. A frequency spectrum of an audio signal is a representation of the audio signal in the frequency domain. For instance, a frequency spectrum may be represented using multiple frequency bands. The frequency spectrum may be modified by modifying characteristic(s) (e.g., magnitude, phase, etc.) one or more of the frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew W. Lovitt
  • 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: 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: 8798992
    Abstract: An signal processing apparatus, system and software product for audio modification/substitution of a background noise generated during an event including, but not be limited to, substituting or partially substituting a noise signal from one or more microphones by a pre-recorded noise, and/or selecting one or more noise signals from a plurality of microphones for further processing in real-time or near real-time broadcasting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Gay, Jed Drake, Anthony Bailey
  • Patent number: 8798279
    Abstract: A degree of seal of an ear about a speaker port may be estimated by detecting touch contact between the ear and at least one touch sensor in fixed relation to the speaker port. The degree of seal is estimated based on the detected touch contact. Based upon the estimated degree of seal, the acoustic output of the speaker may be adjusted. The adjustment may compensate for perceived changes to the quality of the acoustic output resulting from the degree of seal. The at least one touch sensor may be a plurality of touch sensors spaced around the speaker port. Each sensor may have a truncated wedge shape, with a narrow end closest to the speaker port. Upon receipt of user input indicative of a high degree of ear seal, a sample of the sensor(s) may be taken and stored for using during future estimation of the degree of seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventor: Craig Eric Ranta
  • Publication number: 20140211946
    Abstract: Scaling, by a desired amount sm, the overall perceived loudness Lm of a multichannel audio signal, wherein perceived loudness is a nonlinear function of signal power P, by scaling the perceived loudness of each individual channel Lc by an amount substantially equal to the desired amount of scaling of the overall perceived loudness of all channels sm, subject to accuracy in calculations and the desired accuracy of the overall perceived loudness scaling sm. The perceived loudness of each individual channel may be scaled by changing the gain of each individual channel, wherein gain is a scaling of a channel's power. Optionally, in addition, the loudness scaling applied to each channel may be modified so as to reduce the difference between the actual overall loudness scaling and the desired amount of overall loudness scaling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan J. Seefeldt, Michael Smithers
  • Patent number: 8792656
    Abstract: An all in one (AIO) computer implemented as a personal computer (PC) or a display includes a high definition multimedia interface, a speaker, and a speaker control circuit. The speaker control circuit includes an earphone interface circuit, a main controller, a signal processing unit, and a signal control circuit. The earphone interface circuit detects whether an earphone is inserted into the AIO computer. When the earphone interface circuit detects the earphone is connected to the AIO computer, if the AIO computer is implemented as the PC, the main controller sends a first muting signal. If the AIO computer is implemented as the display, the main controller sends a second muting signal, and the signal control circuit controls and mutes the speaker according to the first muting signal and the second muting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng-Long He, Yong-Zhao Huang
  • Patent number: 8792655
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the approach distance of a human body and performing different actions according to the detecting results comprises: an infrared sensing circuit for sensing the human body's movement; a short-distance infrared signal level detector, used for detecting the amplitude level of signals and comparing them with a preset reference level; a long-distance infrared signal level detector, used for detecting the amplitude level of signals and comparing them with another preset reference level; and a long-distance indication-signal time delayer, used for delaying the output of the signals from the long-distance-signal level detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventors: Wen-Chun Chen, Lan-Chung Hou
  • Patent number: 8787596
    Abstract: An audio system includes a level controller receiving an input audio signal from an audio medium. The level controller includes a gain adjust module producing an output audio signal based on the input audio signal. A filter arrangement is communicatively coupled to the level controller. The filter arrangement receives the output audio signal and divides the output signal into a plurality of filtered signals. Each of the filtered signals corresponds to a respective frequency band. A multiband dynamics controller is communicatively coupled to the filter arrangement. The multiband dynamics controller receives the filtered signals and applies a respective gain characteristic to each of the filtered signals to thereby produce a plurality of gain adjust signals. The gain adjust signals are combined into a multiband dynamics controller output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Larry V. Craig, Michael T. Burke
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140198931
    Abstract: This digital electronic device includes an arithmetic portion calculating an adjustment coefficient employed to adjust a signal level calculated on the basis of a digital value detected by a detecting portion to not more than a possible output level that an output portion can output and an adjusting portion adjusting a digital signal on the basis of the adjustment coefficient calculated by the arithmetic portion such that the signal level becomes not more than the possible output level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akifumi MATSUMURA
  • Patent number: 8779962
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, apparatus and methods including an analog-to-digital controller (ADC) configured to receive an enable signal and to provide an ADC output signal to control logic, wherein the control logic is configured to provide a control voltage to a control input of a switch. In an example, the control voltage includes the ADC output signal when the ADC output signal is below a first threshold or above a second threshold. In certain examples, the control logic is configured to transition the control voltage from the first threshold to the second threshold when the ADC output signal is between the first and second thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Carpentier, Julie Lynn Stultz, Steven Macaluso
  • Patent number: 8781139
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a first speaker, a second speaker and a driving circuit. The first speaker and the second speaker are different types of speakers. The driving circuit drives the first speaker with a first driving voltage and a first driving current and drives the second speaker with a second driving voltage and a second driving current, wherein the first driving voltage is larger than the second driving voltage and the first driving current is smaller than the second driving current. The present disclosure further provides a speaker driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Fang Ching Lee
  • Patent number: 8774397
    Abstract: A telephone includes: a housing; a voice output device that is placed inside the housing and produces voice; a contact detection unit that detects a position of an object that contacts the housing; a position offset calculation unit that calculates a distance between the contact position of the object detected by the contact detection unit and the voice output device; and a voice adjustment unit that adjusts the voice produced from the voice output device, depending on the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Shusaku Ito, Taro Togawa, Takeshi Otani, Yasuji Ota
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140185833
    Abstract: There is provided an audio processing apparatus. An obtaining unit obtains an audio signal. A first audio level controller gives a first gain to the audio signal obtained by the obtaining unit. A second audio level controller gives a second gain to the audio signal output from the first audio level controller. A time constant in processing for increasing the first gain of the first audio level controller is larger than a time constant in processing for increasing the second gain of the second audio level controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shingo Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20140185831
    Abstract: In a volume control method applied to an audio processing system, firstly, a digital audio stream including a plurality of digital audio packets is received from a transmitter. It is determined whether an excitation signal is detected. The digital audio packets are sampled within a predetermined sampled period according to codecing rules, on condition that the excitation signal is detected. Output values corresponding to the digital audio packets are retrieved from the sampled digital audio packets according to the sampling operation. The digital audio packets are analyzed to generate sums of sampled frequency. An averaged volume level is calculated according to the sums of sampled frequency. An audio shift value is generated according to the averaged volume level and a predetermined standard volume level. Volume control is implemented to subsequently received digital audio packets from the digital audio stream according to the audio shift value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HSIAO-JEN TSAI
  • Publication number: 20140185830
    Abstract: Example methods, systems, and apparatus for audio backtracking control are provided. An example method includes comparing an audio input value associated with an audio input to a threshold. The audio input is to be synchronized with an audio backtrack. The example method includes suppressing an output of the audio backtrack when the audio input value is below the threshold. The example method includes controlling a temporal pointer associated with the audio backtrack during a period of time in which the audio input value is below the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel Avrahami
  • Publication number: 20140185832
    Abstract: An assembly includes an analog signal processing unit. An analog signal path and an amplifier an automatic gain control unit are coupled to the signal path. Further to the output of the amplified analog signal, a gain information is provided as an analog or digital signal at a gain information output. This information can be used for further processing the signal, e.g., by automatic noise compression or to control further signal processing units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Armin Schober, Gino Rocca, Troels Andersen
  • 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: 8761415
    Abstract: The invention relates to modifying the loudness of an audio signal by measuring the weighted broadband level of the audio signal and modifying that weighted broadband level as a function of a spectral localization estimate of the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Smithers
  • 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: 20140169587
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an audio sensor, an audio output unit, a pulse width modulation (PWM) unit connected to the audio output unit, and a control chip. When the audio output unit outputs the audio signal, the audio sensor detects a volume level of the environment sound. The control chip determines a volume level of the audio signal according to the volume level of the environment sound and preset associations between volume levels of the audio signal outputted by the audio output unit and volume levels of the environment, and determines a duty cycle of the PWM unit according to the determined volume level and the maximum volume level. The control chip then outputs the duty cycle to the PWM unit, to adjust a current volume level of the audio signal outputted by the audio output unit to the determined volume level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (WUHAN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: XIN-SHU WANG, JIAN-HUNG HUNG, MIN YANG
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140161284
    Abstract: A contactless volume control device with adjustable gain and multi-output is configured as a contactless structure with a magnetic slider and a plurality of magnet sensors. The magnetic field of the magnetic slider is sensed by the plurality of magnet sensors to generate a plurality of sensed signals, which allows an output module to provide a data table to show the position of the magnetic slider and the corresponding output voltage thereof according to the sensed signals. Furthermore, the output module is capable of storing multiple variable data to produce different outputs so as to achieve the objective of gain adjusting. Additionally, a processing unit built in the output module has a plurality of output ends so as to output multiple signals. And the magnetic slider and the plurality of magnet sensors have advantages of simple structure, easy manufacture and low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Ruh-Hua Wu