Amplifier Patents (Class 381/28)
  • Patent number: 8600081
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an audio signal amplifying circuit for an electronic device including a processing chip and a speaker. The audio signal amplifying circuit includes an amplifying circuit and an inverting circuit connected to the processing chip to get a first control signal and invert the first control signal to generate a second control signal. The first control signal and/or the second control signal are used to control the operation mode of the amplifying circuit to be in an amplifying mode or in a non-amplifying mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ren-Wen Huang, Jun-Wei Zhang, Jun Zhang, Lin-Kun Ding, Tsung-Jen Chuang
  • Patent number: 8559644
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for sound comprising a sound source generating unit for generating an electric signal from a sound source, N (N?2) amplifiers which are connected in series so that the output part of one amplifier is connected with the input part of the other amplifier and one of them is connected with the sound source generating unit, and 2N speakers which are respectively connected with left and right output parts of each of the N amplifiers. According to one aspect of the invention there is formed a multiple stereo imaging including a first stereo imaging, a first mono imaging, a second mono imaging and a second stereo imaging generated by the first mono imaging and the second mono imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: Won Sup Chung, Uk Don Choi
  • Publication number: 20130266146
    Abstract: Techniques for utilizing a plurality of switches to reduce crosstalk in a headset jack for accommodating both European and North American type headset plugs. In an aspect, a six-switch solution is provided to selectively couple first and second terminals of the jack to a ground and a microphone terminal, and further to selectively couple a ground sensing input to the first or second terminal of the jack. The ground sensing input is provided to left and right audio channel amplifiers for driving the corresponding left and right terminals of the headset, to provide a common-mode reference level to the left and right audio channel amplifiers. In another aspect, at least four physical pins are provided to couple the switches to the ground and microphone terminals of the jack, and the connections between the ground sensing inputs and the jack may be provided adjacent to the jack for better isolation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Guoqing Miao, Peter J. Shah
  • Patent number: 8553909
    Abstract: An audio amplifier system may include an audio CODEC/output (AOP) path featuring analog class-D amplifiers, and using Natural Sampling Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to convert an analog input into a series of Rail-to-Rail pulses. The audio signal may be encoded in the average value of the PWM pulse train and may be recovered from the PWM signal by analog low pass filtering. The Class-D amplifiers may be designed with a negative feedback loop/network to compare the output signal with the input signal and suppress non-idealities introduced by the Class-D switching stage. Furthermore, operation of the AOP may be designed according to a separate signal transfer function and a separate noise transfer function, and 2nd order noise shaping may be performed at low power, with an optimized filter included in the feedback loop to achieve the best noise reduction at low power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: SMSC Holdings S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Justin L. Fortier, Ralph D. Mason, Renyuan Li, Christopher A. DeVries, Peter H. R. Popplewell, William Kung
  • Patent number: 8526640
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for switching audio amplification. In an embodiment, an apparatus for switching audio amplification includes an output circuit. The output circuit is coupled to a plurality of different voltage potentials and a first voltage potential, and outputs an output signal to drive a load, wherein each of the different voltage potentials is greater than the first voltage potential. In an exemplary embodiment, a control circuit controls the output circuit to generate the output signal based on one of the different voltage potentials and first voltage potential selectively so as to enable the output signal to switch between any two adjacent corresponding voltage levels of the different voltage potentials and the first voltage potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Modiotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yang-Yuan Han
  • Patent number: 8520858
    Abstract: A sound system for capturing and reproducing sounds produced by a plurality of sound sources. The system comprises a device for receiving sounds produced by the plurality of sound sources and converting the separately received sounds to a plurality of separate audio signals without mixing the audio signals. The system may further comprise a device for separately storing the plurality of separate audio signals on a recording medium without mixing the audio signals and a device for reading the stored audio signals from the recording medium. The system further includes a reproduction system for recreating the plurality of separate audio signals. Also, the system comprises an amplification network which comprises a plurality of amplifier systems, with one or more separate amplifiers in each amplifier system for separately amplifying each of the separate audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Verax Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Metcalf
  • Publication number: 20130216048
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Stereo to Monaural Multi-speaker Parallel Wiring System that uses a standard 200 watt stereo and a whole sound impedance corrector to greatly reduce the wiring connections, the installation time and the overall cost of the system. A whole or complete sound comes from each speaker and will, overlap from speaker to speaker so that moving/around in different areas or zones within a house or yard, a person will receive the same whole and complete sound. With the master speaker switch box included, different areas or zones can be turned off or on as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Ron R. Adam
  • Patent number: 8494171
    Abstract: An energy saving PWM sound device forms a frequency-dependent impedance device implemented on the PWM output of the voice-ICs in series to lower the power consumption and to enhance sound quality of the voice-IC products. The device includes a hollow core body and an elongated conductive element. The core body has a top rim, a bottom rim, and two side rims to define a through channel therewithin. The conductive element winds around the top rim of the core body, wherein two ends of the conductive element are adapted for connecting with the PWM output, such that when the conductive element is electrically conducted, the core body acts as an inductor at lower frequency and a frequency-dependent resistor in series with the inductor at higher frequency for blocking most of PWM carrier frequency so as to reduce the power consumption of the voice-ICs product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Jack Chu
  • Patent number: 8494183
    Abstract: A switching section causes the first amplification section to amplify the expansion left audio signal and supply the amplified expansion left audio signal to the first speaker terminal and causing the second amplification section to amplify the expansion right audio signal and supply the amplified expansion right audio signal to the second speaker terminal when the Bi-Amp function is not used. The switching section causes the first amplification section to amplify the left audio signal for Bi-Amp and supply the amplified left audio signal for Bi-Amp the first speaker terminal and causing the second amplification section to amplify the right audio signal for Bi-Amp and supply the amplified right audio signal for Bi-Amp to the second speaker terminal when the Bi-Amp function is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Onkyo Corporation
    Inventors: Tadaharu Sunaga, Susumu Koaze, Junichi Kobayashi, Norio Etoh, Yataro Yajima, Shintaro Jo, Ayako Nakatani, Yohei Koike
  • Patent number: 8488796
    Abstract: A method for simulating spatially extended sound sources comprising: panning a first input signal over a plurality of output channels to generate a first multi-channel directionally encoded signal; panning a second input signal over the plurality of output channels to generate a second multi-channel directionally encoded signal; combining the first and second multi-channel directionally encoded signals to generate a plurality of loudspeaker output channels; and applying a bank of decorrelation filters on the loudspeaker output channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Jot, Martin Walsh, Adam R. Philp
  • Patent number: 8472643
    Abstract: The present invention is related to an improved power amplifier and a method for restraining power of the improved power amplifier. The improved power amplifier has an output power restraint unit, and the output power restraint unit is capable of restraining output power of the improved power amplifier when the output power is exceedingly large. A method for restraining power of a power amplifier, the method comprises the steps of: determining whether power of output powers signal are exceedingly large through a power signal transformation unit, if yes, adjusting two variable resistor of an input amplifier unit for adjusting the power of the power signals, and outputting the adjusted power signals for driving a load via output terminals of the power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Amazing Microelectronic Corp.
    Inventors: Ming-Hsiung Chen, Shang-Shu Chung, Tung-Sheng Ku
  • Patent number: 8473291
    Abstract: A sound processing apparatus is provided for estimating the power of background noise using a directional sound receiving technology using a plurality of sound receiving units, computing a gain control value on the basis of the estimated power of background noise and a predetermined power target value, and outputting the gain control value, so that a delay time of starting gain control can be reduced, and a slow response of a speech recognition application program or degradation of the speech quality of a voice communication program can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Naoshi Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20130156203
    Abstract: A terminal including a plurality of speakers and a method for operating the same are provided. The method includes generating a request for an audio data playback, processing a signal according to the audio data playback, determining an audio pass which will output the processed signal corresponding to the audio data, when the audio pass which will output the processed signal corresponding to the audio data is determined, dividing an audio signal to be transferred to sub amplifiers in a front terminal of at least one dual amplifier connected to a plurality of speakers in one-to-on correspondence and including two sub amplifiers corresponding to a dual amplifier, transferring the divided audio signal to a corresponding sub amplifier of the dual amplifier, and amplifying the processed signal corresponding to the audio data and transferring the amplified processed signal corresponding to the audio data to the speakers by the dual amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8457321
    Abstract: Devices, apparatus, methods, circuits and processors are implemented for control of audio signals. Consistent with one such apparatus, a processor circuit is configured and arranged to determine, for a perceived loudness algorithm that outputs audio signal levels, a common point corresponding to a particular background noise level at which the levels of the audio signal levels are independent of a volume setting that corresponds to desired perceived loudness, and to determine an audio signal level from the perceived loudness algorithm in response to a background noise signal, a volume setting signal, and the common point. An audio signal level output circuit is configured and arranged to provide an audio signal at the determined audio signal level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Lise Daubigny
  • Patent number: 8452028
    Abstract: A dynamic surround channel volume control applies a variable gain control to the surround channels of a multi-channel system. Thus the levels of the surround channels are related to the main volume control of the system. This maintains a predictable relationship between the surround channels and the main or front channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: THX, Ltd.
    Inventors: John Dahl, Casey Divine
  • Patent number: 8446126
    Abstract: A power bank apparatus with speaker combines the function of power bank and the function of speaker. The power bank apparatus not only charges the portable electronic apparatuses but also supplies power to the internal speaker. The voice or music of the portable electronic apparatus is amplified by the speaker of the power bank apparatus to improve the quality of the voice or music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Cooler Master Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Hung Cheng
  • Patent number: 8447048
    Abstract: In the specification and drawing a control volume system is described and shown for synchronizing a sound volume of an electronic device and another sound volume of the peripheral device according to a volume specification of the electronic device and another volume specification of the peripheral device. Moreover, a control volume method and the electronic device are also disclosed in the specification and drawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Wistron Corp.
    Inventors: Po-Hsu Chen, Chien-Tsuen Liu
  • Patent number: 8428949
    Abstract: An apparatus for classifying an input audio signal into audio contents of a first and second class, comprising an audio segmentation module adapted to segment said input audio signal into segments of a predetermined length; a feature computation module adapted to calculate for the segments features characterizing said audio input signal; a threshold comparison module adapted to generate a feature vector for each of said one or more segments based on a plurality of predetermined thresholds, the thresholds including for each of the audio contents of the first class and of the second class a substantially near certainty threshold, a substantially high certainty threshold, and a substantially low certainty threshold; and a classification module adapted to analyze the feature vector and classify each one of said one or more segments as audio contents of the first class, of the second class, or as non-decisive audio contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Waves Audio Ltd.
    Inventors: Itai Neoran, Yizhar Lavner, Dima Ruinskiy
  • Patent number: 8416968
    Abstract: An audio device and an audio input/output method are described, which is coupled to an audio port, and includes a capacitor, a load, an output amplifying module, and an input amplifying module. The capacitor and the load are coupled to the audio port. The output amplifying module is operated at a first working voltage, for outputting a first audio signal to the audio port. A direct current (DC) level of the first audio signal is substantially zero volts. The input amplifying module is operated at a second working voltage, in order to receive a second audio signal from the audio port. When the audio port is in an output state, the output amplifying module is enabled and the input amplifying module is disabled, and when the audio port is in an input state, the input amplifying module is enabled and the output amplifying module is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Chung-Hang Tsai, Wei-Cheng Tang
  • Patent number: 8416969
    Abstract: An amplifier circuit comprises differential amplification circuitry comprising an input stage having first and second differential inputs, and an output stage, having respective first and second amplifier components with first and second differential outputs. The first amplifier component of the output stage comprises a first power transistor operably coupled to the first differential output and driven by a first differential output of the input stage, and a third power transistor operably coupled to the first differential output of the amplifier circuit and driven by a second output of the input stage. The second amplifier component comprises a second power transistor operably coupled to the second differential output and driven by a second output of the input stage, and a fourth power transistor operably coupled to the second differential output and driven by the first output of the input stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Enjalbert, Zakaria Mengad
  • Publication number: 20130064378
    Abstract: An anti-noise earmuff device includes an audio signal processor unit, a Bluetooth module, an audio mixer unit and an amplifier unit. The audio signal processor unit is arranged in the earmuffs for control audio signal output, protecting the user's eardrums against noise of high-decibel level. The Bluetooth module receives or communicates with a mobile communication device through an antenna, allowing the user to listen to the music and to communicate with people outside without needing taking off the earmuff device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Ching Kuo CHUANG
  • Patent number: 8369538
    Abstract: An effect adding method, includes: applying different gains to a positive side waveform portion and a negative side waveform portion of an audio signal respectively when absolute values of input levels of the positive side waveform portion and the negative side waveform portion are smaller than a predetermined value; producing a higher range component of the audio signal based on a high range component of the audio signal to which the gain is applied, the higher range component being higher in frequency than the high range component; producing a lower range component of the audio signal based on a low range component of the audio signal to which the gain is applied, the lower range component being lower in the frequency than the low range component; and synthesizing an audio signal having an effect sound by adding the audio signal to which the different gains are applied, the higher range component, and the lower range component with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Akiyama, Ryotaro Aoki
  • Patent number: 8355921
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing improved audio processing may include a processor. The processor may be configured to divide respective signals of each channel of a multi-channel audio input signal into one or more spectral bands corresponding to respective analysis frames, select a leading channel from among channels of the multi-channel audio input signal for at least one spectral band, determine a time shift value for at least one spectral band of at least one channel, and time align the channels based at least in part on the time shift value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Mikko Tapio Tammi, Miikka Tapani Vilermo
  • Patent number: 8335327
    Abstract: A configurable amplifier circuit for a karaoke player is described. In one embodiment, a karaoke player includes: a DVD/CD reader port for coupling to a DVD/CD reader, a microphone input to receive audio signals from an external microphone, an MPEG decoder coupled to the DVD/CD reader port and the microphone input, the MPEG decoder having first and second output terminals, a processor coupled to the MPEG decoder, the processor to control the MPEG decoder, and a configurable amplifier coupled to the first and second output terminals, wherein a first audio signal originating from the first output terminal is selectively amplified by the configurable amplifier circuit in accordance with a second signal originating from the second output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: CSR Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Gaile Lin, Hong Guan, Qun Zhong
  • Patent number: 8335322
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an amplifier, an output unit, a processing unit, and a mute control circuit. The amplifier is for amplifying audio signals and generating amplified audio signals accordingly. The amplifier includes an output port to output the amplified audio signals. The output unit is for emitting sounds corresponding to the amplified audio signals. The processing unit is for generating a mute control signal. The mute control circuit includes a main circuit and an auxiliary circuit. The main circuit is for responding to the mute control signal, and for driving the amplifier to change between a mute state and a play state accordingly. The auxiliary circuit is for enabling the output port of the amplifier to be electrically grounded at the moment of supplying power to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tao Wang
  • Patent number: 8330538
    Abstract: An improved self-oscillating audio amplifier and a method for restraining audio distortion of the self-oscillating audio amplifier are disclosed. The improved self-oscillating audio amplifier comprises a distortion restraint unit configured to detect whether modulated audio signals outputted from the self-oscillating audio amplifier is distorted and, if so, to restrain the distortion. The method for restraining audio distortion of the self-oscillating audio amplifier includes the following steps of: determining whether the modulated audio signals outputted from an audio amplifier positive output terminal is distorted by a first flip-flop set, and if yes, restraining the distortion of the modulated audio signals outputted from the audio amplifier positive output terminal; and outputting the modulated audio signals to drive a speaker by the audio amplifier positive output terminal and an audio amplifier negative output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Amazing Microelectronic Corp.
    Inventors: Ming-Hsiung Chen, Shang-Shu Chung, Tung-Sheng Ku
  • Patent number: 8295511
    Abstract: An audio system 10 has a plurality of audio sources 12a-12c for outputting audio signals different from each other. A coefficient device 15d adjusts the gain of the audio signal output from one of the audio sources. A nonvolatile memory 15i stores, as internal gains, gains to be set to the coefficient device in correspondence with the audio sources. When a switch changeover section 17 selects one of the audio sources, the CPU 15h reads from the nonvolatile memory the internal gain corresponding to the audio source selected, and sets the internal gain to the coefficient device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Nakata
  • Patent number: 8284962
    Abstract: An Electronic bass register musical instrument tube preamplifier includes an in line signal pre-amplification device in a Class A audio amplifier configuration. The pre-amplification device includes one or more modern thin film capacitors coupled to the output of the preamplifier circuit from the anode of half of a dual triode 12AX7 electron tube and one or more “paper in oil” capacitors. The one or more “paper in oil” capacitors are coupled to bypass and decouple to ground at the anode of half of the dual triode 12AX7 electron tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Clifford William Latshaw
  • Patent number: 8265299
    Abstract: A method for processing an audio signal is disclosed. The present invention includes obtaining a plural-channel audio signal including a speech component signal and other component signals, obtaining gain of the audio signal, obtaining modification strength parameter determining the strength of the modification of the speech component signal, modifying the gain based on the modification strength parameter, and modifying the speech component signal based on the modified gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Ha Moon, Hyen O Oh, Joon Il Lee, Myung Hoon Lee, Yang Won Jung
  • Patent number: 8229137
    Abstract: Volume control circuits for use in electronic devices are provided. Some embodiments of the present invention provide volume control circuits for use in electronic devices. The volume control circuits include a gain circuit, a limiter circuit, a power measurement circuit and a gain adjustment circuit. The gain circuit is configured to receive an input audio signal and amplify the input audio signal based on a gain. The limiter circuit is configured to limit the amplified input audio signal based on a peak safety limit and output an output audio signal having a peak value based on the peak safety limit. The power measurement circuit is configured to measure a power level of the output audio signal. The power level has an associated power safety limit. The gain adjustment circuit is configured to adjust the gain of the gain circuit responsive to the measured power. Related methods and electronic devices are also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Eric Douglas Romesburg
  • Patent number: 8218776
    Abstract: A surge protection circuit acquires a surge signal from a left channel (LC) signal line and a right channel (RC) signal line. After the surge signal being transmitted on the LC signal line and the RC signal line is removed, an audio signal outputted from a signal input device is transmitted to an audio output device via the LC signal line and the RC signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Te Wu
  • Publication number: 20120155654
    Abstract: A circuit device for a three-dimensional sound system is disclosed. The device circuit contains a plurality of resistors, capacitors and transistors. The circuit is an analog circuit creating an actual three-dimensional sound system where the listener can perceive sound coming from different spatial directions. The circuit device accomplishes this by sensing the amplitude and phase difference between the sound signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: DALWINDER SINGH SIDHU
  • Patent number: 8204256
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Hironari Ozaki, Peter Shintani
  • Patent number: 8189816
    Abstract: A computer controlled amplifier and speaker system includes a power conservation feature allowing ready adaptation to a variety of consumer vehicles, audio systems, and individual consumer purposes. The computer controlled amplifier and speaker system includes an audio-signal detection and power on/off feature and accepts multiple audio inputs and enables multiple audio outputs while also allowing ready adaptation to a variety of power sources. A plurality of power supply functions are readily adapted to supply power to the amplifier and speaker system enhancing user convenience. The disclosed system may be readily adaptable to a portable kit allowing achievement of similar power conservation goals in diverse settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Wolo Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Stanley Solow
  • Publication number: 20120128164
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a sound processing device with a binaural input and binaural output, where “binaural input” means at least one microphone mounted in or near each ear of the device user, and “binaural output” means at least one output signal directed to each ear. The device may be comprised of two parts connected by a wired or wireless link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Peter Blamey
  • Patent number: 8184830
    Abstract: A power amplifier that can provide electrical isolation between an input signal and an amplified output signal avoids isolation between the amplifier output and the load to reduce complexity, component count, cost and size over prior power amplifiers. The power amplifier avoids the use of a power transformer to provide electrical isolation, while maintaining electrical isolation between the amplifier and the input signal to satisfy regulatory requirements. A power converter in the amplifier may be directly connected to input power lines, and provide power factor correction and voltage bus regulation to supply appropriate power to the amplifier. The input signal may be electrically isolated from the amplifier through any suitable isolation including optical isolation or magnetic isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Eric Persson
  • Patent number: 8175283
    Abstract: A device and a method for analyzing sound based on a biomorphic design are disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of amplification/filtering stages (S1, . . . , Sn) connected in a series configuration. Each amplification/filtering stage comprises at least one nonlinear amplification module (100a, . . . , 100c), preferably a Hopf amplifier, and at least one filter module (200a? . . . , 200c; 200a?, . . . 200c?) providing high-frequency attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: University of Zurich
    Inventors: Ruedi Stoop, Albert Kern, Johannes Petrus V. D. Vyver
  • Publication number: 20120106745
    Abstract: The audio processing system disclosed in the invention comprises an audio processor and an audio amplifier. The audio processor receives a data signal to generate a processed signal, and comprises at least one gain control circuit and at least one operational amplifier. The gain control circuit generates a gain signal according to a volume control signal, a reference signal, and a feedback signal. The operational amplifier couples to the gain control circuit and amplifies the data signal by the gain signal to generate a processed signal. The audio amplifier couples to the audio processor to receive and amplify the processed signal, wherein an amplified signal is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Cheng-Ming SHIH, Cheng-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 8170217
    Abstract: An audio signal processing apparatus is provided. The audio signal processing apparatus comprises a clock generator, a processing module, an amplifying module and an output module. The clock generator is used for generating a clock signal. The processing module is coupled to the clock generator for processing the clock signal and generating a processing signal. The amplifying module is coupled to the processing module for amplifying the processing signal and generating an amplifying signal. The output module is coupled to the amplifying module for outputting the amplifying signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Princeton Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ming-Hsiung Chen, Shang-Shu Chung, Ming-Chung Li
  • Publication number: 20120093325
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an audio power amplifier used to output a left and a right channel audio signal, an earphone jack assembly, and a switching circuit automatically switching between a speaker mode and an earphone mode. The audio power amplifier includes a control pin enabling the audio power amplifier to be electrically connected to the speaker. The control pin activated at a low level and disabled at a high level. The switching circuit is capable of enabling the control pin to switch between the low level and the high level. The switching circuit includes a power supply, a first resistor, a second resistor, a third resistor, and a diode. The resistance of the third resistor far exceeds that of the first resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: XING-HUA TANG
  • Patent number: 8144880
    Abstract: An audio amplifier includes a plurality of sub-audio amplifier sets, a clock source, and a speaker. When the audio amplifier is under an audio amplify mode, the plurality of sub-audio amplifier sets is operated under a synchronic operating frequency with a same clock signal generated by the clock source. When the audio amplifier is under a self-oscillation mode, the clock signal is isolated from being input to the plurality of sub-audio amplifier sets. A higher distortion is prevented by repeatedly charging and discharging an oscillating capacitor of a sub-audio amplifier in a sub-audio amplifier set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Princeton Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ming-Hsiung Chen, Shang-Shu Chung, Ming-Chung Li
  • Patent number: 8130980
    Abstract: There is provided an automatic gain control circuit for volume control receiving at least one audio signal input via either a wired connection or a wireless connection. The circuit includes an output signal regulator receiving a first portion of the at least one audio signal input, with the regulator being able to vary an amplitude of the first portion of the at least one audio signal input when a control signal from a circuit controller is received. The circuit controller may be powered by a DC generator; with the DC generator receiving a second portion of the at least one audio signal input. A signal from the output signal regulator may be passed through an acoustic generator. It is preferable that the first portion of the at least one audio signal input is substantially more than the second portion. It is also preferable that the output signal regulator varies the amplitude of the at least one audio signal input by reducing the amplitude. A corresponding method of volume control is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Kok Ghay Wong, Thean Kuie Christopher Chang, Chee Sin Cheah, Huoy Ru Rachel Koh
  • Patent number: 8111844
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit for a condenser microphone according to one exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a first resistor, a second resistor, a power supply terminal, a first capacitor, and a first diode. The first resistor and the second resistor are connected between a drain of an output transistor and an output terminal in series. The power supply terminal is connected to a source of the output transistor. The first capacitor is arranged between the power supply terminal and a connection point of the first resistor and the second resistor. The first diode is connected in parallel with the first capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20120020483
    Abstract: Systems and devices for, and methods of, frequency separation and spatialization of audio content, by: (a) filtering a stream content; (b) transmitting the filtered stream content via a plurality of speaker channels, wherein at least one of the speaker channels of the plurality of speaker channels comprises an amplitude gain based on a display position set; and optionally (c) generating an inversion of the filtered stream content; and (d) combining the inverted filtered stream content with the stream content to generate a low frequency component of the audio content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Sachin G. Deshpande, Scott J. Daly
  • Patent number: 8090121
    Abstract: An audio adapter includes a first audio interface, a second audio interface, and two second amplifiers. The power pin of the second audio interface is connected to the non-inverting terminals of the two amplifiers. The left and right ear audio pins of the second audio interface are respectively connected to the inverting terminals of the first and the second amplifiers via two current-limiting resistors respectively. Two variable resistors are respectively connected between the inverting terminal and the output terminal of the two amplifiers. The output terminals of the two amplifiers are respectively connected to the left and right ear audio interface of the first audio interface and respectively connected to the ground pin of the first audio interface via two voltage-limiting resistors respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Chun Liu, Xiao-Lin Gan, Yu-Kuang Ho
  • Patent number: 8081776
    Abstract: A system automatically determines an equalizing filter characteristic for a communication system within a vehicle. The communication system includes a loudspeaker and a microphone or microphone array. The system transmits a predetermined test signal through the loudspeaker and receive the test signal through the microphone or microphone array. Based on the predetermined test signal and the received test signal, a transfer function is developed. The equalizing filter characteristic is then developed from the transfer function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Tim Haulick, Gerhard Uwe Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8081781
    Abstract: For achieving an audio reproduction with high sound quality, in a multi-channel A/V amplifier, front speakers are driven with a parallel-drive bi-amplifier arrangement upon stereo reproduction. In the case of the multi-channel reproduction mode, the switching circuit allows an output signal of each channel of the decoder to be sent to speakers via amplifiers for each channel in one-to-one correspondence. On the other hand, in the case of the 2-channel stereo reproduction mode, the switching circuit allows at least two amplifiers among the plurality of amplifiers to be connected in parallel between the output signal for each of the channels L and R of the decoder and the speakers for each of the channels L and R, and also allows the timing of the output signals of the respective amplifiers to be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Atsuo Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20110305346
    Abstract: Devices, apparatus, methods, circuits and processors are implemented for control of audio signals. Consistent with one such apparatus, a processor circuit is configured and arranged to determine, for a perceived loudness algorithm that outputs audio signal levels, a common point corresponding to a particular background noise level at which the levels of the audio signal levels are independent of a volume setting that corresponds to desired perceived loudness, and to determine an audio signal level from the perceived loudness algorithm in response to a background noise signal, a volume setting signal, and the common point. An audio signal level output circuit is configured and arranged to provide an audio signal at the determined audio signal level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Lise Daubigny
  • Patent number: 8077474
    Abstract: A variable equalizer apparatus for forward and/or reverse equalizers in an amplifier. The system can include a structure to allow continuous contact of the signal flow as an equalizer is removed; jumpers with fixed resistors and associated capacitors and inductors to produce a variable range over many different values; and/or variable resistance potentiometers with fixed resistors and associated capacitors and inductors to produce a variable range over separate value equalizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventors: Edward Perez, David Wallis
  • Publication number: 20110293101
    Abstract: A M-bridge class-D audio amplifier for portable applications and a method of driving a three-wire audio output device comprises a stereo signal source producing first and second input stereo digital signals; circuitry adapted to receive the first and second input stereo digital signals and produce three stereo signals comprising a first, second, and third digital signal, wherein the three stereo signals generate PWM waves comprising a first, second, and third digital signal PWM wave; exactly three pairs of MOSFETs driven by the first, second, and third digital signal PWM waves respectively; and a three-wire speaker system comprising a first wire driven by the first digital signal PWM wave through the first pair of MOSFETs; a second wire driven by the second digital signal PWM wave through the second pair of MOSFETs; and a common wire driven by the third digital signal PWM wave through the third pair of MOSFETs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Bin Xu