Stereo Earphone Patents (Class 381/309)
  • Patent number: 8619998
    Abstract: The present invention describes techniques that can be used to provide novel methods of spatial audio rendering using adapted M-S matrix shuffler topologies. Such techniques include headphone and loudspeaker-based binaural signal simulation and rendering, stereo expansion, multichannel upmix and pseudo multichannel surround rendering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Martin Walsh, Jean Marc Jot, Edward Stein
  • Patent number: 8620012
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for providing a stereo effect when playing an audio file at a portable terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a component extractor for extracting a mono component and stereo components from an audio signal and a gain controller for determining a signal ratio of the stereo components to the mono component and for controlling a stereo gain according to the signal ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gang-Youl Kim
  • Publication number: 20130336506
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods including a depletion-mode switch configured to pass an audio signal from an input to an output in a low-impedance state when a power source is below a threshold and to isolate the input from the output in a high-impedance state when the power source is above the threshold and a noise-cancelation circuit configured to receive the audio signal from the input and to provide a modulated audio signal at the output when the power source is above the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Seth M. Prentice
  • Publication number: 20130322667
    Abstract: A personal navigation system includes a hearing device configured to be head worn and having speakers for emission of sound towards ears of a user, the hearing device accommodating an inertial measurement unit for determining head yaw of the user, when the user wears the hearing device in its intended operational position on the user's head. The system also includes a GPS unit for determining a geographical position of the user, a sound generator connected for outputting audio signals to the speakers, and a pair of filters with a Head-Related Transfer Function connected in parallel between the sound generator and the speakers for generation of a binaural acoustic sound signal, wherein the speakers are configured to emit the sound towards the ears of the user so that the sound is perceived by the user as coming from a sound source positioned in a direction corresponding to the Head-Related Transfer Function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: GN Store Nord A/S
    Inventor: Søren CHRISTENSEN
  • Patent number: 8600085
    Abstract: An audio player includes an audio headset having two earpieces. A playback circuit provides one of a stereophonic program and a monaural program to the audio headset. The monaural program may be created by mixing channels of the stereophonic program. A mode control is coupled to the playback circuit and to the audio headset. The mode control detects when at least one of the two earpieces is not adjacent a listener's ear and causes the playback circuit to deliver the monaural program to the audio headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shaohai Chen, Phillip George Tamchina, Jae Han Lee
  • Publication number: 20130315422
    Abstract: Signals obtained by convoluting opposite phase signals of impulse responses corresponding to current positions of sound collection units attached to right and left suppliers out of impulse responses calculated in association with a plurality of positions to sound signals for right and left ears are supplied to the right and left suppliers, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsushi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8594351
    Abstract: An earphone includes a first acoustic chamber having a reactive element and a resistive element in a parallel configuration, a second acoustic chamber separated from the first acoustic chamber by an acoustic transducer and including a unitary port to provide both pressure equalization of the second chamber and equalization of the earphone to a predetermined frequency response, and a housing to support the apparatus from the concha of a wearer's ear and to extend the second acoustic chamber into the ear canal of the wearer's ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Harlow, Tetsuro Oishi, Kevin P. Annunziato, Ian M. Collier, Michael Monahan, Roman Sapiejewski
  • Patent number: 8594336
    Abstract: A sound image localization apparatus comprises an L direct output section that produces an output signal by inputting an audio signal of a rear left audio input channel to a filter having a characteristic obtained by dividing RLD by LD, an L cross output section that produces an output signal by inputting the audio signal of the rear left audio input channel to a filter having a characteristic obtained by dividing RLC by LC, an R cross output section that produces an output signal by inputting an audio signal of a rear right audio input channel to a filter having a characteristic obtained by dividing RRC by RC, an R direct output section that produces an output signal by inputting the audio signal of the rear right audio input channel to a filter having a characteristic obtained by dividing RRD by RD, a first adding section that adds a difference signal between the output signal of the L direct output section and the output signal of the R cross output section to an audio signal of a front left audio input ch
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Katayama
  • Publication number: 20130311176
    Abstract: A wireless headset capable of receiving audio signals transmitted wirelessly and compatible for use in an MRI scanner is disclosed. The headset includes a first wireless module connected to the first earphone and a second wireless module connected to the second earphone. Each wireless module is electrically connected to a speaker in the respective earphone. The first wireless module receives the audio signal from a remote source and coordinates transmission of the audio signal to each of the speakers. The compact nature of each earphone minimizes the length of wire runs. In addition, the headset is made of materials having low magnetic susceptibility such that they will not be affected by the magnetic field from the MRI scanner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Brian Brown, Manuel J. Ferrer Herrera, Richard J. Smaglick
  • Patent number: 8577064
    Abstract: A stereo speaker sound capturing and guiding system. The system includes devices that connected on each one of the stereo speakers as a cap. The device covers the speaker cones in hermetic way that captures the sound of the specific speaker and don't let the sound mixed with the sound of the other speaker that located in the same closed box or very near to the first speaker. The sound in the cap device guided directly from the speaker through connector facility between the speakers and the user's ears—such as air tubes—and transmitted exclusively to the user's matched ear—the sound from the right speaker gets only to right ear and sound from the left speaker gets only to the left ear—as at least two independent audio channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Omer Arye Wax
  • Patent number: 8577686
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing audio signals are provided. The method for decoding an audio signal includes extracting a downmix signal and spatial information from a received audio signal and generating a pseudo-surround signal using the downmix signal and the spatial information. The apparatus for decoding an audio signal includes a demultiplexing part extracting a downmix signal and spatial information from a received audio signal and a pseudo-surround decoding part generating a pseudo-surround signal from the downmix signal, using the spatial information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyen-O Oh, Hee Suk Pang, Dong Soo Kim, Jae Hyun Lim, Yang-Won Jung
  • Publication number: 20130279724
    Abstract: A detector located on or near an ear piece may automatically detect whether a left or right ear or neither ear is wearing the ear piece. A signal mixer may automatically apply a correct configuration to signals transmitted to or from the ear piece according to whether the left or right ear or neither ear is determined to be wearing the ear piece. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Roger Stafford, Noam Rimon, Jeppe Oland
  • Publication number: 20130279725
    Abstract: A headphone detection circuit includes a voltage output module and a trigger signal producing module. The voltage output module is used to produce a first voltage to trigger an audio amplifier to output amplified left and right channel signals to a loudspeaker when the headphone port is not connected to the headphone, and produce a second voltage to trigger the audio amplifier to output the amplified left and right channel signals to the headphone port when the headphone port is connected to the headphone. The trigger signal producing module is used to trigger the processing unit to output left channel signals and right channel signals with a relative higher gain when receiving the first voltage, and trigger the processing unit to output the left channel signals and right channel signals with a relative lower gain when receiving the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: DONG-LIANG REN, KUO-PIN LIN
  • Publication number: 20130279726
    Abstract: Applications for detecting binaural sounds and customizing binaural sounds for users. A system for detecting binaural sounds according to an embodiment includes: an input system for obtaining a left side audio signal and a right side audio signal within an environment; a binaural sound detector for evaluating the left side audio signal and the right side audio signal to determine whether a binaural sound is present; and an alarm system for generating an alert when the binaural sound is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Aaron K. Baughman, Christian Eggenberger-Wang, Peter K. Malkin
  • Patent number: 8565455
    Abstract: A method and a system are described providing multiple display systems with an enhanced acoustics experience. A source audio signal having a plurality of source audio channels is generated from an audio signal source. The system includes a plurality of speakers connected to a plurality of display systems. A speaker configuration gatherer determines the spatial configuration of the speakers. An audio signal processor is provided to generate synthesized audio signal based on the contents of the source audio signal and spatial configuration of the speakers. The synthesized audio signal is mapped and delivered to the speakers to produce an enhanced sound field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Devon Worrell, Vishnu Balraj, Srikanth Kambhatla, Kar Leong Wong
  • Patent number: 8553895
    Abstract: A device for generating an encoded stereo signal from a multi-channel representation includes a multi-channel decoder generating three of more multi-channels from at least one basic channel and parametric information. The three or more multi-channels are subjected to headphone signal processing to generate an uncoded first stereo channel and an uncoded second stereo channel which are then supplied to a stereo encoder to generate an encoded stereo file on the output side. The encoded stereo file may be supplied to any suitable player in the form of a CD player or a hardware player such that a user of the player does not only get a normal stereo impression but a multi-channel impression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Jan Plogsties, Harald Mundt, Harald Popp
  • Publication number: 20130259276
    Abstract: An earphone jack includes a left channel audio terminal for receiving a left audio channel signal, a right channel audio terminal for receiving a right audio channel signal, a first detecting terminal, a second detecting terminal, and an anti-interference unit connected between the first detecting terminal and the second detecting terminal. When the earphone plug is not received in a connecting hole of the earphone jack, the first detecting terminal is electrically connected to the right channel audio terminal, the second detecting terminal is electrically connected to the left channel audio terminal, the anti-interference unit prevents the left audio channel signal from being transmitted to the right channel audio terminal and prevents the right audio channel signal from being transmitted to the left channel audio terminal; and the first detecting terminal outputs an electrical signal for indicating that the earphone plug is not plugged into the earphone jack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: ZHEN-JI XU
  • Patent number: 8548538
    Abstract: The invention is directed at a headset for a mobile communication device having a multi-button control and is implemented with a standard headset jack. The multi-button control is decoded by a microprocessor after which an encoded signal is then transmitted from the processor to the handset. In this manner, by using the standard jack, no additional hardware is required on the handset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Robert J. Lowles, Edward Hui, David Mak-Fan
  • Publication number: 20130243226
    Abstract: A sound image localization device is provided, by which a user can easily adapt out-of-head sound image localization to oneself. A filter is configured to perform, for an input signal(s), filtering using a filter coefficient output from a parametric HRTF generator and generate an output signal(s) for the headphone. A user adjuster is capable of invalidating a notch N2 of a parametric HRTF. When the notch N2 is invalidated, a parametric HRTF without the notch N2 is generated in the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukinobu TOKORO, Masanori HARUI
  • Patent number: 8538059
    Abstract: An ear speaker device includes an electroacoustic transducer including a housing mounted at a predetermined position of listener's head, a speaker unit mounted on one surface in the housing, and positioned away from an entrance of the listener's external acoustic meatus for a predetermined distance when the housing is mounted on the listener's head, and a tubular duct extended so as to allow a sound generated by the housing in the inner space thereof to reach the vicinity of the entrance of the listener's external acoustic meatus, and a hole for emitting sound of the duct is oriented to the opposite direction with respect to the entrance of the external acoustic meatus; and a mounting part used for mounting the electroacoustic transducer on the listener's head in a manner that the predetermined distance is provided between the speaker unit and the entrance of the listener's external acoustic meatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Yamagishi, Hideki Seki, Noriyuki Hiyama, Yukimasa Yamaguchi, Takeshi Hara
  • Patent number: 8532305
    Abstract: When two loudspeakers play the same signal, a “phantom center” image is produced between the speakers. However, this image differs from one produced by a real center speaker. In particular, acoustical crosstalk produces a comb-filtering effect, with cancellations that may be in the frequency range needed for the intelligibility of speech. Methods for using phase decorrelation to fill in these gaps and produce a flatter magnitude response are described, reducing coloration and potentially enhancing dialogue clarity. These methods also improve headphone compatibility and reduce the tendency of the phantom image to move toward the nearest speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl C. Vickers
  • Patent number: 8526645
    Abstract: An earpiece (100) and acoustic management module (300) for in-ear canal echo suppression control suitable is provided. The earpiece can include an Ambient Sound Microphone (111) to capture ambient sound, an Ear Canal Receiver (125) to deliver audio content to an ear canal, an Ear Canal Microphone (123) configured to capture internal sound, and a processor (121) to generate a voice activity level (622) and suppress an echo of spoken voice in the electronic internal signal, and mix an electronic ambient signal with an electronic internal signal in a ratio dependent on the voice activity level and a background noise level to produce a mixed signal (323) that is delivered to the ear canal (131).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Personics Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Boillot, John Usher, Jason McIntosh, Steven Goldstein
  • Publication number: 20130223659
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an earphone power amplifier, including a ground contact connected to a ground wire of an earphone, a left sound channel power amplifying circuit connected to a left sound channel of the earphone, and a right sound channel power amplifying circuit connected to a right sound channel of the earphone. The left sound channel power amplifying circuit includes a first operational amplifier and a first positive feedback exported from an input end of the first ferrite bead to an in-phase input end of the first operational amplifier, the right sound channel power amplifying circuit includes a second operational amplifier and a second positive feedback exported from the input end of the first ferrite bead to an in-phase input end of the second operational amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Huawei Device Co., Ltd
  • Patent number: 8520871
    Abstract: A device for processing parameters representing Head-Related Transfer Functions includes an input stage configured to receive audio signals of sound sources, a determinor configured to receive reference parameters representing Head-Related Transfer Functions and configured to determine, from the audio signals, position information representing positions and/or directions of the sound sources. A processor is configured to process the audio signals; and an influencer is configured to influence the processing of the audio signals based on the position information yielding an influenced output audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen Dirk Breebaart, Michel Machiel Willem Van Loon
  • Publication number: 20130216073
    Abstract: A system for audio processing comprising a room reflection emulation system for emulating sound reflections in a room. A room acoustics emulation system for emulating acoustic properties of the room. A head, shoulder and ear emulation system for emulation sound reflections near the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Harry K. Lau
  • Patent number: 8515103
    Abstract: An earphone produces a three-dimensional stereo sound effect. The earphone has an ear cup with a front portion, a back portion, a front sound effect unit disposed in the front portion, a front sound resonator disposed in the front portion, a back sound resonator disposed in the back portion, and a back sound effect disposed in the back portion. A front speaker is disposed in the front portion of the ear cup. A back speaker is disposed in the back portion of the ear cup. A sound controller is disposed in the ear cup. A sound output unit is connected with the ear cup. The front speaker and the back speaker work together to create stereo sound in a first dimension and in a second dimension. One of the front speaker and the back speaker creates stereo sound in a third dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Cyber Group USA Inc.
    Inventors: David Mei, Jin Xia Bao
  • Patent number: 8515104
    Abstract: A method of processing at least one input signal by a set of binaural filters such that the outputs are playable over headphones to provide a sense of listening to sound in a listening room via one or more virtual speakers, with the further property that a monophonic mix down sounds good. Also an apparatus for processing the at least one input signals. Also a method of modifying a pair of binaural filters to achieve the property that a monophonic mix down sounds good, while still providing spatialization when listening through headphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Dobly Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn N. Dickins, David S. McGrath
  • Patent number: 8503688
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device to enhance an ear bud including a headband coupled to one or more ear pads. The ear pad being formed of a material for providing dampening of ambient sound and physiologic compression. For example, the pad can be formed of a visco-elastic foam having a thickness to provide noise reduction and sufficient comfort by avoiding excessive compression on any one part of the ear. The headband and the ear pad provide a force for compressing the tragus and antitragus to partially isolate the ear bud in the external auditory canal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Gregory DiRusso
  • Patent number: 8498426
    Abstract: A gaming unit and producing a game-audio output of a varying volume level and a chat-voice output is connected to headphones adapted to be worn by a player of the unit and connected to the gaming unit for making the chat-voice output and the game-audio output audible to the player. A circuit or software associated with the headphones can increase the chat-voice volume level generally proportionately to the game-audio volume level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc
    Inventor: Carmine Bonanno
  • Patent number: 8498427
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic device with a remote control earphone electrically connected to the main body of the device. The remote control earphone includes seven sensing units, which are substantially arranged in a “8” shape. Sensing signal generated by each sensing unit in response to a touch from the user includes an identification code for identifying itself. The remote control earphone transmits the generated sensing signal to the main body. The main body includes a cache unit to store at least one identification code corresponding to the sensing signal, a storage unit to store the relationship between the identification codes and numbers the identification codes corresponding to, and a processing unit to determine which one of the numbers is input according to the at least one identification code and the relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Song-Ling Yang
  • Patent number: 8494191
    Abstract: The invention relates to a neckloop for being coupled with a transformer element and for generating an electromagnetic signal for being received by a telecoil of a hearing device or by an induction receiver. In order to avoid strangulation of the person wearing the neckloop the neckloop comprises a teleloop cable having a first end and a second end, and a first magnet and a second magnet for forming a clasp of the neckloop. The first and second magnets are of opposite polarity. The first magnet is provided with a first plating and the second magnet is provided with a second plating. The first plating is in direct contact with the first end and the second plating is in direct contact with the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventor: Kristian Kiehn Holst
  • Patent number: 8488820
    Abstract: A method comprises the steps of: receiving a first audio signal (S1); generating a digital representation (S1?) of the first audio signal (S1) by applying a head-related transfer function (HRTF) in a first sound reproduction position (r1); and changing the first sound reproduction position (r1) to a second sound reproduction position (r3) in response to receiving a second audio signal S2) or a precursor signal for a second audio signal (S2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventor: Jens Erik Pedersen
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130170679
    Abstract: A device may store a subset of a plurality of head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) for emulating stereo sound from a source in three-dimensional (3D) space, each of the HRTFs corresponding to a direction from which the stereo sound is perceived to arrive, by a user hearing the stereo sound. The device may also obtain a first direction from which first stereo sound is perceived to arrive, by the user and determine whether the subset of the plurality of HRTFs includes a first HRTF corresponding to the first direction, wherein the plurality of HRTFs include the first HRTF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
    Inventors: Martin Nystrom, Sead Smailagic
  • Patent number: 8477959
    Abstract: A apparatus and method for enabling signals representing a first audio channel and a second audio channel to be conveyed to a first earpiece and a second earpiece, respectively, regardless of which of the first and second earpieces a cable providing both the signals representing the first and second audio channels is coupled to, wherein a first acoustic driver of the first earpiece acoustically outputs the first audio channel and a second acoustic driver of the second earpiece acoustically outputs the second audio channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventor: Paul G. Yamkovoy
  • Patent number: 8472653
    Abstract: A sound processing apparatus includes: sound image localization processing means for performing a sound image localization process on a sound signal to be reproduced; a speaker section placeable over an ear of a user and supplied with the sound signal to emit sound in accordance with the sound signal; turning detection means provided in the speaker section to detect turning of the head of the user; inclination detection means provided in the speaker section to detect inclination of the turning detection means; turning correction means for correcting detection results from the turning detection means on the basis of detection results of the inclination detection means; and adjustment means for controlling the sound image localization processing means so as to adjust the localized position of a sound image on the basis of the detection results from the turning detection means corrected by the turning correction means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Homare Kon
  • Patent number: 8472660
    Abstract: An adaptation device that removably attaches to earbud style headphone/s and provides security and retention of the earbud to a wearer's ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Innovelis, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric John Wengreen
  • Publication number: 20130156238
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for reducing crosstalk between two systems or between parts of the same system. In some embodiments, a method includes transmitting, from a first signal source, a first input signal to a first amplifier associated with a first audio-listening channel. Additionally, the method includes measuring a signal level along a common path shared by the first audio-listening channel and the second audio-listening channel, wherein the common path includes at least some resistance. Additionally, the method includes determining a compensation signal to be injected into the second audio-listening channel based at least partially on the measured signal level. Additionally, the method includes injecting at least a part of the first input signal into the second audio-listening channel based at least partially on the determined compensation signal, thereby reducing a current level in the second audio-listening channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
    Inventor: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
  • Patent number: 8467552
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing head related transfer function (HRTF) storage requirements for 3-D sound processing of an input sound having a specified source angle increment is provided. Interaural time difference (ITD) values are selected based directly on the source angle increment; and HRTFs for processing the input sound are stored in angle increments larger than the source angle increment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventor: Ben Sferrazza
  • Patent number: 8442244
    Abstract: A surround sound system acquires a set of original channel signals as picked up or modeled by a set of microphones, located in a real or virtual acoustic space. Two microphones, mounted on or near the front of a head that may be real or artificial, are oriented to pick up the sounds emanating from the front. Two additional microphones are located near the ear canals of the head configured to emulate a human head in a manner that encodes the surround sound signals with a head-related transfer function (HRTF) that, in reproduction, enhances the accuracy and realism with which a listener perceives the various source locations. The head can be augmented, e.g. with small baffles strategically configured and located to modify the HRTF for overall accuracy and realism. Surround sound channels, so originated, may be transmitted for real-time reproduction or may be recorded, filtered, delayed, or otherwise processed and stored in memory for later reproduction. In an exemplary 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Marshall Long, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8442237
    Abstract: A stereo sound generation apparatus and method of reproducing multi-channel sound input signals through two-channel speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sun-min Kim, Sang-il Park
  • Patent number: 8428289
    Abstract: An adaptation device that removably attaches to earbud style headphone/s and provides improved security and retention of the earbud to a wearer's ear yet positions the speaker in substantially the same distance relative to the concha and/or ear canal of a wearer as a wearer would ordinarily wear an earbud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Innovelis, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric John Wengreen
  • Patent number: 8428269
    Abstract: A spatial audio system for implementing a head-related transfer function (HRTF). A first stage implements a lateral HRTF that reproduces the median frequency response for a sound source located at a particular lateral distance from a listener, and second stage implements a vertical HRTF that reproduces the spectral changes when the vertical distance of a sound source changes relative to the listener. The system improves the vertical localization accuracy provided by an arbitrary measured HRTF by introducing an enhancement factor into the second processing stage. The enhancement factor increases the spectral differentiation between simulated sound sources located at different positions within the same “cone of confusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Douglas S. Brungart, Griffin D. Romigh
  • Publication number: 20130094683
    Abstract: A binaural listening system comprises first and second listening devices adapted for being located at or in left and right ears, respectively, of a user, the binaural listening system being adapted for receiving a wirelessly transmitted signal comprising a target signal and an acoustically propagated signal comprising the target signal as modified by respective first and second acoustic propagation paths from an audio source to the first and second listening devices. Spatial information is provided to an audio signal streamed to a pair of listening devices of a binaural listening system. The first and second listening devices each comprise an alignment unit for aligning the first and second streamed target audio signals with the first and second propagated electric signals in the first and second listening devices, respectively, to provide first and second aligned streamed target audio signals in the first and second listening devices, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: OTICON A/S
    Inventor: Oticon A/S
  • Patent number: 8422690
    Abstract: There is provided an audio reproduction apparatus. The audio reproduction apparatus comprises a first acquisition unit, a determination unit, a calculation unit, a second acquisition unit, and a generation unit. The configuration of the audio reproduction apparatus enables changing a head-related transfer function for signal processing in audio signal reproduction in accordance with the state of the audio recording apparatus at the time of audio signal acquisition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Matsuura
  • Publication number: 20130089225
    Abstract: A binaural-recording earphone set is provided. It comprises two speaker units and two microphone units, the two speaker units are inserted into the auditory canal of two ears respectively. The two microphone units are coupled on the two speaker units and can be dismounted. Under a recording mode, the microphone units can be dismounted from the speaker units, and replace the speaker units to be inserted into the auditory canal of the two ears to record external sound. Under a play mode, the speaker units are inserted back into the auditory canal of the two ears to playback the sound recorded previously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Cheng-Ho Tsai
  • Patent number: 8416959
    Abstract: A circuit includes a microphone circuit, an audio processing module, a digital audio processing module, and an active noise reduction (ANR) circuit. The microphone circuit receives acoustic vibrations and generates an audio signal therefrom. The audio processing module generates a representation of the audio signal. The digital audio processing module compensates the representation of the audio signal based on hearing compensation data to produce a hearing compensated audio signal. The ANR circuit receives the hearing compensated audio signal and an ANR signal. The ANR circuit further functions to adjust the hearing compensated audio signal based on the ANR signal to produce an output audio signal, wherein the ANR signal is generated based on the output audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: SPEAR Labs, LLC.
    Inventors: Dale Lott, William T. Newton
  • Patent number: 8401198
    Abstract: A method of measuring and improving acoustic properties, and a recording medium and a music reproduction apparatus that are suitable for the method. The method includes reproducing and outputting an analysis signal stored in codec file types, recording the output analysis signal in the codec file types, obtaining an impulse response by performing convolution on the recorded signal and an inverse signal of the analysis signal, and correcting frequency properties based on the impulse response. By storing a signal that is supposed to be generated by a signal generation device in codec file types, it is possible to implement the signal in a music reproduction apparatus without a need for the signal generation device. By correcting frequency property, the music reproduction apparatus can improve the performance of an output acoustic signal close to that of an original sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jae-one Oh, Ho-young Sung
  • Patent number: 8391503
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring noise exposure associated with use of a wireless headset are presented. In one example, a transition from a wireless headset standby mode operation to a wireless headset active mode operation is identified. A stored noise dose measurement at the wireless headset is recalled, and a current noise dose measurement is calculated at the wireless headset for a duration of the active mode operation. A transition from the wireless headset active mode operation to the wireless headset standby mode operation is identified, and an updated noise dose measurement is recorded at the wireless headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony Bayley, Kwangsee Woo, Steven Wong
  • Publication number: 20130051589
    Abstract: There is provided an earphone device of an ear-hole insertion type having a noise cancelling function, the earphone device including a left channel housing unit that accommodates a left channel driver unit outputting a left channel sound; and a right channel housing unit that accommodates a right channel driver unit outputting a right channel sound. A microphone for noise cancelling and a battery are accommodated in each of the left and right channel housing units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Ide, Kazuhisa Kito, Naotaka Tsunoda