Headphone Circuits Patents (Class 381/74)
  • Patent number: 11910182
    Abstract: A method for processing an audio signal in accordance with a room impulse response is described. The audio signal is processed with an early part of the room impulse response separate from a late reverberation of the room impulse response, wherein the processing of the late reverberation has generating a scaled reverberated signal, the scaling being dependent on the audio signal. The processed early part of the audio signal and the scaled reverberated signal are combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Simone Neukam, Jan Plogsties
  • Patent number: 11902762
    Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to orientation-aware surround sound playback. A method for processing audio on an electronic device that includes a plurality of loudspeakers is disclosed, the loudspeakers arranged in more than one dimension of the electronic device. The method includes, responsive to receipt of a plurality of received audio streams, generating a rendering component associated with the plurality of received audio streams, determining an orientation dependent component of the rendering component, processing the rendering component by updating the orientation dependent component according to an orientation of the loudspeakers and dispatching the received audio streams to the plurality of loudspeakers for playback based on the processed rendering component. Corresponding system and computer program products are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Xuejing Sun, Guilin Ma, Xiguang Zheng
  • Patent number: 11895476
    Abstract: The invention is based on a loudspeaker for headphones, which has a magnet (2) accommodated in a housing comprising a respective voice coil arranged in said magnet in an axially movable manner, a diaphragm, and a loudspeaker frame (3). According to the invention, that the magnet (2) is coaxially surrounded with a ring (6), into which at least one S-shaped recess (7) is introduced, and the free front surface of the magnet (2) is provided with a disk (8), into which at least one circular recess (9) and/or a polygonal recess (10) is introduced. By means of loudspeakers equipped according to the invention, the headphone is able even with simple sound sources, such as, e.g., a mobile radio device, an MP3 player, a tablet, or a PC, to already provide for an exceptionally good sound experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventor: Karsten Buss
  • Patent number: 11887486
    Abstract: A context driven alerting system and method is described in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The alerting system and method may consider a pilot's physiological, psychological, and behavioral state during a given mission context. The system may include biometric information which is fused with a context of the flight. The context may be based on one or more of a mission profile data or an aircraft state data. The fused data may be time synchronized and provided to an alerting algorithm. The alerting algorithm may then provide an alert to the pilot which includes a priority, intensity, frequency, or modality determined based on the fused information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Arjun Harsha Rao, Peggy Wu, Christopher L George, Timothy J. Wittkop, Michael P. Matessa, Wade T. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11882397
    Abstract: Disclosed are a noise reduction method for a microphone array of an earphone, an apparatus, and an earphone comprising: acquiring, when an earphone wearer speaks, a first sound signal collected by a bone conduction microphone arranged on the earphone and second sound signals collected respectively by a preset number of microphones arranged on the earphone; determining, according to the first sound signal and the second sound signal, a delay time from a time when the voice signal arrives at each microphone to a time when the voice signal arrives at the bone conduction microphone; computing, according to the delay time, a pointing angle of the microphone array formed by the microphones relative to the wearer's mouth; and adjusting a beam pointing angle of the microphone array according to the pointing angle, such that the microphone array forms a beam by an adjusted beam pointing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Weifang Goertek Microelectronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Guangpeng Tie
  • Patent number: 11871193
    Abstract: A microphone system, comprises a first transducer, for generating a first acoustic signal, and a second transducer, for generating a second acoustic signal. A high-pass filter receives the first signal and generates a first filtered signal, and a low-pass filter receives the second signal and generates a second filtered signal. An adder forms an output signal of the microphone system as a sum of the first filtered signal and the second filtered signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Lesso, Thomas I. Harvey
  • Patent number: 11871173
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosure provide a method and a device, the device including: a communication module; a memory; and a processor operatively coupled to the communication module and the memory, wherein the processor is configured to: monitor a first device latency between a wireless audio output device and the electronic device connected using a first communication scheme through the communication module; predict a second device latency in connection with the wireless audio output device via a wearable display device connected using a second communication scheme through the communication module; and control connection of the wireless audio output device based on the first device latency and the second device latency. Various embodiments are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nammin Jo, Seungnyun Kim, Minjung Park, Juyoung Yu, Yongsang Yun
  • Patent number: 11869475
    Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include applying, via a sound reproduction system, sound cancellation that reduces an amplitude of various sound signals. The method further includes identifying, among the sound signals, an external sound whose amplitude is to be reduced by the sound cancellation. The method then includes analyzing the identified external sound to determine whether the identified external sound is to be made audible to a user and, upon determining that the external sound is to be made audible to the user, the method includes modifying the sound cancellation so that the identified external sound is made audible to the user. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Lovitt, Antonio John Miller, Philip Robinson, Scott Phillip Selfon
  • Patent number: 11863954
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to user interfaces for electronic audio devices. In some examples, the operating mode of the device changes to various states of sound transparency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David Chance Graham, Patrick L Coffman, Thomas S. Hulbert, Cyrus Daniel Irani, Daniel Max Strongwater
  • Patent number: 11863953
    Abstract: Stereo headphone and methods for content sharing and for authentication. The stereo headphone includes two earpieces each having a housing, at least one electronic circuit housed in the housing of at least one of the earpieces, configured to allow the headphone to be paired with a remote terminal such as a cellular telephone and to establish a wireless link therewith. The electronic circuit includes an internal memory with more than 32 GB of capacity, an audio player making it possible to play audio files, in particular those saved in this internal memory, and an interface making it possible to select, as the source to be broadcast in the earpieces, the audio player of the headphone or the paired terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Omar Bounamin Sylla, Malika Zenzane
  • Patent number: 11863926
    Abstract: A headset kit includes at least one Bluetooth earphone, a charging base used for charging each Bluetooth earphone, and an upper cover connected with the charging base. Supporting grooves used for supporting a first side of the each Bluetooth earphone are formed in the charging base, and through holes used for a second side of the each Bluetooth earphone to extend into are formed in the upper cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Yibai Science & Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Changming Guo, Hongchao Zhou
  • Patent number: 11860704
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine user presence are disclosed. A disclosed example monitoring device to determine of a presence of a user in a metering environment includes a mount to couple the monitoring device to a wearable device to be worn by the user, the wearable device to receive content from a content device, a sensor to detect motion of the user, and a transmitter to transmit motion data pertaining to the detected motion of the user for the determination of the presence of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Christian, Garrett Sloop
  • Patent number: 11856377
    Abstract: A method and system directed to controlling Active Noise Reduction (ANR) audio devices with active noise reduction. The system sets one or more ANR parameters of a first and a second wearable audio device to a first ANR state; detects that the first wearable audio device is removed from a first ear of a user; and automatically adjusts the one or more ANR parameters of the second wearable audio device to a second ANR state when the first wearable audio device is removed from the ear of the user, wherein the second ANR state comprises a reduction in a level of ANR compared to the first ANR state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Minich, Emery M. Ku, Alexia Delhoume, Michelle Gelberger
  • Patent number: 11856357
    Abstract: A hearing device adapted for being located at or in an ear of a user, or for being fully or partially implanted in the head of a user comprises a) an input unit for providing at least one electric input signal representing sound in an environment of the user, said electric input signal comprising a target speech signal from a target sound source and additional signal components, termed noise signal components, from one or more other sound sources, b) a noise reduction system for providing an estimate of said target speech signal, wherein said noise signal components are at least partially attenuated, and c) an own voice detector for repeatedly estimating whether or not, or with what probability, said at least one electric input signal, or a signal derived therefrom, comprises speech originating from the voice of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Oticon A/S
    Inventors: Poul Hoang, Jan M. De Haan, Jesper Jensen, Michael Syskind Pedersen
  • Patent number: 11853642
    Abstract: A method performed by an audio source device. The method obtains an input audio signal and determines a sound output level of a headset based on the input audio signal, a user volume setting, and a sound output sensitivity of the headset. The method determines whether the sound output level is above a threshold. In response to determining that the sound output level is above the threshold, a scalar gain is applied upon the input audio signal to produce an output audio signal for output by the headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tyrone T. Chen, Joseph M. Williams, Juan C. Martinez Nieto, Tony S. Verma
  • Patent number: 11856378
    Abstract: A system with sound adjustment capability is provided. The system includes a head-mounted device, a first loudspeaker and a processor. The first loudspeaker is detachable from the head-mounted device. The processor is configured to detect a plurality of positions and a plurality of orientations of the head-mounted device and the first loudspeaker to determine whether the first loudspeaker is detached from the head-mounted device. The processor is further configured to modify a first audio signal by at least one first filter or at least one second filter to generate a filtered first audio signal. The at least one first filter is used when the first loudspeaker is coupled to the head-mounted device, and the at least one second filter is used when the first loudspeaker is detached from the head-mounted device. The filtered first audio signal is configured to drive the first loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-Min Liao, Tsung-Yu Tsai, Chi-Tang Ho
  • Patent number: 11856390
    Abstract: A game headset receives a plurality of channels of game and/or chat audio during game play, monitors the plurality of channels, and detect one or more sounds on the channels during the monitoring. The game headset determines characteristics of the detected one or more sound and outputs one or more signals for generating a visual representation of the detected one or more sounds based on the determined characteristics. The game headset output the signals to a game console that provides the game play. The game console displays the visual representation during the game play based on the communicated visualization information. The one or more signals is a video stream of an in-game visualization. The game headset outputs the one or more signals to a second screen communication device that generates the visual representation during the game play based on the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kulavik, Shobha Devi Kuruba Buchannagari
  • Patent number: 11850507
    Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a gaming system that cooperates with a graphical user interface to enable user modification and enhancement of one or more audio streams associated with the gaming system. In embodiments, the audio streams may include a game audio stream, a chat audio stream of conversation among players of a video game, and a microphone audio stream of a player of the video game. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: STEELSERIES ApS
    Inventors: Jeffrey Nicholas Mahlmeister, Simon Duffy, Paul Allais, Raphaël Greff, Thomas J. Panfil, Cédric Demière, Battsengel Lopez, Vincenzo Giamundo, Hong Cong Tuyen Pham
  • Patent number: 11847378
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to user interface for audio routing. In some examples, a computer system detects an audio device and displays a selectable option in accordance with a determination that a set of criteria is met. The selectable option, when selected, enables the computer system to connect to the audio device and transmit audio data to the audio device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Sanders
  • Patent number: 11849272
    Abstract: A neckband headphone, a method, a system and a device for starting up a neckband headphone, as well as a computer readable storage medium are provided. The neckband headphone according to the present disclosure includes a neckband, a first earbud connected to an end of the neckband, a second earbud connected to another end of the neckband, a detector, and a processor connected to the detector. The detector is configured to acquire state information of the neckband headphone. The processor is configured to: determine whether the neckband headphone is worn based on the state information; control the neckband headphone to wake up when determining that the neckband headphone is worn, and control the neckband headphone to be in a low-power mode when determining that the neckband headphone is not worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: GOERTEK INC.
    Inventors: Xuyang Liu, Zengkai Yao, Kun Song, Yaxiong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11843908
    Abstract: A remote speaker microphone (RSM) unit enables a user to use either a headset or an in-ear speaker with the RSM unit. The RSM unit includes a first RSM connection for communicating and connectable with the first connection of the headset; and a second RSM connection for communicating and connectable with the second connection of the in-ear speaker. Connecting either the headset or the in-ear speaker to the RSM unit disables the speaker and microphone of the RSM unit. At least one of the first and second connections are wireless, e.g., Bluetooth or NFC, and at least one of the first and second RSM connections are wireless connections communicable with the first and second connections, respectively. In addition or the alternative, at least one of said first connection and said second connection are electrical plugs and at least one of said first and second RSM connections are corresponding electrical jacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Safariland, LLC
    Inventors: Don Herbert, Peter Hoang, John Brad Medine, David Trinh Le
  • Patent number: 11843926
    Abstract: A system for presenting audio content to a user. The system comprises one or more microphones coupled to a frame of a headset. The one or more microphones capture sound from a local area. The system further comprises an audio controller integrated into the headset and communicatively coupled to an in-ear device worn by a user. The audio controller identifies one or more sound sources in the local area based on the captured sound. The audio controller further determines a target sound source of the one or more sound sources and determines one or more filters to apply to a sound signal associated with the target sound source in the captured sound. The audio controller further generates an augmented sound signal by applying the one or more filters to the sound signal and provides the augmented sound signal to the in-ear device for presentation to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William Owen Brimijoin, II, Nils Thomas Fritiof Lunner, Philip Robinson, Ravish Mehra
  • Patent number: 11838714
    Abstract: Electronic apparatuses according to embodiments of the present technology may include an enclosure having a lid. The enclosure may define a first cavity and a second cavity, and may include an enclosure battery. The apparatuses may include a first enclosure wireless charging coil extending about the first cavity. The apparatuses may include a second enclosure wireless charging coil extending about the second cavity. The apparatuses may include a first earbud having a first earbud battery and a first earbud wireless charging coil operably coupleable with the first enclosure wireless charging coil for wireless charging of the first earbud battery. The apparatuses may include a second earbud having a second earbud battery and a second earbud wireless charging coil operably coupleable with the second enclosure wireless charging coil for wireless charging of the second earbud battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jukka-pekka J. Sjoeroos, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Patent number: 11825276
    Abstract: An apparatus with a selector input device to transmit an audio signal comprises a microphone, a communication interface, and a selector input device. The apparatus can also comprise a processor and a memory having instructions stored thereon, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform operations comprising detecting an activation of the selector input device. In response to detecting the activation, the processor captures the audio signal via the microphone and transmits the audio signal via the communication interface to a first client device. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: SNAP INC.
    Inventors: Karl Bayer, Jacob Andreou, Shree K. Nayar
  • Patent number: 11818561
    Abstract: Digital audio signal processing techniques used to provide an acoustic transparency function in a pair of headphones. A number of transparency filters can be computed at once, using optimization techniques or using a closed form solution, that are based on multiple re-seatings of the headphones and that are as a result robust for a population of wearers. In another embodiment, a transparency hearing filter of a headphone is computed by an adaptive system that takes into consideration the changing acoustic to electrical path between an earpiece speaker and an interior microphone of that headphone while worn by a user. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ismael H. Nawfal, Joshua D. Atkins, Stephen J. Nimick, Guy C. Nicholson, Jason M. Harlow
  • Patent number: 11810544
    Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to a signal processing device for on ear detection for a headset. The device comprises a first microphone input for receiving a microphone signal from a first microphone, the first microphone being configured to be positioned inside an ear of a user when the user is wearing the headset; a second microphone input for receiving a microphone signal from a second microphone, the second microphone being configured to be positioned outside the ear of the user when the user is wearing the headset; and a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.
    Inventor: Brenton Steele
  • Patent number: 11805350
    Abstract: A point-to-multipoint data transmission method and device, the method including a left earbud and a right earbud of a true wireless stereo (TWS) headset separately performing pairing and service content negotiation with an electronic device. The left earbud receives left configuration information sent by the electronic device, to configure a left ISO channel, and the right earbud receives right configuration information sent by the electronic device, to configure a right ISO channel. The left earbud receives, based on the BLE-based audio profile, audio data that is sent by the electronic device through the left ISO channel, and the right earbud receives, based on the BLE-based audio profile, the audio data that is sent by the electronic device through the right ISO channel. The left earbud and the right earbud play the respectively received audio data based on a first timestamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuhong Zhu, Liang Wang, Yong Zheng, Jingyun Zhang
  • Patent number: 11804208
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating information related to a wearable device are disclosed. Exemplary information includes audio information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jake A. Stafford, Steven B. Elgee, Benjamin S. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11805345
    Abstract: A method of providing a haptic output includes detecting a condition; determining if a head-mounted haptic accessory comprising an array of two or more haptic actuators is being worn by a user; determining an actuation pattern for the array of haptic actuators; and in response to detecting the condition and determining that the head-mounted haptic accessory is being worn by the user, initiating the actuation pattern to produce a directional haptic output that is configured to direct the user's attention along a direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Micah H. Fenner, Camille Moussette
  • Patent number: 11805375
    Abstract: A speaker comprises a housing, a transducer residing inside the housing, and at least one sound guiding hole located on the housing. The transducer generates vibrations. The vibrations produce a sound wave inside the housing and cause a leaked sound wave spreading outside the housing from a portion of the housing. The at least one sound guiding hole guides the sound wave inside the housing through the at least one sound guiding hole to an outside of the housing. The guided sound wave interferes with the leaked sound wave in a target region. The interference at a specific frequency relates to a distance between the at least one sound guiding hole and the portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SHOKZ CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lei Zhang, Junjiang Fu, Bingyan Yan, Fengyun Liao, Xin Qi
  • Patent number: 11785406
    Abstract: A system configured to detect a tap event on a surface of a device only using microphone audio data. For example, instead of using a physical sensor to detect the tap event, the device may detect a tap event in proximity to a microphone based on a power level difference between two or more microphones. When a power ratio exceeds a threshold, the device may detect a tap event and perform an action. For example, the device may output an alarm and use a detected tap event as an input to delay or end the alarm. In some examples, the device may detect a tap event using a plurality of microphones. Additionally or alternatively, the device may distinguish between multiple tap events based on a location of the tap event, enabling the device to perform two separate actions depending on the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Savaskan Bulek, Tarun Pruthi, Ali Abdollahzadeh Milani, Trausti Thor Kristjansson
  • Patent number: 11785402
    Abstract: A bone conduction device is configured to classify received sound signals (sounds) into one or more sound categories/classes (i.e., determine the input signal type). The bone conduction device is configured to dynamically set a maximum force output (MFO) of the bone conduction device at least based on the sound class of the sound signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Kristian Gunnar Asnes
  • Patent number: 11770647
    Abstract: A task assigning method of adaptively assigning at least one operation task is applied for a task assigning device including a first electronic device and a second electronic device communicated with each other in a wireless manner. The task assigning method includes acquiring a first detection parameter of the first electronic device, and adjusting a task transmission rate from the first electronic device to the second electronic device in accordance with the first detection parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Liang-Che Sun, Yiou-Wen Cheng, Shang-Hsiu Wu
  • Patent number: 11763833
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, a device, and a computer-readable storage medium for reducing crosstalk when performing automatic speech translation between at least two users speaking different languages. The method for reducing crosstalk includes receiving a signal inputted to an out-ear microphone of a first user, wherein the first user is wearing a headset equipped with an in-ear microphone and the out-ear microphone and the signal includes a voice signal A of the first user and a voice signal b of a second user, receiving a voice signal Binear inputted to an in-ear microphone of the second user, wherein the second user is wearing a headset equipped with the in-ear microphone and an out-ear microphone, and removing the voice signal b of the second user from the signal A+b inputted to the out-ear microphone of the first user, based on the voice signal Binear inputted to the in-ear microphone of the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventor: Jung Keun Kim
  • Patent number: 11758316
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of charging wireless earphones, in particular to a wireless earphone charging case convenient for replacing outer shells. Its outer shell has an upper shell and a lower shell that are capable of being disengaged/engaged from/with each other, wherein a containing space is arranged inside the lower shell, a charging chamber is arranged within the containing space, a screw slot is arranged on bottom of the charging chamber, the bottom of the lower shell is fixed to the screw slot on the bottom of the charging chamber by means of a metal screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: Yong Huang
  • Patent number: 11758315
    Abstract: An earphone case is for storing a wireless earphone body, and includes a case body and a case cover. A top face and a side face of the case body each have an accommodating groove, the accommodating groove in the top face is configured to be fitted with an ear bud of the wireless earphone body, and the accommodating groove in the side face is configured to be fitted with a stem of the wireless earphone body. The case body is provided with a magnetic member for attracting the wireless earphone body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fei Sun
  • Patent number: 11758350
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for user posture transition detection and classification using a linked biomechanical model. In an embodiment, a method comprises: obtaining motion data from a headset worn by a user; selecting features of a linked biomechanical model based on a current posture state; determining at least one probability that a posture transition occurred based on an output of a classifier, where the output of the classifier is based on the selected features and the motion data; determining a posture transition based on the at least one probability; and performing at least one action based on detection of the posture transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aditya Sarathy, Xiaoyuan Tu, Suresh B. Malakar, Hui Lin
  • Patent number: 11751000
    Abstract: A method of modeling the human head is provided. The human head model has a width and an aspect ratio. The aspect ratio defines different head shapes independent of the size of the human head model. The method includes the steps of forming a high-frequency head model based on ray-tracing and a plurality of half plane sections, coupling the high-frequency head model with a far-field shadowing filter, coupling the far-field shadowing filter with a near-field compensation filter to compensate for acoustic changes between the far-field and near-field regions and modifying the aspect ratio of the human head model to configure variable geometric models of the human head ranging from a nearly spherical to a very narrow embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Hélène Bahu, David E. Romblom
  • Patent number: 11750965
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a communication device that includes a microphone configured to detect an acoustic signal from an acoustic environment, and a processor, configured to detect an acoustical dampening between the acoustic environment and the microphone, based on a change in a characteristic of the acoustic signal and, responsive to the acoustical dampening, apply a compensation filter to the acoustic signal to form a compensated acoustic signal that is reproduced. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Staton Techiya, LLC
    Inventors: John Usher, Steve Goldstein, John P. Keady
  • Patent number: 11741798
    Abstract: An alert is used to inform a user that their blood glucose level has dropped below a threshold (e.g., the user is hypoglycemic) or has increased above a threshold (e.g., the user is hyperglycemic). There is a hierarchy of alerts from lowest priority to highest priority. The alert is communicated by a user device (e.g., a mobile device), which is, for example, a smartphone, smart watch, home automation device, or the like. The alert is modified in order to increase the likelihood that the user receives or acknowledges the alert within a minimal amount of time. An intensity level (e.g., a volume) of an alert is modified based on, for example, whether the user has acknowledged a previous alert. A modality or a sensory channel of an alert is changed if an initial alert does fails to elicit a response from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ROCHE DIABETES CARE, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Gilmore Mears
  • Patent number: 11733962
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus that includes a speaker, a memory, and a processor operatively connected to the speaker and the memory. The processor is configured to: identify whether audio output is provided via the speaker when an external device is detected; determine, based on whether the audio is output via the speaker, whether to apply output conversion effects; and control, based on the determination, the audio output via the external device. Various other embodiments including a method thereof are also possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byeongnam Kim, Chanyong Jung, Sangheon Kim, Misun Kim, Mira Seo, Yeunwook Lim
  • Patent number: 11729541
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the disclosure, an audio device is provided comprising a communications interface configured to be communicatively coupled to an audio source, at least one sensor, and a controller configured to control the audio device to be in a low-power mode, receive, from the sensor(s), information indicative of a presence of a user's body, initiate, via the communications interface responsive to receiving the information, a wireless communication pairing process to establish a wireless communication bond with the audio source prior to determining that the audio device is fully engaged with the user's body, determine, subsequent to initiating the wireless communication pairing process and based on information received from the sensor(s), that the audio device is fully engaged with the user's body, and control, responsive to determining that the audio device is fully engaged with the user's body, the audio device to be in an active mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: David Minich, Josue Malaver, Miriam Israelowitz, Alexia Delhoume, Michelle Gelberger
  • Patent number: 11729542
    Abstract: An ear-mountable listening device includes an acoustic package and an electronics package. The acoustic package is configured to emit audio in response to an audio signal. The acoustic package includes a first set of magnets arranged annularly about a central axis of the ear-mountable listening device. The electronics package is electrically coupled to the acoustic package when the ear-mountable listening device is worn to provide the audio signal to the acoustic package. The electronics package includes a second set of magnets arranged annularly about the central axis proximate to a proximal end of the electronics package to removably affix the electronics package to the acoustic package via magnetic forces between the first set of magnets and the second set of magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Iyo Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Carlile, Jason Rugolo
  • Patent number: 11722809
    Abstract: A method performed by an in-ear headphone. Coupled to the in-ear headphone is a first ear tip that is inserted into an ear canal of a user. The method obtains an audio signal from an audio source device paired with the in-ear headphone and uses the signal to drive a speaker of the headphone to output a sound into the ear canal. The method obtains a microphone signal that is responsive to the outputted sound. The method notifies the user to replace the first ear tip with a second ear tip in response to a parameter associated with the microphone signal being less than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Esge B. Andersen, Andrew E. Greenwood, Tom-Davy W. Saux, Baptiste P. Paquier, Hanchi Chen, Raghavendra S. Prabhu
  • Patent number: 11716567
    Abstract: A wearable device can provide an audio module that is operable to provide audio output from a distance away from the ears of the user. For example, the wearable device can be worn on clothing of the user and direct audio waves to the ears of the user. Such audio waves can be focused by a parametric array of speakers that limit audibility by others. Thus, the privacy of the audio directed to the user can be maintained without requiring the user to wear audio headsets on, over, or in the ears of the user. The wearable device can further include microphones and/or connections to other devices that facilitate calibration of the audio module of the wearable device. The wearable device can further include user sensors that are configured to detect, measure, and/or track one or more properties of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Podhajny, Joshua A. Hoover, Nicholas R. Trincia, Yue Chen, Seul Bi Kim, Chad J. Miller, Kristen L. Cretella, Yi Zou, William Leith
  • Patent number: 11710473
    Abstract: Earpieces and methods for acute sound detection and reproduction are provided. A method can include measuring an external ambient sound level (xASL), monitoring a change in the xASL for detecting an acute sound, estimating a proximity of the acute sound, and upon detecting the acute sound and its proximity, reproducing the acute sound within an ear canal, where the ear canal is at least partially occluded by an earpiece. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Staton Techiya LLC
    Inventors: Steven Wayne Goldstein, John Usher, Marc Andre Boillot
  • Patent number: 11706555
    Abstract: A method performed by a programmed processor of an in-ear headphone that is to be worn by a user. The method obtains, over a wireless communication link and via a first wireless connection that uses an accessory profile, a first request, from an audio source device, to start a measurement process. In response to obtaining the request, the method 1) establishes, over the link, a second wireless connection that uses an audio distribution profile between the headphone and the source device, 2) obtains, via the second wireless connection, an audio signal for driving a speaker of the headphone to output sound, 3) responsive to the outputted sound, determining a fit parameter, and 4) transmitting the fit parameter to the source device via the first wireless connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kang Sun, Sriram Hariharan, Robert D. Watson, Sarang S. Ranade, Kevin Durfee
  • Patent number: 11695381
    Abstract: A system comprising audio processing circuitry is provided. The audio processing circuitry is operable to receive audio signals. The audio processing circuitry is operable to process the audio signals to detect strength of a chat component of the audio signals and strength of a game component of the audio signals. The audio processing circuitry is operable to automatically control a volume setting based on one or both of: the detected strength of the chat component, and the detected strength of the game component. The combined-game-and-chat audio signals may comprise a left channel signal and a right channel signal. The processing of the combined-game-and-chat audio signals may comprise measuring strength of a vocal-band signal component that is common to the left channel signal and the right channel signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kulavik, Shobha Devi Kuruba Buchannagari, Carmine Bonanno
  • Patent number: 11690428
    Abstract: An earbud includes a housing that includes a driver assembly positioned within the housing forming a front volume in front of the driver and a back volume behind the driver. An acoustic insert is positioned behind the driver assembly and attached to an interior surface of the housing such that it forms a bass channel that is routed from the back volume to a vent in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Arun D. Chawan, Kurt Stiehl, Benjamin A. Cousins, Jonathan S. Aase, Yacine Azmi, Paul Choiniere, Scott W. Slabaugh
  • Patent number: 11689841
    Abstract: An earbud includes an earbud speaker, a microphone array including a plurality of microphones, an orientation sensing subsystem, and a beamforming subsystem. The orientation sensing subsystem is configured to output an orientation signal indicating an orientation of the earbud. The beamforming subsystem is configured to output a beamformed signal. The beamformed signal is based at least on the orientation signal and a plurality of microphone signals from the plurality of microphones in the microphone array. The beamformed signal spatially selectively filters the plurality of microphone signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Amir Zyskind, Eliza C. Arango-Vargas, Olli-Pekka Ahokas