Vehicle Patents (Class 381/86)
  • Patent number: 12254240
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software can be used to control audio output of a vehicle. In some aspects, a method includes: determining, at a vehicle, a current driving mode of the vehicle; determining, at the vehicle, a plurality of audio output levels based on the current driving mode and one or more preconfigured audio zone profiles; and controlling, by the vehicle, audio equipment of the vehicle to output audio according to the plurality of audio output levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Roberto Speranza, Pierre Pierre Blais
  • Patent number: 12256201
    Abstract: A microphone unit having only one PCB, a plurality of transducers of acoustic-electric type with digital output mounted on a back side of the PCB, through holes obtained in the PCB in correspondence with each transducer, an A2B audio interface mounted on the back side of the PCB and electrically connected to the transducers; and input/output electrical connectors mounted on the back side of the PCB and electrically connected to said A2B audio interface; the plurality of transducers include a central transducer and at least three peripheral transducers disposed at the same radial distance from the central transducer and equally angularly spaced. A microphone meta-array includes a plurality of microphone units connected by one or more A2b networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Inventors: Luca Cattani, Angelo Farina, Daniel Pinardi, Tiziano Nili, Andrea Toscani
  • Patent number: 12243510
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for engine sound synthesis. In one example, a method may include generating a vehicle sound at a modified pitch for a range of engine speeds by selecting intermediate segments of a sample sound and applying synchronous pitch overlapping added from the sample sound. The sound samples may be engine sounds recorded at specific RPM and the pitch modified based on a desired RPM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Sunil Shukla
  • Patent number: 12231841
    Abstract: Embodiments of this application provide an audio data processing method and apparatus, and a sound box system, which are related to the field of audio technologies, and improve sound quality of an audio playing device. The sound box system includes a full-frequency sound box and a low-frequency sound box. The full-frequency sound box is physically connected to the low-frequency sound box by using a first fastening part of the full-frequency sound box and a second fastening part of the low-frequency sound box. Furthermore, the full-frequency sound box communicates with the low-frequency sound box by using a first communication part of the first fastening part and a second communication part of the second fastening part, where the first fastening part and the second fastening part are a group of paired connection parts, and the first communication part and the second communication part are a group of paired communication parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhipeng Chen, Jiang Li, Shiqiang Peng, Xiangyu Zhao, Fan Fan, Haiting Li, Tizheng Wang
  • Patent number: 12214529
    Abstract: A conveyance apparatus loads a pressing member to a planarization apparatus that forms a planarized film made of a material on a substrate by bringing a flat surface of the pressing member and the material on the substrate into contact with each other. The pressing member includes a first surface including the flat surface, and a second surface on an opposite side of the first surface. The conveyance apparatus comprises a determiner configured to perform determination as to whether a determination surface of the pressing member is the first surface or the second surface, and a controller configured to control the conveyance of the pressing member based on a result of the determination by the determiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Hosaka
  • Patent number: 12212940
    Abstract: An acoustic processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes one or more microphones, a first voice processing unit, and a second voice processing unit. The second voice processing unit is connectable between the microphones and the first voice processing unit. The second voice processing unit includes an operational amplifier, an output terminal, an attenuator, and a transistor. The output terminal is connectable to the first voice processing unit. The attenuator is electrically connected between an output node of the operational amplifier and the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto Takemoto
  • Patent number: 12212432
    Abstract: The aspects disclosed herein generally provide a method and a system of real-time data monitoring for a vehicle. The method comprises packaging monitoring data into one or more physical Automotive Audio Bus (A2B) channels according to a data package protocol; transferring the packaged monitoring data via a A2B bus; and unpackaging the transferred data and displaying the unpackaged monitoring data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Tingting Zhou, Yuliu Cao, Franz Lorenz
  • Patent number: 12179670
    Abstract: A vehicle speaker mount for a speaker includes a central bracket and a plurality of elongated portions extending radially outward from the central bracket. each of the elongated portions includes a respective engagement tab at a distal end of the elongated portion with each engagement tab is configured to be releasably connectable with a base of the speaker. Furthermore, the central bracket defines at least one aperture for receiving hardware to connect the mount to a vehicle surface. The vehicle speaker mount may include a threaded ring member and a base ring for securing the vehicle surface therebetween, or a plurality of flanges extending from a base ring for providing additional mounting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jeffrey Fay, Michael Meng, Christina Wu
  • Patent number: 12182949
    Abstract: An amusement ride system includes a ride vehicle configured to carry a passenger, one or more sensors configured to detect a face and a body of the passenger while the passenger is in the ride vehicle, and a display assembly configured to be viewable by the passenger while the passenger is in the ride vehicle. The amusement ride system also includes a controller configured to generate an animation based on signals received from the one or more sensors and to instruct display of the animation on the display assembly. The signals are indicative of movement of the face and the body of the passenger, and the animation mimics the movement of the face and the body of the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Melo, Akiva Meir Krauthamer
  • Patent number: 12172574
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle having at least one motor-driven electric machine which serves as a traction motor is provided. The method includes the steps of: loading vehicle data of the motor vehicle, which are indicative of a sound emission requirement, feeding a trained artificial neural network with the vehicle data in order to obtain sound emission generator control data, and feeding a sound emission generator of the motor vehicle with the sound emission generator control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frederic Stefan, Christoph Arndt Dr habil
  • Patent number: 12167188
    Abstract: A sound generating apparatus for vehicles may include a sound generator including a sound generating member configured to vibrate a vehicle interior material of a vehicle. The sound generating member may include a plurality of vibration generator spaced apart from one another, a first protection member at a first surface of the plurality of vibration generators, and a second protection member at a second surface opposite to the first surface of the plurality of vibration generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sungtae Lee, KwanHo Park, YeongRak Choi, Sungsu Ham, Joongsup Han
  • Patent number: 12157491
    Abstract: A method for operating a driver assistance system in a vehicle including operating the vehicle at an at least partially automated autonomy level by the driver assistance system, providing at least one acoustic transducer, wherein the at least one acoustic transducer is arranged in an interior of the vehicle, registering, by an evaluation unit, whether a vehicle occupant is present, transmitting an acoustic signal through the acoustic transducer, wherein the acoustic signal has a sound power, wherein the sound power is adjusted by the acoustic transducer, wherein the adjustment of the sound power by the acoustic transducer takes place depending on the presence of a vehicle occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Guido Meier-Arendt, Heidi Von Bychowski, Katrin Wenzel
  • Patent number: 12149900
    Abstract: A sound control device and a method for controlling the sound control device in a vehicle. The method comprises obtaining an error signal indicating residual noise in the vehicle, and an audio signal; calculating magnitudes of low frequency components of the error signal; adjusting magnitudes of low frequency components of the audio signal according to the magnitudes of the low frequency components of the error signal; and outputting the adjusted audio signal through a speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jung Keun You, Jong Won Lee, Kaang Dok Yee, Chi Sung Oh, Hyun Jin Song
  • Patent number: 12138045
    Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to detect a position of a head of an occupant within a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The instructions include instructions to conduct a hearing test based on the position of the head of the occupant. The instructions include instructions to output sound at least at one of a specified frequency or amplitude, the specified frequency or amplitude selected based on results of the hearing test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Wheeler, Pietro Buttolo, Cynthia M. Neubecker, Thomas Chrapkiewicz, David Graham Smith
  • Patent number: 12143766
    Abstract: The present invention encompasses systems and methods for mounting speakers in the front of a vehicle to address multiple issues that exist with audio systems currently on the market. More specifically, the present invention improves and optimizes the phase correct and time correct aspects of existing technologies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Inventors: Gary Summers, Derek Casari
  • Patent number: 12120485
    Abstract: A sound-generating apparatus and a vehicle including the same are provided. A sound-generating apparatus includes: a plurality of first portions at a vibration region including a bendable region and a peripheral portion connected to the bendable region; and a plurality of second portions between the plurality of first portions, wherein two or more second portions at the bendable region among the plurality of second portions have a cross-sectional shape that differs from a cross-sectional shape of another second portion disposed at the peripheral portion among the plurality of second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YuSeon Kho, Yong-Su Ham, YongWoo Lee
  • Patent number: 12112733
    Abstract: A noise canceling adaptive filter outputs, from a front seat speaker, a noise canceling sound generated by applying a transfer function X(z) adapted by an adaptive operation using an output of a front seat microphone as an error to an output sound of a sound source apparatus. An output of the front seat microphone is added to an output of an audio feedback canceling filter by a second adder, added to an output sound of the sound source apparatus by a third adder, and output from a rear seat speaker. The audio feedback canceling filter applies a transfer function X?(z) and a transfer function C{circumflex over (?)}(z) on an output of the second adder and outputs a resultant. The transfer function C{circumflex over (?)}(z) corresponds to a transfer function C(z) from the front seat speaker to the front seat microphone. In synchronization control, the transfer function X(z) is set as the transfer function X?(z).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryosuke Tachi
  • Patent number: 12096187
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to control audio playback devices are disclosed. An example first playback device includes a speaker driver, a processor, and a computer readable medium including a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the first playback device to implement a method. The example method includes receiving, from a first audio information source, first audio information. The example method includes playing back the first audio information. The example method includes receiving, from a second audio information source, (i) a first message, and (ii) second audio information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. J. Millington, Craig Wisneski, Steven Beckhardt, Neil Griffiths
  • Patent number: 12094334
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a road alert system is provided. The system includes a loudspeaker array and at least one controller. The loudspeaker array transmits an audio output signal to a vehicle traveling on a road. The at least one controller is programmed to receive a message indicative of a warning for the vehicle for transmission on the audio output signal and to apply equalization parameters to the message to increase in-vehicle speech intelligibility of the audio output signal within the vehicle. The at least one controller is further programmed to transmit the audio output signal via the loudspeaker array in a beamforming mode to minimize noise pollution for objects positioned along the road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Joel Chu Ming Lim, Cameron Thomas O'Neill, Basheer Justin Bazoun
  • Patent number: 12084901
    Abstract: A sliding door device for a vehicle includes a door panel for opening and closing a door opening and covered by an upper trim and a lower trim, and a center rail mounted on the door panel to extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and providing a path for a center roller mounted on a center portion of the vehicle body, wherein a lower portion of the upper trim and an upper portion of the lower trim are disposed to overlap each other vertically. The center roller is mounted on a center roller mounting bracket including a first surface extending toward the vehicle body to be vertical to the door panel, a second surface bent from the first surface toward a lower side of the vehicle body, and a third surface extending from the second surface toward the vehicle body to be vertical to the door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Hyungin Yun
  • Patent number: 12078525
    Abstract: A vibration sensor assembly having a rigid surface and a transducer integrated with the rigid surface. The transducer measures structure-borne sound waves that cause vibration motion of the rigid surface. The rigid surface may be glass, metal or plastic and may be part of an interior part or panel, or an exterior panel, of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Yu Du, Darin Krajewski
  • Patent number: 12073848
    Abstract: A handsfree system and method to modify at least one microphone output based on a linearized correlation between a modified Speech Intelligibility Index (mSII) and a Mean Opinion Score (MOS). The at least one microphone output signal is compared to predetermined thresholds for the mSII that correspond to a noise condition and the microphone output signal is modified to optimize Speech Intelligibility and Sound Quality for the noise condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Yu Du
  • Patent number: 12067999
    Abstract: In an audio signal processing method and system for echo suppression, selection of a target audio processing mode is controlled based on strength of a speaker signal. In the method and system, a control signal is generated based on the strength of the speaker signal, and the target audio processing mode is controlled based on the control signal to perform signal processing on a microphone signal so as to obtain better voice quality. When the speaker signal does not exceed a threshold, the system selects a first mode, and performs signal processing on a first audio signal and a second audio signal to obtain a first target audio; or when the speaker signal exceeds a threshold, the system selects a second mode, and performs signal processing on a second audio signal to obtain a second target audio, and the mode can be switched based on the speaker signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Shenzhen SHOKZ Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinbo Zheng, Meilin Zhou, Fengyun Liao, Xin Qi
  • Patent number: 12067332
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a receiver, a shared information unit, a transmitter, a voice recognition unit, and an application execution unit. The receiver is configured to receive a voice signal and information from a second apparatus. The shared information unit is configured to create shared information shared by both the apparatus and the second apparatus based on the information received from the second apparatus. The transmitter is configured to transmit the shared information to the second apparatus. The voice recognition unit is configured to analyze the voice signal. The application execution unit is configured to execute an application based on a result generated by the voice recognition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Onohara, Roka Ueda, Keishi Daini, Taichi Yoshio, Yuji Kawabe, Seizi Iwayagano, Takuma Higo, Eri Sakai
  • Patent number: 12069448
    Abstract: Provided are a frequency characteristics converting apparatus, a frequency characteristics converting method, and a program that make natural reproduced sound of a speaker compatible with howling prevention. In the frequency characteristics converting apparatus, a sound emitter is located at a first position on an inside of a vehicle, and in response to an increase in magnitude of noise at the first position, volume of target sound, collected by a sound collector installed at a second position, is increased when the target sound is emitted by the sound emitter, and a degree of signal processing that is applied to the target sound is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunori Kobayashi, Shoichiro Saito
  • Patent number: 12063464
    Abstract: Provided is a bracket for a speaker, the bracket being capable of ensuring the strength when the speaker is attached by using an attachment plate, and also enhancing the workability in folding of the attachment plate when the speaker is attached without using the attachment plate. The present invention includes: a frame-shaped support portion 10 which supports a speaker; and a mounting member 20 which is used for attaching the speaker supported by the support portion 10 to the outside and is provided in the support portion 10, wherein a plurality of grooves having different extension directions are continuously formed on a base part of the mounting member 20, the base part connecting the mounting member 20 and the support portion 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignees: PIONEER CORPORATION, TOHOKU PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hayami Kondo, Ryu Ito, Shun Shirahata, Masato Tsuruya, Hiroyuki Dohi
  • Patent number: 12043266
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to, in part, techniques for determining occupancy states of a vehicle over time and adjusting settings associated with the vehicle based at least in part on these occupancy states. For instance, an example vehicle may include an array of sensors that may generate sensor data for identifying an occupancy state of a vehicle. These sensors may include cameras, microphones, in-seat weight sensors, seatbelt sensors, door-latch sensors, and the like, which may be used to generate sensor data indicative of a current occupancy state of a vehicle. An occupancy state may include a number of occupants of the vehicle, the location of these occupants within the vehicle, the identity of these occupants, and/or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kellie Akemi Tsuyemura, Matt L Chaboud
  • Patent number: 12043388
    Abstract: An aircraft seat group is described. The aircraft seat group includes first and second aircraft seats. The seat group also includes a center console between the aircraft seats. The center console includes a microphone unit including an audio transducer. The audio transducer generates a voice recording of a passenger sitting on one of the seats in response to a signal, thereby reducing privacy concerns. The signal is received by one or more of a record button or a communication interface. The voice recording may thus provide one or more of passenger recommendation or flight recordings during emergency conditions. The microphone unit is embedded in one or more of an armrest or a seat back divider of the center console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Venkata Sumanth Yalla
  • Patent number: 12035118
    Abstract: A method for providing audio in a vehicle includes: providing a plurality of audio channels comprising a first audio channel and a second audio channel; processing, by an audio signal processing system, each audio channel of said plurality of audio channels to establish a principal signal and an accommodating signal for each audio channel of said plurality of audio channels; supplying said principal signal of said first audio channel to a forward loudspeaker of a loudspeaker pair and supplying said accommodating signal of said first audio channel to a backward loudspeaker of the loudspeaker pair to generate a forward directional radiation pattern based on said first audio channel; supplying said principal signal of said second audio channel to said backward loudspeaker of said loudspeaker pair and supplying said accommodating signal of said second audio channel to said forward loudspeaker of said loudspeaker pair to generate a backward directional radiation pattern based on said second audio channel; and guid
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Tymphany Worldwide Enterprises Limited
    Inventors: James Meredith Thompson, Thilo Christian Stompler, Gavin Jones, John Evan Bunner
  • Patent number: 12006018
    Abstract: An aircraft cabin component for use in an aircraft cabin of an aircraft includes a component part having at least one parametric surface. A flexible OLED display assembly adheres to the at least one parametric surface of the component part and fits closely the curvature of the at least one parametric surface. The flexible OLED display assembly comprises a printed electronics layer and an OLED array deposited on the printed electronics layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Rafael Narvaez-Gracia, Alejandro Morales Anton
  • Patent number: 12003947
    Abstract: The invention provides a sound field optimization method, including steps of building up a first acoustic response model for a controlled area inside a car and building up a second acoustic response model for an uncontrolled area inside the car; building up a first acoustic response difference calculation model based on the first acoustic response model and the second acoustic response model; calculating optimal solution of audio parameters; and controlling each speaker to output audio signals according to corresponding optimal solution of audio parameters. Thus, the vocal area isolation is achieved, so as to provide more extreme acoustic hearing, sound field effect in the controlled area where the user is located inside the car is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: AAC Microtech (Changzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuyuan Sun, Yiming Meng, Hao Yin
  • Patent number: 11983323
    Abstract: There is provided a control device that includes: a control section configured to control tactile presentation and auditory presentation when it is decided that an input section has been operated, the tactile presentation presenting a stimulation via a sense of touch, the auditory presentation presenting a stimulation via a sense of hearing, and the input section having a contact area that an object contacts, and in which the control section controls a feature amount of a waveform related to the tactile presentation and a feature amount of a waveform related to the auditory presentation such that at least one of the tactile presentation and the auditory presentation falls within an appropriate range that is a range where at least one of the tactile presentation and the auditory presentation is perceivable for a user of the input section and is not uncomfortable for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: KABUSHIKIA KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Takeshi Ohnishi, Fumiaki Hirose, Yuma Nakai
  • Patent number: 11978452
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to chatbot systems, and more particularly, to techniques for identifying an explicit invocation of a chatbot and determining an input for the chatbot being invoked. In certain embodiments, explicit invocation analysis involves detecting an invocation name in an utterance. The invocation name is an identifier assigned to a particular chatbot. In response to detection of the invocation name, the utterance is refined for input to the particular chatbot by determining which parts of the utterance, if any, contain relevant information for the particular chatbot and generating a new utterance, using the relevant parts of the utterance, for processing by the particular chatbot. The refining can involve removal of a portion of the utterance associated with the invocation name.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Oracle International Corportion
    Inventors: Saba Amsalu Teserra, Vishal Vishnoi, Jae Min John
  • Patent number: 11974103
    Abstract: An in-car headphone system may include a first headset associated with a vehicle occupant and configured to transmit audio signals to an associated occupant; at least one interior microphone configured to receive an interior audio signal from within a vehicle cabin; at least one exterior microphone configured to receive an exterior audio signal acquired from outside of the vehicle; and a processor configured to receive at least one of the interior audio signal from the at least one interior microphone and the exterior audio signal from the at least one exterior microphone; determine whether at least one of the interior audio signal and exterior audio signal include a trigger command or an alert signal; and transmit the audio signal that includes the trigger command or alert signal to the first headset in response to the audio signals including a trigger command or an alert signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Riley Winton, Christopher Ludwig, Jason Choi, Philippe Dreiling
  • Patent number: 11956604
    Abstract: A right seat processing unit includes, assuming that a voice of a user in a right front seat is a right front seat voice, a filter HR that converts the right front seat voice being output from a left front seat microphone disposed on a headrest of a left front seat into the right front seat voice collected by a right seat virtual microphone that is a virtual microphone located on a left side of a headrest of the right front seat, a delay unit Z-TR that delays and outputs an output from a right front seat microphone located on a right side of the headrest of the right front seat, a filter WRA that extracts the right front seat voice being output from the filter HR, a filter WRB that extracts the right front seat voice being output from the delay unit Z-TR, and a right adder that adds outputs of the filter WRA and the filter WRB and outputs an added output as a right front seat speech voice signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Tachi, Hiroyuki Taguchi
  • Patent number: 11950035
    Abstract: A sound generating apparatus for vehicles may include a sound generating device to be covered by a vehicle interior material of a vehicle. The sound generating device may be configured to vibrate the vehicle interior material. A vehicle including the sound generating apparatus for vehicles may include a vehicle interior material, covering a vehicle structure, and at least one sound generating apparatus disposed at the vehicle interior material. The vehicle interior material may vibrate according to a vibration of the sound generating apparatus to output a sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sungtae Lee, KwanHo Park, YeongRak Choi, Sungsu Ham, Joongsup Han
  • Patent number: 11950067
    Abstract: An In-Car Communication (ICC) system supports the communication paths within a car by receiving the speech signals of a speaking passenger and playing it back for one or more listening passengers. Signal processing tasks are split into a microphone related part and into a loudspeaker related part. A sound processing system suitable for use in a vehicle having multiple acoustic zones includes a plurality of microphone In-Car Communication (Mic-ICC) instances coupled and a plurality of loudspeaker In-Car Communication (Ls-ICC) instances. The system further includes a dynamic audio routing matrix with a controller and coupled to the Mic-ICC instances, a mixer coupled to the plurality of Mic-ICC instances and a distributor coupled to the Ls-ICC instances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cerence Operating Company
    Inventors: Tobias Herbig, Markus Buck, Meik Pfeffinger
  • Patent number: 11943597
    Abstract: A receiver is provided in the present invention. The receiver includes: a housing having a hollow inner cavity; a diaphragm mechanism disposed in the hollow inner cavity, partitioning the hollow inner cavity into a first cavity and a second cavity, and including a vibration plate; and an electromagnetic driving mechanism disposed in the hollow inner cavity and including a coil assembly and at least one magnetic field generation member. Each magnetic field generation member is disposed in the first cavity or the second cavity, and the magnetic field generation member is close to a free end of the vibration plate. The coil assembly is disposed in the second cavity and includes a coil and a magnetic core. The coil and the vibration plate are placed in the same direction. The magnetic core is inserted in a hollow inner hole of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: SUZHOU SENSORFUN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventor: Jianguang Wen
  • Patent number: 11934737
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for applying a volume gain to change the playback volume of a device by calculating a smoothed noise estimate. The smoothed noise estimate may calculated using an exponential smoothing method. The exponential smoothing method may include applying a weight factor to both a background noise estimate and a historical smoothed noise estimate. The weight factor may place more emphasis on either the background noise estimate or the historical smoothed noise estimate depending on the value of the weight factor. The value of the weight factor may change based on the type of environment the device is in, the speed of the background noise transitions, and/or historical data. The calculated smoothed noise estimate may be used to calculate a volume gain. The volume gain may be applied over a period of time such that the playback volume of the device changes smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Jae Lee, Manas Maheshwari
  • Patent number: 11919446
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for generating a sound of an electric vehicle are provided. The apparatus determines whether a current condition may be a regenerative braking condition, generates a regenerative braking sound based on an amount of change in motor torque in the regenerative braking condition, and outputs the generated regenerative braking sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Ki Chang Kim, Dong Chul Park
  • Patent number: 11922920
    Abstract: A roof module for a motor vehicle having a roof skin and a roof substructure as well as a means for autonomous driving or semi-autonomous driving of the motor vehicle. The means having at least one sensor module having at least one environmental sensor for detecting a vehicle environment, the sensor module being covered by the roof skin, having a means for generating sound which are covered by the roof skin and means for recording sound which are covered by the roof skin. The environmental sensor and the means for generating sound and the means for recording sound are connected to a controller which is part of the means for autonomous driving or semi-autonomous driving of the motor vehicle. The means for generating sound and the means for recording sound are part of the means for autonomous driving or semi-autonomous driving of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Michael Huelsen, Oliver Heisel
  • Patent number: 11912194
    Abstract: A sound output apparatus of a vehicle may include a sensor sensing a driving speed of the vehicle and a number of revolutions of a driving motor, a storage storing opposed-phase sound sources of a noise according to the number of revolutions of the driving motor, and a controller allowing an opposed-phase sound source corresponding to the number of revolutions of the driving motor, from among the opposed-phase sound sources stored in the storage to be output when the driving speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Keun Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 11907613
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to audio routing in a wireless communication system. A method by which a first device performs audio routing in a wireless communication system, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, comprises the steps of: transmitting audio routing basic information to a second device; receiving an audio routing modification request from the second device; and transmitting, to the second device, audio-routing-related information modified on the basis of the audio routing modification request, wherein the audio routing basic information may comprise at least one of available audio routing device information, set audio routing device information, and audio routing content type information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: INTELLECTUAL DISCOVERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jea Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 11904772
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system for providing an acoustic sound design for an electrified vehicle Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS). The method minimizes annoyance from sound leaking into a vehicle compartment. Road and other functional vehicle made sounds (tread noise, fans, wind noise etc.) are used to create an alert sound that mimics these existing vehicle sounds and can be potentially masked, interiorly, by those same sounds. The sounds are recorded and thereafter shaped, amplified and broadcast by speaker(s) placed outside the interior cabin, i.e., one in an engine compartment and another at a rear of the vehicle, so that vulnerable road users can hear the approaching hybrid/electric vehicle. The sound meets jurisdictional requirements in accord with specified frequencies and sound levels. The result is an alert sound perceived as non-irritating and pleasant outside the vehicle, and unobtrusive and background inside the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aleksandra Pyzik, Pontus Larsson
  • Patent number: 11904836
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an eco-friendly vehicle in which powertrain noise may be controlled such that voice command recognition of the vehicle control system may be improved and also audio guidance therefrom may be better recognized by a driver, and a method for supporting audio input/output for the same. A method of supporting audio input/output for an eco-friendly vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes determining whether a first condition for audio input/output function and a second condition for inside noise level are satisfied; and performing a noise reduction control by changing an operating point of a driving power source based on a current drive mode, in case where the first and the second conditions are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Jin Kyeom Cho
  • Patent number: 11894013
    Abstract: Provided is a sound pickup loudspeaker apparatus that has a mechanism for detecting situations in which sound amplification should not be performed and stopping sound amplification from a speaker. The sound pickup loudspeaker apparatus is installed in a vehicle. At least a sound pickup position and a sound amplification position are assumed to be present in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunori Kobayashi, Shoichiro Saito
  • Patent number: 11893972
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a controller that is configured to (a) store a plurality of passenger profiles regarding passengers of a vehicle where each of the plurality of passenger profiles include pre-stored characteristics of a respective passenger associated therewith, (b) acquire passenger identifying data regarding a present passenger in the vehicle, (c) identify a respective passenger profile associated with the present passenger from the plurality of passenger profiles based on the passenger identifying data, and (d) control a speaker positioned within the vehicle based at least in part on the respective passenger profile to emit noise-canceling sound waves to generate a noise suppression zone to suppress sound waves perceived by the present passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Seffernick, Peter D. Vande Hey
  • Patent number: 11871195
    Abstract: An acoustic system can include an acoustic processor that is configured to analyze and output acoustic signals to each of first and second loudspeakers corresponding to each of first and second acoustic zones of a shared acoustic space. The system can determine a first measure of loudness associated with a first acoustic signal. The system can be configured to output the first acoustic signal as sound on the first loudspeaker in the first acoustic zone. The system can determine a second measure of loudness associated with a second acoustic signal. The system can be configured to output the second acoustic signal as sound on the second loudspeaker in the second acoustic zone. The system can also modify the second acoustic signal based on the first acoustic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Francesto Villamizar
  • Patent number: 11858418
    Abstract: A pseudo driving sound playback system includes a server and an in-vehicle device. The server includes a database of pseudo sound data sets in which sound elements of engine sound are associated with each of a plurality of predefined driving states for each of a plurality of passenger gasoline vehicle models. The in-vehicle device determines one of a plurality of vehicle models based on received input of a user, downloads a pseudo sound data set of the vehicle model from the server, selects a sound element according to the detected driving state from the pseudo sound data set, and sequentially outputs the sound element as sound from a speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: CRAFTS & MEISTER CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sudo, Yoshinori Matsumoto, Taklam Li
  • Patent number: 11854526
    Abstract: Provided is an active acoustic control program that can reduce noise in a vehicle interior irrespective of the vehicle type, due to being installed in a device that is easily available to anyone. This active acoustic control program is downloaded using a communicator that transmits and receives data to and from a server, and this program causes a computation process device to execute a process for generating a control signal that causes a canceling sound to be outputted from a speaker provided in an interior of a vehicle in order to reduce noise in the vehicle interior. Said program is provided with an adaptive notch filter that processes a reference signal as an adaptive signal to generate a control signal, and a control filter coefficient update unit that continuously updates a filter coefficient of the adaptive notch filter so that an error signal is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Inoue, Hiroyuki Yamada, Hiroshi Tokimoto