Having Crossover Filter Patents (Class 381/99)
  • Patent number: 11943575
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system can have first and second loudspeakers selectively operable in a single-channel mode or in a multi-channel mode. In the single-channel mode, the first and the second loudspeakers are configured to simultaneously reproduce a substantially identical signal. In the multi-channel mode, the first loudspeaker reproduces a first-channel signal and the second loudspeaker reproduces a second-channel signal. The first-channel signal and the second-channel signal can constitute respective portions of a multi-channel signal. Such loudspeaker systems can also have a mode selector configured to select one of the single-channel mode and the multi-channel mode. In some embodiments, such selection can occur in response to one or more detected proximities of another loudspeaker system. Multi-zone loudspeaker systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Giuliani, David Jeon, Gabriel Sanchez
  • Patent number: 11622193
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a limiter system. The limiter system includes a first equalization filter, a low-pass filter, a first limiter, a high-pass filter, a second limiter, and a mixer. The limiter system provided by the present disclosure further includes a second equalization filter. An audio signal from a signal source first passes through the first equalization filter, the signal equalized for the first time is divided into two signals, one signal is processed by the low-pass filter and the first limiter, the other signal is processed by the high-pass filter and the second limiter, and then the two processed signals enter the mixer to be mixed and outputted. The mixed output signal is subjected to second equalization filtering by the second equalization filter to avoid clipping distortion or to obtain a higher maximum sound level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Mengrui Huang, Hongfei Zhou
  • Patent number: 11612321
    Abstract: Transbody communication systems employing communication channels are provided. Various aspects include, for example, an in vivo transmitter to transmit an encoded signal; a transbody functionality module to facilitate communication of the encoded signal; and a receiver to receive the encoded signal. Methods and apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: OTSUKA PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Timothy Robertson, Kenneth C. Crandall, Lawrence W. Arne
  • Patent number: 11540056
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a speaker and a magnetic circuit system thereof. The speaker includes a housing and at least one magnetic circuit system and at least one vibration system arranged in the housing. The at least one vibration system includes at least one layer of drive circuit configured to generate mechanical motion under the action of a magnetic field of the at least one magnetic circuit system, and a diaphragm driven by the at least one layer of drive circuit. The at least one layer of driving circuit is mounted to the diaphragm and has a planar shape. Since the driving circuit of the vibration system has a planar shape, the thickness of the speaker of the present disclosure can be effectively reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Changzhou AMT Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Xianzhen Meng, Cheng Zhai, Dengwei Wang, Chuankun Ding
  • Patent number: 11457326
    Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a method for processing a multi-channel input audio signal representing a sound field into a multi-channel output audio signal representing said sound field in accordance with a predefined loudspeaker layout is provided, the method comprising the following for at least one frequency band: obtaining spatial audio parameters that are descriptive of spatial characteristics of said sound field; estimating a signal energy of the sound field represented by the multi-channel input audio signal; estimating, based on said signal energy and the obtained spatial audio parameters, respective output signal energies for channels of the multi-channel output audio signal according to said predefined loudspeaker layout; determining a maximum output energy as the largest of the output signal energies across channels of said multi-channel output audio signal; and deriving, on basis of said maximum output energy, a gain value for adjusting sound reproduction gain in at least one of said channe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventors: Mikko-Ville Laitinen, Mikko Tammi, Jussi Virolainen, Jorma Mäkinen
  • Patent number: 11212614
    Abstract: An audio system comprising a control circuit, at least one loudspeaker and at least one subwoofer for reproducing audio signals at low frequencies. The control circuit comprises an input connector and a bass management circuit that comprises a first filter with a low-pass for pre-filtering audio signals for the subwoofer and a second filter for pre-filtering audio signals for the loudspeaker. The loudspeaker comprises a high-pass filter, wherein in a transition frequency range of the amplitude responses of the first filter and the high-pass filter both filters raise or attenuate the audio signals such that the audio system overall, without considering the second filter, has a wavy amplitude response in the transition frequency range. The second filter however comprises at least one parametric filter that is adapted for flattening the amplitude response in the transition frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Leif Böhme
  • Patent number: 11159903
    Abstract: Disclosed in the present specification are a multimedia apparatus for servicing an optimized sound depending on the surrounding environment and a method for processing an audio signal thereof. The method for processing an audio signal of the multimedia apparatus, according to the present invention, comprises the steps of: receiving an external test sound; analyzing the frequency properties of the received test sound; calculating a compensation value of the test sound according to the analyzed frequency properties; compensating an audio signal to be output, according to the calculated compensation value; and outputting the compensated audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungtae Lee, Jinhong Shin
  • Patent number: 10986228
    Abstract: A method, system, and a computer program product are provided for monitoring an emotional state of a conversation by monitoring a communication between first and second persons to determine an emotional state of the communication, providing a visual representation of the emotional state of the communication for display to a person having access to the communication, and performing an intervention action to improve the emotional state of the communication in response to detecting the emotional state of the communication meets one or more specified intervention criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas G. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 10887715
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for translating a first plurality of audio input channels to a second plurality of audio output channels. This includes determining that there is pair-wise coding among any of the first plurality of audio input channels, determining an input/output-mapping matrix for mapping at least a first set of the first plurality of audio input channels to at least a second set of the second plurality of audio output channels; and deriving the second plurality of audio output channels based on first plurality of audio input channels, the input/output-mapping matrix and the determined pair-wise coding. The first plurality of audio input channels represent the same soundfield represented by the second plurality of audio output channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Mark F. Davis
  • Patent number: 10884698
    Abstract: An example computing device is configured to perform functions including receiving a plurality of spectral data associated with a respective plurality of playback environments corresponding to a respective plurality of playback devices. The functions also include, based on the plurality of spectral data, determining a plurality of representative spectral characteristics. The functions also include receiving particular spectral data associated with a particular playback environment corresponding to a particular playback device and identifying a given one of the representative spectral characteristics that is representative of the particular spectral data. The functions also include, based on the given one of the representative spectral characteristics, identifying calibration data for use by the particular playback device when playing back audio and transmitting, to the particular playback device, the calibration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Hartung, Simon Jarvis, Tim Sheen, Chris Davies
  • Patent number: 10871469
    Abstract: A method includes pulsating a magnetic field at a first location associated with an external surface of a wall containing magnetic material. The method also includes measuring at least one characteristic of the pulsating magnetic field at a second location associated with the external surface of the wall. The at least one characteristic changes based on corrosion on an internal surface the wall between the first and second locations. The magnetic field could be pulsated by applying an AC signal to a conductive coil or by vibrating a magnet. The method could also include analyzing the at least one measured characteristic to identify an amount of the corrosion and/or a change in the amount of the corrosion. Use of the internal surface the wall could be modified based on the amount or change of the corrosion. Multiple magnetic fields can be generated at multiple first locations, and the at least one characteristic can be measured at multiple second locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Leonardo William Estevez, Terry Lee Sculley, Christian Link
  • Patent number: 10819305
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of audio signal processing and disclose a method for adjusting sound quality, which includes: acquiring an audio signal to be adjusted; acquiring a resonance frequency and a frequency response curve of an exciter; forming a recursive filter and determining a filter parameter of the recursive filter according to the frequency response curve; inputting the audio signal to be adjusted into the recursive filter within a preset range of the resonance frequency to acquire an equalizing signal; performing preset sound effect processing on the equalizing signal to acquire a signal to be excited, wherein the preset sound effect processing at least includes inputting the equalizing signal into a non-recursive filter, and inputting the signal to be excited into the exciter to output an audio signal. The present invention further provides a tone quality adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yingming Qin, Bing Xie, Zheng Xiang
  • Patent number: 10805723
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic characterization of perceived transducer distortion are described. The system includes a controller configured to receive a distortion level; a signal generator configured to generate a test signal for a frequency band in response to the distortion level, the test signal including at least two simultaneous tones, the at least two simultaneous tones having different frequencies within the frequency band; an audio transducer configured to generate an audio signal based on the test signal; and a distortion tuner configured to receive the audio signal and to determine the distortion level of the system based on a detected amount of distortion in the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Port, Sebastian P. B. Holzapfel, Juan Felix Torres
  • Patent number: 10547943
    Abstract: A system and method include filtering with controllable transfer functions in signal paths upstream of K?1 output paths and downstream of Q?1 source input paths, and controlling with filter control signals of the controllable transfer functions according to an adaptive control algorithm based on error signals on M?1 error input paths and source input signals on the Q source input paths. The system and method further include at least one psychoacoustic constraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Markus Christoph
  • Patent number: 10499153
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to an audio processing system that adjusts for unmatched speakers, such as by frequency response, output power, directionality, etc. For example, a mobile device may include an earpiece speaker and a micro-loudspeaker. The audio processing system may include a crossover network that separates an input audio signal into a low frequency signal and a high frequency signal. Subband spatial processing and b-chain processing are applied to the high frequency signal to spatially enhance the input signal, and adjust the input signal for the unmatched speakers. The low frequency signal is processed using a parametric band-pass filter and a first gain to generate a low frequency resonator signal, and a second gain to generate a low frequency passthrough signal. The processed low frequency signals are provided to the micro-loudspeaker by combination with one of a left channel or a right channel of the processed high frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Boomcloud 360, Inc.
    Inventor: Zachary Seldess
  • Patent number: 10477316
    Abstract: An amplifier circuit is disclosed suitable for feeding a loudspeaker system having plural drivers. The amplifier circuit has an output stage and plural output connectors such that there is an output connector for each driver, wherein the output stage is connected separately to each output connector for independent connection to each driver. A method of feeding a loudspeaker system having plural drivers with an amplifier circuit having an output stage is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Blueprint Acoustics Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Zeljko Velican, Walter Melville Dower
  • Patent number: 10460716
    Abstract: A system and method include filtering with controllable transfer functions in signal paths upstream of K?1 output paths and downstream of Q?1 source input paths, and controlling with filter control signals of the controllable transfer functions according to an adaptive control algorithm based on error signals on M?1 error input paths and source input signals on the Q source input paths. The system and method further include at least one loudspeaker-room-microphone constraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Markus Christoph
  • Patent number: 10299052
    Abstract: Disclosed in the present specification are a multimedia apparatus for servicing an optimized sound depending on the surrounding environment and a method for processing an audio signal thereof. The method for processing an audio signal of the multimedia apparatus, according to the present invention, comprises the steps of: receiving an external test sound; analyzing the frequency properties of the received test sound; calculating a compensation value of the test sound according to the analyzed frequency properties; compensating an audio signal to be output, according to the calculated compensation value; and outputting the compensated audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sungtae Lee, Jinhong Shin
  • Patent number: 10284954
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system is described that includes a loudspeaker and an extender. The loudspeaker can be positioned on the ground and the extender can be optionally connected thereto. When the extender is connected to the loudspeaker, the loudspeaker is capable of selectively sending high-frequency components of an input audio signal to the extender and the extender is capable of playing back such high-frequency components to produce high-frequency audio. Due to the fact that an audio-producing apparatus of the extender can be positioned at a higher elevation than the loudspeaker, the high-frequency audio (which is more directional than lower-frequency audio) can be produced at a height that is likely to match that of the ear height of a user as opposed to producing the audio at floor height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Caavo Inc
    Inventors: Andrew E. Einaudi, Ashish D. Aggarwal
  • Patent number: 10251015
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining filter coefficients of an audio precompensation controller for the compensation of an associated sound system, including N?2 loudspeakers, including estimating, for each one of at least a pair of the loudspeakers, a model transfer function at each of M control points distributed in Z?2 spatially separated listening zones in a listening environment of the sound system. The method also includes determining, for each of the M control points, a zone-dependent target transfer function at least based on the zone affiliation of the control point; and determining the filter coefficients of the audio precompensation controller at least based on the model transfer functions and the target transfer functions of the M control points. Consequently, an audio precompensation controller for an associated sound system can be obtained that enables improved and/or customized sound reproduction in two or more listening zones simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: DIRAC RESEARCH AB
    Inventors: Adrian Bahne, Anders Ahlen
  • Patent number: 10165385
    Abstract: A system for generating calibrated multi-channel non-coherent signals. The system comprises a plurality of synthesizers for generating a corresponding plurality of signals, and a plurality of filters for band-pass filtering the plurality of generated signals. Each filter filters the signal generated by one of the plurality of synthesizers, by performing the band-pass filtering in a dedicated frequency band. The system comprises a plurality of loudspeakers for playing the plurality of filtered signals respectively filtered by the plurality of filters. The system comprises a channel configurator for configuring at least one of the filters for performing the band-pass filtering according to a calibrated amplitude spectrum of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: CAE INC.
    Inventor: Maxime Ayotte
  • Patent number: 9900690
    Abstract: A nonlinear control system and a loudspeaker protection system. In particular, a nonlinear control system including a controller, an audio system, and a model is disclosed. The controller is configured to accept one or more input signals, and one or more estimated states produced by the model to produce one or more control signals. The audio system includes one or more transducers configured to accept the control signals to produce a rendered audio stream therefrom. An active loudspeaker with an integrated amplifier is disclosed. A loudspeaker protection system and a quality control system are disclosed. More particularly, a system for clamping the input to a loudspeaker dependent upon a bank of representative models is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: CIRRUS LOGIC INTERNATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
    Inventors: Pär Gunnars Risberg, Erik Lindahl, Marcus Arvidsson, Daniel Stahre, Landy Toth
  • Patent number: 9875756
    Abstract: A system for processing audio data comprising a first signal processing path configured to generate a mask control signal. A second signal processing path configured to generate a decorrelated input audio signal. A mixer configured to mix the mask control signal and the decorrelated input audio signal and to generate an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: PSYX RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventor: Robert W. Reams
  • Patent number: 9860662
    Abstract: A computing device may transmit playback device configuration information to a given playback device. The computing device may then receive calibration data corresponding to each playback device of a plurality of playback devices, and receive playback device characteristic data indicating at least one playback device characteristic for each playback device of the plurality of playback devices. Based on at least the received calibration data and the received playback device characteristic data, the computing device may determine updated playback device configuration information and transmit data indicating the updated playback device configuration information to the given playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Jarvis, Klaus Hartung, Chris Davies, Tim Sheen
  • Patent number: 9860664
    Abstract: A system for dynamically adapting calibrated multi-channel non-coherent signals. The system comprises a physical simulation environment, a plurality of synthesizers for generating a corresponding plurality of signals, a plurality of filters for band-pass filtering the plurality of generated signals, and a plurality of loudspeakers positioned on a wall of the physical simulation environment for playing the plurality of filtered signals inside the physical simulation environment. The system comprises a noise sensor positioned inside the physical simulation environment for measuring a physical simulation environment signal amplitude and transmitting the physical simulation environment signal amplitude to a channel configurator. The system comprises the channel configurator for configuring each synthesizer to generate the corresponding signal according to a calibrated amplitude spectrum of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CAE INC.
    Inventor: Maxime Ayotte
  • Patent number: 9836328
    Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one processor executing a method for managing memory among a plurality of concurrently-running virtual machines, and a non-transitory memory device that stores a set of computer readable instructions for implementing and executing said memory management method. A memory optimization mechanism can reduce a memory usage of a virtual machine at a cost of increasing a central processing unit (CPU) usage. Information on a memory usage and a CPU usage of each virtual machine is periodically collected. When a first virtual machine exhibits high memory use, at least one second virtual machine with an extra CPU capacity is identified. A memory optimization mechanism is applied to the second virtual machine to reduce memory used by the second virtual machine, thereby providing a portion of freed memory that is then allocated to the first virtual machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norman Bobroff, Michael Hilton Dawson, Liana Liyow Fong, Arun Kwangil Iyengar, Peter Hans Westerink
  • Patent number: 9753537
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus for outputting a predetermined sound selectively from a plurality of sound output apparatuses and vibrating a predetermined vibration apparatus selects from the plurality of sound output apparatuses a sound output apparatus to output the sound, performs vibration control for vibrating the vibration apparatus, and performs different types of vibration control in accordance with the selected sound output apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Obana, Kochi Kawai, Junichiro Miyatake, Keisuke Seko, Shoji Masubuchi, Takafumi Aoki, Kei Yamashita, Masahiko Inami, Kouta Minamizawa
  • Patent number: 9736581
    Abstract: A nonlinear control system and a loudspeaker protection system. In particular, a nonlinear control system including a controller, an audio system, and a model is disclosed. The controller is configured to accept one or more input signals, and one or more estimated states produced by the model to produce one or more control signals. The audio system includes one or more transducers configured to accept the control signals to produce a rendered audio stream therefrom. An active loudspeaker with an integrated amplifier is disclosed. A loudspeaker protection system and a quality control system are disclosed. More particularly, a system for clamping the input to a loudspeaker dependent upon a bank of representative models is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: CIRRUS LOGIC INTERNATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
    Inventors: Pär Gunnars Risberg, Erik Lindahl, Marcus Arvidsson, Daniel Karlsson, Landy Toth
  • Patent number: 9736614
    Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a method that includes receiving, at a processing device, a feedback signal from a recording device, and generating, based on the feedback signal, a control signal for adjusting an acoustic output of a speaker device to achieve a target acoustic distribution within the environment. The feedback signal can indicate an acoustic characteristic of an environment in which a speaker device is located. The method also includes providing the control signal to the speaker device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Igor Kofman, David Rolland Crist, Christopher James Mulhearn, Matthew Belge, Michael Tiene, Avrum G. Mayman
  • Patent number: 9491551
    Abstract: An electrical network for driving electromagnetic bone conduction vibrator/transducer of variable reluctance type which is applied between the vibrator terminals and the power amplifier terminals so that the vibrator mechanical output is maximized in the mid and high frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Osseofon AB
    Inventor: Bo Håkansson
  • Patent number: 9349280
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for disrupting bone conduction signals. According to one aspect, a device can receive a signal via a communication path that is external to a body of a user associated with the device. The device can generate a disruption signal to disrupt the signal. The device can send the disruption signal through the body of the user to disrupt the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Baldwin, Brian S. Amento
  • Patent number: 9349282
    Abstract: Mobile device speaker control may include: monitoring one or more devices wirelessly coupled with a data network, receiving one or more data packets from each of the one or more devices, filtering received data packets by evaluating a received signal strength (e.g., RSSI) of the received packets, comparing the received signal strength of each of the received packets to a threshold to determine whether the one or more devices are to perform an action, and performing the action only if one or more indicia other than the received signal strength indicate a near field proximity within the threshold or a direct physical contact between a wireless device receiving the data packets and one of the one or more devices that is wirelessly transmitting the data packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: AliphCom
    Inventors: Michael Edward Smith Luna, Hawk Yin Pang
  • Patent number: 9338387
    Abstract: Integrated processing of audio/video signals can eliminate unnecessary signal processors and converters without losing the functionality of typical home entertainment system components. The integrated system includes a main player that captures and processes signals digitally, a dummy display, and a dummy speaker. The dummy display may only have a display panel and a panel driver. The dummy speaker may only have a driving unit and no crossover logic. The main player may have a PC architecture and process all signals digitally for outputting signals tailored for the display device and the individual driving units of the dummy speaker. The integrated system may also provide dynamic signal adjustments based on the surrounding environment. The main player may include a storage device and can process media content stored therein to produce supplemental information to provide an optimal audiovisual experience. This supplemental information can be shared among users over a network connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Inventor: Chul Chung
  • Patent number: 9311813
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for disrupting bone conduction signals. According to one aspect, a device can receive a signal via a communication path that is external to a body of a user associated with the device. The device can generate a disruption signal to disrupt the signal. The device can send the disruption signal through the body of the user to disrupt the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Baldwin, Brian S. Amento
  • Patent number: 9280892
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for disrupting bone conduction signals. According to one aspect, a device can receive a signal via a communication path that is external to a body of a user associated with the device. The device can generate a disruption signal to disrupt the signal. The device can send the disruption signal through the body of the user to disrupt the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Baldwin, Brian S. Amento
  • Patent number: 9253562
    Abstract: An audio module for use in a vehicle cabin. An elongated substantially sealed enclosure has two ends in the lengthwise direction. A first acoustic driver is mounted in the enclosure near one end of the enclosure for radiating acoustic energy from the end of the enclosure. A second acoustic driver is mounted in the enclosure near a second end of the enclosure for radiating acoustic energy from the second end of the enclosure. The audio module includes a bass augmenting device for radiating low frequency acoustic energy from the enclosure. The audio module is constructed and arranged to be pre-assembled so that the audio module can be installed in the vehicle as a single assembly. The audio module is configured to be mounted to the vehicle so that the lengthwise direction is substantially vertical with the first end of the enclosure higher than the second end of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Ludwig
  • Patent number: 9247340
    Abstract: An impedance matched resonant circuit uses inductors coupling an audio source and a speaker array in order to reduce feedback reflection induced by an audio signal traveling from the audio source to the array of speakers. An RC circuit could also be coupled to the positive and negative terminals of the speaker array to reduce the slope differential of the audio signal at certain frequencies. The circuit can be packaged together in a single module with switches to activate and deactivate portions of the circuit to alter the effectiveness of the circuit depending upon need.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: REVx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne J. Powell, Dennis Rauschmayer
  • Patent number: 9226058
    Abstract: A speaker assembly is provided with a speaker, a housing mounted to the speaker, and a reflector spaced apart from and facing the speaker. The reflector has a generally convex central region and a plurality of circumferentially spaced lobes, each extending radially outward from the central region for reflecting acoustic vibrations from the speaker radially outboard from the reflector while providing gaps between the lobes for permitting acoustic vibrations to pass therethrough. A series of supports connect the housing and the reflector. The supports are spaced circumferentially about the housing for providing openings between the supports for an outlet of the reflected acoustic vibrations. Each of the supports is aligned with and externally visually conceals one of the lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventor: Ronald Paul Harwood
  • Patent number: 9226073
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided herein for balancing of outputs from playback devices playing audio content in synchrony. In one embodiment, the balancing of outputs may involve receiving a first audio signal to be played by a first playback device according to a first crossover frequency, determining a limiting result by applying a limiting function associated with a second playback device to a second audio signal to be played by the second playback device according to a second crossover frequency, and based on the first limiting result, configuring the first playback device to play the first audio signal according to a third crossover frequency. In some cases, the first and second playback devices may be configured to play the first and second audio signals, respectively, in synchrony.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Aurelio Rafael Ramos, Timothy W. Sheen
  • Patent number: 9191232
    Abstract: This disclosure describes an intelligent network communication device in an audio video distribution system that uses a local area network that includes a network speaker node; an audio input device that receives the analog audio signal and that couples to a network speaker node through a speaker/microphone driver; and an audio output device that transmits the analog audio signal and that couples to the network speaker node through the speaker/microphone driver. The network speaker node further includes a controller with a network interface that couples to the local area network, where the controller further comprises an embedded controller with memory and which is programmed to function as a web server. The network speaker node further includes a digital signal processor that couples to the controller. And, the network speaker node further includes a speaker/microphone driver that couples to the digital signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: NETSTREAMS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Braithwaite, Herman Cardenas
  • Patent number: 9191766
    Abstract: The listening room comprises at least one loudspeaker and at least one listening position. The method comprises providing for each loudspeaker, a group delay response to be equalized associated with one pre-defined position within the listening room; calculating filter coefficients for all-pass filter(s) each arranged upstream to one corresponding loudspeaker, the all-pass filter(s) having a transfer characteristic such that the corresponding group delay response(s) match(es) a predefined target group delay response. The filter coefficients have a group delay response being confined by a frequency dependent group delay constraint that defines a frequency dependent interval exponentially decaying with increasing frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Christoph, Leander Scholz
  • Patent number: 9161128
    Abstract: An audio system may include a canalphone housing, and a plurality of low frequency drivers carried by the canalphone housing. The system may also include a plurality of high frequency drivers carried by the canalphone housing, the plurality of high frequency drivers tuned to produce an audio trace in the 10 kilohertz to 22 kilohertz on an audio analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Inventor: Jerry Harvey
  • Patent number: 9113257
    Abstract: Complimentary crossovers that reduce phase distortion in loudspeaker systems, typically pairs, are described. In the fundamental embodiment, each loudspeaker possesses two drivers, a woofer and a tweeter. The “effective third-order” crossover on the right-hand loudspeaker remains “symmetric,” but the “effective third-order” crossover on the left-hand loudspeaker is rendered “asymmetric,” as described. Other embodiments apply this principle to other crossover orders and/or greater numbers of drivers. This technology can be combined with other circuits like a Zobel, typically used for impedance correction. Some configurations of “phase-unified” loudspeakers require that a Zobel is applied to all drivers except the tweeter. Accordingly a rule combining effective crossover order and handedness is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Inventor: William E. Collins
  • Patent number: 9066171
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine at least one parameter of a transducer on the basis of received information; and modify a received signal for actuating the transducer on the basis of the determined parameters of the transducer and a frequency spectrum of the received signal. The apparatus protects the transducer from damage due to excessive displacement caused by the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jukka Vesa Tapani V. Rauhala, Jouni Paaaho
  • Patent number: 9036841
    Abstract: A speaker system includes a first speaker (203) and a second speaker (205). A driving circuit receives an audio signal and has a first drive circuit (209) generating a first drive signal for the first speaker (203) in response to a first filtering of the audio signal with a first passband. A second drive circuit (211) generates a second drive signal for the second speaker (205) in response to a second filtering having a second passband which includes a frequency band below the first passband. A delay (213) delays the second drive signal relative to the first drive signal. The sound from the second speaker is directionally radiated with a directional radiation pattern having a notch towards the listening position (111). The system uses the precedence effect and non-direct low frequency audio radiation to ensure that directional cues are predominantly provided by the first speaker (203) which may be small and positioned remote from the second speaker (205).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Werner Paulus Josephus De Bruijn, William John Lamb
  • Patent number: 9031260
    Abstract: A band division apparatus obtains an analog low-band signal, an analog intermediate-band signal and an analog high-band signal from a digital sound signal. In the band division apparatus, a digital filter separates the digital sound signal into a digital intermediate-band signal having the intermediate frequency band while the high frequency band and the low frequency band are attenuated, and a digital low-high-band signal having a frequency band combining the low frequency band and the high frequency band while the intermediate frequency band are attenuated. A DA converter converts the digital low-high-band signal into an analog low-high-band signal. Another DA converter converts the digital intermediate-band signal into the analog intermediate-band signal. An analog filter separates the analog low-high-band signal into the analog low-band signal and the analog high-band signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Okumura
  • Patent number: 9008330
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a crossover frequency between a plurality of audio speakers rendering audio content. In one example, a first subset of a plurality of audio speakers may be rendering a first sub-range of a range of audio frequencies of an audio content, and a second subset of speakers of the plurality of audio speakers may be rendering a second sub-range of the range of audio frequencies. In this example, the first sub-range and the second sub-range may be substantially separated at the crossover frequency. In one case, a playback volume at which the audio content is being rendered may be adjusted. In one instance, the crossover frequency may be adjusted in response to the volume adjustment to improve the audio content rendering quality by the respective subsets of audio speakers in the plurality of audio speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Sheen, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, William H. Bush
  • Patent number: 8989404
    Abstract: A drive system comprises a splitter (107) which generates a low frequency signal and high frequency signal from an input signal. A first drive circuit (111, 115) is coupled to the splitter (107) and generates a drive signal for an audio driver (105) from the low frequency signal. A second drive circuit (117, 119) is coupled to the splitter (117) and generates a drive signal for a second audio driver (101) from the high frequency signal. The second drive circuit (117, 119) provides a bass frequency extension for the second audio driver (101) by applying low frequency boost to the low frequency signal. A processor (125) determines a driver excursion indication for the second audio driver (101) and a controller (127) performs a combined adjustment of a cross-over frequency for the high and low frequency signals and a characteristic of the low frequency boost based on the driver excursion indication. The invention may provide improved interworking between e.g. a subwoofer and satellite speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Woox Innovations Belgium NV
    Inventor: Gerrit De Poortere
  • Patent number: 8976974
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automated tuning of a sound system, the sound system comprising delay lines, equalizing filters, and at least two loudspeakers, the method comprising the steps of reproducing a useful sound signal through the loudspeakers, measuring sound pressure values at least one location, providing a target transfer function for tuning the delay lines and the equalizing filters of the sound system, the target transfer function representing a desired transfer characteristics of the sound system, adjusting the delay of the delay lines, and adjusting amplitude responses of the equalizing filters such, that the actual transfer characteristics of the sound system approximates the target function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Christoph, Leander Scholz
  • Publication number: 20150023525
    Abstract: A canalphone system may include a canalphone housing, and a first high frequency driver carried within the canalphone housing. The system may also include a second high frequency driver carried within the canalphone housing where the second high frequency driver is tuned with the first high frequency driver to deliver lower distortion than a standard canalphone high frequency driver and/or lower distortion than two standard canalphone high frequency drivers that are not tuned with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Jerry Harvey