Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100033313 | AMBIENT SITUATION AWARENESS SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VEHICLES - At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of situation awareness facilitation for a vehicle driver comprising: receiving a first acoustic signal from outside a vehicle that the driver is in and converting the first acoustic signal into a first acoustic electronic signal; sending the first acoustic electronic signal to a processor; matching the first acoustic electronic signal by the processor to stored reference electronic signals; and sending an acoustic message associated with a matched reference electronic signal to a speaker in the cab of the vehicle. | 02-11-2010 |
20100074451 | ACOUSTIC SEALING ANALYSIS SYSTEM - A test signal emitted by an earpiece is compared against the acoustic signal to determine if a sealing section of the earpiece is sealed properly. The degree of acoustic sealing is used to adjust the attenuation level of a sealing section of the earpiece or alert the user that the sealing section of the seal status. | 03-25-2010 |
20100241256 | METHOD OF MODIFYING AUDIO CONTENT - At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of generating a Personalized Audio Content (PAC) comprising: selecting Audio Content (AC) to personalize; selecting an Earprint; and generating a PAC using the Earprint to modify the AC. | 09-23-2010 |
20140081644 | Method and Device for Voice Operated Control - At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method and device for voice operated control. The method can include measuring a first sound received from a first microphone, measuring a second sound received from a second microphone, detecting a spoken voice based on an analysis of measurements taken at the first and second microphone, mixing the first sound and the second sound to produce a mixed signal, and controlling the production of the mixed signal based on one or more aspects of the spoken voice. | 03-20-2014 |
20140095157 | Method and Device for Voice Operated Control - At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method and device for voice operated control with learning. The method can include measuring a first sound received from a first microphone, measuring a second sound received from a second microphone, detecting a spoken voice based on an analysis of measurements taken at the first and second microphone, learning from the analysis when the user is speaking and a speaking level in noisy environments, training a decision unit from the learning to be robust to a detection of the spoken voice in the noisy environments, mixing the first sound and the second sound to produce a mixed signal, and controlling the production of the mixed signal based on the learning of one or more aspects of the spoken voice and ambient sounds in the noisy environments. | 04-03-2014 |
20140119553 | ACOUSTIC DAMPENING COMPENSATION SYSTEM - 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. | 05-01-2014 |
20140126748 | Method and Device for Voice Operated Control - Methods and devices for wearable sound processing and voice operated control are provided. The method can include monitoring a sound pressure level between a first received sound and a second received sound, identifying a voicing level from a comparison of the sound pressure level, determining if a wearer is speaking based on the comparison and the voicing level, and transmitting a decision that the wearer's spoken voice is present to at least one among a cell phone, a media player, and a portable computing device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 05-08-2014 |
20140200883 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SPECTRAL EXPANSION FOR AN AUDIO SIGNAL - A method and device for automatically increasing the spectral bandwidth of an audio signal including generating a “mapping” (or “prediction”) matrix based on the analysis of a reference wideband signal and a reference narrowband signal, the mapping matrix being a transformation matrix to predict high frequency energy from a low frequency energy envelope, generating an energy envelope analysis of an input narrowband audio signal, generating a resynthesized noise signal by processing a random noise signal with the mapping matrix and the envelope analysis, high-pass filtering the resynthesized noise signal, and summing the high-pass filtered resynthesized noise signal with the input narrowband audio signal. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-17-2014 |
20140219462 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR BACKGROUND MITIGATION - An earpiece includes an Ambient Sound Microphone (ASM) configured to measure a background noise signal, an Ear Canal Receiver (ECR) configured to deliver audio to an ear canal, and an optional Ear Canal Microphone (ECM) configured to convert an internal sound within an ear canal of a user to an internal sound signal, and a processor operatively coupled to the ASM, the ECR and optionally the ECM. Note, internal sounds can also include residual background noise related to ambient sounds in the environment. The processor is configured to maintain a natural audio level based on a combined measurement of the background noise signal and the internal sound signal. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-07-2014 |
20140270200 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO DETECT CLOSE VOICE SOURCES AND AUTOMATICALLY ENHANCE SITUATION AWARENESS - A system and method for enhancing two-way conversation between a user wearing at least one communication system or earphone and a second individual in proximity to the user is provided. The method includes detecting a spoken voice of the user from sounds captured at an ambient sound microphone, automatically activating a voice timer and setting a voice activity threshold for the voice timer responsive to detecting spoken voice, and adjusting a mixing gain of an audio content signal delivered to the earphone or communication system by way of the internal speaker with an ambient sound pass-through during activation of the voice timer. Separate mixing gains can be adjusted independently in accordance with spoken voice activity and reproduced audio content characteristics. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 09-18-2014 |
20140314238 | MULTIPLEXING AUDIO SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method and system for multiplexing audio signals into a single channel uses frequency division multiplexing. The frequency division multiplexing method herein is based on a frequency transform algorithm using FFT shifting that does not require a carrier signal for the modulation. In one embodiment, two input microphone audio signals are frequency shifted and the resulting single audio channel is directed over a standard input connection to a computing device, for instance, a smart phone using a wired TRRS connection. The TRRS analog input of the computing devices exhibits a high-pass characteristic, and the frequency shifting method enables the low frequency audio components of input audio signals to be received and processed by a software application on the smart phone. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-23-2014 |
20140327527 | DESIGNER CONTROL DEVICES - A control device configurable to couple to one or more devices having different control functions and a method of facilitating remote control of at least one device having different control functions includes a processor that receives an instruction for at least one of the control functions and additional information from the at least one device, the processor including a plurality of processing algorithms, the additional information received from the at least one device including at least a locally transmitted data signal. The processor selectably processes the additional information using at least one of the processing algorithms and controls a touch sensitive display reconfigurable for the different control functions, such that the at least one control function and the selectably processed additional information are presented on the touch sensitive display. The processor also generates at least one control signal responsive to receiving the locally transmitted data signal. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 11-06-2014 |
20150104025 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ACUTE SOUND DETECTION AND REPRODUCTION - 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. | 04-16-2015 |
20150131814 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTACT SENSING USING COHERENCE ANALYSIS - Herein provided is a method for acoustical switching suitable for use with a microphone enabled electronic device. The method includes capturing a first microphone signal from a first microphone on a device, analyzing the first microphone signal for a contact event versus a non-contact event, and directing the electronic device to switch a processing state responsive to detection of either the contact event or non-contact event. In another configuration, additional microphone can be added for performing coherence analysis between at least two microphone signals mounted on or in the device. At least one parameter settings of the device can be changed in response to at least one detected physical contact on the device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 05-14-2015 |
20150179178 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SPECTRAL EXPANSION FOR AN AUDIO SIGNAL - A method and device for automatically increasing the spectral bandwidth of an audio signal including generating a “mapping” (or “prediction”) matrix based on the analysis of a reference wideband signal and a reference narrowband signal, the mapping matrix being a transformation matrix to predict high frequency energy from a low frequency energy envelope, generating an energy envelope analysis of an input narrowband audio signal, generating a resynthesized noise signal by processing a random noise signal with the mapping matrix and the envelope analysis, high-pass filtering the resynthesized noise signal, and summing the high-pass filtered resynthesized noise signal with the original an input narrowband audio signal. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 06-25-2015 |
20150334484 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR VOICE OPERATED CONTROL - At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an acoustic device including an ear canal microphone configured to detect a first acoustic signal, an ambient microphone configured to detect a second acoustic signal, and a processor operatively coupled to the ear canal microphone and the ambient microphone. The processor is configured to detect a predetermined speech pattern based on an analysis of the first acoustic signal and the second acoustic signal and upon detection of the predetermined speech pattern, subsequently process acoustic signals from the ear canal microphone for a predetermined time or until the ear canal microphone detects a lack of an acoustic signal for a second predetermined time. After the predetermined time or after a second predetermined time, the processor processes acoustic signals from the ear canal microphone and the ambient microphone. | 11-19-2015 |
20160072958 | Method ad Apparatus for in-Ear Canal Sound Suppression - A method and system of conferencing can include the steps of initiating a conference call at a communication device with two or more communication devices and selecting to suppress a voice communication of at least one communication device on the conference call where a modified electronic signal is generated with the selected at least one communication device so that the voice communication from the selected at least one communication device is inaudible. The method or system further includes sending the modified electronic signal to at least one other communication device on the conference call. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-10-2016 |
20160088391 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR VOICE OPERATED CONTROL - Methods and devices for processing and voice operated control are provided. The method can include performing a non-difference comparison between a first received sound and a second received sound, determining if speech exists based on the comparison, and transmitting or providing a decision that the speech is present to at least one among the device, a cell phone, a media player, or a portable computing device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-24-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120123573 | ALWAYS ON HEADWEAR RECORDING SYSTEM - A system that records audio and stores the recording is provided. The system includes first and second monitoring assemblies mounted in an earpiece that occludes and forms an acoustic seal of an ear canal. The first monitoring assembly includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) to monitor an ambient acoustic field and produce an ASM signal. The second monitoring assembly includes an ear canal microphone (ECM) to monitor an acoustic field within the ear canal and produce an ECM signal. The system also includes a data storage device configured to act as a circular buffer for continually storing at least one of the ECM signal or the ASM signal, a further data storage device and a record-activation system. The record-activation system activates the further data storage device to record a content of the data storage device. | 05-17-2012 |
20120177209 | EARHEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD I - Methods of operating an audio device are provided. A method includes calculating estimated sound pressure levels (SPLs) for drive signals directed to an ear canal receiver (ECR) during a time increment Δt; calculating an estimated SPL_Dose during the time increment Δt using the estimated sound pressure levels; and calculating a total SPL_Dose at a time t of the audio device using the estimated SPL_Dose. | 07-12-2012 |
20120177210 | EARHEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD II - Methods of operating an audio device are provided. A method includes measuring sound pressure levels (SPL | 07-12-2012 |
20120288104 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUDIO RECORDING - An earpiece ( | 11-15-2012 |
20130035608 | EAR INPUT SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL MONITORING SYSTEM - Systems and methods for monitoring a sound pressure level dose at an ear are provided. A system includes an audio transducer which outputs a sound signal is placed within an ear to receive sound at the ear. A sound level threshold detector determines whether a sound pressure level of the sound signal is at a minimum level and outputs a sound pressure level signal corresponding to the sound pressure level when the sound pressure level is not at the minimum level. A time period is calculated during which the sound pressure level is not at the minimum threshold level. A listening fatigue calculator determines whether a cumulative effect of exposure to the sound signal at the ear over the time period will cause harm to the ear. At least a portion of the system is disposed in situ at the ear. | 02-07-2013 |
20130039518 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ACOUSTIC MANAGEMENT CONTORL OF MULTIPLE MICROPHONES - An earpiece ( | 02-14-2013 |
20130243206 | EARHEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD IV - A system for monitoring sound pressure levels at the ear includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) for receiving ambient sounds and an ear canal microphone (ECM) for producing audio signals as a function of ambient sound received at the ambient sound microphone and a sound signal received from an associated personal audio device. A logic circuit is operatively associated with the ASM and ECM calculates a total SPL_Dose experienced by the ear at a time t. The total SPL_Dose is calculated by determining SPL_Dose for periods Δt as measured at the ECM. The logic circuit may select an action parameter in response to the Total SPL_Dose. | 09-19-2013 |
20130301850 | METHOD AND EARPIECE FOR VISUAL OPERATIONAL STATUS INDICATION - An earpiece can include an Ambient Sound Microphone (ASM), an Ear Canal Receiver (ECR), a transceiver, an illumination element, and a processor to provide visual operational mode indication via the illumination element. The operational mode can correspond to an active phone call, an incoming phone call, a terminated phone, a caller-on-hold condition, a recording mode, a voice mail mode, a mute mode, an audible transparency mode or an ear-plug mode. The intensity, frequency, amplitude, color or duration of the lighting can be adjusted according to the operational mode. | 11-14-2013 |
20130315407 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR IN EAR CANAL ECHO SUPPRESSION - An earpiece ( | 11-28-2013 |
20140012403 | ALWAYS ON HEADWEAR RECORDING SYSTEM - A system that records audio and stores the recording is provided. The system includes first and second monitoring assemblies mounted in an earpiece that occludes and forms an acoustic seal of an ear canal. The first monitoring assembly includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) to monitor an ambient acoustic field and produce an ASM signal. The second monitoring assembly includes an ear canal microphone (ECM) to monitor an acoustic field within the ear canal and produce an ECM signal. The system also includes a data storage device configured to act as a circular buffer for continually storing at least one of the ECM signal or the ASM signal, a further data storage device and a record-activation system. The record-activation system activates the further data storage device to record a content of the data storage device. | 01-09-2014 |
20140038670 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUDIO RECORDING - An earpiece ( | 02-06-2014 |
20140093094 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PERSONALIZED VOICE OPERATED CONTROL - An earpiece ( | 04-03-2014 |
20140219464 | ALWAYS ON HEADWEAR RECORDING SYSTEM - An analysis system has at least one monitoring assembly that includes at least one microphone to monitor an acoustic field proximate the monitoring assembly. The at least one microphone produces at least one microphone signal responsive to the acoustic field. The analysis system further includes a data storage device configured to buffer the at least one microphone signal and an audio analysis system configured to analyze a content of the data storage device where the audio analysis system is configured to analyze the content of the buffer to process at least a sound into a response or action. | 08-07-2014 |
20150036832 | AUTOMOTIVE CONSTANT SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED SITUATION AWARENESS - Audio systems for a vehicle and methods for increasing auditory situation awareness in a vehicle are provided. An audio system includes at least one ambient microphone disposed on the vehicle, a processor and at least one loudspeaker. The at least one ambient microphone is configured to capture ambient sound external to the vehicle and to produce an ambient sound signal. The processor is configured to receive the ambient sound signal and an audio content signal, and to mix the ambient sound signal with the audio content signal to generate a mixed output signal. The at least one loudspeaker is configured to reproduce the mixed output signal in the vehicle cabin. | 02-05-2015 |
20150092948 | ACOUSTIC SEALING ANALYSIS SYSTEM - A test signal emitted by an earpiece is compared against the acoustic signal to determine if a sealing section of the earpiece is sealed properly. The degree of acoustic sealing is used to adjust the attenuation level of a sealing section of the earpiece or alert the user that the sealing section of the seal status. | 04-02-2015 |
20150215701 | AUTOMATIC SOUND PASS-THROUGH METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EARPHONES - Earphone systems and methods for automatically directing ambient sound to an earphone device are provided. An ambient microphone signal from an ambient microphone proximate a sound isolating earphone or head-set device is directed to a receiver within an earphone device according to mixing circuitry. The mixing circuitry is controlled by voice activity of the earphone device wearer. This enables hands-free operation of an earphone system to allow the earphone device wearer to maintain situation awareness with the surrounding environment. During detected voice activity, incoming audio content is attenuated while ambient sound is increased and provided to the earphone device. User voice activity is detected by analysis of at least one of an ear canal microphone signal or an ambient sound microphone signal. | 07-30-2015 |
20150365776 | ACOUSTIC SEALING ANALYSIS SYSTEM - A device or a method using the device includes a sealing section configured to seal a user's orifice, where the sealing section is configured to produce an acoustic seal between a first side of the sealing section and a second side of the sealing section and audio processing circuitry to produce an audio signal for driving a speaker in the device and to measure sound level using output from the microphone in the device while the speaker is being driven by the audio signal. The device or method further includes control circuitry to evaluate a seal quality of the device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 12-17-2015 |
20150370527 | ALWAYS ON HEADWEAR RECORDING SYSTEM - An analysis system has an audio signal data communication system for receiving contents of a buffer where the buffer is configured to buffer at least one microphone signal responsive to an acoustic field proximate to a monitoring assembly at a remote location from the analysis system and a server having a data processing system configured to receive at least a portion of the contents of the buffer and configured to analyze at least the portion of the contents of the buffer. The data processing system includes an audio analysis system configured to analyze the at least the portion of the content of the buffer to process a sound into a response or action. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 12-24-2015 |
20160006847 | METHOD AND EARPIECE FOR VISUAL OPERATIONAL STATUS INDICATION - An earpiece, headphone, or other headset audio delivery device can include an a transceiver, an illumination element, and a processor to provide visual operational mode indication via the illumination element. The operational mode can correspond to an active phone call, an incoming phone call, a terminated phone call, a caller-on-hold condition, a recording mode, a voice mail mode, a mute mode, an audible transparency mode, a do not disturb mode, listening to audio content mode, a sound signature detection mode, a voicing activity level detecting mode, a voicing level detecting mode, a speaking rate detecting mode, a background noise condition detection mode or an ear-plug mode. The intensity, frequency, amplitude, color or duration of the lighting can be adjusted according to the operational mode. Other embodiments disclosed. | 01-07-2016 |