公开(公告)号：US11315277B1

公开(公告)日：2022-04-26

申请号：US16560171

申请日：2019-09-04

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Peter Victor Jupin ,  Yacine Azmi ,  Martin E. Johnson ,  Darius A. Satongar ,  Jonathan D. Sheaffer

IPC: G06T7/60 ,  G06T17/10 ,  H04S7/00 ,  H04R5/033 ,  H04R5/04

Abstract: A device and a method of using the device to determine a user-specific head-related transfer function (HRTF), are described. The device can determine first geometric data corresponding to visible features of a pinna of a user in an image, and second geometric data corresponding to hidden features of the pinna obfuscated by the visible features in the image. The first geometric data and the second geometric data are combined in a geometric model that describes a shape of the pinna, and the user-specific HRTF is determined based on the geometric model. The user-specific HRTF is used to render spatial audio to the user. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

公开(公告)号：US20210334066A1

公开(公告)日：2021-10-28

申请号：US17369374

申请日：2021-07-07

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Aleksandar Pance ,  Brett Bilbrey ,  Darby E. Hadley ,  Martin E. Johnson ,  Ronald Nadim Isaac

IPC: G06F3/16 ,  H04N21/422 ,  H04N21/439 ,  H04N21/442 ,  H04N21/4143 ,  H04N21/4223 ,  H04S7/00 ,  G06F3/0484 ,  G10L17/00 ,  H04N5/232 ,  H04N7/15 ,  H04R3/04 ,  H04R29/00

Abstract: A system for enhancing audio including a plurality of sensors, an output device, and a processor in communication with the plurality of sensors and the output device. The processor is configured to process data captured by the plurality of sensors, and based on that, modify an output of the output device. The processor also is configured to determine whether there are a plurality of users associated with a video conferencing session, determine which user of the plurality of users is speaking, and enhance the audio or video output of the speaking user on the output device.

公开(公告)号：US11100349B2

公开(公告)日：2021-08-24

申请号：US16456839

申请日：2019-06-28

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Sawyer I. Cohen ,  Justin D. Crosby ,  Ruchir M. Dave ,  Martin E. Johnson ,  Benjamin J. Pope ,  Darius A. Satongar

IPC: G06K9/20 ,  G06K9/00 ,  G06F3/16

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates techniques for audio-assisted enrollment of biometric features. In some embodiments, methods and devices for assisting users with enrollment of biometric features, using spatial audio cues, are described.

公开(公告)号：US20210084414A1

公开(公告)日：2021-03-18

申请号：US17107613

申请日：2020-11-30

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Martin E. Johnson ,  Afrooz Family ,  Darius A. Satongar ,  Jonathan D. Sheaffer ,  Lance F. Reichert ,  Peter V. Jupin

IPC: H04R5/04 ,  H04R5/033

Abstract: In a device or method for rendering a sound program for headphones, a location is received for placing the sound program with respect to first and second ear pieces. If the location is between the first ear piece and the second ear piece, the sound program is filtered to produce low-frequency and high-frequency portions. The high-frequency portion is panned according to the location to produce first and second high-frequency signals. The low-frequency portion and the first high-frequency signal are combined to produce a first headphone driver signal to drive the first ear piece. A second headphone driver signal is similarly produced. The sound program may be a stereo sound program. The device or method may also provide for a location that is between the first ear piece and a near-field boundary. Other aspects are also described.

公开(公告)号：US10728690B1

公开(公告)日：2020-07-28

申请号：US16538655

申请日：2019-08-12

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Darius A. Satongar ,  Jonathan D. Sheaffer ,  Martin E. Johnson ,  Peter V. Jupin

IPC: H04S7/00 ,  H04S3/00

Abstract: An iterative method for finding which user characteristic data should be used for pruning a database of available HRTFs before selecting an HRTF from the database for a target user (target listener.) The selected HRTF is expected to be the one that is more suitable for target user. This is also referred to as having “personalized” the HRTF selection process for the target user. This is not about computing a suitable HRTF but rather how to use the user characteristic data to improve the chances of selecting the most appropriate one from a database of available HRTFs. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

公开(公告)号：US20200213735A1

公开(公告)日：2020-07-02

申请号：US16799440

申请日：2020-02-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Afrooz Family ,  Anthony P. Bidmead ,  Erik L. Wang ,  Gary P. Geaves ,  Martin E. Johnson ,  Matthew I. Brown ,  Michael B. Howes ,  Sylvain J. Choisel ,  Tomlinson M. Holman

IPC: H04R3/12 ,  H04S7/00

Abstract: An audio system is described that includes one or more speaker arrays that emit sound corresponding to one or more pieces of sound program content into associated zones within a listening area. Using parameters of the audio system (e.g., locations of the speaker arrays and the audio sources), the zones, the users, the pieces of sound program content, and the listening area, one or more beam pattern attributes may be generated. The beam pattern attributes define a set of beams that are used to generate audio beams for channels of sound program content to be played in each zone. The beam pattern attributes may be updated as changes are detected within the listening environment. By adapting to these changing conditions, the audio system is capable of reproducing sound that accurately represents each piece of sound program content in various zones.

公开(公告)号：US10652650B2

公开(公告)日：2020-05-12

申请号：US15513955

申请日：2015-09-29

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Martin E. Johnson ,  Simon K. Porter ,  Suzanne Hardy ,  John H. Sheerin

IPC: H04R1/28 ,  H04R1/40 ,  H04R1/02 ,  H04R1/26 ,  H04R3/14

Abstract: Loudspeakers are described that may reduce comb filtering effects perceived by a listener by either 1) moving transducers closer to a sound reflective surface (e.g., a baseplate, a tabletop or a floor) through vertical (height) or rotational adjustments of the transducers or 2) guiding sound produced by the transducers to be released into the listening area proximate to the reflective surface through the use of horns and openings that are at a prescribed distance from the reflective surface. The reduction of this distance between the reflective surface and the point at which sound emitted by the transducers is released into the listening area may lead to shorter reflected path that reduces comb filtering effects caused by reflected sounds that are delayed relative to the direct sound. Accordingly, the loudspeakers shown and described may be placed on reflective surfaces without severe audio coloration caused by reflected sounds.

公开(公告)号：US10390131B2

公开(公告)日：2019-08-20

申请号：US15721654

申请日：2017-09-29

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Jonathan D. Sheaffer ,  Darius A. Satongar ,  Joshua D. Atkins ,  Martin E. Johnson

IPC: H04R5/00 ,  H04R3/00 ,  H04R1/40 ,  H04R1/08 ,  H04R1/04

Abstract: A microphone array included in a portable electronic device is used to generate various virtual studio microphones by combining one or more microphone signals to produce one or more acoustic pickup beams. An error is determined in a position of the microphone array relative to an audio source to be recorded. An interface is displayed to instruct a user on repositioning the microphone array relative to the instrument and the instrument is recorded using the repositioned microphone array.

公开(公告)号：US20190208347A1

公开(公告)日：2019-07-04

申请号：US16297342

申请日：2019-03-08

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： John J. Baker ,  Martin E. Johnson ,  Afrooz Family ,  Michael B. Howes ,  Craig M. Stanley ,  Brad G. Boozer

IPC: H04S7/00 ,  H04R1/08 ,  G10L17/04 ,  H04R1/40 ,  G10L17/06

CPC classification number: H04S7/302 ,  G10L17/04 ,  G10L17/06 ,  H04R1/08 ,  H04R1/403 ,  H04R2203/12 ,  H04R2430/23

Abstract: An audio system that adjusts one or more beam patterns emitted by one or more loudspeaker arrays based on the preferences of users/listeners is described. The audio system includes an audio receiver that contains a listener location estimator, a listener identifier, and a voice command processor. Inputs from the listener location estimator, the listener identifier, and the voice command processor are fed into an array processor. The array processor drives the one or more loudspeaker arrays to emit beam patterns into the listening area based on inputs from each of these devices. By examining the location, preferred usage settings, and voice commands from listeners, the generated beam patterns are customized to the explicit and implicit preferences of the listeners with minimal direct input. Other embodiments are also described.

公开(公告)号：US10243613B1

公开(公告)日：2019-03-26

申请号：US15275193

申请日：2016-09-23

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Martin E. Johnson ,  Robert D. Silfvast ,  Tom-Davy W. Saux ,  Justin D. Crosby

IPC: H04M9/08 ,  H04B3/23 ,  G10L21/0208 ,  H04R3/02

Abstract: An audio communication system which enables two-way audio communication between at least two users in separate locations includes a talker feedback system which commands a set of audio drivers to generate an acoustical feedback signal which includes at least a portion of an audio input received from the talker to be directed to the talker. The acoustical feedback signal can be generated in response to an intensity of the talker-generated acoustical signal meeting a threshold level, and the feedback can result in causing the talker to reduce the intensity of the talker-generated audio content. The acoustical feedback signal can be directed to a limited portion of the environment in which the talker is located. The talker feedback system can provide at least some of the feedback to the talker via a haptic feedback device.