IP Library Granted Patent US 9,432,781
Granted Patent B2
US 9,432,781 · App. 14/229,947 · Granted Aug 30, 2016

Wireless control system for personal communication device

Inventor: Bret Herscher (Cupertino, CA)
Assignee: EARGO, INC.
H04R25/554H04R25/55H04R25/552H04R25/556H04R25/558
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,432,781
App. No.
14/229,947
Granted
Aug 30, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A wireless asymmetrical control system for a personal communication device comprising a first receiver associated with the personal communications device, and a transmitter having an in-band (IE audible) signal device, the IE audible device being configured to generate and transmit a time modulated control signals, the time modulated control signals being generated by generating a first plurality of multi-frequency signals comprising a plurality of first time modulated frequency combinations, and applying the plurality of first time modulated frequency combinations to a first plurality of control signals in a first frequency domain, the receiver being configured to decode the time modulated control signals and generate and transmit response signals to the IE audible signal device in response to the time modulated control signals, each of the response signals comprising an ultra-wide band (UWB) electro-magnetic pulse.

Claims (36)

1. A wireless asymmetrical control system for a personal communication device, comprising:

a receiver configured to continuously detect and receive audio signals, said audio signals comprising first acoustic signals and second system control signals, said first acoustic signals comprising acoustic signals from an external source,

said receiver comprising an autocorrelator that is configured to detect said second system control signals,

said receiver being further configured to continuously receive said system control signals without interrupting said receipt of said first acoustic signals; and

a transmitter configured to generate a plurality of time modulated control signals, said plurality of time modulated control signals being generated by generating a plurality of multi-frequency signals comprising a plurality of time modulated frequency combinations, and encoding said plurality of time modulated frequency combinations into a plurality of first control signals in a frequency domain, each of said plurality of time modulated frequency combinations comprising a different encoded frequency,

said receiver being further configured to continuously sample and decode said time modulated control signals and generate said second system control signals in response to said time modulated control signals, each of said second system control signals comprising a pseudorandom binary signal sequence, said pseudorandom binary signal sequence comprising a second acoustic signal comprising a first frequency comprising 1 kHz over a first time duration of 50 ms, a first null over a second time duration of 50 ms, a third acoustic signal comprising a second frequency comprising 2 kHz over a third time duration of 100 ms, and a second null over a fourth time duration of 50 ms,

wherein said autocorrelator detects said second system control signals, and

wherein, in response to said second system control signals, at least a first device parameter is modulated.

2. The control system of claim 1 , wherein said first time modulation comprises a framed time delay.

3. The control system of claim 1 , wherein said first time modulation comprises a frameless time delay.

4. The control system of claim 1 , wherein said transmitter is further configured repeatedly transmit at least one of said plurality of time modulated control signals to said receiver until said transmitter receives a response signal from said receiver in response to said at least one of said plurality of time modulated control signals, said response signal representing receipt of said at least one of said plurality of time modulated control signals.

5. The control system of claim 4 , wherein a first transmitted at least one of said plurality of time modulated control signals has a first signal level and a second transmitted at least one of said time modulated control signals has a second signal level, said second signal level being greater than said first signal level.

6. The control system of claim 5 , wherein said transmitter is further configured to progressively increase said at least one of said plurality of time modulated control signal levels up to a pre-determined maximum level.

7. A wireless asymmetrical control system for a personal communication device, comprising:

a receiver configured to continuously detect and receive audio signals, said audio signals comprising first acoustic signals and second system control signals, said first acoustic signals comprising acoustic signals from an external source,

said receiver comprising an autocorrelator that is configured to detect said second system control signals,

said receiver being further configured to continuously receive said system control signals without interrupting said receipt of said acoustic signals; and

a transmitter being configured to generate a plurality of time modulated control signals, said plurality of time modulated control signals being generated by generating a plurality of multi-frequency signals comprising a plurality of time modulated frequency combinations, and encoding said plurality of time modulated frequency combinations into a plurality of first control signals in a frequency domain, each of said plurality of time modulated frequency combinations comprising a different encoded frequency,

said receiver being further configured to continuously sample and decode said time modulated control signals and generate said second system control signals in response to said time modulated control signals, each of said second system control signals comprising a pseudorandom binary signal sequence, said pseudorandom binary signal sequence comprising a second acoustic signal comprising a first frequency comprising 1 kHz over a first time duration of 50 ms, a first null over a second time duration of 50 ms, a third acoustic signal comprising a second frequency comprising 2 kHz over a third time duration of 100 ms, and a second null over a fourth time duration of 50 ms,

wherein said autocorrelator detects said second system control signals, and

wherein, in response to said second system control signals, at least a first device parameter is modulated,

said transmitter being further configured to repeatedly transmit at least one of said plurality of time modulated control signals to said receiver until said transmitter receives a receiver response signal from said receiver in response to said at least one of said plurality of time modulated control signals, said receiver response signal representing receipt of said at least one of said plurality of time modulated control signals,

said transmitter further comprising manual input means for providing at least one manual response signal representing that said second system control signal has been received by said receiver, said manual input means being configured to provide a first manual response signal upon actuation of said manual input means,

said transmitter being further configured to generate and transmit a user response signal to a user of said personal communication device in response to said first manual response signal, said user response signal representing receipt of said second system control signal by said receiver.

8. The control system of claim 7 , wherein said receiver response signal is transmitted to said transmitter by said receiver via actuation of a manual key by said user.

9. The control system of claim 7 , wherein said manual response signal comprises an audio tone.

10. The control system of claim 7 , wherein said manual response signal comprises a verbal audio message.

11. The control system of claim 7 , wherein said first time modulation comprises a frameless time delay.

12. The control system of claim 1 , wherein a first transmitted at least one of said plurality of time modulated control signals has a first signal level and a second transmitted at least one of said time modulated control signals has a second signal level, said second signal level being greater than said first signal level.

13. The control system of claim 12 , wherein said transmitter is further configured to progressively increase said at least one of said plurality of time modulated control signal levels of said transmitted time modulated control signals to a pre-determined maximum signal level.

14. The control system of claim 1 , wherein said transmitter comprises an audible (IE in-band) transmitter.

15. The control system of claim 1 , wherein said transmitter comprises a low ultrasound IE inaudible ultrasound transmitter.

16. The control system of claim 7 , wherein said transmitter comprises an audible (IE in-band) transmitter.

17. The control system of claim 7 , wherein said transmitter comprises a low ultrasound IE inaudible ultrasound transmitter.

18. The control system of claim 4 , wherein each of said receiver response signal comprises a visible optical pulse.

19. The control system of claim 4 , wherein each of said receiver response signal comprises an invisible optical pulse.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 29, 2022
From: DRIVETRAIN AGENCY SERVICES, LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: EARGO, INC.; EARGO HEARING, INC.; EARGO SCREENING, LLC
Reel/Frame 061900/0698 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2022
From: EARGO, INC.; EARGO HEARING, INC.; EARGO SCREENING, LLC
To: DRIVETRAIN AGENCY SERVICES LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 060427/0124 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2020
From: SILICON VALLEY BANK
To: EARGO, INC.
Reel/Frame 053666/0064 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2020
From: EARGO, INC.
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 052569/0626 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 4, 2017
From: ARIA INNOVATIONS, INC.
To: EARGO, INC.
Reel/Frame 044127/0277 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 5, 2015
From: HERSCHER, BRET
To: EARGO, INC.
Reel/Frame 036725/0095 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 9, 2014
From: HERSCHER, BRET
To: ARIA INNOVATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 032797/0667 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61809554 · Apr 8, 2013
Related Publication 20140301583A1 · Oct 9, 2014