Blackberry Corporation

Research in Motion Corporation

Chris Forrester

Brady Nicholas Laska

Sylvain Angrignon

Malay Gupta

Sean Bartholomew Simmons

Michael Tetelbaum

James David Gordy

Timothy Herbert Kyowski

Larry Edward Hawker

Peter Mankowski

Andre John Van Schyndel

Dietmar Frank Wennemer

Craig Eric Ranta

Magnus Hansson

Wael Jendli

Adam Sean Love

A system and method to perform signal processing using a loudspeaker output are described. The system includes an enclosure configured to define a back cavity of the loudspeaker and components to obtain a representation of the loudspeaker acoustic output at the back cavity. The system also includes a processor to process the representation to perform the signal processing.

Back cavity microphone implementation

The disclosure recites a feedback system and method for adjusting output sounds generated by a communication device. The feedback system comprises: a transducer; a microphone; and an enclosure for the communication device defining a first location for the placement of the transducer, a second location for the placement of the microphone adjacent to the transducer, a first port connecting the first location to a cavity located on a top side of the enclosure, a second port connecting the second location to the cavity. For the system, the first port connects to the cavity beside the second port.

Feedback enclosure and feedback system for a transducer of an electronic device

The bandwidth of a codec is compared with a determined bandwidth of the output signal produced by the codec. If the bandwidths match, then an audio profile of the apparatus is set to correspond to the established bandwidths and a corresponding icon is rendered on a display of the apparatus. If the signal bandwidth is narrower, than the codec bandwidth, then the audio profile of the apparatus is set to a narrower audio profile and a corresponding icon is rendered on the display of the apparatus. The bandwidth of the signal processed by the codec may be determined in several different ways and the narrower audio profile includes reduced bandwidth, reduced gain, or reduced dynamic range.

Audio signal bandwidth to codec bandwidth analysis and response

A function of an electronic device is selected by detecting a resonant frequency generated by a tapping on a selection region of a device housing. The function of the device is selected based on the detected resonant frequency.

Function selection by detecting resonant frequencies

Techniques for use in improving audio quality with use of an acoustic leak compensation (ALC) system in a mobile device are described. The mobile device includes a receiver and a microphone which is acoustically coupled to the receiver. A change in a signal power of signals received at the microphone is detected. In response to the detecting, a probe signal is enabled, and a frequency response between the receiver and the microphone is estimated using the probe signal as an input. Filter coefficients of a filter are calculated based on the estimated frequency response, and the calculated filter coefficients are applied to the filter. The filter type may be selected from a plurality of filter types based on an estimated signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the microphone signal.

Methods and apparatus for improving audio quality using an acoustic leak compensation system in a mobile device

Audio input may be received at one or more microphones of a mobile device. Based on the audio input, a change in an acoustic environment of the device, such as a change in a direction of arrival of the audio input or a degradation in a quality of acoustic echo cancellation being performed upon the audio input, may be detected. A determination may be made that the detected change coincides with a non-acoustic physical event detected using an auxiliary sensor at the mobile device. The event may for example be device motion, a new proximate object, a change in a proximity of an object, a new heat source or a change in a heat level from a known heat source. Based on the determining, a signal processor, possibly comprising an audio beamformer or echo canceller, may be recalibrated, e.g. the audio beamformer or echo canceller may be caused to reconverge.

Using an auxiliary device sensor to facilitate disambiguation of detected acoustic environment changes

A telephonic device having a speakerphone function has a loudspeaker and a plurality of microphones. The plurality of microphones are coupled to a plurality of beamformers which produce a first beamform having a spatial null in the direction of the loudspeaker and a second beamform having a spatial null in the direction of near-end signals. The two beamforms are then processed to facilitate echo reduction. By comparing the beamform powers, a state of double-talk can be determined and the determination can be used to enhance echo reduction associated with speakerphone functionality.

Dual beamform audio echo reduction

A user is allowed to select an acoustic equalizer setting from among a plurality of predetermined acoustic equalizer settings. Upon receiving an indication of a selection of a given acoustic equalizer setting, a handheld telephony device processes voice call downlink audio, based on the given acoustic equalizer setting and drives an audio output device with the processed audio signal.

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Kitchener, Canada

Chris Forrester