Patents by Inventor Alexander Kanaris
Alexander Kanaris has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 11882415Abstract: A group of devices acquire audio input of a sound, such as speech, using respective microphones. For pairs of devices in the group, intensity of energy of audio input at each of the devices in the pair is used to determine first proximity data. Relative differences in time-of-arrival of the sound at the devices in the pair is used to determine second proximity data. The first and second proximity data are used to determine an estimated closest device of the pair with respect to the sound. Comparison of the first proximity data to the second proximity also allows a confidence value to be associated with the estimated closest device. The estimated closest device with the greatest confidence value may be selected for use to acquire audio input, present output, and so forth. Additional techniques such as beamforming techniques may be applied to the audio input from the selected device.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Alexander Kanaris, Gurhan Saplakoglu, Berkant Tacer
-
Patent number: 11510003Abstract: A system configured to perform distributed echo cancellation processing to attenuate feedback echo from occurring when two devices are acoustically coupled during a communication session. To reduce the feedback echo, one of the devices is configured as a hub device and receives microphone signals, synchronizes the microphone signals, and generates a mixed microphone signal. To enable distributed echo cancellation, the system includes bidirectional feedback link(s) between the hub device and each device synchronized with the hub device. For example, a first bidirectional feedback link sends a microphone signal from a second device to the hub device and sends the mixed microphone signal from the hub device to the second device, which the second device uses to perform echo cancellation. In addition, a second bidirectional feedback link sends a playback signal from the hub device to the second device and sends the output of echo cancellation back to the hub device.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gurhan Saplakoglu, Alexander Kanaris, Berkant Tacer
-
Patent number: 10176823Abstract: Electronic system for audio noise processing and noise reduction comprises: first and second noise estimators, selector and attenuator. First noise estimator processes first audio signal from voice beamformer (VB) and generate first noise estimate. VB generates first audio signal by beamforming audio signals from first and second audio pick-up channels. Second noise estimator processes first and second audio signal from noise beamformer (NB), in parallel with first noise estimator and generates second noise estimate. NB generates second audio signal by beamforming audio signals from first and second audio pick-up channels. First and second audio signals include frequencies in first and second frequency regions. Selector's output noise estimate may be a) second noise estimate in the first frequency region, and b) first noise estimate in the second frequency region. Attenuator attenuates first audio signal in accordance with output noise estimate. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2014Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sorin V. Dusan, Aram M. Lindahl, Alexander Kanaris, Vasu Iyengar
-
Patent number: 9848823Abstract: A device can estimate the heart rate of an active user by using a physiological model to refine a “direct” measurement of the user's heart rate obtained using a pulse sensor. The physiological model can be based on heart rate response to activity and can be informed by context information, such as the user's current activity and/or intensity level as well as user-specific parameters such as age, gender, general fitness level, previous heart rate measurements, etc. The physiological model can be used to predict a heart rate, and the prediction can be used to assess or improve the direct measurement.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Karthik Jayaraman Raghuram, James M. Silva, Alexander Kanaris, Barker N. Bhaskaran
-
Patent number: 9516442Abstract: Embodiments of the invention determine whether speaker earbuds of a headset are positioned in a user's ears. The headset may be a “Y” shaped headset with two earbuds having speakers and a plug for insertion into a jack of the audio device. Multiple microphones are located on wired lengths to the earbuds and a common wire between the lengths and the plug, to receive speech from the user's mouth. Each earbud may have a front and rear microphone, and an accelerometer. Embodiments can detect user speech vibrations at one or more of the microphones, and in the accelerometers in the earbuds. Based on these detections, it can be determined whether one or both of the earbuds are in user's ears. To provide more accurate beamforming, when only one of the earbuds is in the user's ears, only the microphones leading to that earbud are selected for beamforming input.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sorin V. Dusan, Alexander Kanaris, Aram M. Lindahl
-
Publication number: 20160058367Abstract: A device can estimate the heart rate of an active user by using a physiological model to refine a “direct” measurement of the user's heart rate obtained using a pulse sensor. The physiological model can be based on heart rate response to activity and can be informed by context information, such as the user's current activity and/or intensity level as well as user-specific parameters such as age, gender, general fitness level, previous heart rate measurements, etc. The physiological model can be used to predict a heart rate, and the prediction can be used to assess or improve the direct measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Karthik Jayaraman Raghuram, James M. Silva, Alexander Kanaris, Barker N. Bhaskaran
-
Publication number: 20150325251Abstract: Electronic system for audio noise processing and noise reduction comprises: first and second noise estimators, selector and attenuator. First noise estimator processes first audio signal from voice beamformer (VB) and generate first noise estimate. VB generates first audio signal by beamforming audio signals from first and second audio pick-up channels. Second noise estimator processes first and second audio signal from noise beamformer (NB), in parallel with first noise estimator and generates second noise estimate. NB generates second audio signal by beamforming audio signals from first and second audio pick-up channels. First and second audio signals include frequencies in first and second frequency regions. Selector's output noise estimate may be a) second noise estimate in the first frequency region, and b) first noise estimate in the second frequency region. Attenuator attenuates first audio signal in accordance with output noise estimate. Other embodiments are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2014Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sorin V. Dusan, Aram M. Lindahl, Alexander Kanaris, Vasu Iyengar
-
Patent number: 9100756Abstract: Digital signal processing microphone occlusion detection is described that can be used with a noise suppression system that uses two types of noise estimators, including a more aggressive one based on two audio signals (such as for non-stationary noises) and a less aggressive one based on one audio signal (such as for stationary noises). Decisions are made on how to select or combine the outputs of the noise estimators into a usable noise estimate, based on an occlusion function. The occlusion detection may alternatively be used to trigger an alert to users of multi-microphone audio processing systems, such as smart phones, headsets, laptops and tablet computers. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sorin V. Dusan, David T. Yeh, Aram M. Lindahl, Alexander Kanaris
-
Patent number: 8983096Abstract: A personal audio device has a bone conduction pickup transducer, having a housing of which a rigid outer wall has an opening formed therein. A volume of yielding material fills the opening in the rigid outer wall. An electronic vibration sensing element is embedded in the volume of yielding material. The housing is shaped, and the opening is located, so that the volume of yielding material comes into contact with an ear or cheek of a user who is using the personal audio device. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Wesley S. Smith, Henry H. Yang, Esge B. Andersen, Sorin V. Dusan, Alexander Kanaris, Matthew E. Last
-
Publication number: 20140072148Abstract: A personal audio device has a bone conduction pickup transducer, having a housing of which a rigid outer wall has an opening formed therein. A volume of yielding material fills the opening in the rigid outer wall. An electronic vibration sensing element is embedded in the volume of yielding material. The housing is shaped, and the opening is located, so that the volume of yielding material comes into contact with an ear or cheek of a user who is using the personal audio device. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Inventors: Wesley S. Smith, Henry H. Yang, Esge B. Andersen, Sorin V. Dusan, Alexander Kanaris, Matthew E. Last
-
Publication number: 20130329895Abstract: Digital signal processing microphone occlusion detection is described that can be used with a noise suppression system that uses two types of noise estimators, including a more aggressive one based on two audio signals (such as for non-stationary noises) and a less aggressive one based on one audio signal (such as for stationary noises). Decisions are made on how to select or combine the outputs of the noise estimators into a usable noise estimate, based on an occlusion function. The occlusion detection may alternatively be used to trigger an alert to users of multi-microphone audio processing systems, such as smart phones, headsets, laptops and tablet computers. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sorin V. Dusan, David T. Yeh, Aram M. Lindahl, Alexander Kanaris
-
Patent number: 8473084Abstract: Techniques are presented for dynamically controlling an audio crossfade from a first audio track to a second audio track. The first audio track may be decoded and buffered to a first buffer. A user may select a second audio track at some point during playback of the first audio track. The second audio track may be decoded, and a processor may access the decoded second audio track and the buffered first audio track and mix the two audio tracks. The mixed audio track may be inserted in the same first buffer near or at the read pointer of the first buffer, such that latency between the user selection and the crossfade into the selected audio track may be minimized. The insertion of the mixed audio track may depend on various factors, including the type of audio file and/or the decoder type used to decode the second audio track.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Aram Lindahl, Alexander Kanaris, Joseph M. Williams, Richard M. Powell
-
Patent number: 8429365Abstract: A memory device and method for embedding host-identification information into content are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided comprising a memory operative to store content and a controller in communication with the memory. The controller is operative to receive a credential comprising host-identification information from a host in communication with the memory device, authenticate the host using the credential, receive a request from the host to play content stored in the memory, embed the host-identification information into the content, and send the content with the embedded host-identification information to the host.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2009Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.Inventors: Jason T. Lin, Alexander Kanaris, Joseph E. Halpern
-
Publication number: 20120053710Abstract: Techniques are presented for dynamically controlling an audio crossfade from a first audio track to a second audio track. The first audio track may be decoded and buffered to a first buffer. A user may select a second audio track at some point during playback of the first audio track. The second audio track may be decoded, and a processor may access the decoded second audio track and the buffered first audio track and mix the two audio tracks. The mixed audio track may be inserted in the same first buffer near or at the read pointer of the first buffer, such that latency between the user selection and the crossfade into the selected audio track may be minimized. The insertion of the mixed audio track may depend on various factors, including the type of audio file and/or the decoder type used to decode the second audio track.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Aram Lindahl, Alexander Kanaris, Joseph M. Williams, Richard M. Powell
-
Publication number: 20110111127Abstract: A roller for a conveyor comprising a cylindrical core defining a support surface; a helical groove disposed in said support surface and lagging bonded to said support surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2011Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: VAN DER GRAAF INC.Inventor: Alexander Kanaris
-
Patent number: 7870949Abstract: A roller for a conveyor comprising a cylindrical core defining a support surface; a helical groove disposed in said support surface and lagging bonded to said support surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2005Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Van Der Graaf Inc.Inventor: Alexander Kanaris
-
Publication number: 20100332723Abstract: A memory device and method for embedding host-identification information into content are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided comprising a memory operative to store content and a controller in communication with the memory. The controller is operative to receive a credential comprising host-identification information from a host in communication with the memory device, authenticate the host using the credential, receive a request from the host to play content stored in the memory, embed the host-identification information into the content, and send the content with the embedded host-identification information to the host.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Jason T. Lin, Alexander Kanaris, Joseph E. Halpern
-
Patent number: 7510073Abstract: A motorized conveyor roller having a rotatable portion and at least one non-rotatable portion; including a method of inhibiting contact with a motorized rotatable conveyor roller that drives a conveyor roller that drives a conveyor medium.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2004Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Van Der Graaf, Inc.Inventor: Alexander Kanaris
-
Publication number: 20080011586Abstract: A key sprocket drive system for a conveyor belt having a drive drum having an outer surface. The outer surface of the drive drum is adapted to engage a securement means. A contoured collar has an inner surface and an outer surface. The contoured collar is adapted to receive the securement means and adapted to engage the outer surface of the drive drum at predetermined positions therefore providing defined gaps between the inner surface of the contoured collar and the outer surface of the drive drum. The key sprocket drive system further comprises a sprocket member having a generally annular configuration with externally facing teeth-like protrusions at spaced intervals. The sprocket member is adapted to receive the securement means whereby the securement means engage the sprocket member and the contoured collar to secure the sprocket member and the contoured collar to the drive drum. The teeth-like protrusions engage the conveyor belt so as to drive the conveyor belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2007Publication date: January 17, 2008Applicant: VAN DER GRAAF, INC.Inventor: Alexander Kanaris
-
Patent number: 7228952Abstract: A shaft support or mount for supporting a conveyor roller and for dampening the vibrations of the conveyor roller or conveyor roller assembly in operation, by providing flexible connection structure in the shaft support, which is usually comprised of rubber. A method of dampening the transmittal of vibrations from a conveyor roller by providing a flexible connection structure in the shaft support.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Van Der Graaf Inc.Inventor: Alexander Kanaris