Patents by Inventor Peter L. Chu
Peter L. Chu 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).
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Publication number: 20220262336Abstract: A method for hybrid noise suppression involves receiving a first processed audio signal and a second processed audio signal from an audio device. The first processed audio signal results from a comprehensive audio processing including a noise spectrum estimate-based noise suppression performed on a noisy audio input signal obtained by the audio device. The second processed signal results from a partial audio processing excluding the noise spectrum estimate-based noise suppression performed on the noisy audio input signal. The method further involves temporally aligning the second processed audio signal with the first processed audio signal, predicting a noise suppression parameter using a neural network model operating on the second processed audio signal after the temporal alignment, generating a noise-suppressed audio output signal from the first processed audio signal after the temporal alignment using the noise suppression parameter, and outputting the noise-suppressed audio output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2021Publication date: August 18, 2022Applicant: Plantronics, Inc.Inventors: Kwan Kin Truong, Jacob T. Meyberg Guzman, Peter L. Chu
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Patent number: 11343469Abstract: A videoconferencing system has a videoconferencing unit that use portable devices as peripherals for the system. The portable devices obtain near-end audio and send the audio to the videoconferencing unit via a wireless connection. In turn, the videoconferencing unit sends the near-end audio from the loudest portable device along with near-end video to the far-end. The portable devices can control the videoconferencing unit and can initially establish the videoconference by connecting with the far-end and then transferring operations to the videoconferencing unit. To deal with acoustic coupling between the unit's loudspeaker and the portable device's microphone, the unit uses an echo canceller that is compensated for differences in the clocks used in the A/D and D/A converters of the loudspeaker and microphone.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Polycom, Inc.Inventors: Peter L. Chu, Yibo Liu
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Patent number: 11228834Abstract: The amount of far-field noise transmitted by a primary communication device in an open-plan office environment is reduced by defining an acoustic perimeter of reference microphones around the primary device. Reference microphones generate a reference audio input including far-field noise in the proximity of the primary device. The primary device generates a main audio input including the voice of the primary speaker as well as background noise. Reference audio input is compared to main audio input to identify the background noise portion of the main audio signal. A noise reduction algorithm suppresses the identified background noise in the main audio signal. The one or more reference microphones defining the acoustic perimeter may be included in separate microphone devices placed in proximity to the main desktop phone, microphones within other nearby desktop telephone devices, or a combination of both types of devices.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2020Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: Polycom, Inc.Inventors: Kwan K. Truong, Peter L. Chu, Steven L. Potts, Eric Elias
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Patent number: 11153531Abstract: A videoconferencing system has a videoconferencing unit that use portable devices as peripherals for the system. The portable devices obtain near-end audio and send the audio to the videoconferencing unit via a wireless connection. In turn, the videoconferencing unit sends the near-end audio from the loudest portable device along with near-end video to the far-end. The portable devices can control the videoconferencing unit and can initially establish the videoconference by connecting with the far-end and then transferring operations to the videoconferencing unit. To deal with acoustic coupling between the unit's loudspeaker and the portable device's microphone, the unit uses an echo canceller that is compensated for differences in the clocks used in the A/D and D/A converters of the loudspeaker and microphone.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Polycom, Inc.Inventors: Peter L. Chu, Yibo Liu
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Publication number: 20210136490Abstract: The amount of far-field noise transmitted by a primary communication device in an open-plan office environment is reduced by defining an acoustic perimeter of reference microphones around the primary device. Reference microphones generate a reference audio input including far-field noise in the proximity of the primary device. The primary device generates a main audio input including the voice of the primary speaker as well as background noise. Reference audio input is compared to main audio input to identify the background noise portion of the main audio signal. A noise reduction algorithm suppresses the identified background noise in the main audio signal. The one or more reference microphones defining the acoustic perimeter may be included in separate microphone devices placed in proximity to the main desktop phone, microphones within other nearby desktop telephone devices, or a combination of both types of devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2020Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Kwan K. Truong, Peter L. Chu, Steven L. Potts, Eric Elias
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Publication number: 20210112334Abstract: An audio device including a housing having a side facing outwardly of the housing, the housing further having a first mounting position disposed on the side. The side has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion opposite the second portion relative to the first mounting position. The audio device also includes a first omnidirectional microphone disposed on the first portion. The audio device also includes a second microphone disposed on the first mounting position. The second microphone may be a second-order microphone. The second-order microphone has a first-order microphone disposed within a first platform mounted a distance from the first mounting position. The audio device also includes a first speaker disposed on the second portion. The first speaker is further disposed such that an audio output of the first speaker falls within a null of the second microphone.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Applicant: Plantronics, Inc.Inventor: Peter L. Chu
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Publication number: 20210110840Abstract: A method for hybrid noise suppression. The method involves obtaining a noisy audio input signal, generating a noise-suppressed audio output signal by performing a combination of a noise spectrum estimate-based noise suppression and a machine learning-based noise suppression, and outputting the noise-suppressed audio output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Applicant: Plantronics, Inc.Inventors: Peter L. Chu, Kwan Kin Truong
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Patent number: 10938992Abstract: Traditional audio feedback elimination systems may attempt to reduce the effect of the audio feedback by simply scaling down the audio volume of the signal frequencies that are prone to howling. Other traditional feedback elimination systems may also employ adaptive notch filtering to detect and “notch” the so-called “singing” or “howling” frequencies as they occur in real-time. Such devices may typically have several knobs and buttons needing tuning, for example: the number of adaptive parametric equalizers (PEQs) versus fixed PEQs; attack and decay timers; and/or PEQ bandwidth. Rather than removing the singing frequencies with PEQs, the devices described herein attempt to holistically model the feedback audio and then remove the entire feedback signal. Two advantages of the devices described herein are: 1.) the system can operate at a much larger loop-gain (and hence with a much higher loudspeaker volume); and 2) setup is greatly simplified (i.e., no tuning knobs or buttons).Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2019Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Polycom, Inc.Inventors: Kwan Truong, Peter L. Chu
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Publication number: 20210051300Abstract: A videoconferencing system has a videoconferencing unit that use portable devices as peripherals for the system. The portable devices obtain near-end audio and send the audio to the videoconferencing unit via a wireless connection. In turn, the videoconferencing unit sends the near-end audio from the loudest portable device along with near-end video to the far-end. The portable devices can control the videoconferencing unit and can initially establish the videoconference by connecting with the far-end and then transferring operations to the videoconferencing unit. To deal with acoustic coupling between the unit's loudspeaker and the portable device's microphone, the unit uses an echo canceller that is compensated for differences in the clocks used in the A/D and D/A converters of the loudspeaker and microphone.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Peter L. Chu, Yibo Liu
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Publication number: 20210037210Abstract: A videoconferencing system has a videoconferencing unit that use portable devices as peripherals for the system. The portable devices obtain near-end audio and send the audio to the videoconferencing unit via a wireless connection. In turn, the videoconferencing unit sends the near-end audio from the loudest portable device along with near-end video to the far-end. The portable devices can control the videoconferencing unit and can initially establish the videoconference by connecting with the far-end and then transferring operations to the videoconferencing unit. To deal with acoustic coupling between the unit's loudspeaker and the portable device's microphone, the unit uses an echo canceller that is compensated for differences in the clocks used in the A/D and D/A converters of the loudspeaker and microphone.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2020Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: Peter L. Chu, Yibo Liu
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Patent number: 10904657Abstract: An audio device including a housing having a side facing outwardly of the housing, the housing further having a first mounting position disposed on the side. The side has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion opposite the second portion relative to the first mounting position. The audio device also includes a first omnidirectional microphone disposed on the first portion. The audio device also includes a second microphone disposed on the first mounting position. The second microphone may be a second-order microphone. The second-order microphone has a first-order microphone disposed within a first platform mounted a distance from the first mounting position. The audio device also includes a first speaker disposed on the second portion. The first speaker is further disposed such that an audio output of the first speaker falls within a null of the second microphone.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.Inventor: Peter L. Chu
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Patent number: 10856077Abstract: The amount of far-field noise transmitted by a primary communication device in an open-plan office environment is reduced by defining an acoustic perimeter of reference microphones around the primary device. Reference microphones generate a reference audio input including far-field noise in the proximity of the primary device. The primary device generates a main audio input including the voice of the primary speaker as well as background noise. Reference audio input is compared to main audio input to identify the background noise portion of the main audio signal. A noise reduction algorithm suppresses the identified background noise in the main audio signal. The one or more reference microphones defining the acoustic perimeter may be included in separate microphone devices placed in proximity to the main desktop phone, microphones within other nearby desktop telephone devices, or a combination of both types of devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2020Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Polycom, Inc.Inventors: Kwan K. Truong, Peter L. Chu, Steven L. Potts, Eric Elias
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Publication number: 20200344546Abstract: The amount of far-field noise transmitted by a primary communication device in an open-plan office environment is reduced by defining an acoustic perimeter of reference microphones around the primary device. Reference microphones generate a reference audio input including far-field noise in the proximity of the primary device. The primary device generates a main audio input including the voice of the primary speaker as well as background noise. Reference audio input is compared to main audio input to identify the background noise portion of the main audio signal. A noise reduction algorithm suppresses the identified background noise in the main audio signal. The one or more reference microphones defining the acoustic perimeter may be included in separate microphone devices placed in proximity to the main desktop phone, microphones within other nearby desktop telephone devices, or a combination of both types of devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Kwan K. Truong, Peter L. Chu, Steven L. Potts, Eric Elias
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Patent number: 10819857Abstract: An endpoint receives audio from a remote endpoint. A first signal corresponding to the audio is received at an adaptive filter, and a filtered signal is generated. First audio is emitted at a loudspeaker based on the first signal. A microphone collects second audio which is based on the first audio. The microphone signal emits a signal based on the second audio. The filtered signal is subtracted from microphone signal to generate an adapted signal, the adapted signal having an energy level. The adapted signal is then transmitted to a double-talk detector, the double-talk detector configured to allow transmission of the adapted signal to the remote endpoint when the energy level of the adapted signal exceeds an energy threshold. The degree of cross-correlation between the first signal and the adapted signal is determined (iteratively). If the cross-correlation exceeds a cross-correlation threshold, the energy threshold of the double-talk detector is raised.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Polycom, Inc.Inventor: Peter L. Chu
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Patent number: 10757364Abstract: A videoconferencing system has a videoconferencing unit that use portable devices as peripherals for the system. The portable devices obtain near-end audio and send the audio to the videoconferencing unit via a wireless connection. In turn, the videoconferencing unit sends the near-end audio from the loudest portable device along with near-end video to the far-end. The portable devices can control the videoconferencing unit and can initially establish the videoconference by connecting with the far-end and then transferring operations to the videoconferencing unit. To deal with acoustic coupling between the unit's loudspeaker and the portable device's microphone, the unit uses an echo canceller that is compensated for differences in the clocks used in the A/D and D/A converters of the loudspeaker and microphone.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Polycom, Inc.Inventors: Peter L. Chu, Yibo Liu
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Patent number: 10750282Abstract: The amount of far-field noise transmitted by a primary communication device in an open-plan office environment is reduced by defining an acoustic perimeter of reference microphones around the primary device. Reference microphones generate a reference audio input including far-field noise in the proximity of the primary device. The primary device generates a main audio input including the voice of the primary speaker as well as background noise. Reference audio input is compared to main audio input to identify the background noise portion of the main audio signal. A noise reduction algorithm suppresses the identified background noise in the main audio signal. The one or more reference microphones defining the acoustic perimeter may be included in separate microphone devices placed in proximity to the main desktop phone, microphones within other nearby desktop telephone devices, or a combination of both types of devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Polycom, Inc.Inventors: Kwan K. Truong, Peter L. Chu, Steven L. Potts, Eric Elias
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Publication number: 20200204911Abstract: The amount of far-field noise transmitted by a primary communication device in an open-plan office environment is reduced by defining an acoustic perimeter of reference microphones around the primary device. Reference microphones generate a reference audio input including far-field noise in the proximity of the primary device. The primary device generates a main audio input including the voice of the primary speaker as well as background noise. Reference audio input is compared to main audio input to identify the background noise portion of the main audio signal. A noise reduction algorithm suppresses the identified background noise in the main audio signal. The one or more reference microphones defining the acoustic perimeter may be included in separate microphone devices placed in proximity to the main desktop phone, microphones within other nearby desktop telephone devices, or a combination of both types of devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: June 25, 2020Inventors: Kwan K. Truong, Peter L. Chu, Steven L. Potts, Eric Elias
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Patent number: 10567875Abstract: The amount of far-field noise transmitted by a primary communication device in an open-plan office environment is reduced by defining an acoustic perimeter of reference microphones around the primary device. Reference microphones generate a reference audio input including far-field noise in the proximity of the primary device. The primary device generates a main audio input including the voice of the primary speaker as well as background noise. Reference audio input is compared to main audio input to identify the background noise portion of the main audio signal. A noise reduction algorithm suppresses the identified background noise in the main audio signal. The one or more reference microphones defining the acoustic perimeter may be included in separate microphone devices placed in proximity to the main desktop phone, microphones within other nearby desktop telephone devices, or a combination of both types of devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Polycom, Inc.Inventors: Kwan K. Truong, Peter L. Chu, Steven L. Potts, Eric Elias
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Patent number: 10555080Abstract: The amount of far-field noise transmitted by a primary communication device in an open-plan office environment is reduced by defining an acoustic perimeter of reference microphones around the primary device. Reference microphones generate a reference audio input including far-field noise in the proximity of the primary device. The primary device generates a main audio input including the voice of the primary speaker as well as background noise. Reference audio input is compared to main audio input to identify the background noise portion of the main audio signal. A noise reduction algorithm suppresses the identified background noise in the main audio signal. The one or more reference microphones defining the acoustic perimeter may be included in separate microphone devices placed in proximity to the main desktop phone, microphones within other nearby desktop telephone devices, or a combination of both types of devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Polycom, Inc.Inventors: Kwan K. Truong, Peter L. Chu, Steven L. Potts, Eric Elias
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Publication number: 20200029154Abstract: The amount of far-field noise transmitted by a primary communication device in an open-plan office environment is reduced by defining an acoustic perimeter of reference microphones around the primary device. Reference microphones generate a reference audio input including far-field noise in the proximity of the primary device. The primary device generates a main audio input including the voice of the primary speaker as well as background noise. Reference audio input is compared to main audio input to identify the background noise portion of the main audio signal. A noise reduction algorithm suppresses the identified background noise in the main audio signal. The one or more reference microphones defining the acoustic perimeter may be included in separate microphone devices placed in proximity to the main desktop phone, microphones within other nearby desktop telephone devices, or a combination of both types of devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Kwan K. Truong, Peter L. Chu, Steven L. Potts, Eric Elias