Patents by Inventor Robert A. Zurek

Robert A. Zurek 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: 10209951
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, program products, and systems are disclosed for language-based muting during multiuser communications. A method includes determining, by use of a processor, a language of speech being spoken by a user of a plurality of users communicating over a network, comparing the determined language to one or more languages that each of the plurality of users has in common, and muting the speech in response to the determined language not matching a language of the one or more languages that each of the plurality of users has in common.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Robert Zurek, Amit Kumar Agrawal, Himanshu Chug
  • Patent number: 10171058
    Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more microphones, one or more sensors, and one or more processors operable with the one or more microphones and the one or more sensors. The one or more processors, upon the one or more sensors detecting the electronic device is disposed within a repository container, such as a pocket, apply an audio signal adjustment function to signals received from the one or more microphones, thereby mitigating noise in the signals caused by the repository container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Rachid Alameh, Robert Zurek, Jarrett Simerson
  • Publication number: 20180285059
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, program products, and systems are disclosed for language-based muting during multiuser communications. A method includes determining, by use of a processor, a language of speech being spoken by a user of a plurality of users communicating over a network, comparing the determined language to one or more languages that each of the plurality of users has in common, and muting the speech in response to the determined language not matching a language of the one or more languages that each of the plurality of users has in common.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Zurek, Amit Kumar Agrawal, Himanshu Chug
  • Patent number: 10062388
    Abstract: Systems and methods for authorizing a user of a portable communications device entail sampling a user utterance via both an air mic (audio mic) and a conduction mic (surface mic or bone conduction mic). The difference between these signals is unique to each user since the tissues of each user will differ with respect to audio conduction. This difference may be characterized via a transform including magnitude, phase and time delay components. If the transform for a prospective user matches a stored transform for an authorized user, then the prospective user may be granted access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Roger W Ady, Robert Zurek
  • Patent number: 9942658
    Abstract: A method and apparatus increase audio output of a device. A mode of audio output operation of a device can be determined. Audio output can operate in a determined first mode of audio output operation that powers at least one first speaker at a first bandwidth and at a first output level below a first output level threshold. The audio output can operate in a determined second mode of audio output operation. The second mode of audio output operation can power the at least one first speaker at a high pass filtered second bandwidth that filters out low frequencies of the first bandwidth. The second mode of audio output operation can power the at least one first speaker at a second output level below a second output level threshold. The second output level threshold can be higher than the first output level threshold. The second output level can exceed the first output level threshold at least once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Robert Zurek, Kevin J Bastyr, Joel Clark, Giles T Davis, Adrian M Schuster
  • Patent number: 9892722
    Abstract: A method and computer program product for dynamically balancing the active noise cancellation value at a first and second earphone interface of a headphone device. The method enables determination of a first active noise cancellation value of an anti-noise output signal at a first interface. The method determines a second active noise cancellation value of the anti-noise output signal at a second interface. A comparison is made between the first active noise cancellation value and the second active noise cancellation value. In response to the first active noise cancellation value and the second active noise cancellation value being outside of a predetermined margin of each other, at least one adjustable parameter associated with the anti-noise output signal is dynamically adjusted to balance active noise cancellation values at the first and second headphone nterface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Bastyr, Robert Zurek
  • Patent number: 9888333
    Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) audio content creation and rendering systems and methodologies are presented here. A disclosed method of processing 3D audio assigns audio source objects to 3D video objects, links audio tracks to assigned audio source objects, and performs wave field synthesis on the linked audio tracks to generate 3D audio data representing a 3D spatial sound field. A disclosed method of processing 3D audio during playback of 3D video content obtains 3D audio data and 3D video data for a frame of 3D video content, applies device-specific parameters to the 3D audio data to obtain transformed 3D audio data scaled to a presentation device, and processes the transformed 3D audio data to render audio information for an array of speakers associated with the presentation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Thomas Y. Merrell
  • Patent number: 9883023
    Abstract: A portable electronic communication device includes a user input receiver, one or more user outputs, and a processor programmed to receive user input from the user input receiver and to determine based on the user input whether the user desires the device to enter a private mode. The device alters communications from the device via the one or more user outputs while in the private mode, and enters the private mode if the user input indicates that the user desires the device to enter the private mode. While in the private mode, the device may alter the manner in which it communicates to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Rajib Acharya, Roger W. Ady, Plamen A. Ivanov, Mark A. Jasiuk, Dusan Macho Cierna, Robert Zurek
  • Publication number: 20180004372
    Abstract: A method performed by a portable communication device includes determining a list of at least one target device in proximity to the portable communication device. The method further includes receiving a set of non-tactile user commands that indicates selected content and a selected set of target devices on the list and controlling sharing of the selected content between the portable communication device and the selected set of target devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Zurek, Joel A. Clark, Steve Kim
  • Publication number: 20170366662
    Abstract: A portable electronic communication device includes a user input receiver, one or more user outputs, and a processor programmed to receive user input from the user input receiver and to determine based on the user input whether the user desires the device to enter a private mode. The device alters communications from the device via the one or more user outputs while in the private mode, and enters the private mode if the user input indicates that the user desires the device to enter the private mode. While in the private mode, the device may alter the manner in which it communicates to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Rajib Acharya, Roger W. Ady, Plamen A. Ivanov, Mark A. Jasiuk, Dusan Macho Cierna, Robert Zurek
  • Patent number: 9826645
    Abstract: The present application provides a circuit substrate and a method of managing the placement of one or more groupings of a plurality of capacitors coupled to a circuit substrate. Each capacitor has a pair of terminals, as well as a component shape which changes as a voltage difference is selectively applied across the pair of terminals. When a voltage difference is applied across the pair of terminals, the component shape of the capacitor will contract in a first direction and expand in a second direction, where the second direction is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. When the voltage difference is removed from the pair of terminals, the component shape of the capacitor will return to an uncontracted state in the first direction and an unexpanded state in the second direction. Each of the plurality of capacitors in a particular grouping is driven by a complementary signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Robert Zurek, Robert M Netz
  • Patent number: 9747900
    Abstract: A device performs a method for using image data to aid voice recognition. The method includes the device capturing image data of a vicinity of the device and adjusting, based on the image data, a set of parameters for voice recognition performed by the device. The set of parameters for the device performing voice recognition include, but are not limited to: a trigger threshold of a trigger for voice recognition; a set of beamforming parameters; a database for voice recognition; and/or an algorithm for voice recognition, wherein the algorithm can include using noise suppression or using acoustic beamforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Robert A Zurek, Adrian M Schuster, Fu-Lin Shau, Jincheng Wu
  • Publication number: 20170193996
    Abstract: A device performs a method for using image data to aid voice recognition. The method includes the device capturing (302) image data of a vicinity of the device and adjusting (304), based on the image data, a set of parameters for voice recognition performed by the device (102). The set of parameters for the device performing voice recognition include, but are not limited to: a trigger threshold of a trigger for voice recognition; a set of beamforming parameters; a database for voice recognition; and/or an algorithm for voice recognition. The algorithm may include using noise suppression or using acoustic beamforming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Adrian M. Schuster, Fu-Lin Shau, Jincheng Wu
  • Publication number: 20170171984
    Abstract: The present application provides a circuit substrate and a method of managing the placement of one or more groupings of a plurality of capacitors coupled to a circuit substrate. Each capacitor has a pair of terminals, as well as a component shape which changes as a voltage difference is selectively applied across the pair of terminals. When a voltage difference is applied across the pair of terminals, the component shape of the capacitor will contract in a first direction and expand in a second direction, where the second direction is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. When the voltage difference is removed from the pair of terminals, the component shape of the capacitor will return to an uncontracted state in the first direction and an unexpanded state in the second direction. Each of the plurality of capacitors in a particular grouping is driven by a complementary signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Zurek, Robert M. Netz
  • Patent number: 9680983
    Abstract: A portable electronic communication device includes a user input receiver, one or more user outputs, and a processor programmed to receive user input from the user input receiver and to determine based on the user input whether the user desires the device to enter a private mode. The device alters communications from the device via the one or more user outputs while in the private mode, and enters the private mode if the user input indicates that the user desires the device to enter the private mode. While in the private mode, the device may alter the manner in which it communicates to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Rajib Acharya, Roger W. Ady, Plamen A. Ivanov, Mark A. Jasiuk, Dusan Macho Cierna, Robert Zurek
  • Publication number: 20170134857
    Abstract: A method and apparatus increase audio output of a device. A mode of audio output operation of a device can be determined. Audio output can operate in a determined first mode of audio output operation that powers at least one first speaker at a first bandwidth and at a first output level below a first output level threshold. The audio output can operate in a determined second mode of audio output operation. The second mode of audio output operation can power the at least one first speaker at a high pass filtered second bandwidth that filters out low frequencies of the first bandwidth. The second mode of audio output operation can power the at least one first speaker at a second output level below a second output level threshold. The second output level threshold can be higher than the first output level threshold. The second output level can exceed the first output level threshold at least once.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Zurek, Kevin J. Bastyr, Joel Clark, Giles T. Davis, Adrian M. Schuster
  • Publication number: 20170116995
    Abstract: Systems and methods for authorizing a user of a portable communications device entail sampling a user utterance via both an air mic (audio mic) and a conduction mic (surface mic or bone conduction mic). The difference between these signals is unique to each user since the tissues of each user will differ with respect to audio conduction. This difference may be characterized via a transform including magnitude, phase and time delay components. If the transform for a prospective user matches a stored transform for an authorized user, then the prospective user may be granted access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Roger W Ady, Robert Zurek
  • Patent number: 9628910
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to reduce acoustic feedback from a speaker to a microphone in a communication device. An audio signal can be reproduced by an apparatus. An audible signal of at least one near-end user can be voice activity detected at the apparatus. At least one audio output channel of multiple audio output channels can be operated on to attenuate acoustic pressure representative of the audio signal near at least one microphone aperture location when the audible signal of the at least one near-end user is detected at the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Robert Zurek, Giles T Davis, Plamen A Ivanov
  • Publication number: 20170019362
    Abstract: Voice controlled multimedia content creation techniques are discussed in which a multimedia package is created and shared to a specified destination responsive to voice commands. The voice commands can be received by a device as a single stream (e.g., a single phrase) that causes automatic performance of a sharing sequence or as a series of multiple voice commands that are input in response to prompts for voice input as part of the sharing sequence. The voice commands can be recognized and handled by a content creation system of the device to select a clip for tagging of content (such as captured audio or video). The selected clip is then combined with the content to create the multimedia package. Voice commands can also be employed to specify a destination for sharing of the content, such as one or more contacts or a particular sharing site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Steve S. Kim, Joel Clark, Robert Zurek
  • Publication number: 20170019734
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to reduce acoustic feedback from a speaker to a microphone in a communication device. An audio signal can be reproduced by an apparatus. An audible signal of at least one near-end user can be voice activity detected at the apparatus. At least one audio output channel of multiple audio output channels can be operated on to attenuate acoustic pressure representative of the audio signal near at least one microphone aperture location when the audible signal of the at least one near-end user is detected at the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Zurek, Giles T. Davis, Plamen A. Ivanov