Patents by Inventor Brent Robert Shumard

Brent Robert Shumard 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: 11910170
    Abstract: A microphone device comprising, for example, a mid microphone cartridge and two side microphone cartridges. The mid microphone cartridge may be, for example, a cardioid microphone cartridge, and the side microphone cartridges may each be, for example, a bidirectional microphone cartridge. Each of the mid microphone cartridge and of the two side microphone cartridges may be orthogonal to the other two microphone cartridges. The microphone device, which may be referred to herein as a mid dual-side microphone, may provide a combined pickup pattern, such as a beam and/or a toroid, that may be steerable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent Robert Shumard
  • Publication number: 20240007688
    Abstract: An example immersive audio signal processing system and a computer-implemented method for generating a target arena environment audio stream are provided. The example immersive audio signal processing system includes a plurality of multi-lobe digital sound wave capture devices positioned within the arena environment. The plurality of multi-lobe digital sound wave capture devices is configured to direct first beamformed lobes to a playing region of the arena environment, second beamformed lobes to a spectator region of the arena environment, and third beamformed lobes to a noise source region of the arena environment. A digital signal processor is configured to isolate noise audio components originating from at least the spectator region or the noise source region from the audio signal stream and generate a target arena environment audio stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: SHURE ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: John BORN, Daniel LAW, Michael LESTER, David GRUNDTVIG, Brent Robert SHUMARD, William OAKLEY
  • Patent number: 11832053
    Abstract: Embodiments include a microphone assembly comprising an array microphone and a housing configured to support the array microphone and sized and shaped to be mountable in a drop ceiling in place of at least one of a plurality of ceiling tiles included in the drop ceiling. A front face of the housing includes a sound-permeable screen having a size and shape that is substantially similar to the at least one of the plurality of ceiling tiles. Embodiments also include an array microphone system comprising a plurality of microphones arranged, on a substrate, in a number of concentric, nested rings of varying sizes around a central point of the substrate. Each ring comprises a subset of the plurality of microphones positioned at predetermined intervals along a circumference of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mathew T. Abraham, David Grant Cason, John Casey Gibbs, Gregory William Lantz, Albert Francis McGovern, Jr., Brent Robert Shumard
  • Patent number: 11818536
    Abstract: A filter that may increase and extend, the bass frequency response of a speaker of an audio device. The filter may be space-efficient. The filter may be part of a device that does not necessarily have a large rear cavity and that does not necessarily have porting and/or passive radiating. The low-frequency extension filter may be used, for example, with a smaller rear cavity while essentially simulating the acoustic effects of a much larger rear cavity. The low-frequency extension filter may include a plurality of acoustic pathways, such as tubes, which may wind around along a tortuous path and which may resemble a labyrinthine design. The tubes may be selected to resonate with particular predetermined low frequency channels. For example, the tubes may be approximately a quarter wavelength of the center of the corresponding frequency channel, or even slightly shorter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Robert Shumard, Thomas Andrew Satrom
  • Publication number: 20230362534
    Abstract: A microphone may comprise a microphone element for detecting sound, and a digital signal processor configured to process a first audio signal that is based on the sound in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of digital signal processing (DSP) modes. Each of the DSP modes may be for processing the first audio signal in a different way. For example, the DSP modes may account for distance of the person speaking (e.g., near versus far) and/or desired tone (e.g., darker, neutral, or bright tone). At least some of the modes may have, for example, an automatic level control setting to provide a more consistent volume as the user changes their distance from the microphone or changes their speaking level, and that may be associated with particular default (and/or adjustable) values of the parameters attack, hold, decay, maximum gain, and/or target gain, each depending upon which DSP is being applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy William Balgemann, Soren Christian Pedersen, James Michael Pessin, Brent Robert Shumard, Lena Lins Sutter, Ryan Jerold Perkofski
  • Patent number: 11800280
    Abstract: Embodiments include an audio system comprising a speaker array comprising a plurality of drivers arranged in a first planar configuration; a microphone array comprising a plurality of transducers arranged in a second planar configuration; and a beamformer communicatively coupled to the speaker array and the microphone array, the beamformer configured to: generate an individual speaker output signal for each of the drivers in the speaker array based on one or more input audio signals received from an audio source, and generate a microphone output signal for the microphone array based on one or more microphone signals captured by one or more of the transducers. Embodiments also include a method performed by one or more processors coupled to a microphone array having a plurality of transducers and a speaker array having a plurality of drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew David Koschak, Brent Robert Shumard, David Grant Cason, Kenneth James Platz
  • Publication number: 20230319470
    Abstract: Embodiments include an audio system comprising an audio device, a speaker, and a processor. The audio system is configured to receive data from one or more sensors corresponding to persons in a room and/or characteristics of a room, and responsively take action to modify one or more characteristics of the audio system, share the information with other systems or devices, and track data over time to determine patterns and trends in the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Meyer, Daniel Aaron Law, Avinash K. Vaidya, Steven Norman Leib, Mark Swiderski, David Grant Cason, Brent Robert Shumard
  • Publication number: 20230300523
    Abstract: A microphone module comprises a housing, an audio bus, and a first plurality of microphones in communication with the audio bus. The microphone module further comprises a module processor in communication with the first plurality of microphones and the audio bus. The module processor is configured to detect the presence of an array processor in communication with the audio bus, detect the presence of a second microphone module in communication with the audio bus, and configure the audio bus to pass audio signals from both the first plurality of microphones and the second microphone module to the array processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Zachery Barnett, Brent Robert Shumard, David Grant Cason, Andrey Ash, Jordan Schultz, Mathew T. Abraham, Avinash K. Vaidya
  • Patent number: 11750972
    Abstract: Embodiments include an array microphone comprising a plurality of microphone sets arranged in a linear pattern relative to a first axis and configured to cover a plurality of frequency bands. Each microphone set comprises a first microphone arranged along the first axis and a second microphone arranged along a second axis orthogonal to the first microphone, wherein a distance between adjacent microphones along the first axis is selected from a first group consisting of whole number multiples of a first value, and within each element, a distance between the first and second microphones along the second axis is selected from a second group consisting of whole number multiples of a second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Robert Shumard, Mark Gilbert, James Michael Pessin, Emily Ann Wigley
  • Patent number: 11696068
    Abstract: A microphone may comprise a microphone element for detecting sound, and a digital signal processor configured to process a first audio signal that is based on the sound in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of digital signal processing (DSP) modes. Each of the DSP modes may be for processing the first audio signal in a different way. For example, the DSP modes may account for distance of the person speaking (e.g., near versus far) and/or desired tone (e.g., darker, neutral, or bright tone). At least some of the modes may have, for example, an automatic level control setting to provide a more consistent volume as the user changes their distance from the microphone or changes their speaking level, and that may be associated with particular default (and/or adjustable) values of the parameters attack, hold, decay, maximum gain, and/or target gain, each depending upon which DSP is being applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy William Balgemann, Soren Christian Pedersen, James Michael Pessin, Brent Robert Shumard, Lena Lins Sutter, Ryan Jerold Perkofski
  • Patent number: 11678109
    Abstract: Offset cartridge microphones are provided that include multiple unidirectional microphone cartridges mounted in an offset geometry. Various desired polar patterns and/or desired steering angles can be formed by processing the audio signals from the multiple cartridges, including a toroidal polar pattern. The offset geometry of the cartridges may include mounting the cartridges so that they are immediately adjacent to one another and so that their center axes are offset from one another. The microphones may have a more consistent on-axis frequency response and may more uniformly form desired polar patterns and/or desired steering angles by reducing the interference and reflections within and between the cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Robert Shumard, Gregory H. Canfield, Mark Gilbert
  • Patent number: 11647328
    Abstract: A microphone module comprises a housing, an audio bus, and a first plurality of microphones in communication with the audio bus. The microphone module further comprises a module processor in communication with the first plurality of microphones and the audio bus. The module processor is configured to detect the presence of an array processor in communication with the audio bus, detect the presence of a second microphone module in communication with the audio bus, and configure the audio bus to pass audio signals from both the first plurality of microphones and the second microphone module to the array processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachery Barnett, Brent Robert Shumard, David Grant Cason, Andrey Ash, Jordan Schultz, Mathew T. Abraham, Avinash K. Vaidya
  • Patent number: 11617035
    Abstract: Embodiments include an audio system comprising an audio device, a speaker, and a processor. The audio system is configured to receive data from one or more sensors corresponding to persons in a room and/or characteristics of a room, and responsively take action to modify one or more characteristics of the audio system, share the information with other systems or devices, and track data over time to determine patterns and trends in the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Meyer, Daniel Aaron Law, Avinash K. Vaidya, Steven Norman Leib, Mark Swiderski, David Grant Cason, Brent Robert Shumard
  • Publication number: 20220386022
    Abstract: Array microphone systems and methods having adjustable lobe shapes are provided. The lobe shapes of pickup patterns in an array microphone may be adjusted by weighting the audio signals of subsets of the microphone elements that make up the array. The lobe shapes may be adjusted in a direction independent of a steering vector of the lobe. Users may have greater control of lobes which can result in more efficient and optimal coverage of audio sources in environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Robert Shumard, Mathew T. Abraham
  • Publication number: 20220369028
    Abstract: Embodiments include a microphone assembly comprising an array microphone and a housing configured to support the array microphone and sized and shaped to be mountable in a drop ceiling in place of at least one of a plurality of ceiling tiles included in the drop ceiling. A front face of the housing includes a sound-permeable screen having a size and shape that is substantially similar to the at least one of the plurality of ceiling tiles. Embodiments also include an array microphone system comprising a plurality of microphones arranged, on a substrate, in a number of concentric, nested rings of varying sizes around a central point of the substrate. Each ring comprises a subset of the plurality of microphones positioned at predetermined intervals along a circumference of the ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Mathew T. Abraham, David Grant Cason, John Casey Gibbs, Gregory William Lantz, Albert Francis McGovern, JR., Brent Robert Shumard
  • Publication number: 20220360890
    Abstract: Embodiments include an audio system comprising a speaker array comprising a plurality of drivers arranged in a first planar configuration; a microphone array comprising a plurality of transducers arranged in a second planar configuration; and a beamformer communicatively coupled to the speaker array and the microphone array, the beamformer configured to: generate an individual speaker output signal for each of the drivers in the speaker array based on one or more input audio signals received from an audio source, and generate a microphone output signal for the microphone array based on one or more microphone signals captured by one or more of the transducers. Embodiments also include a method performed by one or more processors coupled to a microphone array having a plurality of transducers and a speaker array having a plurality of drivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew David Koschak, Brent Robert Shumard, David Grant Cason, Kenneth James Platz
  • Publication number: 20220337946
    Abstract: Embodiments include an array microphone comprising a plurality of microphone sets arranged in a linear pattern relative to a first axis and configured to cover a plurality of frequency bands. Each microphone set comprises a first microphone arranged along the first axis and a second microphone arranged along a second axis orthogonal to the first microphone, wherein a distance between adjacent microphones along the first axis is selected from a first group consisting of whole number multiples of a first value, and within each element, a distance between the first and second microphones along the second axis is selected from a second group consisting of whole number multiples of a second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Robert Shumard, Mark Gilbert, James Michael Pessin, Emily Ann Wigley
  • Patent number: 11445294
    Abstract: A steerable speaker array is provided, comprising a plurality of drivers arranged in a concentric, nested configuration formed by arranging the drivers in a plurality of concentric groups and placing the groups at different radial distances from a central point of the configuration. Each group is formed by a subset of the plurality of drivers being positioned at predetermined intervals from each other along a perimeter of the group. Also, the concentric groups are harmonically nested and rotationally offset from each other. An audio system is also provided comprising at least one steerable speaker array and a beamforming system configured to receive one or more input audio signals from an audio source, generate a separate audio output signal for each driver of the speaker array based on at least one of the input signals, and provide the audio output signals to the corresponding drivers to produce a beamformed audio output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Shure Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew David Koschak, Brent Robert Shumard, David Grant Cason, Kenneth James Platz
  • Publication number: 20220279272
    Abstract: A microphone device comprising, for example, a mid microphone cartridge and two side microphone cartridges. The mid microphone cartridge may be, for example, a cardioid microphone cartridge, and the side microphone cartridges may each be, for example, a bidirectional microphone cartridge. Each of the mid microphone cartridge and of the two side microphone cartridges may be orthogonal to the other two microphone cartridges. The microphone device, which may be referred to herein as a mid dual-side microphone, may provide a combined pickup pattern, such as a beam and/or a toroid, that may be steerable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventor: Brent Robert Shumard
  • Publication number: 20220272473
    Abstract: A microphone having a multi-channel mixer and one or more connectors usable to receive and/or output audio. Any of the connectors may be used as an input connector, as an output connector, or configured to be switchable between being an input and an output connector. The user of the microphone may be able to conveniently use one or more of the connectors to expand the microphone to become part of a larger setup that uses multiple microphones. For example, an XLR connector of the microphone may be passive, and may be configured such that a user can daisy chain the output from an XLR connector of another microphone into an XLR connector of the microphone. In such an arrangement, an output based on one or both of the microphones may be output through another connector of the microphone, such as a USB connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Robert Shumard, James Michael Pessin, Timothy William Balgemann, Soren Christian Pedersen, Thomas Andrew Satrom, Ryan Jerold Perkofski