Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Hanna

Christopher M. Hanna 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: 11411607
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and techniques for audio and lighting control in a bus system. For example, in some embodiments, a bus system may be configured for operation as a light organ and/or to generate sound effects based on accelerometer data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Martin Kessler, Christopher M. Hanna, Eric M. Cline
  • Publication number: 20210211156
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and techniques for audio and lighting control in a bus system. For example, in some embodiments, a bus system may be configured for operation as a light organ and/or to generate sound effects based on accelerometer data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin KESSLER, Christopher M. HANNA, Eric M. CLINE
  • Patent number: 10932072
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optically measuring displacement of an element include an emitter for emitting an optical signal, a first detector for detecting reflections of the optical signal from the element, a second detector for detecting reflections of the optical signal from a raised cover structure, a processor for receiving the detected reflections from the first and second detectors and removing distortions in the detected reflections from the first detector using the detected reflections from the second detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Tyler Ray, Nicholas J. Jakse, Neal Tait Kurfiss, Christopher M. Hanna, Miguel A. Chavez, Joshua Berlin
  • Publication number: 20190339390
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optically measuring displacement of an element include an emitter for emitting an optical signal, a first detector for detecting reflections of the optical signal from the element, a second detector for detecting reflections of the optical signal from a raised cover structure, a processor for receiving the detected reflections from the first and second detectors and removing distortions in the detected reflections from the first detector using the detected reflections from the second detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler RAY, Nicholas J. JAKSE, Neal Tait KURFISS, Christopher M. HANNA, Miguel A. CHAVEZ
  • Patent number: 10070237
    Abstract: Speakers do not always operate linearly. Linearity of the speaker can affect the quality of the sound produced by the speaker, i.e., causing distortions in the sound, if the nonlinearites are not accounted for. To determine nonlinearities of the speaker, the speaker is often modeled and measurements are made to estimate the characteristics of the speaker based on the model. By using an angle sensor and a light source, a speaker manager can make a direct measurement of excursion or displacement of the speaker. Moreover, when the angle sensor, the light source, and the light beam are configured appropriately with respect to the moving cone of the speaker, the measurement can be substantially linear with respect to the amount of excursion or displacement. Such measurements are far simpler to use and in some cases more accurate than measurements made by other types of systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Hanna, Miguel A. Chavez, Shrenik Deliwala
  • Patent number: 9584918
    Abstract: A disclosed system and method dynamically controls the perceived volume of a stereo audio program including left and right channel signals. The system includes a dynamic volume control that operatesto maintain a perceived constant volume level of the stereo audio program; and an excessive spatial processing protection processor configured and arranged for controlling the level of a difference signal, created as a function of the right channel signal subtracted from the left channel signal (L?R), relative to the level of a sum signal, created as a function of the right channel signal plus the left channel signal. The excessive spatial processing protection processor processes the audio signals so as to control the difference (L?R) signal relative to the sum (L+R) signal. A system and method are also provided for dynamically controlling the perceived volume of a stereo audio program including left and right channel signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: THAT Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M Hanna, Gregory Benulis
  • Publication number: 20160345114
    Abstract: Speakers do not always operate linearly. Linearity of the speaker can affect the quality of the sound produced by the speaker, i.e., causing distortions in the sound, if the nonlinearites are not accounted for. To determine nonlinearities of the speaker, the speaker is often modeled and measurements are made to estimate the characteristics of the speaker based on the model. By using an angle sensor and a light source, a speaker manager can make a direct measurement of excursion or displacement of the speaker. Moreover, when the angle sensor, the light source, and the light beam are configured appropriately with respect to the moving cone of the speaker, the measurement can be substantially linear with respect to the amount of excursion or displacement. Such measurements are far simpler to use and in some cases more accurate than measurements made by other types of systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER M. HANNA, MIGUEL A. CHAVEZ, SHRENIK DELIWALA
  • Patent number: 9380385
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing the low frequency response of a loudspeaker for relatively low input level audio signals and protect the loudspeaker for relatively high input level audio signals make use of a crossover network configured so separate an audio input signal into at least two frequency bands including a low frequency band; and a signal compressor responsive to the energy level of the low frequency portion of an input audio signal in the low frequency band and configured to provide amplification gain on the low frequency portion of the input signal when the energy level of the low frequency portion of the input signal is relatively low. One or more peak limiters may be positioned before the summer(s), in the circuit, but after the low band compressor. The EQ unit(s) may be positioned before all processing to the L and R inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: THAT Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Skinner, Christopher M. Hanna
  • Patent number: 8908872
    Abstract: The disclosed BTSC encoder includes a left high pass filter means for receiving a digital left channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital left channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital left filtered signal; a right high pass filter means for receiving a digital right channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital right channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital right filtered signal; a matrix means for receiving the digital left and digital right filtered signals, and including means for summing the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital sum signal, and including means for subtracting one of the digital left and digital right filtered signals from the other of the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital difference signal; a difference channel processing means for digitally processing the digital difference signal; and a sum channel processing means for d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: THAT Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher M. Hanna
  • Patent number: 8315411
    Abstract: A disclosed system and method dynamically controls the perceived volume of a stereo audio program including left and right channel signals. The system comprises: a dynamic volume control configured and arranged so as to maintain a perceived constant volume level of the stereo audio program; and an excessive spatial processing protection processor configured and arranged for controlling the level of a difference signal, created as a function of the right channel signal subtracted from the left channel signal (L?R), relative to the level of a sum signal, created as a function of the right channel signal plus the left channel signal; wherein the excessive spatial processing protection processor processes the audio signals so as to control the difference (L?R) signal relative to the sum (L+R) signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: THAT Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Hanna, Gregory Benulis
  • Patent number: 8284954
    Abstract: The disclosed BTSC encoder includes a left high pass filter means for receiving a digital left channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital left channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital left filtered signal; a right high pass filter means for receiving a digital right channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital right channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital right filtered signal; a matrix means for receiving the digital left and digital right filtered signals, and including means for summing the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital sum signal, and including means for subtracting one of the digital left and digital right filtered signals from the other of the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital difference signal; a difference channel processing means for digitally processing the digital difference signal; and a sum channel processing means for d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: THAT Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher M. Hanna
  • Patent number: 8258870
    Abstract: A digitally-controlled analog gain circuit supports at plurality of gain settings in which gain changes are made from a first setting to a new setting in response to a clocking signal of a non-uniform rate. The non-uniform rate clocking signal can be created pseudo randomly by applying a periodic sequence of clock pulses to a linear feedback shift register. Alternatively, the non-uniform rate clock signal can be created by applying a noise source to a phase detector input of a phase locked loop. The clocking signal can be generated by an oscillator, or as a sequence of pulses output by a zero crossing detector. Finally, the gain circuit can apply positive gain to the signal. Alternatively, the gain circuit can apply a negative gain (attenuation) to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: THAT Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Moses, Christopher M. Hanna
  • Publication number: 20120087502
    Abstract: The disclosed BTSC encoder includes a left high pass filter means; a matrix means for receiving the digital left and digital right filtered signals, and including means for summing the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital sum signal, and including means for subtracting one of the digital left and digital right filtered signals from the other of the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital difference signal; a difference channel processing means for digitally processing the digital difference signal; and a sum channel processing means for digitally processing the digital sum signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: THAT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher M. Hanna
  • Publication number: 20120082206
    Abstract: The disclosed BTSC encoder includes a left high pass filter means; a matrix means for receiving the digital left and digital right filtered signals, and including means for summing the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital sum signal, and including means for subtracting one of the digital left and digital right filtered signals from the other of the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital difference signal; a difference channel processing means for digitally processing the digital difference signal; and a sum channel processing means for digitally processing the digital sum signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: THAT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher M. Hanna
  • Publication number: 20120075528
    Abstract: The disclosed BTSC encoder includes a left high pass filter means; a right high pass filter means; a matrix means for receiving the digital left and digital right filtered signals, and including means for summing the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital sum signal, and including means for subtracting one of the digital left and digital right filtered signals from the other of the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital difference signal; a difference channel processing means for digitally processing the digital difference signal; and a sum channel processing means for digitally processing the digital sum signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: THAT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher M. Hanna
  • Publication number: 20110280407
    Abstract: A system for and method of enhancing the low frequency response of a loudspeaker for relatively low input level audio signals and protect the loudspeaker for relatively high input level audio signals is disclosed. The system comprises: a crossover network configured so separate an audio input signal into at least two frequency bands including a low frequency band; and a signal compressor responsive to the energy level of the low frequency portion of an input audio signal in the low frequency band and configured to provide amplification gain on the low frequency portion of the input signal when the energy level of the low frequency portion of the input signal is relatively low so as to enhance the low frequency response of the loudspeaker, and attenuation of the low frequency portion of the input signal when the energy level of the low frequency portion of the input signal is relatively high so as to protect the loudspeaker from being overdriven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Scott Skinner, Christopher M. Hanna
  • Publication number: 20110243333
    Abstract: The disclosed BTSC encoder includes a left high pass filter means for receiving a digital left channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital left channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital left filtered signal; a right high pass filter means for receiving a digital right channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital right channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital right filtered signal; a matrix means for receiving the digital left and digital right filtered signals, and including means for summing the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital sum signal, and including means for subtracting one of the digital left and digital right filtered signals from the other of the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital difference signal; a difference channel processing means for digitally processing the digital difference signal; and a sum channel processing means for d
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: THAT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher M. Hanna
  • Publication number: 20110235705
    Abstract: The disclosed BTSC encoder includes a left high pass filter means for receiving a digital left channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital left channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital left filtered signal; a right high pass filter means for receiving a digital right channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital right channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital right filtered signal; a matrix means for receiving the digital left and digital right filtered signals, and including means for summing the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital sum signal, and including means for subtracting one of the digital left and digital right filtered signals from the other of the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital difference signal; a difference channel processing means for digitally processing the digital difference signal; and a sum channel processing means for d
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: THAT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher M. Hanna
  • Publication number: 20110205429
    Abstract: The disclosed BTSC encoder includes a left high pass filter means for receiving a digital left channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital left channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital left filtered signal; a right high pass filter means for receiving a digital right channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital right channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital right filtered signal; a matrix means for receiving the digital left and digital right filtered signals, and including means for summing the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital sum signal, and including means for subtracting one of the digital left and digital right filtered signals from the other of the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital difference signal; a difference channel processing means for digitally processing the digital difference signal; and a sum channel processing means for d
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: THAT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher M. Hanna
  • Publication number: 20110134992
    Abstract: The disclosed BTSC encoder includes a left high pass filter means for receiving a digital left channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital left channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital left filtered signal; a right high pass filter means for receiving a digital right channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital right channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital right filtered signal; a matrix means for receiving the digital left and digital right filtered signals, and including means for summing the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital sum signal, and including means for subtracting one of the digital left and digital right filtered signals from the other of the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital difference signal; a difference channel processing means for digitally processing the digital difference signal; and a sum channel processing means for d
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: THAT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christopher M. Hanna