Patents by Inventor Gary P. Geaves

Gary P. Geaves 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: 11265653
    Abstract: An audio system is described that includes one or more speaker arrays that emit sound corresponding to one or more pieces of sound program content into associated zones within a listening area. Using parameters of the audio system (e.g., locations of the speaker arrays and the audio sources), the zones, the users, the pieces of sound program content, and the listening area, one or more beam pattern attributes may be generated. The beam pattern attributes define a set of beams that are used to generate audio beams for channels of sound program content to be played in each zone. The beam pattern attributes may be updated as changes are detected within the listening environment. By adapting to these changing conditions, the audio system is capable of reproducing sound that accurately represents each piece of sound program content in various zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Afrooz Family, Anthony P. Bidmead, Erik L. Wang, Gary P. Geaves, Martin E. Johnson, Matthew I. Brown, Michael B. Howes, Sylvain J. Choisel, Tomlinson M. Holman
  • Patent number: 11190870
    Abstract: A multi-way speaker array is disclosed that includes rings of transducers of different types. The rings of transducers may encircle the cabinet of the speaker array such that the speaker array is rotationally symmetric. The distance between rings of transducers may be based on a logarithmic scale. By separating rings of transducers using logarithmic spacing, denser transducer spacing at short wavelengths is achieved while limiting the number of transducers needed for longer wavelengths by spacing them in larger and larger logarithmic increments. Transducers with overlapping frequency ranges may be used in the speaker array to avoid initial dips or shortfalls in directivity for corresponding beam patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Gordon R. Dix, Michael B. Howes, Gary P. Geaves, Tom-Davy William Jendrik Saux
  • Publication number: 20200322718
    Abstract: A multi-way speaker array is disclosed that includes rings of transducers of different types. The rings of transducers may encircle the cabinet of the speaker array such that the speaker array is rotationally symmetric. The distance between rings of transducers may be based on a logarithmic scale. By separating rings of transducers using logarithmic spacing, denser transducer spacing at short wavelengths is achieved while limiting the number of transducers needed for longer wavelengths by spacing them in larger and larger logarithmic increments. Transducers with overlapping frequency ranges may be used in the speaker array to avoid initial dips or shortfalls in directivity for corresponding beam patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Gordon R. Dix, Michael B. Howes, Gary P. Geaves, Tom-Davy William Jendrik Saux
  • Patent number: 10798482
    Abstract: A multi-way speaker array is disclosed that includes rings of transducers of different types. The rings of transducers may encircle the cabinet of the speaker array such that the speaker array is rotationally symmetric. The distance between rings of transducers may be based on a logarithmic scale. By separating rings of transducers using logarithmic spacing, denser transducer spacing at short wavelengths is achieved while limiting the number of transducers needed for longer wavelengths by spacing them in larger and larger logarithmic increments. Transducers with overlapping frequency ranges may be used in the speaker array to avoid initial dips or shortfalls in directivity for corresponding beam patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Gordon R. Dix, Michael B. Howes, Gary P. Geaves, Tom-Davy William Jendrik Saux
  • Publication number: 20200213735
    Abstract: An audio system is described that includes one or more speaker arrays that emit sound corresponding to one or more pieces of sound program content into associated zones within a listening area. Using parameters of the audio system (e.g., locations of the speaker arrays and the audio sources), the zones, the users, the pieces of sound program content, and the listening area, one or more beam pattern attributes may be generated. The beam pattern attributes define a set of beams that are used to generate audio beams for channels of sound program content to be played in each zone. The beam pattern attributes may be updated as changes are detected within the listening environment. By adapting to these changing conditions, the audio system is capable of reproducing sound that accurately represents each piece of sound program content in various zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Afrooz Family, Anthony P. Bidmead, Erik L. Wang, Gary P. Geaves, Martin E. Johnson, Matthew I. Brown, Michael B. Howes, Sylvain J. Choisel, Tomlinson M. Holman
  • Patent number: 10609484
    Abstract: An audio system is described that includes one or more speaker arrays that emit sound corresponding to one or more pieces of sound program content into associated zones within a listening area. Using parameters of the audio system (e.g., locations of the speaker arrays and the audio sources), the zones, the users, the pieces of sound program content, and the listening area, one or more beam pattern attributes may be generated. The beam pattern attributes define a set of beams that are used to generate audio beams for channels of sound program content to be played in each zone. The beam pattern attributes may be updated as changes are detected within the listening environment. By adapting to these changing conditions, the audio system is capable of reproducing sound that accurately represents each piece of sound program content in various zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Afrooz Family, Anthony P. Bidmead, Erik L. Wang, Gary P. Geaves, Martin E. Johnson, Matthew I. Brown, Michael B. Howes, Sylvain J. Choisel, Tomlinson M. Holman
  • Publication number: 20190082254
    Abstract: A multi-way speaker array is disclosed that includes rings of transducers of different types. The rings of transducers may encircle the cabinet of the speaker array such that the speaker array is rotationally symmetric. The distance between rings of transducers may be based on a logarithmic scale. By separating rings of transducers using logarithmic spacing, denser transducer spacing at short wavelengths is achieved while limiting the number of transducers needed for longer wavelengths by spacing them in larger and larger logarithmic increments. Transducers with overlapping frequency ranges may be used in the speaker array to avoid initial dips or shortfalls in directivity for corresponding beam patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Gordon R. Dix, Michael B. Howes, Gary P. Geaves, Tom-Davy William Jendrik Saux
  • Patent number: 10154339
    Abstract: A multi-way speaker array is disclosed that includes rings of transducers of different types. The rings of transducers may encircle the cabinet of the speaker array such that the speaker array is rotationally symmetric. The distance between rings of transducers may be based on a logarithmic scale. By separating rings of transducers using logarithmic spacing, denser transducer spacing at short wavelengths is achieved while limiting the number of transducers needed for longer wavelengths by spacing them in larger and larger logarithmic increments. Transducers with overlapping frequency ranges may be used in the speaker array to avoid initial dips or shortfalls in directivity for corresponding beam patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Gordon R. Dix, Michael B. Howes, Gary P. Geaves, Tom-Davy William Jendrik Saux
  • Patent number: 10149046
    Abstract: A multi-way speaker array is disclosed that includes rings of transducers of different types. The rings of transducers may encircle the cabinet of the speaker array such that the speaker array is rotationally symmetric. The distance between rings of transducers may be based on a logarithmic scale. By separating rings of transducers using logarithmic spacing, denser transducer spacing at short wavelengths is achieved while limiting the number of transducers needed for longer wavelengths by spacing them in larger and larger logarithmic increments. Transducers with overlapping frequency ranges may be used in the speaker array to avoid initial dips or shortfalls in directivity for corresponding beam patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Gordon R. Dix, Michael B. Howes, Gary P. Geaves, Tom-Davy William Jendrik Saux
  • Patent number: 10044232
    Abstract: A first electronic device includes a first coil that is operative in at least two modes. In a first mode, the first coil may be utilized to moves a membrane to produce one or more sound waves, register movement of a membrane to detect one or more sound waves, or generates one or more haptic outputs. In the second mode, the first coil may be used to inductively transmit power to and/or inductively receive power from a second coil included in a second electronic device. In various cases, the second coil may be a dedicated inductive power transmission coil. In other cases, the second coil may be capable of multimode operation similar to the first coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Justin D. Crosby, Nikolas T. Vitt, Gary P. Geaves
  • Publication number: 20170374465
    Abstract: An audio system is described that includes one or more speaker arrays that emit sound corresponding to one or more pieces of sound program content into associated zones within a listening area. Using parameters of the audio system (e.g., locations of the speaker arrays and the audio sources), the zones, the users, the pieces of sound program content, and the listening area, one or more beam pattern attributes may be generated. The beam pattern attributes define a set of beams that are used to generate audio beams for channels of sound program content to be played in each zone. The beam pattern attributes may be updated as changes are detected within the listening environment. By adapting to these changing conditions, the audio system is capable of reproducing sound that accurately represents each piece of sound program content in various zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Afrooz Family, Anthony P. Bidmead, Erik L. Wang, Gary P. Geaves, Martin E. Johnson, Matthew I. Brown, Michael B. Howes, Sylvain J. Choisel, Tomlinson M. Holman
  • Publication number: 20170238090
    Abstract: A multi-way speaker array is disclosed that includes rings of transducers of different types. The rings of transducers may encircle the cabinet of the speaker array such that the speaker array is rotationally symmetric. The distance between rings of transducers may be based on a logarithmic scale. By separating rings of transducers using logarithmic spacing, denser transducer spacing at short wavelengths is achieved while limiting the number of transducers needed for longer wavelengths by spacing them in larger and larger logarithmic increments. Transducers with overlapping frequency ranges may be used in the speaker array to avoid initial dips or shortfalls in directivity for corresponding beam patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Gordon R. Dix, Michael B. Howes, Gary P. Geaves, Tom-Davy William Jendrik Saux
  • Publication number: 20170238091
    Abstract: A multi-way speaker array is disclosed that includes rings of transducers of different types. The rings of transducers may encircle the cabinet of the speaker array such that the speaker array is rotationally symmetric. The distance between rings of transducers may be based on a logarithmic scale. By separating rings of transducers using logarithmic spacing, denser transducer spacing at short wavelengths is achieved while limiting the number of transducers needed for longer wavelengths by spacing them in larger and larger logarithmic increments. Transducers with overlapping frequency ranges may be used in the speaker array to avoid initial dips or shortfalls in directivity for corresponding beam patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Martin E. Johnson, Gordon R. Dix, Michael B. Howes, Gary P. Geaves, Tom-Davy William Jendrik Saux
  • Publication number: 20150288193
    Abstract: A first electronic device includes a first coil that is operative in at least two modes. In a first mode, the first coil may be utilized to moves a membrane to produce one or more sound waves, register movement of a membrane to detect one or more sound waves, or generates one or more haptic outputs. In the second mode, the first coil may be used to inductively transmit power to and/or inductively receive power from a second coil included in a second electronic device. In various cases, the second coil may be a dedicated inductive power transmission coil. In other cases, the second coil may be capable of multimode operation similar to the first coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Justin D. Crosby, Nikolas T. Vitt, Gary P. Geaves
  • Publication number: 20130332159
    Abstract: A dictation computer that includes a fan speed regulator is described. The fan speed regulator monitors a speech recognition unit to determine when the speech recognition unit is activated. Upon detection that the speech recognition unit is activated, the fan speed regulator ducks the speed of a cooling fan embedded within the dictation computer to an optimized speed of rotation over a delay time interval. The fan speed regulator may include components to adapt the optimized speed and delay time to the characteristics of the dictation computer and the user. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Federighi, John D. Field, Gary P. Geaves, Ronald N. Isaac, Aram M. Lindahl, Eric T. Seymour, Kim E. Silverman, Jeffrey D. Whitman