Patents by Inventor Iain Alexander McCowan
Iain Alexander McCowan 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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Patent number: 11863942Abstract: An example method of operation may include detecting an acoustic stimulus via active beams associated with at least one microphone disposed in a defined space, detecting loudspeaker characteristic information of at least one loudspeaker providing the acoustic stimulus, transmitting acoustic stimulus information based on the acoustic stimulus to a central controller, and modifying, via a central controller, at least one control function associated with the at least one microphone and the at least one loudspeaker to minimize acoustic feedback produced by the loudspeaker.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLCInventors: Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas William Metzar, Iain Alexander McCowan, Matthew V. Kotvis, Jason Damori, Scott Wieser
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Publication number: 20230247351Abstract: An example method of operation may include initializing a microphone array in a defined space to receive one or more sound instances based on a preliminary beamform tracking configuration, detecting the one or more sound instances within the defined space via the microphone array, modifying the preliminary beamform tracking configuration, based on a location of the one or more sound instances, to create a modified beamform tracking configuration, and saving the modified beamform tracking configuration in a memory of a microphone array controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Applicant: Biamp Systems, LLCInventors: Iain Alexander McCowan, Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas William Metzar, Matthew V. Kotvis
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Patent number: 11676618Abstract: An example method of operation may include designating sub-regions which collectively provide a defined reception space, receiving audio signals at a controller from the microphone arrays in the defined reception space, configuring the controller with known locations of each of the microphone arrays, assigning each of the sub-regions to at least one of the microphone arrays based on the known locations, and creating beamform tracking configurations for each of the microphone arrays based on their assigned sub-regions.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLCInventors: Iain Alexander McCowan, Stefano Davolio, Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas William Metzar, Matthew V. Kotvis, Jeffrey William Sondermeyer, Jason Damori
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Patent number: 11638091Abstract: An example method of operation may include initializing a microphone array in a defined space to receive one or more sound instances based on a preliminary beamform tracking configuration, detecting the one or more sound instances within the defined space via the microphone array, modifying the preliminary beamform tracking configuration, based on a location of the one or more sound instances, to create a modified beamform tracking configuration, and saving the modified beamform tracking configuration in a memory of a microphone array controller.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2021Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLCInventors: Iain Alexander McCowan, Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas William Metzar, Matthew V. Kotvis
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Patent number: 11606656Abstract: An example method of operation may include detecting an acoustic stimulus via active beams associated with at least one microphone disposed in a defined space, detecting loudspeaker characteristic information of at least one loudspeaker providing the acoustic stimulus, transmitting acoustic stimulus information based on the acoustic stimulus to a central controller, and modifying, via a central controller, at least one control function associated with the at least one microphone and the at least one loudspeaker to minimize acoustic feedback produced by the loudspeaker.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2021Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLCInventors: Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas William Metzar, Iain Alexander McCowan, Matthew V. Kotvis, Jason Damori, Scott Wieser
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Publication number: 20220078547Abstract: An example method of operation may include initializing a microphone array in a defined space to receive one or more sound instances based on a preliminary beamform tracking configuration, detecting the one or more sound instances within the defined space via the microphone array, modifying the preliminary beamform tracking configuration, based on a location of the one or more sound instances, to create a modified beamform tracking configuration, and saving the modified beamform tracking configuration in a memory of a microphone array controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Inventors: Iain Alexander McCowan, Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas William Metzar, Matthew V. Kotvis
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Patent number: 11211081Abstract: An example method of operation may include designating sub-regions which collectively provide a defined reception space, receiving audio signals at a controller from the microphone arrays in the defined reception space, configuring the controller with known locations of each of the microphone arrays, assigning each of the sub-regions to at least one of the microphone arrays based on the known locations, and creating beamform tracking configurations for each of the microphone arrays based on their assigned sub-regions.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLCInventors: Iain Alexander McCowan, Stefano Davolio, Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas William Metzar, Matthew V. Kotvis, Jeffrey William Sondermeyer, Jason Damori
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Patent number: 11178484Abstract: An example method of operation may include initializing a microphone array in a defined space to receive one or more sound instances based on a preliminary beamform tracking configuration, detecting the one or more sound instances within the defined space via the microphone array, modifying the preliminary beamform tracking configuration, based on a location of the one or more sound instances, to create a modified beamform tracking configuration, and saving the modified beamform tracking configuration in a memory of a microphone array controller.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2020Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLCInventors: Iain Alexander McCowan, Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas William Metzar, Matthew V. Kotvis
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Patent number: 11089418Abstract: An example method of operation may include detecting an acoustic stimulus via active beams associated with at least one microphone disposed in a defined space, detecting loudspeaker characteristic information of at least one loudspeaker providing the acoustic stimulus, transmitting acoustic stimulus information based on the acoustic stimulus to a central controller, and modifying, via a central controller, at least one control function associated with the at least one microphone and the at least one loudspeaker to minimize acoustic feedback produced by the loudspeaker.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLCInventors: Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas William Metzar, Iain Alexander McCowan, Matthew V. Kotvis, Jason Damori, Scott Wieser
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Publication number: 20200322719Abstract: An example method of operation may include initializing a microphone array in a defined space to receive one or more sound instances based on a preliminary beamform tracking configuration, detecting the one or more sound instances within the defined space via the microphone array, modifying the preliminary beamform tracking configuration, based on a location of the one or more sound instances, to create a modified beamform tracking configuration, and saving the modified beamform tracking configuration in a memory of a microphone array controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Iain Alexander McCowan, Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas William Metzar, Matthew V. Kotvis
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Patent number: 10741193Abstract: An example method of operation may include designating sub-regions which collectively provide a defined reception space, receiving audio signals at a controller from the microphone arrays in the defined reception space, configuring the controller with known locations of each of the microphone arrays, assigning each of the sub-regions to at least one of the microphone arrays based on the known locations, and creating beamform tracking configurations for each of the microphone arrays based on their assigned sub-regions.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLCInventors: Iain Alexander McCowan, Stefano Davolio, Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas William Metzar, Matthew V. Kotvis, Jeffrey William Sondermeyer, Jason Damori
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Patent number: 10694285Abstract: An example method of operation may include initializing a microphone array in a defined space to receive one or more sound instances based on a preliminary beamform tracking configuration, detecting the one or more sound instances within the defined space via the microphone array, modifying the preliminary beamform tracking configuration, based on a location of the one or more sound instances, to create a modified beamform tracking configuration, and saving the modified beamform tracking configuration in a memory of a microphone array controller.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLCInventors: Iain Alexander McCowan, Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas William Metzar, Matthew V. Kotvis
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Publication number: 20200154200Abstract: An example method of operation may include initializing a microphone array in a defined space to receive one or more sound instances based on a preliminary beamform tracking configuration, detecting the one or more sound instances within the defined space via the microphone array, modifying the preliminary beamform tracking configuration, based on a location of the one or more sound instances, to create a modified beamform tracking configuration, and saving the modified beamform tracking configuration in a memory of a microphone array controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2018Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Iain Alexander McCowan, Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas William Metzar, Matthew V. Kotvis
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Patent number: 10433086Abstract: An example method of operation may include detecting an acoustic stimulus via active beams associated with at least one microphone disposed in a defined space, detecting loudspeaker characteristic information of at least one loudspeaker providing the acoustic stimulus, transmitting acoustic stimulus information based on the acoustic stimulus to a central controller, and modifying, via a central controller, at least one control function associated with the at least one microphone and the at least one loudspeaker to minimize acoustic feedback produced by the loudspeaker.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLCInventors: Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas William Metzar, Iain Alexander McCowan, Matthew V. Kotvis, Jason Damori, Scott Wieser
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Patent number: 10210882Abstract: An example method of operation may include designating sub-regions which collectively provide a defined reception space, receiving audio signals at a controller from the microphone arrays in the defined reception space, configuring the controller with known locations of each of the microphone arrays, assigning each of the sub-regions to at least one of the microphone arrays based on the known locations, and creating beamform tracking configurations for each of the microphone arrays based on their assigned sub-regions.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2018Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLCInventors: Iain Alexander McCowan, Stefano Davolio, Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas William Metzar, Matthew V. Kotvis, Jeffrey William Sondermeyer, Jason Damori
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Patent number: 9659576Abstract: Audio conferencing systems and methods with mutual adaptation control of adaptive beamforming and adaptive acoustic echo cancellation are disclosed. Mutual adaptation control may be achieved in a system including an adaptive beamforming module, an adaptive acoustic echo cancellation module, and an adaptation control module. The adaptive beamforming module has a controllable beamforming adaptivity and a beamforming adaptation state. The adaptive acoustic echo cancellation module has a controllable AEC adaptivity and an AEC adaptation state. The adaptation control module is configured and/or operates (i) to modify the beamforming adaptivity when the AEC adaptation state is unsettled (adapting to changed conditions), (ii) to modify the AEC adaptivity when the beamforming adaptation state is unsettled (adapting to changed conditions), (iii) to restore the beamforming adaptivity when the AEC adaptation state is settled, and (iv) to restore the AEC adaptivity when the beamforming adaptation state is settled.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2016Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Biamp Systems CorporationInventors: Matthew V. Kotvis, Iain Alexander McCowan, Ted S. Wada, Richard S. Juszkiewicz, Nicholas W. Metzar, Jeffrey William Sondermeyer
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Patent number: 9462380Abstract: A microphone array system for sound acquisition from multiple sound sources in a reception space surrounding a microphone array that is interfaced with a beamformer module is disclosed. The microphone array includes microphone transducers that are arranged relative to each other in N-fold rotationally symmetry, and the beamformer includes beamformer weights that are associated with one of a plurality of spatial reception sectors corresponding to the N-fold rotational symmetry of the microphone array. Microphone indexes of the microphone transducers are arithmetically displaceable angularly about the vertical axis during a process cycle, so that a same set of beamformer weights is used selectively for calculating a beamformer output signal associated with any one of the spatial reception sectors. A sound source location module is also disclosed that includes a modified steered power response sound source location method. A post filter module for a microphone array system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Biamp Systems CorporationInventor: Iain Alexander McCowan
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Publication number: 20150146882Abstract: A microphone array system for sound acquisition from multiple sound sources in a reception space surrounding a microphone array that is interfaced with a beamformer module is disclosed. The microphone array includes microphone transducers that are arranged relative to each other in N-fold rotationally symmetry, and the beamformer includes beamformer weights that are associated with one of a plurality of spatial reception sectors corresponding to the N-fold rotational symmetry of the microphone array. Microphone indexes of the microphone transducers are arithmetically displaceable angularly about the vertical axis during a process cycle, so that a same set of beamformer weights is used selectively for calculating a beamformer output signal associated with any one of the spatial reception sectors. A sound source location module is also disclosed that includes a modified steered power response sound source location method. A post filter module for a microphone array system is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: DEV-AUDIO PTY LTD.Inventor: Iain Alexander McCowan
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Patent number: 8923529Abstract: A microphone array system (16) for sound acquisition from multiple sound sources in a reception space surrounding a microphone array (18) that is interfaced with a beamformer module (28) is disclosed. The microphone array (18) includes microphone transducers (22) that are arranged relative to each other in N-fold rotationally symmetry, and the beamformer includes beamformer weights that are associated with one of a plurality of spatial reception sectors corresponding to the N-fold rotational symmetry of the microphone array (18). Microphone indexes of the microphone transducers (18) are arithmetically displaceable angularly about the vertical axis during a process cycle, so that a same set of beamformer weights is used selectively for calculating a beamformer output signal associated with any one of the spatial reception sectors. A sound source location module (30) is also disclosed that includes a modified steered power response sound source location method.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Biamp Systems CorporationInventor: Iain Alexander McCowan
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Publication number: 20110164761Abstract: A microphone array system (16) for sound acquisition from multiple sound sources in a reception space surrounding a microphone array (18) that is interfaced with a beamformer module (28) is disclosed. The microphone array (18) includes microphone transducers (22) that are arranged relative to each other in N-fold rotationally symmetry, and the beamformer includes beamformer weights that are associated with one of a plurality of spatial reception sectors corresponding to the N-fold rotational symmetry of the microphone array (18). Microphone indexes of the microphone transducers (18) are arithmetically displaceable angularly about the vertical axis during a process cycle, so that a same set of beamformer weights is used selectively for calculating a beamformer output signal associated with any one of the spatial reception sectors. A sound source location module (30) is also disclosed that includes a modified steered power response sound source location method.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2009Publication date: July 7, 2011Inventor: Iain Alexander McCowan