Patents by Inventor John F. Holzrichter

John F. Holzrichter 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: 9022032
    Abstract: An implanted stimulation device or air control device are activated by an external radar-like sensor for controlling apnea. The radar-like sensor senses the closure of the air flow cavity, and associated control circuitry signals (1) a stimulator to cause muscles to open the air passage way that is closing or closed or (2) an air control device to open the air passage way that is closing or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Lawwrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: John F. Holzrichter
  • Publication number: 20130317809
    Abstract: A non-acoustic sensor is used to measure a user's speech and then broadcasts an obscuring acoustic signal diminishing the user's vocal acoustic output intensity and/or distorting the voice sounds making them unintelligible to persons nearby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: John F. Holzrichter
  • Patent number: 8532987
    Abstract: A non-acoustic sensor is used to measure a user's speech and then broadcasts an obscuring acoustic signal diminishing the user's vocal acoustic output intensity and/or distorting the voice sounds making them unintelligible to persons nearby. The non-acoustic sensor is positioned proximate or contacting a user's neck or head skin tissue for sensing speech production information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: John F. Holzrichter
  • Patent number: 8447585
    Abstract: A system and method for characterizing, synthesizing, and/or canceling out acoustic signals from inanimate sound sources is disclosed. Propagating wave electromagnetic sensors monitor excitation sources in sound producing systems, such as machines, musical instruments, and various other structures. Acoustical output from these sound producing systems is also monitored. From such information, a transfer function characterizing the sound producing system is generated. From the transfer function, acoustical output from the sound producing system may be synthesized or canceled. The methods disclosed enable accurate calculation of matched transfer functions relating specific excitations to specific acoustical outputs. Knowledge of such signals and functions can be used to effect various sound replication, sound source identification, and sound cancellation applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC.
    Inventors: John F. Holzrichter, Greg C. Burnett, Lawrence C. Ng
  • Publication number: 20120240934
    Abstract: An implanted stimulation device or air control device are activated by an external radar-like sensor for controlling apnea. The radar-like sensor senses the closure of the air flow cavity, and associated control circuitry signals (1) a stimulator to cause muscles to open the air passage way that is closing or closed or (2) an air control device to open the air passage way that is closing or closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: John F. Holzrichter
  • Publication number: 20120053931
    Abstract: A non-acoustic sensor is used to measure a user's speech and then broadcasts an obscuring acoustic signal diminishing the user's vocal acoustic output intensity and/or distorting the voice sounds making them unintelligible to persons nearby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: John F. Holzrichter
  • Patent number: 7283948
    Abstract: A system and method for characterizing, synthesizing, and/or canceling out acoustic signals from inanimate sound sources is disclosed. Propagating wave electromagnetic sensors monitor excitation sources in sound producing systems, such as machines, musical instruments, and various other structures. Acoustical output from these sound producing systems is also monitored. From such information, a transfer function characterizing the sound producing system is generated. From the transfer function, acoustical output from the sound producing system may be synthesized or canceled. The methods disclosed enable accurate calculation of matched transfer functions relating specific excitations to specific acoustical outputs. Knowledge of such signals and functions can be used to effect various sound replication, sound source identification, and sound cancellation applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John F. Holzrichter, Greg C. Burnett, Lawrence C. Ng
  • Patent number: 7231350
    Abstract: A method and system for speech characterization. One embodiment includes a method for speaker verification which includes collecting data from a speaker, wherein the data comprises acoustic data and non-acoustic data. The data is used to generate a template that includes a first set of “template” parameters. The method further includes receiving a real-time identity claim from a claimant, and using acoustic data and non-acoustic data from the identity claim to generate a second set of parameters. The method further includes comparing the first set of parameters to the set of parameters to determine whether the claimant is the speaker. The first set of parameters and the second set of parameters include at least one purely non-acoustic parameter, including a non-acoustic glottal shape parameter derived from averaging multiple glottal cycle waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Todd J. Gable, Lawrence C. Ng, John F. Holzrichter, Greg C. Burnett
  • Patent number: 7191105
    Abstract: A system for characterizing, synthesizing, and/or canceling out acoustic signals from inanimate and animate sound sources. Electromagnetic sensors monitor excitation sources in sound producing systems, such as animate sound sources such as the human voice, or from machines, musical instruments, and various other structures. Acoustical output from these sound producing systems is also monitored. From such information, a transfer function characterizing the sound producing system is generated. From the transfer function, acoustical output from the sound producing system may be synthesized or canceled. The systems disclosed enable accurate calculation of transfer functions relating specific excitations to specific acoustical outputs. Knowledge of such signals and functions can be used to effect various sound replication, sound source identification, and sound cancellation applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John F. Holzrichter, Lawrence C. Ng
  • Patent number: 7162415
    Abstract: A system of removing excess information from a human speech signal and coding the remaining signal information, transmitting the coded signal, and reconstructing the coded signal. The system uses one or more EM wave sensors and one or more acoustic microphones to determine at least one characteristic of the human speech signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John F. Holzrichter, Lawrence C. Ng
  • Patent number: 7120184
    Abstract: A system for generating a powerful laser beam includes a first laser element and at least one additional laser element having a rear laser mirror, an output mirror that is 100% reflective at normal incidence and <5% reflective at an input beam angle, and laser material between the rear laser mirror and the output mirror. The system includes an injector, a reference laser beam source, an amplifier and phase conjugater, and a combiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: John F. Holzrichter
  • Patent number: 7089177
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for characterizing human (or animate) speech voiced excitation functions and acoustic signals, for removing unwanted acoustic noise which often occurs when a speaker uses a microphone in common environments, and for synthesizing personalized or modified human (or other animate) speech upon command from a controller. A low power EM sensor is used to detect the motions of windpipe tissues in the glottal region of the human speech system before, during, and after voiced speech is produced by a user. From these tissue motion measurements, a voiced excitation function can be derived. Further, the excitation function provides speech production information to enhance noise removal from human speech and it enables accurate transfer functions of speech to be obtained. Previously stored excitation and transfer functions can be used for synthesizing personalized or modified human speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Greg C. Burnett, John F. Holzrichter, Lawrence C. Ng
  • Patent number: 7035795
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for characterizing human (or animate) speech voiced excitation functions and acoustic signals, for removing unwanted acoustic noise which often occurs when a speaker uses a microphone in common environments, and for synthesizing personalized or modified human (or other animate) speech upon command from a controller. A low power EM sensor is used to detect the motions of windpipe tissues in the glottal region of the human speech system before, during, and after voiced speech is produced by a user. From these tissue motion measurements, a voiced excitation function can be derived. Further, the excitation function provides speech production information to enhance noise removal from human speech and it enables accurate transfer functions of speech to be obtained. Previously stored excitation and transfer functions can be used for synthesizing personalized or modified human speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Greg C. Burnett, John F. Holzrichter, Lawrence C. Ng
  • Patent number: 7016833
    Abstract: A method and system for speech characterization. One embodiment includes a method for speaker verification which includes collecting data from a speaker, wherein the data comprises acoustic data and non-acoustic data. The data is used to generate a template that includes a first set of “template” parameters. The method further includes receiving a real-time identity claim from a claimant, and using acoustic data and non-acoustic data from the identity claim to generate a second set of parameters. The method further includes comparing the first set of parameters to the set of parameters to determine whether the claimant is the speaker. The first set of parameters and the second set of parameters include at least one purely non-acoustic parameter, including a non-acoustic glottal shape parameter derived from averaging multiple glottal cycle waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Todd J. Gable, Lawrence C. Ng, John F. Holzrichter, Greg C. Burnett
  • Patent number: 6999924
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for characterizing human (or animate) speech voiced excitation functions and acoustic signals, for removing unwanted acoustic noise which often occurs when a speaker uses a microphone in common environments, and for synthesizing personalized or modified human (or other animate) speech upon command from a controller. A low power EM sensor is used to detect the motions of windpipe tissues in the glottal region of the human speech system before, during, and after voiced speech is produced by a user. From these tissue motion measurements, a voiced excitation function can be derived. Further, the excitation function provides speech production information to enhance noise removal from human speech and it enables accurate transfer functions of speech to be obtained. Previously stored excitation and transfer functions can be used for synthesizing personalized or modified human speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Greg C. Burnett, John F. Holzrichter, Lawrence C. Ng
  • Patent number: 6738044
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for controlling a computer display in a workspace using an input unit/output unit. A train of EM waves are sent out to flood the workspace. EM waves are reflected from the input unit/output unit. A relative distance moved information signal is created using the EM waves that are reflected from the input unit/output unit. Algorithms are used to convert the relative distance moved information signal to a display signal. The computer display is controlled in response to the display signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John F. Holzrichter, Erwin T. Rosenbury
  • Publication number: 20040083100
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for characterizing human (or animate) speech voiced excitation functions and acoustic signals, for removing unwanted acoustic noise which often occurs when a speaker uses a microphone in common environments, and for synthesizing personalized or modified human (or other animate) speech upon command from a controller. A low power EM sensor is used to detect the motions of windpipe tissues in the glottal region of the human speech system before, during, and after voiced speech is produced by a user. From these tissue motion measurements, a voiced excitation function can be derived. Further, the excitation function provides speech production information to enhance noise removal from human speech and it enables accurate transfer functions of speech to be obtained. Previously stored excitation and transfer functions can be used for synthesizing personalized or modified human speech.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Greg C. Burnett, John F. Holzrichter, Lawrence C. Ng
  • Patent number: 6711539
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for characterizing human (or animate) speech voiced excitation functions and acoustic signals, for removing unwanted acoustic noise which often occurs when a speaker uses a microphone in common environments, and for synthesizing personalized or modified human (or other animate) speech upon command from a controller. A low power EM sensor is used to detect the motions of windpipe tissues in the glottal region of the human speech system before, during, and after voiced speech is produced by a user. From these tissue motion measurements, a voiced excitation function can be derived. Further, the excitation function provides speech production information to enhance noise removal from human speech and it enables accurate transfer functions of speech to be obtained. Previously stored excitation and transfer functions can be used for synthesizing personalized or modified human speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Greg C. Burnett, John F. Holzrichter, Lawrence C. Ng
  • Patent number: 6693943
    Abstract: A first injection laser signal and a first part of a reference laser beam are injected into a first laser element. At least one additional injection laser signal and at least one additional part of a reference laser beam are injected into at least one additional laser element. The first part of a reference laser beam and the at least one additional part of a reference laser beam are amplified and phase conjugated producing a first amplified output laser beam emanating from the first laser element and an additional amplified output laser beam emanating from the at least one additional laser element. The first amplified output laser beam and the additional amplified output laser beam are combined into a powerful laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John F. Holzrichter, Anthony J. Ruggiero
  • Publication number: 20030149553
    Abstract: A system for characterizing, synthesizing, and/or canceling out acoustic signals from inanimate and animate sound sources. Electromagnetic sensors monitor excitation sources in sound producing systems, such as animate sound sources such as the human voice, or from machines, musical instruments, and various other structures. Acoustical output from these sound producing systems is also monitored. From such information, a transfer function characterizing the sound producing system is generated. From the transfer function, acoustical output from the sound producing system may be synthesized or canceled. The systems disclosed enable accurate calculation of transfer functions relating specific excitations to specific acoustical outputs. Knowledge of such signals and functions can be used to effect various sound replication, sound source identification, and sound cancellation applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: John F. Holzrichter