Patents by Inventor John G. Harris
John G. Harris 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: 8804975Abstract: Devices and methods for digital sound leveling are disclosed. The subject devices and methods can be used to reduce the risk of noise induced hearing loss. According to an embodiment, an audio file can be parsed into frames that are filtered using an A-weighted digital filter and scaled to a desired power level. Accordingly, the dynamic range of an audio output at a particular volume level can be controlled.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, IncorporatedInventors: John G. Harris, Colleen Garbe Le Prell, Qing Yang
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Patent number: 8139654Abstract: A method for coding time signals based on generating an asynchronous biphasic pulse train is provided. The method includes generating response signals based upon one or more input signals. A pulse comprises a positive pulse if a voltage of the response signal is greater than a predetermined positive voltage threshold. A pulse comprises a negative pulse if the voltage of the response signal is less than a predetermined negative voltage threshold. The method further includes a method for the reconstruction of a uniformly sampled version of the original signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2006Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: University of Florida Research FoundationInventors: Du Chen, John G. Harris, Jose C. Principe
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Publication number: 20110311067Abstract: Devices and methods for digital sound leveling are disclosed. The subject devices and methods can be used to reduce the risk of noise induced hearing loss. According to an embodiment, an audio file can be parsed into frames that are filtered using an A-weighted digital filter and scaled to a desired power level. Accordingly, the dynamic range of an audio output at a particular volume level can be controlled.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: John G. Harris, Colleen Garbe Le Prell, Qing Yang
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Patent number: 7965779Abstract: A multi-scale spike detector for performing multi-resolution spike detections of a signal is provided. The spike detector includes a gamma filter having cascaded low-pass filters. The cascaded filters collectively provide different cutoff frequencies, each of the filters having a respective output. One of the filters has an input, at which the signal is received. The spike detector further includes combining circuitry that combines at least some of the respective outputs of the cascaded filters. The differences formed from this combining provide a waveform representation of the input signal. The waveform representation consists essentially of spikes that occur in the signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2006Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundating, Inc.Inventors: Christy L. She, John G. Harris, Jose C. Principe
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Patent number: 7676362Abstract: A speech filter (108) enhances the loudness of a speech signal by expanding the formant regions of the speech signal beyond a natural bandwidth of the formant regions. The energy level of the speech signal is maintained so that the filtered speech signal contains the same energy as the pre-filtered signal. By expanding the formant regions of the speech signal on a critical band scale corresponding to human hearing, the listener of the speech signal perceives it to be louder even though the signal contains the same energy.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2004Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Marc A. Boillot, John G. Harris
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Patent number: 7596589Abstract: A time-mode analog computation circuit is provided. The time-mode analog computation circuit includes one or more inputs for receiving one or more temporal input signals. The time-mode analog computation circuit further includes circuitry for performing a mathematical operation based on the one or more temporal input signals. A result of the mathematical operation is expressed in a timing of an output signal generated by the circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2005Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Vishnu V. Ravinuthula, John G. Harris, Jose A. B. Fortes
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Patent number: 7474345Abstract: A time domain sampling technique for a CMOS imager enables a wide dynamic range and flexibility by employing up to two-degrees of freedom during such sampling. Two degrees of freedom can be achieved by making one or both of an integration time and a reference (e.g., voltage or current) variable during sampling. The sampling (or image capture) is implemented by associating a time with when a pixel has a desired value relative to the reference in response to the pixel receiving incident light. The reference can be fixed or variable during different portions of the sampling, and further can be programmable to implement a desired sampling pattern for a given application.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Qiang Luo, Zhiliang Julian Chen, John G. Harris, Steve Clynes, Michael Erwin
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Publication number: 20080247471Abstract: A multi-scale spike detector for performing multi-resolution spike detections of a signal is provided. The spike detector includes a gamma filter having cascaded low-pass filters. The cascaded filters collectively provide different cutoff frequencies, each of the filters having a respective output. One of the filters has an input, at which the signal is received. The spike detector further includes combining circuitry that combines at least some of the respective outputs of the cascaded filters. The differences formed from this combining provide a waveform representation of the input signal. The waveform representation consists essentially of spikes that occur in the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2006Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Christy L. She, John G. Harris, Jose C. Principe
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Publication number: 20080192841Abstract: A method for coding time signals based on generating an asynchronous biphasic pulse train is provided. The method includes generating response signals based upon one or more input signals. A pulse comprises a positive pulse if a voltage of the response signal is greater than a predetermined positive voltage threshold. A pulse comprises a negative pulse if the voltage of the response signal is less than a predetermined negative voltage threshold. The method further includes a method for the reconstruction of a uniformly sampled version of the original signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2006Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INCInventors: Du Chen, John G. Harris, Jose C. Principe
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Patent number: 7324035Abstract: An amplifier-based system having pulsed output includes an amplifier for amplifying a time varying voltage signal to produce an output voltage signal. A voltage-to-current (V-I) converter converts the output voltage signal into a current signal. An output stage including a current integrator integrates the current signal to generate an integrated voltage. An amplitude to time converter generates a pulse train from the integrated voltage, wherein a timing of the pulses in the pulse train represents the original time varying voltage signal. The pulse train representation permits transmission and accurate remote reconstruction of the original time varying voltage signal, such as signals generated by electrodes implanted inside a subject, including neural signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: John G. Harris, Du Chen, Dazhi Wei, Jose C. Principe
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Patent number: 7177803Abstract: Human hearing perceives loudness based on critical bands corresponding to different frequency ranges. As a sound's frequency spectrum increases beyond a critical band into a previously unexcited critical band, the perception is that the sound has increased in loudness. To take advantage of this principle, a filter is applied to a speech signal so as to expand the formant bandwidths of formants in the speech sample.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2002Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Marc A. Boillot, John G. Harris, Thomas L. Reinke, Zaffer S. Merchant, Jaime A. Borras
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Patent number: 7071982Abstract: An imaging architecture is provided employing CMOS imaging sensors. The imaging architecture utilizes time domain sampling techniques to extract image data from a photodiode (PD) pixel array. The CMOS imaging architecture associates time index values with firing of CMOS imaging sensors in response to a capture of an image. The time index values correspond to the brightness of the illumination received by the CMOS imaging sensor. The time index value associated with the firing of the CMOS imaging sensor can be stored and employed in reconstruction of the image. The imaging architecture includes systems and methods for reading and compressing imaging data extracted from the PD pixel array.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Qiang Luo, Zhiliang Julian Chen, John G. Harris, Steve Clynes, Michael Erwin
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Publication number: 20040024591Abstract: Human hearing perceives loudness based on critical bands corresponding to different frequency ranges. As a sound's frequency spectrum increases beyond a critical band into a pr3eviously unexcited critical band, the perception is that the sound has increased in loudness. To take advantage of this principle, a filter is applied to a speech signal so as to expand the formant bandwidths of formants in the speech sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2002Publication date: February 5, 2004Inventors: Marc A. Boillot, John G. Harris, Thomas L. Reinke, Zaffer S. Merchant, Jaime A. Borras
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Patent number: 6660989Abstract: This CMOS imager represents illuminance in the time domain. Once per frame, each pixel outputs a pulse after a time proportional to the illuminance on that pixel. Therefore, the illuminance on that pixel is related to the time difference between its pulse event and global reset of the imager. A counter reports the times of these pulse events in a digital format. Thus no analog to digital converter is necessary. This imager enables easy computation of pixel intensity histograms. Frame data is stored in pixel intensity order using row and column arbiters to produce a pixel address. Because each pixel has its own exposure time, the imager has a wide dynamic range of 120 dB. This imager has low power dissipation and avoids the noise and mismatch problems of prior complicated analog readout circuits.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Xiaochuan Guo, Zhiliang Julian Chen, John G. Harris
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Patent number: 6642503Abstract: A photodiode sensor (25) has a photodiode (30) with an associated capacitance (34), which may be a parasitic capacitance of the photodiode (30). A switch (36) is provided for charging the capacitance (34) to a predetermined reset voltage (Vreset), such that when light impinges upon the photodiode (30), the voltage on the capacitance (34) discharges in a time proportional to an intensity of the light. A circuit (42) is also provided for measuring the time for the capacitance (34) to discharge to a predetermined threshold value (33), which may be a function of time. The voltage on the output (38) of the comparator (28) may be sampled, with the sampling period also being variable as a function of time. The image may be reconstructed from time data indicating the relative times that discharge voltage of the pixels in an array cross the reference voltage (33).Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Ravi K. Kummaraguntla, Zhiliang Julian Chen, John G. Harris
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Publication number: 20030081134Abstract: An imaging architecture is provided employing CMOS imaging sensors. The imaging architecture utilizes time domain sampling techniques to extract image data from a photodiode (PD) pixel array. The CMOS imaging architecture associates time index values with firing of CMOS imaging sensors in response to a capture of an image. The time index values correspond to the brightness of the illumination received by the CMOS imaging sensor. The time index value associated with the firing of the CMOS imaging sensor can be stored and employed in reconstruction of the image. The imaging architecture includes systems and methods for reading and compressing imaging data extracted from the PD pixel array.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Qiang Luo, Zhiliang Julian Chen, John G. Harris, Steve Clynes, Michael Erwin
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Publication number: 20030076432Abstract: A time domain sampling technique for a CMOS imager enables a wide dynamic range and flexibility by employing up to two-degrees of freedom during such sampling. Two degrees of freedom can be achieved by making one or both of an integration time and a reference (e.g., voltage or current) variable during sampling. The sampling (or image capture) is implemented by associating a time with when a pixel has a desired value relative to the reference in response to the pixel receiving incident light. The reference can be fixed or variable during different portions of the sampling, and further can be programmable to implement a desired sampling pattern for a given application.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Inventors: Qiang Luo, Zhiliang Julian Chen, John G. Harris, Steve Clynes, Michael Erwin
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Publication number: 20030015647Abstract: This CMOS imager represents illuminance in the time domain. Once per frame, each pixel outputs a pulse after a time proportional to the illuminance on that pixel. Therefore, the illuminance on that pixel is related to the time difference between its pulse event and global reset of the imager. A counter reports the times of these pulse events in a digital format. Thus no analog to digital converter is necessary. This imager enables easy computation of pixel intensity histograms. Frame data is stored in pixel intensity order using row and column arbiters to produce a pixel address. Because each pixel has its own exposure time, the imager has a wide dynamic range of 120 dB. This imager has low power dissipation and avoids the noise and mismatch problems of prior complicated analog readout circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventors: Xiaochuan Guo, Zhiliang Julian Chen, John G. Harris
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Publication number: 20030001080Abstract: A photodiode sensor (25) has a photodiode (30) with an associated capacitance (34), which may be a parasitic capacitance of the photodiode (30). A switch (36) is provided for charging the capacitance (34) to a predetermined reset voltage (Vreset) such that when light impinges upon the photodiode (30), the voltage on the capacitance (34) discharges in a time proportional to an intensity of the light. A circuit (42) is also provided for measuring the time for the capacitance (34) to discharge to a predetermined threshold value (33), which may be a function of time. The voltage on the output (38) of the comparator (28) may be sampled, with the sampling period also being variable as a function of time. The image may be reconstructed from time data indicating the relative times that discharge voltage of the pixels in an array cross the reference voltage (33).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Applicant: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Ravi K. Kummaraguntla, Zhiliang Julian Chen, John G. Harris
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Patent number: 6420927Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and circuit design particularly useful for long time constant RC active or passive circuits in either continuous or discrete time domains. The subject invention also relates to a method and circuit design useful for long time constant RL active or passive circuits in either continuous or discrete time domains. The subject invention can find advantage in the mixed-signal, electronic circuit component market. The subject invention widens the application and the price/performance ratio of VLSI analog electronic circuits, and can be easily included in conventional circuit designs.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: University of FloridaInventors: Vitor Manual Grade Tavares, Jose C. Principe, John G. Harris, Pedro Guedes de Oliveira