Patents by Inventor L. Dexter Bates

L. Dexter Bates 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: 7792311
    Abstract: Techniques for processing input signals in accordance with an output configuration are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, a module implemented in a sound reproducing device is configured to determine whether a sound in the input audio source can be reproduced properly through speakers of an output configuration of the device by examining the sound effects in the input audio sound and the output channel in the output configuration, producing synthetically a sound effect if the number of sound channels is greater than the number of sound effects, or reducing synthetically a sound effect if the number of sound channels is less than the number of sound effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.,
    Inventors: Steve F. Holmgren, Jonathan P. Lang, L. Dexter Bates, John L. MacFarlane
  • Patent number: 7696816
    Abstract: An amplifier system receives an input signal and generating therefrom an amplified output signal. The amplifier system is recited as comprising an input stage and an amplifier stage. The input stage is configured to receive the input signal and provide a level-shifted signal that has an average signal level that is shifted in regards a level shift value. The amplifier stage is configured to receive the level-shifted input signal from the input stage and generate therefrom the amplified output signal. The level shift value being selected to minimize a DC offset in the amplified output signal at least when the amplifier system is initially powered on. Since the amplified output signal has a minimal or zero DC offset, the amplifier system avoids generation of undesirable noises when it is initially powered on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: L. Dexter Bates
  • Publication number: 20080197921
    Abstract: An amplifier system receives an input signal and generating therefrom an amplified output signal. The amplifier system is recited as comprising an input stage and an amplifier stage. The input stage is configured to receive the input signal and provide a level-shifted signal that has an average signal level that is shifted in regards a level shift value. The amplifier stage is configured to receive the level-shifted input signal from the input stage and generate therefrom the amplified output signal. The level shift value being selected to minimize a DC offset in the amplified output signal at least when the amplifier system is initially powered on. Since the amplified output signal has a minimal or zero DC offset, the amplifier system avoids generation of undesirable noises when it is initially powered on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: L. Dexter Bates
  • Patent number: 7378903
    Abstract: An amplifier system receives an input signal and generating therefrom an amplified output signal. The amplifier system is recited as comprising an input stage and an amplifier stage. The input stage is configured to receive the input signal and provide a level-shifted signal that has an average signal level that is shifted in regards a level shift value. The amplifier stage is configured to receive the level-shifted input signal from the input stage and generate therefrom the amplified output signal. The level shift value being selected to minimize a DC offset in the amplified output signal at least when the amplifier system is initially powered on. Since the amplified output signal has a minimal or zero DC offset, the amplifier system avoids generation of undesirable noises when it is initially powered on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: L. Dexter Bates
  • Patent number: 4071689
    Abstract: An electrographic sensor for determining planar coordinates is described whereby graphical material to be analyzed may be placed beneath, or projected against, the rear surface of the sensor. This sensor is of particular value for placing on the face of a cathode ray tube. The sensor includes a rigid, optically transparent substrate having an extremely uniform, substantially transparent resistive layer applied to one surface, small electrodes in contact with the resistive layer and individual resistors connected between adjacent electrodes to produce a resistance network around the perimeter of the substrate. Means are provided to produce orthogonal electrical fields in the resistive layer whereby the contacting of the resistive layer with a conductive stylus produces voltage signals at the stylus which are proportional to the coordinates of the point of contact. The second surface of the substrate may be made translucent for projecting optical images thereagainst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1978
    Assignee: Elographics, Incorporated
    Inventors: John E. Talmage, L. Dexter Bates