Patents by Inventor Leonard Charles Layton

Leonard Charles Layton 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: 11348595
    Abstract: A system and method that enhances spoken utterances and provides entertainment by capturing one or more microphone signals containing echo and decomposing the one or more microphone signals into a plurality of signal paths through a synthesizer that adds or makes non-linear modifications to some of the captured one or more microphone signals. The system and method and estimates multiple echo paths from each of the one the one or more microphones. The system and method processes the captured microphone signals in response to the estimated plurality of echo paths by subtracting the echo contributions of each of the plurality of echo paths from the captured one or more microphone signals. The system and method also provide signal separation and post processing functions that renders speech recognition gaming applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignees: BlackBerry Limited, 2236008 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Alan Hetherington, Shreyas Anand Paranjpe, Leonard Charles Layton
  • Publication number: 20220068120
    Abstract: A method at an infrastructure unit of signaling a presence of a vulnerable road user, the method including receiving at least one report from a sensor unit, the at least one report indicating the presence of the vulnerable road user; composing a message indicating the presence of the vulnerable road user; and transmitting the message to road users proximate the infrastructure unit on a channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas Patrick Alfano, Michael Peter Montemurro, James Randolph Winter Lepp, Leonard Charles Layton, Stephen McCann
  • Publication number: 20210096813
    Abstract: A method and intelligent recording and action system (IRAS) for initiating action based on content played by a vehicle infotainment system in a vehicle is described. The method comprises detecting a voice command in an audio signal received by at least one microphone; determining that the voice command relates to audio content output by the vehicle infotainment system and, based on that determination, parsing buffered output audio content from the vehicle infotainment system to extract data relating to the voice command; and initiating an action based on the extracted data and the voice command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Leonard Charles LAYTON
  • Patent number: 10793066
    Abstract: A system and method for a vehicular alert that detects a person or animal, determines an environmental noise level from a microphone, determines an alert characteristic response to detection of the person or animal, and emits the alert signal based on the determined alert characteristic, which is adjusted based on the environmental noise level. The alert signal draws the attention of the person or animal to the vehicle to reduce the likelihood of an accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: 2236008 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vincent, Leonard Charles Layton
  • Patent number: 10638226
    Abstract: A digital audio system, which may be an integrated audio system of a vehicle, includes a microphone, a loudspeaker, and a processor. The processor is operable to modify digital audio signals based on tuning parameters to compensate for acoustic characteristics of the environment. The processor is further operable to detect that modification of digital audio signals based on the tuning parameters cannot fully compensate for the acoustic characteristics of the environment. The detection is based on an audio signal corresponding to audio captured from the environment and/or on the values of the tuning parameters. Upon detecting that modification of digital audio signals based on the tuning parameters cannot fully compensate for the acoustic characteristics of the environment, an indication is provided that the audio system should be calibrated to adjust the tuning parameters to the environment. Related methods and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignees: BlackBerry Limited, 2236008 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Shreyas Anand Paranjpe, Robert Joseph Soja, II, Leonard Charles Layton
  • Patent number: 10629182
    Abstract: A method and system for adaptive noise masking powertrain noise in a vehicle is described. The method comprises: determining frequency and amplitude characteristics of the powertrain noise; determining amplitude characteristics of background noise in the vehicle; dynamically generating a masking audio signal based on the determined characteristics of the powertrain noise and background noise; and outputting the masking audio signal in a cabin of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignees: BlackBerry Limited, 2236008 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Charles Layton, Mark Robert Every
  • Publication number: 20200092645
    Abstract: A digital audio system, which may be an integrated audio system of a vehicle, includes a microphone, a loudspeaker, and a processor. The processor is operable to modify digital audio signals based on tuning parameters to compensate for acoustic characteristics of the environment. The processor is further operable to detect that modification of digital audio signals based on the tuning parameters cannot fully compensate for the acoustic characteristics of the environment. The detection is based on an audio signal corresponding to audio captured from the environment and/or on the values of the tuning parameters. Upon detecting that modification of digital audio signals based on the tuning parameters cannot fully compensate for the acoustic characteristics of the environment, an indication is provided that the audio system should be calibrated to adjust the tuning parameters to the environment. Related methods and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicants: BlackBerry Limited, 2236008 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Shreyas Anand PARANJPE, Robert Joseph SOJA, II, Leonard Charles LAYTON
  • Patent number: 10580288
    Abstract: A method and system of fault detection for an alert generation system. In the audio alert generation system, a stored digital alert audio file is selected to be processed to generate an analog audio signal to drive a speaker. An alert fault detection system obtaining a signal from the audio alert generation system, converts the obtained signal to a digitally-formatted obtained audio signal, detects a fault in the audio alert generation system by comparing the digitally-formatted obtained audio signal with the stored digital alert audio file, and triggers a fault indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignees: BlackBerry Limited, 2236008 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Charles Layton, Frank Linseisen, Michael Andrew Percy
  • Publication number: 20190378401
    Abstract: A method and system of fault detection for an alert generation system. In the audio alert generation system, a stored digital alert audio file is selected to be processed to generate an analog audio signal to drive a speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicants: BlackBerry Limited, 2236008 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Charles LAYTON, Frank LINSEISEN, Michael Andrew PERCY
  • Patent number: 10497346
    Abstract: A multimodal system and process processed one or more sensor signals and extracts features from the one or more sensor signals through a spatiotemporal correlation between consecutive frames of an image or video sequence. The multimodal system and process determines the movement and direction of the features through an image subtraction, or a coherence measure and synthesizes a musical instrument signal in response to the detected movement and direction or the triggers. The imaginary musical instrument signal is added to an infotainment signal within a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignees: 2236008 Ontario Inc., BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Shreyas Anand Paranjpe, Phillip Alan Hetherington, Leonard Charles Layton
  • Publication number: 20190344710
    Abstract: A system and method for a vehicular alert that detects a person or animal, determines an environmental noise level from a microphone, determines an alert characteristic response to detection of the person or animal, and emits the alert signal based on the determined alert characteristic, which is adjusted based on the environmental noise level. The alert signal draws the attention of the person or animal to the vehicle to reduce the likelihood of an accident.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: 2236008 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Robert VINCENT, Leonard Charles LAYTON
  • Patent number: 10363869
    Abstract: A system and method for pedestrian alert that derives a pedestrian path representing a projected path for a pedestrian, derives a vehicle path representing a projected path for a motor vehicle, determines an intersection of the pedestrian path and the vehicle path, determines alert characteristics responsive to the determined intersection, and generates an alert that is emitted from the vehicle responsive to the determined alert characteristics. The system and method for pedestrian alert may be built, installed or implemented in a motor vehicles that is operated in environments where the motor vehicle may be in close proximity to pedestrians. The system and method for pedestrian alert mitigates the likelihood of a collision between the motor vehicle and a pedestrian by emitting an alert that may draw the attention of the pedestrian to the presence of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: 2236008 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vincent, Leonard Charles Layton
  • Patent number: 10140089
    Abstract: A system and method that enhances spoken utterances by capturing one or more microphone signals. The system and method estimates a plurality of echo paths from each of the one or more microphone signals and synthesizes a speech reinforcement signal in response to and corresponding to the one or more microphone signals. The system and method concatenates portions of the synthesized reinforcement signal with the captured microphone signals and processes the captured microphone signals in response to the estimated plurality of echo paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignees: 2236008 Ontario Inc., BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Shreyas Paranjpe, Phillip Alan Hetherington, Leonard Charles Layton
  • Publication number: 20180272933
    Abstract: A system and method for pedestrian alert that derives a pedestrian path representing a projected path for a pedestrian, derives a vehicle path representing a projected path for a motor vehicle, determines an intersection of the pedestrian path and the vehicle path, determines alert characteristics responsive to the determined intersection, and generates an alert that is emitted from the vehicle responsive to the determined alert characteristics. The system and method for pedestrian alert may be built, installed or implemented in a motor vehicles that is operated in environments where the motor vehicle may be in close proximity to pedestrians. The system and method for pedestrian alert mitigates the likelihood of a collision between the motor vehicle and a pedestrian by emitting an alert that may draw the attention of the pedestrian to the presence of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: 2236008 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Robert VINCENT, Leonard Charles LAYTON
  • Publication number: 20180190306
    Abstract: A system and method that enhances spoken utterances and provides entertainment by capturing one or more microphone signals containing echo and decomposing the one or more microphone signals into a plurality of signal paths through a synthesizer that adds or makes non-linear modifications to some of the captured one or more microphone signals. The system and method and estimates multiple echo paths from each of the one the one or more microphones. The system and method processes the captured microphone signals in response to the estimated plurality of echo paths by subtracting the echo contributions of each of the plurality of echo paths from the captured one or more microphone signals. The system and method also provide signal separation and post processing functions that renders speech recognition gaming applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Phillip Alan Hetherington, Shreyas Anand Paranjpe, Leonard Charles Layton
  • Publication number: 20180190248
    Abstract: A multimodal system and process processed one or more sensor signals and extracts features from the one or more sensor signals through a spatiotemporal correlation between consecutive frames of an image or video sequence. The multimodal system and process determines the movement and direction of the features through an image subtraction, or a coherence measure and synthesizes a musical instrument signal in response to the detected movement and direction or the triggers. The imaginary musical instrument signal is added to an infotainment signal within a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Shreyas Anand Paranjpe, Phillip Alan Hetherington, Leonard Charles Layton
  • Publication number: 20180190307
    Abstract: A system and method that enhances spoken utterances and provides entertainment by capturing one or more microphone signals containing echo and decomposing the one or more microphone signals into a plurality of signal paths through a synthesizer that adds or makes non-linear modifications to some of the captured one or more microphone signals. The system and method and estimates multiple echo paths from each of the one the one or more microphones. The system and method processes the captured microphone signals in response to the estimated plurality of echo paths by subtracting the echo contributions of each of the plurality of echo paths from the captured one or more microphone signals. The system and method also provide signal separation and post processing functions that renders speech recognition gaming applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Phillip Alan Hetherington, Shreyas Anand Paranjpe, Leonard Charles Layton
  • Patent number: 9981602
    Abstract: A system and method for pedestrian alert that derives a pedestrian path representing a projected path for a pedestrian, derives a vehicle path representing a projected path for a motor vehicle, determines an intersection of the pedestrian path and the vehicle path, determines alert characteristics responsive to the determined intersection, and generates an alert that is emitted from the vehicle responsive to the determined alert characteristics. The system and method for pedestrian alert may be built, installed or implemented in a motor vehicles that is operated in environments where the motor vehicle may be in close proximity to pedestrians. The system and method for pedestrian alert mitigates the likelihood of a collision between the motor vehicle and a pedestrian by emitting an alert that may draw the attention of the pedestrian to the presence of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: 2236008 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vincent, Leonard Charles Layton
  • Patent number: 9944127
    Abstract: A system and method for synthesizing an engine sound may receive one or more vehicle operational data signals. One or more tone parameters associated with a Shepard tone generator may be modified responsive to the one or more vehicle operation data signals. A Shepard tone may be generated responsive to the modified one or more tone parameters. The Shepard tone may be reproduced using one or more audio transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: 2236008 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Robert Every, Phillip Alan Hetherington, Leonard Charles Layton
  • Patent number: 9947318
    Abstract: A system and method for processing an audio signal captured from a microphone may reproduce a known audio signal with an audio transducer into an acoustic space. The known audio signal may include content from one or more audio sources. A microphone audio signal may be captured from the acoustic space where the microphone audio signal comprises the known audio signal and one or more unknown audio signals. Processing control information may be accessed. The known audio signal may be reduced in the microphone audio signal responsive to the processing control information where the processing control information indicates one or more characteristics of a downstream audio processor that processes the microphone audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: 2236008 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Charles Layton, Phillip Alan Hetherington