Patents by Inventor Martin Topf

Martin Topf 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: 6061456
    Abstract: Disclosed is a transducer for use in a noise cancellation apparatus for reducing background noise. The transducer includes a housing having first microphone means for receiving a first acoustic sound composed of speech originating from an operator operating the apparatus and background noise, and for converting the first acoustic sound to a first signal, and second microphone means arranged at a predetermined angle .phi. in close proximity with respect to the first microphone means for receiving a second acoustic sound composed of substantially the background noise and for converting the second acoustic sound to a second signal. The first and second microphones are connected to a differential amplifier means of the noise cancellation apparatus so as to obtain a signal representing substantially speech. The amplifier means is for receiving acoustic sounds from each microphone and has a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the second terminal is grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Andrea Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Andrea, Martin Topf
  • Patent number: 5825897
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for reducing ambient noise for use with a headset or a boom headset attached to a boom microphone device or the like. The apparatus can include a sensor microphone to detect a background noise signal, a desired input audio transmission, and signal processing means for canceling the noise signals to create an inverted anti-noise signal within an acoustical waveguide located adjacent to the earphone of headset. The method for reducing noise according to this invention is provided by an open loop circuit allowing the input audio signal from an operator or caller to be transmitted to the user's ear without the disturbance of unwanted ambient noise. The method provides adjustments to the gain and/or phase of a noise signal for canceling the noise component detected, within an acoustical waveguide to produce a quiet zone for the desired audio speech to be transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Andrea Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Andrea, Martin Topf
  • Patent number: 5732143
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for reducing ambient noise for use with a headset or a boom headset attached to a boom microphone device or the like. The apparatus can include a sensor microphone to detect a background noise signal, a desired input audio transmission, and signal processing means for canceling the noise signals to create an inverted anti-noise signal within an acoustical waveguide located adjacent to the earphone of headset. The method for reducing noise according to this invention is provided by an open loop circuit allowing the input audio signal from an operator or caller to be transmitted to the user's ear without the disturbance of unwanted ambient noise. The method provides adjustments to the gain/or and phase of a noise signal for canceling the noise component detected, within an acoustical waveguide to produce a quiet zone for the desired audio speech to be transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Andrea Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas Andrea, Martin Topf
  • Patent number: 5715321
    Abstract: A self-supporting headset worn on the ear of a user without a headband or placed in a stand as a desk-top microphone system by a switch-function installed in the headset. The headset includes a housing which accommodates a receiver, an arcuate earband connected by a spring to the housing and a pivotally connected boom microphone which extends from the housing to near the lips of a user. The earband can have a shape substantially corresponding to human ear structure for placement behind the ear of the user. The arcuate housing is placed over the entire outer ear to transmit audio signals without any need for an ear tube. An earband member can have a female member on the bottom surface so as to connect a member to mate with a male member located on the stand, to thereby secure the headset on the stand. The headset can be equipped with noise cancellation technology to remove background noise for optional use on with telephones, computers, or any the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Andrea Electronics Coporation
    Inventors: Douglas Andrea, Martin Topf
  • Patent number: 5673325
    Abstract: Apparatus for reducing acoustic background noise for use with a telephone handset or a boom microphone device or a boom headset or the like. The apparatus includes first and second microphones which are arranged such that the first microphone receives a desired speech input and the background noise present in the vicinity of the speech, and the second microphone receives substantially only the background noise. The background noise from the second microphone is converted into a corresponding electrical signal and subtracted from a signal corresponding to the speech and background noise obtained from the first microphone so as to produce a signal representing substantially the speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Andrea Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Andrea, Martin Topf
  • Patent number: 5381473
    Abstract: Apparatus for reducing acoustic background noise for use with a telephone handset or a boom microphone device or the like. The apparatus includes first and second microphones which are arranged such that the first microphone receives a desired speech input and the background noise present in the vicinity of the speech, and the second microphone receives substantially only the background noise. The background noise from the second microphone is converted into a corresponding electrical signal and subtracted from a signal corresponding to the speech and background noise obtained from the first microphone so as to produce a signal representing substantially the speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Andrea Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Andrea, Martin Topf