Patents by Inventor Niel D. Warren

Niel D. Warren 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: 10979824
    Abstract: A method in a transducer assembly having an external-device interface coupled to a communication protocol interface of the transducer assembly. The transducer assembly is configured to convert an input signal having one physical form to an output signal having a different physical form. At least two electrical signals are received on corresponding contacts of the external-device interface of the transducer assembly. A characteristic of at least one of the electrical signals is determined by evaluating a logic transition of the signal. A unique identity assigned to the transducer assembly is determined based on the characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Konrad Wolf, Niel D. Warren
  • Patent number: 10469967
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for utilizing digital microphones in low power keyword detection and noise suppression. An example method includes receiving a first acoustic signal representing at least one sound captured by a digital microphone. The first acoustic signal includes buffered data transmitted with a first clock frequency. The digital microphone may provide voice activity detection. The example method also includes receiving at least one second acoustic signal representing the at least one sound captured by a second microphone, the at least one second acoustic signal including real-time data. The first and second acoustic signals are provided to an audio processing system which may include noise suppression and keyword detection. The buffered portion may be sent with a higher, second clock frequency to eliminate a delay of the first acoustic signal from the second acoustic signal. Providing the signals may also include delaying the second acoustic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Knowler Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: David P. Rossum, Niel D. Warren
  • Publication number: 20190253810
    Abstract: A method in a transducer assembly having an external-device interface coupled to a communication protocol interface of the transducer assembly. The transducer assembly is configured to convert an input signal having one physical form to an output signal having a different physical form. At least two electrical signals are received on corresponding contacts of the external-device interface of the transducer assembly. A characteristic of at least one of the electrical signals is determined by evaluating a logic transition of the signal. A unique identity assigned to the transducer assembly is determined based on the characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Andrzej PAWLOWSKI, Christopher Konrad WOLF, Niel D. WARREN
  • Publication number: 20180332416
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for utilizing digital microphones in low power keyword detection and noise suppression. An example method includes receiving a first acoustic signal representing at least one sound captured by a digital microphone. The first acoustic signal includes buffered data transmitted with a first clock frequency. The digital microphone may provide voice activity detection. The example method also includes receiving at least one second acoustic signal representing the at least one sound captured by a second microphone, the at least one second acoustic signal including real-time data. The first and second acoustic signals are provided to an audio processing system which may include noise suppression and keyword detection. The buffered portion may be sent with a higher, second clock frequency to eliminate a delay of the first acoustic signal from the second acoustic signal. Providing the signals may also include delaying the second acoustic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: David P. ROSSUM, Niel D. WARREN
  • Patent number: 10045140
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for utilizing digital microphones in low power keyword detection and noise suppression. An example method includes receiving a first acoustic signal representing at least one sound captured by a digital microphone. The first acoustic signal includes buffered data transmitted with a first clock frequency. The digital microphone may provide voice activity detection. The example method also includes receiving at least one second acoustic signal representing the at least one sound captured by a second microphone, the at least one second acoustic signal including real-time data. The first and second acoustic signals are provided to an audio processing system which may include noise suppression and keyword detection. The buffered portion may be sent with a higher, second clock frequency to eliminate a delay of the first acoustic signal from the second acoustic signal. Providing the signals may also include delaying the second acoustic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: David P. Rossum, Niel D. Warren
  • Patent number: 9711144
    Abstract: At a microphone, voice activity is detected in a data stream while simultaneously buffering audio data from the data stream to create buffered data. A signal is sent to a host indicating the positive detection of voice activity in the data stream. When an external clock signal is received from the host, the internal operation of the microphone is synchronized with the external clock signal. Buffered data stream is selectively sent through a first path, the first path including a buffer having a buffer delay time representing the time the first data stream takes to move through the buffer. The data stream is continuously sent through a second path as a real-time data stream, the second path not including the buffer, the real-time data stream beginning with the extended buffer data at a given instant in time. The buffered data stream and the real-time data stream are multiplexed onto a single data line and transmitting the multiplexed data stream to the host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Dibyendu Nandy, Yang Li, Ramanujapuram Raghuvir, Robert A. Popper, Andrzej Pawlowski, Kim Spetzler Berthelsen, Henrik Thomsen, Niel D. Warren, David P. Rossum
  • Publication number: 20170061963
    Abstract: At a microphone, voice activity is detected in a data stream while simultaneously buffering audio data from the data stream to create buffered data. A signal is sent to a host indicating the positive detection of voice activity in the data stream. When an external clock signal is received from the host, the internal operation of the microphone is synchronized with the external clock signal. Buffered data stream is selectively sent through a first path, the first path including a buffer having a buffer delay time representing the time the first data stream takes to move through the buffer. The data stream is continuously sent through a second path as a real-time data stream, the second path not including the buffer, the real-time data stream beginning with the extended buffer data at a given instant in time. The buffered data stream and the real-time data stream are multiplexed onto a single data line and transmitting the multiplexed data stream to the host.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Dibyendu Nandy, Yang Li, Ramanujapuram Raghuvir, Robert A. Popper, Andrzej Pawlowski, Kim Spetzler Berthelsen, Henrik Thomsen, Niel D. Warren, David P. Rossum
  • Patent number: 9478234
    Abstract: At a microphone, voice activity is detected in a data stream while simultaneously buffering audio data from the data stream to create buffered data. A signal is sent to a host indicating the positive detection of voice activity in the data stream. When an external clock signal is received from the host, the internal operation of the microphone is synchronized with the external clock signal. Buffered data stream is selectively sent through a first path, the first path including a buffer having a buffer delay time representing the time the first data stream takes to move through the buffer. The data stream is continuously sent through a second path as a real-time data stream, the second path not including the buffer, the real-time data stream beginning with the extended buffer data at a given instant in time. The buffered data stream and the real-time data stream are multiplexed onto a single data line and transmitting the multiplexed data stream to the host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Dibyendu Nandy, Yang Li, Ramanujapuram Raghuvir, Robert A. Popper, Andrzej Pawlowski, Kim Spetzler Berthelsen, Henrik Thomsen, Niel D. Warren, David P. Rossum
  • Publication number: 20160196838
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for utilizing digital microphones in low power keyword detection and noise suppression. An example method includes receiving a first acoustic signal representing at least one sound captured by a digital microphone. The first acoustic signal includes buffered data transmitted with a first clock frequency. The digital microphone may provide voice activity detection. The example method also includes receiving at least one second acoustic signal representing the at least one sound captured by a second microphone, the at least one second acoustic signal including real-time data. The first and second acoustic signals are provided to an audio processing system which may include noise suppression and keyword detection. The buffered portion may be sent with a higher, second clock frequency to eliminate a delay of the first acoustic signal from the second acoustic signal. Providing the signals may also include delaying the second acoustic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: David P. Rossum, Niel D. Warren
  • Patent number: 9336557
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing media signals. In one embodiment, a data processing device processes fixed and variable rate data using a first and second processing unit. The processing comprises real-time processing of audio/video signals by a graphics processing unit (GPU) and/or central processing unit (CPU). The processing units process data efficiently by establishing one processor as always processing variable rate data, and using one or more schemes for determining processor will process fixed rate data. A shared memory enables the processors to communicate with one another in order to determine which will process the fixed rate data. In one scheme for determining which of the processors will process the fixed rate data the second processor need merely be unlocked. In another embodiment, the second processor must be unlocked and immediately available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett D. George, Changki Min, David A. Leech, Matthew X. Mora, Niel D. Warren, Rajabali M. Koduri, Ronald N. Isaac
  • Publication number: 20160093307
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for reducing end-to-end latency. An example method includes configuring an interface, between a codec and a baseband or application processor, to operate in a burst mode. Using the burst mode, a transfer of real-time data is performed between the codec and the baseband or application processor at a high rate. The high rate is defined as rate faster than a real-time rate. The exemplary method includes padding data in a time period remaining after the transfer, at the high rate, of a sample of the real-time data samples. The padded of the data may be configured such that data can be ignored by the receiving component. The interface can include a Serial Low-power Inter-chip Media Bus (SLIMBus). Power consumption may be reduced for the SLIMBus by utilizing the gear shifting or clock stopping SLIMbus features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Niel D. Warren, Sean Mahnken
  • Patent number: 9015384
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently transporting data through network tunnels. In one embodiment, a tunneled device advertises certain capabilities to peer devices of a network, and discovers capabilities of peer devices of the network. In a second embodiment, each device of a tunneled network derives a network parameter from a transit protocol parameter for use in data networking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Niel D. Warren, Girault W. Jones, Jr., Raymond B. Montagne, Matthew X. Mora, Brett D. George, Michael W. Murphy, William P. Cornelius
  • Publication number: 20140113492
    Abstract: Audio jack optical modules that may have a reduced size. Various examples may provide an optical module for an audio jack where a driver circuit is omitted from the optical module and instead placed either elsewhere in the audio jack or separately outside the audio jack. In some examples, the driver may be integrated with a logic circuit, such as a coder-decoder (CODEC) or other logic circuit. Other examples may provide an optical module for an audio jack where a lens for a light-emitting diode is omitted. In some examples, a higher-power light-emitting diode may be used. These light-emitting diodes may be strong enough to provide a requisite amount of light to a detector in, or associated with, an audio plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Joshua Funamura, Nathan Johanningsmeier, Niel D. Warren, Girault W. Jones
  • Patent number: 8589604
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing data samples utilizes a channel map populated by device descriptor, or by an application program interface. Packet processing code loops through all of the samples contained in a packet while incrementing through a channel map and steering table without having to look up a table to determine in what audio buffer the sample is to be stored or read. Additionally, the present invention utilizes a stride map, so the audio subsystem knows how many samples to skip in order to reach the next sample frame. The present invention can be used for handling received packets as well as forming packets to send over a bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Xavier Mora, Niel D. Warren
  • Patent number: 8335874
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing data samples utilizes a channel map populated by device descriptor, or by an application program interface. Packet processing code loops through all of the samples contained in a packet while incrementing through a channel map and steering table without having to look up a table to determine in what audio buffer the sample is to be stored or read. Additionally, the present invention utilizes a stride map, so the audio subsystem knows how many samples to skip in order to reach the next sample frame. The present invention can be used for handling received packets as well as forming packets to send over a bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Xavier Mora, Niel D. Warren
  • Publication number: 20120284434
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently transporting data through network tunnels. In one embodiment, a tunneled device advertises certain capabilities to peer devices of a network, and discovers capabilities of peer devices of the network. In a second embodiment, each device of a tunneled network derives a network parameter from a transit protocol parameter for use in data networking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: NIEL D. WARREN, Girault W. Jones, JR., Raymond B. Montagne, Matthew X. Mora, Brett D. George, Michael W. Murphy, William P. Cornelius
  • Publication number: 20120023274
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing data samples utilizes a channel map populated by device descriptor, or by an application program interface. Packet processing code loops through all of the samples contained in a packet while incrementing through a channel map and steering table without having to look up a table to determine in what audio buffer the sample is to be stored or read. Additionally, the present invention utilizes a stride map, so the audio subsystem knows how many samples to skip in order to reach the next sample frame. The present invention can be used for handling received packets as well as forming packets to send over a bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Matthew Xavier Mora, Niel D. Warren
  • Patent number: 8041848
    Abstract: A media processing system and device with improved power usage characteristics, improved audio functionality and improved media security is provided. Embodiments of the media processing system include an audio processing subsystem that operates independently of the host processor for long periods of time, allowing the host processor to enter a low power state. Other aspects of the media processing system provide for enhanced audio effects such as mixing stored audio samples into real-time telephone audio. Still other aspects of the media processing system provide for improved media security due to the isolation of decrypted audio data from the host processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Conroy, Barry Corlett, Aram Lindahl, Steve Schell, Niel D. Warren
  • Patent number: 8032672
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing data samples utilizes a channel map populated by device descriptor, or by an application program interface. Packet processing code loops through all of the samples contained in a packet while incrementing through a channel map and steering table without having to look up a table to determine in what audio buffer the sample is to be stored or read. Additionally, the present invention utilizes a stride map, so the audio subsystem knows how many samples to skip in order to reach the next sample frame. The present invention can be used for handling received packets as well as forming packets to send over a bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Xavier Mora, Niel D. Warren
  • Patent number: RE48323
    Abstract: A media processing system and device with improved power usage characteristics, improved audio functionality and improved media security is provided. Embodiments of the media processing system include an audio processing subsystem that operates independently of the host processor for long periods of time, allowing the host processor to enter a low power state while the audio data is being processed. Other aspects of the media processing system provide for enhanced audio effects such as mixing stored audio samples into real-time telephone audio. Still other aspects of the media processing system provide for improved media security due to the isolation of decrypted audio data from the host processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Ine.
    Inventors: David G. Conroy, Steve Schell, Barry Corlett, Niel D. Warren, Aram Lindahl