Patents by Inventor Richard Hodges

Richard Hodges 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: 11696070
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a loudspeaker from excessive excursion include an audio source, an adaptive excursion protection filter, an audio clipper, an inverse excursion protection filter, an amplifier and a loudspeaker. The system performs operations including receiving an audio signal, applying an excursion protection filter, the excursion protection filter adapting in real-time to one or more speaker conditions, clipping the audio signal, applying an inverse excursion protection filter, and amplifying, using an amplification circuit, the audio signal for output to the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard Hodges, Harry Lau, Michael Townsend
  • Publication number: 20220038815
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a loudspeaker from excessive excursion include an audio source, an adaptive excursion protection filter, an audio clipper, an inverse excursion protection filter, an amplifier and a loudspeaker. The system performs operations including receiving an audio signal, applying an excursion protection filter, the excursion protection filter adapting in real-time to one or more speaker conditions, clipping the audio signal, applying an inverse excursion protection filter, and amplifying, using an amplification circuit, the audio signal for output to the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Richard HODGES, Harry LAU, Michael TOWNSEND
  • Patent number: 11184705
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a loudspeaker from excessive excursion include an audio source, an adaptive excursion protection filter, an audio clipper, an inverse excursion protection filter, an amplifier and a loudspeaker. The system performs operations including receiving an audio signal, applying an excursion protection filter, the excursion protection filter adapting in real-time to one or more speaker conditions, clipping the audio signal, applying an inverse excursion protection filter, and amplifying, using an amplification circuit, the audio signal for output to the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Richard Hodges, Harry Lau, Michael Townsend
  • Publication number: 20210136491
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a loudspeaker from excessive excursion include an audio source, an adaptive excursion protection filter, an audio clipper, an inverse excursion protection filter, an amplifier and a loudspeaker. The system performs operations including receiving an audio signal, applying an excursion protection filter, the excursion protection filter adapting in real-time to one or more speaker conditions, clipping the audio signal, applying an inverse excursion protection filter, and amplifying, using an amplification circuit, the audio signal for output to the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Richard Hodges, Harry Lau, Michael Townsend
  • Publication number: 20130287203
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for improved echo cancellation are disclosed. In one example, an audio signal to be output at a loudspeaker is received and processed to generate an optimized audio signal. The optimized audio signal produces a reduced distortion when output at the loudspeaker. The method further includes utilizing the optimized audio signal to reduce echo in a transmit audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: PLANTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Hodges
  • Patent number: 7925004
    Abstract: A speakerphone having improved echo cancellation and sound output includes at least one directional microphone having at least one axis of sensitivity and at least one zone of insensitivity, and a speaker disposed in the zone of insensitivity of the microphone to radiate sound away from the microphone and towards a reflective surface, such as a desktop or wall, against which the speakerphone is disposed. A baseplate disposed adjacent to the speaker outlet can combine with the housing of the phone to form a flaring, right-angled horn having an inlet coupled to the outlet of the speaker and an outlet terminating at a periphery of the housing. A wall-mounting embodiment incorporates a unidirectional microphone with an axis of sensitivity oriented perpendicular to the wall, and a desktop-mounting embodiment includes an array of at least two bi-directional microphones having respective axes of sensitivity oriented parallel to the desktop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Hodges, Gordon S. Simmons
  • Patent number: 7433462
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for use with a near-end telephone. The near-end telephone is operable to generate an outgoing signal directed to a far-end telephone and to receive an incoming signal generated at least in part by the far-end telephone. A first signal processor is operable to dynamically adjust a first signal level associated with the outgoing signal with reference to the first signal level. A second signal processor is operable to dynamically adjust a second signal level associated with the incoming signal with reference to the second signal level. The first and second signal processors are further operable to control a loop gain to inhibit loop instability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc
    Inventors: Richard Hodges, David Roberts, Keith McMillen, Leif Claesson, Sreevathsa G. Sreenivasa Reddy, Keith Edwards
  • Publication number: 20070263845
    Abstract: A speakerphone having improved echo cancellation and sound output includes at least one directional microphone having at least one axis of sensitivity and at least one zone of insensitivity, and a speaker disposed in the zone of insensitivity of the microphone to radiate sound away from the microphone and towards a reflective surface, such as a desktop or wall, against which the speakerphone is disposed. A baseplate disposed adjacent to the speaker outlet can combine with the housing of the phone to form a flaring, right-angled horn having an inlet coupled to the outlet of the speaker and an outlet terminating at a periphery of the housing. A wallmounting embodiment incorporates a unidirectional microphone with an axis of sensitivity oriented perpendicular to the wall, and a desktop-mounting embodiment includes an array of at least two bi-directional microphones having respective axes of sensitivity oriented parallel to the desktop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Hodges, Gordon Simmons
  • Patent number: 7236929
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus are described for implementing effective echo suppression in a wide variety of telephony system architectures. These methods and apparatus include broadband and multi-band techniques for speech detection, estimation of near-end transmission path attenuation, and estimation of far-end transmission path attenuation and delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Hodges
  • Publication number: 20070071975
    Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell fiber has an inner and outer electrode that is either an anode or cathode, a first and second layer that include either a fuel catalyst layer or oxidant catalyst layer, and a proton exchange membrane. These components are combined into a fiber having a diameter of about 5 mm or less and the length of about 1 cm or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Jonas Gunter, Richard Hodge, Karen McGrady
  • Publication number: 20060243332
    Abstract: A fluid coupling for providing a fluid connection between an electronic module and a rack having an electrical connector to which the electronic module is connected, comprises a male coupler and a mating female coupler. The male coupler includes a male coupler body and a nipple, and the female coupler includes a female coupler body and a socket for receiving the nipple to establish a sealed fluid flow path between the male and female couplers when the couplers are connected together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Rex Harvey, Richard Hodges, Joseph Marban
  • Publication number: 20060124482
    Abstract: A disposable cover for use with a remote control device for providing a protective sanitation barrier to human infection includes a rear member having a flat surface. A front curved member is integrally molded in a seamless unitary, one-piece construction with the rear member at a plurality of rounded surfaces to form a single-use, disposable protective enclosure. An anti-bacterial compound impregnates the rear member, the front curved member and the rounded surfaces for destroying bacteria on the remote control device. An orifice is formed in the rear member for enabling the remote control device to be inserted into and removed from the enclosure. Finally, the front member, rear member and the rounded surfaces are comprised of a flexible, stretchable and transparent material for conforming to the shape of the remote control device for providing a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Richard Hodges
  • Publication number: 20060073067
    Abstract: A method, and product, for large-scale decontamination uses a stable, solid peracid compound, such as acetyl peroxyborate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Amanda Schilling, Richard Hodge
  • Publication number: 20050286443
    Abstract: A conferencing system is described which includes a plurality of conferencing devices and a hub device. Each conferencing device is operable to process near-end speech energy signals to improve the intelligibility of the near-end speech, transmit the processed near-end signals to the hub device, receive far-end signals from the hub device, process the far-end signals, and present the processed far-end signals over its speaker. The hub device is operable to communicate with each of the conferencing devices and a voice communication system, selectively combine the processed near-end signals received from the conferencing devices, transmit the combined near-end signals to the voice communication system, receive the far-end signals from the voice communication system, and transmit the far-end signals to the conferencing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Applicant: Octiv, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith McMillen, Richard Hodges, Keith Edwards
  • Publication number: 20050285935
    Abstract: A conferencing device is described which includes at least one speaker, at least one microphone for capturing energy corresponding to near-end speech, a signal interface for connecting to a voice communication system, and a digital signal processor. The digital signal processor is operable to process near-end signals corresponding to the near-end speech energy in each of a plurality of frequency bands to improve intelligibility thereof, and transmit the processed near-end signals to the voice communication system via the signal interface. The digital signal processor is also operable to receive far-end signals from the voice communication system via the signal interface, process the far-end signals in each of the plurality of frequency bands, and transmit the processed far-end signals for presentation over the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Applicant: Octiv, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Hodges, Keith McMillen, Leif Claesson, Keith Edwards
  • Publication number: 20050288203
    Abstract: A microemulsion composition having a solid source of peroxycarboxylic acid and germinant is used for chemical and biological warfare decontamination. A process for decontaminating uses the microemulsion composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Jerry Brown, Richard Hodge, Margaret McCabe, Karen McGrady, Amanda Schilling
  • Publication number: 20050279661
    Abstract: A disposable cover for use with a remote control device for providing a protective barrier to human infection comprising a front member having a continuously flat surface and a rear member integrally molded in a seamless unitary, one-piece construction with the front member at a plurality of rounded surfaces for forming a single-use, disposable protective enclosure. An orifice is formed in and parallel to an oblong dimension of the rear member for enabling most any size remote control device to be inserted into and removed from the enclosure. The rounded surfaces designed into the disposable cover facilitate the closing of the orifice for enclosing the remote control device. The front member, rear member and rounded surfaces are each comprised of a flexible, stretchable and transparent material for conforming to the shape of the remote control device and for providing a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventor: Richard Hodges
  • Publication number: 20050098456
    Abstract: A cover for use with a remote control device comprising a front member which exhibits a continuous flat surface and a rear member having a curved surface. The rear member is integrally formed with the front member at a plurality of rounded surfaces for forming an enclosure. An orifice is formed in the curved surface of the rear member for enabling a remote control device to be inserted into and removed from the enclosure. The rounded surfaces designed into the cover facilitate the closing of the orifice for enclosing the remote control device. The front member, rear member and rounded surfaces are each comprised of a flexible, stretchable and transparent material for conforming to the shape of the remote control device and for providing a sanitation barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventor: Richard Hodges
  • Publication number: 20050059566
    Abstract: A microemulsion composition having a solid source of peroxycarboxylic acid and germinant is used for chemical and biological warfare decontamination. A process for decontaminating uses the microemulsion composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: Jerry Brown, Richard Hodge, Margaret McCabe, Karen McGrady, Amanda Schilling
  • Patent number: 6747581
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for performing a variable sample rate conversion. A difference between a first sample rate associated with a first signal and a second sample rate associated with a second signal is tracked. A sample rate conversion ratio is adjusted in response to the difference. One of the first and second sample rates is converted using the conversion ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Octiv, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Hodges