Patents by Inventor Robert A. Zurek

Robert A. Zurek 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: 11942087
    Abstract: A device performs a method for using image data to aid voice recognition. The method includes the device capturing image data of a vicinity of the device and adjusting, based on the image data, a set of parameters for voice recognition performed by the device. The set of parameters for the device performing voice recognition include, but are not limited to: a trigger threshold of a trigger for voice recognition; a set of beamforming parameters; a database for voice recognition; and/or an algorithm for voice recognition. The algorithm may include using noise suppression or using acoustic beamforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Adrian M. Schuster, Fu-Lin Shau, Jincheng Wu
  • Patent number: 11720318
    Abstract: An audio accessory with high and low impedance paths to a speaker is provided, and a radio therefor. The audio accessory comprises: a speaker; an audio interface to connect to a respective audio interface of the radio; a switching circuit comprising: high and low impedance paths; and a switch to connect the audio interface to the speaker via one of the high and low impedance paths, the switch initially connecting the audio interface to the speaker via the high impedance path. The accessory further comprises a data interface to connect to a respective data interface of the radio; and a controller to: in response to receiving, via the first data interface, from the radio, a message to control the switch to connect the audio interface to the speaker via the low impedance path, control the switch to connect the audio interface to the speaker via the low impedance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Joo Yih See, Daniel Grobe Sachs, Heng Leong Leong, Robert A. Zurek, Sheau Wei Ch'Ng
  • Publication number: 20230195408
    Abstract: An audio accessory with high and low impedance paths to a speaker is provided, and a radio therefor. The audio accessory comprises: a speaker; an audio interface to connect to a respective audio interface of the radio; a switching circuit comprising: high and low impedance paths; and a switch to connect the audio interface to the speaker via one of the high and low impedance paths, the switch initially connecting the audio interface to the speaker via the high impedance path. The accessory further comprises a data interface to connect to a respective data interface of the radio; and a controller to: in response to receiving, via the first data interface, from the radio, a message to control the switch to connect the audio interface to the speaker via the low impedance path, control the switch to connect the audio interface to the speaker via the low impedance path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Joo Yih SEE, Daniel Grobe SACHS, Heng Leong LEONG, Robert A. ZUREK, Sheau Wei CH'NG
  • Patent number: 11046576
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a microphone coupled to a first substrate, a second substrate defining an acoustic port, and a pressure relief device situated between the first substrate and the second substrate. The pressure relief device includes a bore defining an acoustic duct through which the microphone receives acoustic energy from the acoustic port. The pressure relief device also includes a venting section. The venting section breaches the acoustic duct when a pressure within the acoustic duct exceeds a predefined pressure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Giles Davis, Robert Zurek, Maninder Sehmbey, Martin Pais
  • Publication number: 20210171338
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a microphone coupled to a first substrate, a second substrate defining an acoustic port, and a pressure relief device situated between the first substrate and the second substrate. The pressure relief device includes a bore defining an acoustic duct through which the microphone receives acoustic energy from the acoustic port. The pressure relief device also includes a venting section. The venting section breaches the acoustic duct when a pressure within the acoustic duct exceeds a predefined pressure threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Giles Davis, Robert Zurek, Maninder Sehmbey, Martin Pais
  • Publication number: 20210134293
    Abstract: A device performs a method for using image data to aid voice recognition. The method includes the device capturing image data of a vicinity of the device and adjusting, based on the image data, a set of parameters for voice recognition performed by the device. The set of parameters for the device performing voice recognition include, but are not limited to: a trigger threshold of a trigger for voice recognition; a set of beamforming parameters; a database for voice recognition; and/or an algorithm for voice recognition. The algorithm may include using noise suppression or using acoustic beamforming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Adrian M. Schuster, Fu-Lin Shau, Jincheng Wu
  • Patent number: 10923124
    Abstract: A device performs a method for using image data to aid voice recognition. The method includes the device capturing (302) image data of a vicinity of the device and adjusting (304), based on the image data, a set of parameters for voice recognition performed by the device (102). The set of parameters for the device performing voice recognition include, but are not limited to: a trigger threshold of a trigger for voice recognition; a set of beamforming parameters; a database for voice recognition; and/or an algorithm for voice recognition. The algorithm may include using noise suppression or using acoustic beamforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Adrian M. Schuster, Fu-Lin Shau, Jincheng Wu
  • Patent number: 10852917
    Abstract: A method performed by a portable communication device includes determining a list of at least one target device in proximity to the portable communication device. The method further includes receiving a set of non-tactile user commands that indicates selected content and a selected set of target devices on the list and controlling sharing of the selected content between the portable communication device and the selected set of target devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC
    Inventors: Robert Zurek, Joel A Clark, Steve Kim
  • Patent number: 10733990
    Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for preventing initiation of a voice recognition session. The method includes monitoring at least one audio output channel for at least one audio trigger phrase that initiates a voice recognition session. The method further includes in response to detecting the at least one audio trigger phrase on the at least one audio output channel, setting a logic state of at least one output trigger detector of the at least one audio output channel to a first state. The method further includes gating a logic state of at least one input trigger detector of at least one audio input channel to the first state for a time period and preventing initiation of a voice recognition session by the at least one audio trigger phrase on the at least one audio input channel while the logic state is the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Pratik M. Kamdar, Jincheng Wu, Joel Clark
  • Patent number: 10665234
    Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for detecting an audio trigger phrase at a particular audio input channel and initiating a voice recognition session. The method includes capturing audio content by a plurality of microphone pairs of an audio capturing device, wherein each microphone pair of the plurality of microphone pairs is associated with an audio input channel of a plurality of audio input channels of the audio capturing device. The method further includes simultaneously monitoring, by a processor of the audio capturing device, audio content on each of the audio input channels. The method further includes: independently detecting, by the processor, an audio trigger phrase on at least one audio input channel of the plurality of audio input channels; and in response to detecting the audio trigger phrase, commencing a voice recognition session using the at least one audio input channel as an audio source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Pratik M. Kamdar, Jincheng Wu, Joel Clark, Plamen Ivanov
  • Publication number: 20190341044
    Abstract: A device performs a method for using image data to aid voice recognition. The method includes the device capturing (302) image data of a vicinity of the device and adjusting (304), based on the image data, a set of parameters for voice recognition performed by the device (102). The set of parameters for the device performing voice recognition include, but are not limited to: a trigger threshold of a trigger for voice recognition; a set of beamforming parameters; a database for voice recognition; and/or an algorithm for voice recognition. The algorithm may include using noise suppression or using acoustic beamforming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Adrian M. Schuster, Fu-Lin Shau, Jincheng Wu
  • Patent number: 10432560
    Abstract: Voice controlled multimedia content creation techniques are discussed in which a multimedia package is created and shared to a specified destination responsive to voice commands. The voice commands can be received by a device as a single stream (e.g., a single phrase) that causes automatic performance of a sharing sequence or as a series of multiple voice commands that are input in response to prompts for voice input as part of the sharing sequence. The voice commands can be recognized and handled by a content creation system of the device to select a clip for tagging of content (such as captured audio or video). The selected clip is then combined with the content to create the multimedia package. Voice commands can also be employed to specify a destination for sharing of the content, such as one or more contacts or a particular sharing site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Steve S Kim, Joel Clark, Robert Zurek
  • Patent number: 10425055
    Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more microphones, one or more sensors, and one or more processors operable with the one or more microphones and the one or more sensors. The one or more processors, upon the one or more sensors detecting the electronic device is disposed within a repository container, such as a pocket, apply an audio signal adjustment function to signals received from the one or more microphones, thereby mitigating noise in the signals caused by the repository container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Rachid Alameh, Robert Zurek, Jarrett Simerson
  • Publication number: 20190245502
    Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more microphones, one or more sensors, and one or more processors operable with the one or more microphones and the one or more sensors. The one or more processors, upon the one or more sensors detecting the electronic device is disposed within a repository container, such as a pocket, apply an audio signal adjustment function to signals received from the one or more microphones, thereby mitigating noise in the signals caused by the repository container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Rachid Alameh, Robert Zurek, Jarrett Simerson
  • Patent number: 10311868
    Abstract: A device performs a method for using image data to aid voice recognition. The method includes the device capturing (302) image data of a vicinity of the device and adjusting (304), based on the image data, a set of parameters for voice recognition performed by the device (102). The set of parameters for the device performing voice recognition include, but are not limited to: a trigger threshold of a trigger for voice recognition; a set of beamforming parameters; a database for voice recognition; and/or an algorithm for voice recognition. The algorithm may include using noise suppression or using acoustic beamforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Adrian M. Schuster, Fu-Lin Shau, Jincheng Wu
  • Publication number: 20190155463
    Abstract: A method performed by a portable communication device includes determining a list of at least one target device in proximity to the portable communication device. The method further includes receiving a set of non-tactile user commands that indicates selected content and a selected set of target devices on the list and controlling sharing of the selected content between the portable communication device and the selected set of target devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Zurek, Joel A. Clark, Steve Kim
  • Patent number: 10284161
    Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more microphones, one or more sensors, and one or more processors operable with the one or more microphones and the one or more sensors. The one or more processors, upon the one or more sensors detecting the electronic device is disposed within a repository container, such as a pocket, apply an audio signal adjustment function to signals received from the one or more microphones, thereby mitigating noise in the signals caused by the repository container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Rachid Alameh, Robert Zurek, Jarrett Simerson
  • Patent number: 10282155
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a processor and a detection mechanism operable to detect one or more characteristics relating to how a user handles the electronic device. The processor is operably coupled to the detection mechanism and operable in accordance with stored operating instructions to: determine, based on the detected characteristics, which limb of the user possesses the portable electronic device; and control at least one function of the portable electronic device taking into account which limb of the user possesses the electronic device (e.g., which limb of the user is holding or secured to the electronic device). According to one embodiment, the processor may further determine a reference position for the portable electronic device (e.g., a position of the device at rest) and compare one or more of the detected characteristics to the reference position to determine which limb of the user possesses the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: William P Alberth, Jr., Rachid Mohsen Alameh, Timothy A. Dickinson, Robert A. Zurek
  • Publication number: 20190115018
    Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for detecting an audio trigger phrase at a particular audio input channel and initiating a voice recognition session. The method includes capturing audio content by a plurality of microphone pairs of an audio capturing device, wherein each microphone pair of the plurality of microphone pairs is associated with an audio input channel of a plurality of audio input channels of the audio capturing device. The method further includes simultaneously monitoring, by a processor of the audio capturing device, audio content on each of the audio input channels. The method further includes: independently detecting, by the processor, an audio trigger phrase on at least one audio input channel of the plurality of audio input channels; and in response to detecting the audio trigger phrase, commencing a voice recognition session using the at least one audio input channel as an audio source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: ROBERT A. ZUREK, PRATIK M. KAMDAR, JINCHENG WU, JOEL CLARK, PLAMEN IVANOV
  • Publication number: 20190115019
    Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for preventing initiation of a voice recognition session. The method includes monitoring at least one audio output channel for at least one audio trigger phrase that initiates a voice recognition session. The method further includes in response to detecting the at least one audio trigger phrase on the at least one audio output channel, setting a logic state of at least one output trigger detector of the at least one audio output channel to a first state. The method further includes gating a logic state of at least one input trigger detector of at least one audio input channel to the first state for a time period and preventing initiation of a voice recognition session by the at least one audio trigger phrase on the at least one audio input channel while the logic state is the first state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: ROBERT A. ZUREK, PRATIK M. KAMDAR, JINCHENG WU, JOEL CLARK