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).

  • Publication number: 20240221745
    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: March 15, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Adrian M. Schuster, Fu-Lin Shau, Jincheng Wu
  • 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
  • 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: 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: 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9888333
    Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) audio content creation and rendering systems and methodologies are presented here. A disclosed method of processing 3D audio assigns audio source objects to 3D video objects, links audio tracks to assigned audio source objects, and performs wave field synthesis on the linked audio tracks to generate 3D audio data representing a 3D spatial sound field. A disclosed method of processing 3D audio during playback of 3D video content obtains 3D audio data and 3D video data for a frame of 3D video content, applies device-specific parameters to the 3D audio data to obtain transformed 3D audio data scaled to a presentation device, and processes the transformed 3D audio data to render audio information for an array of speakers associated with the presentation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Thomas Y. Merrell
  • Patent number: 9747900
    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, wherein the algorithm can include using noise suppression or using acoustic beamforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Robert A Zurek, Adrian M Schuster, Fu-Lin Shau, Jincheng Wu
  • Publication number: 20170193996
    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: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Adrian M. Schuster, Fu-Lin Shau, Jincheng Wu
  • Patent number: 9542947
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for voice recognition performed in a voice recognition block comprising a plurality of voice recognition stages. The method includes receiving a first plurality of voice inputs, corresponding to a first phrase, into a first voice recognition stage of the plurality of voice recognition stages, wherein multiple ones of the voice recognition stages includes a plurality of voice recognition modules and multiples ones of the voice recognition stages perform a different type of voice recognition processing, wherein the first voice recognition stage processes the first plurality of voice inputs to generate a first plurality of outputs for receipt by a subsequent voice recognition stage. The method further includes, receiving by each subsequent voice recognition stage a plurality of outputs from a preceding voice recognition stage, wherein a plurality of final outputs is generated by a final voice recognition stage from which to approximate the first phrase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Adrian M Schuster, Joel A Clark, Giles T Davis, Plamen A Ivanov, Robert A Zurek
  • Patent number: 9462257
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provide two-dimensional to three-dimensional image conversion. The apparatus can include an input configured to receive a first image. The apparatus can include a controller configured to segment the first image into a plurality of regions, configured to perform a Fast Fourier Transform on at least one of the regions, and configured to determine a relative horizontal displacement distance between a first frame and a second frame of at least one region based on performing the Fast Fourier Transform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Zurek, Timothy Dickinson
  • Patent number: 9462379
    Abstract: A method for controlling the orientation of a virtual microphone, which is carried out on an electronic device, includes combining and processing signals from a microphone array to create a virtual microphone; receiving data from a sensor of the electronic device; determining, based on the received data, a mode in which the electronic device is being used; and based on the determined mode, directionally orienting the virtual microphone. Possible use modes include a) a stowed use mode, in which the criterion is the electronic device being substantially enclosed by surrounding material; b) a handset (alternately, private) use mode, in which the criterion is the electronic device being held proximate to a user; and c) a handheld (alternately, speakerphone) use mode, in which the criterion is the electronic device being held away from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Plamen A Ivanov, Rivanaldo S Oliveira, Robert A Zurek
  • Publication number: 20160259610
    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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: William P. Alberth, JR., Rachid Mohsen Alameh, Timothy A. Dickinson, Robert A. Zurek