Patents by Inventor Tor A. Sundsbarm

Tor A. Sundsbarm 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: 10789935
    Abstract: In one example, a headset obtains a first audio signal including a user audio signal from a first microphone on the headset and a second audio signal including the user audio signal from a second microphone on the headset. The headset derives a first candidate signal from the first audio signal and a second candidate signal from the second audio signal. Based on the first audio signal and the second audio signal, the headset determines that a mechanical touch noise is present in one of the first audio signal and the second audio signal. In response to determining that the mechanical touch noise is present in one of the first audio signal and the second audio signal, the headset selects an output audio signal from a plurality of candidate signals including the first candidate signal and the second candidate signal. Headset provides the output audio signal to a receiver device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Feng Bao, David William Nolan Robison, Tor A. Sundsbarm
  • Patent number: 10771887
    Abstract: In one example, a headset obtains, from a first microphone on the headset, a first audio signal including a user audio signal and an anisotropic background audio signal. The headset obtains, from a second microphone on the headset, a second audio signal including the user audio signal and the anisotropic background audio signal. The headset extracts, from the first audio signal and the second audio signal, using a first adaptive filter, a reference audio signal including the anisotropic background audio signal. Based on the reference signal, the headset cancels, using a second adaptive filter, the anisotropic background audio signal from a third audio signal derived from the first and second audio signals to produce an output audio signal. The headset provides the output audio signal to a receiver device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Feng Bao, David William Nolan Robison, Jian Zou, Tor Sundsbarm
  • Publication number: 20200219479
    Abstract: In one example, a headset obtains a first audio signal including a user audio signal from a first microphone on the headset and a second audio signal including the user audio signal from a second microphone on the headset. The headset derives a first candidate signal from the first audio signal and a second candidate signal from the second audio signal. Based on the first audio signal and the second audio signal, the headset determines that a mechanical touch noise is present in one of the first audio signal and the second audio signal. In response to determining that the mechanical touch noise is present in one of the first audio signal and the second audio signal, the headset selects an output audio signal from a plurality of candidate signals including the first candidate signal and the second candidate signal. Headset provides the output audio signal to a receiver device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Feng Bao, David William Nolan Robison, Tor A. Sundsbarm
  • Publication number: 20200204902
    Abstract: In one example, a headset obtains, from a first microphone on the headset, a first audio signal including a user audio signal and an anisotropic background audio signal. The headset obtains, from a second microphone on the headset, a second audio signal including the user audio signal and the anisotropic background audio signal. The headset extracts, from the first audio signal and the second audio signal, using a first adaptive filter, a reference audio signal including the anisotropic background audio signal. Based on the reference signal, the headset cancels, using a second adaptive filter, the anisotropic background audio signal from a third audio signal derived from the first and second audio signals to produce an output audio signal. The headset provides the output audio signal to a receiver device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Feng Bao, David William Nolan Robison, Jian Zou, Tor Sundsbarm
  • Patent number: 10313786
    Abstract: A device including an array of bidirectional microphones optimizes the echo rejection of the bidirectional microphones. The microphone array receives audio from an audio source and generates audio signals from each of the bidirectional microphones. The device forms audio beams from combinations of the audio signals generated from the microphone array. Each audio beam captures audio from either its positive polarity zone or its negative polarity zone. The device determines a direction of the audio source and selects a perpendicular audio beam pair based on the direction of the audio source. The perpendicular audio beam pair includes a primary audio beam aimed toward the direction of the audio source and a secondary beam perpendicular to the primary audio beam. The device generates an output signal by combining the primary audio beam with the secondary audio beam based on polarity zone the audio is captured for each audio beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Bao, David William Nolan Robison, Tor A. Sundsbarm, Fei Yang
  • Patent number: 9894213
    Abstract: A controller for the conference session generates a speaker signal for speakers in a conference room. The controller correlates the speaker signal with network timing information and generates speaker timing information. The controller transmits the correlated speaker signal and timing information to a mobile device participating in the conference session. The mobile device generates an echo cancelled microphone signal from a microphone of the mobile device, and transmits the echo cancelled signal back to the controller. The controller also receives array microphone signals associated with an array of microphones at known positions in the room. The controller estimates a relative location of the mobile device within the conference room. The controller dynamically selects as audio output corresponding to the mobile device location either the echo cancelled microphone signal from the mobile device or an echo cancelled array microphone signal associated with the relative location of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Bao, Subrahmanyam Venkata Kunapuli, Fei Yang, Tor A. Sundsbarm
  • Patent number: 9549079
    Abstract: Acoustic echo cancellation is improved by receiving a speaker signal that is used to produce audio in a room, and receiving audio signals that capture audio from an array of microphones in the room, including an acoustic echo from the speakers. To cancel the acoustic echo, one adaptive filter is associated with a corresponding subspace in the room. Each of the audio signals is assigned to at least one of the adaptive filters, and a set of coefficients is iteratively determined for each of the adaptive filters. The coefficients for an adaptive filter are determined by selecting each of the audio signals assigned to that adaptive filter and adapting the filter to remove an acoustic echo from each of the selected audio signals. At each iteration, a different audio signal is selected from the audio signals assigned to the adaptive filter in order to determine the set of coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Bao, Subrahmanyam Venkata Kunapuli, Fei Yang, Xiangyu Bao, Tor A. Sundsbarm
  • Patent number: 9451360
    Abstract: A processing system can include tracking microphone array(s), audio-tracking circuitry configured to detect a location of audio sources from audio signals from the array(s), and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry can be configured to: identify a first microphone that has a strongest signal strength; estimate a location of an active speaker based on at least an output of the audio-tracking circuitry; determine whether a second microphone for the active speaker is affected by an acoustic obstacle based on the location of the active speaker and a location of the first microphone that has the strongest signal strength; estimate attenuation for microphones based on a comparison of actual signal strengths of the microphones with estimated signal strengths of the microphones that are estimated based on microphone signals of the second microphone for the active speaker; and modify the attenuation based on an estimated location of the acoustic obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Bao, Subrahmanyam Kunapuli, Fei Yang, Tor Sundsbarm
  • Patent number: 9426373
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a first signal from a first microphone, and determining when the first signal is indicative of activity on a first surface. The method also includes controlling a camera to focus on the first surface when it is determined that the first signal indicates the activity on the first surface. In such an embodiment, the first microphone and the camera may be part of a collaboration system, and the first surface may be a surface of a whiteboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Bao, Subrahmanyam Venkata Kunapuli, Fei Yang, Tor Sundsbarm, David Paul Wunsch Desrosiers, Olin Daniel Williford, Jr., David Michael Sanguinet
  • Publication number: 20160205262
    Abstract: A controller for the conference session generates a speaker signal for speakers in a conference room. The controller correlates the speaker signal with network timing information and generates speaker timing information. The controller transmits the correlated speaker signal and timing information to a mobile device participating in the conference session. The mobile device generates an echo cancelled microphone signal from a microphone of the mobile device, and transmits the echo cancelled signal back to the controller. The controller also receives array microphone signals associated with an array of microphones at known positions in the room. The controller estimates a relative location of the mobile device within the conference room. The controller dynamically selects as audio output corresponding to the mobile device location either the echo cancelled microphone signal from the mobile device or an echo cancelled array microphone signal associated with the relative location of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Feng Bao, Subrahmanyam Venkata Kunapuli, Fei Yang, Tor A. Sundsbarm
  • Patent number: 9319532
    Abstract: A controller for the conference session receives at least one audio signal to generate a speaker signal. The controller correlates the speaker signal with network timing information and generates speaker timing information. The controller transmits the correlated speaker signal and timing information to a mobile device participating in the conference session. The mobile device generates an echo cancelled microphone signal from a microphone of the mobile device, and transmits the echo cancelled signal back to the controller. The controller also receives array microphone signals associated with an array of microphones at known positions in the room. The controller removes acoustic echo from the array microphone signals, and estimates a relative location of the mobile device. The controller dynamically selects as audio output corresponding to the mobile device location either (a) the array microphone signal, or (b) the echo cancelled microphone signal from the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Bao, Subrahmanyam Venkata Kunapuli, Fei Yang, Tor A. Sundsbarm
  • Publication number: 20150201278
    Abstract: A processing system can include tracking microphone array(s), audio-tracking circuitry configured to detect a location of audio sources from audio signals from the array(s), and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry can be configured to: identify a first microphone that has a strongest signal strength; estimate a location of an active speaker based on at least an output of the audio-tracking circuitry; determine whether a second microphone for the active speaker is affected by an acoustic obstacle based on the location of the active speaker and a location of the first microphone that has the strongest signal strength; estimate attenuation for microphones based on a comparison of actual signal strengths of the microphones with estimated signal strengths of the microphones that are estimated based on microphone signals of the second microphone for the active speaker; and modify the attenuation based on an estimated location of the acoustic obstacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Feng Bao, Subrahmanyam Kunapuli, Fei Yang, Tor Sundsbarm
  • Publication number: 20150156395
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a first signal from a first microphone, and determining when the first signal is indicative of activity on a first surface. The method also includes controlling a camera to focus on the first surface when it is determined that the first signal indicates the activity on the first surface. In such an embodiment, the first microphone and the camera may be part of a collaboration system, and the first surface may be a surface of a whiteboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Bao, Subrahmanyam Venkata Kunapuli, Fei Yang, Tor Sundsbarm, David Paul Wunsch Desrosiers, Olin Daniel Williford, JR., David Michael Sanguinet
  • Publication number: 20150063579
    Abstract: Acoustic echo cancellation is improved by receiving a speaker signal that is used to produce audio in a room, and receiving audio signals that capture audio from an array of microphones in the room, including an acoustic echo from the speakers. To cancel the acoustic echo, one adaptive filter is associated with a corresponding subspace in the room. Each of the audio signals is assigned to at least one of the adaptive filters, and a set of coefficients is iteratively determined for each of the adaptive filters. The coefficients for an adaptive filter are determined by selecting each of the audio signals assigned to that adaptive filter and adapting the filter to remove an acoustic echo from each of the selected audio signals. At each iteration, a different audio signal is selected from the audio signals assigned to the adaptive filter in order to determine the set of coefficients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Bao, Subrahmanyam Venkata Kunapuli, Fei Yang, Xiangyu Bao, Tor A. Sundsbarm
  • Publication number: 20150050967
    Abstract: A controller for the conference session receives at least one audio signal to generate a speaker signal. The controller correlates the speaker signal with network timing information and generates speaker timing information. The controller transmits the correlated speaker signal and timing information to a mobile device participating in the conference session. The mobile device generates an echo cancelled microphone signal from a microphone of the mobile device, and transmits the echo cancelled signal back to the controller. The controller also receives array microphone signals associated with an array of microphones at known positions in the room. The controller removes acoustic echo from the array microphone signals, and estimates a relative location of the mobile device. The controller dynamically selects as audio output corresponding to the mobile device location either (a) the array microphone signal, or (b) the echo cancelled microphone signal from the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc
    Inventors: Feng Bao, Subrahmanyam Venkata Kunapuli, Fei Yang, Tor A. Sundsbarm
  • Patent number: 8599235
    Abstract: Methods and systems that compensate for display latency when separate speakers are used during video conferencing. A method includes determining whether speakers, which are not controlled by a display, are to be used in connection with a video conferencing session. The method further includes sending, to the display, data that causes the display to generate a predetermined pattern, capturing imagery of the effects of the predetermined pattern shown on the display, calculating a latency of the display based on a difference in a time the data was sent and the imagery of the effects is received, and storing a value of the latency of the display in a device that enables the video conferencing. When the speakers, which are not controlled by the display are selected, are selected, the audio portion of the video conferencing session is redirected to those speakers, but delayed for an amount of time substantially equivalent to the value of the latency of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Friel, Philip R. Graham, Richard T. Wales, Tor A. Sundsbarm, Paul J. Randall
  • Publication number: 20110018959
    Abstract: Methods and systems that compensate for display latency when separate speakers are used during video conferencing. A method includes determining whether speakers, which are not controlled by a display, are to be used in connection with a video conferencing session. The method further includes sending, to the display, data that causes the display to generate a predetermined pattern, capturing imagery of the effects of the predetermined pattern shown on the display, calculating a latency of the display based on a difference in a time the data was sent and the imagery of the effects is received, and storing a value of the latency of the display in a device that enables the video conferencing. When the speakers, which are not controlled by the display are selected, are selected, the audio portion of the video conferencing session is redirected to those speakers, but delayed for an amount of time substantially equivalent to the value of the latency of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T. Friel, Philip R. Graham, Richard T. Wales, Tor A. Sundsbarm, Paul J. Randall
  • Patent number: 6335931
    Abstract: A system for synchronizing data packet collection and transmission on multiple segments of a local area network (“LAN”) or a wide area network (“WAN”) using a common clock to generate time stamps placed on the data packets by all peripheral network devices. The common clock is located on a network analyzer device which acts as the “master” to other “slave” peripheral network devices which are driven by the common clock and coupled to the master device in a master-slave configuration. The system also synchronizes the initialization of data packet transmission and/or collection on multiple peripheral network devices by using a common industry standard architecture (“ISA”) address for all devices involved in the data transmission and/or collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen H. Strong, Tor A. Sundsbarm
  • Patent number: 5809035
    Abstract: The present invention provides method of encoding an electronic memory; multiple digital values are prioritized; respective digital values are associated with respective memory locations of the electronic memory such that there are multiple memory locations each associated with two or more different digital values; and respective digital values are loaded into respective memory locations of the electronic memory in order from lowest priority digital value to highest priority digital value wherein each respective digital value is loaded into all respective memory locations that are associated with such respective digital value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: ShomitiSystems
    Inventors: Som Sikdar, Steven Strong, Tor Sundsbarm, Santosh Lolayekar