Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1993-2015
Title: The Innovative Contributions of Douglas L. Jones
Introduction
Douglas L. Jones, an accomplished inventor based in Champaign, IL, has made significant strides in the field of acoustics and signal processing. With a portfolio of 12 patents, his work has been instrumental in developing technologies that enhance the way we perceive and process sound in various environments.
Latest Patents
Among his most recent inventions are methods and apparatuses for blind signal recovery in noisy, reverberant environments. This includes a maximum-kurtosis, distortionless response (MKDR) technique and its extension, the maximum-kurtosis, Wiener estimate (MKWE) technique. These innovations tackle the estimation of speech source channel responses using microphone data and apply minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) techniques. The MKWE method approximates Wiener filtering by using MKDR-output noise power estimates to create a Wiener post-filter. This approach is adaptable for situations where the speech source may not move rapidly within a space.
Another noteworthy patent pertains to room volume and dimension estimation. In this invention, a processing subsystem is utilized to detect sound and establish an acoustic impulse response for a given room. From this impulse response, the system determines the number of sound reflections, ultimately calculating the room's volume, dimensions, and absorption coefficients of the room boundaries based on those reflections.
Career Highlights
Douglas L. Jones has worked with prestigious organizations such as the University of Illinois and Phonak AG. His tenure at these institutions reflects his commitment to advancing acoustic engineering and signal processing technologies.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Jones has collaborated with esteemed colleagues, including Albert S. Feng and Bruce C. Wheeler. These partnerships have contributed to the development of innovative solutions and have bolstered his contributions to the field.
Conclusion
Douglas L. Jones exemplifies the spirit of innovation in acoustic engineering, with a substantial number of patents that reflect his dedication to enhancing our auditory experiences. His latest inventions illustrate the application of advanced techniques to address real-world challenges in sound processing and room acoustics, establishing him as a notable figure in the realm of inventions and innovations.