Thomas William Inskip, Vi

Title: Thomas William Inskip, Vi: Innovator in Speech Detection and Activity Recognition

Introduction

Thomas William Inskip, Vi is an accomplished inventor based in Kirkland, WA (US). He holds three patents that showcase his expertise in speech detection and activity recognition technologies. His innovative work primarily focuses on enhancing user interaction with computing devices through advanced sensing techniques.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is titled "Speech detection using multiple acoustic sensors." This invention relates to voice activity detection (VAD) on wearable and other resource-constrained devices. It classifies speech recorded by a microphone of the device as belonging to the wearer versus another speech source. The computing device can include a microphone and an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The wearable device utilizes signals measured by the IMU to provide motion-tracking features, such as head tracking for augmented reality or virtual reality applications. This patent emphasizes leveraging existing data collected for motion-tracking features for use in VAD. A device can pre-process data streamed from an IMU to use only signals predetermined to indicate whether the wearer is speaking.

Another significant patent is "Activity detection on devices with multi-modal sensing." This invention encompasses methods, systems, devices, and computer-readable storage media for detecting user activity on a computing device using multi-modal sensing. The device is configured to receive sensor data corresponding to multiple modalities and processes this data to predict the activity performed by the user. In response to the detected activity, the device can perform actions such as muting or pausing audio playback. Different modalities, including body vibration data, air vibration data, and image data, can be combined to distinguish user activity, allowing the computing device to perform the correct corresponding action.

Career Highlights

Thomas is currently employed at Google Inc., where he continues to contribute to advancements in technology. His work has significantly impacted how devices interact with users, making them more intuitive and responsive.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Thomas has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Jamie Alexander Zyskowski and Duncan MacLean. These collaborations have fostered innovation and creativity in their projects.

Conclusion

Thomas William Inskip, Vi is a prominent inventor whose work in speech detection and activity recognition is shaping the future of user interaction with technology. His contributions at Google Inc. and his innovative patents reflect his commitment to advancing the field of computing devices.