Christopher M Hanna

US Patent:

8258870, Sep 4, 2012

Filed:

Aug 16, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/857246

Inventors:

Robert W. Moses - Vashon Island WA, US
Christopher M. Hanna - Arlington MA, US

Assignee:

THAT Corporation - Milford MA

International Classification:

H03G 3/20

US Classification:

330278, 330279, 330137

Abstract:

A digitally-controlled analog gain circuit supports at plurality of gain settings in which gain changes are made from a first setting to a new setting in response to a clocking signal of a non-uniform rate. The non-uniform rate clocking signal can be created pseudo randomly by applying a periodic sequence of clock pulses to a linear feedback shift register. Alternatively, the non-uniform rate clock signal can be created by applying a noise source to a phase detector input of a phase locked loop. The clocking signal can be generated by an oscillator, or as a sequence of pulses output by a zero crossing detector. Finally, the gain circuit can apply positive gain to the signal. Alternatively, the gain circuit can apply a negative gain (attenuation) to the signal.

US Patent:

8284954, Oct 9, 2012

Filed:

Oct 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/927751

Inventors:

Christopher M. Hanna - Marlborough MA, US

Assignee:

THAT Corporation - Milford MA

International Classification:

H04R 1/40
H03G 7/00

US Classification:

381 97, 381106

Abstract:

The disclosed BTSC encoder includes a left high pass filter means for receiving a digital left channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital left channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital left filtered signal; a right high pass filter means for receiving a digital right channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital right channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital right filtered signal; a matrix means for receiving the digital left and digital right filtered signals, and including means for summing the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital sum signal, and including means for subtracting one of the digital left and digital right filtered signals from the other of the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital difference signal; a difference channel processing means for digitally processing the digital difference signal; and a sum channel processing means for digitally processing the digital sum signal.

US Patent:

8315411, Nov 20, 2012

Filed:

Nov 16, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/619655

Inventors:

Christopher M. Hanna - Arlington MA, US
Gregory Benulis - Boxford MA, US

Assignee:

THAT Corporation - Milford MA

International Classification:

H03G 3/00
H03G 7/00
H04B 15/00

US Classification:

381107, 381108, 381106, 381 945

Abstract:

A disclosed system and method dynamically controls the perceived volume of a stereo audio program including left and right channel signals. The system comprises: a dynamic volume control configured and arranged so as to maintain a perceived constant volume level of the stereo audio program; and an excessive spatial processing protection processor configured and arranged for controlling the level of a difference signal, created as a function of the right channel signal subtracted from the left channel signal (L−R), relative to the level of a sum signal, created as a function of the right channel signal plus the left channel signal; wherein the excessive spatial processing protection processor processes the audio signals so as to control the difference (L−R) signal relative to the sum (L+R) signal. A system and method are also provided for dynamically controlling the perceived volume of a stereo audio program including left and right channel signals, comprising: a dynamic volume control configured and arranged so as to maintain a perceived constant volume level of the stereo audio program; and a program change detector configured and arranged to provide a program change signal indicating that the volume of the left and right channel signals has dropped below a threshold level for at least a threshold time period so as to anticipate a possible change in the sound level of the left and right channel signals; wherein the dynamic volume control is responsive to the program change signal.

US Patent:

8416019, Apr 9, 2013

Filed:

Aug 16, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/857163

Inventors:

Robert W. Moses - Vashon Island WA, US
Leslie B. Tyler - Milford MA, US
Christopher Hanna - Arlington MA, US

Assignee:

THAT Corporation - Milford MA

International Classification:

H03G 3/20

US Classification:

330131, 330137

Abstract:

A digitally-controlled analog gain circuit supports a plurality of gain settings in which gain changes are made from a first setting to a new setting in response to a clocking signal. Large changes in gain are interpolated in small gain steps or increments. The clocking signal can be generated by an oscillator, or as a sequence of pulses output by a zero crossing detector. The gain circuit can apply positive gain to the signal. Alternatively, the gain circuit can apply a negative gain (attenuation) to the signal. The clocking signal can be provided in a pseudo-randomized manner to minimize unwanted signal effects such as discernable sound transients.

US Patent:

20070016316, Jan 18, 2007

Filed:

Jun 2, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/445670

Inventors:

Christopher Hanna - Arlington MA, US

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

700094000

Abstract:

The disclosed BTSC encoder includes a left high pass filter means for receiving a digital left channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital left channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital left filtered signal; a right high pass filter means for receiving a digital right channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital right channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital right filtered signal; a matrix means for receiving the digital left and digital right filtered signals, and including means for summing the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital sum signal, and including means for subtracting one of the digital left and digital right filtered signals from the other of the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital difference signal; a difference channel processing means for digitally processing the digital difference signal; and a sum channel processing means for digitally processing the digital sum signal.

US Patent:

20080095376, Apr 24, 2008

Filed:

Oct 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/927739

Inventors:

Christopher Hanna - Marlborough MA, US

Assignee:

THAT Corporation - Milford MA

International Classification:

H04H 20/88

US Classification:

381002000

Abstract:

The disclosed BTSC encoder includes a left high pass filter means for receiving a digital left channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital left channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital left filtered signal; a right high pass filter means for receiving a digital right channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital right channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital right filtered signal; a matrix means for receiving the digital left and digital right filtered signals, and including means for summing the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital sum signal, and including means for subtracting one of the digital left and digital right filtered signals from the other of the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital difference signal; a difference channel processing means for digitally processing the digital difference signal; and a sum channel processing means for digitally processing the digital sum signal.

US Patent:

20080095377, Apr 24, 2008

Filed:

Oct 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/927742

Inventors:

Christopher Hanna - Marlborough MA, US

Assignee:

THAT Corporation - Milford MA

International Classification:

H04H 20/88

US Classification:

381002000

Abstract:

The disclosed BTSC encoder includes a left high pass filter means for receiving a digital left channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital left channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital left filtered signal; a right high pass filter means for receiving a digital right channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital right channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital right filtered signal; a matrix means for receiving the digital left and digital right filtered signals, and including means for summing the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital sum signal, and including means for subtracting one of the digital left and digital right filtered signals from the other of the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital difference signal; a difference channel processing means for digitally processing the digital difference signal; and a sum channel processing means for digitally processing the digital sum signal.

US Patent:

20080095378, Apr 24, 2008

Filed:

Oct 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/927746

Inventors:

Christopher Hanna - Marlborough MA, US

Assignee:

THAT Corporation - Milford MA

International Classification:

H04H 20/88

US Classification:

381002000

Abstract:

The disclosed BTSC encoder includes a left high pass filter means for receiving a digital left channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital left channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital left filtered signal; a right high pass filter means for receiving a digital right channel audio signal and for digitally high pass filtering the digital right channel audio signal and thereby generating a digital right filtered signal; a matrix means for receiving the digital left and digital right filtered signals, and including means for summing the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital sum signal, and including means for subtracting one of the digital left and digital right filtered signals from the other of the digital left and digital right filtered signals and thereby generating a digital difference signal; a difference channel processing means for digitally processing the digital difference signal; and a sum channel processing means for digitally processing the digital sum signal.