Richard Knapp—Inventor, Scientist, Engineer
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Richard Knapp is an inventor, scientist, and engineer specializing in the research and development of advanced signal processing algorithms for audio, photo, and video application. This involves original work in human spatio-temporal sensor system modeling, non-linear fourier and wavelet mathematics, and coherent information theory.
Knapp has also been a world-renowned audio electronics pioneer, having invented the patented TFET amplification technology used in the Spatial, Inc. audiophile electronics, based on original theories of noise intermodulation and non-linearity correction in field effect devices. Other audio inventions include true-3D stereo, all-electronic full-range ion loudspeaker, and signal processing to correct electronic degradation in sound.
Summary Expertise
Signal Processing: invention of algorithms for physical processes, video, audio, data, and ideas.
Physical Modeling: translation of physical principles into multidimensional models and algorithms.
Human Modeling: translation of non-linear human sensor information processing into models and algorithms.
Algorithm Research: research, development, and mathematical optimization of software methods.
System Engineering: design and analysis of multi-level adaptive systems and architectures.
Expertise Application: visible, infrared, spectral sensor systems; video, audio, idea systems.
Technical Advancements
Digital Image Enhancement: streaming adaptive local-area contrast-enhancement techniques.
Digital Noise Elimination: streaming non-linear spatiotemporal adaptive matched-filter techniques.
Coherent Data Processing: non-linear fourier-cross-domain noise/resonance separation techniques.
Human Sensor Modeling: adaptive modulating-bandwidth information-optimization techniques.
Coherent Amplification: variational optimization of i-v transfunctionals in semiconductors.
Ultra-Clarity Amplifiers: high-gain minimized-noise-intermodulation amplifier systems.
Holosonic Stereo: theory and practice of natural 3-D sound encoding into 2-channel stereo.
Ionitronic Projector: no-moving-parts all-electronic full-audio-range powered loudspeaker.
Psychological Technology: application of advanced psychical principles into software.
Information Research & Engineering
Visual Information Processing: invented the Enhancement of Sub-Perceptual Information Algorithm (Espia), an advanced image enhancement technology that expands the human perception of brightness and contrast information in digital imagery.
Audio Information Processing: invented the Aural Coherent Process, an advanced spatiotemporal digital signal process that removes added and modulated noise from digital audio media.
Human Sensor Modeling: performed original research into human visual and aural sensor modeling as adaptive multi-resolution spatiotemporal information systems; invented spatiotemporal algorithms for digital audio-video image enhancement, noise reduction, and data compression.
Human-Computer Technology: invented an original highly literate psychological software technology implemented in a professional Windows program; designed an infinite-holographic system architecture and data matrix algorithm used for language synthesis; designed an original natural-sounding voice synthesizer for telephone using audio-processed human voice fragments.
Applied Physics: performed research into spatial and spectral auditory and visual perception, ion and EM loudspeaker technology, coherent information theory, and semiconductor physics.
Audio Science & Engineering
Audio Engineering: invented numerous audio and sound technologies, including: coherent pre, mic, line, and power amplifiers [TFET]; multi-band noise reduction, compression, expansion, and exciter systems; non/powered loudspeaker systems; true-3D stereo recording system.
Audiophile Electronics: designed the Spatial Coherence Preamplifier and Power Amplifier, audiophile amplifiers that received world-wide acclaim as "by far the best sound."
Semiconductor Physics: invented the TFET-Valve Coherent Amplification Technology [2 patents] implemented in the Spatial, Inc. audiophile electronics, using an original discovery of electron-velocity modulation to linearize the transconductance functional.
Audio Phenomenology: solved the issue of auditory differences among amplifier technologies, a problem debated for decades, using coherent information theory as it applies to semiconductor physics.
Sensor System Research
IR Sensor Systems R&D: performed analysis, design, and system optimization of image processing algorithms for in-production and proposed FLIR sensor systems; invented a real-time video enhancement algorithm, based on non-linear wavelet mathematics and principles of human perception; demonstrated significant recovery of visual information otherwise lost when using industry-standard image processing.
Sensor Image Processing: invented the Adaptive Frame Integration real-time image enhancement algorithm for noisy-environment video, using an original spatially-correlated temporal adaptive matched filtering algorithm that greatly improved static/moving object recognition by clarifying images with very low signal-to-noise ratios.
Signal Processing & Architectural Design: invented algorithms and numerous sensor system signal processes for IRST object detection and false alarm management; performed research and development on advanced signal and image processing architectures and algorithms for IRST, infrared video, multispectral, hyperspectral, and scanning interferometric sensor systems; incepted and analyzed advanced signal processing systems for large-scale spaceborne electro-optic mosaic sensor systems, including: top-level imaging system architectures, signal processing algorithms for enhanced object recognition, systems integration concepts, sensor fusion, and data architectures.
Education & Awards
Received three degrees in chemical and electrical engineering from Stanford University (graduate) and the University of Massachusetts (undergraduate). Awarded the National Science Foundation Fellowship from Stanford University. Awarded the American Institute of Chemists Medal from the University of Massachusetts. Graduated 1/612 as the class marshall in the School of Engineering at UMass.
Personal Description
An inventor of idea-systems in any genre, dedicated to excellence. Exceptionally creative original thinker able to solve challenging problems that require intuitive-technical awareness. Able to offer insight to and understanding of any technical or philosophic issue by interrelating the meaningfulness of seemingly unrelated perceptions. Able to synthesize practical creative ideas within and across widely diverse subjective and objective fields.