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Polycom Innovator and Inventor of Industry-Defining Technologies for Audio and Video Solutions, Dr. Peter Chu, Named Polycom Fellow
Posted on Thursday, September 8, 2011
Dr. Chu's Audio Inventions Have Been Instrumental in Development of Polycom Unified Communications Solutions
 
PLEASANTON, Calif. - Sep 08, 2011 : Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM), a global leader in unified communications (UC), today honored Dr. Peter Chu as a Polycom Fellow. Dr. Chu is the director of the Polycom Burlington Media Labs, and leads a team that is responsible for designing and developing award-winning technologies for high-definition UC video and voice solutions.
 
With more than 40 patents issued and pending in categories such as codecs, microphone arrays, noise suppression, voice detection, echo cancellation, UC integration and loudspeaker system design, Dr. Chu has invented a range of industry-defining technologies that are fundamental features in Polycom's superior video and voice products. Dr. Chu's inventions include:
  • High-quality acoustic echo cancellation, which was a flagship feature in Polycom's first speakerphone that allowed multiple participants in a teleconference to speak simultaneously without cutting each other out. The acoustic echo cancellation technology is used in all Polycom HD video and voice solutions today, providing a superior meeting and collaboration experience for organizations worldwide.
  • Acoustic source location, which allows image capture devices to automatically locate and zoom in on active speakers through voice triangulation. This technology is featured in products such as the Polycom® EagleEye Director.
  • Polycom Music Mode™ technology, a feature of Polycom telepresence solutions that accurately reproduces live music picked up by microphones. Developed in collaboration with the Manhattan School of Music, Polycom Music Mode™ technology allows remote listeners to hear the true sound of instruments and voices, enhancing distance learning and the overall listening experience.
  • Polycom StereoSurround™ audio technology, which provides the required spatial cues that allow people to separate out different sounds, making overall video conferencing experiences more realistic. This technology is featured in several of Polycom's video products including the Polycom® HDX® series, the Polycom® OTX™ solutions, the Polycom® RealPresence™ Experience (Polycom® RPX®) and Polycom® SoundStructure® installed audio solution.
  • Polycom Siren™ lost packet recovery, a software code that protects video calls from audio issues such as freezing or hiccups. This algorithm is featured in products such as the Polycom HDX series.
  • Ceiling Microphone Array, an unobtrusive microphone where the electronics are hidden in the ceiling for increased room-use flexibility. The microphone design allows 360-degree voice pickup and features StereoSurround and Siren technology.
"Having world-class engineering talent in audio, video and software has allowed us to continuously innovate and create the best video and voice collaboration experiences for our customers," said Sudhakar Ramakrishna, executive vice president and general manager of UC solutions and chief development officer, Polycom. "With more than 35 years of audio experience, Dr. Peter Chu has been instrumental in the development of some of the most innovative audio and video solutions ever created, and his contributions to the company and the industry have changed and improved the way people and organizations communicate."
 
"Working alongside the brightest minds in the UC industry to develop technology that meets and exceeds customers' requirements serves as daily inspiration for me," said Dr. Chu. "I'm honored by this recognition and look forward to continuing Polycom's long tradition of applying technical innovation to provide customers in all industries with the very best in sound quality for audio and visual communications."
 
In addition to 22 years at Polycom and PictureTel (now a division of Polycom), Dr. Chu's audio experience also includes roles at Motorola and Hewlett-Packard. He was also a member of staff at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory and an assistant professor of Electrical Engineering at Boston University. Dr. Chu has earned degrees from University of California at Berkeley, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
 
Polycom UC Solutions
Polycom UC solutions create a highly collaborative environment that significantly improves learning and engagement, as well as overall productivity and efficiency. Offerings include HD voice and video solutions for personal, mobile, group, and immersive telepresence experiences. Polycom helps companies of all sizes, in all industries, become high-performance workplaces where people collaborate on-demand between any location, over any network, with their device of choice to enable UC Everywhere™ by Polycom. With a broad ecosystem of strategic partners, Polycom provides the most comprehensive, reliable, and scalable collaboration platform for managing and delivering UC solutions to employees, partners and suppliers – on-premises or from the cloud.
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Douglas Fearing- Co-Founder / President

A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.

Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.

Lois Fearing- Co-Founder/Accounting, Human Resources

A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.

Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.

Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.

Ehren Tresner-VP of Technology and Innovation

Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.

Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.

Ben Voeck-Director of Commercial AV

With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.

By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.

Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.

Chris Matson-Senior VP of Sales

Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.

Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.