Patents Assigned to DTS, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10820136
    Abstract: The methods and apparatus described herein provides technical solutions to the technical problems facing crosstalk cancellation for 3D audio virtualization. One technical solution includes preconditioning audio signals based on crosstalk canceller characteristics and based on characteristics of sound sources at intended locations in 3D space. To provide these technical solutions, the systems and methods described herein include an audio virtualizer and an audio preconditioner. In particular, the audio virtualizer includes a crosstalk canceller, and the audio preconditioner preconditions audio signals based on characteristics of a crosstalk cancellation system and based on characteristics of a binaural synthesis system or intended input source location in space. This solution improves the overall accuracy of virtualization of 3D sound sources and reduces or eliminates audio artifacts such as incorrect localization, inter-channel sound level imbalance, or a sound level that is higher or lower than intended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventor: Daekyoung Noh
  • Patent number: 10796704
    Abstract: A method to decode audio signals is provided that includes: receiving an input spatial audio signal; determining directions of arrival of directional audio sources represented in the received input spatial audio signal; determining one of an active input spatial audio signal component and a passive spatial audio signal input component, based upon the determined directions of arrival; determining the other of the active input spatial audio signal component and the passive input spatial audio signal component, based upon the determined one of the active input spatial audio signal component and the passive input spatial audio signal component; decoding the active input spatial audio signal component to a first output format; and decoding the passive input spatial audio signal component to a second output format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Goodwin, Edward Stein
  • Patent number: 10795637
    Abstract: When the volume is adjusted in a multi-speaker system, it is desirable that one speaker does not change volume disproportionately with respect to another speaker. A method is presented for adjusting a volume level of one or more speakers. Each speaker can have a non-standardized relationship between logical volume level that is input to the speaker and sound pressure level that is produced by the speaker. A selected volume level, corresponding to a sound pressure level, can be received via a user interface. A stored lookup table can be accessed to convert the sound pressure level to a first product-specific logical volume level for each speaker. The stored lookup table can tabulate the non-standardized relationship between logical volume level and sound pressure level for each speaker. Data corresponding to the first product-specific logical volume level can be transmitted to each speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventor: Dannie Lau
  • Patent number: 10771913
    Abstract: A system and method can determine a time-varying position of a sound in a multi-channel audio signal. At least one processor can: receive a multi-channel audio signal representing a sound, each channel of the multi-channel audio signal providing audio associated with a corresponding channel position around a perimeter of a soundstage; determine a time-varying volume level for each channel of the multi-channel audio signal; determine, from the time-varying volume levels and the channel positions, a time-varying position in the soundstage of the sound; and generate a location data signal representing the time-varying position of the sound. The channel positions can be time-invariant. The position magnitude can be scaled to provide a unit magnitude as a sound pans from a channel to an adjacent channel. The position azimuth angle can be scaled to account for center location bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Warner
  • Patent number: 10768889
    Abstract: An audio adjustment system is provided that can output a user interface customized by the provider of the audio system instead of the electronic device manufacturer. Such an arrangement can save both field engineers and manufacturers a significant amount of time. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, such an audio adjustment system can be provided without knowledge of the electronic device's firmware. Instead, the audio adjustment system can communicate with the electronic device through an existing audio interface in the electronic device to enable a user to control audio enhancement parameters in the electronic device. For instance, the audio adjustment system can control the electronic device via an audio input jack on the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Maling, III, James Tracey, Daekyoung Noh
  • Patent number: 10757466
    Abstract: Media is selected for video playback through a first device and audio playback through one or more separate devices connected through a wireless network. Different techniques for synchronizing the audio and video can be selected based on one or more factors to improve media playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Dannie Lau, Chunho Lee
  • Patent number: 10748553
    Abstract: Systems and methods to provide distortion sensing, prevention, and/or distortion-aware bass enhancement in audio systems can be implemented in a variety of applications. Sensing circuitry can generate statistics based on an input signal received for which an acoustic output is generated. In various embodiments, the statistics can be used such that a multi-notch filter can be used to provide input to a speaker to generate the acoustic output. In various embodiments, the statistics from the sensing circuitry can be provided to a bass parameter controller coupled to bass enhancement circuitry to operatively provide parameters to the bass enhancement circuitry. The bass enhancement circuitry can provide a bass enhanced signal for generation of the acoustic output, based on the parameters. Various combinations of a multi-notch filter and bass enhancement circuitry using statistics from sensing circuitry can be implemented to provide an enhanced acoustic output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Cassidy, Aaron Warner, Themis Katsianos
  • Patent number: 10735178
    Abstract: A method and system for the transmission of digital data (210) over existing analog radio frequencies (230) is presented, wherein the digital data may include audio data, visual data or audio-visual data for presentation either with analog broadcast data or at a selectable time. The digital data may be transmitted over a plurality of sub-channels that have varying degrees or reliability (250). A “quality-of-service” process manages the transmission of digital data over various sub-channels based on the reliability of the sub-channel, the amount of digital data and the type of digital data to be transmitted. The digital data may further be encrypted and authenticated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: David Corts, Bryce Wells, Paul Signorelli, Lee Hunter, Terrance Snyder
  • Patent number: 10728683
    Abstract: Systems and methods discussed herein can provide three-dimensional audio virtualization with sweet spot adaptation. In an example, an audio processor circuit can be used to update audio signals for sweet spot adaptation based on information from at least one depth sensor or camera about a listener position in a listening environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Guangji Shi, Vlad Ionut Ursachi, Daekyoung Noh, Themis George Katsianos, Antonius Kalker, Petronel Bigioi, Jean-Marc Jot
  • Patent number: 10699723
    Abstract: An audio encoder can parse a digital audio signal into a plurality of frames, each frame including a specified number of audio samples, perform a transform of the audio samples of each frame to produce a plurality of frequency-domain coefficients for each frame, partition the plurality of frequency-domain coefficients for each frame into a plurality of bands for each frame, each band having a reshaping parameter that represents a time resolution and a frequency resolution, and encode the digital audio signal to a bit stream that includes the reshaping parameters. For a first band, the reshaping parameter can be encoded using a first alphabet size. For a second band, the reshaping parameter can be encoded using a second alphabet size different from the first alphabet size. Using different alphabet sizes can allow for more compact compression in the bit stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Chau, Antonius Kalker, Gadiel Seroussi
  • Patent number: 10699721
    Abstract: An audio encoder can parse a digital audio signal into a plurality of frames, each frame including a specified number of audio samples, perform a transform of the audio samples of each frame to produce a plurality of frequency-domain coefficients for each frame, partition the plurality of frequency-domain coefficients for each frame into a plurality of bands for each frame, each band having bit data that represents a number of bits allocated for the band, and encode the digital audio signal and difference data to a bit stream (e.g., an encoded digital audio signal). The difference data can produce the full bit data when combined with estimate data that can be computed from data present in the bit stream. The difference data can be compressed to a smaller size than the full bit data, which can reduce the space required in the bit stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Gadiel Seroussi, Pavel Chubarev, Brandon Smith
  • Patent number: 10694288
    Abstract: A user device can be used to correct for a latency of a speaker. The user device can communicate an indication to the speaker to play a sound at a first time. The user device can record a second time at which a microphone on the user device detects the sound. The first and second times can be synchronized to a clock of a computer network. The user device can compare the first and second times to determine a latency of the speaker. The user device can communicate adjustment data corresponding to the determined latency to the speaker. The speaker can use the adjustment data to correct for the determined latency. In some examples, the user device can display instructions to position the user device a specified distance from the speaker, and can account for a time-of-flight of sound to propagate along the specified distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventor: Dannie Lau
  • Patent number: 10673549
    Abstract: A system comprises an Internet network interface, and a first server. The first server include a first port operatively coupled to the Internet network interface, a memory, a processor, and a service application for execution by the processor. The service application is configured to receive a digital audio file and associated radio broadcast information via the Internet network interface, obtain an audio file identifier using a segment of the digital audio file, forward the digital audio file to a radio broadcast system according to the radio broadcast information, receive the segment of the digital audio file and associated radio reception information via the internet network interface, and identify the digital audio file and record the radio reception information for the identified digital audio file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Smalley
  • Patent number: 10638218
    Abstract: In an audiovisual system, in which video is displayed on a screen that does not permit sound to pass through the screen, such as a light emitting diode panel, a high-frequency speaker positioned above an audience seating area can direct sound toward the screen, so that the screen can reflect the sound toward the audience seating area. The high-frequency speaker can be used with one or more low-frequency speakers positioned at or near the height of the audience seating area. The low-frequency and high-frequency sounds can appear to originate from close to the same height, thereby creating a realistic audio image at the audience seating area. A spectral filter can negate the spectral effects of propagation to and reflection from the screen. Suitable time delays can synchronize the high-frequency sound with the low-frequency sound and with video displayed on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Slack
  • Patent number: 10616587
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for processing data from a sequential series of groups of frames to achieve a target average processing bit rate for a particular group of frames in the series. In an example, a look-ahead buffer circuit can be populated with a number of frames from a particular group of frames, and a bit allocation can be determined for a frame in the look-ahead buffer circuit using bit request information about all of the frames in the buffer. The look-ahead buffer circuit can be populated with streaming frame information in a first-in-first-out manner, and bit allocation processing can be performed for each frame, in a particular group of frames, based on a frame position in the look-ahead buffer circuit and further based on bit requests associated with other frames in the look-ahead buffer circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacek Stachurski, Zoran Fejzo
  • Patent number: 10609503
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein can be configured to identify, manipulate, and render different audio source components from encoded 3D audio mixes, such as can include content mixed for azimuth, elevation, and/or depth relative to a listener. The systems and methods can be configured to decouple depth encoding and decoding to permit spatial performance to be tailored to a particular playback environment or platform. In an example, the systems and methods improve rendering in applications that involve listener tracking, including tracking over six degrees of freedom (e.g., yaw, pitch, roll orientation, and x, y, z position).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Stein
  • Patent number: 10600431
    Abstract: Systems and methods to provide distortion sensing, prevention, and/or distortion-aware bass enhancement in audio systems can be implemented in a variety of applications. Sensing circuitry can generate statistics based on an input signal received for which an acoustic output is generated. In various embodiments, the statistics can be used such that a multi-notch filter can be used to provide input to a speaker to generate the acoustic output. In various embodiments, the statistics from the sensing circuitry can be provided to a bass parameter controller coupled to bass enhancement circuitry to operatively provide parameters to the bass enhancement circuitry. The bass enhancement circuitry can provide a bass enhanced signal for generation of the acoustic output, based on the parameters. Various combinations of a multi-notch filter and bass enhancement circuitry using statistics from sensing circuitry can be implemented to provide an enhanced acoustic output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan James Cassidy, Aaron Kube Warner, Themis George Katsianos
  • Patent number: 10575094
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides a technical solution to the technical problems facing sound localization by separating sounds and reproducing the separated sounds using a set of loudspeakers and a set of headphones. A general soundtrack that is meant to be experienced throughout the room would play through the loudspeakers, and specific sounds that are meant to be experienced near the listener would be played through a binaural representation in the headphones. The headphones may be selected to avoid occluding the ear, allowing sound produced at the loudspeakers to be heard clearly. This separation and reproduction of sounds using a combination of a loudspeaker and headphone provides a technical solution to the technical problem facing typical surround sound systems by localizing sounds for listeners in any location within a room. This improves reproduction accuracy of location-specific audio objects, including audio objects above or below a coplanar speaker configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Slack
  • Patent number: 10575114
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods are described for estimating a position of a loudspeaker and notifying a listener if an abnormal condition is detected, such as an incorrect loudspeaker orientation or an obstruction in a path between the loudspeaker and a microphone array. For example, a front component of a multi-channel surround sound system may include the microphone array and a position estimation engine. The position estimation engine may estimate the distance between the loudspeaker and the microphone array. In addition, the position estimation engine may estimate an angle of the loudspeaker using a first technique. The position estimation engine may also estimate an angle of the loudspeaker using a second technique. The two angles can be processed to determine whether the abnormal condition exists. If the abnormal condition exists, a listener can be notified and be provided with suggestions for resolving the issue in a graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Guangji Shi, Michael M. Goodwin, Edward Stein
  • Patent number: 10567878
    Abstract: Circuitry can separate a multi-channel input signal into a center signal and a residual signal, apply time-varying center and residual gains to the center and residual signals, and combine the gain-adjusted center and residual signals to form a multi-channel audio signal. The center and residual gains are automatically determined in response to the center and residual signals so as to prevent each channel of the multi-channel audio signal from exceeding a target volume. During first times, the center and residual gains can vary synchronously so as to ensure that amplitude and phase relationships among channels in the multi-channel input signal are retained into the multi-channel audio signal. During second times, the center and residual gains can vary independently so as to reduce the energy of the residual signal compared to the center signal in the multi-channel audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Kube Warner, Daekyoung Noh, Michael Johns