Patents by Inventor Alan J. Seefeldt
Alan J. Seefeldt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11968268Abstract: An audio session management method may involve: determining, by an audio session manager, one or more first media engine capabilities of a first media engine of a first smart audio device, the first media engine being configured for managing one or more audio media streams received by the first smart audio device and for performing first smart audio device signal processing for the one or more audio media streams according to a first media engine sample clock; receiving, by the audio session manager and via a first application communication link, first application control signals from the first application; and controlling the first smart audio device according to the first media engine capabilities, by the audio session manager, via first audio session management control signals transmitted to the first smart audio device via a first smart audio device communication link and without reference to the first media engine sample clock.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2020Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignees: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation, Dolby International ABInventors: Glenn N. Dickins, Mark R. P. Thomas, Alan J. Seefeldt, Joshua B. Lando, Daniel Arteaga, Carlos Medaglia Dyonisio, David Gunawan, Richard J. Cartwright, Christopher Graham Hines
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Patent number: 11962279Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for processing an audio signal in an audio processing apparatus is disclosed. The method includes receiving an audio signal and a parameter, the parameter indicating a location of an auditory event boundary. An audio portion between consecutive auditory event boundaries constitutes an auditory event. The method further includes applying a modification to the audio signal based in part on an occurrence of the auditory event. The parameter may be generated by monitoring a characteristic of the audio signal and identifying a change in the characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2023Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Brett G. Crockett, Alan J. Seefeldt
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Publication number: 20240114308Abstract: Some methods involve receiving, by a control system that is configured for implementing a plurality of renderers, audio data and listening configuration data for a plurality of listening configurations, each listening configuration of the plurality of listening configurations corresponding to a listening position and a listening orientation in an audio environment, and rendering, by each renderer and according to the listening configuration data, the received audio data to obtain a set of renderer-specific loudspeaker feed signals for a corresponding listening configuration. Each renderer may be configured to render the audio data for a different listening configuration. Some such methods may involve decomposing each set of renderer-specific loudspeaker feed signals into a renderer-specific set of frequency bands and combining the renderer-specific frequency bands of each renderer to produce an output set of loudspeaker feed signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2021Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Alan J. SEEFELDT, C. Phillip BROWN
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Publication number: 20240114309Abstract: Some examples involve rendering received audio data by determining a first relative activation of a set of loudspeakers in an environment according to a first rendering configuration corresponding to a first set of speaker activations, receiving a first rendering transition indication indicating a transition from the first rendering configuration to a second rendering configuration and determining a second set of speaker activations corresponding to a simplified version of the second rendering configuration. Some examples involve performing a first transition from the first set of speaker activations to the second set of speaker activations, determining a third set of speaker activations corresponding to a complete version of the second rendering configuration and performing a second transition to the third set of speaker activations without requiring completion of the first transition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2021Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Joshua B. LANDO, Alan J. SEEFELDT
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Publication number: 20240107255Abstract: Some methods involve receiving, by a control system configured for implementing a plurality of Tenderers, audio data and listening configuration data for a plurality of listening configurations, each listening configuration of the plurality of listening configurations corresponding to a listening position and a listening orientation in an audio environment, and rendering, by each Tenderer and according to the listening configuration data, the received audio data to obtain a set of Tenderer-specific loudspeaker feed signals for a corresponding listening configuration. Each Tenderer may be configured to render the audio data for a different listening configuration. Some such methods may involve decomposing each set of renderer-specific loudspeaker feed signals into a Tenderer-specific set of frequency bands and combining the renderer-specific frequency bands of each Tenderer to produce an output set of loudspeaker feed signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2021Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Alan J. SEEFELDT, C. Phillip BROWN
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Patent number: 11943600Abstract: An apparatus and method of rendering audio objects with multiple types of renderers. The weighting between the selected renderers depends upon the position information in each audio object. As each type of renderer has a different output coverage, the combination of their weighted outputs results in the audio being perceived at the position according to the position information.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: François G. Germain, Alan J. Seefeldt
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Publication number: 20240039499Abstract: Volume leveler controller and controlling method are disclosed. In one embodiment, A volume leveler controller includes an audio content classifier for identifying the content type of an audio signal in real time; and an adjusting unit for adjusting a volume leveler in a continuous manner based on the content type as identified. The adjusting unit may configured to positively correlate the dynamic gain of the volume leveler with informative content types of the audio signal, and negatively correlate the dynamic gain of the volume leveler with interfering content types of the audio signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Jun WANG, Lie LU, Alan J. SEEFELDT
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Patent number: 11877140Abstract: An audio processing system and method which calculates, based on spatial metadata of the audio object, a panning coefficient for each of the audio objects in relation to each of a plurality of predefined channel coverage zones. Converts the audio signal into submixes in relation to the predefined channel coverage zones based on the calculated panning coefficients and the audio objects. Each of the submixes indicating a sum of components of the plurality of the audio objects in relation to one of the predefined channel coverage zones. Generating a submix gain by applying an audio processing to each of the submix and controls an object gain applied to each of the audio objects. The object gain being as a function of the panning coefficients for each of the audio objects and the submix gains in relation to each of the predefined channel coverage zones.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Alan J. Seefeldt, Lie Lu, Chen Zhang
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Patent number: 11842122Abstract: In an audio encoder, for audio content received in a source audio format, default gains are generated based on a default dynamic range compression (DRC) curve, and non-default gains are generated for a non-default gain profile. Based on the default gains and non-default gains, differential gains are generated. An audio signal comprising the audio content, the default DRC curve, and differential gains is generated. In an audio decoder, the default DRC curve and the differential gains are identified from the audio signal. Default gains are re-generated based on the default DRC curve. Based on the combination of the re-generated default gains and the differential gains, operations are performed on the audio content extracted from the audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignees: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION, DOLBY INTERNATIONAL ABInventors: Jeroen Koppens, Jeffrey Riedmiller, Kristofer Kjoerling, Alexander Stahlmann, Holger Hoerich, Alan J. Seefeldt
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Publication number: 20230385013Abstract: Embodiments are described for a method of rendering audio for playback through headphones comprising receiving digital audio content, receiving binaural rendering metadata generated by an authoring tool processing the received digital audio content, receiving playback metadata generated by a playback device, and combining the binaural rendering metadata and playback metadata to optimize playback of the digital audio content through the headphones.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Nicolas R. TSINGOS, Rhonda WILSON, Sunil BHARITKAR, C. Phillip BROWN, Alan J. SEEFELDT, Remi AUDFRAY
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Publication number: 20230359430Abstract: Media input audio data corresponding to a media stream and microphone input audio data from at least one microphone may be received. A first level of at least one of a plurality of frequency bands of the media input audio data, as well as a second level of at least one of a plurality of frequency bands of the microphone input audio data, may be determined. Media output audio data and microphone output audio data may be produced by adjusting levels of one or more of the first and second plurality of frequency bands based on the perceived loudness of the microphone input audio data, of the microphone output audio data, of the media output audio data and the media input audio data. One or more processes may be modified upon receipt of a mode-switching indication.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Mark Alexander, Chunjian Li, Joshua Brandon Lando, Alan J. Seefeldt, C. Phillip Brown, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart
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Publication number: 20230319190Abstract: An audio processing method may involve receiving output signals from each microphone of a plurality of microphones in an audio environment, the output signals corresponding to a current utterance of a person and determining, based on the output signals, one or more aspects of context information relating to the person, including an estimated current proximity of the person to one or more microphone locations. The method may involve selecting two or more loudspeaker-equipped audio devices based, at least in part, on the one or more aspects of the context information, determining one or more types of audio processing changes to apply to audio data being rendered to loudspeaker feed signals for the audio devices and causing one or more types of audio processing changes to be applied. In some examples, the audio processing changes have the effect of increasing a speech to echo ratio at one or more microphones.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2020Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicants: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation, Dolby International ABInventors: Glenn N. DICKINS, Christopher Graham HINES, David GUNAWAN, Richard J. CARTWRIGHT, Alan J. SEEFELDT, Daniel Arteaga, Mark R.P. THOMAS, Joshua B. LANDO
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Publication number: 20230318555Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for processing an audio signal in an audio processing apparatus is disclosed. The method includes receiving an audio signal and a parameter, the parameter indicating a location of an auditory event boundary. An audio portion between consecutive auditory event boundaries constitutes an auditory event. The method further includes applying a modification to the audio signal based in part on an occurrence of the auditory event. The parameter may be generated by monitoring a characteristic of the audio signal and identifying a change in the characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Brett G. CROCKETT, Alan J. SEEFELDT
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Patent number: 11765535Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of rendering adaptive audio by receiving input audio comprising channel-based audio, audio objects, and dynamic objects, wherein the dynamic objects are classified as sets of low-priority dynamic objects and high-priority dynamic objects, rendering the channel-based audio, the audio objects, and the low-priority dynamic objects in a first rendering processor of an audio processing system, and rendering the high-priority dynamic objects in a second rendering processor of the audio processing system. The rendered audio is then subject to virtualization and post-processing steps for playback through soundbars and other similar limited height capable speakers.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Joshua Brandon Lando, Freddie Sanchez, Alan J. Seefeldt
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Patent number: 11740859Abstract: Media input audio data corresponding to a media stream and microphone input audio data from at least one microphone may be received. A first level of at least one of a plurality of frequency bands of the media input audio data, as well as a second level of at least one of a plurality of frequency bands of the microphone input audio data, may be determined. Media output audio data and microphone output audio data may be produced by adjusting levels of one or more of the first and second plurality of frequency bands based on the perceived loudness of the microphone input audio data, of the microphone output audio data, of the media output audio data and the media input audio data. One or more processes may be modified upon receipt of a mode-switching indication.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2022Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Mark Alexander, Chunjian Li, Joshua Brandon Lando, Alan J. Seefeldt, C. Phillip Brown, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart
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Patent number: 11711060Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for processing an audio signal in an audio processing apparatus is disclosed. The method includes receiving an audio signal and a parameter, the parameter indicating a location of an auditory event boundary. An audio portion between consecutive auditory event boundaries constitutes an auditory event. The method further includes applying a modification to the audio signal based in part on an occurrence of the auditory event. The parameter may be generated by monitoring a characteristic of the audio signal and identifying a change in the characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2022Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Brett G. Crockett, Alan J. Seefeldt
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Patent number: 11711062Abstract: Volume leveler controller and controlling method are disclosed. In one embodiment, A volume leveler controller includes an audio content classifier for identifying the content type of an audio signal in real time; and an adjusting unit for adjusting a volume leveler in a continuous manner based on the content type as identified. The adjusting unit may configured to positively correlate the dynamic gain of the volume leveler with informative content types of the audio signal, and negatively correlate the dynamic gain of the volume leveler with interfering content types of the audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Jun Wang, Lie Lu, Alan J. Seefeldt
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Patent number: D1001562Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Alan J. Seefeldt, Lucas E. Saule, Peter Michaelian, Vincent Voron
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Patent number: D1004572Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2021Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Drew Alexander Walcott, Grayson H. Byrd, Peter Michaelian, Brian Edward Renz, John Carson Stewart, Cody Michael Proksa, Vincent Voron, Sripal S. Mehta, Alan J. Seefeldt
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Patent number: D1004573Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2021Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Drew Alexander Walcott, Grayson H. Byrd, Peter Michaelian, Brian Edward Renz, John Carson Stewart, Cody Michael Proksa, Vincent Voron, Sripal S. Mehta, Alan J. Seefeldt