Patents by Inventor Charles Q. Robinson

Charles Q. Robinson 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).

  • Publication number: 20160037280
    Abstract: Improved tools for authoring and rendering audio reproduction data are provided. Some such authoring tools allow audio reproduction data to be generalized for a wide variety of reproduction environments. Audio reproduction data may be authored by creating metadata for audio objects. The metadata may be created with reference to speaker zones. During the rendering process, the audio reproduction data may be reproduced according to the reproduction speaker layout of a particular reproduction environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicolas R. TSINGOS, Charles Q. ROBINSON, Jurgen W. SCHARPF
  • Publication number: 20160021476
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for an adaptive audio system that processes audio data comprising a number of independent monophonic audio streams. One or more of the streams has associated with it metadata that specifies whether the stream is a channel-based or object-based stream. Channel-based streams have rendering information encoded by means of channel name; and the object-based streams have location information encoded through location expressions encoded in the associated metadata. A codec packages the independent audio streams into a single serial bitstream that contains all of the audio data. This configuration allows for the sound to be rendered according to an allocentric frame of reference, in which the rendering location of a sound is based on the characteristics of the playback environment (e.g., room size, shape, etc.) to correspond to the mixer's intent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles Q. ROBINSON, Nicolas R. TSINGOS, Christophe CHABANNE
  • Patent number: 9204236
    Abstract: Improved tools for authoring and rendering audio reproduction data are provided. Some such authoring tools allow audio reproduction data to be generalized for a wide variety of reproduction environments. Audio reproduction data may be authored by creating metadata for audio objects. The metadata may be created with reference to speaker zones. During the rendering process, the audio reproduction data may be reproduced according to the reproduction speaker layout of a particular reproduction environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolas R. Tsingos, Charles Q. Robinson, Jurgen W. Scharpf
  • Patent number: 9179236
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for an adaptive audio system that processes audio data comprising a number of independent monophonic audio streams. One or more of the streams has associated with it metadata that specifies whether the stream is a channel-based or object-based stream. Channel-based streams have rendering information encoded by means of channel name; and the object-based streams have location information encoded through location expressions encoded in the associated metadata. A codec packages the independent audio streams into a single serial bitstream that contains all of the audio data. This configuration allows for the sound to be rendered according to an allocentric frame of reference, in which the rendering location of a sound is based on the characteristics of the playback environment (e.g., room size, shape, etc.) to correspond to the mixer's intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Q. Robinson, Nicolas R. Tsingos, Christophe Chabanne
  • Patent number: 9172901
    Abstract: Audio perception in local proximity to visual cues is provided. A device includes a video display, first row of audio transducers, and second row of audio transducers. The first and second rows can be vertically disposed above and below the video display. An audio transducer of the first row and an audio transducer of the second row form a column to produce, in concert, an audible signal. The perceived emanation of the audible signal is from a plane of the video display (e.g., a location of a visual cue) by weighing outputs of the audio transducers of the column. In certain embodiments, the audio transducers are spaced farther apart at a periphery for increased fidelity in a center portion of the plane and less fidelity at the periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe Chabanne, Nicolas R. Tsingos, Charles Q. Robinson
  • Patent number: 9118999
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described by which equalization and/or bass management of speakers in a sound reproduction system may be accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Mark F. Davis, Louise D. Fielder, Nicolas R. Tsingos, Charles Q. Robinson
  • Patent number: 9119011
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for rendering an object based audio program indicative of a trajectory of an audio source, including by generating speaker feeds for driving loudspeakers to emit sound intended to be perceived as emitting from the source, but with the source having a different trajectory than that indicated by the program. In other embodiments, a method for modifying (upmixing) an object based audio program indicative of a trajectory of an audio object within a subspace of a full volume, to determine a modified program indicative of a modified trajectory of the object such that at least a portion of the modified trajectory is outside the subspace. Other aspects include a system configured to perform, and a computer readable medium which stores code for implementing, any embodiment of the inventive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe Chabanne, Charles Q. Robinson
  • Patent number: 9094771
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for upmixing input audio comprising N full range channels to generate 3D output audio comprising N+M full range channels, where the N+M full range channels are intended to be rendered by speakers including at least two speakers at different distances from the listener. The N channel input audio is a 2D audio program whose N full range channels are intended for rendering by N speakers nominally equidistant from the listener. The upmixing of the input audio to generate the 3D output audio is typically performed in an automated manner, in response to cues determined in automated fashion from stereoscopic 3D video corresponding to the input audio, or in response to cues determined in automated fashion from the input audio. Other aspects include a system configured to perform, and a computer readable medium which stores code for implementing any embodiment of the inventive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignees: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation, Dolby International AB
    Inventors: Nicolas R. Tsingos, Charles Q. Robinson, Christophe Chabanne, Toni Hirvonen, Patrick Griffis
  • Publication number: 20140240610
    Abstract: Audio perception in local proximity to visual cues is provided. A device includes a video display, first row of audio transducers, and second row of audio transducers. The first and second rows can be vertically disposed above and below the video display. An audio transducer of the first row and an audio transducer of the second row form a column to produce, in concert, an audible signal. The perceived emanation of the audible signal is from a plane of the video display (e.g., a location of a visual cue) by weighing outputs of the audio transducers of the column. In certain embodiments, the audio transducers are spaced farther apart at a periphery for increased fidelity in a center portion of the plane and less fidelity at the periphery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe Chabanne, Nicolas R. Tsingos, Charles Q. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20140214431
    Abstract: A transmitter in an audio coding system generates an encoded audio signal that conveys a losslessly encoded representation of an audio signal at a first sample rate and losslessly encoded representations of related audio information at other sample rates. A companion receiver with limited computational resources can generate a high-quality output audio signal at a desired sample rate by losslessly decoding the encoded representation of the audio signal and possibly other portions of the encoded audio signal as needed to obtain an output signal at one of the other sample rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark S. Vinton, Charles Q. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8755543
    Abstract: Audio perception in local proximity to visual cues is provided. A device includes a video display, first row of audio transducers, and second row of audio transducers. The first and second rows can be vertically disposed above and below the video display. An audio transducer of the first row and an audio transducer of the second row form a column to produce, in concert, an audible signal. The perceived emanation of the audible signal is from a plane of the video display (e.g., a location of a visual cue) by weighing outputs of the audio transducers of the column In certain embodiments, the audio transducers are spaced farther apart at a periphery for increased fidelity in a center portion of the plane and less fidelity at the periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe Chabanne, Charles Q. Robinson, Nicolas R. Tsingos
  • Patent number: 8744247
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and program logic in storage media to process media data for quality enhancement. Information is accepted from a resource constrained device, e.g., a wireless portable device related to the quality enhancement and/or environmental quantities such as background noise and/or ambient lighting for the device. Media data is data processed to achieve quality enhancement using at least some of the accepted information to generate processed output. The data processing of the media data includes processing when or where one or more resources sufficient for the processing are available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Brett G. Crockett, Charles Q. Robinson, Claus Bauer
  • Publication number: 20140133682
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for rendering an object based audio program indicative of a trajectory of an audio source, including by generating speaker feeds for driving loudspeakers to emit sound intended to be perceived as emitting from the source, but with the source having a different trajectory than that indicated by the program. In other embodiments, a method for modifying (upmixing) an object based audio program indicative of a trajectory of an audio object within a subspace of a full volume, to determine a modified program indicative of a modified trajectory of the object such that at least a portion of the modified trajectory is outside the subspace. Other aspects include a system configured to perform, and a computer readable medium which stores code for implementing, any embodiment of the inventive method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christophe Chabanne, Charles Q. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20140133683
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for an adaptive audio system that processes audio data comprising a number of independent monophonic audio streams. One or more of the streams has associated with it metadata that specifies whether the stream is a channel-based or object-based stream. Channel-based streams have rendering information encoded by means of channel name; and the object-based streams have location information encoded through location expressions encoded in the associated metadata. A codec packages the independent audio streams into a single serial bitstream that contains all of the audio data. This configuration allows for the sound to be rendered according to an allocentric frame of reference, in which the rendering location of a sound is based on the characteristics of the playback environment (e.g., room size, shape, etc.) to correspond to the mixer's intent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Doly Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Q. Robinson, Nicolas R. Tsingos, Christophe Chabanne
  • Publication number: 20140119581
    Abstract: Improved tools for authoring and rendering audio reproduction data are provided. Some such authoring tools allow audio reproduction data to be generalized for a wide variety of reproduction environments. Audio reproduction data may be authored by creating metadata for audio objects. The metadata may be created with reference to speaker zones. During the rendering process, the audio reproduction data may be reproduced according to the reproduction speaker layout of a particular reproduction environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicolas R. Tsingos, Charles Q. Robinson, Jurgen W. Scharpf
  • Publication number: 20140119570
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described by which equalization and/or bass management of speakers in a sound reproduction system may be accomplished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark F. Davis, Louise D. Fielder, Nicolas R. Tsingos, Charles Q. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20140037117
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for upmixing input audio comprising N full range channels to generate 3D output audio comprising N+M full range channels, where the N+M full range channels are intended to be rendered by speakers including at least two speakers at different distances from the listener. The N channel input audio is a 2D audio program whose N full range channels are intended for rendering by N speakers nominally equidistant from the listener. The upmixing of the input audio to generate the 3D output audio is typically performed in an automated manner, in response to cues determined in automated fashion from stereoscopic 3D video corresponding to the input audio, or in response to cues determined in automated fashion from the input audio. Other aspects include a system configured to perform, and a computer readable medium which stores code for implementing any embodiment of the inventive method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: DOLBY INTERNATIONAL AB
    Inventors: Nicolas R. Tsingos, Charles Q. Robinson, Christophe Chabanne, Toni Hirvonen, Patrick Griffis
  • Publication number: 20130251177
    Abstract: Audio perception in local proximity to visual cues is provided. A device includes a video display, first row of audio transducers, and second row of audio transducers. The first and second rows can be vertically disposed above and below the video display. An audio transducer of the first row and an audio transducer of the second row form a column to produce, in concert, an audible signal. The perceived emanation of the audible signal is from a plane of the video display (e.g., a location of a visual cue) by weighing outputs of the audio transducers of the column In certain embodiments, the audio transducers are spaced farther apart at a periphery for increased fidelity in a center portion of the plane and less fidelity at the periphery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe Chabanne, Charles Q. Robinson, Nicolas R. Tsingos
  • Patent number: 8401863
    Abstract: Some methods may involve receiving a frame of encoded audio data that includes transform coefficient data. The transform coefficient data may include exponent data and mantissa data. The mantissa data may include mantissa values that were encoded with uniform or non-uniform boundaries of quantization intervals. The mantissa values may be reconstructed based, at least in part, on exponent profile data. Based on the exponent profile data, statistics regarding the pre-quantization mantissas values may be inferred. The exponent profile data may include exponent differential data. Some such exponent differential data may be exponent difference pairs, though more than two exponent differential data points may be evaluated in alternative methods. At each frequency bin, mantissa value reconstruction may be conditioned on the exponent differential data, e.g., on the exponent difference pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Vinay Melkote, Charles Q. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20120183162
    Abstract: Audio perception in local proximity to visual cues is provided. A device includes a video display, first row of audio transducers, and second row of audio transducers. The first and second rows can be vertically disposed above and below the video display. An audio transducer of the first row and an audio transducer of the second row form a column to produce, in concert, an audible signal. The perceived emanation of the audible signal is from a plane of the video display (e.g., a location of a visual cue) by weighing outputs of the audio transducers of the column In certain embodiments, the audio transducers are spaced farther apart at a periphery for increased fidelity in a center portion of the plane and less fidelity at the periphery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christophe Chabanne, Nicolas R. Tsingos, Charles Q. Robinson