Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for creating an object-based audio signal from an audio input are described. The audio input includes one or more audio channels that are recorded to collectively define an audio scene. The one or more audio channels are captured from a respective one or more spatially separated microphones disposed in a stable spatial configuration. A system receives the audio input. The system performs spatial analysis on the one or more audio channels to identify one or more audio objects within the audio scene. The system determines contextual information relating to the one or more audio objects. The system defines respective audio streams including audio data relating to at least one of the identified one or more audio objects. The system then outputs an object-based audio signal including the audio streams and the contextual information.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and logic to post-process raw gains determined by input processing to generate post-processed gains, comprising using one or both of delta gain smoothing and decision-directed gain smoothing. The delta gain smoothing comprises applying a smoothing filter to the raw gain with a smoothing factor that depends on the gain delta: the absolute value of the difference between the raw gain for the current frame and the post-processed gain for a previous frame. The decision-directed gain smoothing comprises converting the raw gain to a signal-to-noise ratio, applying a smoothing filter with a smoothing factor to the signal-to-noise ratio to calculate a smoothed signal-to-noise ratio, and converting the smoothed signal-to-noise ratio to determine the second smoothed gain, with smoothing factor possibly dependent on the gain delta.

Abstract: Methods for echo estimation or echo management (echo suppression or cancellation) on an input audio signal, with at least one of adaptation of a sparse prediction filter set, modification (for example, truncation) of adapted prediction filter impulse responses, generation of a composite impulse response from adapted prediction filter impulse responses, or use of echo estimation and/or echo management resources in a manner determined at least in part by classification of the input audio signal as being (or not being) echo free. Other aspects are systems configured to perform any embodiment of any of the methods.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, logic (e.g., executable instructions encoded in a non-transitory computer-readable medium to carry out a method), and a non-transitory computer-readable medium configured with such instructions. The method is to generate and spatially render spatial comfort noise at a receiving endpoint of a conference system, such that the comfort noise has target spectral characteristics typical of comfort noise, and at least one spatial property that at least substantially matches at least one target spatial property. On version includes receiving one or more or more audio signals from other endpoints, combining the received audio signals with the spatial comfort noise signals, and rendering the combination of the received audio signals and the spatial comfort noise signals to a set of output signals for loudspeakers, such that the spatial comfort noise signals are continually in the output signal sin addition to output from the received audio signals.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and audio capture system for suppressing noise due to mechanical disturbances in an audio capture system. In one embodiment a method includes the steps of: a) receiving an input audio signal from a microphone; b) receiving an input reference signal separate from the input audio signal; c) processing the input reference signal to generate a control signal for identifying a noise event; d) in response to the control signal, estimating a contribution of the noise event to the input audio signal by applying an adaptive filter to a sliding temporal window of the control signal in the frequency domain; and e) based on the estimated contribution, selectively modifying the input audio signal to generate an output audio signal in which the noise arising from the noise event is at least partially suppressed.

Abstract: A method of processing a series of microphone inputs of an audio conference, the method including the steps of: (a) conducting a spatial analysis and feature extraction of the audio conference based on current audio activity; (b) aggregating historical information to obtain information about the approximate relative location of recent sound objects relative to the series of microphone inputs; (c) utilising the relative location or distance of the sound objects from the series of microphone inputs to determine if beam forming should be utilised to enhance the audio reception from recent sound objects.

Abstract: An audio apparatus is configured to switch, when there exists a first audio interface between the audio apparatus and a computer apparatus, to using a second audio interface between the audio apparatus and the computer apparatus, the second audio interface being different from the first audio interface. The switching comprises: receiving, via the first audio interface, combined audio data and non-audio data, the non-audio data comprising a request to switch to using the second audio interface; obtaining the request from the data; and, in response to obtaining the request, transmitting to the computer apparatus a confirmation of switching to using the second audio interface. The audio apparatus and the computer apparatus are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for interactive and user guided manipulation of multichannel audio content, the method including the steps of: providing a content preview facility for replay and review of multichannel audio content by a user; providing a user interface for the user selection of a segment of multichannel audio content having an unsatisfactory audio content; processing the audio content to include associated audio object activity spatial or signal space regions, to create a time line of activity where one or more spatial or signal space regions are active at any given time; matching the user's gesture input against at least one of the active spatial or signal space regions; signal processing the audio emanating from selected active spatial or signal space region using a number of differing techniques to determine at least one processed alternative; providing the user with an interactive playback facility to listen to the processed alternative.

Abstract: Described herein are audio capture systems and methods. One embodiment provides an audio capture system (1) including: microphones (9-11) positioned to capture respective audio signals from different directions or locations within an audio environment; a mixing module (7) configured to mix the audio signals in accordance with a mixing control signal to produce an output audio mix, wherein, upon the detection of vibration activity, the mixing control signal controls the mixing module (7) to selectively temporarily modify one or more of the audio signals to reduce the presence of noise associated with vibration activity in the output audio mix.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the re-joining of a virtual meeting by a participant. The method comprises determining at what time the participant was disconnected from the virtual meeting; and determining whether or not the participant was talking within a time period containing the time at which the participant was disconnected from the virtual meeting. If it is determined that the participant was talking within the time period, then, consequently, the method comprises deciding not to enable the participant to replay stored data representative of a missed portion of the virtual meeting. As well as the method, related apparatuses, systems and computer readable storage media are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to handling nuisance in teleconference system. An endpoint device (400) for use in a teleconference includes an acquiring unit (401), a judging unit (402), a controller (403) and a processing unit (404). The acquiring unit acquires a media stream for presentation in the teleconference, and receives information from another device. The information includes a first estimation on whether the media stream is a nuisance to the teleconference. As the nuisance to a teleconference, audio or video signals are perceived by users as actually not relevant to the conference session or causing unpleasant feeling or confusion. The judging unit decides whether the media stream is the nuisance at least based on the information. The controller controls the processing of the media stream to degrade or suppress the presentation of the media stream in case that the media stream is decided as the nuisance. The processing unit processes the media stream under the control of the controller.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to audio signal processing. A method of processing an audio signal is disclosed. The method includes detecting, based on a power distribution of the audio signal, a type of content of a frame of the audio signal, generating a first gain based on a sound level of the frame for adjusting the sound level, processing the audio signal by applying the first gain to the frame; and in response to the type of content being detected to be a breath sound, generating a second gain for mitigating the breath sound and processing the audio signal by applying the second gain to the frame. Corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to audio signal processing. A method of indicating a presence of a nuisance in an audio signal is disclosed. The method includes determining a probability of the presence of the nuisance in a frame of the audio signal based on a feature of the audio signal, the nuisance representing an unwanted sound made by a user, in response to the probability of the presence of the nuisance exceeding a threshold, tracking the audio signal based on a metric over a plurality of frames following the frame, determining, based on the tracking, that the presence of the nuisance is to be indicated to the user, and in response to the determination, presenting to the user a notification of the presence of the nuisance. Corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to impulsive noise suppression. A method of impulsive noise suppression in an audio signal is disclosed. The method includes determining an impulsive noise related feature from a current frame of the audio signal. The method also includes detecting an impulsive noise in the current frame based on the impulsive noise related feature, and in response to detecting the impulsive noise in the current frame, applying a suppression gain to the current frame to suppress the impulsive noise. Corresponding system and computer program product of impulsive noise suppression in an audio signal are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer implemented system for rendering captured audio soundfields to a listener comprises apparatus to deliver the audio soundfields to the listener. The delivery apparatus delivers the audio soundfields to the listener with first and second audio elements perceived by the listener as emanating from first and second virtual source locations, respectively, and with the first audio element and/or the second audio element delivered to the listener from a third virtual source location. The first virtual source location and the second virtual source location are perceived by the listener as being located to the front of the listener, and the third virtual source location is located to the rear or the side of the listener.

Abstract: Teleconference audio data including a plurality of individual uplink data packet streams, may be received during a teleconference. Each uplink data packet stream may corresponding to a telephone endpoint used by one or more teleconference participants. The teleconference audio data may be analyzed to determine a plurality of suppressive gain coefficients, which may be applied to first instances of the teleconference audio data during the teleconference, to produce first gain-suppressed audio data provided to the telephone endpoints during the teleconference. Second instances of the teleconference audio data, as well as gain coefficient data corresponding to the plurality of suppressive gain coefficients, may be sent to a memory system as individual uplink data packet streams. The second instances of the teleconference audio data may be less gain-suppressed than the first gain-suppressed audio data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for detecting and remedying potential incongruence in a video conference. A camera of a video conferencing system may capture video images of a conference room. A processor of the video conferencing system may identify locations of a plurality of participants within an image plane of a video image. Using face and shape detection, a location of a center point of each identified participant's torso may be calculated. A region of congruence bounded by key parallax lines may be calculated, the key parallax lines being a subset of all parallax lines running through the center points of each identified participant. When the audio device location is not within the region of congruence, audio captured by an audio device may be adjusted to reduce effects of incongruence when the captured audio is replayed at a far end of the video conference.

Abstract: A method in a soundfield-capturing endpoint and the capturing endpoint that comprises a microphone array capturing soundfield, and an input processor pre-processing and performing auditory scene analysis to detect local sound objects and positions, de-clutter the sound objects, and integrate with auxiliary audio signals to form a de-cluttered local auditory scene that has a measure of plausibility and perceptual continuity. The input processor also codes the resulting de-cluttered auditory scene to form coded scene data comprising mono audio and additional scene data to send to others. The endpoint includes an output processor generating signals for a display unit that displays a summary of the de-cluttered local auditory scene and/or a summary of activity in the communication system from received data, the display including a shaped ribbon display element that has an extent with locations on the extent representing locations and other properties of different sound objects.

Abstract: A method of outputting audio in a teleconferencing environment includes receiving audio streams, processing the audio streams according to information regarding effective spatial positions, and outputting, by at least three speakers arranged in more than one dimension, the audio streams having been processed. The information regarding the plurality of effective spatial positions corresponds to a perceived spatial scene that extends beyond the speakers in at least two dimensions. In this manner, participants in the teleconference perceive the audio from the remote participants as originating at different positions in the teleconference room.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to a estimation of reverberant energy components from audio sources. A method of estimating a reverberant energy component from an active audio source (100) is disclosed. The method comprises determining a correspondence between the active audio source and a plurality of sample sources by comparing one or more spatial features of the active audio source with one or more spatial features of the plurality of sample sources, each of the sample sources being associated with an adaptive filtering model (101); obtaining an adaptive filtering model for the active audio source based on the determined correspondence (102); and estimating the reverberant energy component from the active audio source over time based on the adaptive filtering model (103). Corresponding system (800) and computer program product (900) are also disclosed.