Patents by Inventor Grant A. Davidson

Grant A. Davidson 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: 20240079019
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for training a neural network, as well as for implementing audio encoders and decoders via trained neural networks, are provided. The neural network may receive an input audio signal, generate an encoded audio signal and decode the encoded audio signal. A loss function generating module may receive the decoded audio signal and a ground truth audio signal, and may generate a loss function value corresponding to the decoded audio signal. Generating the loss function value may involve applying a psychoacoustic model. The neural network may be trained based on the loss function value. The training may involve updating at least one weight of the neural network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Roy M. FEJGIN, Grant A. DAVIDSON, Chih-Wei WU, Vivek KUMAR
  • Publication number: 20230394287
    Abstract: A neural network system for predicting frequency coefficients of a media signal, the neural network system comprising a time predicting portion including at least one neural network trained to predict a first set of output variables representing a specific frequency band of a current time frame given coefficients of one or several previous time frames, and a frequency predicting portion including a at least one neural network trained to predict a second set of output variables representing a specific frequency band given coefficients of one or several frequency bands adjacent to the specific frequency band in said current time frame. Such a neural network system forms a predictor capable of capturing both temporal and frequency dependencies occurring in time-frequency tiles of a media signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicants: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation, DOLBY INTERNATIONAL AB
    Inventors: Cong Zhou, Mark S. Vinton, Grant A. Davidson, Lars Villemoes
  • Publication number: 20230395086
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of processing an audio signal using a neural network or using a first and a second neural network. Described is further a method of training said neural network or of jointly training a set of said first and said second neural network. Moreover, described is a method of obtaining and transmitting a latent feature space representation of a perceptual domain audio signal using a neural network and a method of obtaining an audio signal from a latent feature space representation of a perceptual domain audio signal using a neural network. Described are also respective apparatuses and computer program products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark S. VINTON, Cong ZHOU, Roy M. FEJGIN, Grant A. DAVIDSON
  • Publication number: 20230386486
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting transform coefficients representing frequency content of an adaptive block length media signal, by receiving a frame and receiving block length information indicating a number of quantized transform coefficients for each block in the frame, the number of quantized transform coefficients being one of a first or second number, wherein the first number is greater than the second number, determining a first block has the second number of quantized transform coefficients, converting the first block into a converted block having the first number of quantized transform coefficients, conditioning a main neural network trained to predict at least one output variable given at least one conditioning variable, the at least one conditioning variable being based on information regarding the converted block and block length information for the first block, providing at least one predicted transform coefficients from an output stage of the main neural network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Cong ZHOU, Grant A. DAVIDSON, Mark S. VINTON
  • Patent number: 11817111
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for training a neural network, as well as for implementing audio encoders and decoders via trained neural networks, are provided. The neural network may receive an input audio signal, generate an encoded audio signal and decode the encoded audio signal. A loss function generating module may receive the decoded audio signal and a ground truth audio signal, and may generate a loss function value corresponding to the decoded audio signal. Generating the loss function value may involve applying a psychoacoustic model. The neural network may be trained based on the loss function value. The training may involve updating at least one weight of the neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Roy M. Fejgin, Grant A. Davidson, Chih-Wei Wu, Vivek Kumar
  • Publication number: 20230328469
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to reverberation generation for headphone virtualization. A method of generating one or more components of a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) for headphone virtualization is described. In the method, directionally-controlled reflections are generated, wherein directionally-controlled reflections impart a desired perceptual cue to an audio input signal corresponding to a sound source location. Then at least the generated reflections are combined to obtain the one or more components of the BRIR. Corresponding system and computer program products are described as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Louis D. Fielder, Zhiwei Shuang, Grant A. Davidson, Xiguang Zheng, Mark S. Vinton
  • Publication number: 20230262409
    Abstract: Methods and systems for designing binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs) for use in headphone virtualizers, and methods and systems for generating a binaural signal in response to a set of channels of a multi-channel audio signal, including by applying a BRIR to each channel of the set, thereby generating filtered signals, and combining the filtered signals to generate the binaural signal, where each BRIR has been designed in accordance with an embodiment of the design method. Other aspects are audio processing units configured to perform any embodiment of the inventive method. In accordance with some embodiments, BRIR design is formulated as a numerical optimization problem based on a simulation model (which generates candidate BRIRs) and at least one objective function (which evaluates each candidate BRIR), and includes identification of a best one of the candidate BRIRs as indicated by performance metrics determined for the candidate BRIRs by each objective function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Grant A. DAVIDSON, Kuan-Chieh YEN, Dirk Jeroen BREEBAART
  • Publication number: 20230199427
    Abstract: In some embodiments, virtualization methods for generating a binaural signal in response to channels of a multi-channel audio signal, which apply a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) to each channel including by using at least one feedback delay network (FDN) to apply a common late reverberation to a downmix of the channels. In some embodiments, input signal channels are processed in a first processing path to apply to each channel a direct response and early reflection portion of a single-channel BRIR for the channel, and the downmix of the channels is processed in a second processing path including at least one FDN which applies the common late reverberation. Typically, the common late reverberation emulates collective macro attributes of late reverberation portions of at least some of the single-channel BRIRs. Other aspects are headphone virtualizers configured to perform any embodiment of the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuan-Chieh YEN, Dirk Jeroen BREEBAART, Grant A. DAVIDSON, Rhonda WILSON, David M. COOPER, Zhiwei SHUANG
  • Patent number: 11671779
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to reverberation generation for headphone virtualization. A method of generating one or more components of a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) for headphone virtualization is described. In the method, directionally-controlled reflections are generated, wherein directionally-controlled reflections impart a desired perceptual cue to an audio input signal corresponding to a sound source location. Then at least the generated reflections are combined to obtain the one or more components of the BRIR. Corresponding system and computer program products are described as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Louis D. Fielder, Zhiwei Shuang, Grant A. Davidson, Xiguang Zheng, Mark S. Vinton
  • Patent number: 11582574
    Abstract: In some embodiments, virtualization methods for generating a binaural signal in response to channels of a multi-channel audio signal, which apply a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) to each channel including by using at least one feedback delay network (FDN) to apply a common late reverberation to a downmix of the channels. In some embodiments, input signal channels are processed in a first processing path to apply to each channel a direct response and early reflection portion of a single-channel BRIR for the channel, and the downmix of the channels is processed in a second processing path including at least one FDN which applies the common late reverberation. Typically, the common late reverberation emulates collective macro attributes of late reverberation portions of at least some of the single-channel BRIRs. Other aspects are headphone virtualizers configured to perform any embodiment of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuan-Chieh Yen, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart, Grant A. Davidson, Rhonda Wilson, David M. Cooper, Zhiwei Shuang
  • Patent number: 11576004
    Abstract: Methods and systems for designing binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs) for use in headphone virtualizers, and methods and systems for generating a binaural signal in response to a set of channels of a multi-channel audio signal, including by applying a BRIR to each channel of the set, thereby generating filtered signals, and combining the filtered signals to generate the binaural signal, where each BRIR has been designed in accordance with an embodiment of the design method. Other aspects are audio processing units configured to perform any embodiment of the inventive method. In accordance with some embodiments, BRIR design is formulated as a numerical optimization problem based on a simulation model (which generates candidate BRIRs) and at least one objective function (which evaluates each candidate BRIR), and includes identification of a best one of the candidate BRIRs as indicated by performance metrics determined for the candidate BRIRs by each objective function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Grant A. Davidson, Kuan-Chieh Yen, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart
  • Publication number: 20220415334
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of audio coding, in particular, it relates to a method for encoding audio signals through a masking model based on a hearing threshold of frequency intervals of the audio signal and a measured energy of the audio signal for the corresponding frequency intervals. The disclosure further relates to an encoder that is capable of carrying out the audio encoding method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Grant A. Davidson, Louis D. Fielder, Mark S. Vinton
  • Publication number: 20220264244
    Abstract: Methods and systems for designing binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs) for use in headphone virtualizers, and methods and systems for generating a binaural signal in response to a set of channels of a multi-channel audio signal, including by applying a BRIR to each channel of the set, thereby generating filtered signals, and combining the filtered signals to generate the binaural signal, where each BRIR has been designed in accordance with an embodiment of the design method. Other aspects are audio processing units configured to perform any embodiment of the inventive method. In accordance with some embodiments, BRIR design is formulated as a numerical optimization problem based on a simulation model (which generates candidate BRIRs) and at least one objective function (which evaluates each candidate BRIR), and includes identification of a best one of the candidate BRIRs as indicated by performance metrics determined for the candidate BRIRs by each objective function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Grant A. DAVIDSON, Kuan-Chieh YEN, Dirk Jeroen BREEBAART
  • Publication number: 20220182779
    Abstract: In some embodiments, virtualization methods for generating a binaural signal in response to channels of a multi-channel audio signal, which apply a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) to each channel including by using at least one feedback delay network (FDN) to apply a common late reverberation to a downmix of the channels. In some embodiments, input signal channels are processed in a first processing path to apply to each channel a direct response and early reflection portion of a single-channel BRIR for the channel, and the downmix of the channels is processed in a second processing path including at least one FDN which applies the common late reverberation. Typically, the common late reverberation emulates collective macro attributes of late reverberation portions of at least some of the single-channel BRIRs. Other aspects are headphone virtualizers configured to perform any embodiment of the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuan-Chieh YEN, Dirk Jeroen BREEBAART, Grant A. DAVIDSON, Rhonda WILSON, David M. COOPER, Zhiwei SHUANG
  • Publication number: 20220103959
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to reverberation generation for headphone virtualization. A method of generating one or more components of a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) for headphone virtualization is described. In the method, directionally-controlled reflections are generated, wherein directionally-controlled reflections impart a desired perceptual cue to an audio input signal corresponding to a sound source location. Then at least the generated reflections are combined to obtain the one or more components of the BRIR. Corresponding system and computer program products are described as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Louis D. Fielder, Zhiwei Shuang, Grant A. Davidson, Xiguang Zheng, Mark S. Vinton
  • Patent number: 11272311
    Abstract: Methods and systems for designing binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs) for use in headphone virtualizers, and methods and systems for generating a binaural signal in response to a set of channels of a multi-channel audio signal, including by applying a BRIR to each channel of the set, thereby generating filtered signals, and combining the filtered signals to generate the binaural signal, where each BRIR has been designed in accordance with an embodiment of the design method. Other aspects are audio processing units configured to perform any embodiment of the inventive method. In accordance with some embodiments, BRIR design is formulated as a numerical optimization problem based on a simulation model (which generates candidate BRIRs) and at least one objective function (which evaluates each candidate BRIR), and includes identification of a best one of the candidate BRIRs as indicated by performance metrics determined for the candidate BRIRs by each objective function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Grant A. Davidson, Kuan-Chieh Yen, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart
  • Publication number: 20210406704
    Abstract: An information delivery system allows for the organization and presentation of information to users. Illustratively, aspects of the disclosure correspond to a system and method which provides for interactive information delivery, or interactive learning. More particularly, a platform is disclosed which provides an independent interactive interface for content delivery and e-learning and for creation of teaching or learning presentations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kerry Spackman, Grant Davidson, Jóvan Sean Dippenaar, Rachel Meadows
  • Patent number: 11212638
    Abstract: In some embodiments, virtualization methods for generating a binaural signal in response to channels of a multi-channel audio signal, which apply a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) to each channel including by using at least one feedback delay network (FDN) to apply a common late reverberation to a downmix of the channels. In some embodiments, input signal channels are processed in a first processing path to apply to each channel a direct response and early reflection portion of a single-channel BRIR for the channel, and the downmix of the channels is processed in a second processing path including at least one FDN which applies the common late reverberation. Typically, the common late reverberation emulates collective macro attributes of late reverberation portions of at least some of the single-channel BRIRs. Other aspects are headphone virtualizers configured to perform any embodiment of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Kuan-Chieh Yen, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart, Grant A. Davidson, Rhonda Wilson, David M. Cooper, Zhiwei Shuang
  • Patent number: 11140501
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to reverberation generation for headphone virtualization. A method of generating one or more components of a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) for headphone virtualization is described. In the method, directionally-controlled reflections are generated, wherein directionally-controlled reflections impart a desired perceptual cue to an audio input signal corresponding to a sound source location. Then at least the generated reflections are combined to obtain the one or more components of the BRIR. Corresponding system and computer program products are described as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Louis D. Fielder, Zhiwei Shuang, Grant A. Davidson, Xiguang Zheng, Mark S. Vinton
  • Publication number: 20210227344
    Abstract: Methods and systems for designing binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs) for use in headphone virtualizers, and methods and systems for generating a binaural signal in response to a set of channels of a multi-channel audio signal, including by applying a BRIR to each channel of the set, thereby generating filtered signals, and combining the filtered signals to generate the binaural signal, where each BRIR has been designed in accordance with an embodiment of the design method. Other aspects are audio processing units configured to perform any embodiment of the inventive method. In accordance with some embodiments, BRIR design is formulated as a numerical optimization problem based on a simulation model (which generates candidate BRIRs) and at least one objective function (which evaluates each candidate BRIR), and includes identification of a best one of the candidate BRIRs as indicated by performance metrics determined for the candidate BRIRs by each objective function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Grant A. DAVIDSON, Kuan-Chieh YEN, Dirk Jeroen BREEBAART