Patents by Inventor Guilin Ma

Guilin Ma 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).

  • Patent number: 9911404
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to combined active noise cancellation and noise compensation in a headphone. An audio processing device includes a selector and a noise compensation unit. The selector can select one of a plurality of first transfer functions based on at least one feature of at least one of an external noise and a content audio signal representing a sound to be reproduced through the headphone. The noise compensation unit can compute a second audio signal by applying the selected first transfer function to a first audio signal, and derive gains for the noise compensation at least based on the second audio signal. The at least one feature can be used to distinguish at least two of the first transfer functions. Each of the first transfer functions can transform the first audio signal to the second audio signal which is assumed as representing a version of the sound represented by the first audio signal, which arrives at an eardrum of a listener wearing the headphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Guilin Ma, Xiguang Zheng
  • Publication number: 20180048768
    Abstract: In an audio conferencing environment, including multiple users participating by means of a series of associated audio input devices for the provision of audio input, and a series of audio output devices for the output of audio output streams to the multiple users, with the audio input and output devices being interconnected to a mixing control server for the control and mixing of the audio inputs from each audio input devices to present a series of audio streams to the audio output devices, a method of reducing the effects of cross talk pickup of at least a first audio conversation by multiple audio input devices, the method including the steps of: (a) monitoring the series of audio input devices for the presence of a duplicate audio conversation input from at least two input audio sources in an audio output stream; and (b) where a duplicate audio conversation input is detected, suppressing the presence of the duplicate audio conversation input in the audio output stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gary SPITTLE, Glenn DICKINS, David GUNAWAN, Guilin MA
  • Patent number: 9877108
    Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to user experience oriented audio signal processing. There is provided a method for user experience oriented audio signal processing. The method includes obtaining a first audio signal from an audio sensor of an electronic device; computing, based on the first audio signal, a compensation factor for an acoustic path from the electronic device to a listener and applying the compensation factor to a second audio signal outputted from the electronic device. Corresponding system and computer program products are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Guilin Ma, Xiguang Zheng, Chen Zhang, Xuejing Sun
  • Publication number: 20170222611
    Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to audio signal loudness control. A method for controlling loudness of an audio signal is disclosed. The method includes responsive to determining presence of a noise signal, deriving a target partial loudness adjustment based, at least in part, on at least one of a first factor related to the noise signal and a second factor related to the audio signal. The method further includes determining a target partial loudness of the audio signal based, at least in part, on the target partial loudness adjustment. Corresponding system, apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Guilin MA, Xiguang ZHENG
  • Publication number: 20170223456
    Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to user experience oriented audio signal processing. There is provided a method for user experience oriented audio signal processing. The method includes obtaining a first audio signal from an audio sensor of an electronic device; computing, based on the first audio signal, a compensation factor for an acoustic path from the electronic device to a listener and applying the compensation factor to a second audio signal outputted from the electronic device. Corresponding system and computer program products are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Guilin MA, Xiguang ZHENG, Chen ZHANG, Xuejing SUN
  • Publication number: 20170213540
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to combined active noise cancellation and noise compensation in a headphone. An audio processing device includes a selector and a noise compensation unit. The selector can select one of a plurality of first transfer functions based on at least one feature of at least one of an external noise and a content audio signal representing a sound to be reproduced through the headphone. The noise compensation unit can compute a second audio signal by applying the selected first transfer function to a first audio signal, and derive gains for the noise compensation at least based on the second audio signal. The at least one feature can be used to distinguish at least two of the first transfer functions. Each of the first transfer functions can transform the first audio signal to the second audio signal which is assumed as representing a version of the sound represented by the first audio signal, which arrives at an eardrum of a listener wearing the headphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Guilin MA, Xiguang ZHENG
  • Publication number: 20170103771
    Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to noise level estimation. A method for noise level estimation is disclosed. The method includes, responsive to an increase of a signal level of a noise signal, calculating an impulsive noise probability of the noise signal, the impulsive noise probability indicating a likelihood that the noise signal is an impulsive noise. The method also includes determining a variable smoothing factor for noise level estimation based on the impulsive noise probability, the variable smoothing factor being associated with a previous estimated level of the noise signal. The method further includes smoothing the noise signal with the variable smoothing factor so as to determine a current estimated level of the noise signal. Corresponding system and computer program products are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guilin MA, C. Phillip BROWN
  • Publication number: 20170099554
    Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to modelling a frequency response characteristic of an electro-acoustic transducer. A method includes obtaining at least one measurement of the frequency response characteristic for at least one electro-acoustic transducer of the category. A model of a frequency response characteristic specific to a category of electro-acoustic transducers is generated at least in part based on perceptual importance of a frequency band, an averaged, normalized or microphone compensated measurement such that the distortion of the model is optimized. A further method for estimating a frequency response characteristic of an electro-acoustic transducer is based on the generated model and the sensitivity of the electro-acoustic transducer or headphone. Corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guilin MA, Xiguang ZHENG, C. Phillip BROWN
  • Publication number: 20170098456
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to signal processing. Methods for enhancing intelligibility of speech content in an audio signal are disclosed. One of the methods comprises obtaining reference loudness of the audio signal. The method further comprises enhancing the intelligibility of the speech content by adjusting partial loudness of the audio signal based on the reference loudness and a degree of the intelligibility. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guilin MA, Xiguang ZHENG, C. Phillip BROWN
  • Patent number: 9432778
    Abstract: A new hearing aid is provided in which signals that are received from an external device, such as a spouse microphone, a media player, a hearing loop system, a teleconference system, a radio, a TV, a telephone, a device with an alarm, etc., are filtered in such a way that a user can localize the sound source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: GN ReSound A/S
    Inventor: Guilin Ma
  • Patent number: 9374645
    Abstract: A fitting device for fitting a hearing device to compensate for a hearing loss of a user is disclosed, the hearing device comprising a receiver and a microphone, wherein a feedback path exists between the receiver and the microphone, wherein the hearing device further comprises an adaptive feedback canceller configured to reduce feedback, the adaptive feedback canceller comprising a fixed filter corresponding to an invariant portion of the feedback path, and an adaptive filter corresponding to a variant portion of the feedback path, the fitting device comprising a processor configured to determine the invariant portion of the feedback path, wherein the processor is configured to provide the fixed filter with information relating to the invariant portion of the feedback path independently of the user using the hearing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: GN ReSound A/S
    Inventor: Guilin Ma
  • Patent number: 9338561
    Abstract: A method of determining parameters of a BTE hearing aid having at least one ITE microphone and at least one BTE microphone, the method includes: determining Head-Related Transfer functions HRTFl(ƒ); determining a hearing aid related transfer function Hl,iITEC(ƒ) of a ith microphone of the at least one ITE microphone for direction l; determining a hearing aid related transfer functions Hl,jBTEC(ƒ) of a jth microphone of the at least one BTE microphone; determining transfer functions GiIEC(ƒ) of a ith cue filter of at least one cue filter filtering audio sound signals of the at least one ITE microphone; and determining transfer functions GjBTEC(ƒ) of a jth cue filter of the at least one cue filter filtering audio sound signals of the at least one BTE microphone; wherein the transfer functions GiIEC(ƒ) and the transfer functions GjBTEC(ƒ) are determined using a processing unit based on equation: minGiIEC(ƒ),GiBTEC(ƒ)?l=0L-1W(l)?W(ƒ)HRTFl(ƒ)??iGiIEC(ƒ)Hl,iIEC(ƒ)??jGjBTEC(ƒ)Hl,jBTEC(ƒ))?p.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: GN ReSound A/S
    Inventors: Karl-Fredrik Johan Gran, Guilin Ma
  • Patent number: 9288587
    Abstract: A binaural hearing aid system includes a first hearing aid and a second hearing aid, each of which comprising a processor that is configured to process the digital input signal in accordance with a signal processing algorithm into a processed digital output signal, the processor including a compressor for compensation of dynamic range hearing loss based on the signal level, wherein wireless data communication of signal parameter from one of the first and the second hearing aids is performed at a data transmission rate with a time period between consecutive transmissions of the signal parameter from the one of the first and second hearing aids that is longer than an attack and release time of at least one of the compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: GN RESOUND A/S
    Inventor: Guilin Ma
  • Patent number: 9241222
    Abstract: A hearing aid system includes a first hearing aid configured to communicate with a second hearing aid, wherein the first hearing aid comprises a microphone and an A/D converter for provision of a digital input signal in response to sound signals received at the microphone, a processor that is configured to process the digital input signal in accordance with a signal processing algorithm into a processed digital output signal, the processor including a compressor, a D/A converter and an output transducer for conversion of the processed digital output signal to an acoustic output signal, and a transceiver for data communication with the second hearing aid, wherein, a gain of the compressor of the first hearing aid is controlled by a first compressor control signal with a value that is substantially equal to a value of a second compressor control signal controlling a gain of a compressor in the second hearing aid, whereby a sense of direction is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: GN RESOUND A/S
    Inventor: Guilin Ma
  • Publication number: 20150289063
    Abstract: A new hearing aid is provided in which signals that are received from an external device, such as a spouse microphone, a media player, a hearing loop system, a teleconference system, a radio, a TV, a telephone, a device with an alarm, etc., are filtered in such a way that a user can localize the sound source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: GN ReSound A/S
    Inventor: Guilin MA
  • Patent number: 9148733
    Abstract: A hearing aid includes: a cue filter having an input that is provided with an output from the BTE sound input transducer; an adaptive feedback canceller configured to provide an output modelling a feedback path between the output transducer and the BTE sound input transducer, wherein the output modelling the feedback path is provided to a subtractor for subtraction of the output modelling the feedback path from the output of the BTE sound input transducer to obtain a difference, the subtractor outputting the difference to the cue filter; and a feedback and cue controller connected to the adaptive feedback canceller and the cue filter, wherein the feedback and cue controller is configured to control the cue filter to reduce a difference between an output of the ITE microphone and a combined output that is obtained using at least the cue filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: GN RESOUND A/S
    Inventors: Karl-Fredrik Johan Gran, Jacob Ulrik Telcs, Guilin Ma
  • Patent number: 9148735
    Abstract: A hearing aid includes: a feedback monitor connected to the adaptive feedback canceller and configured to monitor a state of feedback and having an output providing an indication of the state of feedback; and a cue controller connected to the feedback monitor and the at least one adaptive cue filter, and configured to control, in response to an output of the feedback monitor, the at least one adaptive cue filter so that the difference between the output of the at least one ITE microphone and the combined output of the at least one adaptive cue filter is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: GN RESOUND A/S
    Inventors: Guilin Ma, Karl-Fredrik Johan Gran
  • Publication number: 20150254054
    Abstract: A method for audio signal processing is provided. The method includes acquiring a first set of metadata associated with consumption of an audio signal by a target user, acquiring a second set of metadata associated with a set of reference users and generating, at least partially based on the first and second sets of metadata, a recommended configuration of at least one parameter for the target user, the at least one parameter being for use in the consumption of the audio signal. Corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Xuejing Sun, Bin Cheng, Claus Bauer, Lie Lu, Guilin Ma
  • Patent number: 9119006
    Abstract: A hearing aid includes: a cue filter having an input that is provided with an output from the BTE sound input transducer; an adaptive feedback canceller configured to provide an output modelling a feedback path between the output transducer and the BTE sound input transducer, wherein the output modelling the feedback path is provided to a subtractor for subtraction of the output modelling the feedback path from the output of the BTE sound input transducer to obtain a difference, the subtractor outputting the difference to the cue filter; and a feedback and cue controller connected to the adaptive feedback canceller and the cue filter, wherein the feedback and cue controller is configured to control the cue filter to reduce a difference between an output of the ITE microphone and a combined output that is obtained using at least the cue filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: GN RESOUND A/S
    Inventors: Karl-Fredrik Johan Gran, Jacob Ulrik Telcs, Guilin Ma
  • Publication number: 20140185847
    Abstract: A method of determining parameters of a BTE hearing aid having at least one ITE microphone and at least one BTE microphone, the method includes: determining Head-Related Transfer functions HRTFl(ƒ); determining a hearing aid related transfer function Hl,iITEC(ƒ) of a ith microphone of the at least one ITE microphone for direction l; determining a hearing aid related transfer functions Hl,jBTEC(ƒ) of a jth microphone of the at least one BTE microphone; determining transfer functions GiIEC(ƒ) of a ith cue filter of at least one cue filter filtering audio sound signals of the at least one ITE microphone; and determining transfer functions GjBTEC(ƒ) of a jth cue filter of the at least one cue filter filtering audio sound signals of the at least one BTE microphone; wherein the transfer functions GiIEC(ƒ) and the transfer functions GjBTEC(ƒ) are determined using a processing unit based on equation: minGiIEC(ƒ),GiBTEC(ƒ)?l=0L-1W(l)?W(ƒ)HRTFl(ƒ)??iGiIEC(ƒ)Hl,iIEC(ƒ)??jGjBTEC(ƒ)Hl,jBTEC(ƒ))?p.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: GN ReSound A/S
    Inventors: Karl-Fredrik Johan GRAN, Guilin MA