Abstract: A spatial audio coding system, including an encoder and a decoder, operates at very low bit-rates and is useful for audio via the Internet. The listener or listeners preferably are located within a predictable listening area, for example, users of a personal computer or television viewers. An encoder produces a composite audio-information signal representing the soundfield to be reproduced and a directional vector or "steering control signal." The composite audio-information signal has its frequency spectrum broken into a number of subbands, preferably commensurate with the critical bands of the human ear. The steering control signal has a component relating to the dominant direction of the soundfield in each of the subbands. Because the system is based on the premise that only sound from a single direction is heard at any instant, the decoder need not apply a signal to more than two sound transducers at any instant.

Abstract: Two or more audio channels (i.e.--stereo, 4-channel surround, etc.) are each divided into frequency subbands to be coarsely quantized. An adaptive bit allocation scheme is then applied to subbands which are combined across channels such that equivalent subbands (i.e.--same frequency band) from each channel are grouped together to form a steered subband. The power from each subband is averaged across the channels to form a steered subband level. Bits are conserved by forming a vector in which each channel is represented by the difference between the steered subband level (average) and the actual subband level. Subbands which are not steered are represented by the coarse quantization and are considered unsteered channel subbands. Subbands which are steered are represented by vectors and are considered composite channel subbands. Vectors may be represented using a lookup table and the steered subband levels may be calculated using alternatives such as a peak level rather than an average.

Abstract: Three related embodiments of audio signal dynamic range circuits for consumer and semi-professional audio signal compressors, expanders, and compressor/expander noise reduction systems incorporate certain basic features of professional Spectral Recording (SR) while adapting SR for use with consumer recording media (particularly audio cassette tape) and reducing the cost and complexity of the SR circuitry. In addition, the three embodiments, and particularly the preferred embodiment, provide substantial compatibility with the existing B-type and C-type consumer and semi-professional noise reduction systems. Subjective performance substantially equivalent to 16-bit PCM audio systems is achieved with analog audio cassette tape media.

Abstract: Means for reducing the effects of vertical perturbations of a phonograph disc surface resulting from disc and/or playback system mechanical imperfections. Such imperfections are compensated by closed loop and/or open loop means wherein the deviations of the record path are detected and employed to minimize the effects of the mechanical imperfections.

Abstract: In circuits for generating rapidly changing, yet smooth and controlled, control signals in response to transient signals for use in audio compressors and expanders, a steady-state portion of the control circuit includes first and second smoothing stages (alternatively, a single stage may be employed) and an overshoot suppression portion of the control circuit rapidly charges the capacitor in the steady-state smoothing stage from which the control voltage is derived. A first additional overshoot suppression circuit provides further charging of the capacitor in response to low frequency signal components. Modulation control signals, which make the compressor or expander less susceptible to control by stop-band signal components, are combined in opposition to the signals in the steady-state and overshoot suppression portions of the control circuit.

Abstract: Means for reducing the effects of vertical perturbations of a phonograph disc surface resulting from disc and/or playback system mechanical imperfections. Such imperfections are compensated by closed loop and/or open loop means wherein the deviations of the record path are detected and employed to minimize the effects of the mechanical imperfections.

Abstract: A "hybrid" encoder has a characteristic action suitable for substantially full complementary playback in an audio signal transmission or recording system using decoders designed for one type complementary encode/decode system while permitting compatible decoding with decoders designed for use with another type complementary encode/decode system, or playback without any special decoders at all. The hybrid encoder is a series or parallel arrangement of two encoders that are modifications of standard encoders used in the two systems. In the preferred embodiments the two systems are A-type noise reduction and spectral recording. A variable degree of hybrid encoding is provided by varying the characteristic controlling circuit parameters in the two encoders, or in a preferred embodiment, by providing a variable combining arrangement that selects selects from the outputs of a hybrid encoder and an unmodified encoder (spectral recording).

Abstract: Circuits for modifying the dynamic range of signals, particularly compressors and expanders for use in noise reduction compander systems, in which the advantages of fixed band characteristics (variable attenuation throughout all or part of the frequency band) and sliding band characteristics (variable attenuation through part of the frequency band achieved by a variable pass filter) are provided, without the disadvantages normally inherent in each characteristic. The outputs of fixed band and sliding band circuit elements variably selected by a combining means operated by a control circuit which senses signal frequencies and/or levels, the elements operating in generally the same level range and at least a partial overlapping in frequency range.

Abstract: When impedance elements such as FETs are used in attenuators, the elements have linear responses only when the signals attenuated are below certain signal levels. When signal conditions causing the element to operate non-linearly are detected, bootstrapping is applied to reduce the voltage across the element so that the element will operate linearly. The control signal at the gate of the element is then modified to compensate for the increase in effective impedance of the element caused by bootstrapping. The improved attentuators are especially useful in signal compressors and expanders.

Abstract: An audibly distinctive test signal, a pink noise signal at a standard level and periodic but brief interruptions (optimized for the ear's memory for level and spectral differences), is applied to a recording medium or transmission channel. The test signal recovered from the recording medium or transmission channel is compared and matched to a reference uninterrupted pink noise signal at a standard level, the interruptions being used to switch between the test and reference signals and to provide an audible cue as to the identity of the signal heard at any moment so that a rapid confirmation and adjustment, if necessary, of recording/reproduction or transmission/reception calibration can be achieved primarily by ear and, if desired, also by applying the signals to measuring instruments.

Abstract: The drain-source conductance of a wide variety of FETs can be made to conform to a predetermined function of a control signal. The control signal is multiplied by a factor and an offset is added or subtracted therefrom to derive a modified control signal. The modified control signal is then applied to the gate of a FET. The factor and the offset are such that the drain-source conductance of the transistor is substantially the predetermined function of the control signal. When a desired attenuator characteristic defined with respect to a FET is to be provided using a FET having characteristics different from those of the reference FET, the control signal to the FET used can be similarly modified so that the desired attenuator characteristics are obtained.

Abstract: Means for reducing the effects of vertical perturbations of a phonograph disc surface resulting from disc and/or playback system mechanical imperfections. Such imperfections are compensated by closed loop and/or open loop means wherein the deviations of the record path are detected and employed to minimize the effects of the mechanical imperfections.

Abstract: Circuits for modifying the dynamic range of signals, particularly compressors and expanders for use in noise reduction compander systems, in which the plurality of characteristics are superposed such that as dominant signal components appear, hidden characteristics are revealed and become active. The emergence of characteristics can also be described as "action substitution" in the sense that the action resulting from one, or perhaps more than one characteristic is substituted for one or more other characteristic actions that have the potential to operate in the same frequency and level regions when the level and spectral content of the input signal components change. One particularly useful combination of superposed characteristics is a fixed band characteristic (variable attenuation throughout all or part of the frequency band) and a sliding band characteristic (variable attenuation through part of the frequency band achieved by a variable pass filter).

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing the effects of vertical perturbations of a phonograph disc surface resulting from disc and/or playback system mechanical imperfections. Such imperfections are compensated by closed loop and/or open loop means wherein the deviations of the record path are detected and employed to minimize the effects of the mechanical imperfections.

Abstract: Circuits for modifying the dynamic range of signals, particularly compressors and expanders for use in noise reduction compander systems, in which the advantages of fixed band characteristics (variable attenuation throughout all or part of the frequency band) and sliding band characteristics (variable attenuation through part of the frequency band achieved by a variable pass filter) are provided, without the disadvantages normally inherent in each characteristic. Fixed band and sliding band circuit elements are operated either in parallel or in series, the elements operating in generally the same level range and at least a partial overlapping in frequency range.

Abstract: Circuit arrangements for cross-coupling series connected bi-linear compressors and expanders are disclosed including the coupling of signal path signal components in one circuit to a signal path in another circuit, the coupling of control circuit signal components in one circuit to a control circuit in another circuit and cross-coupling by way of employing a common control circuit for series connected devices.

Abstract: Improvements in compressors, expanders and noise reduction systems are disclosed which reduce the susceptibility of such circuit arrangements to undue control by signals outside the pass-band(s) (i.e., stop-band signals) in which the circuits are active. Level dependent circuitry operates, particularly by means of non-linear processing, to reduce the circuit response to the effect of stop-band signal components at high input signal levels.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, compressor and expander circuits are arranged in series, the dynamic actions of the circuits being substantially separated with respect to level. The changing gain portions of the characteristics are staggered among the series circuits such that the resulting overall characteristic has a maximum compression or expansion ratio substantially no greater than that of any single circuit while providing more compression or expansion than for any of the circuits individually. A second aspect, referred to as "spectral skewing", effects a reduction of the influence of signals in the high and/or low frequency extremes of a signal transmission system on the action of a compressor feeding the transmission channel. Consequently, a complementary expander fed by the channel is less likely to be controlled by signals at frequencies subject to transmission channel errors. A third aspect provides an anti-saturation effect.

Abstract: Noise reduction of a signal such as a video signal is effected by averaging a plurality of relatively delayed replica signals, e.g. with line or field delays therebetween, in a decoding processor, the highly redundant information content of the signal being reinforced by the averaging while random noise undergoes a partial cancellation. In order to overcome the problem of signal changes caused by the decoding processor, the signal is encoded prior to application to the noise-introducing signal channel by a complementary encoding processor in which one or more replica signals are subtractively combined with one or more other replica signals. In both processors a variable combining means is employed to exclude from the combination replica signals which have a non-small difference from the replica signals in the combination, thereby to avoid smearing of the information content (with consequent picture smearing in the case of a video signal) when the signal is changing, e.g. because of movement in a picture.

Abstract: Apparatus for scanning variable area optical sound tracks wherein a plurality of discrete photo sensors examine small fractional portions of the sound track width. Selection of the number of sensors in relation to photographic grain dimensions results in converting annoying quantizing noise to more tolerable random noise while using a practical number of sensors. Electronic processing of the sensors' outputs reduces impulse noise from dirt and scratches.