Patents by Inventor Achim Kuntz

Achim Kuntz 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: 20240129560
    Abstract: Audio splicing is rendered more effective by the use of one or more truncation unit packets inserted into the audio data stream so as to indicate to an audio decoder, for a predetermined access unit, an end portion of an audio frame with which the predetermined access unit is associated, as to be discarded in playout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Herbert THOMA, Robert BLEIDT, Stefan KRAEGELOH, Max NEUENDORF, Achim KUNTZ, Andreas NIEDERMEIER, Michael KRATSCHMER
  • Patent number: 11922957
    Abstract: A method is described which decodes a downmix matrix for mapping a plurality of input channels of audio content to a plurality of output channels, the input and output channels being associated with respective speakers at predetermined positions relative to a listener position, wherein the downmix matrix is encoded by exploiting the symmetry of speaker pairs of the plurality of input channels and the symmetry of speaker pairs of the plurality of output channels. Encoded information representing the encoded downmix matrix is received and decoded for obtaining the decoded downmix matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Florin Ghido, Achim Kuntz, Bernhard Grill
  • Patent number: 11900955
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating loudspeaker signals includes an object metadata processor configured to receive metadata, to calculate a second position of the audio object depending on the first position of the audio object and on a size of a screen if the audio object is indicated in the metadata as being screen-related, to feed the first position of the audio object as the position information into the object renderer if the audio object is indicated in the metadata as being not screen-related, and to feed the second position of the audio object as the position information into the object renderer if the audio object is indicated in the metadata as being screen-related. The apparatus further includes an object renderer configured to receive an audio object and to generate the loudspeaker signals depending on the audio object and on position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Simone Fueg, Jan Plogsties, Sascha Dick, Johannes Hilpert, Julien Robilliard, Achim Kuntz, Andreas Hoelzer
  • Publication number: 20240029744
    Abstract: An audio decoder for providing at least four audio channel signals on the basis of an encoded representation is configured to provide a first residual signal and a second residual signal on the basis of a jointly encoded representation of the first residual signal and of the second residual signal using a multi-channel decoding. The audio decoder is configured to provide a first audio channel signal and a second audio channel signal on the basis of a first downmix signal and the first residual signal using a residual-signal-assisted multi-channel decoding. The audio decoder is configured to provide a third audio channel signal and a fourth audio channel signal on the basis of a second downmix signal and the second residual signal using a residual-signal-assisted multi-channel decoding. An audio encoder is based on corresponding considerations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Sascha Dick, Christian Ertel, Christian Helmrich, Johannes Hilpert, Andreas Hoelzer, Achim Kuntz
  • Patent number: 11882323
    Abstract: Audio splicing is rendered more effective by the use of one or more truncation unit packets inserted into the audio data stream so as to indicate to an audio decoder, for a predetermined access unit, an end portion of an audio frame with which the predetermined access unit is associated, as to be discarded in playout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Herbert Thoma, Robert Bleidt, Stefan Kraegeloh, Max Neuendorf, Achim Kuntz, Andreas Niedermeier, Michael Kratschmer
  • Patent number: 11877141
    Abstract: A method for mapping a plurality of input channels of an input channel configuration to output channels of an output channel configuration includes providing a set of rules associated with each input channel of the plurality of input channels, wherein the rules define different mappings between the associated input channel and a set of output channels. For each input channel of the plurality of input channels, a rule associated with the input channel is accessed, determination is made whether the set of output channels defined in the accessed rule is present in the output channel configuration, and the accessed rule is selected if the set of output channels defined in the accessed rule is present in the output channel configuration. The input channels are mapped to the output channels according to the selected rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Juergen Herre, Fabian Kuech, Michael Kratschmer, Achim Kuntz, Christoph Faller
  • Patent number: 11785414
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a plurality of audio channels for a speaker setup, comprises a processor repeating an energy distribution from a speaker not contained in the speaker setup to the speakers in the speaker setup to acquire a downmix information for a downmix to the speaker setup; and a renderer for generating the plurality of audio channels using the downmix information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e. V.
    Inventors: Christian Borss, Christian Ertel, Johannes Hilpert, Achim Kuntz, Michael Fischer, Florian Schuh, Bernhard Grill
  • Patent number: 11743668
    Abstract: An audio decoder device for decoding a compressed input audio signal having at least one core decoder having one or more processors for generating a processor output signal based on a processor input signal, wherein a number of output channels of the processor output signal is higher than a number of input channels of the processor input signal, wherein each of the one or more processors has a decorrelator and a mixer, wherein a core decoder output signal having a plurality of channels has the processor output signal, and wherein the core decoder output signal is suitable for a reference loudspeaker setup; at least one format converter device configured to convert the core decoder output signal into an output audio signal, which is suitable for a target loudspeaker setup; and a control device configured to control at least one or more processors in such way that the decorrelator of the processor may be controlled independently from the mixer of the processor, wherein the control device is configured to contro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Christian Ertel, Johannes Hilpert, Andreas Hoelzer, Achim Kuntz, Jan Plogsties, Michael Kratschmer
  • Patent number: 11657826
    Abstract: An audio decoder for providing at least four audio channel signals on the basis of an encoded representation is configured to provide a first residual signal and a second residual signal on the basis of a jointly encoded representation of the first residual signal and of the second residual signal using a multi-channel decoding. The audio decoder is configured to provide a first audio channel signal and a second audio channel signal on the basis of a first downmix signal and the first residual signal using a residual-signal-assisted multi-channel decoding. The audio decoder is configured to provide a third audio channel signal and a fourth audio channel signal on the basis of a second downmix signal and the second residual signal using a residual-signal-assisted multi-channel decoding. An audio encoder is based on corresponding considerations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Sascha Dick, Christian Ertel, Christian Helmrich, Johannes Hilpert, Andreas Hoelzer, Achim Kuntz
  • Patent number: 11653162
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting an object position of an audio object from a Cartesian representation to a spherical representation is described. A basis area of the Cartesian representation is subdivided into a plurality of basis area triangles, and wherein a plurality of spherical-domain triangles are inscribed into a circle of a spherical representation. The apparatus is configured to determine, in which of the basis area triangles a projection of the object position of the audio object into the base area is arranged; and the apparatus is configured to determine a mapped position of the projection of the object position using a linear transform, which maps the base area triangle onto its associated spherical domain triangle. The apparatus is configured to derive an azimuth angle and an intermediate radius value from the mapped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Oliver Wübbolt, Achim Kuntz, Christian Ertel, Sascha Dick, Frederik Nagel, Matthias Neusinger
  • Publication number: 20230074155
    Abstract: Audio splicing is rendered more effective by the use of one or more truncation unit packets inserted into the audio data stream so as to indicate to an audio decoder, for a predetermined access unit, an end portion of an audio frame with which the predetermined access unit is associated, as to be discarded in playout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Herbert THOMA, Robert BLEIDT, Stefan KRAEGELOH, Max NEUENDORF, Achim KUNTZ, Andreas NIEDERMEIER, Michael KRATSCHMER
  • Publication number: 20230005489
    Abstract: A method is described which decodes a downmix matrix for mapping a plurality of input channels of audio content to a plurality of output channels, the input and output channels being associated with respective speakers at predetermined positions relative to a listener position, wherein the downmix matrix is encoded by exploiting the symmetry of speaker pairs of the plurality of input channels and the symmetry of speaker pairs of the plurality of output channels. Encoded information representing the encoded downmix matrix is received and decoded for obtaining the decoded downmix matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Florin Ghido, Achim Kuntz, Bernhard Grill
  • Patent number: 11527254
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating loudspeaker signals includes an object metadata processor configured to receive metadata, to calculate a second position of the audio object depending on the first position of the audio object and on a size of a screen if the audio object is indicated in the metadata as being screen-related, to feed the first position of the audio object as the position information into the object renderer if the audio object is indicated in the metadata as being not screen-related, and to feed the second position of the audio object as the position information into the object renderer if the audio object is indicated in the metadata as being screen-related. The apparatus further includes an object renderer configured to receive an audio object and to generate the loudspeaker signals depending on the audio object and on position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Simone Fueg, Jan Plogsties, Sascha Dick, Johannes Hilpert, Julien Robilliard, Achim Kuntz, Andreas Hoelzer
  • Publication number: 20220377493
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a plurality of audio channels for a speaker setup, comprises a processor repeating an energy distribution from a speaker not contained in the speaker setup to the speakers in the speaker setup to acquire a downmix information for a downmix to the speaker setup; and a renderer for generating the plurality of audio channels using the downmix information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Christian BORSS, Christian ERTEL, Johannes HILPERT, Achim KUNTZ, Michael FISCHER, Florian SCHUH, Bernhard GRILL
  • Patent number: 11488610
    Abstract: An audio decoder for providing at least four bandwidth-extended channel signals on the basis of an encoded representation provides first and second downmix signals on the basis of a jointly encoded representation of the first and second downmix signals using a multi-channel decoding and provides at least first and second audio channel signals on the basis of the first downmix signal using a multi-channel decoding, and provides at least third and fourth audio channel signals on the basis of the second downmix signal using a multi-channel decoding. It performs a multi-channel bandwidth extension on the basis of the first and third audio channel signals, to obtain first and third bandwidth-extended channel signals, and performs a multi-channel bandwidth extension on the basis of the second and fourth audio channel signals, to obtain second and fourth bandwidth extended channel signals. An audio encoder uses a related concept.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Sascha Dick, Christian Ertel, Christian Helmrich, Johannes Hilpert, Andreas Hoelzer, Achim Kuntz
  • Patent number: 11477497
    Abstract: Audio splicing is rendered more effective by the use of one or more truncation unit packets inserted into the audio data stream so as to indicate to an audio decoder, for a predetermined access unit, an end portion of an audio frame with which the predetermined access unit is associated, as to be discarded in playout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Herbert Thoma, Robert Bleidt, Stefan Kraegeloh, Max Neuendorf, Achim Kuntz, Andreas Niedermeier, Michael Kratschmer
  • Patent number: 11438723
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a plurality of audio channels for a first speaker setup is characterized by an imaginary speaker determiner, an energy distribution calculator, a processor and a renderer. The imaginary speaker determiner is configured to determine a position of an imaginary speaker not contained in the first speaker setup to obtain a second speaker setup containing the imaginary speaker. The energy distribution calculator is configured to calculate an energy distribution from the imaginary speaker to the other speakers in the second speaker setup. The processor is configured to repeat the energy distribution to obtain a downmix information for a downmix from the second speaker setup to the first speaker setup. The renderer is configured to generate the plurality of audio channels using the downmix information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Christian Borss, Christian Ertel, Johannes Hilpert, Achim Kuntz, Michael Fischer, Florian Schuh, Bernhard Grill
  • Patent number: 11393481
    Abstract: A method is described which decodes a downmix matrix for mapping a plurality of input channels of audio content to a plurality of output channels, the input and output channels being associated with respective speakers at predetermined positions relative to a listener position, wherein the downmix matrix is encoded by exploiting the symmetry of speaker pairs of the plurality of input channels and the symmetry of speaker pairs of the plurality of output channels. Encoded information representing the encoded downmix matrix is received and decoded for obtaining the decoded downmix matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventors: Florin Ghido, Achim Kuntz, Bernhard Grill
  • Publication number: 20220150657
    Abstract: Apparatus for processing a sound field representation related to a defined reference point or defined listening orientation for the sound field representation including: a sound field processor for processing the sound field representation using a deviation of a target listening position from the defined reference point or a target listening orientation from the defined listening orientation to obtain a processed sound field description which, when rendered, provides an impression of the sound field representation at the target listening position being different from the defined reference point or for the target listening orientation being different from the defined listening orientation, or for processing the sound field representation using a spatial filter to obtain the processed sound field description which, when rendered, provides an impression of a spatially filtered sound field description, the sound field processor being configured to process the sound field representation to apply the deviation or t
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Oliver THIERGART, Alexander NIEDERLEITNER, Emanuel HABETS, Moritz WILD, Axel PLINGE, Achim KUNTZ, Alexandre BOUTHÉON, Dirk MAHNE, Fabian KÜCH
  • Publication number: 20220101867
    Abstract: Audio encoder for encoding audio input data to obtain audio output data includes an input interface for receiving a plurality of audio channels, a plurality of audio objects and metadata related to one or more of the plurality of audio objects; a mixer for mixing the plurality of objects and the plurality of channels to obtain a plurality of pre-mixed channels, each pre-mixed channel including audio data of a channel and audio data of at least one object; a core encoder for core encoding core encoder input data; and a metadata compressor for compressing the metadata related to the one or more of the plurality of audio objects, wherein the audio encoder is configured to operate in at least one mode of the group of two modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander ADAMI, Christian BORSS, Sascha DICK, Christian ERTEL, Simone NEUKAM, Juergen HERRE, Johannes HILPERT, Andreas HOELZER, Michael KRATSCHMER, Fabian KUECH, Achim KUNTZ, Adrian MURTAZA, Jan PLOGSTIES, Andreas SILZLE, Hanne STENZEL