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).

  • Patent number: 10748516
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating an audio output signal is provided. The audio output signal has two or more audio output channels and is generated from an audio input signal having two or more audio input channels. The apparatus includes a provider and a signal processor. The provider is adapted to provide first covariance properties of the audio input signal. The signal processor is adapted to generate the audio output signal by applying a mixing rule on at least two of the two or more audio input channels. The signal processor is configured to determine the mixing rule based on the first covariance properties of the audio input signal and based on second covariance properties of the audio output signal, the second covariance properties being different from the first covariance properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Juha Vilkamo, Tom Baeckstroem, Fabian Kuech, Achim Kuntz
  • Patent number: 10741188
    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: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    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: 10701507
    Abstract: An apparatus for mapping a first input channel and a second input channel of an input channel configuration to at least one output channel of an output channel configuration, wherein each input channel and each output channel has a direction in which an associated loudspeaker is located relative to a central listener position, configured to map the first input channel to a first output channel of the output channel configuration; and despite of the fact that an angle deviation between a direction of the second input channel and a direction of the first output channel is less than an angle deviation between a direction of the second input channel and the second output channel and/or is less than an angle deviation between the direction of the second input channel and the direction of the third output channel, map the second input channel to the second and third output channels by panning between the second and third output channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Juergen Herre, Fabian Kuech, Michael Kratschmer, Achim Kuntz, Christoph Faller
  • Publication number: 20200204941
    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: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Christian BORSS, Christian ERTEL, Johannes HILPERT, Achim KUNTZ, Michael FISCHER, Florian SCHUH, Bernhard GRILL
  • Publication number: 20200195985
    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 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Herbert Thoma, Robert Bleidt, Stefan Kraegeloh, Max Neuendorf, Achim Kuntz, Andreas Neidermeier, Michael Kratschmer
  • Publication number: 20200090666
    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: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Florin Ghido, Achim Kuntz, Bernhard Grill
  • Patent number: 10595153
    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: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    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: 10511865
    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: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    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
  • Publication number: 20190378522
    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: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    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: 10468038
    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: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Florin Ghido, Achim Kuntz, Bernhard Grill
  • Publication number: 20190287542
    Abstract: An audio signal processing decoder having at least one frequency band and being configured for processing an input audio signal having a plurality of input channels in the at least one frequency band, wherein the decoder is configured to analyze the input audio signal, wherein inter-channel dependencies between the input channels are identified; and to align the phases of the input channels based on the identified inter-channel dependencies, wherein the phases of input channels are the more aligned with respect to each other the higher their inter-channel dependency is; and to downmix the aligned input audio signal to an output audio signal having a lesser number of output channels than the number of the input channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Simone FUEG, Achim KUNTZ, Mlichael KRATSCHMER, Juha VlLKAMO
  • Publication number: 20190281401
    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: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Christian ERTEL, Johannes HILPERT, Andreas HOELZER, Achim KUNTZ, Jan PLOGSTIES, Michael KRATSCHMER
  • Publication number: 20190251938
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating an audio output signal is provided. The audio output signal has two or more audio output channels and is generated from an audio input signal having two or more audio input channels. The apparatus includes a provider and a signal processor. The provider is adapted to provide first covariance properties of the audio input signal. The signal processor is adapted to generate the audio output signal by applying a mixing rule on at least two of the two or more audio input channels. The signal processor is configured to determine the mixing rule based on the first covariance properties of the audio input signal and based on second covariance properties of the audio output signal, the second covariance properties being different from the first covariance properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Juha Vilkamo, Tom Baeckstroem, Fabian Kuech, Achim Kuntz
  • Patent number: 10360918
    Abstract: An audio signal processing decoder having at least one frequency band and being configured for processing an input audio signal having a plurality of input channels in the at least one frequency band, wherein the decoder is configured to analyze the input audio signal, wherein inter-channel dependencies between the input channels are identified; and to align the phases of the input channels based on the identified inter-channel dependencies, wherein the phases of input channels are the more aligned with respect to each other the higher their inter-channel dependency is; and to downmix the aligned input audio signal to an output audio signal having a lesser number of output channels than the number of the input channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Simone Fueg, Achim Kuntz, Michael Kratschmer, Juha Vilkamo
  • Patent number: 10341801
    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: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    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: 10339908
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating an audio output signal is provided. The audio output signal has two or more audio output channels and is generated from an audio input signal having two or more audio input channels. The apparatus includes a provider and a signal processor. The provider is adapted to provide first covariance properties of the audio input signal. The signal processor is adapted to generate the audio output signal by applying a mixing rule on at least two of the two or more audio input channels. The signal processor is configured to determine the mixing rule based on the first covariance properties of the audio input signal and based on second covariance properties of the audio output signal, the second covariance properties being different from the first covariance properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Juha Vilkamo, Tom Baeckstroem, Fabian Kuech, Achim Kuntz
  • Patent number: 10327088
    Abstract: A spatial audio processor for providing spatial parameters based on an acoustic input signal has a signal characteristics determiner and a controllable parameter estimator. The signal characteristics determiner is configured to determine a signal characteristic of the acoustic input signal. The controllable parameter estimator for calculating the spatial parameters for the acoustic input signal in accordance with a variable spatial parameter calculation rule is configured to modify the variable spatial parameter calculation rule in accordance with the determined signal characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Oliver Thiergart, Fabian Kuech, Richard Schultz-Amling, Markus Kallinger, Giovanni Del Galdo, Achim Kuntz, Dirk Mahne, Ville Pulkki, Mikko-Ville Laitinen
  • Publication number: 20190180764
    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: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Alexander ADAMI, Christian BORSS, Sascha DISCH, Christian ERTEL, Simone FUEG, Juergen HERRE, Johannes HILPERT, Andreas HOELZER, Michael KRATSCHMER, Fabian KUECH, Achim KUNTZ, Adrian MURTAZA, Jan PLOGSTIES, Andreas SILZLE, Hanne STENZEL
  • Patent number: 10313815
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a plurality of parametric audio streams from an input spatial audio signal obtained from a recording in a recording space has a segmentor and a generator. The segmentor is configured for providing at least two input segmental audio signals from the input spatial audio signal, wherein the at least two input segmental audio signals are associated with corresponding segments of the recording space. The generator is configured for generating a parametric audio stream for each of the at least two input segmental audio signals to obtain the plurality of parametric audio streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Technische Universitaet Ilmenau
    Inventors: Fabian Kuech, Giovanni Del Galdo, Achim Kuntz, Ville Pulkki, Archontis Politis
  • Publication number: 20190139562
    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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Simone FUEG, Jan PLOGSTIES, Sascha DICK, Johannes HILPERT, Julien ROBILLIARD, Achim KUNTZ, Andreas HOELZER