Patents by Inventor Alan J. Seefeldt
Alan J. Seefeldt 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).
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Publication number: 20190205085Abstract: Embodiments are described for a method of rendering audio for playback through headphones comprising receiving digital audio content, receiving binaural rendering metadata generated by an authoring tool processing the received digital audio content, receiving playback metadata generated by a playback device, and combining the binaural rendering metadata and playback metadata to optimize playback of the digital audio content through the headphones.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2019Publication date: July 4, 2019Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Nicolas R. TSINGOS, Rhonda WILSON, Sunil BHARITKAR, C. Phillip BROWN, Alan J. SEEFELDT, Remi AUDFRAY
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Publication number: 20190199309Abstract: Distortion reducing multi-band compressor with timbre preservation is provided. Timbre preservation is achieved by determining a time-varying threshold in each of a plurality frequency bands as a function of a respective fixed threshold for the frequency band and, at least in part, an audio signal level and a fixed threshold outside such frequency band. If a particular frequency band receives significant gain reduction due to being above or approaching its fixed threshold, then a time-varying threshold of one or more other frequency bands are also decreased to receive some gain reduction. In a specific embodiment, time-varying thresholds can be computed from an average difference of the audio input signal in each frequency band and its respective fixed threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventor: Alan J. Seefeldt
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Publication number: 20190191258Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of rendering adaptive audio by receiving input audio comprising channel-based audio, audio objects, and dynamic objects, wherein the dynamic objects are classified as sets of low-priority dynamic objects and high-priority dynamic objects, rendering the channel-based audio, the audio objects, and the low-priority dynamic objects in a first rendering processor of an audio processing system, and rendering the high-priority dynamic objects in a second rendering processor of the audio processing system. The rendered audio is then subject to virtualization and post-processing steps for playback through soundbars and other similar limited height capable speakers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2018Publication date: June 20, 2019Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Joshua Brandon LANDO, Freddie SANCHEZ, Alan J. SEEFELDT
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Publication number: 20190179604Abstract: Media input audio data corresponding to a media stream and microphone input audio data from at least one microphone may be received. A first level of at least one of a plurality of frequency bands of the media input audio data, as well as a second level of at least one of a plurality of frequency bands of the microphone input audio data, may be determined. Media output audio data and microphone output audio data may be produced by adjusting levels of one or more of the first and second plurality of frequency bands based on the perceived loudness of the microphone input audio data, of the microphone output audio data, of the media output audio data and the media input audio data. One or more processes may be modified upon receipt of a mode-switching indication.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2017Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Mark Alexander, Chunjian Li, Joshua Brandon Lando, Alan J. Seefeldt, Phillip C. Brown, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart
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Patent number: 10318235Abstract: In an audio encoder, for audio content received in a source audio format, default gains are generated based on a default dynamic range compression (DRC) curve, and non-default gains are generated for a non-default gain profile. Based on the default gains and non-default gains, differential gains are generated. An audio signal comprising the audio content, the default DRC curve, and differential gains is generated. In an audio decoder, the default DRC curve and the differential gains are identified from the audio signal. Default gains are re-generated based on the default DRC curve. Based on the combination of the re-generated default gains and the differential gains, operations are performed on the audio content extracted from the audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignees: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation, Dolby International ABInventors: Jeroen Koppens, Jeffrey Riedmiller, Kristofer Kjoerling, Alexander Stahlmann, Holger Hoerich, Alan J. Seefeldt
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Patent number: 10313793Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a virtual height filter for use with or in an upward-firing speaker system that reflects sound off a ceiling to a listening location at a distance from a speaker, and that provides height cues to reproduce audio objects that have overhead audio components. A virtual height filter based on a directional hearing model is applied to the upward-firing driver signal to improve the perception of height for audio signals transmitted by the virtual height speaker to provide optimum reproduction of the overhead reflected sound. The virtual height filter is provided by any one or combination of analog or digital filter circuits, or mechanical structures including speaker grill, enclosure, or driver design or configuration.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Michael J. Smithers, Brett G. Crockett, Alan J. Seefeldt, C. Phillip Brown
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Patent number: 10306392Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to content-adaptive surround sound virtualization. A method of virtualizing surround sound is disclosed. The method includes receiving a set of input audio signals, each of the input audio signals being indicative of sound from one of different sound sources, and determining a probability of the set of input audio signals belonging to a predefined audio content category. The method also includes determining a virtualization amount based on the determined probability, the virtualization amount indicating to which extent the set of input audio signals is virtualized as surround sound. The method further includes performing surround sound virtualization on two or more input audio signals in the set based on the determined virtualization amount and generating output audio signals based on the virtualized input audio signals and other input audio signals in the set. Corresponding system and computer program product for virtualizing surround sound are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Xin Liu, Lie Lu, Alan J. Seefeldt
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Patent number: 10284159Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for processing an audio signal in an audio processing apparatus is disclosed. The method includes receiving an audio signal and a parameter, the parameter indicating a location of an auditory event boundary. An audio portion between consecutive auditory event boundaries constitutes an auditory event. The method further includes applying a modification to the audio signal based in part on an occurrence of the auditory event. The parameter may be generated by monitoring a characteristic of the audio signal and identifying a change in the characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Brett G. Crockett, Alan J. Seefeldt
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Patent number: 10255027Abstract: Embodiments are described for a method of rendering audio for playback through headphones comprising receiving digital audio content, receiving binaural rendering metadata generated by an authoring tool processing the received digital audio content, receiving playback metadata generated by a playback device, and combining the binaural rendering metadata and playback metadata to optimize playback of the digital audio content through the headphones.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Nicolas R. Tsingos, Rhonda Wilson, Sunil Bharitkar, C. Phillip Brown, Alan J. Seefeldt, Remi Audfray
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Patent number: 10251010Abstract: An audio processing system and method which calculates, based on spatial metadata of the audio object, a panning coefficient for each of the audio objects in relation to each of a plurality of predefined channel coverage zones. Converts the audio signal into submixes in relation to the predefined channel coverage zones based on the calculated panning coefficients and the audio objects. Each of the submixes indicating a sum of components of the plurality of the audio objects in relation to one of the predefined channel coverage zones. Generating a submix gain by applying an audio processing to each of the submix and controls an object gain applied to each of the audio objects. The object gain being as a function of the panning coefficients for each of the audio objects and the submix gains in relation to each of the predefined channel coverage zones.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Alan J. Seefeldt, Lie Lu, Chen Zhang
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Patent number: 10241740Abstract: A sound reflection assembly comprises a rigid structure having a sound reflection section and a support section, a rigid part in the support section, etc. A directional sound generation module is placed on the rigid part. The directional sound generation module is spatially oriented to direct sound waves generated by one or more speaker elements in the directional sound generation module towards the sound reflection section to be reflected by the sound reflection section towards an audience in an audience area in front of the sound reflection assembly. The directional sound generation module may be a sound bar.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Alan J. Seefeldt, Lucas E. Saule, Vincent Voron
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Patent number: 10225676Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a method of rendering adaptive audio by receiving input audio comprising channel-based audio, audio objects, and dynamic objects, wherein the dynamic objects are classified as sets of low-priority dynamic objects and high-priority dynamic objects, rendering the channel-based audio, the audio objects, and the low-priority dynamic objects in a first rendering processor of an audio processing system, and rendering the high-priority dynamic objects in a second rendering processor of the audio processing system. The rendered audio is then subject to virtualization and post-processing steps for playback through soundbars and other similar limited height capable speakers.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Joshua Brandon Lando, Freddie Sanchez, Alan J Seefeldt
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Publication number: 20190065140Abstract: In an audio encoder, for audio content received in a source audio format, default gains are generated based on a default dynamic range compression (DRC) curve, and non-default gains are generated for a non-default gain profile. Based on the default gains and non-default gains, differential gains are generated. An audio signal comprising the audio content, the default DRC curve, and differential gains is generated. In an audio decoder, the default DRC curve and the differential gains are identified from the audio signal. Default gains are re-generated based on the default DRC curve. Based on the combination of the re-generated default gains and the differential gains, operations are performed on the audio content extracted from the audio signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicants: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION, DOLBY INTERNATIONAL ABInventors: Jeroen Koppens, Jeffrey Riedmiller, Kristofer Kjoerling, Alexander Stahlmann, Holger Hoerich, Alan J. Seefeldt
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Publication number: 20190037333Abstract: An audio processing system and method which calculates, based on spatial metadata of the audio object, a panning coefficient for each of the audio objects in relation to each of a plurality of predefined channel coverage zones. Converts the audio signal into submixes in relation to the predefined channel coverage zones based on the calculated panning coefficients and the audio objects. Each of the submixes indicating a sum of components of the plurality of the audio objects in relation to one of the predefined channel coverage zones. Generating a submix gain by applying an audio processing to each of the submix and controls an object gain applied to each of the audio objects. The object gain being as a function of the panning coefficients for each of the audio objects and the submix gains in relation to each of the predefined channel coverage zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Alan J. SEEFELDT, Lie LU, Chen ZHANG
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Publication number: 20190013786Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for processing an audio signal in an audio processing apparatus is disclosed. The method includes receiving an audio signal and a parameter, the parameter indicating a location of an auditory event boundary. An audio portion between consecutive auditory event boundaries constitutes an auditory event. The method further includes applying a modification to the audio signal based in part on an occurrence of the auditory event. The parameter may be generated by monitoring a characteristic of the audio signal and identifying a change in the characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2018Publication date: January 10, 2019Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Brett G. Crockett, Alan J. Seefeldt
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Publication number: 20180324540Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to content-adaptive surround sound virtualization. A method of virtualizing surround sound is disclosed. The method includes receiving a set of input audio signals, each of the input audio signals being indicative of sound from one of different sound sources, and determining a probability of the set of input audio signals belonging to a predefined audio content category. The method also includes determining a virtualization amount based on the determined probability, the virtualization amount indicating to which extent the set of input audio signals is virtualized as surround sound. The method further includes performing surround sound virtualization on two or more input audio signals in the set based on the determined virtualization amount and generating output audio signals based on the virtualized input audio signals and other input audio signals in the set. Corresponding system and computer program product for virtualizing surround sound are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2016Publication date: November 8, 2018Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Xin Liu, Lie LU, Alan J. Seefeldt
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Patent number: 10111022Abstract: An audio processing system and method which calculates, based on spatial metadata of the audio object, a panning coefficient for each of the audio objects in relation to each of a plurality of predefined channel coverage zones. Converts the audio signal into submixes in relation to the predefined channel coverage zones based on the calculated panning coefficients and the audio objects. Each of the submixes indicating a sum of components of the plurality of the audio objects in relation to one of the predefined channel coverage zones. Generating a submix gain by applying an audio processing to each of the submix and controls an object gain applied to each of the audio objects. The object gain being as a function of the panning coefficients for each of the audio objects and the submix gains in relation to each of the predefined channel coverage zones.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Alan J. Seefeldt, Lie Lu, Chen Zhang
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Patent number: 10103700Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for processing an audio signal in an audio processing apparatus is disclosed. The method includes receiving an audio signal and a parameter, the parameter indicating a location of an auditory event boundary. An audio portion between consecutive auditory event boundaries constitutes an auditory event. The method further includes applying a modification to the audio signal based in part on an occurrence of the auditory event. The parameter may be generated by monitoring a characteristic of the audio signal and identifying a change in the characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2017Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Brett G. Crockett, Alan J. Seefeldt
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Patent number: 10095468Abstract: In an audio encoder, for audio content received in a source audio format, default gains are generated based on a default dynamic range compression (DRC) curve, and non-default gains are generated for a non-default gain profile. Based on the default gains and non-default gains, differential gains are generated. An audio signal comprising the audio content, the default DRC curve, and differential gains is generated. In an audio decoder, the default DRC curve and the differential gains are identified from the audio signal. Default gains are re-generated based on the default DRC curve. Based on the combination of the re-generated default gains and the differential gains, operations are performed on the audio content extracted from the audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignees: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation, Dolby International ABInventors: Jeroen Koppens, Jeffrey Riedmiller, Kristofer Kjoerling, Alexander Groeschel, Holger Hoerich, Alan J. Seefeldt
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Publication number: 20180242077Abstract: A soundbar speaker for transmitting reflected sound waves off an upper surface down to a listening environment, comprising: a cabinet containing a plurality of audio drivers, direct-firing drivers within the cabinet oriented to transmit sound along a horizontal axis substantially perpendicular to a front surface of the cabinet, and a pair of upward-firing slotted drivers placed proximate to ends of an top surface of the cabinet and oriented at an inclination angle relative to the horizontal axis. The slotted drivers are configured to create an overlapping reflected sound projection for high frequency sound when reflected down to a listening position located at a distance in front of the speaker pair. Such a speaker projects reflected sound that provides wider horizontal or side-to-side dispersion to better cover the listening area.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2016Publication date: August 23, 2018Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Michael J. SMITHERS, Alan J. SEEFELDT