Patents by Inventor Kuan-Chieh Yen
Kuan-Chieh Yen 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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METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DESIGNING AND APPLYING NUMERICALLY OPTIMIZED BINAURAL ROOM IMPULSE RESPONSES
Publication number: 20230262409Abstract: Methods and systems for designing binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs) for use in headphone virtualizers, and methods and systems for generating a binaural signal in response to a set of channels of a multi-channel audio signal, including by applying a BRIR to each channel of the set, thereby generating filtered signals, and combining the filtered signals to generate the binaural signal, where each BRIR has been designed in accordance with an embodiment of the design method. Other aspects are audio processing units configured to perform any embodiment of the inventive method. In accordance with some embodiments, BRIR design is formulated as a numerical optimization problem based on a simulation model (which generates candidate BRIRs) and at least one objective function (which evaluates each candidate BRIR), and includes identification of a best one of the candidate BRIRs as indicated by performance metrics determined for the candidate BRIRs by each objective function.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Grant A. DAVIDSON, Kuan-Chieh YEN, Dirk Jeroen BREEBAART -
Patent number: 11711647Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for detecting voice commands from a user of an ear-based device. The ear-based device may include an in-ear facing microphone to capture sound emitted in an ear of the user, and an exterior facing microphone to capture sound emitted in an exterior environment of the user. The in-ear microphone may generate an inner audio signal representing the sound emitted in the ear, and the exterior microphone may generate an outer audio signal representing sound from the exterior environment. The ear-based device may compute a ratio of a power of the inner audio signal to the outer audio signal and may compare this ratio to a threshold. If the ratio is larger than the threshold, the ear-based device may detect the voice of the user. Further, the ear-based device may set a value of the threshold based on a level of acoustic seal of the ear-based device.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kuan-Chieh Yen, Daniel Wayne Harris, Carlo Murgia, Taro Kimura
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Publication number: 20230199427Abstract: In some embodiments, virtualization methods for generating a binaural signal in response to channels of a multi-channel audio signal, which apply a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) to each channel including by using at least one feedback delay network (FDN) to apply a common late reverberation to a downmix of the channels. In some embodiments, input signal channels are processed in a first processing path to apply to each channel a direct response and early reflection portion of a single-channel BRIR for the channel, and the downmix of the channels is processed in a second processing path including at least one FDN which applies the common late reverberation. Typically, the common late reverberation emulates collective macro attributes of late reverberation portions of at least some of the single-channel BRIRs. Other aspects are headphone virtualizers configured to perform any embodiment of the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Kuan-Chieh YEN, Dirk Jeroen BREEBAART, Grant A. DAVIDSON, Rhonda WILSON, David M. COOPER, Zhiwei SHUANG
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Patent number: 11582574Abstract: In some embodiments, virtualization methods for generating a binaural signal in response to channels of a multi-channel audio signal, which apply a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) to each channel including by using at least one feedback delay network (FDN) to apply a common late reverberation to a downmix of the channels. In some embodiments, input signal channels are processed in a first processing path to apply to each channel a direct response and early reflection portion of a single-channel BRIR for the channel, and the downmix of the channels is processed in a second processing path including at least one FDN which applies the common late reverberation. Typically, the common late reverberation emulates collective macro attributes of late reverberation portions of at least some of the single-channel BRIRs. Other aspects are headphone virtualizers configured to perform any embodiment of the method.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Kuan-Chieh Yen, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart, Grant A. Davidson, Rhonda Wilson, David M. Cooper, Zhiwei Shuang
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Methods and systems for designing and applying numerically optimized binaural room impulse responses
Patent number: 11576004Abstract: Methods and systems for designing binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs) for use in headphone virtualizers, and methods and systems for generating a binaural signal in response to a set of channels of a multi-channel audio signal, including by applying a BRIR to each channel of the set, thereby generating filtered signals, and combining the filtered signals to generate the binaural signal, where each BRIR has been designed in accordance with an embodiment of the design method. Other aspects are audio processing units configured to perform any embodiment of the inventive method. In accordance with some embodiments, BRIR design is formulated as a numerical optimization problem based on a simulation model (which generates candidate BRIRs) and at least one objective function (which evaluates each candidate BRIR), and includes identification of a best one of the candidate BRIRs as indicated by performance metrics determined for the candidate BRIRs by each objective function.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2022Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Grant A. Davidson, Kuan-Chieh Yen, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart -
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DESIGNING AND APPLYING NUMERICALLY OPTIMIZED BINAURAL ROOM IMPULSE RESPONSES
Publication number: 20220264244Abstract: Methods and systems for designing binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs) for use in headphone virtualizers, and methods and systems for generating a binaural signal in response to a set of channels of a multi-channel audio signal, including by applying a BRIR to each channel of the set, thereby generating filtered signals, and combining the filtered signals to generate the binaural signal, where each BRIR has been designed in accordance with an embodiment of the design method. Other aspects are audio processing units configured to perform any embodiment of the inventive method. In accordance with some embodiments, BRIR design is formulated as a numerical optimization problem based on a simulation model (which generates candidate BRIRs) and at least one objective function (which evaluates each candidate BRIR), and includes identification of a best one of the candidate BRIRs as indicated by performance metrics determined for the candidate BRIRs by each objective function.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Grant A. DAVIDSON, Kuan-Chieh YEN, Dirk Jeroen BREEBAART -
Publication number: 20220182779Abstract: In some embodiments, virtualization methods for generating a binaural signal in response to channels of a multi-channel audio signal, which apply a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) to each channel including by using at least one feedback delay network (FDN) to apply a common late reverberation to a downmix of the channels. In some embodiments, input signal channels are processed in a first processing path to apply to each channel a direct response and early reflection portion of a single-channel BRIR for the channel, and the downmix of the channels is processed in a second processing path including at least one FDN which applies the common late reverberation. Typically, the common late reverberation emulates collective macro attributes of late reverberation portions of at least some of the single-channel BRIRs. Other aspects are headphone virtualizers configured to perform any embodiment of the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2021Publication date: June 9, 2022Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Kuan-Chieh YEN, Dirk Jeroen BREEBAART, Grant A. DAVIDSON, Rhonda WILSON, David M. COOPER, Zhiwei SHUANG
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Methods and systems for designing and applying numerically optimized binaural room impulse responses
Patent number: 11272311Abstract: Methods and systems for designing binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs) for use in headphone virtualizers, and methods and systems for generating a binaural signal in response to a set of channels of a multi-channel audio signal, including by applying a BRIR to each channel of the set, thereby generating filtered signals, and combining the filtered signals to generate the binaural signal, where each BRIR has been designed in accordance with an embodiment of the design method. Other aspects are audio processing units configured to perform any embodiment of the inventive method. In accordance with some embodiments, BRIR design is formulated as a numerical optimization problem based on a simulation model (which generates candidate BRIRs) and at least one objective function (which evaluates each candidate BRIR), and includes identification of a best one of the candidate BRIRs as indicated by performance metrics determined for the candidate BRIRs by each objective function.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Grant A. Davidson, Kuan-Chieh Yen, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart -
Patent number: 11212638Abstract: In some embodiments, virtualization methods for generating a binaural signal in response to channels of a multi-channel audio signal, which apply a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) to each channel including by using at least one feedback delay network (FDN) to apply a common late reverberation to a downmix of the channels. In some embodiments, input signal channels are processed in a first processing path to apply to each channel a direct response and early reflection portion of a single-channel BRIR for the channel, and the downmix of the channels is processed in a second processing path including at least one FDN which applies the common late reverberation. Typically, the common late reverberation emulates collective macro attributes of late reverberation portions of at least some of the single-channel BRIRs. Other aspects are headphone virtualizers configured to perform any embodiment of the method.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Kuan-Chieh Yen, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart, Grant A. Davidson, Rhonda Wilson, David M. Cooper, Zhiwei Shuang
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Patent number: 11172285Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, techniques to process audio signals to lessen the impact that wind and/or other environmental noise has upon the resulting quality of these audio signals. For example, the techniques may determine a level of wind and/or other noise in an environment and may determine how best to process the signals to lessen the impact of the noise, such that one or more users that hear audio based on output of the signals hear higher-quality audio.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ke Li, Alex Kanaris, Ludger Solbach, Carlo Murgia, Kuan-Chieh Yen, Tarun Pruthi
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Patent number: 11074903Abstract: A system and method includes an audio device, such as an earbud or headphones, that includes one or more loudspeakers for outputting audio. The audio device further in includes one or more microphones that are positioned near an ear of a user. An acoustic barrier may be formed between a surface of the device and the ear of the user; properties of this barrier may, however, vary from user to user. The system determines these properties on a per-user basis and compensates for any differences therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kuan-Chieh Yen, Ali Abdollahzadeh Milani
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METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DESIGNING AND APPLYING NUMERICALLY OPTIMIZED BINAURAL ROOM IMPULSE RESPONSES
Publication number: 20210227344Abstract: Methods and systems for designing binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs) for use in headphone virtualizers, and methods and systems for generating a binaural signal in response to a set of channels of a multi-channel audio signal, including by applying a BRIR to each channel of the set, thereby generating filtered signals, and combining the filtered signals to generate the binaural signal, where each BRIR has been designed in accordance with an embodiment of the design method. Other aspects are audio processing units configured to perform any embodiment of the inventive method. In accordance with some embodiments, BRIR design is formulated as a numerical optimization problem based on a simulation model (which generates candidate BRIRs) and at least one objective function (which evaluates each candidate BRIR), and includes identification of a best one of the candidate BRIRs as indicated by performance metrics determined for the candidate BRIRs by each objective function.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2020Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Grant A. DAVIDSON, Kuan-Chieh YEN, Dirk Jeroen BREEBAART -
Patent number: 10972834Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for detecting voice commands from a user of an ear-based device. The ear-based device may include an in-ear facing microphone to capture sound emitted in an ear of the user, and an exterior facing microphone to capture sound emitted in an exterior environment of the user. The in-ear microphone may generate an inner audio signal representing the sound emitted in the ear, and the exterior microphone may generate an outer audio signal representing sound from the exterior environment. The ear-based device may compute a ratio of a power of the inner audio signal to the outer audio signal and may compare this ratio to a threshold. If the ratio is larger than the threshold, the ear-based device may detect the voice of the user. Further, the ear-based device may set a value of the threshold based on a level of acoustic seal of the ear-based device.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kuan-Chieh Yen, Daniel Wayne Harris, Carlo Murgia, Taro Kimura
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Publication number: 20210051435Abstract: In some embodiments, virtualization methods for generating a binaural signal in response to channels of a multi-channel audio signal, which apply a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) to each channel including by using at least one feedback delay network (FDN) to apply a common late reverberation to a downmix of the channels. In some embodiments, input signal channels are processed in a first processing path to apply to each channel a direct response and early reflection portion of a single-channel BRIR for the channel, and the downmix of the channels is processed in a second processing path including at least one FDN which applies the common late reverberation. Typically, the common late reverberation emulates collective macro attributes of late reverberation portions of at least some of the single-channel BRIRs. Other aspects are headphone virtualizers configured to perform any embodiment of the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Kuan-Chieh YEN, Dirk Jeroen BREEBAART, Grant A. DAVIDSON, Rhonda WILSON, David M. COOPER, Zhiwei SHUANG
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Patent number: 10867617Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, techniques for processing audio data. For instance, an electronic device may include an automatic gain controller (AGC) that determines AGC gains for amplifying or attenuating an audio data. To determine the AGC gains, the AGC uses information from a residual echo suppressor (RES) and/or a noise reductor (NR). The information may indicate RES gains applied to the audio data by the RES and/or NR gains applied to the audio data by the NR. In some instances, to determine the AGC gain, the AGC determines time-constant parameter(s) using the information. The AGC then uses the time-constant parameter(s) to determine an input signal level for the audio data and/or the AGC gain. In some instances, to determine the AGC gain, the AGC operates in an attack mode or a release mode based on the information.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Carlos Renato Nakagawa, Carlo Murgia, Wai Chung Chu, Kuan-Chieh Yen
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Methods and systems for designing and applying numerically optimized binaural room impulse responses
Patent number: 10834519Abstract: Methods and systems for designing binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs) for use in headphone virtualizers, and methods and systems for generating a binaural signal in response to a set of channels of a multi-channel audio signal, including by applying a BRIR to each channel of the set, thereby generating filtered signals, and combining the filtered signals to generate the binaural signal, where each BRIR has been designed in accordance with an embodiment of the design method. Other aspects are audio processing units configured to perform any embodiment of the inventive method. In accordance with some embodiments, BRIR design is formulated as a numerical optimization problem based on a simulation model (which generates candidate BRIRs) and at least one objective function (which evaluates each candidate BRIR), and includes identification of a best one of the candidate BRIRs as indicated by performance metrics determined for the candidate BRIRs by each objective function.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2020Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Grant A. Davidson, Kuan-Chieh Yen, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart -
Patent number: 10771914Abstract: In some embodiments, virtualization methods for generating a binaural signal in response to channels of a multi-channel audio signal, which apply a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) to each channel including by using at least one feedback delay network (FDN) to apply a common late reverberation to a downmix of the channels. In some embodiments, input signal channels are processed in a first processing path to apply to each channel a direct response and early reflection portion of a single-channel BRIR for the channel, and the downmix of the channels is processed in a second processing path including at least one FDN which applies the common late reverberation. Typically, the common late reverberation emulates collective macro attributes of late reverberation portions of at least some of the single-channel BRIRs. Other aspects are headphone virtualizers configured to perform any embodiment of the method.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Kuan-Chieh Yen, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart, Grant A. Davidson, Rhonda Wilson, David M. Cooper, Zhiwei Shuang
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Publication number: 20200245094Abstract: In some embodiments, virtualization methods for generating a binaural signal in response to channels of a multi-channel audio signal, which apply a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) to each channel including by using at least one feedback delay network (FDN) to apply a common late reverberation to a downmix of the channels. In some embodiments, input signal channels are processed in a first processing path to apply to each channel a direct response and early reflection portion of a single-channel BRIR for the channel, and the downmix of the channels is processed in a second processing path including at least one FDN which applies the common late reverberation. Typically, the common late reverberation emulates collective macro attributes of late reverberation portions of at least some of the single-channel BRIRs. Other aspects are headphone virtualizers configured to perform any embodiment of the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2020Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATIONInventors: Kuan-Chieh YEN, Dirk Jeroen BREEBAART, Grant A. DAVIDSON, Rhonda WILSON, David M. COOPER, Zhiwei SHUANG
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METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DESIGNING AND APPLYING NUMERICALLY OPTIMIZED BINAURAL ROOM IMPULSE RESPONSES
Publication number: 20200162835Abstract: Methods and systems for designing binaural room impulse responses (BRIRs) for use in headphone virtualizers, and methods and systems for generating a binaural signal in response to a set of channels of a multi-channel audio signal, including by applying a BRIR to each channel of the set, thereby generating filtered signals, and combining the filtered signals to generate the binaural signal, where each BRIR has been designed in accordance with an embodiment of the design method. Other aspects are audio processing units configured to perform any embodiment of the inventive method. In accordance with some embodiments, BRIR design is formulated as a numerical optimization problem based on a simulation model (which generates candidate BRIRs) and at least one objective function (which evaluates each candidate BRIR), and includes identification of a best one of the candidate BRIRs as indicated by performance metrics determined for the candidate BRIRs by each objective function.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2020Publication date: May 21, 2020Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Grant A. DAVIDSON, Kuan-Chieh YEN, Dirk Jeroen BREEBAART -
Patent number: 10555109Abstract: In some embodiments, virtualization methods for generating a binaural signal in response to channels of a multi-channel audio signal, which apply a binaural room impulse response (BRIR) to each channel including by using at least one feedback delay network (FDN) to apply a common late reverberation to a downmix of the channels. In some embodiments, input signal channels are processed in a first processing path to apply to each channel a direct response and early reflection portion of a single-channel BRIR for the channel, and the downmix of the channels is processed in a second processing path including at least one FDN which applies the common late reverberation. Typically, the common late reverberation emulates collective macro attributes of late reverberation portions of at least some of the single-channel BRIRs. Other aspects are headphone virtualizers configured to perform any embodiment of the method.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2019Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationInventors: Kuan-Chieh Yen, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart, Grant A. Davidson, Rhonda Wilson, David M. Cooper, Zhiwei Shuang