Abstract: Private anonymous electronic messaging between a message originator and a message recipient within an organization encourages open communication which can provide information to the organization that might otherwise be secreted from the organization, and can allow the message originator to obtain desired help (e.g., counseling). By profiling of the message originator based on current and previous electronic messaging within the system as well as external organizational information (e.g., behavioral or financial information), the system can assess concerns yet act as a gateway to protect the message originator's true identity through escalating levels of concern unless a genuine concern about the health, well-being, and/or safety of the message originator, others, or the organization is indicated, in which case the system can reveal the true identity of the message originator as appropriate.

Abstract: Private anonymous electronic messaging between a message originator and a message recipient within an organization encourages open communication which can provide information to the organization that might otherwise be secreted from the organization, and can allow the message originator to obtain desired help (e.g., counseling). By profiling of the message originator based on current and previous electronic messaging within the system as well as external organizational information (e.g., behavioral or financial information), the system can assess concerns yet act as a gateway to protect the message originator's true identity through escalating levels of concern unless a genuine concern about the health, well-being, and/or safety of the message originator, others, or the organization is indicated, in which case the system can reveal the true identity of the message originator as appropriate.

Abstract: The present document relates to processing of multimedia data, notably the encoding, the transmission, the decoding and the rendering of multimedia data, e.g. audio files or bitstreams. In particular, the present document relates to the implementation of loudness control in multimedia players. A method for providing loudness related data to a media player is described. The method comprises the steps of providing a first loudness related value associated with an audio signal; wherein the first loudness related value has been determined according to a first procedure; of converting the first loudness related value into a second loudness related value using a reversible relation; wherein the second loudness related value is associated with a second procedure for determining loudness related values; of storing the second loudness related value in metadata associated with the audio signal; and of providing the metadata to the media player.

Abstract: Many portable playback devices cannot decode and playback encoded audio content having wide bandwidth and wide dynamic range with consistent loudness and intelligibility unless the encoded audio content has been prepared specially for these devices. This problem can be overcome by including with the encoded content some metadata that specifies a suitable dynamic range compression profile by either absolute values or differential values relative to another known compression profile. A playback device may also adaptively apply gain and limiting to the playback audio. Implementations in encoders, in transcoders and in decoders are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for transient detection and modification in audio signals. Digital signal processing techniques are used to detect transients and modify an audio signal to enhance or suppress such transients, as desired. A transient audio event is detected in a first portion of the audio signal. A graded response to the detected transient audio event is determined. The first portion of the audio signal is modified in accordance with the graded response. The extent of enhancement or suppression (as applicable) may be determined at least in part by a measure of the significance or magnitude of the transient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to techniques for authentication of data streams. Specifically, the invention relates to the insertion of identifiers into a data stream, such as a Dolby Pulse, AAC or HE AAC bitstream, and the authentication and verification of the data stream based on such identifiers. A method and system for encoding a data stream comprising a plurality of data frames is described. The method comprises the step of generating a cryptographic value of a number N of successive data frames and configuration information, wherein the configuration information comprises information for rendering the data stream. The method then inserts the cryptographic value into the data stream subsequent to the N successive data frames.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enhancing audio signals by nonlinear spectral operations. Successive portions of the audio signal are processed using a subband filter bank. A nonlinear modification is applied to the output of the subband filter bank for each successive portion of the audio signal to generate a modified subband filter bank output for each successive portion. The modified subband filter bank output for each successive portion is processed using an appropriate synthesis subband filter bank to construct a modified time-domain audio signal. High modulation frequency portions of the audio signal may be emphasized or de-emphasized, as desired. The modification may be applied within one or more frequency bands.

Abstract: Processing an audio signal associated with a sound recording made available to be rendered to an end user is disclosed. The audio signal is received. A high-order perceptual attribute of the audio signal as rendered is changed by modifying the audio signal. The modification may be based on real-time analysis of the audio signal.

Abstract: Mapping a plurality of external control signals to values for one or more internal parameters is disclosed. Each external control signal is mapped to a control signal-specific set of internal parameter values corresponding to the level of the signal. The resulting signal-specific sets of internal parameter values are combined to generate a combined set of internal parameter values. The combined set of internal parameter values includes a single value for each internal parameter for which a value was included in at least one signal-specific set of internal parameter values. For each internal parameter for which a value is included in more than one of the signal-specific sets of internal parameter values, the combined set of internal parameter values includes a combined value based at least in part on the values included in the signal-specific sets of internal parameter values.

Abstract: Modifying a panned source in an audio signal comprising a plurality of channel signals is disclosed. Portions associated with the panned source are identified in at least selected ones of the channel signals. The identified portions are modified based at least in part on a user input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for clamping and subsequently machining a disk- or ring-shaped workpiece, wherein the workpiece is set down on a contact surface of a contact member made from elastomeric material. The workpiece is axially pressed against the contact surface with an elastomeric-material clamping member of a clamping device and simultaneously fixed in place perpendicular to the workpiece axis. Subsequently, the workpiece is machined with a tool.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for transient detection and modification in audio signals. Digital signal processing techniques are used to detect transients and modify an audio signal to enhance or suppress such transients, as desired. A transient audio event is detected in a first portion of the audio signal. A graded response to the detected transient audio event is determined. The first portion of the audio signal is modified in accordance with the graded response. The extent of enhancement or suppression (as applicable) may be determined at least in part by a measure of the significance or magnitude of the transient.

Abstract: Modifying an audio signal comprising a plurality of channel signals is disclosed. At least selected ones of the channel signals are transformed into a time-frequency domain. The at least selected ones of the channel signals are compared in the time-frequency domain to identify corresponding portions of the channel signals that are not correlated or are only weakly correlated across channels. The identified corresponding portions of said channel signals are modified.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for clamping and subsequently machining a disk- or ring-shaped workpiece, wherein the workpiece is set down on a contact surface of a contact member made from elastomeric material. The workpiece is axially pressed against the contact surface with an elastomeric-material clamping member of a clamping device and simultaneously fixed in place perpendicular to the workpiece axis. Subsequently, the workpiece is machined with a tool.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for clamping and subsequently machining a disk- or ring-shaped workpiece, wherein the workpiece is set down on a contact surface of a contact member made from elastomeric material. The workpiece is axially pressed against the contact surface with an elastomeric-material clamping member of a clamping device and simultaneously fixed in place perpendicular to the workpiece axis. Subsequently, the workpiece is machined with a tool.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for transient detection and modification in audio signals. Digital signal processing techniques are used to detect transients and modify an audio signal to enhance or suppress such transients, as desired. A transient audio event is detected in a first portion of the audio signal. A graded response to the detected transient audio event is determined. The first portion of the audio signal is modified in accordance with the graded response. The extent of enhancement or suppression (as applicable) may be determined at least in part by a measure of the significance or magnitude of the transient.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enhancing audio signals by nonlinear spectral operations. Successive portions of the audio signal are processed using a subband filter bank. A nonlinear modification is applied to the output of the subband filter bank for each successive portion of the audio signal to generate a modified subband filter bank output for each successive portion. The modified subband filter bank output for each successive portion is processed using an appropriate synthesis subband filter bank to construct a modified time-domain audio signal. High modulation frequency portions of the audio signal may be emphasized or de-emphasized, as desired. The modification may be applied within one or more frequency bands.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enhancing audio signals by nonlinear spectral operations. Successive portions of the audio signal are processed using a subband filter bank. A nonlinear modification is applied to the output of the subband filter bank for each successive portion of the audio signal to generate a modified subband filter bank output for each successive portion. The modified subband filter bank output for each successive portion is processed using an appropriate synthesis subband filter bank to construct a modified time-domain audio signal. High modulation frequency portions of the audio signal may be emphasized or de-emphasized, as desired. The modification may be applied within one or more frequency bands.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for clamping and subsequently machining a disk- or ring-shaped workpiece, wherein the workpiece is set down on a contact surface of a contact member made from elastomeric material. The workpiece is axially pressed against the contact surface with an elastomeric-material clamping member of a clamping device and simultaneously fixed in place perpendicular to the workpiece axis. Subsequently, the workpiece is machined with a tool.

Abstract: A method for finishing a valve seat for ball valves, in particular for fuel injection valves in internal combustion engines. The workpiece to be finished and a finishing tool are driven in an opposite direction of rotation, whereby the axes of rotation of the workpiece and the finishing tool are aligned with each other at an angle of from 1° to 10°. The finishing tool rests against the inside surface of the workpiece to be finished over its entire circumference. The surface of the workpiece to be treated is provided with a crowned shape. A finishing stone with a wear-resistant and preferably cone-shaped working surface is employed as the finishing tool, whereby a narrow sealing zone with a convex contour in the longitudinal section is produced in the crowned surface of the workpiece by partial removal of material.