Patents by Inventor Michael Smither

Michael Smither 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: 11463832
    Abstract: A system and method of adjusting an audio output in one location so that its propagation into another location is reduced. As a first device in a first location generates sound, a second device in a second location detects the propagated sound. The first device then adjusts its output based on the detected sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: C. Phillip Brown, Michael Smithers, Remi Audfray, Patrick Saunders
  • Publication number: 20210211822
    Abstract: A system and method of adjusting an audio output in one location so that its propagation into another location is reduced. As a first device in a first location generates sound, a second device in a second location detects the propagated sound. The first device then adjusts its output based on the detected sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: C. Phillip Brown, Michael Smithers, Remi Audfray, Patrick Saunders
  • Patent number: 10283137
    Abstract: A device (160) and a method are proposed for tuning a frequency-dependent attenuation stage (122), with the purpose of suppressing non-linear distortion occurring in an audio reproduction system (120) associated with the frequency-dependent attenuation stage. The device comprises a receiving section (162) adapted to receive data representing an output acoustic signal (140) from the audio reproduction system, recorded upon excitation of the audio reproduction system by a predetermined input data signal (110)a first distortion detection section (163) adapted to detect presence of non-linear distortion based on the received data and to apply psycho-acoustic compensation to the detected non-linear distortion and a control section (164) adapted to determine, based on the psycho-acoustically compensated non-linear distortion, control information (170) suitable for controlling the frequency-dependent attenuation stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignees: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation, Dolby International AB
    Inventors: Jyri Tapani Pakarinen, Michael Smithers, Juan Felix Torres, Heiko Purnhagen
  • Patent number: 10090817
    Abstract: Systems and methods for leveling loudness variation in an audio signal are described. Embodiments use both a perceptual leveling algorithm and a standards-based loudness measure together to minimize audio process artifacts and ensure that the measured loudness of the processed audio is close to a required measure, according to a particular standard measurement of loudness. These systems and methods can be used either offline or in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew P. Reilly, Michael Smithers, Jeffrey Riedmiller
  • Patent number: 9986338
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to speakers and circuits that reflect sound off a wall surface (114) to a listening location at a distance from a speaker. The reflected sound (103) provides direct audio cues to reproduce audio objects that have direct audio components without the need for direct firing speakers. The speaker comprises sideward firing drivers (108) to reflect sound off of the wall surface (114) and represents a virtual direct speaker (116). A virtual direct filter is applied to the sideward-firing driver signal to improve the perception of direct audio transmitted by the sideward firing speaker (108) to provide optimum reproduction of the reflected sound. The virtual direct filter may be incorporated as part of a crossover circuit that separates the full band and sends high frequency sound to the sideward-firing driver (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Warren Mansfield, Eugene Edward Radzik, Alan J. Seefeldt, Jared Smith, C. Phillip Brown, Michael Smithers
  • Patent number: 9960742
    Abstract: Systems and methods for leveling loudness variation in an audio signal are described. Embodiments use both a perceptual leveling algorithm and a standards-based loudness measure together to minimize audio process artifacts and ensure that the measured loudness of the processed audio is close to a required measure, according to a particular standard measurement of loudness. These systems and methods can be used either offline or in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew P. Reilly, Michael Smithers, Jeffrey Riedmiller
  • Patent number: 9842596
    Abstract: Techniques for adaptive processing of media data based on separate data specifying a state of the media data are provided. A device in a media processing chain may determine whether a type of media processing has already been performed on an input version of media data. If so, the device may adapt its processing of the media data to disable performing the type of media processing. If not, the device performs the type of media processing. The device may create a state of the media data specifying the type of media processing. The device may communicate the state of the media data and an output version of the media data to a recipient device in the media processing chain, for the purpose of supporting the recipient device's adaptive processing of the media data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Riedmiller, Regunathan Radhakrishnan, Marvin Pribadi, Farhad Farahani, Michael Smithers
  • Patent number: 9806688
    Abstract: Systems and methods for leveling loudness variation in an audio signal are described. Embodiments use both a perceptual leveling algorithm and a standards-based loudness measure together to minimize audio process artifacts and ensure that the measured loudness of the processed audio is close to a required measure, according to a particular standard measurement of loudness. These systems and methods can be used either offline or in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew P. Reilly, Michael Smithers, Jeffrey Riedmiller
  • Patent number: 9754578
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a loudspeaker horn and cabinet are designed to achieve a sound coverage pattern characterized by narrow vertical dispersion and a wide horizontal dispersion. A loudspeaker horn may comprise at least two horn sections, each extending from an inlet to a mouth. A first plurality of outlet channels is disposed in an interleaved column with a second plurality of outlet channels. A loudspeaker cabinet may comprise a primary enclosure having a front wall, the front wall having an aperture in which a low frequency loudspeaker driver is mounted. The loudspeaker cabinet further comprises a top baffle section having a top end and a bottom baffle section having a bottom end, each extending vertically from the primary enclosure. The top baffle section has a first width that gradually increases towards the top end and the bottom section has a second width that gradually increases towards the bottom end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Smithers
  • Patent number: 9584083
    Abstract: Scaling, by a desired amount sm, the overall perceived loudness Lm of a multichannel audio signal, wherein perceived loudness is a nonlinear function of signal power P, by scaling the perceived loudness of each individual channel Lc by an amount substantially equal to the desired amount of scaling of the overall perceived loudness of all channels sm, subject to accuracy in calculations and the desired accuracy of the overall perceived loudness scaling sm. The perceived loudness of each individual channel may be scaled by changing the gain of each individual channel, wherein gain is a scaling of a channel's power. Optionally, in addition, the loudness scaling applied to each channel may be modified so as to reduce the difference between the actual overall loudness scaling and the desired amount of overall loudness scaling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Alan J. Seefeldt, Michael Smithers
  • Patent number: 9564139
    Abstract: A spread spectrum data hiding for audio signals is described. A set of pseudo-random noise sequences is added to an audio signal according to a data to be embedded. A masking curve is used to shape the added noise. A transient detection step can be used to control whether a shaped noise sequence is to be added or not. Embedded information is detected by first performing a whitening step and then performing a phase-only correlation with a same set of pseudo-random noise sequences. A detection method that is based on correlation of multiplexed noise sequences with a noise sequence embedded in the audio is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Regunathan Radhakrishnan, Michael Smithers, David S. McGrath
  • Publication number: 20160111102
    Abstract: A spread spectrum data hiding for audio signals is described. A set of pseudo-random noise sequences is added to an audio signal according to a data to be embedded. A masking curve is used to shape the added noise. A transient detection step can be used to control whether a shaped noise sequence is to be added or not. Embedded information is detected by first performing a whitening step and then performing a phase-only correlation with a same set of pseudo-random noise sequences. A detection method that is based on correlation of multiplexed noise sequences with a noise sequence embedded in the audio is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Regunathan Radhakrishnan, Michael Smithers, David S. McGrath
  • Patent number: 9269363
    Abstract: A spread spectrum data hiding for audio signals is described. A set of pseudo-random noise sequences is added to an audio signal according to a data to be embedded. A masking curve is used to shape the added noise. A transient detection step can be used to control whether a shaped noise sequence is to be added or not. Embedded information is detected by first performing a whitening step and then performing a phase-only correlation with a same set of pseudo-random noise sequences. A detection method that is based on correlation of multiplexed noise sequences with a noise sequence embedded in the audio is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Regunathan Radhakrishnan, Michael Smithers, David S. McGrath
  • Publication number: 20150195643
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a loudspeaker horn and cabinet are designed to achieve a sound coverage pattern characterized by narrow vertical dispersion and a wide horizontal dispersion. A loudspeaker horn may comprise at least two horn sections, each extending from an inlet to a mouth. A first plurality of outlet channels is disposed in an interleaved column with a second plurality of outlet channels. A loudspeaker cabinet may comprise a primary enclosure having a front wall, the front wall having an aperture in which a low frequency loudspeaker driver is mounted. The loudspeaker cabinet further comprises a top baffle section having a top end and a bottom baffle section having a bottom end, each extending vertically from the primary enclosure. The top baffle section has a first width that gradually increases towards the top end and the bottom section has a second width that gradually increases towards the bottom end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Smithers
  • Publication number: 20150078585
    Abstract: Systems and methods for leveling loudness variation in an audio signal are described. Embodiments use both a perceptual leveling algorithm and a standards-based loudness measure together to minimize audio process artifacts and ensure that the measured loudness of the processed audio is close to a required measure, according to a particular standard measurement of loudness. These systems and methods can be used either offline or in real-time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew P. Reilly, Michael Smithers, Jeffrey Riedmiller
  • Publication number: 20140211946
    Abstract: Scaling, by a desired amount sm, the overall perceived loudness Lm of a multichannel audio signal, wherein perceived loudness is a nonlinear function of signal power P, by scaling the perceived loudness of each individual channel Lc by an amount substantially equal to the desired amount of scaling of the overall perceived loudness of all channels sm, subject to accuracy in calculations and the desired accuracy of the overall perceived loudness scaling sm. The perceived loudness of each individual channel may be scaled by changing the gain of each individual channel, wherein gain is a scaling of a channel's power. Optionally, in addition, the loudness scaling applied to each channel may be modified so as to reduce the difference between the actual overall loudness scaling and the desired amount of overall loudness scaling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan J. Seefeldt, Michael Smithers
  • Patent number: 8761415
    Abstract: The invention relates to modifying the loudness of an audio signal by measuring the weighted broadband level of the audio signal and modifying that weighted broadband level as a function of a spectral localization estimate of the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Smithers
  • Publication number: 20140129011
    Abstract: A spread spectrum data hiding for audio signals is described. A set of pseudo-random noise sequences is added to an audio signal according to a data to be embedded. A masking curve is used to shape the added noise. A transient detection step can be used to control whether a shaped noise sequence is to be added or not. Embedded information is detected by first performing a whitening step and then performing a phase-only correlation with a same set of pseudo-random noise sequences. A detection method that is based on correlation of multiplexed noise sequences with a noise sequence embedded in the audio is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Regunathan Radhakrishnan, Michael Smithers, David S. McGrath
  • Patent number: 8600074
    Abstract: Scaling, by a desired amount sm, the overall perceived loudness Lm of a multichannel audio signal, wherein perceived loudness is a nonlinear function of signal power P, by scaling the perceived loudness of each individual channel Lc by an amount substantially equal to the desired amount of scaling of the overall perceived loudness of all channels sm, subject to accuracy in calculations and the desired accuracy of the overall perceived loudness scaling sm. The perceived loudness of each individual channel may be scaled by changing the gain of each individual channel, wherein gain is a scaling of a channel's power. Optionally, in addition, the loudness scaling applied to each channel may be modified so as to reduce the difference between the actual overall loudness scaling and the desired amount of overall loudness scaling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Seefeldt, Michael Smithers
  • Publication number: 20130246077
    Abstract: Techniques for adaptive processing of media data based on separate data specifying a state of the media data are provided. A device in a media processing chain may determine whether a type of media processing has already been performed on an input version of media data. If so, the device may adapt its processing of the media data to disable performing the type of media processing. If not, the device performs the type of media processing. The device may create a state of the media data specifying the type of media processing. The device may communicate the state of the media data and an output version of the media data to a recipient device in the media processing chain, for the purpose of supporting the recipient device's adaptive processing of the media data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Riedmiller, Regunathan Radhakrishnan, Marvin Pribadi, Farhad Farahani, Michael Smithers