Patents by Inventor Oliver Thiergart

Oliver Thiergart 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: 10331396
    Abstract: A filter for generating an audio output signal includes a plurality of audio output signal samples based on two or more input microphone signals. The audio output signal and the two or more input microphone signals are represented in a time-frequency domain, wherein each of the plurality of audio output signal samples is assigned to a time-frequency bin of a plurality of time-frequency bins. The filter includes a weights generator being adapted to receive, for each of the plurality of time-frequency bins, direction-of-arrival information and weighting information. Moreover, the filter includes an output signal generator for generating the audio output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Emanuel Habets, Oliver Thiergart, Sebastian Braun, Maja Taseska
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10284947
    Abstract: An apparatus for microphone positioning includes a spatial power distribution determiner and a spatial information estimator. The spatial power distribution determiner is adapted to determine a spatial power density indicating power values for a plurality of locations of an environment based on sound source information indicating one or more power values and one or more position values of one or more sound sources located in the environment. The spatial information estimator is adapted to estimate acoustic spatial information based on the spatial power density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Giovanni Del Galdo, Oliver Thiergart, Fabian Kuech, Emanuel Habets, Alexandra Craciun
  • Publication number: 20190098425
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a sound field description having a representation of sound field components, including a direction determiner for determining one or more sound directions for each time-frequency tile of a plurality of time-frequency tiles of a plurality of microphone signals; a spatial basis function evaluator for evaluating, for each time-frequency tile of the plurality of time-frequency tiles, one or more spatial basis functions using the one or more sound directions; and a sound field component calculator for calculating, for each time-frequency tile of the plurality of time-frequency tiles, one or more sound field components corresponding to the one or more spatial basis functions evaluated using the one or more sound directions and a reference signal for a corresponding time-frequency tile, the reference signal being derived from one or more microphone signals of the plurality of microphone signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Emanuel HABETS, Oliver THIERGART, Fabian KÜCH, Alexander NIEDERLEITNER, Affan-Hasan KHAN, Dirk MAHNE
  • Patent number: 10109282
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating at least one audio output signal based on an audio data stream having audio data relating to one or more sound sources is provided. The apparatus has a receiver for receiving the audio data stream having the audio data. The audio data has one or more pressure values for each one of the sound sources. Furthermore, the audio data has one or more position values indicating a position of one of the sound sources for each one of the sound sources. Moreover, the apparatus has a synthesis module for generating the at least one audio output signal based on at least one of the one or more pressure values of the audio data of the audio data stream and based on at least one of the one or more position values of the audio data of the audio data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignees: Friedrich-Alexander-Universitaet Erlangen-Nuernberg, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Giovanni Del Galdo, Oliver Thiergart, Juergen Herre, Fabian Kuech, Emanuel Habets, Alexandra Craciun, Achim Kuntz
  • Patent number: 10015613
    Abstract: A system for generating one or more audio output signals is provided, having a decomposition module, a signal processor, and an output interface. The signal processor is configured to receive the direct component signal, the diffuse component signal and direction information. Moreover, the signal processor is configured to generate one or more processed diffuse signals depending on the diffuse component signal. For each audio output signal of the one or more audio output signals, the signal processor is configured to determine a direct gain, the signal processor is configured to apply the direct gain on the direct component signal to obtain a processed direct signal, and the signal processor is configured to combine the processed direct signal and one of the one or more processed diffuse signals to generate the audio output signal. The signal processor further has a gain function computation module and a signal modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Emanuel Habets, Oliver Thiergart, Konrad Kowalczyk
  • Patent number: 9984702
    Abstract: A method includes estimating a spatial coherence between a first diffuse sound portion in a first microphone signal and a second diffuse sound portion in a second microphone signal. The first microphone signal is captured by a first microphone and the second microphone signal is captured by a second microphone which is spaced apart from the first microphone in a known manner. The method further includes defining a linear constraint for filter coefficients of a diffuse sound filter, the linear constraint being based on the spatial coherence. The method also includes calculating at least one of signal statistics and noise statistics over the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal. The method also includes determining the filter coefficients of the diffuse sound filter by solving an optimization problem concerning at least one of the signal statistics and noise statistics while considering the linear constraint for the filter coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Oliver Thiergart, Emanuel Habets
  • Patent number: 9936323
    Abstract: A system for generating and outputting one or more audio output signals has a decomposition module, a signal processor, and an output interface. The decomposition module can receive two or more audio input signals, to generate a direct component signal, having direct signal components of the audio input signals, and to generate a diffuse component signal, having diffuse signal components of the audio input signals. The signal processor can receive the direct component signal, the diffuse component signal and direction information, to generate one or more processed diffuse signals depending on the diffuse component signal, for each of the one or more audio output signals, to determine, depending on the direction of arrival, a direct gain, to apply the direct gain on the direct component signal to obtain a processed direct signal, and to combine the processed direct signal and a processed diffuse signal to generate the audio output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Emanuel Habets, Oliver Thiergart, Konrad Kowalczyk
  • Patent number: 9661432
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a plurality of loudspeakers arranged at different positions includes a generator of a test signal for a loudspeaker; a microphone device configured for receiving a plurality of different sound signals in response to one or more loudspeaker signals emitted by one of the loudspeakers in response to the test signal; a controller for controlling emissions of the loudspeaker signals by the loudspeakers and for handling the different sound signals so that a set of sound signals recorded by the microphone device is associated with each loudspeaker in response to the test signal; and an evaluator for evaluating the set of sound signals for each loudspeaker to determine at least one loudspeaker characteristic for each loudspeaker and for indicating a loudspeaker state using the at least one loudspeaker characteristic. This scheme allows automatic, efficient and accurate measurement of loudspeakers arranged in a three-dimensional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Andreas Silzle, Oliver Thiergart, Giovanni Del Galdo, Matthias Lang
  • Publication number: 20170134876
    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: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Oliver THIERGART, Fabian KUECH, Richard SCHULTZ-AMLING, Markus KALLINGER, Giovanni DEL GALDO, Achim KUNTZ, Dirk MAHNE, Ville PULKKI, Mikko-Ville LAITINEN
  • Patent number: 9626974
    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: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    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: 20170078819
    Abstract: A system for generating one or more audio output signals is provided, having a decomposition module, a signal processor, and an output interface. The signal processor is configured to receive the direct component signal, the diffuse component signal and direction information. Moreover, the signal processor is configured to generate one or more processed diffuse signals depending on the diffuse component signal. For each audio output signal of the one or more audio output signals, the signal processor is configured to determine a direct gain, the signal processor is configured to apply the direct gain on the direct component signal to obtain a processed direct signal, and the signal processor is configured to combine the processed direct signal and one of the one or more processed diffuse signals to generate the audio output signal. The signal processor further has a gain function computation module and a signal modifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Emanuel HABETS, Oliver THIERGART, Konrad KOWALCZYK
  • Publication number: 20170078818
    Abstract: A system for generating and outputting one or more audio output signals has a decomposition module, a signal processor, and an output interface. The decomposition module can receive two or more audio input signals, to generate a direct component signal, having direct signal components of the audio input signals, and to generate a diffuse component signal, having diffuse signal components of the audio input signals. The signal processor can receive the direct component signal, the diffuse component signal and direction information, to generate one or more processed diffuse signals depending on the diffuse component signal, for each of the one or more audio output signals, to determine, depending on the direction of arrival, a direct gain, to apply the direct gain on the direct component signal to obtain a processed direct signal, and to combine the processed direct signal and a processed diffuse signal to generate the audio output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Emanuel HABETS, Oliver THIERGART, Konrad KOWALCZYK
  • Patent number: 9484038
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a merged audio data stream is provided. The apparatus includes a demultiplexer for obtaining a plurality of single-layer audio data streams, wherein each input audio data stream includes one or more layers, wherein the demultiplexer is adapted to demultiplex each one of one or more input audio data streams having one or more layers into two or more demultiplexed audio data streams having exactly one layer. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a merging module for generating the merged audio data stream based on the plurality of single-layer audio data streams. Each layer of the input data audio streams, of the demultiplexed audio data streams, of the single-layer data streams and of the merged audio data stream includes a pressure value of a pressure signal, a position value and a diffuseness value as audio data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Giovanni Del Galdo, Oliver Thiergart, Juergen Herre, Fabian Kuech, Emanuel Habets, Alexandra Craciun, Achim Kuntz
  • Publication number: 20160293179
    Abstract: A method includes estimating a spatial coherence between a first diffuse sound portion in a first microphone signal and a second diffuse sound portion in a second microphone signal. The first microphone signal is captured by a first microphone and the second microphone signal is captured by a second microphone which is spaced apart from the first microphone in a known manner. The method further includes defining a linear constraint for filter coefficients of a diffuse sound filter, the linear constraint being based on the spatial coherence. The method also includes calculating at least one of signal statistics and noise statistics over the first microphone signal and the second microphone signal. The method also includes determining the filter coefficients of the diffuse sound filter by solving an optimization problem concerning at least one of the signal statistics and noise statistics while considering the linear constraint for the filter coefficients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Oliver THIERGART, Emanuel HABETS
  • Patent number: 9462378
    Abstract: An apparatus for deriving a directional information from a plurality of microphone signals or from a plurality of components of a microphone signal, wherein different effective microphone look directions are associated with the microphone signals or components, has a combiner configured to obtain a magnitude value from a microphone signal or a component of the microphone signal. The combiner is further configured to combine direction information items describing the effective microphone look directions, such that a direction information item describing a given effective microphone look direction is weighted in dependence on the magnitude value of the microphone signal, or of the component of the microphone signal, associated with the given effective microphone look direction, to derive the directional information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Fabian Kuech, Giovanni Del Galdo, Oliver Thiergart, Ville Pulkki, Jukka Ahonen
  • Patent number: 9396731
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating an audio output signal to simulate a recording of a virtual microphone at a configurable virtual position in an environment includes a sound events position estimator and an information computation module. The former is adapted to estimate a sound source position indicating a position of a sound source in the environment, wherein the sound events position estimator is adapted to estimate the sound source position based on first and second direction information provided by first and second real spatial microphones, respectively, located at first and second real microphone positions in the environment, respectively. The information computation module is adapted to generate the audio output signal based on a first recorded audio input signal, on the first real microphone position, on the virtual position of the virtual microphone, and on the sound source position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Juergen Herre, Fabian Kuech, Markus Kallinger, Giovanni Del Galdo, Oliver Thiergart, Dirk Mahne, Achim Kuntz, Michael Kratschmer, Alexandra Craciun
  • Publication number: 20160150336
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a plurality of loudspeakers arranged at different positions includes a generator of a test signal for a loudspeaker; a microphone device configured for receiving a plurality of different sound signals in response to one or more loudspeaker signals emitted by one of the loudspeakers in response to the test signal; a controller for controlling emissions of the loudspeaker signals by the loudspeakers and for handling the different sound signals so that a set of sound signals recorded by the microphone device is associated with each loudspeaker in response to the test signal; and an evaluator for evaluating the set of sound signals for each loudspeaker to determine at least one loudspeaker characteristic for each loudspeaker and for indicating a loudspeaker state using the at least one loudspeaker characteristic. This scheme allows automatic, efficient and accurate measurement of loudspeakers arranged in a three-dimensional configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Andreas SILZLE, Oliver THIERGART, Giovanni DEL GALDO, Matthias LANG
  • Patent number: 9215542
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a plurality of loudspeakers arranged at different positions includes a generator of a test signal for a loudspeaker; a microphone device configured for receiving a plurality of different sound signals in response to one or more loudspeaker signals emitted by one of the loudspeakers in response to the test signal; a controller for controlling emissions of the loudspeaker signals by the loudspeakers and for handling the different sound signals so that a set of sound signals recorded by the microphone device is associated with each loudspeaker in response to the test signal; and an evaluator for evaluating the set of sound signals for each loudspeaker to determine at least one loudspeaker characteristic for each loudspeaker and for indicating a loudspeaker state using the at least one loudspeaker characteristic. This scheme allows automatic, efficient and accurate measurement of loudspeakers arranged in a three-dimensional configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Andreas Silzle, Oliver Thiergart, Giovanni Del Galdo, Matthias Lang
  • Patent number: 9196257
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting a first parametric spatial audio signal representing a first listening position or a first listening orientation in a spatial audio scene to a second parametric spatial audio signal representing a second listening position or a second listening orientation is described, the apparatus including: a spatial audio signal modification unit adapted to modify the first parametric spatial audio signal dependent on a change of the first listening position or the first listening orientation so as to obtain the second parametric spatial audio signal, wherein the second listening position or the second listening orientation corresponds to the first listening position or the first listening orientation changed by the change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Richard Schultz-Amling, Fabian Kuech, Markus Kallinger, Giovanni Del Galdo, Oliver Thiergart, Dirk Mahne, Achim Kuntz