Patents by Inventor Ralph Sperschneider

Ralph Sperschneider 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).

  • Publication number: 20160104488
    Abstract: An apparatus for decoding an audio signal includes a receiving interface, wherein the receiving interface is configured to receive a first frame and a second frame. Moreover, the apparatus includes a noise level tracing unit for determining noise level information being represented in a tracing domain. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a first reconstruction unit for reconstructing a third audio signal portion of the audio signal depending on the noise level information and a second reconstruction unit for reconstructing a fourth audio signal portion depending on noise level information being represented in the second reconstruction domain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Michael SCHNABEL, Goran MARKOVIC, Ralph SPERSCHNEIDER, Jeremie LECOMTE, Christian HELMRICH
  • Publication number: 20160104487
    Abstract: An apparatus for decoding an encoded audio signal to obtain a reconstructed audio signal includes a receiving interface for receiving one or more frames comprising information on a plurality of audio signal samples of an audio signal spectrum of the encoded audio signal, and a processor for generating the reconstructed audio signal. The processor is configured to generate the reconstructed audio signal by fading a modified spectrum to a target spectrum, if a current frame is not received by the receiving interface or if the current frame is received by the receiving interface but is corrupted, wherein the modified spectrum includes a plurality of modified signal samples, wherein, for each of the modified signal samples of the modified spectrum, an absolute value of the modified signal sample is equal to an absolute value of one of the audio signal samples of the audio signal spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Michael SCHNABEL, Goran MARKOVIC, Ralph SPERSCHNEIDER, Jeremie LECOMTE, Christian HELMRICH
  • Publication number: 20160104490
    Abstract: An approach is described that obtains spectrum coefficients for a replacement frame of an audio signal. A tonal component of a spectrum of an audio signal is detected based on a peak that exists in the spectra of frames preceding a replacement frame. For the tonal component of the spectrum a spectrum coefficients for the peak and its surrounding in the spectrum of the replacement frame is predicted, and for the non-tonal component of the spectrum a non-predicted spectrum coefficient for the replacement frame or a corresponding spectrum coefficient of a frame preceding the replacement frame is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Janine Sukowski, Ralph Sperschneider, Goran Markovic, Wolfgang Jaegers, Christian Helmrich, Bernd Edler, Ralf Geiger
  • Publication number: 20160104497
    Abstract: An apparatus for decoding an encoded audio signal to obtain a reconstructed audio signal is provided, having: a receiving interface for receiving one or more frames, a coefficient generator, and a signal reconstructor. The coefficient generator is configured to determine one or more first audio signal coefficients, and one or more noise coefficients. Moreover, the coefficient generator is configured to generate one or more second audio signal coefficients, depending on the one or more first audio signal coefficients and depending on the one or more noise coefficients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Michael SCHNABEL, Goran MARKOVIC, Ralph SPERSCHNEIDER, Jeremie LECOMTE, Christian HELMRICH
  • Patent number: 9043200
    Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that parameters including: a first set of parameters of a representation of a first portion of an original signal and a second set of parameters of a representation of a second portion of the original signal can be efficiently encoded when the parameters are arranged in a first sequence of tuples and a second sequence of tuples. The first sequence of tuples includes tuples of parameters having two parameters from a single portion of the original signal and the second sequence of tuples includes tuples of parameters having one parameter from the first portion and one parameter from the second portion of the original signal. A bit estimator estimates the number of necessary bits to encode the first and the second sequence of tuples. Only the sequence of tuples, which results in the lower number of bits, is encoded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Ralph Sperschneider, Jürgen Herre, Karsten Linzmeier, Johannes Hilpert
  • Patent number: 8824688
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating at least one audio output signal representing a superposition of at least two different audio objects comprises a processor for processing an audio input signal to provide an object representation of the audio input signal, where this object representation can be generated by a parametrically guided approximation of original objects using an object downmix signal. An object manipulator individually manipulates objects using audio object based metadata referring to the individual audio objects to obtain manipulated audio objects. The manipulated audio objects are mixed using an object mixer for finally obtaining an audio output signal having one or several channel signals depending on a specific rendering setup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Stephan Schreiner, Wolfgang Fiesel, Matthias Neusinger, Oliver Hellmuth, Ralph Sperschneider
  • Patent number: 8731204
    Abstract: For flexibly signaling a synchronous mode or an asynchronous mode in the multi-channel parameter reconstruction, a parameter configuration cue is inserted in the data stream, which is used by a configurator on the side of a multi-channel decoder to configure a multi-channel reconstructor. If the parameter configuration cue has a first meaning, the configurator will look for further configuration information in its input data, while, when the parameter configuration cue has another meaning, the configurator performs a configuration setting of the multi-channel reconstructor based on information on a coding algorithm with which transmission channel data have been coded, so that it is ensured efficiently on the one hand and flexibly on the other hand that there will always be obtained a correct association between parameter data and decoded transmission channel data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Ralph Sperschneider, Juergen Herre, Johannes Hilpert, Christian Ertel, Stefan Geyersberger
  • Patent number: 8687829
    Abstract: A parameter transformer generates level parameters, indicating an energy relation between a first and a second audio channel of a multi-channel audio signal associated to a multi-channel loudspeaker configuration. The level parameter are generated based on object parameters for a plurality of audio objects associated to a down-mix channel, which is generated using object audio signals associated to the audio objects. The object parameters have an energy parameter indicating an energy of the object audio signal. To derive the coherence and the level parameters, a parameter generator is used, which combines the energy parameter and object rendering parameters, which depend on a desired rendering configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V., Dolby Sweden AB, Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Hilpert, Karsten Linzmeier, Juergen Herre, Ralph Sperschneider, Andreas Hoelzer, Lars Villemoes, Jonas Engdegard, Heiko Purnhagen, Kristofer Kjoerling, Dirk Jeroen Breebaart, Werner Oomen
  • Publication number: 20130332152
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating spectral replacement values for an audio signal has a buffer unit for storing previous spectral values relating to a previously received error-free audio frame. Moreover, the apparatus includes a concealment frame generator for generating the spectral replacement values, when a current audio frame has not been received or is erroneous. The previously received error-free audio frame has filter information, the filter information having associated a filter stability value indicating a stability of a prediction filter. The concealment frame generator is adapted to generate the spectral replacement values based on the previous spectral values and based on the filter stability value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Jeremie LECOMTE, Martin DIETZ, Michael SCHNABEL, Ralph SPERSCHNEIDER
  • Patent number: 8385366
    Abstract: In the context of packet-oriented data transmission via a network, an apparatus for transmitting a sequence of data packets checks whether a packet is missing or faulty. In this case, a replacement packet is provided which is a valid packet with regard to a packet syntax which, however, has a predetermined contents characteristic. On the decoder side, a basic decoder recognizes the packet as a valid packet and decodes same, whereas an extension decoder can enable an error concealing measure on the basis of an indication in the replacement packet to the fact that this is a replacement packet, in order to provide a higher-quality audio reproduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Ralph Sperschneider, Manfred Lutzky, Marc Gayer, Markus Lohwasser, Markus Schnell, Michael Schuldt
  • Publication number: 20130041672
    Abstract: A method for providing information on the validity of encoded audio data is disclosed, the encoded audio data being a series of coded audio data units. Each coded audio data unit can include information on the valid audio data. The method includes: providing either information on a coded audio data level which describes the amount of data at the beginning of an audio data unit being invalid, or providing information on a coded audio data level which describes the amount of data at the end of an audio data unit being invalid, or providing information on a coded audio data level which describes both the amount of data at the beginning and the end of an audio data unit being invalid. A method for receiving encoded data including information on the validity of data and providing decoded output data is also disclosed. Furthermore, a corresponding encoder and a corresponding decoder are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Stefan DOEHLA, Ralph SPERSCHNEIDER
  • Publication number: 20120308049
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating at least one audio output signal representing a superposition of at least two different audio objects comprises a processor for processing an audio input signal to provide an object representation of the audio input signal, where this object representation can be generated by a parametrically guided approximation of original objects using an object downmix signal. An object manipulator individually manipulates objects using audio object based metadata referring to the individual audio objects to obtain manipulated audio objects. The manipulated audio objects are mixed using an object mixer for finally obtaining an audio output signal having one or several channel signals depending on a specific rendering setup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angew angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Stephan SCHREINER, Wolfgang FIESEL, Matthias NEUSINGER, Oliver HELLMUTH, Ralph SPERSCHNEIDER
  • Patent number: 8315396
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating at least one audio output signal representing a superposition of at least two different audio objects comprises a processor for processing an audio input signal to provide an object representation of the audio input signal, where this object representation can be generated by a parametrically guided approximation of original objects using an object downmix signal. An object manipulator individually manipulates objects using audio object based metadata referring to the individual audio objects to obtain manipulated audio objects. The manipulated audio objects are mixed using an object mixer for finally obtaining an audio output signal having one or several channel signals depending on a specific rendering setup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Stephan Schreiner, Wolfgang Fiesel, Matthias Neusinger, Oliver Hellmuth, Ralph Sperschneider
  • Patent number: 8180061
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to bridge the gap between parametric multi-channel audio coding and matrixed-surround multi-channel coding by gradually improving the sound of an up-mix signal while raising the bit-rate consumed by the side-information starting from 0 up to the bit-rates of the parametric methods. More specifically, it provides a method of flexibly choosing an “operating point” somewhere between matrixed-surround (no side-information, limited audio quality) and fully parametric reconstruction (full side-information rate required, good quality). This operating point can be chosen dynamically (i.e. varying over time) and in response to the permissible side-information rate, as it is dictated by the individual application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Agere System, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Hilpert, Christof Faller, Karsten Linzmeier, Ralph Sperschneider
  • Patent number: 8145498
    Abstract: In a multi-channel encoder generating several different parameter sets for reconstructing a multi-channel output signal using at least one transmission channel, the data stream is written such that the two parameter sets are decodable independently of each other. Thus, a multi-channel decoder is enabled to skip a parameter set which is marked as optional and/or has a higher version number when reading the data stream and still to perform a valid multi-channel reconstruction using a data set marked as mandatory or a data set having a sufficiently low version number. This achieves a flexible encoder/decoder concept suitable for future updates characterized by backward compatibility and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Juergen Herre, Ralph Sperschneider, Johannes Hilpert, Karsten Linzmeier, Harald Popp
  • Patent number: 8046236
    Abstract: An entropy encoder includes an apparatus for producing a data stream which comprises two reference points, of code words of variable lengths, the apparatus comprising a first device for writing at least a part of a code word into the data stream in a first direction of writing, starting from a first reference point, and a second device for writing at least a part of a code word into the data stream in a second direction of writing, which is opposite to the first direction of writing, starting from the other reference point. In particular, when a raster having a plurality of segments is used to write the code words of variable lengths into the data stream, the number of the code words which can be written starting at raster points is doubled, in the best case, such that the data stream of code words of variable lengths is robust toward a propagation of sequence errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Ralph Sperschneider, Martin Dietz, Daniel Homm, Reinhold Böhm
  • Patent number: 7991610
    Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that parameters including a first set of parameters of a representation of a first portion of an original signal and including a second set of parameters of a representation of a second portion of the original signal can be efficiently encoded, when the parameters are arranged in a first sequence of tuples and in a second sequence of tuples, wherein the first sequence of tuples comprises tuples of parameters having two parameters from a single portion of the original signal and wherein the second sequence of tuples comprises tuples of parameters having one parameter from the first portion and one parameter from the second portion of the original signal. An efficient encoding can be achieved using a bit estimator to estimate the number of necessary bits to encode the first and the second sequence of tuples, wherein only the sequence of tuples is encoded, that results in the lower number of bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Ralph Sperschneider, Jürgen Herre, Karsten Linzmeier, Johannes Hilpert
  • Publication number: 20110060598
    Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that parameters including: a first set of parameters of a representation of a first portion of an original signal and a second set of parameters of a representation of a second portion of the original signal can be efficiently encoded when the parameters are arranged in a first sequence of tuples and a second sequence of tuples. The first sequence of tuples includes tuples of parameters having two parameters from a single portion of the original signal and the second sequence of tuples includes tuples of parameters having one parameter from the first portion and one parameter from the second portion of the original signal. A bit estimator estimates the number of necessary bits to encode the first and the second sequence of tuples. Only the sequence of tuples, which results in the lower number of bits, is encoded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: RALPH SPERSCHNEIDER, JÜRGEN HERRE, KARSTEN LINZMEIER, JOHANNES HILPERT
  • Publication number: 20110013790
    Abstract: A parameter transformer generates level parameters, indicating an energy relation between a first and a second audio channel of a multi-channel audio signal associated to a multi-channel loudspeaker configuration. The level parameter are generated based on object parameters for a plurality of audio objects associated to a down-mix channel, which is generated using object audio signals associated to the audio objects. The object parameters have an energy parameter indicating an energy of the object audio signal. To derive the coherence and the level parameters, a parameter generator is used, which combines the energy parameter and object rendering parameters, which depend on a desired rendering configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Johannes Hilpert, Karsten Linzmeier, Juergen Herre, Ralph Sperschneider, Andreas Hoelzer, Lars Villemoes, Jonas Engdegard, Heiko Purnhagen, Kristofer Kjoerling, Jeroen Breebaart, Werner Oomen
  • Publication number: 20100284281
    Abstract: In the context of packet-oriented data transmission via a network, an apparatus for transmitting a sequence of data packets checks whether a packet is missing or faulty. In this case, a replacement packet is provided which is a valid packet with regard to a packet syntax which, however, has a predetermined contents characteristic. On the decoder side, a basic decoder recognizes the packet as a valid packet and decodes same, whereas an extension decoder can enable an error concealing measure on the basis of an indication in the replacement packet to the fact that this is a replacement packet, in order to provide a higher-quality audio reproduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Ralph Sperschneider