Abstract: A main stream contains successive content elements of video and/or audio information that encode video and/or audio information at a first data rate. A computation circuit (144) computes main fingerprints from the successive content elements. A reference stream is received having a second data rate lower than the first data rate. The reference stream defines a sequence of the reference fingerprints. A comparator unit (144) compares the main fingerprints with the reference fingerprints. The main stream is monitored for the presence of inserted content elements between original content elements, where the original content elements have main fingerprints that match successive reference fingerprints and the inserted content elements have main fingerprints that do not match reference fingerprints. Rendering of inserted content elements to be skipped. In an embodiment when more than one content element matches only one is rendered.

Abstract: A main stream contains successive content elements of video and/or audio information that encode video and/or audio information at a first data rate. A computation circuit (144) computes main fingerprints from the successive content elements. A reference stream is received having a second data rate lower than the first data rate. The reference stream defines a sequence of the reference fingerprints. A comparator unit (144) compares the main fingerprints with the reference fingerprints. The main stream is monitored for the presence of inserted content elements between original content elements, where the original content elements have main fingerprints that match successive reference fingerprints and the inserted content elements have main fingerprints that do not match reference fingerprints. Rendering of inserted content elements to be skipped. In an embodiment when more than one content element matches only one is rendered.

Abstract: A highly portable biometric monitor is disclosed. At least one remote sensor member (12, 12?) includes one or more biometric sensors (20, 22, 24, 25) configured for operative coupling with a patient. A neck collar (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) includes electronics (36, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) for operating the at least one remote sensor member. The at least one remote sensor member is separate from and not disposed on the neck collar. Optionally, the collar also includes one or more biometric sensors (53). A communication link (18) operatively connects the remote sensor member and the electronics of the neck collar. A motion sensor (26) and position sensor (28) may be disposed with the one or more biometric sensors to sense movement and position, and the electronics (36, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) configured to account for error in a signal produced by the one or more biometric sensors due to movement sensed by the motion sensor or position sensed by the position sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a drive signal for a sound transducer (109) comprises a sound generator (101) which provides an input audio signal. A divider (101) divides the input audio signal into at least a low frequency signal and a high frequency signal and an expander (105) generates an expanded signal by applying a dynamic range expansion to the low frequency signal. A combiner (107) then generates the drive signal by combining the expanded signal and the higher frequency signal. The threshold for applying the dynamic range extension may be adjusted depending on the amplitude of the low frequency signal. The low frequency signal may furthermore be compressed into a narrow frequency band around a resonance frequency. The approach may allow improved audio quality especially from high Q low frequency sound transducers by attenuating decay parts of bass signals thereby reducing sustain or ringing for bass notes.

Abstract: A highly portable biometric monitor is disclosed. At least one remote sensor member (12, 12?) includes one or more biometric sensors (20, 22, 24, 25) configured for operative coupling with a patient. A neck collar (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) includes electronics (36, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) for operating the at least one remote sensor member. The at least one remote sensor member is separate from and not disposed on the neck collar. Optionally, the collar also includes one or more biometric sensors (53). A communication link (18) operatively connects the remote sensor member and the electronics of the neck collar. A motion sensor (26) and position sensor (28) may be disposed with the one or more biometric sensors to sense movement and position, and the electronics (36, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) configured to account for error in a signal produced by the one or more biometric sensors due to movement sensed by the motion sensor or position sensed by the position sensor.

Abstract: A portable device detects a medical condition, such as an epileptic seizure. The device is implemented on a wrist band, possibly together with a watch, or in a helmet. The device may use heart rate detection to identify characteristic patterns associated with epileptic seizure. The device optionally combines more than one measurement to eliminate false positives. In the case of epileptic seizures, heart rate related measurements may be combined with body motion related measurements to ensure greater accuracy.

Abstract: An audio system includes a circuit (12) for processing an audio signal, which circuit (12) having an input (20) for receiving the audio signal and an output (26) for supplying an output signal. The circuit (12) further includes a harmonics generator (22) coupled to the input (20) for generating harmonics of the audio signal and an adding circuit (24) coupled to the input (20) as well as to the harmonics generator (22) for supplying a sum of the audio signal and the generated harmonics to the output (26). The harmonics generator (22) includes an integrator (34) for integrating the audio signal and, coupled thereto, a resetting circuit (36) for resetting the integrator (34) at resetting times.

Abstract: An audio system includes a circuit (12) for processing an audio signal, the circuit (12) having an input (20) for receiving the audio signal and an output (26) for supplying an output signal. The circuit (12) further includes a harmonics generator (22) coupled to the input (20) for generating harmonics of the audio signal and an adding circuit (24) coupled to the input (20) as well as to the harmonics generator (22) for supplying a sum of the audio signal and the generated harmonics to the output (26). The harmonics generator (22) includes an integrator (34) for integrating the audio signal, and, coupled thereto, a resetting circuit (36) for resetting the integrator (34) at resetting times.

Abstract: An audio system includes a circuit (12) for processing an audio signal, this circuit (12) having an input (20) for receiving the audio signal and an output (26) for supplying an output signal. The circuit (12) further includes a harmonics generator (22) coupled to the input (20) for generating harmonics of the audio signal, and an adding circuit (24) coupled to the input (20) as well as to the harmonics generator (22) for supplying a sum of the audio signal and the generated harmonics to the output (26). The harmonics generator (22) is embodied so as to limit the amplitude of the generated harmonics.

Abstract: An audio system includes a circuit (12) for processing an audio signal, this circuit (12) having an input (20) for receiving the audio signal and an output (26) for supplying an output signal. The circuit (12) further includes a harmonics generator (22) coupled to the input (20) for generating harmonics of the audio signal, and an adding circuit (24) coupled to the input (20) as well as to the harmonics generator (22) for supplying a sum of the audio signal and the generated harmonics to the output (26). The harmonics generator (22) is embodied so as to limit the amplitude of the generated harmonics.

Abstract: The audio system comprises a circuit (12) for processing an audio signal, which circuit (12) comprises an input (20) for receiving the audio signal and an output (26) for supplying an output signal. The circuit (12) further includes a harmonics generator (22) coupled to the input (20) for generating harmonics of the audio signal and adding means (24) coupled to the input (20) as well as to the harmonics generator (22) for supplying a sum of the audio signal and the generated harmonics to the output (26). The harmonics generator (22) is embodied so as to limit the amplitude of the generated harmonics.

Abstract: To improve listener perceived characteristics multi-channel sound reproduction systems are known which include a surround sound channel. It is preferred to reproduce the surround sound signal without having rear loudspeakers, so using the front stereophonic loudspeakers. To improve the surround sound, the frequency range of the surround sound signal is divided in at least two adjacent frequency bands. After division, the two parts of the surround signal are expanded to further improve the reproduced surround signal. At last, the expanded surround signals are combined with the respective stereophonic signals.

Abstract: To improve the perceived audio signal, it is known to use a harmonics generator to create the illusion that the perceived audio includes lower frequency signal parts than really available. In addition to improving the perceived so called ultra bass signals (for example 20-70 Hz) also the signals in the frequency band between the ultra bass signal and the normal audio signal are improved.

Abstract: A circuit, audio system and method are presented for processing an audio signal, in which a frequency band is selected, harmonics are generated from the selected signal by a harmonics generator, wherein the harmonics are scaled by a level detected in at least a part of the spectrum of the audio signal related to the selected frequency band. Furthermore, a harmonic generator is presented for generating arbitrary harmonics of an input signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device for converting a monaural signal into a stereo signal by selectively allocating frequency bands of the input signal to left or right outputs. In this way, some instruments will be present only in the left output and others only in the right output.

Abstract: A stereophonic audio signal processing arrangement for variably enhancing a stereo image, wherein the stereo image enhancement is reduced at high signal levels so as to reduce distortion. The arrangement is used in a stereophonic audio reproduction system for enhancing the stereo image, which system may be part of an audio-visual reproduction system.

Abstract: A probability indication signal V.sub.P indicates the probability that the audio signal received via the input is a speech signal. An analyzing circuit derives (NA) which is indicative of the ratio between a signal power in a first portion of a frequency spectrum of the received signal and a signal power in a second portion of the frequency spectrum. A signal pattern detector detects signal patterns in the analysis signal (NA) in another signal, for example, a music signal. An estimator derives the probability indication signal V.sub.P in dependence on the detected signal patterns.

Abstract: A signal combining circuit has a first input and a second input for receiving signals which have frequencies in the audio frequency spectrum, and an output. A first signal path between the first input and the output has a first transfer characteristic (H1.H3). A second signal path between the second input and the output has a second transfer characteristic (H2.H3). The transfer characteristics are different which causes a phase shift to occur between signal components passed through the first signal path and signal components passed through the second signal path. The amplitude transfer determined by the transfer characteristics decreases above a predetermined frequency. There is a phase difference between phase transfer characteristics which decreases with frequency. For frequencies below the predetermined frequency the amplitude transfer determined by the first transfer characteristic exceeds that determined by the second transfer characteristic.

Abstract: An audio-visual arrangement, more particularly, a multi-media terminal, includes a picture screen on which pictures can be displayed. The arrangement further includes a plurality of electro-acoustic converters for reproducing sound that corresponds to audio information generated by the audio signal source. The converters are positioned at regular mutual distances along one side of the picture screen. The ratio of the strength of the control signals applied to the converters has values for which a sound wave concentration is obtained in a listening/viewing area situated dead opposite to the picture screen. With the audio-visual arrangement the nuisance of noise experienced in a living space and/or working space by persons other than the user of the arrangement remains limited. A further reduction of the nuisance can be obtained by a system in which the audio-visual arrangement is combined with means for active noise abatement.

Abstract: A circuit, audio system and method are presented for processing an audio signal, in which a frequency band is selected, harmonics are generated from the selected signal by a harmonics generator, wherein the harmonics are scaled by a level detected in at least a part of the spectrum of the audio signal related to the selected frequency band. Furthermore, a harmonic generator is presented for generating arbitrary harmonics of an input signal.