Patents by Inventor Themis Katsianos

Themis Katsianos 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: 10748553
    Abstract: Systems and methods to provide distortion sensing, prevention, and/or distortion-aware bass enhancement in audio systems can be implemented in a variety of applications. Sensing circuitry can generate statistics based on an input signal received for which an acoustic output is generated. In various embodiments, the statistics can be used such that a multi-notch filter can be used to provide input to a speaker to generate the acoustic output. In various embodiments, the statistics from the sensing circuitry can be provided to a bass parameter controller coupled to bass enhancement circuitry to operatively provide parameters to the bass enhancement circuitry. The bass enhancement circuitry can provide a bass enhanced signal for generation of the acoustic output, based on the parameters. Various combinations of a multi-notch filter and bass enhancement circuitry using statistics from sensing circuitry can be implemented to provide an enhanced acoustic output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Cassidy, Aaron Warner, Themis Katsianos
  • Publication number: 20200118581
    Abstract: Systems and methods to provide distortion sensing, prevention, and/or distortion-aware bass enhancement in audio systems can be implemented in a variety of applications. Sensing circuitry can generate statistics based on an input signal received for which an acoustic output is generated. In various embodiments, the statistics can be used such that a multi-notch filter can be used to provide input to a speaker to generate the acoustic output. In various embodiments, the statistics from the sensing circuitry can be provided to a bass parameter controller coupled to bass enhancement circuitry to operatively provide parameters to the bass enhancement circuitry. The bass enhancement circuitry can provide a bass enhanced signal for generation of the acoustic output, based on the parameters. Various combinations of a multi-notch filter and bass enhancement circuitry using statistics from sensing circuitry can be implemented to provide an enhanced acoustic output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan Cassidy, Aaron Warner, Themis Katsianos
  • Patent number: 10063207
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing object-based audio signals is provided. The apparatus receives a plurality of object-based audio signals. Each object-based audio signal of the object-based audio signals includes audio waveform data and object metadata associated with the audio waveform data. The object metadata includes at least one of a loudness parameter or a power parameter associated with the audio waveform data. The apparatus determines a loudness metric based on the received object-based audio signals and based on the at least one of the loudness parameter or the power parameter for each object-based audio signal of the received object-based audio signals. In one configuration, the apparatus renders the received object-based audio signals to a set of output signals based on the determined loudness metric. In another configuration, the apparatus transmits (e.g., broadcast, file delivery, or streaming) the received object-based audio signals based on the determined loudness metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Fadi Malak, Themis Katsianos, Jean-Marc Jot
  • Patent number: 10034113
    Abstract: A depth processing system can employ stereo speakers to achieve immersive effects. The depth processing system can advantageously manipulate phase and/or amplitude information to render audio along a listener's median plane, thereby rendering audio along varying depths. In one embodiment, the depth processing system analyzes left and right stereo input signals to infer depth, which may change over time. The depth processing system can then vary the phase and/or amplitude decorrelation between the audio signals over time to enhance the sense of depth already present in the audio signals, thereby creating an immersive depth effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: DTS LLC
    Inventors: Alan D. Kraemer, James Tracey, Themis Katsianos
  • Patent number: 10008217
    Abstract: A multi-rate audio processing system and method provides real-time measurement and processing of amplitude/phase changes in the transition band of the lowest frequency subband caused by the audio processing that can be used to apply amplitude/phase compensation to the higher subband(s). Tone signals may be injected into the transition band to provide strong tonal content for measurement and processing. The real-time measurement and compensation adapts to time-varying amplitude/phase changes regardless of the source of the change (e.g. non-linear time-varying linear or user control parameters) and provides universal applicability for any linear audio processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: DTS, INC.
    Inventors: Daekyoung Noh, Themis Katsianos
  • Patent number: 9712916
    Abstract: A bass enhancement system can provide an enhanced bass effect for speakers, including relatively small speakers. The bass enhancement system can apply one or more bass enhancements to an input audio signal. For example, the bass enhancement system can exploit how the human ear processes overtones and harmonics of low-frequency sounds to create the perception that non-existent (or attenuated) low-frequency sounds are being emitted from a loudspeaker. The bass enhancement system can generate harmonics of at least some low-frequency fundamental frequencies in one embodiment. Playback of at least some harmonics of a low-frequency fundamental frequency can cause a listener to perceive the playback of the low-frequency fundamental frequency. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, the bass enhancement system can generate these harmonics without performing processing-intensive pitch-detection techniques or the like to identify the fundamental frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: DTS LLC
    Inventors: Themis Katsianos, Oveal Jerome Walker
  • Publication number: 20170200456
    Abstract: A multi-rate audio processing system and method provides real-time measurement and processing of amplitude/phase changes in the transition band of the lowest frequency subband caused by the audio processing that can be used to apply amplitude/phase compensation to the higher subband(s). Tone signals may be injected into the transition band to provide strong tonal content for measurement and processing. The real-time measurement and compensation adapts to time-varying amplitude/phase changes regardless of the source of the change (e.g. non-linear time-varying linear or user control parameters) and provides universal applicability for any linear audio processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Daekyoung Noh, Themis Katsianos
  • Publication number: 20170098452
    Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for processing object-based audio signals to influence the reproduction of the audio signals. The apparatus may include an object-based audio decoder and an object post-processor. The apparatus is configured to receive an input audio stream comprising encoded dialog, music, effect, and height objects, decode from the input audio stream the dialog, music, and effect objects, process the dialog, music, and effect (DME) objects in separated signal paths; and mix the processed DME objects to produce an output audio signal for individual and customized rendering of the dynamic objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: James Tracey, Daekyoung Noh, Douglas Morton, Themis Katsianos
  • Patent number: 9609451
    Abstract: A multi-rate audio processing system and method provides real-time measurement and processing of amplitude/phase changes in the transition band of the lowest frequency subband caused by the audio processing that can be used to apply amplitude/phase compensation to the higher subband(s). Tone signals may be injected into the transition band to provide strong tonal content for measurement and processing. The real-time measurement and compensation adapts to time-varying amplitude/phase changes regardless of the source of the change (e.g. non-linear time-varying linear or user control parameters) and provides universal applicability for any linear audio processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: DTS, Inc.
    Inventors: Daekyoung Noh, Themis Katsianos
  • Publication number: 20160240183
    Abstract: A multi-rate audio processing system and method provides real-time measurement and processing of amplitude/phase changes in the transition band of the lowest frequency subband caused by the audio processing that can be used to apply amplitude/phase compensation to the higher subband(s). Tone signals may be injected into the transition band to provide strong tonal content for measurement and processing. The real-time measurement and compensation adapts to time-varying amplitude/phase changes regardless of the source of the change (e.g. non-linear time-varying linear or user control parameters) and provides universal applicability for any linear audio processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: DTS, INC.
    Inventors: Daekyoung Noh, Themis Katsianos
  • Publication number: 20160183000
    Abstract: A bass enhancement system can provide an enhanced bass effect for speakers, including relatively small speakers. The bass enhancement system can apply one or more bass enhancements to an input audio signal. For example, the bass enhancement system can exploit how the human ear processes overtones and harmonics of low-frequency sounds to create the perception that non-existent (or attenuated) low-frequency sounds are being emitted from a loudspeaker. The bass enhancement system can generate harmonics of at least some low-frequency fundamental frequencies in one embodiment. Playback of at least some harmonics of a low-frequency fundamental frequency can cause a listener to perceive the playback of the low-frequency fundamental frequency. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, the bass enhancement system can generate these harmonics without performing processing-intensive pitch-detection techniques or the like to identify the fundamental frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Themis Katsianos, Oveal Jerome Walker
  • Patent number: 9264836
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a loudness of an audio signal may include receiving an electronic audio signal and using one or more processors to process at least one channel of the audio signal to determine a loudness of a portion of the audio signal. This processing may include processing the channel with a plurality of approximation filters that can approximate a plurality of auditory filters that further approximate a human hearing system. In addition, the method may include computing at least one gain based at least in part on the determined loudness to cause a loudness of the audio signal to remain substantially constant for a period of time. Moreover, the method may include applying the gain to the electronic audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: DTS LLC
    Inventor: Themis Katsianos
  • Publication number: 20160044431
    Abstract: A depth processing system can employ stereo speakers to achieve immersive effects. The depth processing system can advantageously manipulate phase and/or amplitude information to render audio along a listener's median plane, thereby rendering audio along varying depths. In one embodiment, the depth processing system analyzes left and right stereo input signals to infer depth, which may change over time. The depth processing system can then vary the phase and/or amplitude decorrelation between the audio signals over time to enhance the sense of depth already present in the audio signals, thereby creating an immersive depth effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Alan D. Kraemer, James Tracey, Themis Katsianos
  • Patent number: 9236842
    Abstract: A bass enhancement system can provide an enhanced bass effect for speakers, including relatively small speakers. The bass enhancement system can apply one or more bass enhancements to an input audio signal. For example, the bass enhancement system can exploit how the human ear processes overtones and harmonics of low-frequency sounds to create the perception that non-existent (or attenuated) low-frequency sounds are being emitted from a loudspeaker. The bass enhancement system can generate harmonics of at least some low-frequency fundamental frequencies in one embodiment. Playback of at least some harmonics of a low-frequency fundamental frequency can cause a listener to perceive the playback of the low-frequency fundamental frequency. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, the bass enhancement system can generate these harmonics without performing processing-intensive pitch-detection techniques or the like to identify the fundamental frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: DTS LLC
    Inventors: Themis Katsianos, Oveal Jerome Walker
  • Patent number: 9167346
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing object-oriented audio are described. Audio objects can be created by associating sound sources with attributes of those sound sources, such as location, velocity, directivity, and the like. Audio objects can be used in place of or in addition to channels to distribute sound, for example, by streaming the audio objects over a network to a client device. The objects can define their locations in space with associated two or three dimensional coordinates. The objects can be adaptively streamed to the client device based on available network or client device resources. A renderer on the client device can use the attributes of the objects to determine how to render the objects. The renderer can further adapt the playback of the objects based on information about a rendering environment of the client device. Various examples of audio object creation techniques are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: DTS LLC
    Inventors: Alan D. Kraemer, James Tracey, Themis Katsianos
  • Patent number: 9154897
    Abstract: A depth processing system can employ stereo speakers to achieve immersive effects. The depth processing system can advantageously manipulate phase and/or amplitude information to render audio along a listener's median plane, thereby rendering audio along varying depths. In one embodiment, the depth processing system analyzes left and right stereo input signals to infer depth, which may change over time. The depth processing system can then vary the phase and/or amplitude decorrelation between the audio signals over time to enhance the sense of depth already present in the audio signals, thereby creating an immersive depth effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: DTS LLC
    Inventors: Alan D. Kraemer, James Tracey, Themis Katsianos
  • Publication number: 20150245153
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing object-based audio signals is provided. The apparatus receives a plurality of object-based audio signals. Each object-based audio signal of the object-based audio signals includes audio waveform data and object metadata associated with the audio waveform data. The object metadata includes at least one of a loudness parameter or a power parameter associated with the audio waveform data. The apparatus determines a loudness metric based on the received object-based audio signals and based on the at least one of the loudness parameter or the power parameter for each object-based audio signal of the received object-based audio signals. In one configuration, the apparatus renders the received object-based audio signals to a set of output signals based on the determined loudness metric. In another configuration, the apparatus transmits (e.g., broadcast, file delivery, or streaming) the received object-based audio signals based on the determined loudness metric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Fadi MALAK, Themis KATSIANOS, Jean-Marc JOT
  • Patent number: 9088858
    Abstract: A depth processing system can employ stereo speakers to achieve immersive effects. The depth processing system can advantageously manipulate phase and/or amplitude information to render audio along a listener's median plane, thereby rendering audio along varying depths. In one embodiment, the depth processing system analyzes left and right stereo input signals to infer depth, which may change over time. The depth processing system can then vary the phase and/or amplitude decorrelation between the audio signals over time to enhance the sense of depth already present in the audio signals, thereby creating an immersive depth effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: DTS LLC
    Inventors: Alan D. Kraemer, James Tracey, Themis Katsianos
  • Patent number: 8660271
    Abstract: A stereo widening system and associated signal processing algorithms are described herein that can, in several embodiments, widen a stereo image with fewer processing resources than existing crosstalk cancellation systems. These system and algorithms can advantageously be implemented in a handheld device or other device with speakers placed close together, thereby improving the stereo effect produced with such devices at lower computational cost. However, the systems and algorithms described herein are not limited to handheld devices, but can more generally be implemented in any device with multiple speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: DTS LLC
    Inventors: Wen Wang, James Tracey, Robert C. Maling, III, Themis Katsianos
  • Patent number: 8396577
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing object-oriented audio are described. Audio objects can be created by associating sound sources with attributes of those sound sources, such as location, velocity, directivity, and the like. Audio objects can be used in place of or in addition to channels to distribute sound, for example, by streaming the audio objects over a network to a client device. The objects can define their locations in space with associated two or three dimensional coordinates. The objects can be adaptively streamed to the client device based on available network or client device resources. A renderer on the client device can use the attributes of the objects to determine how to render the objects. The renderer can further adapt the playback of the objects based on information about a rendering environment of the client device. Various examples of audio object creation techniques are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: DTS LLC
    Inventors: Alan D. Kraemer, James Tracey, Themis Katsianos