Patents by Inventor Timothy Alan PORT

Timothy Alan PORT 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: 12243548
    Abstract: Some noise compensation methods involve receiving microphone signals corresponding to ambient noise from a noise source location in or near an audio environment, determining or estimating a listener position in the audio environment and estimating at least one critical distance, which is a distance from the noise source location at which directly propagated sound pressure is equal to diffuse field sound pressure. Some examples involve estimating whether the listener position is within the at least one critical distance and implementing a noise compensation method for the ambient noise based, at least in part, on an estimate of whether the listener position is within the critical distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin Alexander Jancovich, Timothy Alan Port, Andrew P. Reilly, Richard J. Cartwright
  • Publication number: 20240422503
    Abstract: An audio processing method may involve receiving audio signals and associated spatial data, listener position data, loudspeaker position data and loudspeaker orientation data, and rendering the audio data for reproduction, based, at least in part, on the spatial data, the listener position data, the loudspeaker position data and the loudspeaker orientation data, to produce rendered audio signals. The rendering may involve applying a loudspeaker orientation factor that tends to reduce a relative activation of a loudspeaker based, at least in part, on an increased loudspeaker orientation angle. In some examples, the rendering may involve modifying an effect of the loudspeaker orientation factor based, at least in part, on a loudspeaker importance metric. The loudspeaker importance metric may correspond to a loudspeaker's importance for rendering an audio signal at the audio signal's intended perceived spatial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Kimberly Jean KAWCZINSKI, Alan Jeffrey SEEFELDT, Timothy Alan PORT
  • Patent number: 12159644
    Abstract: Some implementations involve receiving a content stream that includes audio data, receiving at least one type of level adjustment indication relating to playback of the audio data and controlling a level of the input audio data, based on the at least one type of level adjustment indication, to produce level-adjusted audio data. Some examples involve determining, based at least in part on the type(s) of level adjustment indication, a multiband limiter configuration, applying the multiband limiter to the level-adjusted audio data, to produce multiband limited audio data and providing the multiband limited audio data to one or more audio reproduction transducers of an audio environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Port, Benjamin Alexander Jancovich
  • Patent number: 12154587
    Abstract: Some implementations involve receiving a content stream that includes audio data, receiving at least one type of level adjustment indication relating to playback of the audio data and controlling a level of the input audio data, based on the at least one type of level adjustment indication, to produce level-adjusted audio data. Some examples involve determining, based at least in part on the type(s) of level adjustment indication, a multiband limiter configuration, applying the multiband limiter to the level-adjusted audio data, to produce multiband limited audio data and providing the multiband limited audio data to one or more audio reproduction transducers of an audio environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Port, Benjamin Alexander Jancovich
  • Patent number: 12136432
    Abstract: Noise compensation method comprising: (a) receiving a content stream including content audio data; (b) receiving first microphone signals from a first device; (c) detecting ambient noise from a noise source location in or near the audio environment; (d) causing a first wireless signal to be transmitted from the first device to a second device, the first wireless signal including instructions for the second device to record an audio segment (e) receiving a second wireless signal from the second device; (f) determining a content stream audio segment time interval for a content stream audio segment; (g) receiving a third wireless signal from the second device, including a recorded audio segment captured via a second device microphone; (h) determining a second device ambient noise signal at the second device location; and (i) implementing a noise compensation method for the content audio data based, at least in part, on the second device ambient noise signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin Alexander Jancovich, Timothy Alan Port, Andrew P. Reilly, Richard J. Cartwright
  • Patent number: 11817114
    Abstract: Some implementations involve receiving a content stream that includes audio data, determining a content type corresponding to the content stream and determining, based at least in part on the content type, a noise compensation method. Some examples involve performing the noise compensation method on the audio data to produce noise-compensated audio data, rendering the noise-compensated audio data for reproduction via a set of audio reproduction transducers of the audio environment, to produce rendered audio signals, and providing the rendered audio signals to at least some audio reproduction transducers of the audio environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Port, Daniel Steven Templeton, Jack Gregory Hays
  • Patent number: 11736081
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for performing enhancement on an audio signal to generate an enhanced audio signal in response to feedback indicative of amount of compression applied to at least one frequency band of the enhanced audio signal. In typical embodiments, the enhancement is or includes bass enhancement. Examples of other types of enhancement performed in other embodiments include dialog enhancement, upmixing, frequency shifting, harmonic injection or transposition, subharmonic injection, virtualization, and equalization. Other aspects are systems (e.g., programmed processors) and devices (e.g., devices having physically-limited bass reproduction capabilities, such as, for example, a notebook, tablet, mobile phone, or other device with small speakers) configured to perform any embodiment of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Port, William Thomas Rowley, Winston Chi Wai Ng, Sebastian P. B. Holzapfel
  • Publication number: 20230231526
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for performing at least one of enhancement, decoding, or rendering of a multichannel audio signal in response to compression feedback or feedback from a smart amplifier. For example, the compression feedback may be indicative of amount of compression applied to each of multiple frequency bands, of the audio signal or an enhanced audio signal generated in response thereto. The enhancement (e.g., bass enhancement) may include dynamic routing of audio content of the input audio signal between channels of an enhanced audio signal generated in response thereto. The enhancement and compression may be performed on a per speaker class basis. Other aspects are systems (e.g., programmed processors) and devices (e.g., devices having physically-limited bass reproduction capabilities, such as, for example, a notebook or laptop computer, tablet, soundbar, mobile phone, or other device with small speakers) configured to perform any embodiment of the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Alan PORT, Sean Alexander BRADY
  • Publication number: 20230232174
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for non-intrusive transducer health detection in an audio system. In an embodiment, a method performed by the audio system comprises outputting one or more encoded inaudible acoustic signals into an acoustic transmission medium using a first transducer. The one or more encoded inaudible acoustic signals are received from the acoustic transmission medium using a second transducer of the audio system. The received one or more encoded inaudible acoustic signals are used to identify failure or degradation of the first or second transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph McKee, Timothy Alan Port, Paul Holmberg
  • Patent number: 11695812
    Abstract: An apparatus and method relating to use of a physical writing surface (132) during a videoconference or presentation. Snapshots of a whiteboard (132) are identified by applying a difference measure to the video data (e.g., as a way of comparing frames at different times). Audio captured by a microphone may be processed to generate textual data, wherein a portion of the textual data is associated with each snapshot. The writing surface may be identified (enrolled) using gestures. Image processing techniques may be used to transform views of a writing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Port, Richard J. Cartwright
  • Patent number: 11616482
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for performing at least one of enhancement, decoding, or rendering of a multichannel audio signal in response to compression feedback or feedback from a smart amplifier. For example, the compression feedback may be indicative of amount of compression applied to each of multiple frequency bands, of the audio signal or an enhanced audio signal generated in response thereto. The enhancement (e.g., bass enhancement) may include dynamic routing of audio content of the input audio signal between channels of an enhanced audio signal generated in response thereto. The enhancement and compression may be performed on a per speaker class basis. Other aspects are systems (e.g., programmed processors) and devices (e.g., devices having physically-limited bass reproduction capabilities, such as, for example, a notebook or laptop computer, tablet, soundbar, mobile phone, or other device with small speakers) configured to perform any embodiment of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Alan Port, Sean Alexander Brady
  • Publication number: 20230044546
    Abstract: Some implementations involve receiving a content stream that includes audio data, receiving at least one type of level adjustment indication relating to playback of the audio data and controlling a level of the input audio data, based on the at least one type of level adjustment indication, to produce level-adjusted audio data. Some examples involve determining, based at least in part on the type(s) of level adjustment indication, a multiband limiter configuration, applying the multiband limiter to the level-adjusted udio data, to produce multiband limited audio data and providing the multiband limited audio data to one or more audio reproduction transducers of an audio environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Alan PORT, Benjamin Alexander JANCOVICH
  • Publication number: 20230037824
    Abstract: Noise compensation method comprising: (a) receiving a content stream including content audio data; (b) receiving first microphone signals from a first device; (c) detecting ambient noise from a noise source location in or near the audio environment; (d) causing a first wireless signal to be transmitted from the first device to a second device, the first wireless signal including instructions for the second device to record an audio segment (e) receiving a second wireless signal from the second device; (f) determining a content stream audio segment time interval for a content stream audio segment; (g) receiving a third wireless signal from the second device, including a recorded audio segment captured via a second device microphone; (h) determining a second device ambient noise signal at the second device location; and (i) implementing a noise compensation method for the content audio data based, at least in part, on the second device ambient noise signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin Alexander Jancovich, Timothy Alan Port, Andrew P. Reilly, Richard J. Cartwright
  • Publication number: 20230044872
    Abstract: Some implementations involve receiving a content stream that includes audio data, receiving at least one type of level adjustment indication relating to playback of the audio data and controlling a level of the input audio data, based on the at least one type of level adjustment indication, to produce level-adjusted audio data. Some examples involve determining, based at least in part on the type(s) of level adjustment indication, a multiband limiter configuration, applying the multiband limiter to the level-adjusted audio data, to produce multiband limited audio data and providing the multiband limited audio data to one or more audio reproduction transducers of an audio environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Alan PORT, Benjamin Alexander JANCOVICH
  • Publication number: 20230026347
    Abstract: Some noise compensation methods involve receiving microphone signals corresponding to ambient noise from a noise source location in or near an audio environment, determining or estimating a listener position in the audio environment and estimating at least one critical distance, which is a distance from the noise source location at which directly propagated sound pressure is equal to diffuse field sound pressure. Some examples involve estimating whether the listener position is within the at least one critical distance and implementing a noise compensation method for the ambient noise based, at least in part, on an estimate of whether the listener position is within the critical distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin Alexander Jancovich, Timothy Alan Port, Andrew P. Reilly, Richard J. Cartwright
  • Publication number: 20230009878
    Abstract: Some implementations involve determining a noise metric and/or a speech intelligibility metric and determining a compensation process corresponding to the noise metric and/or the speech intelligibility metric. The compensation process may involve altering a processing of audio data and/or applying a non-audio-based compensation method. In some examples, altering the processing of the audio data does not involve applying a broadband gain increase to the audio signals. Some examples involve applying the compensation process in an audio environment. Other examples involve determining compensation metadata corresponding to the compensation process and transmitting an encoded content stream that includes encoded compensation metadata, encoded video data and encoded audio data from a first device to one or more other devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Alan PORT, Daniel Steven TEMPLETON, Jack Gregory HAYS, David Matthew COOPER
  • Publication number: 20230010466
    Abstract: Some implementations involve determining a noise metric and/or a speech intelligibility metric and determining a compensation process corresponding to the noise metric and/or the speech intelligibility metric. The compensation process may involve altering a processing of audio data and/or applying a non-audio-based compensation method. In some examples, altering the processing of the audio data does not involve applying a broadband gain increase to the audio signals. Some examples involve applying the compensation process in an audio environment. Other examples involve determining compensation metadata corresponding to the compensation process and transmitting an encoded content stream that includes encoded compensation metadata, encoded video data and encoded audio data from a first device to one or more other devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Alan PORT, Daniel Steven TEMPLETON, Jack Gregory HAYS, David Matthew COOPER
  • Publication number: 20220406326
    Abstract: Some implementations involve receiving a content stream that includes audio data, determining a content type corresponding to the content stream and determining, based at least in part on the Receiving, by a control system and via an interface system, a content stream that includes audio data content type, a noise compensation method. Some examples involve performing the noise compensation method on the audio data to produce noise-compensated audio data, rendering the noise-compensated audio data for reproduction via a set of audio reproduction transducers of the audio environment, to produce rendered audio signals, and providing the rendered audio signals to at least some audio reproduction transducers of the audio environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Alan PORT, Daniel Steven TEMPLETON, Jack Gregory HAYS
  • Patent number: 11489886
    Abstract: A method of processing of a sequence of video frames from a camera capturing a writing surface for subsequent transmission to at least one of a remote videoconferencing client and a remote videoconferencing server. The method comprises receiving the sequence of video frames from the camera; and selecting an image area of interest in the video frames, comprising selecting one of a sub-area of the video frames and an entire area of the video frames. The method also comprises, for each current video frame of the sequence of video frames, generating a pen stroke mask by applying adaptive thresholding to the image area of interest. The method also comprises generating an output video frame using the pen stroke mask. Corresponding systems and computer readable media are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Timothy Alan Port
  • Publication number: 20220124128
    Abstract: An apparatus and method relating to use of a physical writing surface (132) during a videoconference or presentation. Snapshots of a whiteboard (132) are identified by applying a difference measure to the video data (e.g., as a way of comparing frames at different times). Audio captured by a microphone may be processed to generate textual data, wherein a portion of the textual data is associated with each snapshot. The writing surface may be identified (enrolled) using gestures. Image processing techniques may be used to transform views of a writing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Alan PORT, Richard J. CARTWRIGHT