Abstract: A drill string including an elongate hollow main length section and a male spigot portion provided at the second end and having an externally threaded section and a non-threaded shank positioned axially intermediate the main length section and the threaded section. The shank includes a transition section positioned adjacent the main length section or a radially projecting shoulder at the second end. The transition section has an outside diameter that increases in a direction from the male spigot portion to the main length section or the shoulder. The cross-sectional shape profile of the outer surface of the transition section in the plane of the longitudinal axis has a segment of an ellipse having semi-major axis (a) and a semi-minor axis (b), wherein the ratio of the semi-major to semi-minor axes (a:b) is within the range 2b<a<8b.

Abstract: A method for partitioning of input vectors for coding is presented. The method comprises obtaining of an input vector. The input vector is segmented, in a non-recursive manner, into an integer number, NSEG, of input vector segments. A representation of a respective relative energy difference between parts of the input vector on each side of each boundary between the input vector segments is determined, in a recursive manner. The input vector segments and the representations of the relative energy differences are provided for individual coding. Partitioning units and computer programs for partitioning of input vectors for coding, as well as positional encoders, are presented.

Abstract: A User Equipment (UE) is operative to generate CN (Comfort Noise) control parameters, e.g., as part of audio-decoding processing by the UE. A buffer of a predetermined size implemented in the UE is configured to store CN parameters for SID (Silence Insertion Descriptor) frames and active hangover frames. Processing circuitry of the UE is configured to determine a CN parameter subset relevant for SID frames based on the age of the stored CN parameters and on residual energies, and use the determined CN parameter subset to determine CN control parameters for a first SID frame following an active signal frame.

Abstract: A method (900) for representing a cluster of audio objects (202). The method includes obtaining (s902) reference position information identifying a reference position within the cluster of audio objects; and using the obtained reference position information, transforming (s904) the cluster of audio objects into a composite spatial audio object. The transforming of the cluster of audio objects into the composite spatial audio object is performed independently of any listening position of any user.

Abstract: Transmitting node and receiving node for audio coding and methods therein. The nodes being operable to encode/decode speech and to apply a discontinuous transmission (DTX) scheme comprising transmission/reception of Silence Insertion Descriptor (SID) frames during speech inactivity. The method in the transmitting node comprising determining, from amongst a number N of hangover frames, a set Y of frames being representative of background noise, and further transmitting the N hangover frames, comprising at least said set Y of frames, to the receiving node. The method further comprises transmitting a first SID frame to the receiving node in association with the transmission of the N hangover frames, where the SID frame comprises information indicating the determined set Y of hangover frames to the receiving node. The method enables the receiving node to generate comfort noise based on the hangover frames most adequate for the purpose.

Abstract: An audio signal processing method and apparatus for adaptively adjusting a decorrelator. The method comprises obtaining a control parameter and calculating mean and variation of the control parameter. Ratio of the variation and mean of the control parameter is calculated, and a decorrelation parameter is calculated based on the said ratio. The decorrelation parameter is then provided to a decorrelator.

Abstract: A method for increasing stability of an inter-channel time difference (ICTD) parameter in parametric audio coding, wherein a multi-channel audio input signal comprising at least two channels is received. The method comprises obtaining an ICTD estimate, ICTDest(m), for an audio frame m and a stability estimate of said ICTD estimate, and determining whether the obtained ICTD estimate, ICTDest(m), is valid. If the ICTDest(m) is not found valid, and a determined sufficient number of valid ICTD estimates have been found in preceding frames, a hang-over time is determined using the stability estimate and a previously obtained valid ICTD parameter, ICTD(m?1), is selected as an output parameter, ICTD(m), during the hang-over time. The output parameter, ICTD(m), is set to zero if valid ICTDest(m) is not found during the hang-over time.

Abstract: An audio signal processing method and apparatus for adaptively adjusting a decorrelator. The method comprises obtaining a control parameter and calculating mean and variation of the control parameter. Ratio of the variation and mean of the control parameter is calculated, and a decorrelation parameter is calculated based on the said ratio. The decorrelation parameter is then provided to a decorrelator.

Abstract: Transmitting node and receiving node for audio coding and methods therein. The nodes being operable to encode/decode speech and to apply a discontinuous transmission (DTX) scheme comprising transmission/reception of Silence Insertion Descriptor (SID) frames during speech inactivity. The method in the transmitting node comprising determining, from amongst a number N of hangover frames, a set Y of frames being representative of background noise, and further transmitting the N hangover frames, comprising at least said set Y of frames, to the receiving node. The method further comprises transmitting a first SID frame to the receiving node in association with the transmission of the N hangover frames, where the SID frame comprises information indicating the determined set Y of hangover frames to the receiving node. The method enables the receiving node to generate comfort noise based on the hangover frames most adequate for the purpose.

Abstract: A method and a transmitting node for supporting generation of comfort noise for at least two audio channels at a receiving node. The method is performed by a transmitting node. The method comprises determining spectral characteristics of audio signals on at least two input audio channels and determining a spatial coherence between the audio signals. The spatial coherence is associated with perceptual importance measures. A compressed representation of the spatial coherence is determined per frequency band by weighting the spatial coherence within each frequency band according to the perceptual importance measures. Information about the spectral characteristics and the compressed representation of the spatial coherence per frequency band is signaled to the receiving node for enabling the generation of the comfort noise at the receiving node.

Abstract: A method and a transmitting node for supporting generation of comfort noise for at least two audio channels at a receiving node. The method is performed by a transmitting node. The method comprises determining spectral characteristics of audio signals on at least two input audio channels and determining a spatial coherence between the audio signals. The spatial coherence is associated with perceptual importance measures. A compressed representation of the spatial coherence is determined per frequency band by weighting the spatial coherence within each frequency band according to the perceptual importance measures. Information about the spectral characteristics and the compressed representation of the spatial coherence per frequency band is signaled to the receiving node for enabling the generation of the comfort noise at the receiving node.

Abstract: A method for increasing stability of an inter-channel time difference (ICTD) parameter in parametric audio coding, wherein a multi-channel audio input signal comprising at least two channels is received. The method comprises obtaining an ICTD estimate, ICTDest(m), for an audio frame m and a stability estimate of said ICTD estimate, and determining whether the obtained ICTD estimate, ICTDest(m), is valid. If the ICTDest(m) is not found valid, and a determined sufficient number of valid ICTD estimates have been found in preceding frames, a hang-over time is determined using the stability estimate and a previously obtained valid ICTD parameter, ICTD(m?1), is selected as an output parameter, ICTD(m), during the hang-over time. The output parameter, ICTD(m), is set to zero if valid ICTDest(m) is not found during the hang-over time.

Abstract: A drill string rod includes an elongate central rod portion. The central rod portion has a hollow-cylindrical shape with an inner first diameter (drod) and an outer second diameter (Drod). The male end includes a spigot having a base projecting axially from a shoulder that axially separates the spigot and the central rod portion. The female end has a sleeve portion that fits to the spigot. An inner thread of the sleeve portion is attachable to an outer thread of the base of the spigot of a further drill string rod. In a radial plane to the longitudinal axis of the drill string rod, the base of the spigot is defined by an outer third diameter (Dspigot) and an inner fourth diameter (dspigot) and the sleeve portion is defined by an outer fifth diameter (Dsleeve) and an inner sixth diameter (dsleeve), wherein the second diameter (Drod) is >60 mm.

Abstract: An encoder for encoding frequency transform coefficients of a harmonic audio signal include the following elements: A peak locator configured to locate spectral peaks having magnitudes exceeding a predetermined frequency dependent threshold. A peak region encoder configured to encode peak regions including and surrounding the located peaks. A low-frequency set encoder configured to encode at least one low-frequency set of coefficients outside the peak regions and below a crossover frequency that depends on the number of bits used to encode the peak regions. A noise-floor gain encoder configured to encode a noise-floor gain of at least one high-frequency set of not yet encoded coefficients outside the peak regions.

Abstract: A method for partitioning of input vectors for coding is presented. The method comprises obtaining of an input vector. The input vector is segmented, in a non-recursive manner, into an integer number, NSEG, of input vector segments. A representation of a respective relative energy difference between parts of the input vector on each side of each boundary between the input vector segments is determined, in a recursive manner. The input vector segments and the representations of the relative energy differences are provided for individual coding. Partitioning units and computer programs for partitioning of input vectors for coding, as well as positional encoders, are presented.

Abstract: A method of audio rendering. The method includes receiving an audio element, wherein the audio element comprises: i) an interior representation that is valid within a spatial region, the interior representation of the audio element being in a listener-centric format and ii) information indicating the spatial region. The method further includes determining that a listener is outside the spatial region. The method further includes deriving an exterior representation of the audio element and rendering the audio element using the exterior representation of the audio element. In another aspect, a method of providing a spatially-bounded audio element is provided. The method includes providing, to a rendering node, an audio element. The audio element includes: (i) an interior representation that is valid within a spatial region, the interior representation being in a listener-centric format; and (ii) information indicating the spatial region.

Abstract: An encoder for encoding frequency transform coefficients of a harmonic audio signal include the following elements: A peak locator configured to locate spectral peaks having magnitudes exceeding a predetermined frequency dependent threshold. A peak region encoder configured to encode peak regions including and surrounding the located peaks. A low-frequency set encoder configured to encode at least one low-frequency set of coefficients outside the peak regions and below a crossover frequency that depends on the number of bits used to encode the peak regions. A noise-floor gain encoder configured to encode a noise-floor gain of at least one high-frequency set of not yet encoded coefficients outside the peak regions.

Abstract: A method for partitioning of input vectors for coding is presented. The method comprises obtaining of an input vector. The input vector is segmented, in a non-recursive manner, into an integer number, NSEG, of input vector segments. A representation of a respective relative energy difference between parts of the input vector on each side of each boundary between the input vector segments is determined, in a recursive manner. The input vector segments and the representations of the relative energy differences are provided for individual coding. Partitioning units and computer programs for partitioning of input vectors for coding, as well as positional encoders, are presented.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is a method for rendering a spatially-heterogeneous audio element. In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining two or more audio signals representing the spatially-heterogeneous audio element, wherein a combination of the audio signals provides a spatial image of the spatially-heterogeneous audio element. The method also includes obtaining metadata associated with the spatially-heterogeneous audio element, the metadata comprising spatial extent information indicating a spatial extent of the audio element. The method further includes rendering the audio element using: i) the spatial extent information and ii) location information indicating a position (e.g. virtual position) and/or an orientation of the user relative to the audio element.

Abstract: A method for generating a comfort noise (CN) parameter is provided. The method includes receiving an audio input; detecting, with a Voice Activity Detector (VAD), a current inactive segment in the audio input; as a result of detecting, with the VAD, the current inactive segment in the audio input, calculating a CN parameter CNused; and providing the CN parameter CNused to a decoder. The CN parameter CNused is calculated based at least in part on the current inactive segment and a previous inactive segment.