Channel Separation Control Patents (Class 381/10)
  • Patent number: 11252524
    Abstract: The present technology relates to signal processing device and method that make it possible to reproduce sound more effectively. A signal processing device includes a rotation operation unit that rotates a head-related transfer function in a spherical harmonic domain by an operation on the basis of a rotation matrix corresponding to rotation of a head of a listener, the operation in which an order of the rotation matrix is limited, and a synthesis unit that synthesizes the head-related transfer function after rotation obtained by the operation and a sound signal of the spherical harmonic domain to generate a headphone drive signal. The present technology is applicable to an audio processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsu Magariyachi, Yuhki Mitsufuji
  • Patent number: 10951987
    Abstract: A mobile computing device stand with a holder for a mobile computing device with a media player for conducting an audio session and back speakers positioned in the seat behind a location where a user is expected to be positioned and next to the seat. The back speakers include a first set positioned at a first side of the seat and a second set positioned at a second side of the seat opposite the first side of the seat. The first and second sets includes first and second inward back speakers facing toward the location and first and second outward back speakers facing away from the location. A system controller receives audio signals with audio of an audio session, sends the audio signals to the first and second inward back speakers, and sends the audio signals in an out of phase manner to the first and second outward back speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TP Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Chi Fai Ho, John Chiong
  • Patent number: 10692511
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a decoding apparatus, a decoding method and a program which make it possible to obtain sound with higher quality. A demultiplexing circuit demultiplexes an input code string into a gain code string and a signal code string. A signal decoding circuit decodes the signal code string to output a time series signal. A gain decoding circuit decodes the gain code string. That is, the gain decoding circuit reads out gain values and gain inclination values at predetermined gain sample positions of the time series signal and interpolation mode information. An interpolation processing unit obtains a gain value at each sample position between two gain sample positions through linear interpolation or non-linear interpolation according to the interpolation mode based on the gain values and the gain inclination values. A gain applying circuit adjusts a gain of the time series signal based on the gain values. The present technology can be applied to a decoding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Yamamoto, Toru Chinen, Hiroyuki Honma, Runyu Shi
  • Patent number: 10630328
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for current-mode filtering using current steering. In an example aspect, the apparatus includes a filter. The filter includes a current-steering node, a first output node, a second output node, a wideband path, and a narrowband path. The wideband path is coupled between the current-steering node and the first output node. The wideband path includes a wideband low-pass filter configured to pass frequencies within a wide passband. The narrowband path is coupled between the current-steering node and the second output node. The narrowband path includes a narrowband low-pass filter configured to pass a portion of the frequencies that are within a narrow passband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Timothy Donald Gathman, Chirag Dipak Patel, Lai Kan Leung
  • Patent number: 10607615
    Abstract: An apparatus for decoding an encoded audio signal to obtain modified output signals includes an input interface for receiving a transmitted downmix signal and parametric data relating to audio objects included in the transmitted downmix signal, the downmix signal being different from an encoder downmix signal, to which the parametric data is related; a downmix modifier for modifying the transmitted downmix signal using a downmix modification function, wherein the downmix modification is performed in such a way that a modified downmix signal is identical to the encoder downmix signal or is more similar to the encoder downmix signal compared to the transmitted downmix signal; an object renderer for rendering the audio objects using the modified downmix signal and the parametric data to obtain output signals; and an output signal modifier for modifying the output signals using an output signal modification function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Jouni Paulus, Leon Terentiv, Harald Fuchs, Oliver Hellmuth, Adrian Murtaza, Falko Ridderbusch
  • Patent number: 10567097
    Abstract: An audio processing circuit is described. The audio processing circuit includes at least one input configured to receive a primary audio signal and a feature generation signal. A feature model estimation circuit is configured to model and output a feature model signal of the primary audio signal. A feature generation circuit is coupled to the feature model estimation circuit and is to receive the feature model signal and the feature generation signal and, in response to the feature model signal, modify the feature generation signal; and output a modified representation of the feature generation signal that is more similar to the primary audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Temujin Gautama, Joris Luyten
  • Patent number: 10484808
    Abstract: Example audio signal processing apparatuses and methods for processing an input audio signal into an output audio signal are disclosed. An example audio signal processing apparatus comprises a decomposer configured to decompose the input audio signal into a direct audio signal and a diffuse audio signal, a modifier configured to modify the direct audio signal in order to obtain a modified direct audio signal, wherein the modifier comprises a bandwidth extender configured to extend an upper cutoff frequency of a frequency range of the direct audio signal, and a combiner configured to combine the modified direct audio signal with the diffuse audio signal to obtain the output audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Juergen Geiger, Peter Grosche
  • Patent number: 10339947
    Abstract: A decoder operable to decode audio signals. The decoder operable to receive an encoded bitstream that includes bitstream synchronization command data and program command data and process the encoded bitstream and identify within the bitstream the synchronization command data. The decoder further operable to decode the program command packet and at least one program related channel data using information provided in the synchronization command data and decode program related channel data using information provided in the program command data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: James David Johnston, Stephen Daniel White, King Wei Hor, Barry M. Genova
  • Patent number: 10111000
    Abstract: A phone stand includes a phone holder for coupling to a phone, where the phone is for conducting a voice session. The phone stand further includes a plurality of directional speakers positioned to project sound to a focused audio area corresponding to a location where a user is expected to be positioned, a plurality of back speakers positioned behind the location where the user is expected to be positioned, and a system controller. The system controller is configured to: receive audio signals, where the audio signals includes audio of the voice session from the phone; separate the audio signals into speech signals and non-speech signals; obtain one or more output mixing attributes; generate mixed signals by combining the speech signals and the non-speech signals according to the one or more output mixing attributes; and send the mixed signals to the plurality of directional speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: TP Lab, Inc.
    Inventors: Chi Fai Ho, John Chiong
  • Patent number: 10003422
    Abstract: A method for processing an FM stereo signal. The FM stereo signal is digitized and divided into overlapping blocks, which are transformed into the frequency domain. Individual spectral lines of the difference signal are lowered if these have a higher magnitude than the respective spectral lines of the sum signal. The sum and difference signals are then transformed back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Hahn
  • Patent number: 9941869
    Abstract: A phase compensation circuit includes: a first circuit that increases phase characteristic of a specific frequency of an electrical signal; a second circuit that decreases the phase characteristic of the specific frequency of the electrical signal; and a limiting amplifier that amplifies an electrical signal that is processed by at least one of the first circuit and the second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Yukito Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 9913061
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, embodiments receiving audio content in a multi-channel sound format over a communication network resulting in multi-channel audio content. Further embodiments can include identifying a compression ratio of the audio content. Additional embodiments can include determining a rendered sound externalization for rendering the audio content according to the compression ratio of the audio content. Also, embodiments can include rendering the audio content in a binaural audio format for headphone playback on an audio device according to the rendered sound externalization. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Manuel Briand
  • Patent number: 9865279
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method performed by an electronic device includes: receiving an audio signal comprising voice and background sound via a microphone; receiving a user's operation to set a loudness of the voice or the background sound; setting a balance between a first gain of the voice and a second gain of the background sound according to the user's operation; separating the input audio signal into a first signal of the voice and a second signal of the background sound; amplifying the first signal according to the first gain; amplifying the second signal according to the second gain; and outputting the first signal and the second signal at least partially overlapping each other via a speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tadashi Amada, Hirokazu Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9786288
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to audio object extraction. A method for audio object extraction from audio content of a format based on a plurality of channels is disclosed. The method comprises applying audio object extraction on individual frames of the audio content at least partially based on frequency spectral similarities among the plurality of channels. The method further comprises performing audio object composition across the frames of the audio content, based on the audio object extraction on the individual frames, to generate a track of at least one audio object. Corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Mingqing Hu, Lie Lu, Jun Wang
  • Patent number: 9743187
    Abstract: A system for processing audio data of the present disclosure has an audio processing device for receiving audio data from an audio source. Additionally, the system has logic that separates the audio data received into left channel audio data indicative of sound from a left audio source and right channel audio data indicative of sound from a right audio source. The logic further separates the left channel audio data into primary left ear audio data and opposing right ear audio data and for separating the right channel audio data into primary right ear audio data and opposing left ear audio data applies a first filter to the primary left ear audio data, a second filer to the opposing right ear audio data, a third filter to the opposing left ear audio data, and a fourth filter to the primary right ear audio data, wherein the second and third filters introduce a delay into the opposing right ear audio data and the opposing left ear audio data, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Lee F. Bender
  • Patent number: 9706325
    Abstract: A method, medium, and system decoding and/or encoding multiple channels. Accordingly, down-mixed multiple channels can be decoded/up-mixed to a left channel and a right channel during a first stage, thereby enabling a high quality sound output even in scalable channel decoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junghoe Kim, Eunmi Oh, Kihyun Choo, Miao Lei
  • Patent number: 9462383
    Abstract: There is provided an audio signal processing device for setting, upon outputting audio signals from a left speaker and a right speaker each having an identical amplitude-frequency characteristic and a phase characteristic, and from one center speaker arranged between the left speaker and the right speaker, listening points between the left speaker and the center speaker and between the right speaker and the center speaker, the audio signal processing device including an inverse filter processing unit configured to provide inverse characteristics of an amplitude-frequency characteristic and a phase characteristic of the center speaker, and a speaker characteristic adding processing unit configured to correct the amplitude-frequency characteristic and the phase characteristic of an audio signal of the center speaker that have been processed by the inverse filter processing unit in a manner that they correspond to characteristics of the left speaker and the right speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koyuru Okimoto, Yuuji Yamada
  • Patent number: 9282417
    Abstract: An apparatus for spatial sound reproduction comprises a receiver (101) for receiving a multi-channel audio signal. An analyzer (107) determines a spatial property of the multi-channel audio signal, such as a spatial complexity or organization. A selection processor (109) then selects a reproduction mode from a plurality of sound reproduction modes where the multi-channel sound reproduction modes employ different spatial rendering techniques. A reproduction circuit (103) then drives a set of loudspeakers (105) to reproduce the multi-channel audio signal using the selected reproduction mode. The switching between the reproduction modes may be fast (e.g. in the order of 100 ms to 10 secs) thereby allowing a short term adaptation of the reproduction mode to the signal characteristics. The approach may in particular provide an improved spatial experience to a listener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE N.V.
    Inventors: Aki Sakari Harma, Werner Paulus Josephus De Bruijn
  • Patent number: 9071913
    Abstract: Wireless microphone systems are used, for example, in theater, stage performances, television, broadcast radio or in concerts to amplify voices or instruments for a large audience. Due to the plurality of actors or musicians, a corresponding number of audio channels is required to transmit the audio information. 20 to 50 audio channels can thus be required in a parallel mode even in common applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hartwig Koch, Holger Kiehne, Florian Klingler, Frank Hofmann, Gerald Spreitz, Sascha Jakoblew, Radu Circa
  • Patent number: 8934635
    Abstract: A method of optimizing stereo reception for an analog radio by applying the demodulated right sound signal (SD) and left sound signal (SG) as input to a decorrelation module having a variable decorrelation rate. The decorrelation rate of the decorrelation module is modified as a function of the reception quality coefficient “alpha” provided by the radio. The decorrelation module applies a higher decorrelation rate for a smaller reception quality coefficient “alpha” and applies a lower decorrelation rate for a larger reception quality coefficient “alpha. Also, a module for generating high-pitched sounds to recreate the high-frequency component (SHF) of the right or left sound signals which has been removed in the event of poor reception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Arkamys
    Inventors: Thomas Esnault, Frédéric Amadu
  • Patent number: 8929558
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for improving a stereo audio signal of an FM stereo radio receiver. The apparatus comprises a parametric stereo (PS) parameter estimation stage. The parameter estimation stage is configured to determine one or more parametric stereo parameters based on the stereo audio signal in a frequency-variant or frequency-invariant manner. Preferably, these PS parameters are time- and frequency-variant. Moreover, the apparatus comprises an upmix stage. The upmix stage is configured to generate the improved stereo signal based on a first audio signal and the one or more parametric stereo parameters. The first audio signal is obtained from the stereo audio signal, e.g. by a downmix operation in a downmix stage. The PS parameter estimation stage may be part of a PS encoder. The upmix stage may be part of a PS decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Dolby International AB
    Inventors: Jonas Engdegard, Heiko Purnhagen, Karl Jonas Roeden
  • Patent number: 8879740
    Abstract: An audio receiver may include a mono/stereo detector that causes the audio receiver to output either a monophonic or a stereophonic signal based on a difference between a pilot energy signal and a filtered pilot energy signal. The audio receiver includes a filter that filters the pilot energy signal to generate a filtered pilot energy signal, wherein a variable leakage factor associated with the filter is used to minimize a noise level of the filtered pilot energy signal and to reduce a response time of the audio receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Chris Cheng-Chieh Lee
  • Patent number: 8848945
    Abstract: The present technology relates generally to a closed-loop power stage and audio amplifier circuits comprising the same. The present technology further provides a method for controlling an amplifier circuit. The closed-loop power stage is configured to receive a PWM input signal having a first frequency and a first duty cycle, a power supply voltage, and a bias signal related to the power supply voltage, and to output a square-wave signal having a second frequency and a second duty cycle. The closed-loop power stage comprises a feedback loop which is configured to regulate the second duty cycle of the square-wave signal in response to a variation in the power supply voltage. The audio amplifier circuit comprising the closed-loop power stage may have a stable output voltage and thus have good power supply rejection performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yunping Lang, Huijie Zhao, Huafei Ding
  • Patent number: 8812309
    Abstract: A method for suppressing ambient noise using multiple audio signals may include providing at least two audio signals captured by at least two electro-acoustic transducers. The at least two audio signals may include desired audio and ambient noise. The method may also include performing beamforming on the at least two audio signals in order to obtain a desired audio reference signal that is separate from a noise reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Dinesh Ramakrishnan, Song Wang
  • Patent number: 8767850
    Abstract: An apparatus for encoding/decoding a multichannel signal. The apparatus for encoding/decoding a multichannel signal processes phase parameters for phase information among a plurality of channels constituting the multichannel signal in consideration of the characteristics of the multichannel signal. The apparatus generates an encoded bit stream for the multichannel signal using the processed phase parameters and the mono signal extracted from the multichannel signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mi Young Kim, Jung Hoe Kim, Hwan Shim, Eun Mi Oh
  • Patent number: 8744087
    Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for a wireless audio system for a number of users. The system includes a base unit that is adapted to removably store, recharge and communicate with various communication modules, including personal microphone modules, table-top microphones, and audio adapters. The system also includes a plurality of personal microphone modules that are each adapted to be removable and coupled, for example, to a user's clothing, and further, are adapted to communicate wirelessly with the base unit, and table-top microphones that are adapted to communicate wirelessly with the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Revo Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Reed Bodley, Jean-Pierre Carney
  • Patent number: 8737602
    Abstract: A passive, non-amplified audio switch for a computer telephony system is provided. The passive, non-amplified audio switch provides a first telephone jack to receive audio in and send audio out to a first user. The passive, non-amplified audio switch provides a second telephone jack to receive audio in and send audio out to a second user. The passive, non-amplified audio switch further provides audio out and receives audio in from a voice platform, which transcribes audio using a speech to text engine. The passive, non-amplified audio switch provides that audio in from the second user is always provided to the voice platform for transcription.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: NVOQ Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles Corfield, David Mondragon, Daniel Morley
  • Patent number: 8731209
    Abstract: In order to generate a multi-channel signal having a number of output channels greater than a number of input channels, a mixer is used for upmixing the input signal to form at least a direct channel signal and at least an ambience channel signal. A speech detector is provided for detecting a section of the input signal, the direct channel signal or the ambience channel signal in which speech portions occur. Based on this detection, a signal modifier modifies the input signal or the ambience channel signal in order to attenuate speech portions in the ambience channel signal, whereas such speech portions in the direct channel signal are attenuated to a lesser extent or not at all. A loudspeaker signal outputter then maps the direct channel signals and the ambience channel signals to loudspeaker signals which are associated to a defined reproduction scheme, such as, for example, a 5.1 scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Christian Uhle, Oliver Hellmuth, Juergen Herre, Harald Popp, Thorsten Kastner
  • Patent number: 8694306
    Abstract: A method of processing a signal, including taking a signal formed from a plurality of source signal emitters and expressed in an original domain, decomposing the signal into a mathematical representation of a plurality of constituent elements in an alternate domain, analyzing the plurality of constituent elements to associate at least a subset of the constituent elements with at least one of the plurality of source signal emitters, separating at least a subset of the constituent elements based on the association and reconstituting at least a subset of constituent elements to produce an output signal in at least one of the original domain, the alternate domain and another domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kaonyx Labs LLC
    Inventors: Kevin M. Short, Brian T. Hone
  • Patent number: 8625811
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a stereo signal or a multi-channel signal. According to the method and apparatus, a stereo signal or a multi-channel signal can be encoded and/or decoded by generating parameters based on a mono signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-hyun Choo, Eun-mi Oh, Jung-hoe Kim, Boris Kudryashov, Sergey Petrov
  • Patent number: 8537913
    Abstract: An apparatus for encoding/decoding a multichannel signal. The apparatus for encoding/decoding a multichannel signal processes phase parameters for phase information among a plurality of channels constituting the multichannel signal in consideration of the characteristics of the multichannel signal. The apparatus generates an encoded bit stream for the multichannel signal using the processed phase parameters and the mono signal extracted from the multichannel signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mi Young Kim, Jung Hoe Kim, Hwan Shim, Eun Mi Oh
  • Patent number: 8473291
    Abstract: A sound processing apparatus is provided for estimating the power of background noise using a directional sound receiving technology using a plurality of sound receiving units, computing a gain control value on the basis of the estimated power of background noise and a predetermined power target value, and outputting the gain control value, so that a delay time of starting gain control can be reduced, and a slow response of a speech recognition application program or degradation of the speech quality of a voice communication program can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Naoshi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 8428267
    Abstract: A method for processing an audio signal, comprising: receiving a downmix signal, a first multi-channel information, and an object information; processing the downmix signal using the object information and a mix information; and, transmitting one of the first multi-channel information and a second multi-channel information according to the mix information, wherein the second channel information is generated using the object information and the mix information is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyen-O Oh, Yang-Won Jung
  • Patent number: 8391498
    Abstract: Widening stereophonic response is achieved in sound reproduction systems with at least two loudspeakers. A stereo signal input is accessed, which includes multiple frequency components. The loudspeakers are close to each other. A frequency range of the frequency components is decorrelated, e.g., upon pre-processing the stereo signal. The sound reproduction system's stereophonic response is widened, based on the decorrelation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Guillaume Potard
  • Patent number: 8369532
    Abstract: A device for processing an audio signal, wherein the device comprises a detection unit adapted for detecting a widening state of the audio signal, and a widening modification unit adapted for modifying a widening characteristic of the audio signal depending on the detected widening state of the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Ronaldus Maria Aarts
  • Patent number: 8295495
    Abstract: An FM audio receiver can include a mono/stereo detector that causes the audio receiver to output either a monophonic or a stereophonic signal based on a received pilot tone energy. An accurate operation of the receiver, including but not limited to correct decoding of monophonic/stereophonic reception, can be based on the receiver operating with the same rated maximum system deviation (RMSD) as the received signal itself. Aspects of the disclosure describe a system and method of detecting and matching a receiver's RMSD to that of a received signal by demodulating a carrier bearing a an input signal over a first bandwidth, extracting a pilot energy signal from the input signal, and demodulating the carrier bearing the input signal over a second bandwidth if the pilot energy signal is within a pilot energy range for a first predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Chris Cheng-Chieh Lee
  • Patent number: 8194861
    Abstract: For generating a parametric representation of a multi-channel signal especially suitable for low-bit rate applications, only the location of the maximum of the sound energy within a replay setup is encoded and transmitted using direction parameter information. For multi-channel reconstruction, the energy distribution of the output channels identified by the direction parameter information is controlled by the direction parameter information, while the energy distribution in the remaining ambience channels is not controlled by the direction parameter information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Dolby International AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Henn, Jonas Roeden
  • Patent number: 8170884
    Abstract: Systems provide an audio/visual output to each of a plurality of listeners in a manner that permits individualized audio adjustment, wherein audio comprises a first signal that is substantially voice and a second signal that is substantially other than voice. The systems may include a video device, a storage medium, and a transmitter that transmits the first and second signals to a plurality of personal listening devices. Each of the plurality of personal listening devices may include first and second receivers, first and second adjustment devices, an audio signal combining device, and one or more transducers, wherein the systems permit each of the plurality of listeners to adjust the first and second signals independently of other ones of the plurality of listeners in an audience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Akiba Electronics Institute LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Vaudrey, William R. Saunders
  • Patent number: 8155362
    Abstract: A wireless listening system includes a base operable to receive an electrical signal corresponding to an audio signal, including the ring of an incoming telephone call, up-convert the audio signal to an infrared signal, and transmit the infrared audio signal wirelessly therefrom, and a wireless headset operable to selectably receive either the infrared audio signal transmitted by the base, or an infrared signal corresponding to an audio signal transmitted by a public address system, down-convert the received signal back into the audio signal, and audibly reproduce the audio signal to a wearer of the headset. The system enables a hearing impaired listeners to enjoy their favorite audio programs without disturbing nearby persons with normal hearing and without missing an incoming telephone call, and is also compatible with public IR PA systems currently used to assist the hearing impaired community.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dutton Chris, Corina Sandulescu, Ronald Webber, David G Lashley
  • Patent number: 8126173
    Abstract: A method includes splitting and filtering a left input signal and a right input signal to produce a plurality of frequency sub-bands. Each of the frequency sub-bands includes a left sub-band signal and a right sub-band signal. The method also includes processing the left and right sub-band signals associated with each of the frequency sub-bands into a plurality of sub-band channel signals. The plurality of sub-band channel signals includes at least three sub-band channel signals. In addition, the method includes summing corresponding ones of the sub-band channel signals for reproduction in a corresponding channel of a plurality of channels. The plurality of sub-band channel signals may include a left sub-band channel signal, a right sub-band channel signal, a center sub-band channel signal, a left surround sub-band channel signal, and a right surround sub-band channel signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan Wu, Sapna George
  • Patent number: 8116459
    Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that a reconstructed output channel, reconstructed with a multi-channel reconstructor using at least one downmix channel derived by downmixing a plurality of original channels and using a parameter representation including additional information on a temporal fine structure of an original channel can be reconstructed efficiently with high quality, when a generator for generating a direct signal component and a diffuse signal component based on the downmix channel is used. The quality can be essentially enhanced, if only the direct signal component is modified such that the temporal fine structure of the reconstructed output channel is fitting a desired temporal fine structure, indicated by the additional information on the temporal fine structure transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Sascha Disch, Karsten Linzmeier, Juergen Herre, Harald Popp
  • Patent number: 8112272
    Abstract: A sound source signal from a target sound source is allowed to be separated from a mixed sound which consists of sound source signals emitted from a plurality of sound sources without being affected by uneven sensitivity of microphone elements. A beamformer section 3 of a source separation device 1 performs beamforming processing for attenuating sound source signals arriving from directions symmetrical with respect to a perpendicular line to a straight line connecting two microphones 10 and 11 respectively by multiplying output signals from the microphones 10 and 11 after spectrum analysis by weighted coefficients which are complex conjugate to each other. Power computation sections 40 and 41 compute power spectrum information, and target sound spectrum extraction sections 50 and 51 extract spectrum information of a target sound source based on a difference between the power spectrum information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Asashi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumasa Nagahama, Shinya Matsui
  • Patent number: 8111829
    Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for encoding and decoding a stereo signal or a multi-channel signal. According to the method and apparatus, a stereo signal or a multi-channel signal can be encoded and/or decoded by generating parameters based on a mono signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-hyun Choo, Eun-mi Oh, Jung-hoe Kim, Boris Kudryashov, Sergey Petrov
  • Patent number: 8108220
    Abstract: The invention enables the inclusion of voice and remaining audio information at different parts of the audio production process. In particular, the invention embodies special techniques for VRA-capable digital mastering, accommodation of PCPV/PCA and/or SCRA signals in audio CODECs, VRA-capable encoders and decoders, and VRA in DVD and other digital audio file formats. The invention facilitates an end-listener's voice-to-remaining audio (VRA) adjustment upon the playback of digital audio media formats by focusing on new configurations of multiple parts of the entire digital audio system, thereby enabling a new technique intended to benefit audio end-users (end-listeners) who wish to control the ratio of the primary vocal/dialog content of an audio program relative to the remaining portion of the audio content in that program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Akiba Electronics Institute LLC
    Inventors: William R. Saunders, Michael A. Vaudrey
  • Patent number: 8103005
    Abstract: An audio signal is processed to derive primary and ambient components of the signal. The signal is first transformed to generate frequency-domain subband signals. Primary and ambient components are separated by comparing frequency subband content using a complex-valued similarity metric, wherein one of the primary and ambient components is determined to be the residual after the other is identified using the similarity metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Michael M. Goodwin, Carlos Avendano
  • Patent number: 8093841
    Abstract: An audio receiver may include a mono/stereo detector that causes the audio receiver to output either a monophonic or a stereophonic signal based on a difference between a pilot energy signal and a filtered pilot energy signal. The audio receiver includes a filter that filters the pilot energy signal to generate a filtered pilot energy signal, wherein a variable leakage factor associated with the filter is used to minimize a noise level of the filtered pilot energy signal and to reduce a response time of the audio receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Chris Cheng-Chieh Lee
  • Patent number: 8023659
    Abstract: In a situation where a plurality of virtual sound sources are fixedly located, a mixing system allows a listener to increase or decrease the sound volumes of the virtual sound sources with a simple operation. Directional angle difference detection means 24 detects a directional angle difference between a predetermined reference directional angle and an indicated directional angle which is determined by the listener by pointing with an operation unit 7 a certain direction in a virtual space where the virtual sound sources exist. Mixing means 5 mixes a plurality of audio signals supplied from a plurality of audio channels and outputs a mixed audio signal without adjustment, when the directional angle difference is zero degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Masatoshi Hamanaka, Yuuya Iketuki
  • Patent number: 7889871
    Abstract: The sound reproduction of a multichannel sound reproduction system with a plurality of speakers which is connected to the output of an FM stereo receiver is controlled by a control signal derived from the reception quality. Preferably, the control signal from the FM stereo receiver for controlling the stereo and mono components is also employed to control the multichannel sound reproduction system. For example, stereo, pseudo-stereo or mono reproduction are provided in the multichannel sound reproduction system in response to the stereo component within the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Gierl, Christoph Benz, Hans-Juergen Nitzpon, Andreas Koerner
  • Patent number: 7664271
    Abstract: A method for processing sound signal including an L side enhanced difference signal comprising a sum of a signal being removed low frequency component from L?R signal and an L+R signal, an R side enhanced difference signal comprising a sum of a signal being removed low frequency component from R?L signal and an R+L signal, an L side output signal comprising a subtraction of signals, in which said R side enhanced difference signal being delayed to remove low and high ranges and amplified by a predetermined amplifying rate for a purpose of cross cancellation talk is subtracted from said L side enhanced difference signal and an R side output signal comprising a subtraction of signals, in which said L side enhanced difference signal being delayed to remove low and high ranges and amplified by a predetermined amplifying rate for a purpose of cross cancellation talk is subtracted from said R side enhanced difference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: New Japan Radio Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Suzaki, Yoshinori Katou
  • Patent number: RE42093
    Abstract: An output reducing system for a telephone system, e.g., implemented in a headset, includes an input line and an output line, wherein the input line transmits an incoming signal to an output transducer and the output line transmits an outgoing signal from an input transducer, and a compressor system is provided in the input line for reducing the output signal level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sennheiser Communications A/S
    Inventors: Niels C. S. Hansen, Ole N. Christensen