Binaural And Stereophonic Patents (Class 381/1)
  • Patent number: 8625808
    Abstract: Provided are an audio encoding method and apparatus and an audio decoding method and apparatus in which audio signals can be encoded or decoded so that sound images can be localized at any desired position for each object audio signal. The audio decoding method includes extracting a downmix signal and object-based side information from an audio signal; generating channel-based side information based on object-based side information and control information for rendering the downmix signal; processing the downmix signal using a decorrelated channel signal; and generating a multi-channel audio signal using the processed downmix signal and the channel-based side information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: LG Elecronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Soo Kim, Hee Suk Pang, Jae Hyun Lim, Sung Yong Yoon, Hyun Kook Lee
  • 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: 8625820
    Abstract: An amplifier circuit which, includes a first input for receiving a first input signal and a second input for receiving a second input signal. A first amplifier section is connected to the first input and the second input is present. The first amplifier section can combine the first signal and the second signal into a first combined signal, the first amplifier being connected to a first output, for outputting the first combined signal. A second amplifier section is connected to the first input and the second input, for combining the first signal and the second signal into a second combined signal, the second amplifier being connected to a second output, for outputting the second combined signal. A common mode section is connected to the first input and the second input, for generating a common mode signal based on a combination of the first signal and the second signal and outputting the common mode signal at a common output connected to the common mode amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Ludovic Oddoart, Gerhard Trauth, Jean-Luc Charlet
  • Patent number: 8620006
    Abstract: An audio system including a rendering processor for separately rendering a dialogue channel and a center music channel. The audio system may include circuitry for extracting one or both of the dialogue channel or the center music channel from program material that does not include both a dialogue channel and a center music channel. The dialogue channel and the center music channel may be radiated with different radiation patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: William Berardi, Hilmar Lehnert, Guy Torio
  • Patent number: 8620012
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for providing a stereo effect when playing an audio file at a portable terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a component extractor for extracting a mono component and stereo components from an audio signal and a gain controller for determining a signal ratio of the stereo components to the mono component and for controlling a stereo gain according to the signal ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gang-Youl Kim
  • Patent number: 8620011
    Abstract: A method, medium, and system generating a 3-dimensional (3D) stereo signal in a decoder by using a surround data stream. According to such a method, medium, and system, a head related transfer function (HRTF) is applied in a quadrature mirror filter (QMF) domain, thereby generating a 3D stereo signal by using a surround data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junghoe Kim, Eunmi Oh, Kihyun Choo, Miao Lei
  • Patent number: 8619998
    Abstract: The present invention describes techniques that can be used to provide novel methods of spatial audio rendering using adapted M-S matrix shuffler topologies. Such techniques include headphone and loudspeaker-based binaural signal simulation and rendering, stereo expansion, multichannel upmix and pseudo multichannel surround rendering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Martin Walsh, Jean Marc Jot, Edward Stein
  • Patent number: 8615092
    Abstract: A sound processing device includes: a plurality of sound input units; a detecting unit for detecting a frequency component of each sound input to the plurality of sound signal unit, the each sound arriving from a direction approximately perpendicular to a line determined by arrangement positions of two sound input units among the plurality of sound input units; a correction coefficient unit for obtaining a correction coefficient for correcting a level of at least one of the sound signals generated from the input sounds by the two sound input units so as to match the levels of the sound signals with each other based on the sound of the detected frequency component; a correcting unit for correcting the level of at least one of the sound signals using the obtained correction coefficient; and a processing unit for performing a sound process based on the sound signal with the corrected level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Naoshi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 8611546
    Abstract: A radio configured to dynamically control cancellation of undesired signals in an audio stream. The radio includes a noise cancellation processor configured to receive an audio stream from a user and to alter information in the audio stream by filtering out undesired signals in the audio stream. The radio also includes a receiving component configured to receive a data packet from a remote device, to retrieve configuration information from the data packet, and to dynamically apply the configuration information, while the radio is being used by a user, to settings associated with the noise cancellation processor. A dynamically enabled noise cancellation processor suppresses undesired signals associated with a subsequent incoming audio stream provided by the user and transmits at least one of an altered audio stream or an unaltered audio stream to the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Williams, Blake C. Moselle, Matthew E. Simms, Charles B. Swope
  • Patent number: 8605914
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a system, a method and a circuit for processing a stereo audio signal. According to some embodiments, the system for processing a stereo audio signal may include an audio processing circuit. The audio processing module or circuit may be operatively connected to an audio input interface and to an output audio interface. Through the audio input interface, the audio processing circuit may be adapted for receiving a 2-channels stereo audio signal. The audio processing module may be adapted for determining an output mono audio signal representing the center sound and a stereo audio signal representing the stereo sound without the center. Through the output interface the audio processing circuit may provide each of an output mono audio signal representing the center sound and a stereo audio signal representing the stereo sound without the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Waves Audio Ltd.
    Inventor: Itai Neoran
  • Publication number: 20130315402
    Abstract: A method for encoding multiple directional audio signals using an integrated codec by a wireless communication device is disclosed. The wireless communication device records a plurality of directional audio signals. The wireless communication device also generates a plurality of audio signal packets based on the plurality of directional audio signals. At least one of the audio signal packets includes an averaged signal. The wireless communication device further transmits the plurality of audio signal packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Erik Visser, Lae-Hoon Kim, Pei Xiang
  • Patent number: 8594336
    Abstract: A sound image localization apparatus comprises an L direct output section that produces an output signal by inputting an audio signal of a rear left audio input channel to a filter having a characteristic obtained by dividing RLD by LD, an L cross output section that produces an output signal by inputting the audio signal of the rear left audio input channel to a filter having a characteristic obtained by dividing RLC by LC, an R cross output section that produces an output signal by inputting an audio signal of a rear right audio input channel to a filter having a characteristic obtained by dividing RRC by RC, an R direct output section that produces an output signal by inputting the audio signal of the rear right audio input channel to a filter having a characteristic obtained by dividing RRD by RD, a first adding section that adds a difference signal between the output signal of the L direct output section and the output signal of the R cross output section to an audio signal of a front left audio input ch
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Katayama
  • Patent number: 8588440
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as a decoder is arranged to modify the sweet-spot of a spatial M-channel audio signal by modifying spatial parameters. Specifically, a receiver (201) receives an N-channel audio signal where N<M. The M-channel signal may specifically be an MPEG Surround sound signal and the N-channel signal may be a stereo signal. A parameter unit (203) determines spatial parameters relating the N-channel audio signal to the spatial M-channel audio signal and a modifying unit (207) modifies the sweet-spot of the spatial M-channel audio signal by modifying at least one of the spatial parameters. A generating unit (205) then generates the spatial M-channel audio signal by up-mixing the N-channel audio signal using the at least one modified spatial parameter. An efficient and/or low complexity sweet-spot manipulation is achieved by an integration of sweet-spot manipulation and multi-channel generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen Gerardus Henricus Koppens, Erik Gosuinus Petrus Schuijers
  • Patent number: 8588947
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing an audio signal and method thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyen-O Oh, Yang Won Jung
  • Patent number: 8577045
    Abstract: An encoding apparatus comprises a frame processor (105) which receives a multi channel audio signal comprising at least a first audio signal from a first microphone (101) and a second audio signal from a second microphone (103). An ITD processor 107 then determines an inter time difference between the first audio signal and the second audio signal and a set of delays (109, 111) generates a compensated multi channel audio signal from the multi channel audio signal by delaying at least one of the first and second audio signals in response to the inter time difference signal. A combiner (113) then generates a mono signal by combining channels of the compensated multi channel audio signal and a mono signal encoder (115) encodes the mono signal. The inter time difference may specifically be determined by an algorithm based on determining cross correlations between the first and second audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan A. Gibbs
  • Patent number: 8565455
    Abstract: A method and a system are described providing multiple display systems with an enhanced acoustics experience. A source audio signal having a plurality of source audio channels is generated from an audio signal source. The system includes a plurality of speakers connected to a plurality of display systems. A speaker configuration gatherer determines the spatial configuration of the speakers. An audio signal processor is provided to generate synthesized audio signal based on the contents of the source audio signal and spatial configuration of the speakers. The synthesized audio signal is mapped and delivered to the speakers to produce an enhanced sound field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Devon Worrell, Vishnu Balraj, Srikanth Kambhatla, Kar Leong Wong
  • Publication number: 20130272525
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing audio metadata, the apparatus including an audio data generating unit to generate audio metadata including channel information of raw audio data, and an audio metadata transmitting unit to transmit the generated audio metadata to an apparatus for reproducing audio data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jae Hyoun YOO, Jeong Il SEO, Tae Jin LEE, Kyeong Ok KANG
  • Publication number: 20130272526
    Abstract: An apparatus for decomposing an input signal having a number of at least three input channels includes a downmixer for downmixing the input signal to obtain a downmixed signal having a smaller number of channels. Furthermore, an analyzer for analyzing the downmixed signal to derive an analysis result is provided, and the analysis result is forwarded to a signal processor for processing the input signal or a signal derived from the input signal to obtain the decomposed signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Andreas WALTHER
  • Patent number: 8559653
    Abstract: A multi-channel decoding method includes: receiving an input signal to generate a channel output signal; providing a first test signal serving as the input signal in a first calibration mode; and adjusting a DC voltage level of the channel output signal with a first calibration signal by reducing a difference between a first predetermined reference signal level and a DC voltage level of the channel output signal generated from the first test signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventors: Chieh-Hung Chen, Tsung-Ling Li, Chia-Huang Fu
  • Patent number: 8559644
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for sound comprising a sound source generating unit for generating an electric signal from a sound source, N (N?2) amplifiers which are connected in series so that the output part of one amplifier is connected with the input part of the other amplifier and one of them is connected with the sound source generating unit, and 2N speakers which are respectively connected with left and right output parts of each of the N amplifiers. According to one aspect of the invention there is formed a multiple stereo imaging including a first stereo imaging, a first mono imaging, a second mono imaging and a second stereo imaging generated by the first mono imaging and the second mono imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: Won Sup Chung, Uk Don Choi
  • Patent number: 8553890
    Abstract: A sound reproduction system includes low frequency speaker units for reproducing low frequency sounds by receiving audio signals on low frequency channels among a plurality of channels, and a holder for holding the low frequency speaker units so as to be disposed in the vicinity of both ears of a listener without being mounted on baffle boards so that sounds from front and back surfaces of diaphragms of the low frequency speaker units are added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Teppei Yokota
  • Patent number: 8553892
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for processing an audio signal with two or more channels into a monaural signal are provided. For example, an electronic device configured to perform such techniques may include audio signal processing circuitry, which may receive a first audio channel signal and a second audio channel signal. Based on these signals, the audio signal processing circuitry may output a monaural signal as a sum or a difference of the first and second audio channel signals, or as a combination thereof, depending at least in part on a phase relationship between the first and second audio channel signals. Additionally or alternatively, the audio signal processing circuitry may adjust a timing relationship between the first and second audio channel signals depending at least in part on the phase relationship, before combining a proportion of the first and second audio channel signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aram Lindahl, Joseph M. Williams, Gints Valdis Klimanis
  • Patent number: 8553891
    Abstract: A stereo audio decoder generates a set of stereo output channels in response to a parametric audio input including signal parameters and stereo related parameters. A parameter processor generates two different set of parameters based on the input signal parameters thus up-mixing the signal parameters by altering or manipulating the signal parameters corresponding to the stereo related parameters. The two different parameters are synthesized by separate signal synthesizers to form respective stereo output channels. The signal synthesizers may be sinusoidal synthesizers, and the decoder also includes transient and noise synthesizers to generate transient and noise signal portions to be applied to the stereo output channels. Further, different transient and noise signal portions to the output channels may be provided by applying different gains based on the stereo related parameter. The two different parameters may be determined from current and previous signal parameter inputs using an input delay line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Marek Zbigniew Szczerba, Erik Gosuinus Petrus Schuijers, Paulus Henricus Antonius Dillen
  • Publication number: 20130259236
    Abstract: An audio apparatus and a method of converting an audio signal are provided. The method includes: receiving a first audio signal including a plurality of channels; comparing audio signals of the plurality of channels to estimate a source position of the first audio signal; localizing a source of the first audio signal toward a three-dimensional (3D) position having an elevation component based on the estimated source position; converting the first audio signal into a second audio signal including the plurality of channels and at least one channel having, based on the localized source, a different elevation from the plurality of channels; and outputting the second audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang-bae CHON, Sun-min KIM, Jeong-su KIM
  • Patent number: 8532495
    Abstract: A method performed by a networked device for energy efficient operation of an optical transceiver of the networked device is described herein. It is determined whether a port control of the networked device is enabled to operate in an energy efficient state. Where the port control is enabled to operate in the energy efficient state and an absence of a valid receive energy from a link partner is determined, a laser transmitter of the optical transceiver is pulsed by asserting and de-asserting a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Keng Hua Chuang, Daniel Joseph Dove, Mark Gravel, Yee Hong Tan, Lawrence Lee Chee How
  • Patent number: 8520873
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for improving sound localization of the human ear. In some embodiments, the method may include creating virtual movement of a plurality of localized sources by applying a periodic function to one or more location parameters of a head related transfer function (HRTF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventors: Jerry Mahabub, Stephan M. Bernsee, Gary Smith
  • Patent number: 8520871
    Abstract: A device for processing parameters representing Head-Related Transfer Functions includes an input stage configured to receive audio signals of sound sources, a determinor configured to receive reference parameters representing Head-Related Transfer Functions and configured to determine, from the audio signals, position information representing positions and/or directions of the sound sources. A processor is configured to process the audio signals; and an influencer is configured to influence the processing of the audio signals based on the position information yielding an influenced output audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen Dirk Breebaart, Michel Machiel Willem Van Loon
  • Publication number: 20130201398
    Abstract: A mixer for a touchscreen device is disclosed. The mixer includes a body. A dock on the body is configured and arranged to receive a touchscreen device therein. The mixer also includes a number of audio inputs and a main audio output. An integrated data interface is configured and arranged to connect to the touchscreen device. An audio codec processor configured and arranged to receive audio through the audio inputs and selectively route mixed audio to the main audio output and through the integrated data interface to the touchscreen device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: ALESIS, L.P.
    Inventor: ALESIS, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130202114
    Abstract: A first apparatus performs the following: determining, using at least two microphone signals corresponding to left and right microphone signals and using at least one further microphone signal, directional information of the left and right microphone signals; outputting a first signal corresponding to the left microphone signal; outputting a second signal corresponding to the right microphone signal; and outputting a third signal corresponding to the determined directional information. Another apparatus performs the following: performing at least one of the following: outputting first and second signals as stereo output signals; or converting the first and second signals to mid and side signals, and converting, using directional information for the first and second signals, the mid and side signals to at least one of binaural signals or multi-channel signals, and outputting the corresponding binaural signals or multi-channel signals. Additional apparatus, program products, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Mikko T. Tammi, Miikka T. Vilermo
  • Patent number: 8503682
    Abstract: A head-related transfer function (HRTF) convolution method arranged, when an audio signal is reproduced acoustically by an electro-acoustic conversion unit disposed in a nearby position of both ears of a listener, to convolute an HRTF into the audio signal, which allows the listener to listen to the audio signal such that a sound image is localized in a perceived virtual sound image localization position, the method including the steps of: measuring, when a sound source is disposed in the virtual sound image localization position, and a sound-collecting unit is disposed in the position of the electro-acoustic conversion unit, a direct-wave direction HRTF regarding the direction of a direct wave, and reflected-wave direction HRTFs regarding the directions of selected one or more reflected waves, from the sound source to the sound-collecting unit, separately beforehand; and convoluting the obtained direct-wave direction HRTF, and the reflected-wave direction HRTFs into the audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Fukui, Ayataka Nishio
  • Patent number: 8494192
    Abstract: An audio reproducing system includes a pair of speaker units, a mounting unit for mounting the pair of speaker units, without being attached to a baffle board, to the vicinity of a listener's ears in a manner such that sounds emitted from the front and back of a diaphragm of each speaker unit are mixed, and an audio signal output unit for virtual sound imaging an input audio signal and outputting the virtual sound imaged signal to the pair of speaker units in a manner such that the listener listens to a sound reproduced by the pair of speaker units feeling as if the sound is emitted from a different speaker device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Teppei Yokota, Nobuyuki Kihara
  • Patent number: 8494189
    Abstract: In a virtual sound source localization apparatus, a distance between two loudspeakers and a shortest distance between a line connecting the loudspeakers and a listening position are set beforehand, and a listener operates an operating section to localize a Cch sound source at an approximately center of the loudspeakers, thereby adjusting a sound balance of the loudspeakers. In addition, a controller calculates a difference in distance from the loudspeakers to the listening position, sets a delay amount of delay correctors such that sound emitted from the loudspeakers substantially reaches the listening position simultaneously, and adjusts sound output timing of the loudspeakers. In this way, even though the listening position is changed, the listener can operate the operating section to optimize a virtual surround effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Katayama
  • Publication number: 20130182850
    Abstract: A channel selection circuit in a serial audio communication device provides channel selection for insertion or extraction of data to or from a multiplexed serial data stream without the requirement of extra channel selection inputs. The channel selection circuit has multiple counters structured such that each counter represents a channel of the serial data stream. The input of each counter receives one of the multiple synchronizing timing signals. The input of the designated counter receives one timing signal that has the greatest frequency. The remaining counters receive the word select timing signals for determining which channel is being selected. A ready output of each counter is a channel indicator in communication with multiple signal selection circuits for selecting the multiple timing signals to be transferred to a data processing device for inserting or extracting data to or from the multiplexed serial data stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: DIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR B.V.
    Inventors: Marinus Wilhelmus Kruiskamp, Jakobus Johannes Verhallen
  • Patent number: 8488819
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing a media signal and method thereof are disclosed, by which the media signal can be converted to a surround signal by using spatial information of the media signal. The present invention provides a method of processing a signal, the method comprising of generating source mapping information corresponding to each source of multi-sources by using spatial information indicating features between the multi-sources; generating sub-rendering in formation by applying filter information giving a surround effect to the source mapping in formation per the source; generating rendering information for generating a surround signal by integrating the at least one of the sub-rendering information; and generating the surround signal by applying the rendering information to a downmix signal generated by downmixing the multi-sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hee Suk Pang, Dong Soo Kim, Jae Hyun Lim, Hyen O Oh, Yang-Won Jung
  • Patent number: 8488798
    Abstract: This audio matrix surround decoder requires minimal digital processing, useful in portable applications, particularly in playback from a portable player using a headphone or loudspeaker virtualizer. In one embodiment it pans inputs Lt and Rt to outputs associated with front directions in response to a measure of the sum of Lt and Rt being greater than a measure of the difference between Lt and Rt, and pans Lt and Rt to outputs associated with rear directions in response to a measure of the sum of Lt and Rt being less than a measure of the difference between Lt and Rt. Lt and Rt are modified to shift the direction of reproduced signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: David McGrath, Christophe Chabanne
  • Patent number: 8483396
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the sound processing of a stereophonic signal inside a motor vehicle. In a first implementation (“driver” mode) the stereophonic sound source is centered in the middle of the dashboard for the ‘driver’ listen position. For this purpose, delays (t1-t4) are introduced into the frequency bands of the channels transmitted by the speakers, such that the driver appears to be at the center of a circle on which the car speakers are positioned. In a second implementation (“all passengers” mode), the phases of the signals of the two front channels are equalized, such that the sound source appears to be centered on the driver and the front passenger of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Arkamys
    Inventors: Frederic Amadu, Yann Lecoeur
  • Publication number: 20130170679
    Abstract: A device may store a subset of a plurality of head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) for emulating stereo sound from a source in three-dimensional (3D) space, each of the HRTFs corresponding to a direction from which the stereo sound is perceived to arrive, by a user hearing the stereo sound. The device may also obtain a first direction from which first stereo sound is perceived to arrive, by the user and determine whether the subset of the plurality of HRTFs includes a first HRTF corresponding to the first direction, wherein the plurality of HRTFs include the first HRTF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
    Inventors: Martin Nystrom, Sead Smailagic
  • Patent number: 8477949
    Abstract: Challenges to the implementation of equalization in the 2.1 environment arise from the constraints imposed by HD audio requirements and Windows® Vista™. A hybrid software hardware solution overcomes many of the challenges by exploiting the software capability for equalization and using a hardware codec to perform the separation into high frequency and low frequency audio streams needed to drive stereo speakers and a subwoofer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Larsen, Mouna Elkhatib, James W Wihardja, Jonathan Chien
  • Patent number: 8472631
    Abstract: An audio enhancement system and method for use receives a group of multi-channel audio signals and provides a simulated surround sound environment through playback of only two output signals. The multi-channel audio signals comprise a pair of front signals intended for playback from a forward sound stage and a pair of rear signals intended for playback from a rear sound stage. The front and rear signals are modified in pairs by separating an ambient component of each pair of signals from a direct component and processing at least some of the components with a head-related transfer function. Processing of the individual audio signal components is determined by an intended playback position of the corresponding original audio signals. The individual audio signal components are then selectively combined with the original audio signals to form two enhanced output signals for generating a surround sound experience upon playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: DTS LLC
    Inventors: Arnold I. Klayman, Alan D. Kraemer
  • Patent number: 8466363
    Abstract: The present invention improves a processing speed by combining simple sound source species with a basic configuration and processing the combination as a single sound source when sound sources and sound fields are placed and formed in a three-dimensional virtual space. For example, a sound source object with a complicated shape, such as a river, includes first sound source objects with shapes of rectangular parallelepipeds and second sound source objects with shapes of triangular prisms. The first and second sound source objects have the same identification numbers and have sound data related to a sound of the sound source object with the complicated shape, such as a babbling sound of the river. When one of the first and second sound source objects is the closest to a player character, sound generation processing is executed based on that sound source object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Square Enix
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 8457157
    Abstract: Electronic devices and equipment may communicate over a wired communications path. The wired communications path may include one or more wires and may be associated with a headphone cable. Data may be conveyed in the form of a digital data stream containing multiple traffic channels. The digital data stream may include superframes, each of which has multiple frames of data. The frames of data may each contain a number of data slots. Some of the slots in a superframe may be used exclusively by a particular one of the traffic channels. Boundary slots may be shared between traffic channels. Data interface circuitry may implement a data dispersion algorithm that determines the pattern in which data from each traffic channel is distributed within each boundary slot. Transmitting data interface circuitry may merge traffic channels into a single data stream. Receiving data interface circuitry may reconstruct the traffic channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Sander, Barry Corlett, David John Tupman, Brian Sander, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Andrew Bright, Anup Sharma
  • Patent number: 8442237
    Abstract: A stereo sound generation apparatus and method of reproducing multi-channel sound input signals through two-channel speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sun-min Kim, Sang-il Park
  • Publication number: 20130114816
    Abstract: A device for the sharing audio signals. A pair of headphones includes circuitry for connecting to an audio signal input, as is typical, but also for connecting to an audio signal output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Noel Lee, David Leung
  • 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: 8422690
    Abstract: There is provided an audio reproduction apparatus. The audio reproduction apparatus comprises a first acquisition unit, a determination unit, a calculation unit, a second acquisition unit, and a generation unit. The configuration of the audio reproduction apparatus enables changing a head-related transfer function for signal processing in audio signal reproduction in accordance with the state of the audio recording apparatus at the time of audio signal acquisition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Matsuura
  • Patent number: 8417518
    Abstract: A voice recognition system comprises: a voice input unit that receives an input signal from a voice input element and output it; a voice detection unit that detects an utterance segment in the input signal; a voice recognition unit that performs voice recognition for the utterance segment; and a control unit that outputs a control signal to at least one of the voice input unit and the voice detection unit and suppresses a detection frequency if the detection frequency satisfies a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Iwasawa
  • Patent number: 8391791
    Abstract: Sound quality is enhanced in a sound system including handsets and headsets. Handset sound enhancing algorithms are implemented in a handset. The handset automatically determines which, if any, of a plurality of headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in a headset in communication with the handset. The handset determines how to use the handset sound enhancing algorithms in a sound processing channel based on which of the headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in the headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Clarity Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond W. Gunn, Michael A. Hayes
  • Patent number: 8391500
    Abstract: A system and method for rendering a virtual sound source using a plurality of speakers in an arbitrary arrangement includes expanding a wave field of the virtual sound source and a composite wave field generated by the plurality of speakers into multi-pole expansions, and equating the multi-pole expansions to each other to form a continuous equation. A set of constraints is applied to the continuous equation that minimize an error in a sweet spot region resulting in a linear system of equations. The linear system of equations is solved using singular-value decomposition to arrive at a pseudo-inverse representing a multi-dimensional transfer function between the virtual sound source and the plurality of speakers. The multi-dimensional transfer function is then applied to a signal of the virtual sound source to render the virtual sound source in the sweet spot region using the plurality of speakers in the arbitrary arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jens Hannemann, Kevin D. Donohue
  • 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: 8391499
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method and apparatus is provided for generating a first pressure wave propagating in a first direction, said first pressure wave adapted to interact with at least a first portion of a plurality of environmental objects and to produce a first response audible to a user, for generating a second pressure wave propagating in a second direction, said second pressure wave adapted to interact with at least a second portion of the plurality of environmental objects and to produce a second response audible to the user; and for causing additional iterations of the first and second pressure waves. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the first pressure wave is initiated with a first abrupt increase in amplitude and the second pressure wave is initiated with a second abrupt increase in amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Ross Daniel Snyder