Matrix Patents (Class 381/20)
  • Patent number: 8041041
    Abstract: A system for generating stereo-channel audio signals with surround information is disclosed. The system includes a surround mapping unit configured to receive signals from a number of audio channels and generate a pair of stereo-channel audio signals based on the audio channels. The pair of stereo-channel audio signals includes binaural and spatial information. The system also includes a stereo-channel encoder configured to receive and encode the pair of stereo-channel audio signals from the surround mapping unit thereby generating a pair of encoded stereo-channel audio signals. The system further includes a stereo-channel decoder configured to receive and decode the pair of encoded stereo-channel audio signals thereby obtaining the pair of stereo-channel audio signals. The pair of stereo-channel audio signals are capable of being used to generate surround effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Anyka (Guangzhou) Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fa-Long Luo, Zhenyu Wei, Xiang Wan, Norman Hu
  • Patent number: 8031879
    Abstract: A sound processing system reduces the instances when only a center speaker is heard. The gain of a volume setting is adjusted for individual speakers in response to one or more input signals. The gain of the center speaker is attenuated in relation to the global volume setting. In addition or as an alternative, the gain of front and/or rear speakers is increased. A virtual center channel is generated for locations where the center speaker may not be heard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Bradley F. Eid, William Neal House
  • Patent number: 8027480
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7987281
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancement and management of streaming audio is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system provides a client-side decoder that is compatible with numerous audio formats, so that a user can enjoy relatively high-quality audio from various sources, even from sources that do not provide multi-channel or high-quality audio data. The system and method also include a management system for managing and controlling the use of licensed signal processing software to further enhance an audio stream. In one embodiment, the management system is used to manage a signal processing module that provides psychoacoustic audio processing to create a wider soundstage, an acoustic correction process to increase the perceived height and clarity of the audio image, and bass enhancement processing to create the perception of low bass from the small speakers or headphones typically used with multi-media systems and portable audio players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: SRS Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. K. Yuen, Alan D. Kraemer, Charles R. Cortright, Jr., Jeffrey M. Claar
  • Publication number: 20110166866
    Abstract: A method of synthesizing a first (L) and a second (R) output signal from an input signal (x). The method comprises: filtering (201) the input signal to generate a filtered signal (Hx); obtaining a correlation parameter (?) indicative of a desired correlation between the first and second output signals; obtaining a level parameter (c) indicative of a desired level difference between the first and second input signals; and transforming the input signal and the filtered signal by a matrixing operation (203) into the first and second output signals, where the matrixing operation depends on the correlation parameter and the level parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Dirk Jeroen Breebaart
  • Patent number: 7965849
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7957538
    Abstract: A method of audio matrix decoding in which a moving sound image is restored includes decoding multichannel signals from stereo signals, extracting strengths and positions of virtual sound sources existing between channels based on power vectors of the decoded multichannel signals, comparing the strengths and positions of the extracted previous and current virtual sound sources to predict position movement and the strengths of the virtual sound sources, and redistributing powers to positions of channel speakers in a multichannel arrangement based on the predicted position of a sound image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-ho Cho
  • Patent number: 7933415
    Abstract: A method of synthesizing a first (L) and a second (R) output signal from an input signal (x). The method comprises: filtering (201) the input signal to generate a filtered signal; obtaining a correlation parameter indicative of a desired correlation between the first and second output signals; obtaining a level parameter (c) indicative of a desired level difference between the first and second input signals; and transforming the input signal and the filtered signal by a matrixing operation (203) into the first and second output signals, where the matrixing operation depends on the correlation parameter and the level parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Dirk Jeroen Breebaart
  • Patent number: 7876905
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7876904
    Abstract: Inputting of a parametrically encoded audio signal comprising at least one combined signal of a plurality of audio channels and one or more corresponding sets of side information describing a multi-channel sound image and including channel configuration information is shown along with deriving, from the channel configuration information, audio source location data describing at least one of horizontal and vertical positions of audio sources in the binaural audio signal; selecting, from a predetermined set of head-related transfer function filters, a left-right pair of head-related transfer function filters matching closest to the audio source location data, wherein the left-right pair of head-related transfer function filters is searched in a stepwise motion in a horizontal plane; and synthesizing a binaural audio signal from the at least one processed signal according to side information and the channel configuration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Pasi Ojala, Julia Turku
  • Patent number: 7873171
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7864966
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7864965
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7864964
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7801314
    Abstract: In an audio signal encoding apparatus, a first audio signal and a second audio signal are added into an addition-result signal. The first audio signal is subtracted from the second audio signal to generate a subtraction-result signal. A first difference signal is generated which represents a difference in the addition-result signal. A second difference signal is generated which represents a difference in the subtraction-result signal. A plurality of first predictors have different prediction characteristics respectively, and are responsive to the first difference signal for generating first different prediction signals for the first difference signal, respectively. A plurality of first subtracters operate for generating first prediction-error signals representing differences between the first difference signal and the first different prediction signals, respectively. A first minimum prediction-error signal representative of a smallest difference is selected from among the first prediction-error signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiko Fuchigami, Shoji Ueno, Yoshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7796765
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7792306
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7792305
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7792307
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7792308
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7792304
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7787631
    Abstract: A binaural cue coding scheme in which cue codes are derived from the transmitted audio signal. In one embodiment, an encoder downmixes C input channels to generate E transmitted channels, where C>E>1. A decoder derives cue codes from the transmitted channels and uses those cue codes to synthesize playback channels. For example, in one 5-to-2 BCC embodiment, the encoder downmixes a 5-channel surround signal to generate left and right channels of a stereo signal. The decoder derives stereo cues from the transmitted stereo signal, maps those stereo cues to surround cues, and applies the surround cues to the transmitted stereo channels to generate playback channels of a 5-channel synthesized surround signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Christof Faller
  • Patent number: 7783052
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7773756
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7773757
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7773758
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7769181
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7769178
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7769180
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7769179
    Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Terry D. Beard
  • Patent number: 7760890
    Abstract: A sound processing system for a vehicle includes a sound processor that is configured to mix at least one real audio input signal to form at least one virtual output signal. At least one audio signal that is available to drive at least one loudspeaker may be formed using the combination of the virtual output signal and the real audio input signal. The virtual output signal may be post processed to form a predetermined frequency range of the audio signal prior to being combined with the real audio input signal. The audio signal may be created by mixing the real audio input signal with the post processed virtual output signal. Alternatively, the audio signal may be formed by mixing the real audio input signal to form a real audio output signal, and then summing the real audio output signal with the post processed virtual output signal. Mixing may be performed with a crossbar mixer included in the sound processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth Carl Furge, Bradley F. Eid, Roger E. Shively
  • Patent number: 7761177
    Abstract: A method for generating an encoded audio signal, and a method for processing the same during the multi-channel audio coding are disclosed. The present invention provides the method for generating an encoded audio signal comprising: including basic configuration information requisite for a multi-channel audio coding process; and including extension configuration information, wherein the extension configuration information includes configuration information of extension environment which is identified by a type identifier (ID).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyen-O Oh, Hee Suk Pang, Dong Soo Kim, Jae Hyun Lim, Hyo Jin Kim, Yang-Won Jung
  • Publication number: 20100177903
    Abstract: Ambience signal components are obtained from source audio signals, matrix-decoded signal components are obtained from the source audio signals, and the ambience signal components are controllably combined with the matrix-decoded signal components. Obtaining ambience signal components may include applying at least one decorrelation filter sequence. The same decorrelation filter sequence may be applied to each of the input audio signals or, alternatively, a different decorrelation filter sequence may be applied to each of the input audio signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Stuart Vinton, Mark F. Davis, Charles Quito Robinson
  • Patent number: 7702407
    Abstract: A method for generating an encoded audio signal, and a method for processing the same during the multi-channel C audio coding are disclosed. The present invention provides the method for generating an encoded audio signal comprising: including fixed channel configuration information acting as configuration information of a predetermined output channel; and including arbitrary channel configuration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyen-O Oh, Hee Suk Pang, Dong Soo Kim, Jae Hyun Lim, Hyo Jin Kim, Yang-Won Jung
  • Patent number: 7693706
    Abstract: A method for generating an encoded audio signal, and a method for processing the same during the multi-channel audio coding are disclosed. The present invention provides the method for generating an encoded audio signal comprising: generating basic spatial information including basic configuration information requisite for a multi-channel audio coding process and basic data corresponding to the basic configuration information; and generating extension spatial information including extension configuration information selectively required for the multi-channel audio coding process and extension data corresponding to the extension configuration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyen-O Oh, Hee Suk Pang, Dong Soo Kim, Jae Hyun Lim, Hyo Jin Kim, Yang-Won Jung
  • 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: 7660424
    Abstract: Using an M:N variable matrix, M audio input signals, each associated with a direction, are translated to N audio output signals, each associated with a direction, wherein N is larger than M, M is two or more and N is a positive integer equal to three or more. The variable matrix is controlled in response to measures of: (1) the relative levels of the input signals, and (2) the cross-correlation of the input signals so that a soundfield generated by the output signals has a compact sound image in the nominal ongoing primary direction of the input signals when the input signals are highly correlated, the image spreading from compact to broad as the correlation decreases and progressively splitting into multiple compact sound images, each in a direction associated with an input signal, as the correlation continues to decrease to highly uncorrelated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Franklin Davis
  • Publication number: 20090316913
    Abstract: Audio signals that represent a sound field with increased spatial resolution are obtained by deriving signals that represent the sound field with high-order angular terms. This is accomplished by analyzing input audio signals representing the sound field with zero-order and first-order angular terms to derive statistical characteristics of one or more angular directions of acoustic energy in the sound field. Processed signals are derived from weighted combinations of the input audio signals in which the input audio signals are weighted according to the statistical characteristics. The input audio signals and the processed signals represent the sound field as a function of angular direction with angular terms of one or more orders greater than one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: David Stanley McGrath
  • Patent number: 7606716
    Abstract: Systems and processes for transmission of multi-channel audio from a sender to one or more recipients. Multi-channel audio is encoded with a plurality of different dialog channels. The encoded multi-channel audio and dialog channels can be compressed to facilitate transmission with limited bandwidth. A recipient can select a desired dialog channel from the plurality of dialog channels transmitted. A receiver side decoder can reconstruct a multi-channel audio with the selected dialog for playback. The plurality of dialog options can include different languages, different dialects, different accents, and/or different viewpoints/biases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: SRS Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan D. Kraemer
  • Patent number: 7583805
    Abstract: A scheme for stereo and multi-channel synthesis of inter-channel correlation (ICC) (normalized cross-correlation) cues for parametric stereo and multi-channel coding. The scheme synthesizes ICC cues such that they approximate those of the original. For that purpose, diffuse audio channels are generated and mixed with the transmitted combined (e.g., sum) signal(s). The diffuse audio channels are preferably generated using relatively long filters with exponentially decaying Gaussian impulse responses. Such impulse responses generate diffuse sound similar to late reverberation. An alternative implementation for reduced computational complexity is proposed, where inter-channel level difference (ICLD), inter-channel time difference (ICTD), and ICC synthesis are all carried out in the domain of a single short-time Fourier transform (STFT), including the filtering for diffuse sound generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Baumgarte, Christof Faller
  • Patent number: 7574264
    Abstract: A cochlear implant system in which information about the periodicity of a received audio signal in each filter channel is used as a factor in determining the rate of stimulation applied to a tonotopically placed electrode corresponding to the relevant filter channel. As such, the stimulation rate for each electrode is related to the periodicity of the signal in the filter channel corresponding to that electrode. This may allow for improved perception of pitch by the implant recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Joe Wolfe, Paul M. Carter, Robert Fearn, Niki Frampton, Simon G. Parker
  • Patent number: 7567676
    Abstract: The beginning detection, accommodation and frequency bias properties of the human hearing mechanism have been modeled to create systems that can detect directional transients (“sound events”) in a sound field and localize them. These systems break down a sound field into sound events and non-sound events and separately localize the sound events and non-sound events. Sound events are generally identified according to the frequency bias and beginning detection properties. Once detected, the sound events are generally localized according to differential steering angles (steering angles to which the steady-state signals have been accommodated) or ordinary steering angles, both of which reflect the direction of a sound event indicated during the rise-time of the sound event. When no sound events are detected, non-sound events are localized according to a steering angle that does not reflect rapid motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: David H. Griesinger
  • Patent number: 7558393
    Abstract: A system and method of producing an output sound field that is representative of an input sound field compatible with both existing prior art sound reproduction systems, for example ITU 5.1/6.1, and with a three-dimensional reproduction system unique to this disclosure. One embodiment of the disclosed system is comprised of a microphone array, an encoder, a decoder, and a plurality of speakers, some of which may not be located in the plane of the listener. A further embodiment discloses matrices to encode and decode the signals representative of the input and output sound fields respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Inventor: Robert E. Miller, III
  • Patent number: 7542815
    Abstract: A digital audio signal processing system and method transforms two-channel stereo time-domain data into the frequency domain. Vector operations are performed upon the frequency-domain data by which signal components unique to one of the input channels are routed to one of the output channels, signal components unique to the other of the input channels are routed to another of the output channels, and signal components common to both channels are routed to a third and optionally to a fourth output channel. The frequency-domain output channels are then transformed back into the time-domain, forming an equivalent number of channels of output audio data. The vector operations are performed in a manner that preserves the overall information content of the input data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Akita Blue, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Berchin
  • Publication number: 20090086983
    Abstract: A system and method of transmitting audio signals. Frequency modulated carrier signals that each have an audio signal are mixed. The mixed signal is converted into a low voltage signal into which a feed voltage is coupled. The coupled signal is transmitted through a single line of a transmission cable to an audio signal infrared transmitter unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Lear Corporation GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Thiele, Reinhold Schaef
  • Patent number: 7508947
    Abstract: A process for combining audio channels combines the audio channels to produce a combined audio channel and dynamically applies one or more of time, phase, and amplitude or power adjustments to the channels, to the combined channel, or to both the channels and the combined channel. One or more of the adjustments are controlled at least in part by a measure of auditory events in one or more of the channels and/or the combined channel. Applications include the presentation of multichannel audio in cinemas and vehicles. Not only methods, but also corresponding computer program implementations and apparatus implementations are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Michael John Smithers
  • Patent number: 7502477
    Abstract: A distributing circuit distributes audio signals of a predetermined number of channels to audio signals of a predetermined number of channels. A first signal processing circuit processes audio signals that are output from the distributing circuit in parallel, reproduces the resultant signals with a plurality of speakers, and localizes sound images of the individual audio signals at predetermined positions. A second signal processing circuit inputs audio signals that are output to the plurality of speakers and performs signal processes equivalent to the transfer functions from the individual speakers to both the ears of the listener. The output signals of the second signal processing circuit are reproduced with the headsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyofumi Inanaga, Yuji Yamada
  • Patent number: 7499553
    Abstract: The beginning detection, accommodation and frequency bias properties of the human hearing mechanism have been modeled to create systems that can detect directional transients (“sound events”) in a sound field and localize them. These systems break down a sound field into sound events and non-sound events and separately localize the sound events and non-sound events. Sound events are generally identified according to the frequency bias and beginning detection properties. Once detected, the sound events are generally localized according to differential steering angles (steering angles to which the steady-state signals have been accommodated) or ordinary steering angles, both of which reflect the direction of a sound event indicated during the rise-time of the sound event. When no sound events are detected, non-sound events are localized according to a steering angle that does not reflect rapid motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Harman International Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: David H. Griesinger
  • Patent number: 7463740
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus is designed for simulating an acoustic characteristic of an acoustic space which contains a sound source for generating a sound and a sound receiving point for receiving the sound. In the apparatus, each of a plurality of characteristic control sections processes sound data and outputs the processed sound data. The characteristic control sections correspond to transmission paths which must exist in the acoustic space such that the sound generated from the sound source travels to the sound receiving point through the respective transmission paths. An instruction section provides a processing instruction of the sound data to each characteristic control section such that each characteristic control section processes the sound data according to the provided processing instruction to thereby execute the simulation of the sound traveling through the corresponding transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Kushida
  • Patent number: 7447321
    Abstract: A sound processing system for a vehicle includes a sound processor that is configured to mix at least one real audio input signal to form at least one virtual output signal. At least one audio signal that is available to drive at least one loudspeaker may be formed using the combination of the virtual output signal and the real audio input signal. The virtual output signal may be post processed to form a predetermined frequency range of the audio signal prior to being combined with the real audio input signal. The audio signal may be created by mixing the real audio input signal with the post processed virtual output signal. Alternatively, the audio signal may be formed by mixing the real audio input signal to form a real audio output signal, and then summing the real audio output signal with the post processed virtual output signal. Mixing may be performed with a crossbar mixer included in the sound processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth Carl Furge, Bradley F. Eid, Roger E. Shively