IP Library Granted Patent US 7,012,183
Granted Patent B2
US 7,012,183 · App. 10/713,691 · Granted Mar 14, 2006

Apparatus for analyzing an audio signal with regard to rhythm information of the audio signal by using an autocorrelation function

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,012,183
App. No.
10/713,691
Granted
Mar 14, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for analyzing an audio signal with regard to rhythm information of the audio signal by using an autocorrelation function comprises a filter bank for separating the audio signal into at least two sub-band signals. The sub-band signals are examined with regard to periodicities by an autocorrelation function, to obtain rhythm raw-information for the at least two sub-band signals. To reduce or eliminate the ambiguities of the autocorrelation function for periodical signals, the rhythm raw-information is postprocessed to obtain post-processed rhythm raw-information for the sub-band signal. The rhythm information of the audio signal is established based on the postprocessed rhythm raw-information. By the sub-band-wise ACF postprocessing, ACF ambiguities are already eliminated where they originate, and rhythm portions are added at double tempi, which an autocorrelation function processing does normally not provide, so that, as a result, a more robust determination of the rhythm information of the audio signal arises.

Claims (37)

1. Apparatus for analyzing an audio signal with regard to rhythm information of the audio signal by using an autocorrelation function, comprising:

means for dividing the audio signal into at least two sub-band signals;

means for examining at least one sub-band signal with regard to a periodicity in the at least one sub-band signal by an autocorrelation function, to obtain rhythm raw-information for the sub-band signal, wherein a delay is associated to a peak of the autocorrelation function;

means for postprocessing the rhythm raw-information for the sub-band signal determined by the autocorrelation function, to obtain postprocessed rhythm raw-information for the sub-band signal, so that in the postprocessed rhythm raw-information an ambiguity in an integer multiple of a delay, to which an autocorrelation function peak is associated, is reduced compared to the rhythm raw-information before post processing, or a signal portion is added at an integer fraction of a delay, the integer fraction being determined by dividing “1” by an integer, to which an autocorrelation function peak is associated; and

means for establishing the rhythm information of the audio signal by using the postprocessed rhythm raw-information of the sub-band signal and by using another sub-band signal of the at least two sub-band signals.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the means for postprocessing comprises:

means for calculating a version of the rhythm raw-information of a sub-band signal spread by an integer factor; and

means for subtracting the version of the rhythm raw-information of the sub-band signal spread by an integer factor larger than one, or a version of the rhythm raw-information of the sub-band signal derived from this version, to obtain the postprocessed rhythm raw-information for the sub-band signal.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein means for subtracting is disposed to perform, prior to subtracting, a weighting of the spread version with a factor between zero and one, to generate the derived version.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein means for postprocessing comprises:

means for calculating a version of the rhythm raw-information compressed by an integer factor larger than one; and

means for adding the compressed version of the rhythm raw-information of the sub-band signal or a version derived therefrom to the rhythm raw-information of the sub-band signal, to obtain the postprocessed rhythm raw-information for the sub-band signal.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the means for adding is disposed to perform, prior to adding, a weighting of the compressed version of the rhythm raw-information by a factor between zero and one, such that a weighted compressed version of the rhythm raw-information is added to the rhythm raw-information of the sub-band signal to generate the derived version.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

means for evaluating a quality of the periodicity of the postprocessed rhythm raw-information, to obtain a significance measure for the sub-band signal,

wherein means for establishing is further disposed to establish the rhythm information of the audio signal by considering the significance measure of the sub-band signal.

7. Method for analyzing an audio signal with regard to rhythm information of the audio signal by using an autocorrelation function, comprising:

dividing the audio signal into at least two sub-band signals,

examining at least one sub-band signal with regard to a periodicity in the at least one sub-band signal by an autocorrelation function, to obtain rhythm raw-information for the sub-band signal, wherein a delay is associated to a peak of the autocorrelation function;

postprocessing the rhythm raw-information for the sub-band signal determined by the autocorrelation function, to obtain postprocessed rhythm raw-information for the sub-band signal, so that in the postprocessed rhythm raw-information an ambiguity in the integer multiple of a delay, to which an autocorrelation function peak is associated, is reduced compared to the rhythm raw-information before post processing, or a signal portion is added at an integer fraction of a delay, the integer fraction being determined by dividing “1” by an integer, to which an autocorrelation function peak is associated; and

establishing the rhythm information of the audio signal by using the postprocessed rhythm raw-information of the sub-band signal and by using a further sub-band signal of the at least two sub-band signals.

8. Apparatus for analyzing an audio signal with regard to rhythm information of the audio signal by using an autocorrelation function, comprising:

means for examining the audio signal with regard to a periodicity in the audio signal, to obtain rhythm raw-information for the audio signal, wherein a delay is associated to a peak of the autocorrelation function;

means for postprocessing the rhythm raw-information for the audio signal determined by the autocorrelation function, to obtain postprocessed rhythm raw-information for the audio signal by adding a version of the rhythm raw information upset by an integer factor, so that in the postprocessed rhythm raw-information a signal portion is added at an integer fraction of a delay, the integer fraction being determined by dividing “1” by an integer, to which an autocorrelation function peak is associated; and

means for establishing rhythm information of the audio signal by using the postprocessed rhythm raw-information of the audio signal.

9. Apparatus for analyzing an audio signal with regard to rhythm information of the audio signal by using an autocorrelation function, comprising:

means for examining the audio signal with regard to a periodicity in the audio signal, to obtain rhythm raw-information for the audio signal, wherein a delay is associated to a peak of the autocorrelation function;

means for postprocessing the rhythm raw-information for the audio signal determined by the autocorrelation function, to obtain postprocessed rhythm raw-information for the audio signal, by subtracting a version of the rhythm raw-information weighted by a factor unequal one and spread by an integer factor larger than one; and

means for establishing the rhythm information of the audio signal by using the postprocessed rhythm raw-information of the audio signal.

10. Method for analyzing an audio signal with regard to rhythm information of the audio signal by using an autocorrelation function, comprising:

examining the audio signal with regard to a periodicity in the audio signal, to obtain rhythm raw-information for the audio signal, wherein a delay is associated to a peak of the autocorrelation function;

postprocessing the rhythm raw-information for the audio signal by the autocorrelation function, to obtain postprocessed rhythm raw-information for the audio signal by adding a version of the rhythm raw information upset by an integer factor, so that in the postprocessed rhythm raw-information a signal portion is added at an integer fraction of a delay, the integer fraction being determined by dividing “1” by an integer, to which an autocorrelation function peak is associated; and

establishing the rhythm information of the audio signal by using the postprocessed rhythm raw-information of the audio signal.

11. Method for analyzing an audio signal with regard to rhythm information of the audio signal by using an autocorrelation function, comprising:

examining the audio signal with regard to a periodicity in the audio signal, to obtain rhythm raw-information for the audio signal, wherein a delay is associated to a peak of the autocorrelation function;

postprocessing the rhythm raw-information for the audio signal determined by the autocorrelation function, to obtain postprocessed rhythm raw-information for the audio signal, by subtracting a version of the rhythm raw-information weighted with a factor unequal one and spread by an integer factor larger than one; and

establishing the rhythm information of the audio signal by using the postprocessed rhythm raw-information of the audio signal.

Assignments (13)
RELEASE (REEL 053473 / FRAME 0001) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063603/0001 →
RELEASE (REEL 054066 / FRAME 0064) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063605/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 063574/0632 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063561/0381 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063560/0547 →
RELEASE (REEL 042262 / FRAME 0601) Recorded Oct 13, 2022
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 061748/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENTS LISTED ON SCHEDULE 1 RECORDED ON 6-9-2020 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 053473 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SUPPLEMENTAL IP SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Oct 7, 2020
From: A.C. NIELSEN (ARGENTINA) S.A.; A.C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A
Reel/Frame 054066/0064 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 9, 2020
From: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NIELSEN UK FINANCE I, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053473/0001 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 13, 2017
From: GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
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SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2014
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ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2008
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To: GRACENOTE, INC.
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ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 2, 2005
From: HERRE, JURGEN; ROHDEN, JAN; UHLE, CHRISTIAN; CREMER, MARKUS
To: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
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