IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,350,231
Granted Patent B2
US 11,350,231 · App. 17/183,360 · Granted May 31, 2022

Methods, apparatus and systems for audio reproduction

Inventors: Christophe Chabanne (Carpentras, FR); Nicolas R. Tsingos (San Francisco, CA); Charles Q. Robinson (Piedmont, CA)
Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
H04S3/002H04R1/403H04R5/02H04S7/30H04R2499/15H04S2400/05
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,350,231
App. No.
17/183,360
Granted
May 31, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Audio perception in local proximity to visual cues is provided. A device includes a video display, first row of audio transducers, and second row of audio transducers. The first and second rows can be vertically disposed above and below the video display. An audio transducer of the first row and an audio transducer of the second row form a column to produce, in concert, an audible signal. The perceived emanation of the audible signal is from a plane of the video display (e.g., a location of a visual cue) by weighing outputs of the audio transducers of the column. In certain embodiments, the audio transducers are spaced farther apart at a periphery for increased fidelity in a center portion of the plane and less fidelity at the periphery.

Claims (25)

1. A method for audio reproduction of an audio object by a playback device, the method comprising:

receiving, by a receiver, the audio object and location metadata, wherein the location metadata uniquely corresponds to the audio object, and wherein the location metadata indicates a sound reproduction location of the audio object relative to a reference screen, and wherein the location metadata further includes angle information of the audio object relative to the reference screen;

receiving display screen metadata, wherein the display screen metadata indicates information of a display screen of the playback device;

determining, by a processor, a reproduction location for sound reproduction of the audio object_relative to the display screen, wherein the reproduction location is determined based on the location metadata and the display screen metadata; and

rendering, by the playback device, the audio object at the reproduction location.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the audio object is a center channel audio signal.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving a plurality of other audio signals for a front left speaker, a front right speaker, a back left speaker, and a back right speaker.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the location metadata corresponds to Cartesian x-y coordinates relative to the reference screen.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the display screen metadata indicates a plurality of aspect ratios related to the reference screen.

6. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program that, when executed by the processor, controls an apparatus to execute the method of claim 1 .

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the audio object is one of a plurality of audio objects, wherein the location metadata includes a plurality of sound reproduction locations that each uniquely corresponds to each of the plurality of audio objects.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the location metadata includes timing information, wherein the timing information corresponds to an elapsed time for the audio object.

9. A playback apparatus for audio reproduction of an audio object, the playback apparatus comprising:

a first receiver for receiving an audio object and location metadata, wherein the location metadata uniquely corresponds to the audio object, and wherein the location metadata indicates a sound reproduction location of the audio object relative to a reference screen, and wherein the location metadata further includes angle information of the audio object relative to the reference screen;

a second receiver for receiving display screen metadata, wherein the display screen metadata indicates information of a display screen of the playback apparatus;

a processor for determining a reproduction location for sound reproduction of the audio object relative to a display screen, wherein the reproduction location is determined based on the location metadata and a display screen metadata; and

a renderer for rendering the audio object_at the reproduction location.

10. The playback apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising:

a plurality of speakers that is configured to output, at a second location within the display screen, the audio object rendered by the renderer.

11. The playback apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the audio object is a center channel audio signal.

12. The playback apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the location metadata corresponds to Cartesian x-y coordinates relative to the reference screen.

13. The playback apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the display screen metadata indicates a plurality of aspect ratios related to the reference screen.

14. The playback apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a plurality of other audio signals for a front left speaker, a front right speaker, a back left speaker, and a back right speaker.

15. The playback apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the audio object is one of a plurality of audio objects, wherein the location metadata includes a plurality of sound reproduction locations that each uniquely corresponds to each of the plurality of audio objects.

16. The playback apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the location metadata includes timing information, wherein the timing information corresponds to an elapsed time for the audio object.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2021
From: CHABANNE, CHRISTOPHE; ROBINSON, CHARLES; TSINGOS, NICOLAS
To: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 055405/0678 →
Continuity (9)
Division 16688713 · Nov 19, 2019
Division 16210935 · Dec 5, 2018
Division 15297918 · Oct 19, 2016
Continuation 14271576 · May 7, 2014
Continuation 13892507 · May 13, 2013
Continuation 13425249 · Mar 20, 2012
Continuation PCTUS2011028783 · Mar 17, 2011
Provisional Application 61316579 · Mar 23, 2010
Related Publication 20210266690A1 · Aug 26, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,317,028