IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,727,948
Granted Patent B2
US 11,727,948 · App. 17/670,459 · Granted Aug 15, 2023

Efficient DRC profile transmission

Inventors: Holger Hoerich (Fuerth, DE); Jeroen Koppens (Nederweert, NL)
Assignee: DOLBY INTERNATIONAL AB
G10L19/167G10L19/26G10L21/0364H03G7/002H03G7/007H03G9/005H04N21/233
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,727,948
App. No.
17/670,459
Granted
Aug 15, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method ( 600 ) for decoding an encoded audio signal ( 102 ) is described. The encoded audio signal ( 102 ) comprises a sequence of frames. Furthermore, the encoded audio signal ( 102 ) is indicative of a plurality of different dynamic range control (DRC) profiles for a corresponding plurality of different rendering modes. Different subsets of DRC profiles from the plurality of DRC profiles are comprised within different frames of the sequence of frames, such that two or more frames of the sequence of frames jointly comprise the plurality of DRC profiles. The method ( 600 ) comprises determining a first rendering mode from the plurality of different rendering modes; determining ( 609, 610 ) one or more DRC profiles from a subset of DRC profiles comprised within a current frame of the sequence of frames; determining ( 611 ) whether at least one of the one or more DRC profiles is applicable to the first rendering mode; selecting ( 604 ) a default DRC profile as a current DRC profile, if none of the one or more DRC profiles is applicable to the first rendering mode; wherein definition data of the default DRC profile is known at a decoder ( 100 ) for decoding the encoded audio signal ( 102 ); and decoding the current frame using the current DRC profile.

Claims (21)

1. A method for decoding an encoded audio signal; wherein the encoded audio signal comprises a sequence of frames comprising encoded audio data and metadata, the metadata including a plurality of different sets of dynamic range control, referred to as DRC, gains, wherein the encoded audio signal further comprises an indication of a loudness of the audio signal, and DRC configuration metadata in one or more frames of the sequence of frames, wherein the DRC configuration metadata indicates a plurality of DRC profiles associated with the encoded audio signal, and, for each DRC profile, a range of output reference levels for which the DRC profile is applicable, wherein each set of DRC gains corresponds to one of the plurality of DRC profiles, the method comprising:

setting a desired output reference level for the decoded audio signal;

identifying one or more of the DRC profiles for which the applicable range of output reference levels includes the desired output reference level for the decoded audio signal;

selecting one of the identified DRC profiles;

decoding the encoded audio signal;

adjusting the dynamic range of the decoded audio signal by applying the DRC gains corresponding to the selected DRC profile to the decoded audio signal;

determining a loudness related gain in response to the indication of the loudness of the audio signal and the desired output reference level for the decoded audio signal; and

applying the loudness related gain to the adjusted decoded audio signal to obtain a loudness adjusted decoded audio signal having the desired output reference level;

wherein one or more of the DRC profiles are applicable for playback on devices with limited dynamic range.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein selecting one of the identified DRC profiles comprises selecting one of the DRC profiles applicable for playback on devices with limited dynamic range.

3. A decoder for decoding an encoded audio signal; wherein the encoded audio signal comprises a sequence of frames comprising encoded audio data and metadata, the metadata including a plurality of different sets of dynamic range control, referred to as DRC, gains, wherein the encoded audio signal further comprises an indication of a loudness of the audio signal, and DRC configuration metadata in one or more frames of the sequence of frames, wherein the DRC configuration metadata indicates a plurality of DRC profiles associated with the encoded audio signal, and, for each DRC profile, a range of output references levels for which the DRC profile is applicable, wherein each set of DRC gains corresponds to one of the plurality of DRC profiles; wherein the decoder comprises one or more processors that:

set a desired output reference level for the decoded audio signal;

identify one or more of the DRC profiles for which the applicable range of output reference levels includes the desired output reference level for the decoded audio signal;

select one of the identified DRC profiles;

decode the encoded audio signal;

adjust the dynamic range of the decoded audio signal by applying the DRC gains corresponding to the selected DRC profile to the decoded audio signal;

determining a loudness related gain in response to the indication of the loudness of the audio signal and the desired output reference level for the decoded audio signal; and

applying the loudness related gain to the adjusted decoded audio signal to obtain a loudness adjusted decoded audio signal having the desired output reference level;

wherein one or more of the DRC profiles are applicable for playback on devices with limited dynamic range.

4. The decoder of claim 3 , wherein selecting one of the identified DRC profiles comprises selecting one of the DRC profiles applicable for playback on devices with limited dynamic range.

5. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising a sequence of instructions, wherein, when executed by an audio signal processing device, the sequence of instructions causes the audio signal processing device to perform the method of claim 1 .

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 23, 2022
From: HOERICH, HOLGER; KOPPENS, JEROEN
To: DOLBY INTERNATIONAL AB
Reel/Frame 059077/0184 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 17022152 · Sep 16, 2020
Continuation 16420473 · May 23, 2019
Continuation 16026529 · Jul 3, 2018
Continuation 15513546
Provisional Application 62058228 · Oct 1, 2014
Related Publication 20220254362A1 · Aug 11, 2022