Device and a method to process audio data, a computer program element and computer-readable medium

1. An audio data processing device, comprising

an audio redistributor for generating a first number of audio data output signals (z 1 . . . z M ) to be output on a first number of output channels based on, and in response to, a second number of audio data input signals (x 1 . . . x N ) received on a second number of input channels; and

an audio classifier, responsive to the second number of audio data input signals, for generating gradually sliding control signals (P), in a gradually sliding dependence on types of audio content according to which the second number of audio data input signals (x 1 . . . x N ) are classified, wherein the audio redistributor further generates the first number of audio data output signals (z 1 . . . z M ) from the second number of audio data input signals (x 1 . . . x N ) in response to the gradually sliding control signals.

2. The audio data processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the audio classifier is a self-adaptive audio classifier which is trained before use to distinguish different types of audio content in that the audio classifier is fed beforehand with reference audio data.

3. The audio data processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the audio classifier is a self-adaptive audio classifier which is trained during use to distinguish different types of audio content through feeding of the audio classifier with audio data input signals.

4. The audio data processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the first number and/or the second number is greater than one.

5. The audio data processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the first number is greater than the second number.

6. The audio data processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the audio classifier is adapted to generate the gradually sliding control signals (P) in a time-dependent manner.

7. The audio data processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the audio classifier is adapted to generate the gradually sliding control signals (P) frame by frame or block by block.

8. The audio data processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the audio classifier is adapted to generate the gradually sliding control signals (P) in a gradually sliding dependence on the physical meaning of the audio data input signals (x 1 . . . x N ).

9. The audio data processing device according to claim 1 , wherein different types of audio content correspond to different audio genres.

10. The audio data processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the audio classifier is adapted to generate as the control signals (P) one or more probabilities, which may have any value in the range between zero and one, wherein each probability reflects a likelihood that audio data input signals (x 1 . . . x N ) belong to a corresponding type of audio content.

11. The audio data processing device according to claim 10 , wherein the audio redistributor is adapted to generate the audio data output signals (z 1 . . . z M ) on the basis of a linear combination of the probabilities.

12. The audio data processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the audio classifier is adapted to generate as the control signals (P) one or more probabilities, which may have any value in the range between zero and one, wherein each probability reflects a likelihood that audio data input signals (x 1 . . . x N belong to a corresponding type of audio content, and wherein the audio classifier is adapted to generate the gradually sliding control signals (P) in the form of an active matrix.

13. The audio data processing device according to claim 10 , wherein elements of the matrix depend on the one or more probabilities.

14. The audio data processing device according to claim 12 , wherein elements of the matrix depend on the audio data input signals (x 1 . . . x N ).

15. The audio data processing device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the audio redistributor comprises a first sub-unit and a second sub-unit,

wherein the first sub-unit is adapted to generate a first number of audio data intermediate signals (y 1 . . . y M ) based on the second number of audio data input signals (x 1 . . . x N ) independently of control signals (P) of the audio classifier; and

wherein the second sub-unit is adapted to generate the first number of audio data output signals (z 1 . . . x N ) based on the first number of audio data intermediate signals (y 1 . . . y M ) in dependence on the control signals (P) of the audio classifier.

16. The audio data processing device according to claim 1 , realized as an integrated circuit.

17. The audio data processing device according to claim 1 , realized as a virtualizer or as a portable audio player or as a DVD player or as an MP3 player or as an internet radio device.

18. A method of processing audio data, the method comprising the steps of:

redistributing audio data input signals by generating a first number of audio data output signals (z 1 . . . z M ) to be output on a first number of output channels based on, and in response to, a second number of audio data input signals (x 1 . . . x N ) received on a second number of input channels; and

classifying the audio data input signals, responsive to the second number of audio data input signals, so as to generate gradually sliding control signals (P), in a gradually sliding dependence on types of audio content according to which the audio data input signals are classified, wherein the redistribution is further for generating the first number of audio data output signals (z 1 . . . z M ) from the second number of audio data input signals (x 1 . . . x N ) in response to the gradually sliding control signals.

19. A program element which, when executed by a processor, is adapted to carry out a method of processing audio data, the method comprising the steps of:

redistributing audio data input signals by generating a first number of audio data output signals (z 1 . . . z M ) to be output on a first number of output channels based on, and in response to, a second number of audio data input signals (x 1 . . . x N ) received on a second number of input channels; and

classifying the audio data input signals, responsive to the second number of audio data input signals, so as to generate gradually sliding control signals (P), in a gradually sliding dependence on types of audio content according to which the audio data input signals are classified, wherein the redistribution is further for generating the first number of audio data output signals (z 1 . . . z M ) from the second number of audio data input signals (x 1 . . . x N ) in response to the gradually sliding control signals.

20. A computer-readable medium, in which a computer program is stored which, when executed by a processor, is adapted to carry out a method of processing audio data, the method comprising the steps of:

redistributing audio data input signals by generating a first number of audio data output signals (z 1 . . . z M ) to be output on a first number of output channels based on, and in response to, a second number of audio data input signals (x 1 . . . x N ) received on a second number of input channels; and

classifying the audio data input signals, responsive to the second number of audio data input signals, so as to generate gradually sliding control signals (P), in a gradually sliding dependence on types of audio content according to which the audio data input signals are classified, wherein the redistribution is further for generating the first number of audio data output signals (z 1 . . . z M ) from the second number of audio data input signals (x 1 . . . x N ) in response to the gradually sliding control signals.