IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,594,319
Granted Patent B2
US 8,594,319 · App. 13/115,096 · Granted Nov 26, 2013

System and method of adjusting the sound of multiple audio objects directed toward an audio output device

Inventors: Chi Fai Ho (Palo Alto, CA); Shin Cheung Simon Chiu (Palo Alto, CA)
Assignee: Dolby International, AB
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,594,319
App. No.
13/115,096
Granted
Nov 26, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include methods and apparatuses for adjusting audio content when more multiple audio objects are directed toward a single audio output device. The amplitude, white noise content, and frequencies can be adjusted to enhance overall sound quality or make content of certain audio objects more intelligible. Audio objects are classified by a class category, by which they are can be assigned class specific processing. Audio objects classes can also have a rank. The rank of an audio objects class is used to give priority to or apply specific processing to audio objects sin the presence of other audio objects of different classes.

Claims (41)

1. An audio output mixer for adjusting sounds of a plurality of audio objects, comprising:

an audio output pacer, wherein the audio output pacer:

receives the plurality of audio objects, the plurality of audio objects comprising:

a first audio object comprising conversation audio data and a conversation audio object class, and

a second audio object comprising speech audio data and a speech audio object class; and

modifies sounds of the second audio object based upon dynamic properties of the first audio object; and

an audio output blender, wherein the audio output blender:

separately receives from the audio output pacer sounds of the first audio object and the modified sounds of the second audio object,

combines the sounds of the first audio object and the modified sounds of the second audio object into a single audio output, and

sends the single audio output to an audio output device.

2. The mixer of claim 1 , wherein the conversation audio data comprises one or more of the following: a conversation; or a phone conversation.

3. The mixer of claim 1 , wherein the sounds of the second audio object are modified by increasing or attenuating the amplitude of the second audio object.

4. The mixer of claim 3 , wherein the increasing or attenuating of the amplitude of the second audio object is gradual.

5. The mixer of claim 3 , wherein the attenuating of the amplitude of the second audio object is immediate.

6. The audio output mixer of claim 1 , wherein the dynamic properties of the first audio object comprise amplitude over a predetermined period of time.

7. A method of adjusting sounds of a plurality of audio objects comprising:

receiving the plurality of audio objects by an audio device, the plurality of audio objects comprising:

a first audio object comprising conversation audio data and a conversation audio object class, and

a second audio object comprising speech audio data and a speech audio object class;

modifying by the audio device sounds of the second audio object based upon dynamic properties of the first audio object;

separately receiving by the audio device sounds of the first audio object and the modified sounds of the second audio object;

combining by the audio device the sounds of the first audio object and the modified sounds of the second audio object into a single audio output; and

sending by the audio device the single audio output to an audio output device.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the conversation audio data comprises one or more of the following: a conversation; or a phone conversation.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the sounds of the second audio object are modified by increasing or attenuating the amplitude of the second audio object.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the increasing or attenuating of the amplitude of the second audio object is gradual.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the attenuating of the amplitude of the second audio object is immediate.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the dynamic properties of the first audio object comprise amplitude over a predetermined period of time.

13. A non-transitory computer program product comprising a computer useable non-transitory medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:

receive the plurality of audio objects, the plurality of audio objects comprising:

a first audio object comprising conversation audio data and a conversation audio object class, and

a second audio object comprising speech audio data and a speech audio object class;

modify sounds of the second audio object based upon the dynamic properties of the first audio object;

separately receive sounds of the first audio object and modified sounds of the second audio object;

combine the sounds of the first audio object and the modified sounds of the second audio object into a single audio output; and

send the single audio output to an audio output device.

14. The product of claim 13 , wherein the speech audio data comprises one or more of the following: a conversation; or a phone conversation.

15. The product of claim 13 , wherein the sounds of the second audio object are modified by increasing or attenuating the amplitude of the second audio object.

16. The product of claim 15 , wherein the increasing or attenuating of the amplitude of the second audio object is gradual.

17. The product of claim 15 , wherein the attenuating of the amplitude of the second audio object is immediate.

18. The product of claim 13 , wherein the dynamic properties of the first audio object comprise amplitude over a predetermined period of time.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 11, 2012
From: TP LAB, INC.
To: EIGHTH NERVE INC.
Reel/Frame 028354/0305 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 11, 2012
From: EIGHTH NERVE INC.
To: DOLBY INTERNATIONAL AB
Reel/Frame 028354/0394 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2011
From: HO, CHI FAI; CHIU, SHIN CHEUNG SIMON
To: TP LAB, INC.
Reel/Frame 026334/0410 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 11213188 · Aug 25, 2005
Related Publication 20110286593A1 · Nov 24, 2011