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

• US 8,744,067 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2012
• Issued: 06/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dolby International AB (Dolby Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Dolby International AB (Dolby Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ho, Chi Fai, Chiu, Shin Cheung Simon
• Primary Examiner(s): Sing, Simon
• Assistant Examiner(s): LYTLE, JEFFREY P
• Application Number:
  US13/483,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20120237005A1
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 379/390.03
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/04 Studio equipment; Interconnection of studios

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

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 music audio data and a music 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 music audio data and a music 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 a 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 music audio data and a music 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 sounds of the second audio object are modified by increasing or attenuating the amplitude of the second audio object.

15. The product of claim 14, wherein the increasing or attenuating of the amplitude of the second audio object is gradual.

16. The product of claim 14, wherein the attenuating of the amplitude of the second audio object is immediate.

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