DETAILED ACTION
This action is in response to the initial filing of Application no. 19/009,879 on 01/03/2025
Claims 2- 4 are still pending in this application, with claims 2 - 4 being independent.
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Allowable Subject Matter
Aside from the non-prior art rejections, it has been determined, based on search and consideration of the prior art (including those cited on the IDS), that the prior art fails to teach or suggest in reasonable combination the limitations recited in the independent claims 2, 4 and 5.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp.
Claims 2 – 4 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 – 3 of US 12,190,895. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other.
The claim mapping is as follows.
Current Application
2. (New) method for decoding a bit stream comprising M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the method comprising: stereo decoding a first pair of audio channels, from the M input audio channels, so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two stereo decoded audio channels combined with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels form a first set of M audio channels; stereo decoding a second pair of audio channels so as to obtain two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two additional stereo decoded audio channels, together with the M-2 of the audio channels, form a second set of M audio channels; and outputting the two additional stereo decoded audio channels for rendering to speakers.
3. (New) A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer- readable medium with instructions for performing a method in accordance with claim 2.
4. (New) An apparatus for decoding a bit stream comprising M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the apparatus comprising: a stereo decoder configured to stereo decode a first pair of audio channels, from the M input audio channels; so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two stereo decoded audio channels combined with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels form a first set of M audio channels, the stereo decoder further configured to stereo decode a second pair of audio channels so as to obtain two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two additional stereo decoded audio channels, together with the M-2 of the audio channels, form a second set of M audio channels.
US 12,190,895
1. A method for decoding a bit stream comprising M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the method comprising: extracting side information from the bit stream; stereo decoding a first pair of audio channels based on the side information, from the M input audio channels; so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two stereo decoded audio channels combined with M−2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels form a first set of M audio channels; and stereo decoding a second pair of audio channels so as to obtain two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two additional stereo decoded audio channels, together with the M−2 of the audio channels, form a second set of M audio channels.
2. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium with instructions for performing a method in accordance with claim 1.
3. An apparatus for decoding a bit stream comprising M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the apparatus comprising: an extractor for extracting side information from the bit stream; a stereo decoder configured to stereo decode a first pair of audio channels based on the side information, from the M input audio channels; so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two stereo decoded audio channels combined with M−2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels form a first set of M audio channels, the stereo decoder further configured to stereo decode a second pair of audio channels so as to obtain two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two additional stereo decoded audio channels, together with the M−2 of the audio channels, form a second set of M audio channels.
As shown above, the limitations of claims 1- 3 of US 12,190,895 recite the limitations of claims 2 – 4 of the current application, respectively, except for: outputting the two additional stereo decoded audio channels for rendering to speakers.
However, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of applicant’s filing to output decoded audio channels for rendering to speaker.
Thus, claims 2 - 4 of the current application are obvious variants of claims 1 – 3 of US 12,190,895.
Claims 2- 4 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1 – 3 of US 11,749,288. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other.
The claim mapping is as follows.
Current Application
2. (New) method for decoding a bit stream comprising M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the method comprising: stereo decoding a first pair of audio channels, from the M input audio channels, so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two stereo decoded audio channels combined with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels form a first set of M audio channels; stereo decoding a second pair of audio channels so as to obtain two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two additional stereo decoded audio channels, together with the M-2 of the audio channels, form a second set of M audio channels; and outputting the two additional stereo decoded audio channels for rendering to speakers.
3. (New) A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer- readable medium with instructions for performing a method in accordance with claim 2.
4. (New) An apparatus for decoding a bit stream comprising M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the apparatus comprising: a stereo decoder configured to stereo decode a first pair of audio channels, from the M input audio channels; so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two stereo decoded audio channels combined with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels form a first set of M audio channels, the stereo decoder further configured to stereo decode a second pair of audio channels so as to obtain two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two additional stereo decoded audio channels, together with the M-2 of the audio channels, form a second set of M audio channels.
US 11,749,288
1. A method for decoding M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the method comprising: subjecting a first pair of audio channels, from the M input audio channels, to a first stereo decoding so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the first stereo decoding form, together with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels, a first set of M audio channels; and for each integer n from 2 to N, wherein N is at least 2: subjecting an nth pair of audio channels, from an (n-1)th set of M audio channels, to an nth stereo decoding so as to obtain two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the additional stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the nth stereo decoding form, together with the M-2 of the audio channels from the (n-1)th set of M audio channels not included in the nth pair of audio channels, an nth set of M audio channels, the method further comprising: outputting the Nth set of M audio channels.
2. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium with instructions for performing a method in accordance with claim 1.
3. An apparatus for decoding M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the apparatus comprising: N stereo decoders, wherein N is at least 2; and an outputter, wherein a first stereo decoder of the N stereo decoders subjects a first pair of audio channels, from the M input audio channels, to a first stereo decoding, and obtains two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the first stereo decoding form, together with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels, a first set of M audio channels, wherein, for each integer n from 2 to N, an nth stereo decoder of the N stereo decoders subjects an nth pair of audio channels, from an (n-1)th set of M audio channels, to an nth stereo decoding, and obtains two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the additional stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the nth stereo decoding form, together with the M?2 of the audio channels from the (n-1)th set of M audio channels not included in the nth pair of audio channels, an nth set of M audio channels, wherein the outputter outputs the Nth set of M audio channels.
As shown above, the limitations of claims 1- 3 of US 11,749,288 recite the limitations of claims 2 – 4 of the current application, respectively, except for: outputting the two additional stereo decoded audio channels for rendering to speakers.
However, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of applicant’s filing to output decoded audio channels for rendering to speaker.
Thus, claims 2 - 4 of the current application are obvious variants of claims 1 – 3 of US 11,749,288.
Claims 2- 4 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 4 and 5 of US 11,380,336. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other.
The claim mapping is as follows.
Current Application
2. (New) method for decoding a bit stream comprising M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the method comprising: stereo decoding a first pair of audio channels, from the M input audio channels, so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two stereo decoded audio channels combined with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels form a first set of M audio channels; stereo decoding a second pair of audio channels so as to obtain two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two additional stereo decoded audio channels, together with the M-2 of the audio channels, form a second set of M audio channels; and outputting the two additional stereo decoded audio channels for rendering to speakers.
3. (New) A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer- readable medium with instructions for performing a method in accordance with claim 2.
4. (New) An apparatus for decoding a bit stream comprising M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the apparatus comprising: a stereo decoder configured to stereo decode a first pair of audio channels, from the M input audio channels; so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two stereo decoded audio channels combined with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels form a first set of M audio channels, the stereo decoder further configured to stereo decode a second pair of audio channels so as to obtain two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two additional stereo decoded audio channels, together with the M-2 of the audio channels, form a second set of M audio channels.
US 11,380,336
1. A decoding method in a multichannel audio system comprising M audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the method comprising: receiving M input audio channels; subjecting a first pair of audio channels, from the M input audio channels, to a first stereo decoding so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the first stereo decoding form, together with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels, a first set of M audio channels; and for each integer n from 2 to N, wherein N is at least 2: subjecting a first pair of audio channels, from an (n-1)th set of M audio channels, to an nth stereo decoding so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the nth stereo decoding form, together with M-2 of the audio channels from the (n-1)th set of M audio channels not included in the nth pair of audio channels, an nth set of M audio channels, the method further comprising: outputting the Nth set of M audio channels.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein M is at least 4.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein N is at least 4.
4. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium with instructions for performing a method in accordance with claim 1.
5. A decoding apparatus in a multichannel audio system comprising M audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the apparatus comprising: a receiver that receives M input audio channels; N stereo decoders, wherein N is at least 2; and an outputter, wherein a first stereo decoder of the N stereo decoders subjects a first pair audio channels, from the M input audio channels, to a first stereo decoding, and obtains two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the first stereo decoding form, together with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels, a first set of M audio channels, wherein, for each integer n from 2 to N, an nth stereo decoder of the N stereo decoders subjects an nth pair of audio channels, from an (n-1)th set of M audio channels, to an nth stereo decoding, and obtains two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the nth stereo decoding form, together with M-2 of the audio channels from the (n-1)th set of M audio channels not included in the nth pair of audio channels, an nth set of M audio channels, wherein the outputter outputs the Nth set of M audio channels.
6. The decoding apparatus of claim 5, wherein M is at least 4.
7. The decoding apparatus of claim 5, wherein N is at least 4.
As shown above, the limitations of claims 1, 4 and 5 of US 11,380,336 recite the recite the limitations of claims 2 – 4 of the current application, respectively, except for: outputting the two additional stereo decoded audio channels for rendering to speakers.
However, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of applicant’s filing to output the decoded audio channels for rendering to speakers.
Thus, claims 2 - 4 of the current application are obvious variants of claims 1, 4 and 5 of US 11,380,336.
Claims 2 - 4 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over 1, 5 and 6 of US 10,497,377. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other.
The claim mapping is as follows.
Current Application
2. (New) method for decoding a bit stream comprising M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the method comprising: stereo decoding a first pair of audio channels, from the M input audio channels, so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two stereo decoded audio channels combined with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels form a first set of M audio channels; stereo decoding a second pair of audio channels so as to obtain two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two additional stereo decoded audio channels, together with the M-2 of the audio channels, form a second set of M audio channels; and outputting the two additional stereo decoded audio channels for rendering to speakers.
3. (New) A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer- readable medium with instructions for performing a method in accordance with claim 2.
4. (New) An apparatus for decoding a bit stream comprising M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the apparatus comprising: a stereo decoder configured to stereo decode a first pair of audio channels, from the M input audio channels; so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two stereo decoded audio channels combined with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels form a first set of M audio channels, the stereo decoder further configured to stereo decode a second pair of audio channels so as to obtain two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two additional stereo decoded audio channels, together with the M-2 of the audio channels, form a second set of M audio channels.
US 10,497,377
1. A decoding method in a multichannel audio system, the method comprising: receiving M input audio channels; for an integer n, wherein n has a value of 2 to N, wherein N is at least 2: stereo decoding an nth pair of audio channels, wherein the nth pair of audio channels are part of a (n-1)th set of the M input audio channels, to obtain an nth pair of stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the stereo decoding are part of an nth set of the M input audio channels, wherein the stereo decoding includes forming, for at least one frequency band and at least one time frame, linear combinations of the (n-1)th pair of audio channels subjected to the respective stereo decoding.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein M is at least 4.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein N is at least 4.
5. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium with instructions for performing a decoding method, the method comprising: receiving M input audio channels; for an integer n,
wherein n has a value of 2 to N, wherein N is at least 2: stereo decoding an nth pair of audio channels, wherein the nth pair of audio channels are part of a (n-1)th set of the M input audio channels, to obtain an nth pair of stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the stereo decoding are part of an nth set of the M input audio channels, wherein the stereo decoding include forming, for at least one frequency band and at least one time frame, linear combinations of the (n-1)th pair of audio channels subjected to the respective stereo decoding.
6. A decoding device in a multichannel audio system, the device comprising: a receiver that receives M input audio channels; N stereo decoders, wherein N is at least 2; and an outputter, wherein, for an integer n, an nth stereo decoder of the N stereo decoders decodes an nth pair of audio channels, wherein the nth pair of audio channels are part of a (n-1)th set of the M input audio channels, to obtain an nth pair of stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the stereo decoding are part of an nth set of the M input audio channels, wherein the
stereo decoding include forming, for at least one frequency band and at least one time frame, linear combinations of the (n-1)th pair of audio channels subjected to the respective stereo decoding, and wherein the outputter outputs
the Nth set of the M input audio channels.
As shown above, claims 1,5 and 6 of US 10,497,377 recite the limitations of claims 2- 4 except for the following: M is at least 3; a second pair of audio channels is stereo decoded to obtain two additional stereo decoded channels; and outputting the two additional stereo decoded audio channels for rendering to speakers.
However, setting a value at given number, e.g. 3 and repeating a decoding step are understood to be obvious variants. Furthermore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of applicant’s filing to output decoded audio channels for rendering to speaker.
Thus, claims 2 - 4 of the current application are obvious variants of claims 1, 4 and 5 of US 10,497,377.
Claims 2 - 4 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 9 and 10 of U.S. Patent No. 10,083,701. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other.
The claim mapping is as follows.
Current Application
2. (New) method for decoding a bit stream comprising M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the method comprising: stereo decoding a first pair of audio channels, from the M input audio channels, so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two stereo decoded audio channels combined with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels form a first set of M audio channels; stereo decoding a second pair of audio channels so as to obtain two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two additional stereo decoded audio channels, together with the M-2 of the audio channels, form a second set of M audio channels; and outputting the two additional stereo decoded audio channels for rendering to speakers.
3. (New) A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer- readable medium with instructions for performing a method in accordance with claim 2.
4. (New) An apparatus for decoding a bit stream comprising M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the apparatus comprising: a stereo decoder configured to stereo decode a first pair of audio channels, from the M input audio channels; so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two stereo decoded audio channels combined with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels form a first set of M audio channels, the stereo decoder further configured to stereo decode a second pair of audio channels so as to obtain two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two additional stereo decoded audio channels, together with the M-2 of the audio channels, form a second set of M audio channels.
US 10,083,701
1. A decoding method in a multichannel audio system comprising M audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the method comprising: receiving M input audio channels; subjecting a first pair of audio channels, from the M input audio channels, to a first stereo decoding so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the first stereo decoding form, together with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels, a first set of M audio channels; and for each integer n from 2 to N, wherein N is at least 2: subjecting an nth pair of audio channels, from the (n-1)th set of M audio channels, to an nth stereo decoding so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the nth stereo decoding form, together with M-2 of the audio channels from the (n-1)th set of M audio channels not included in the nth pair of audio channels, an nth set of M audio channels, the method further comprising: outputting the Nth set of M audio channels, wherein at least one of the pairs of audio channels subjected to stereo decoding includes an audio channel resulting from one of the stereo decodings, and wherein at least two of the stereo decodings include forming, for at least one frequency band and at least one time frame, linear combinations of the two audio channels subjected to the respective stereo decoding.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein M is at least 4.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein N is at least 4.
9. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium with instructions for performing a decoding method, the method comprising: receiving M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3; subjecting a first pair of audio channels, from the M input audio channels, to a first stereo decoding so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the first stereo decoding form, together with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels, a first set of M audio channels; and for each integer n from 2 to N, wherein N is at least 2: subjecting an nth pair of audio channels, from the (n-1)th set of M audio channels, to an nth stereo decoding so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the nth stereo decoding form, together with M-2 of the audio channels from the (n-1)th set of M audio channels not included in the nth pair of audio channels, an nth set of M audio channels, the method further comprising: outputting the Nth set of M audio channels, wherein
at least one of the pairs of audio channels subjected to stereo decoding includes an audio channel resulting from one of the stereo decodings, and wherein at least two of the stereo decodings include forming, for at least one frequency band and at least one time frame, linear combinations of the two audio channels subjected to the respective stereo decoding.
10. A decoding device in a multichannel audio system comprising M audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the device comprising: a receiver that
receives M input audio channels; N stereo decoders, wherein N is at least 2; and an output, wherein a first stereo decoder of the N stereo decoders subjects a first pair audio channels, from the M input audio channels, to a first stereo decoding, and obtains two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the stereo
decoded audio channels obtained from the first stereo decoding form, together with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels, a first set of M audio channels, wherein, for each integer n from 2 to N, an nth stereo decoder of the N stereo decoders subjects an nth pair of audio channels, from the (n-1)th set of M audio channels, to an nth stereo decoding, and obtains two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the stereo decoded audio channels obtained from the nth stereo decoding form, together with M-2 of the audio channels from the (n-1)th set of M audio channels not included in the nth pair of audio channels, an nth set of M audio channels, wherein the outputter outputs the Nth set of M audio channels, wherein at least
one of the pairs of audio channels subjected to stereo decoding includes an audio channel resulting from one of the stereo decodings, and wherein at least two of the stereo decodings include forming, for at least one frequency band
and at least one time frame, linear combinations of the two audio channels subjected to the respective stereo decoding.
As shown above, the limitations of claims 1, 9 and 10 of US 10,083,701 recite the recite the limitations of claims 2 – 4 of the current application, respectively, except for: outputting the two additional stereo decoded audio channels for rendering to speakers.
However, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of applicant’s filing to output decoded audio channels for rendering to speaker.
Thus, claims 2 - 4 of the current application are obvious variants of claims 1, 9 and 10 of US 10,083,701.
Claims 1- 3 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 14 and 15 of US 9,761,231. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other.
The claim mapping is as follows.
Current Application
1. A method for decoding a bit stream comprising M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the method comprising: extracting side information from the bit stream; stereo decoding a first pair of audio channels based on the side information, from the M input audio channels; so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two stereo decoded audio channels combined with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels form a first set of M audio channels; and stereo decoding a second pair of audio channels so as to obtain two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two additional stereo decoded audio channels, together with the M-2 of the audio channels, form a second set of M audio channels.
2. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium with instructions for performing a method in accordance with claim 1.
3. An apparatus for decoding a bit stream comprising M input audio channels, wherein M is at least 3, the apparatus comprising: an extractor for extracting side information from the bit stream; a stereo decoder configured to stereo decode a first pair of audio channels based on the side information, from the M input audio channels; so as to obtain two stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two stereo decoded audio channels combined with M-2 of the input audio channels not included in the first pair of audio channels form a first set of M audio channels, the stereo decoder further configured to stereo decode a second pair of audio channels so as to obtain two additional stereo decoded audio channels, wherein the two additional stereo decoded audio channels, together with the M-2 of the audio channels, form a second set of M audio channels.
US 9,761,231
1. A decoding method in a multichannel audio system comprising at least four audio channels, comprising: receiving a first pair of input audio channels and a second pair of input audio channels distinct from the first pair of input audio channels; subjecting the first pair of input audio channels to a first stereo decoding; subjecting the second pair of input audio channels to a second stereo decoding; subjecting a first audio channel resulting from the first stereo decoding and a first audio channel resulting from the second stereo decoding to a third stereo decoding so as to obtain a first pair of output audio channels; subjecting an audio channel associated with a second audio channel resulting from the first stereo decoding and a second audio channel resulting from the second stereo decoding to a fourth stereo decoding so as to obtain a second pair of output audio channels distinct from the first pair of output audio channels, wherein the audio channel associated with a second channel resulting from the first stereo decoding is the second audio channel resulting from the first stereo decoding or an audio channel resulting from a fifth stereo decoding of a fifth input audio channel and the second audio channel resulting from the first stereo decoding; and output of the first and the second pair of output audio channels, wherein at least two of the first, second, third and fourth stereo decoding include forming, for at least one frequency band and at least one time frame, a weighted or non-weighted sum
of the two audio channels subjected to the respective stereo decoding and a
weighted or non-weighted difference between the two audio channels subjected to
the respective stereo decoding.
14. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory
computer-readable medium with instructions for performing the method of claim
1.
15. A decoding device in a multichannel audio system comprising at least four audio channels, comprising: a receiver that receives a first pair of input audio channels and a second pair of input audio channels distinct from the first pair of input audio channels; a first stereo decoder that subjects the first pair of input audio channels to a first stereo decoding; a second stereo decoder that subjects the second pair of input audio channels to a second stereo decoding; a third stereo decoder that subjects a first audio channel resulting from the first stereo decoding and a first audio channel resulting from the second stereo decoding to a third stereo decoding and obtains a first pair of output audio channels; a fourth stereo decoder that subjects an audio channel associated with the second audio channel resulting from the first stereo decoding and a second audio channel resulting from the second stereo decoding to a fourth stereo decoding, and obtains a second pair of output audio channels distinct from the first pair of output audio channels, wherein the audio channel associated with a second channel resulting from the first stereo decoding is the second audio channel resulting from the first stereo decoding or an audio channel resulting from a fifth stereo decoding of a fifth input audio channel and the second audio channel resulting from the first stereo decoding; and an outputter that outputs the first and the second pair of output audio channels, wherein at least two of the first, second, third and fourth stereo decoding include forming, for at least one frequency band and at least one time frame, a weighted or non-weighted sum of the two audio channels subjected to the respective stereo decoding and a weighted or non-weighted difference between the two audio channels subjected to the respective stereo
decoding.
As shown above, claims 1, 14, and 15 of US 9,761,231 recites the limitations of claims 2 – 4 of the current application, respectively when M is 4 except for: outputting the two additional stereo decoded audio channels for rendering to speakers.
However, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of applicant’s filing to output decoded audio channels for rendering to speaker.
Thus, claims 2 - 4 of the current application are obvious variants of claims 1, 14 and 15 of US 9,761,231.
Conclusion
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/SONIA L GAY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2657
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