# US 11,445,316 B2 · Manipulating signal flows via a controller > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,445,316 B2 - Document ID: US11445316B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/973,476 - Filed: 2019-06-13 - Published: 2021-08-12 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-29 - Assignees: Musical Artworkz Bvba - Applicants: Musical Artworkz Bvba - Inventors: Tim Peeters - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11445316B2 ## CPC - H04S 3/008: {in which the audio signals are in digital form, i.e. employing more than two discrete digital channels (data reduction aspects thereof based on psychoacoustics G10L19/02)} - H04R 5/02: Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers - H04R 5/04: Circuit arrangements, {e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments (combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S)} - H04S 2400/01: Multi-channel, i.e. more than two input channels, sound reproduction with two speakers wherein the multi-channel information is substantially preserved - H04S 2400/05: Generation or adaptation of centre channel in multi-channel audio systems - H04S 2400/07: Generation or adaptation of the Low Frequency Effect [LFE] channel, e.g. distribution or signal processing - H04S 2400/13: Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in stereophonic sound systems - H04S 2400/15: Aspects of sound capture and related signal processing for recording or reproduction - H04S 2420/07: Synergistic effects of band splitting and sub-band processing - H04S: STEREOPHONIC SYSTEMS - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) ## Abstract A method for live manipulation of signal flows via a controller. The method includes feeding in a first signal flow and a further signal flow, each having X signal flow layers, where X is greater than 2. The method further includes separating the signal flow layers from each signal flow into a respective series of sub-signal flows, related to the signal flow, as according to a predetermined ratio, where each sub-signal flow has Y sub-signal flow layers, and where Y is smaller than X. The method includes reading a desired ratio between the first signal flow and the further signal flow via a controller. The method includes merging corresponding sub-signal flows as according to the desired ratio in order to obtain a modified series of sub-signal flows. The method includes feeding out the modified series. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for live manipulation of signal flows via a controller, the method comprising: feeding in a first signal flow and a further signal flow, each having X signal flow layers, wherein X is greater than 2; separating the signal flow layers from each signal flow into a respective series of sub-signal flows, related to the signal flow, as according to a predetermined ratio, wherein each sub-signal flow has Y sub-signal flow layers, wherein Y is smaller than X; reading a desired ratio between the first signal flow and the further signal flow via a controller; merging corresponding sub-signal flows as according to the desired ratio in order to obtain a modified series of sub-signal flows; and feeding out the modified series. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the signal flows are audio flows and wherein the signal flow layers are audio channels provided to be transmitted to different loudspeakers in a space in order to obtain surround audio. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, wherein the signal flows are mastered audio flows. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising synchronizing the sub-signal flows in a processing unit before the step of merging. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4, wherein a synchronization flow runs in the processing unit, and wherein the step of synchronizing is performed by synchronizing each sub-signal flow with the synchronization flow. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the controller has volume controls which are operatively coupled to respective sub-signal flows from the series, and wherein the step of feeding out further comprises feeding out at a volume related to a setting of the corresponding volume control. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein a volume pattern is defined which extends over a predetermined period of time and is repetitively replicated, wherein the volume pattern for each sub-signal flow layer from the modified series is provided with a different starting point, wherein the controller further has a pattern controller which is operatively coupled to the sub-signal flows, and wherein the step of feeding out further comprises feeding out at a volume which is further related to a product of a setting of the pattern controller and the corresponding volume pattern. ### Claim 8 A device comprising: a processing unit configured for live manipulation of signal flows and a controller configured to read a desired ratio between a first signal flow and at least one further signal flow, the controller being operatively connected to the processing unit; wherein the processing unit has a first infeed configured for feeding in the first signal flow and has at least one further infeed for feeding in the at least one further signal flow, wherein each signal flow has X signal flow layers, wherein X is greater than 2; wherein the processing unit further has a separator configured to separate the signal flow layers from each signal flow into a respective series of sub-signal flows, related to the signal flow, as according to a predetermined ratio, wherein each sub-signal flow has Y sub-signal flow layers, wherein Y is smaller than X; wherein the processing unit further has a mixer configured to merge corresponding sub-signal flows as according to the desired ratio in order to obtain a modified series of sub-signal flows; and wherein the processing unit further has an outfeed configured for feeding out the modified series.