Method and apparatus for error masking in multi-channel audio signals

Method for error masking of matrixed multi-channel audio signals comprising:

• decoding a first audio signal to generate a first decoded audio signal;
• decoding a supplementary audio signal to generate a second decoded audio signal;
• generating an error signal in response to detecting an error in said supplementary audio signal;
• inverse matrixing said first and second audio signals to generate the multi-channel audio signals;
• raising the level of said multi-channel audio signals;
• raising the level of said first decoded audio signal;
• and,
• switching between said level-raised multi-channel audio signals and said level raised first decoded signal in response to said error signal.

Apparatus for the reproduction of multi-channel audio signals comprising:

• first means for decoding a first audio signal and for generating a first decoded audio signal;
• second means for decoding a supplementary audio signal and for generating a second decoded audio signal;
• means for generating an error signal in response to detecting an error in said supplementary audio signal;
• means, coupled to said first and second decoding means, for inverse matrixing said first and second decoded audio signals to generate the multi-channel audio signals;
• first means, coupled to said first decoding means, for level raising said first decoded audio signal;
• second means, coupled to said inverse matrixing means, for level raising said multi-channel audio signals;
• and,
• means, coupled to said first level raising means and said second level raising means, for switching between the level raised multi-channel audio signals and said level raised first decoded audio signal in response to said error signal.