Efficient Geometry-Based Sound Reverberation

Publication in the conference proceedings of EUSIPCO, Toulouse, France, 200

Selection of Sampling Grid and Prefilter for Image Decimation Based on Spectral Extension Analysis

Signal decimation aimed at optimal spectral packing has a variety of applications in areas ranging from array pro cessing to image processing In this article we propose and discuss a new method for determining decimation grid and prelter that best t the spectral extension of any D signal dened on an arbitrary sampling lattice The method has been implemented and tested on digital images in order to evaluate quality degradation due to optimal spectral truncatio

Two-dimensional beam tracing from visibility diagrams for real-time acoustic rendering

We present an extension of the fast beam-tracing method presented in the work of Antonacci et al. (2008) for the simulation of acoustic propagation in reverberant environments that accounts for diffraction and diffusion. More specifically, we show how visibility maps are suitable for modeling propagation phenomena more complex than specular reflections. We also show how the beam-tree lookup for path tracing can be entirely performed on visibility maps as well. We then contextualize such method to the two different cases of channel (point-to-point) rendering using a headset, and the rendering of a wave field based on arrays of speakers. Finally, we provide some experimental results and comparisons with real data to show the effectiveness and the accuracy of the approach in simulating the soundfield in an environment

Searching for dominant high-level features for music information retrieval

Music Information Retrieval systems are often based on the analysis of a large number of low-level audio features. When dealing with problems of musical genre description and visualization, however, it would be desirable to work with a very limited number of highly informative and discriminant macro-descriptors. In this paper we focus on a specific class of training-based descriptors, which are obtained as the loglikelihood of a Gaussian Mixture Model trained with short musical excerpts that selectively exhibit a certain semantic homogeneity. As these descriptors are critically dependent on the training sets, we approach the problem of how to automatically generate suitable training sets and optimize the associated macro-features in terms of discriminant power and informative impact. We then show the application of a set of three identified macro-features to genre visualization, tracking and classification

Motion estimation and signaling techniques for 2D+t scalable video coding

We describe a fully scalable wavelet-based 2D+t (in-band) video coding architecture. We propose new coding tools specifically designed for this framework aimed at two goals: reduce the computational complexity at the encoder without sacrificing compression; improve the coding efficiency, especially at low bitrates. To this end, we focus our attention on motion estimation and motion vector encoding. We propose a fast motion estimation algorithm that works in the wavelet domain and exploits the geometrical properties of the wavelet subbands. We show that the computational complexity grows linearly with the size of the search window, yet approaching the performance of a full search strategy. We extend the proposed motion estimation algorithm to work with blocks of variable sizes, in order to better capture local motion characteristics, thus improving in terms of rate-distortion behavior. Given this motion field representation, we propose a motion vector coding algorithm that allows to adaptively scale the motion bit budget according to the target bitrate, improving the coding efficiency at low bitrates. Finally, we show how to optimally scale the motion field when the sequence is decoded at reduced spatial resolution. Experimental results illustrate the advantages of each individual coding tool presented in this paper. Based on these simulations, we define the best configuration of coding parameters and we compare the proposed codec with MC-EZBC, a widely used reference codec implementing the t+2D framework

Extraction of acoustic sources for multiple arrays based on the ray space transform

In this paper we present a source extraction technique for multiple uniform linear arrays distributed in space. The technique adopts the Ray Space Transform representation of the sound field, which is inherently based on the Plane Wave Decomposition. The Ray Space Transform gives us an intuitive representation of the acoustic field, thus enabling the adoption of geometrically-motivated constraints in the spatial filter design. The proposed approach is semi-blind since it needs as input an estimate of the source positions. We prove the effectiveness of the proposed solution through simulations using both white noise and speech signals

Report of AhG on Exploration in Wavelet Video Coding

The AHG on Exploration in Wavelet Video Coding [1] was established at the 73rd MPEG meeting in Poznan, Poland, with the following mandates: 1. To identify and describe new applications of wavelet video coding; 2. For such applications, define coding conditions and plan a performance comparison with other codecs; 3. Conduct the exploration experiments; 4. Maintain and validate the exploration reference software; 5. Maintain and edit the wavelet codec reference document. All discussions took place over the reflector, [email protected], i.e., ~ 100 emails have been exchanged. AhG meeting: Saturday October 24th, 14:30-18:30, Nice Acropolis AhG meeting agenda: 1.- review of conducted exploration experiments on wavelet video coding; 2.- review 74th ISO/MPEG meeting input documents of interest to this AhG; 3.- review this AhG mandates and prepare AhG report, includine recommendation

Efficient Localization and Tracking of Two Acoustic Sources using Particle Filters with Swarm Intelligence

Publication in the conference proceedings of EUSIPCO, Poznan, Poland, 200

Functional and Structural Biological Methods for Palytoxin Detection

Palytoxin (PLTX) and its analogues are marine polyethers identified in Palythoa and Zoanthus corals, Ostreopsis dinoflagellates, and Trichodesmium cyanobacteria. Humans can be exposed to these toxins by different routes with a series of adverse effects but the most severe risk is associated with poisonings by the consumption of edible marine organisms accumulating these toxins, as occurs in (sub)-tropical areas. In temperate areas, adverse effects ascribed to PLTXs have been recorded after inhalation of marine aerosols and/or cutaneous contact with seawater during Ostreopsis blooms, as well as during cleaning procedures of Palythoa-containing home aquaria. Besides instrumental analytical methods, in the last years a series of alternative or complementary methods based on biological/biochemical tools have been developed for the rapid and specific PLTX detection required for risk assessment. These methods are usually sensitive, cost- and time-effective, and do not require highly specialized operators. Among them, structural immunoassays and functional cellbased assays are reviewed. The availability of specific anti-PLTX antibodies allowed the development of different sensitive structural assays, suitable for its detection also in complex matrices, such as mussels. In addition, knowing the mechanism of PLTX action, a series of functional identification methods has been developed. Despite some of them being limited by matrix effects and specificity issues, biological methods for PLTX detection represent a feasible tool, suitable for rapid screening

Experimental evaluation of a localization algorithm for multiple acoustic sources in reverberating environments

Publication in the conference proceedings of EUSIPCO, Florence, Italy, 200