Masking based gain control

Abstract

Interfering signals that may be present in a listening environment are masked by reproducing a desired signal in a listening environment, determining a masking threshold associated with the desired signal, identifying an interfering signal that may be present in the environment, comparing the interfering signal to the masking threshold, and adjusting the desired signal over time to raise its masking threshold above the level of the interfering signal.

Description

technical field [0001] This specification relates to signal processing that exploits the masking behavior of the human auditory system to reduce the perception of undesired signal interference, and a system for generating acoustically isolated regions to reduce noise and signal interference. Background technique [0002] Since audible signals have been broadcast and reproduced from recordings, a wide variety of content has been provided for listeners to choose from. For example, passengers traveling in a vehicle may each have a different favorite radio station or recording (eg, compact disc, etc.). However, only a single station can be selected for broadcasting from the vehicle's radio at a time. Similarly, different passengers may want to listen to different types and genres of recorded material (eg, music from a compact disc or memory device) using the vehicle's audio equipment (eg, a compact disc player). However, only a single selection (eg, CD track) can be played bac...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, the perception of the selection being played back may be degraded by interference from noise sources both inside and outside the vehicle

For example, along with engine noise and passenger voices, as a vehicle travels through a noisy environment (e.g., an urban center), relatively loud noises can overwhelm selected radio stations or recording playback and create an unpleasant listening experience for passengers

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