Audio Classification Volume Control With Minimal Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio volume adjustment methods, such as dynamic range compression, often degrade the quality of audio signals by significantly altering their dynamics and introducing artifacts, as they continuously adjust volume levels across different media sources and genres.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of audio classification techniques to determine the category of an audio signal, allowing for targeted volume adjustments with minimal compression by applying a gain value specific to the signal's classification group, thereby reducing the need for extensive dynamic range compression and maintaining audio quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dynamic range compression is used to continuously adjust volume levels across different media sources, then volume consistency is improved, but audio quality deteriorates due to significant alterations in dynamics and introduction of artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of volume adjustment from continuous dynamic compression to discrete gain application based on audio classification. By classifying audio into different types (music, speech, etc.) and applying specific gain values to each class, the system achieves volume consistency without the harmful continuous compression effects that degrade audio quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an audio classification system as an intermediary between the audio signal and volume adjustment. The classifier categorizes the audio signal first, then determines appropriate gain values based on the classification. This intermediary step allows for intelligent, context-aware volume normalization that preserves audio quality while achieving consistency across different sources.
2Reliability
If extensive dynamic range compression is applied to normalize volume across different sources, then volume uniformity is improved, but audio dynamics are significantly altered
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from using compression ratio and threshold parameters to simple gain adjustment parameters. By changing from compression-based volume control to gain-based control, the system maintains audio dynamics while achieving volume uniformity across different media sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary classification and gain determination before the actual volume adjustment. By classifying the audio signal in advance and pre-determining the appropriate gain value, the system prepares the optimal adjustment strategy beforehand, avoiding the need for continuous compression that would alter audio dynamics.
3Measurement precision
If continuous volume adjustment is performed to satisfy volume thresholds, then volume control precision is improved, but perceptible changes in audio signal are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs volume adjustment periodically based on audio classification intervals rather than continuously. By classifying audio segments and applying gain adjustments at these discrete intervals, the system maintains precise volume control while minimizing perceptible changes that would occur with continuous adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses short-term audio classification and gain application instead of long-term continuous compression. Each audio segment is classified and adjusted independently with appropriate gain, rather than subjecting the entire signal to continuous compression, thereby reducing perceptible artifacts while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for dynamic volume adjustment via audio classification. Examples methods include analyzing, with a neural network trained model, a parameter of an audio signal associated with a first volume level to determine a classification group associated with the audio signal, determining an input volume of the audio signal, the selection based on the classification group associated with the audio signal, applying a gain value to the audio signal, the gain value based on the classification group and the input volume, the gain value to modify the first volume level to a second volume level, and applying a compression value to the audio signal, the compression value to modify the second volume level to a third volume level that satisfies a target volume threshold.