Dynamic Audio Equalization for Masked Signal Gain Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio processing systems waste energy by amplifying masked audio signals that are not perceived by listeners, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced hearing sensitivity due to psychoacoustic masking effects.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for dynamic equalization of audio data that detects transient events and reduces the gain of masked audio signals, incorporating gain adjustment devices and control signal processing systems to minimize energy consumption and improve audio quality by adding harmonic components to sparse audio signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If audio processing systems amplify all audio signals including masked signals, then audio coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases and hearing sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the psychoacoustic masking effect itself as the basis for gain reduction. By detecting when masking occurs (the harmful condition), the system automatically reduces gain for masked frequencies, converting the harmful masking effect into a beneficial energy-saving mechanism. The control signal processing system identifies masked audio signals and applies selective gain reduction, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining perceptual audio quality.
2Reliability
If audio processing systems amplify masked audio signals, then audio coverage is improved, but hearing sensitivity is reduced due to listener fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful masking effect into a protective mechanism. By detecting masked signals and reducing their gain, the system prevents listener fatigue and preserves hearing sensitivity. The control signal processing system monitors audio signals for masking conditions and automatically applies gain reduction to protected frequency ranges, thereby protecting the listener's hearing while maintaining overall audio coverage.
3Use of energy by moving object
If dynamic equalization reduces gain of masked signals, then energy consumption is reduced, but audio data fidelity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively adjusting gain only for masked audio signals in specific frequency bands, rather than applying uniform gain reduction across the entire audio spectrum. The control signal processing system identifies which frequency components are masked and applies gain reduction only to those specific components, leaving unmasked components unchanged. This localized approach preserves audio fidelity for non-masked signals while reducing energy consumption for masked signals.
4Reliability
If gain adjustment devices continuously process all audio signals, then audio processing completeness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by processing only the portion of audio signals that are masked, rather than continuously processing all audio signals. The control signal processing system detects masking conditions and activates gain adjustment only when and where masking occurs. This selective processing maintains audio processing completeness for masked signals while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous processing of all signals.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for processing audio data is disclosed that includes a plurality of gain adjustment devices, each gain adjustment device having an associated audio input frequency band. A plurality of control signal processing systems are configured to receive audio input data for one of the associated audio input frequency bands and to generate a gain adjustment device control signal. The gain adjustment device control signal is configured to decrease a gain setting of an associated gain adjustment device for a predetermined period of time as a function of a transient in the associated audio input frequency band.