Digital Audio Harmonic Adder for Listener Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital audio processing devices only add odd-numbered harmonics to digital audio signals, which can cause irritation and discomfort, whereas adding even-numbered harmonics is generally more comfortable for listeners, necessitating a solution to incorporate both even and odd harmonics into the audio signal processing.
Innovation Solution
A digital audio processing device that includes local maximum and minimum sample detectors, a waveform slope determiner, a counter, a coefficient selector, and harmonic adders for both even and odd-numbered harmonics, which calculate and apply correction values to adjacent samples based on sample intervals to add both even and odd harmonics to the digital audio signal, correcting waveforms in both increasing and decreasing phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If only odd-numbered harmonics are added to the digital audio signal, then the sound quality is improved, but listeners may feel irritated and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both even-numbered and odd-numbered harmonic addition operations into a single audio processing system. The even-numbered harmonic adder and odd-numbered harmonic adder work together to simultaneously introduce both types of harmonics to the fundamental frequency, creating a more balanced and comfortable sound that avoids the irritation caused by odd harmonics alone while retaining the quality improvement benefits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If correction is applied to only one waveform phase (increasing or decreasing), then even and odd harmonics are added, but the waveform correction is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the waveform correction process into two distinct operational modes based on the waveform phase. The waveform slope determiner identifies whether the signal is in an increasing or decreasing phase, and the system applies appropriate correction operations for each phase separately. This ensures that both increasing and decreasing phases are properly corrected, achieving complete waveform modification while maintaining the ability to add both even and odd harmonics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on the real-time waveform phase detected by the waveform slope determiner. The correction applied to samples changes depending on whether the waveform is increasing or decreasing at that moment, allowing the system to adaptively apply different correction strategies for different phases of the same signal, thereby achieving comprehensive waveform correction.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If both even and odd harmonics are added using separate adders, then listener comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional processing structure where the harmonic component adder serves multiple purposes. It can operate in different modes (even-numbered harmonic addition, odd-numbered harmonic addition, or both simultaneously) depending on the input conditions and waveform phase. This universal design allows the system to provide both even and odd harmonics when needed while maintaining flexibility to use only one type when appropriate, thereby managing complexity while delivering comprehensive harmonic enhancement.
Data Source
AI summary
An even-numbered harmonic adder adds a correction value to a first adjacent sample that is the next sample after a first local minimum sample, and subtracts a correction value from a second adjacent sample that is one sample before a local maximum sample. The even-numbered harmonic adder adds a correction value to a third adjacent sample that is the next sample after the local maximum sample, and subtracts a correction value from a fourth adjacent sample that is one sample before a second local minimum sample. An odd-numbered harmonic adder subtracts a correction value from the first local minimum sample and the second local minimum sample, and adds a correction value to the local maximum sample.