Audio Loudness Control Using Speech and Noise Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for controlling audio signal output in electronic devices require manual user intervention to adjust volume based on signal characteristics, leading to user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with an activity detector, speech regulator, and speech filter that detects speech and noise components in an audio signal, regulates energy levels, and filters based on loudness criteria to generate an output signal with uniform loudness, preserving tonal balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual volume control is used, then user can adjust volume for different audio signals, but user convenience deteriorates due to frequent manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting speech and noise components, analyzing their energy levels, and adjusting volume settings without user intervention. The electronic device monitors audio signals continuously and autonomously regulates loudness based on detected components, eliminating the need for manual volume adjustments while maintaining optimal audio quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the energy levels of speech and noise components in the audio signal. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts volume settings to maintain balanced loudness between speech and noise, ensuring consistent audio quality without requiring user input
2Measurement precision
If volume is increased for feeble signals, then speech intelligibility improves, but noise level also increases causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by treating speech and noise components differently. It identifies speech components and applies volume enhancement selectively to these regions while leaving noise components unchanged. This targeted approach improves speech intelligibility without amplifying background noise, thereby avoiding listener discomfort
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the audio signal into distinct speech and noise components using activity detection and energy level analysis. By separating these components, the system can independently control the volume of speech portions without affecting noise portions, thus enhancing speech clarity while maintaining acceptable noise levels
3Object-affected harmful factors
If volume is decreased for loud signals, then noise comfort improves, but speech intelligibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by selectively reducing volume only for identified noise components while preserving speech components. Through component identification and targeted volume adjustment, the system maintains speech intelligibility while reducing overall noise levels to improve listener comfort
4Ease of operation
If automated loudness management is implemented, then user convenience improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves self-service through automated component detection and volume regulation, eliminating manual user intervention. The electronic device independently monitors audio signals, identifies speech and noise components, and adjusts volume settings autonomously, providing convenient operation despite increased processing requirements
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an electronic device and method for managing the perceived loudness of an input audio signal. The electronic device includes a communication unit configured to communicate with internal units and external devices and receive an audio source signal; a loudness adjustment unit configured to receive the audio source signal from the communication unit and obtain an input audio source signal from the audio source signal; a noise separator configured to separate noise from the input audio source signal; a voice booster configured to boost an output audio signal received from the loudness adjustment unit; a storage unit storing instructions; and at least one processor configured to communicate with the communication unit, the loudness adjustment unit, the noise separator, the voice booster, and the storage unit and control operations thereof by executing the stored instructions.