Audio Processor Frequency Band Allocation for Concurrent Signal Distinguishability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of audio data files makes it difficult for users to easily select and appreciate desired audio content without visual cues, as existing technologies cannot arrange audio data visually like image data, leading to a need for aurally distinguishing multiple audio signals.
Innovation Solution
An audio processing apparatus and method that allocates frequency bands to audio signals, extracts specific frequency components, and mixes them to create an output with a predetermined number of channels, allowing users to hear multiple audio signals separately through frequency-band-division filtering and time-division techniques, while emphasizing certain signals for better recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple audio signals are reproduced concurrently without processing, then the user can access multiple audio contents, but the user cannot distinguish and recognize each audio signal separately
Solution Approach 1:
The audio processing apparatus divides the frequency spectrum into multiple bands and allocates specific frequency bands to different audio signals. This segmentation allows multiple audio signals to be reproduced concurrently while maintaining their individual distinguishability through frequency-band-division filtering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces frequency band allocation as an additional dimension for separating audio signals. By assigning different frequency bands to different audio contents, the system enables simultaneous reproduction of multiple signals with clear distinction, transforming the monolithic audio output into a multi-dimensional frequency-spatial arrangement.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If frequency bands are allocated to separate audio signals, then audible distinguishability improves, but the complexity of the audio processing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency-band-division filter serves multiple functions: it separates different audio signals by frequency band, allocates spectrum resources, and enables concurrent reproduction of multiple audio contents. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate processing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts frequency band allocation parameters to optimize the separation of audio signals. By changing frequency parameters and band assignments based on the number and type of audio signals being reproduced, the system maintains high distinguishability while adapting to different operational scenarios.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the audio processing apparatus processes and mixes multiple audio signals with frequency-band-division filtering, then the user can recognize multiple audio signals separately, but the processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The audio processing apparatus performs frequency band allocation and filtering operations in advance before the actual audio reproduction. By pre-processing the audio signals and establishing frequency band assignments, the system reduces the computational burden during real-time playback and minimizes processing delays.
Data Source
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AI summary
In Fig. 1, a user selects a plurality of pieces of music data desired to be reproduced concurrently, at an input unit 18 of an audio processing apparatus 16, from music data stored in a storage device 12. A reproducing apparatus 14 reproduces selected music data respectively and generates a plurality of audio signals under the control of a control unit 20. An audio processing unit 24 performs allocation of frequency band, extraction of a frequency component, time-division, periodic modulation, processing and allocation of a sound image, to respective audio signals under the control of the control unit 20. Then the audio processing unit 24 attaches segregation information of audio signals and information on the degree of emphasis to respective audio signals. The down mixer 26 mixes a plurality of audio signals and outputs as an audio signal having a predetermined number of channels, then an output unit 30 outputs the signal as sounds.