Audio Signal Transformation for Creator-Matched Listening Fidelity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio processing methods fail to accurately replicate the intended listening experience of an audio content creator for individual listeners due to natural differences in hearing acuity and perceptual biases among listeners, leading to subjective variations in audio perception.
Innovation Solution
The method involves identifying and capturing Personal Waveform Profiles (PWP) for both the content creator and listeners, using these profiles to transform audio signals through algorithms that adjust frequency, phase, and other audio characteristics to align the listening experience of the listener with that of the creator, thereby compensating for individual hearing differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If standard high-fidelity audio reproduction is used, then audio quality is improved, but listener perception still varies due to individual hearing differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by customizing audio processing for each individual listener based on their specific hearing profile. Instead of using a universal high-fidelity reproduction approach, the system adjusts frequency response, equalization, and spatial rendering parameters to match each listener's unique auditory characteristics, thereby achieving both high fidelity and consistent subjective perception across different listeners.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting audio signal parameters such as frequency response curves, equalization settings, and spatial rendering based on measured listener characteristics. The system modifies these parameters in real-time or pre-configured settings to compensate for individual hearing variations, ensuring that the reproduced audio matches the creator's intended experience for each specific listener.
2Device complexity
If audio content is delivered without customization, then device complexity is reduced, but subjective listening experience varies among listeners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing and storing each listener's hearing profile in advance through audiometric testing or calibration procedures. This pre-acquired data is then used to automatically adjust audio processing parameters without requiring complex real-time analysis during playback. The system performs the adaptive customization work beforehand, simplifying the actual playback process while maintaining consistent listening experiences.
3Measurement precision
If audiometric testing is performed for each listener, then perception accuracy is improved, but time and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by performing audiometric testing at selective points rather than requiring complete comprehensive testing for every listener. The system may use simplified calibration procedures, leverage existing audiometric data from medical records, or perform abbreviated testing that captures the most critical hearing characteristics. This approach achieves sufficient accuracy for audio customization without the full time investment of exhaustive audiometric evaluation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method or apparatus for delivering audio programming such as music to listeners may include identifying, capturing and applying a listener's audiometric profile to transform audio content so that the listener hears the content similarly to how the content was originally heard by a creative producer of the content. An audio testing tool may be implemented as software application to identify and capture the listener's audiometric profile. A signal processor may operate an algorithm used for processing source audio content, obtaining an identity and an audiometric reference profile of the creative producer from metadata associated with the content. The signal processor may then provide audio output based on a difference between the listener's and creative producer's audiometric profiles.