Multichannel Audio Rendering With Compression Feedback for Bass Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio processing methods fail to consider previous processing in the audio signal chain, leading to spectral imbalance and undoing of intentionally applied effects, especially when equalization-type bass enhancement is used with multiband compression, causing speaker distortion and reduced playback volume.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for audio signal compression and enhancement that utilizes feedback from a smart amplifier or multiband limiter to dynamically route audio content between channels and apply compression, considering speaker power handling characteristics, thereby preventing distortion and maintaining playback volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If equalization-type bass enhancement is applied to boost low frequency content, then perceived bass response is improved, but speaker distortion occurs at higher volume levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where compression feedback from the multiband limiter is used to dynamically control the bass enhancement processing. The system monitors the amount of compression applied to each frequency band and adjusts the bass enhancement accordingly, reducing or disabling it when compression indicates potential distortion conditions. This closed-loop feedback resolves the contradiction by adaptively managing bass enhancement to prevent speaker distortion while maintaining perceived bass response when conditions permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic routing of audio content between channels based on compression feedback conditions. Rather than applying fixed bass enhancement, the system dynamically adjusts the enhancement processing in real-time based on the operational state of the speaker and the compression applied to different frequency bands. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maximize bass response when speakers can handle it while preventing distortion when they cannot.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiband compression is applied to prevent speaker distortion, then speaker protection is improved, but playback volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different frequency bands differently through multiband compression. Rather than uniformly reducing volume across all frequencies, the system applies compression selectively to specific frequency bands where distortion is detected or anticipated. This allows the system to protect the speaker from distortion in problematic frequency ranges while maintaining higher playback volumes in frequency ranges where the speaker can handle the power, thus resolving the contradiction between speaker protection and overall playback volume.
3Device complexity
If conventional audio processing is applied without considering previous processing, then processing simplicity is maintained, but spectral imbalance occurs and intentionally applied effects are undone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from the multiband limiter to inform subsequent audio processing stages about the compression that has been applied. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain spectral balance by adjusting processing in response to the actual compression conditions, preventing undoing of intentionally applied effects. The feedback creates a coordinated processing chain where each stage is aware of the others' actions, resolving the contradiction between processing simplicity and spectral stability.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a method for performing at least one of enhancement, decoding, or rendering of a multichannel audio signal in response to compression feedback or feedback from a smart amplifier. For example, the compression feedback may be indicative of amount of compression applied to each of multiple frequency bands, of the audio signal or an enhanced audio signal generated in response thereto. The enhancement (e.g., bass enhancement) may include dynamic routing of audio content of the input audio signal between channels of an enhanced audio signal generated in response thereto. The enhancement and compression may be performed on a per speaker class basis. Other aspects are systems (e.g., programmed processors) and devices (e.g., devices having physically-limited bass reproduction capabilities, such as, for example, a notebook or laptop computer, tablet, soundbar, mobile phone, or other device with small speakers) configured to perform any embodiment of the method.