Audio Segmentation via Magnitude Spectrogram Deep Learning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current audio segmentation techniques are inefficient, require human intervention, and are imperfect due to noise, making it difficult to automatically decompose audio signals into component parts, such as isolating vocals and instruments from mixed audio signals.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transforming an audio signal into a complex spectrogram, decomposing it into magnitude and phase spectrograms, using deep neural networks to generate masks for each source, and combining these masks with the original spectrograms to isolate individual audio components, which are then encoded and stored separately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If common audio segmentation techniques are used, then audio signals can be decomposed into component parts, but the segmentation is inefficient and requires human intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesegmentation efficiencyVSAvoidhuman intervention requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses deep neural networks to automatically perform audio segmentation without human intervention. The neural network model independently processes the mixed audio signal, generates source masks, and decomposes the audio into separate sources, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for manual segmentation operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical segmentation processes with an automated deep learning system. Instead of human operators manually separating audio sources, a neural network model processes the audio signal through spectral analysis and mask generation, substituting human mechanical intervention with automated computational processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If common audio segmentation techniques are used, then audio decomposition is achieved, but the results are imperfect due to noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesegmentation accuracyVSAvoidnoise interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the magnitude information from the complex spectrogram and processes it separately through deep neural networks. By extracting and independently processing the magnitude spectrum, the system can generate clean source masks that are less susceptible to noise contamination, thereby improving segmentation accuracy and reducing noise interference in the final separated audio sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces deep neural networks as an intermediary between the spectrogram analysis and final audio separation. The neural networks process the magnitude spectrogram, generate optimized source masks, and guide the separation process, acting as a mediator that filters out noise and improves the reliability of the segmentation results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If common audio segmentation techniques are used, then audio decomposition is performed, but computational costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidcomputational cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the audio processing task into distinct stages: converting audio to spectrogram, extracting magnitude information, processing through neural networks to generate masks, and reconstructing separated sources. This segmentation of the computational process allows for optimized processing at each stage, reducing overall computational costs while maintaining processing speed and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240412747A1Deep learning segmentation of audio using magnitude spectrogram
Publication Date: 2024.12.12 AUDIOSHAKE INC
  • US20240412747A1 patent drawing
  • US20240412747A1 patent drawing
  • US20240412747A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method, system, and computer readable medium for decomposing an audio signal into different isolated sources. The techniques and mechanisms convert an audio signal into K input spectrogram fragments. The fragments are sent into a deep neural network to isolate for different sources. The isolated fragments are then combined to form full isolated source audio signals.