Audio Signal Processing for Robust Data Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio signal processing methods fail to effectively superimpose data on audio signals without being affected by changes in signal level or digital compression, leading to information corruption during transmission and reproduction.
Innovation Solution
An audio signal processing method that determines a reference input value and calculates relative input values based on target data, superimposing these values on specific frequency domains of the audio signal to ensure data integrity across various transmission paths and compression processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If information is extracted according to frequency distribution, then information can be superimposed on audio signal, but the information is corrupted when signal level changes or frequency characteristic is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation from absolute frequency distribution to relative frequency ratios. By expressing spectral components as ratios relative to a reference frequency, the system becomes invariant to overall signal level changes. This parameter transformation allows the same relative relationships to be maintained regardless of absolute amplitude variations in the audio signal.
2Loss of information
If AM modulation is executed to embed information, then information can be superimposed on audio signal, but the information is corrupted when signal level changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from amplitude-based modulation (AM) to frequency-ratio-based encoding. Instead of modulating amplitude which is directly affected by signal level changes, the system encodes information in the relative frequency relationships between spectral components, making the information carrier invariant to amplitude variations.
3Loss of information
If audio signal is upsampled to embed information, then information can be superimposed on audio signal, but the audio signal may not be reproduced as it is
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio signal into spectral components and processes them independently in the frequency domain. By working with individual frequency bins rather than the entire time-domain signal, the system can embed information in specific frequency relationships without altering the overall reproduction characteristics of the audio signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent operates in the frequency domain rather than time domain, transforming the representation parameters of the audio signal. This allows manipulation of spectral relationships without affecting the temporal reproduction accuracy, as the changes are made in a different parameter space (frequency ratios rather than time-domain amplitudes).
4Loss of information
If information is superimposed on audio signal using conventional methods, then data can be transmitted, but the data is corrupted during digital compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent encodes information in the relative frequency relationships between spectral components rather than in absolute amplitude or time-domain features. This parameter choice makes the encoded information resilient to digital compression, as compression algorithms typically preserve relative spectral relationships while reducing absolute precision, thereby maintaining the integrity of ratio-based encoding.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio signal processing method includes receiving an audio signal and an input target data, determining a predetermined reference input value, calculating a relative input value with respect to the predetermined reference input value, superimposing the audio signal with the predetermined reference input value on a first frequency domain of the audio signal and the relative input value on a second frequency domain, and sending the superimposed audio signal.