Audio Spectral-Dynamics Display for Processing Effect Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing and displaying spectral-dynamics of audio signals are inadequate, as they fail to provide a comprehensive overview of spectral and dynamic properties, making it difficult to assess and compare the effects of audio processing, and require separate analyses and comparisons of input and output signals.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the measurement of audio signal levels over time in multiple frequency bands, calculation of spectral-dynamic characterizing values (SDCV) based on statistical distributions, and graphical representation of these values to summarize and display spectral-dynamic properties, enabling a comprehensive and quantitative assessment of audio signals and their processing effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If waveform plots or envelope plots are used to display dynamics, then amplitude peaks are shown, but the display becomes too grassy and fails to represent perceived dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary dynamic information (level variations over time) from the complete waveform signal, discarding redundant visual details that create the 'grassy' effect. This is achieved by calculating envelope levels and presenting them in a simplified display format that shows only the essential dynamic characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of displaying the complete waveform and hoping users can perceive dynamics, the patent inverts the approach by directly calculating and displaying the envelope levels that represent perceived dynamics. This transforms the problem from visual interpretation of complex waveforms to direct presentation of dynamic characteristics.
2Loss of information
If spectrograms or waterfall plots are used to show level at different frequencies over time, then spectral information is provided, but it is difficult to get an overview of spectral-dynamics as a whole
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges spectral analysis and dynamic analysis into a single integrated display. By calculating envelope levels for different frequency bands and presenting them together in one visualization, it combines what were previously separate analyses (spectrogram frequency information and waveform dynamic information) into a unified spectral-dynamics overview.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spectral dimension to dynamic analysis by organizing envelope levels according to frequency bands. This transforms the traditional time-domain waveform display into a time-frequency representation where vertical position indicates frequency and horizontal position indicates time, with visual intensity or position indicating level.
3Measurement precision
If separate analyses of input and output signals are performed, then processing effects can be detected, but it requires multiple separate steps and comparisons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables simultaneous display of input and output spectral-dynamics in a single integrated visualization. By presenting both signals' envelope levels together with visual indicators showing their relationship, it eliminates the need for separate analysis steps and manual comparison, allowing users to assess processing effects directly from one display.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple processors are chained together, then complex audio processing is achieved, but assessing the total spectral-dynamic effect requires separate analysis and visual subtraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides a unified display framework that can simultaneously show the spectral-dynamics of input signals and outputs from multiple processors in the chain. By integrating all processing stages into one visualization with direct visual comparison capabilities, it eliminates the need for separate analyses and manual subtraction operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of analyzing and displaying spectral-dynamic properties of an audio signal, including measuring a level over time in multiple neighboring frequency-bands based on the audio signal; calculating spectral-dynamic characterizing values based on two or more statistics of a distribution of the measured levels within each of the frequency-bands; and displaying a graphical representation of the spectral-dynamic characterizing values as a function of frequency.