Audio Volume Adjustment Using Metadata for Consistent Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio media systems face challenges in maintaining consistent volume levels across different sources and media, leading to irritating fluctuations and potential hearing damage, as dynamic range compression alters the original dynamics of audio signals.
Innovation Solution
The use of media metadata to determine average audio levels for dynamic volume adjustment, combined with audio watermarks and fingerprints for identification, allows for real-time monitoring and adjustment of volume levels to maintain a consistent target volume, while employing a buffer to prevent rapid fluctuations and dynamic range compression for unidentifiable signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If dynamic range compression is used to adjust volume levels, then volume consistency is improved, but the original audio dynamics are altered and audio quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of media and retrieval of metadata (including target volume information) before audio playback. This allows the volume adjustment to be pre-calculated and applied without requiring real-time dynamic range compression, thus maintaining audio quality while achieving volume consistency across different media
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary carrier that contains target volume information about the media. This metadata acts as a mediator between the audio signal and the volume adjustment mechanism, enabling precise volume control without directly manipulating the audio signal through lossy compression
2Ease of operation
If volume levels are adjusted across multiple media sources, then listening experience is improved, but rapid fluctuations may occur causing irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the currently played media and compares its target volume with the volume of previously played media. Based on this feedback, it dynamically adjusts the volume level to maintain consistency, preventing rapid fluctuations while adapting to different media sources
Solution Approach 2:
The volume adjustment mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It automatically adapts volume levels based on the characteristics of each media source and the transition between sources, ensuring smooth volume changes that maintain listening comfort without manual intervention
3Manufacturing precision
If media identification is implemented for volume adjustment, then volume normalization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal media identification mechanism that works across multiple media sources and formats (radio, CDs, streaming services, etc.). By using a single identification approach that retrieves metadata containing target volume information, the system achieves volume normalization without requiring source-specific complex processing for each media type
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems, articles of manufacture, and methods for volume adjustment are disclosed herein. An example method includes collecting data corresponding to a volume of an audio signal as the audio signal is output through a device, when an average volume of the audio signal does not satisfy a volume threshold for a specified timespan, determining a difference between the average volume and a desired volume, and applying a gain to the audio signal to adjust the volume of the audio signal to the desired volume, the gain determined based on the difference between the average volume and the desired volume.