Digital Audio Waveform Synthesis via Control Point Interpolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sound synthesis methods provide users with limited insight and control over the generation of digital audio signals, treating the sound creation process as a 'black box' where only a few parameters can be adjusted, restricting creative manipulation of the waveform.
Innovation Solution
The method employs recurrently calculated amplitude values of a waveform using period-phase or frequency-dependent control points, allowing users to change and interpolate amplitude, magnitude, or phase values, enabling real-time modification of the audio signal by specifying control points and their attributes through a graphical interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional black box synthesis methods are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the user control and insight over waveform generation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The waveform generation process is segmented into discrete controllable parameters (amplitude, frequency, phase, harmonics) that can be independently adjusted. Each parameter represents a separate control dimension, allowing users to manipulate specific aspects of the waveform without needing to understand the entire synthesis system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a visual waveform display dimension that translates abstract parameter adjustments into visible waveform changes. This graphical interface dimension allows users to see the direct impact of parameter changes on the waveform shape, bridging the gap between control inputs and audio output.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more parameters are provided for waveform manipulation, then the adaptability increases, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the available parameters and their ranges based on the current waveform state and user selections. Not all parameters are always active or visible - the interface adapts to show only relevant controls for the current context, reducing cognitive load while maintaining full versatility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parameters are made available or emphasized based on the local state of the waveform being edited. For example, harmonic control options appear when working with complex waveforms, while simple sine wave generation shows only basic frequency and amplitude controls. This local adaptation of parameter availability optimizes ease of operation for each specific task.
3Productivity
If real-time waveform modification is enabled, then the productivity increases, but the computational energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial waveform recalculations rather than complete regenerations in real-time. When a parameter changes, only the affected portions of the waveform are recomputed, while unchanged sections are preserved. This selective update approach maintains real-time responsiveness while significantly reducing computational energy requirements compared to full waveform regeneration.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the synthetic generation of a digital audio signal by means of periodic sampling of a waveform to permit the user particularly simple and intuitive access to the changing and creative transformation of the waveform on which the sampling is based. For this purpose, according to the invention, the waveform is specified by using control points which, in addition to position parameters, can contain further attributes, of which the parameters and attributes can be changed individually over time by means of control signals or spontaneous intervention. The control point values which result in this way can be interpreted either as direct amplitude-period phase pairs, as magnitude-frequency pairs, or as phase-frequency pairs. A continuous waveform is generated by interpolation or approximation of the control points and the parameters/attributes of the latter, which assume a time-specific value depending on the current control signals and other influences, and can be used for further processing, e.g. spectral band limiting.