Comfortable Noise Generation via Adaptive Energy Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DTX/CNG technologies in speech coding systems apply a fixed 3 dB energy attenuation to background noises, leading to discontinuous energy levels that negatively impact user experience during transitions between speech and noise stages.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that calculate a self-adaptive energy attenuation parameter based on the relationship between current and preceding data frames, allowing for dynamic adjustment of noise energy attenuation to ensure smooth transitions and improved user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed 3 dB energy attenuation is applied to all background noises in the noise stage, then the encoding complexity is reduced and transmission bandwidth is saved, but the energy discontinuity between speech and noise stages increases, degrading user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed energy attenuation approach into a dynamic one by calculating different attenuation values based on the actual energy levels of speech and noise frames. The energy attenuation parameter is computed as the difference between speech frame energy and noise frame energy, allowing the system to adaptively adjust attenuation to maintain energy continuity across stage transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy parameter of the noise frame by applying a calculated attenuation value rather than a fixed 3 dB reduction. This parameter modification ensures that the reconstructed comfortable noise energy matches the actual background noise energy level, eliminating the energy discontinuity that occurs with fixed attenuation.
2Ease of operation
If the energy of comfortable noise is reduced by fixed attenuation, then the subjective feeling during stable noise stage is improved, but the energy discontinuity during stage transitions worsens, affecting user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different energy attenuation strategies to different operational contexts: during stable noise stages, appropriate attenuation maintains comfortable listening levels, while during stage transitions, dynamic calculation ensures energy continuity. This localized adaptation of attenuation behavior resolves the contradiction between subjective comfort and energy smoothness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the energy attenuation parameter based on the operational state (stable noise vs. stage transition). By calculating the attenuation as the energy difference between consecutive frames, the system automatically provides smooth transitions while maintaining appropriate noise levels during stable periods.
3Quantity of substance
If linear interpolation is used to estimate noise parameters from SID frames, then the transmission bandwidth is reduced, but the accuracy of noise energy estimation decreases, leading to energy mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where the estimated noise parameters from linear interpolation are refined by calculating the actual energy difference between speech and noise frames. This feedback correction compensates for the energy attenuation introduced by interpolation, improving the accuracy of noise energy estimation while maintaining bandwidth efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the energy parameter estimated through linear interpolation by applying a compensation calculation based on actual frame energy measurements. This parameter adjustment corrects the energy mismatch inherent in interpolation-based estimation, achieving accurate noise energy reproduction without increasing transmission bandwidth.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus for generating comfortable noises so as to improve user experience are disclosed. The method includes: if a received data frame is a noise frame, calculating a corresponding energy attenuation parameter based on the noise frame and a data frame received earlier than the noise frame; and attenuating noise energy based on the energy attenuation parameter to obtain a comfortable noise signal. An apparatus for generating comfortable noise is also provided.