Compression-Feedback Audio Enhancement for Bass Without Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio signal enhancement methods, such as equalization-type and psychoacoustic bass enhancement, face challenges in preventing speaker distortion at high volume levels, particularly when both types of enhancements are applied simultaneously, leading to unintended volume reduction and timbre alteration.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic hybrid approach that selectively applies equalization-type and psychoacoustic bass enhancements based on feedback indicative of compression applied to each frequency band, using a multiband compressor to prevent distortion, allowing for controlled energy boosting in specific bands to maintain an enhanced bass response without causing distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If equalization-type bass enhancement is applied to boost low frequency content, then bass response is improved, but speaker distortion occurs at high volume levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between equalization-type bass enhancement and psychoacoustic bass enhancement based on playback volume level. At lower volume levels, equalization-type enhancement is applied to boost real bass response. At higher volume levels, the system transitions to psychoacoustic bass enhancement that generates perceived bass without physically demanding the speaker to reproduce low frequencies, thereby preventing distortion while maintaining bass perception.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the enhancement parameter type based on volume level conditions. When volume exceeds a threshold, the enhancement mechanism changes from physical bass boosting (equalization) to perceptual bass synthesis (psychoacoustic), altering the fundamental approach to bass enhancement to avoid speaker distortion while preserving the listening experience.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiband compression is applied to prevent speaker distortion, then distortion is reduced, but bass enhancement effectiveness is counteracted and overall playback volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses psychoacoustic bass enhancement as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the gap between bass enhancement goals and distortion prevention. Instead of directly boosting low frequencies (which triggers compression), the system generates high-frequency harmonics that the auditory system perceives as bass, thereby achieving bass enhancement without activating the multiband compressor's distortion protection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical approach of physical bass boosting (equalization) with a psychoacoustic approach (harmonic transposition). This substitution allows bass enhancement to occur through perceptual mechanisms rather than physical speaker movement, avoiding the distortion and compression issues that arise from physical bass enhancement at high volumes.
3Illumination intensity
If both equalization-type and psychoacoustic bass enhancement are applied simultaneously, then bass response is enhanced, but unintended volume reduction and timbre alteration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects which bass enhancement type to apply based on real-time volume level assessment, rather than applying both simultaneously. This dynamic selection prevents the interaction problems that arise when both enhancement types operate together, maintaining stable timbre characteristics while still achieving effective bass enhancement appropriate for the current playback level.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a method for performing enhancement on an audio signal to generate an enhanced audio signal in response to feedback indicative of amount of compression applied to at least one frequency band of the enhanced audio signal. In typical embodiments, the enhancement is or includes bass enhancement. Examples of other types of enhancement performed in other embodiments include dialog enhancement, upmixing, frequency shifting, harmonic injection or transposition, subharmonic injection, virtualization, and equalization. Other aspects are systems (e.g., programmed processors) and devices (e.g., devices having physically-limited bass reproduction capabilities, such as, for example, a notebook, tablet, mobile phone, or other device with small speakers) configured to perform any embodiment of the method.