Dynamic Uplink Gain Adjustment for Consistent Audio Loudness

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Solution Overview

Problem

The fixed uplink gain in mobile phones leads to poor user experience due to changes in the distance between the microphone and the user's mouth during calls, resulting in inconsistent loudness of the uplink sound.

Innovation Solution

A terminal device dynamically adjusts the uplink gain based on the position relationship between the acoustic source and the microphone, using sensors to determine angles and distances, and processes audio signals accordingly to maintain optimal loudness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the uplink gain is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loudness consistency deteriorates when the distance between microphone and user changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink gain controlVSAvoidloudness consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed uplink gain to a dynamic gain adjustment mechanism. The terminal device continuously monitors the distance between the microphone and acoustic source, and adjusts the uplink gain in real-time based on this distance information, ensuring consistent loudness despite position changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the distance measurement between the microphone and acoustic source as feedback information. This distance feedback is used to automatically adjust the uplink gain, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal audio quality without user intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the uplink gain is dynamically adjusted based on position, then the loudness consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloudness consistencyVSAvoiduplink gain control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual gain adjustment mechanisms with an electronic/digital solution. Distance measurement and gain calculation are performed through software algorithms and electronic signal processing, avoiding the need for complex mechanical adjustment systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically measuring the distance between the microphone and acoustic source, calculating the appropriate gain adjustment, and applying the correction without user intervention. The terminal device autonomously manages the entire process of maintaining loudness consistency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3528590B1Audio processing method and terminal device
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3528590B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3528590B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3528590B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide an audio processing method and a terminal device. The method includes: determining, by a terminal device, an actual uplink gain based on a position relationship between an acoustic source and a microphone of the terminal device; and processing, by the terminal device, an audio signal from the acoustic source based on the actual uplink gain. According to the audio processing method and the terminal device in the embodiments of this application, an uplink gain can be dynamically adjusted, thereby improving user experience.