Game and Chat Audio Mixing With Automatic Voice-Level Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for adjusting chat audio volume in gaming environments require manual user intervention, which disrupts gameplay, and fail to maintain chat audio intelligibility during dynamic changes in game audio volume.
Innovation Solution
An automatic volume control system that dynamically adjusts chat and game audio levels based on signal strength analysis, using envelope detection and gain control to ensure clear chat audio despite varying game audio dynamics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual user intervention is used to adjust chat audio volume, then chat audio volume can be controlled, but gameplay is disrupted and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects game audio levels and adjusts chat audio volume without user intervention. The envelope detector continuously monitors game audio signals and the controller automatically modifies chat audio gain based on detected audio dynamics, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual user control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the envelope detector continuously monitors game audio levels and feeds this information back to the controller, which then adjusts chat audio volume accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures chat audio automatically adapts to changing game audio conditions without user intervention.
2Device complexity
If fixed chat audio volume is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but chat audio intelligibility deteriorates during dynamic game audio changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from fixed volume control to dynamic adjustment by incorporating an envelope detector that continuously tracks game audio level changes. The controller dynamically modifies chat audio gain in real-time based on detected audio envelope characteristics, ensuring chat intelligibility adapts to varying game audio conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the volume parameter of chat audio dynamically based on game audio conditions. The envelope detector identifies audio level parameters and the controller adjusts chat audio gain accordingly, transforming the static volume parameter into a dynamic one that responds to game audio variations.
3Reliability
If envelope detection and gain control are implemented, then chat audio intelligibility is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The audio processing system is segmented into distinct functional modules: an envelope detector that separates game audio analysis from chat audio processing, and a controller that independently manages gain adjustment. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring complete system redesign.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Maintains clear and intelligible chat audio without user intervention, by automatically adjusting volume settings to match changing game audio levels, enhancing user experience in multiplayer gaming.
Implementation Method 1
using envelope detection and gain control to ensure clear chat audio despite varying game audio dynamics
Implementation Method 2
using envelope detection and gain control to ensure clear chat audio despite varying game audio dynamics
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
A system may comprise an input circuit, one or more filter circuits, one or more common signal detection circuits, and a controller. The input circuit may receive combined-game-and-chat audio signals generated from a mixing together of a chat audio signal and game audio signals. The filter circuit(s) may filter a first of the combined-game-and-chat audio signals to generate a first vocal-band signal and a first non-vocal-band signal, and filter a second of the combined-game-and-chat audio signals resulting in a second vocal-band signal and a second-non-vocal band signal. The common signal detection circuit(s) may detect strength of a signal component that is common to the first vocal-band signal and the second vocal-band signal, and strength of a signal component that is common to the first non-vocal-band signal and the second non-vocal-band signal. The controller may automatically control a volume setting based on one or both of the detected strengths.