Automatic Game-Chat Audio Volume Control for Audible Voice
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multiplayer gaming, the wide dynamic range of game audio can overwhelm chat audio, making it difficult for users to hear voice communications, especially during intense game events, as conventional solutions require manual volume adjustments that disrupt gameplay.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of automatic volume control systems within gaming consoles and headsets that detect the strength of both game and chat audio components, adjusting volume settings dynamically to maintain audible chat audio without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If manual volume adjustment is used to ensure chat audio is audible, then chat audio comprehensibility is improved, but gameplay continuity deteriorates due to user interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors and adjusts volume levels without user intervention. The processor continuously analyzes audio signals from both game and chat sources, dynamically adjusting gain levels to ensure chat audio remains audible during gameplay without requiring the user to manually intervene.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the processor continuously monitors the output audio signals and adjusts volume levels based on real-time conditions. This closed-loop control ensures that chat audio maintains appropriate levels relative to game audio, automatically adapting to changing audio environments during gameplay.
2Use of energy by moving object
If game audio volume is increased for immersive gameplay, then gaming experience is improved, but chat audio detectability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts volume levels in real-time based on the relative intensity of game and chat audio sources. Rather than using fixed volume settings, the processor continuously adapts gain levels to maintain optimal chat audio detectability while allowing game audio to maintain its immersive quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different processing characteristics to different audio sources. Chat audio receives enhanced processing including volume normalization and selective amplification, while game audio maintains its original dynamic range and spatial characteristics, allowing each audio type to have optimized quality for its specific purpose.
3Loss of information
If automatic volume control is implemented, then chat audio remains audible during loud events, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor performs multiple functions using the same hardware resources. It simultaneously handles game audio processing, chat audio processing, volume level monitoring, and dynamic gain adjustment, consolidating what could be separate complex subsystems into a single multi-functional processing unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines chat audio and game audio processing into a unified audio stream that is monitored and adjusted as a whole. Rather than maintaining separate complex control systems for each audio source, the processor merges the processing functions and applies coordinated volume control to the combined output.
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising audio processing circuitry is provided. The audio processing circuitry is operable to receive audio signals. The audio processing circuitry is operable to process the audio signals to detect strength of a chat component of the audio signals and strength of a game component of the audio signals. The audio processing circuitry is operable to automatically control a volume setting based on one or both of: the detected strength of the chat component, and the detected strength of the game component. The combined-game-and-chat audio signals may comprise a left channel signal and a right channel signal. The processing of the combined-game-and-chat audio signals may comprise measuring strength of a vocal-band signal component that is common to the left channel signal and the right channel signal.