Meeting Audio Volume Normalization for Uneven Speaker Levels

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Solution Overview

Problem

In audio meetings, participants with soft voices or those far from microphones are difficult to hear, while those speaking loudly can be hard to manage, leading to uneven audio experiences.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that collects speaking volume samples, compares them to predetermined volume models, and dynamically amplifies or reduces audio output device volumes to normalize speaking volumes, using intelligent microphones and software-controllable speakers or peer-to-peer communication among smart devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If participants speak at their natural volume levels, then each participant expresses themselves authentically, but the audio experience becomes uneven with some participants being difficult to hear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio experience consistencyVSAvoidnatural speaking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the volume parameter of audio signals in real-time based on the speaker's distance and voice characteristics. Volume levels are adjusted automatically to ensure consistent audio output from all participants regardless of their physical position or natural speaking volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary processing layer between the microphone input and speaker output that analyzes and normalizes volume levels. This intermediary component processes audio signals to eliminate volume disparities while preserving the natural speech content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If microphones are placed close to participants, then soft-speaking participants can be heard clearly, but participants far from microphones remain difficult to hear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio capture accuracyVSAvoidspatial flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a universal audio normalization solution that works for all participants regardless of their position relative to microphones. The volume normalization algorithm processes audio from any microphone source to achieve consistent output levels, making the system adaptable to various spatial arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical solution of placing microphones close to each participant with an electronic processing solution. Instead of physically adjusting microphone positions, the system uses digital signal processing to normalize volume levels, providing spatial flexibility without sacrificing audio capture accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If all participants are amplified to the same volume, then audio consistency is achieved, but background noise and extraneous sounds are also amplified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio volume consistencyVSAvoidbackground noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different processing qualities to different audio components. Speech signals receive volume amplification while background noise components are identified and treated differently through noise suppression algorithms, maintaining audio consistency without uniformly amplifying harmful noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful effect of background noise by using noise cancellation and suppression techniques that work in conjunction with volume normalization. The noise suppression functionality identifies and reduces extraneous sounds while preserving and amplifying speech signals, turning a harmful factor into a manageable aspect of the audio processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS10249320B2Normalizing the speaking volume of participants in meetings

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer program products for normalizing the speaking volume of participants in meetings are provided herein. A computer-implemented method includes collecting speaking volume samples from multiple participants of a group event, wherein said speaking volume samples are derived from microphones; comparing said speaking volume samples to a predetermined volume level; determining which of the microphones is being used by which of the multiple participants during the group event; automatically amplifying a broadcast volume of each audio output device during periods of audio input attributed to each microphone determined as being used by the participants attributed to a speaking volume sample that is below the predetermined volume level; and automatically reducing a broadcast volume of each audio output device during periods of audio input attributed to each microphone determined as being used by the participants attributed to a speaking volume sample that exceeds the predetermined volume level.