Selective Frequency Sub-Band Sound Modification for Natural Audio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sound modification techniques unintentionally alter the overall energy level of audio signals, leading to unnatural and jarring listening experiences due to unintended modification of other sounds.

Innovation Solution

A sound modification system that selectively modifies specific frequency sub-bands of sounds based on their classifications, using techniques like parametric equalization, to enhance or diminish sounds without significantly changing the overall energy level.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional sound modification techniques are used to enhance or diminish certain sounds, then the desired sound modification is achieved, but the overall energy level of the audio signal is significantly altered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound modification capabilityVSAvoidoverall energy level
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by modifying only specific frequency sub-bands of target sounds rather than the entire audio signal. The system identifies frequency ranges characteristic of specific sound types (e.g., human voice, music, traffic) and selectively adjusts only those sub-bands, leaving other frequency regions unchanged. This localized approach allows sound enhancement or suppression without significantly altering the overall energy level of the audio signal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If inverse sound wave is generated to cancel a certain sound, then the target sound is cancelled, but all or part of other sounds are unintentionally cancelled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound cancellation capabilityVSAvoidother sounds
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by targeting specific frequency sub-bands associated with the sound to be cancelled while preserving other frequency regions. Instead of generating an inverse sound wave that affects the entire spectrum, the patent identifies characteristic frequency ranges of the target sound type and applies cancellation only within those ranges, thereby avoiding unintended cancellation of other sounds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the audio signal into multiple frequency sub-bands and applies different processing to each band. By dividing the frequency spectrum into distinct regions and selectively modifying only those containing the target sound, the system achieves precise sound cancellation without affecting other sounds in different frequency ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the amplitude of a sound channel is increased to enhance a certain sound, then the desired sound is enhanced, but other sounds in the audio signal are unintentionally affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound enhancement capabilityVSAvoidother sounds
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enhancing only specific frequency sub-bands containing the target sound rather than increasing the amplitude of the entire sound channel. The system identifies characteristic frequency ranges of the desired sound type and applies amplification selectively to those sub-bands, leaving other frequency regions and their associated sounds unchanged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the audio frequency spectrum into multiple sub-bands and applies enhancement only to those containing the target sound. This segmentation approach allows precise control over which sounds are enhanced while preserving other sounds in different frequency regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3980994B1Sound modification based on frequency composition
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP3980994B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3980994B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3980994B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

In various embodiments, a sound modification application selectively modifies one or more sounds included in one or more audio signals. In operation, the sound modification application determines classifications associated with multiple sounds included in one or more audio signals. The sound modification application selects a first frequency sub-band of a first sound included in the multiple sounds based on a first classification associated with the first sound. The sound modification application then modifies the first frequency sub-band of the first sound, without modifying at least a second frequency sub-band of the first sound, to generate a modified audio signal.