Self-adjusting Fundamental Frequency Accentuation Subsystem
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with 'tin ear' or 'tone challenged' difficulties in discerning the fundamental frequency of their own voice struggle to sing intended notes due to the dominance of distracting harmonics, requiring innovative feedback systems that can dynamically adapt and provide precise pitch assistance.
Innovation Solution
A self-adjusting fundamental frequency accentuation (FFA) subsystem for the natural ear device, which includes an input transducer, fundamental frequency discriminator, and output transducer, automatically adjusts the accentuated fundamental frequency in real-time, attenuating harmonics and providing continuous feedback to help users match the intended pitch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fundamental frequency accentuation is provided to help users discern pitch, then pitch discrimination ability is improved, but distracting harmonics dominate the output signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the fundamental frequency component from the user's voice signal using a fundamental frequency discriminator, separating it from the distracting harmonics. This extracted fundamental frequency is then accentuated and fed back to the user, effectively removing the harmful harmonic interference while preserving the useful pitch information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing qualities to different frequency components of the voice signal. Specifically, the fundamental frequency receives accentuation and enhancement, while the harmonic components are suppressed or eliminated. This localized quality enhancement ensures that only the relevant pitch information is amplified, not the distracting harmonics.
2Measurement precision
If the FFA subsystem is calibrated to match user characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and calibration time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fundamental frequency discriminator automatically adapts to the user's voice characteristics by continuously analyzing the input signal and identifying the fundamental frequency without requiring external calibration. The system serves itself by learning the user's vocal profile in real-time, eliminating the need for separate calibration procedures while maintaining high detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic adaptation mechanism where the FFA subsystem continuously adjusts its parameters based on the user's actual voice characteristics during operation. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize pitch detection accuracy for each user without requiring static calibration procedures, making the system both simpler and more adaptable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides feedback across a wide frequency range, then adaptability is improved, but difficulty in detecting fundamental frequency increases due to harmonic dominance
Solution Approach 1:
The fundamental frequency discriminator extracts the fundamental frequency component from the wide-frequency input signal, isolating it from the surrounding harmonics. This extraction process makes fundamental frequency detection possible even when the system operates across a wide frequency range, as the discriminator specifically targets and separates the fundamental component from the spectral mixture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies selective processing to different frequency regions, enhancing the fundamental frequency while suppressing harmonics in the same wide frequency spectrum. This local quality differentiation allows the system to maintain wide adaptability across frequencies while simultaneously improving fundamental frequency detection by treating the fundamental and harmonic regions differently.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus to accentuate a fundamental frequency of a singer's utterance. The apparatus includes a frequency discriminator configured to detect the fundamental frequency of the singer's utterance. The apparatus also includes a device configured to process the singer's utterance, the device comprising at least one of: a filter connected to the frequency discriminator and configured to isolate the fundamental frequency; or a synthesizer connected to the filter and configured to isolate the fundamental frequency. The apparatus also includes a speaker configured to emit an audio signal that effectively reproduces and accentuates the fundamental frequency back to the singer.