Volume Leveler Control With Real-Time Audio Content Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional audio processing systems require manual preset selection for different audio content types, leading to inconvenient user experiences and audible artifacts during transitions, as they lack continuous adjustment capabilities based on real-time content identification.

Innovation Solution

An audio processing apparatus and method that includes an audio classifier for real-time classification of audio signals into types and an adjusting unit for continuous parameter adjustment of audio improving devices like dialog enhancers, surround virtualizers, volume levelers, and equalizers based on confidence values, enabling automatic configuration and smooth transitions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual preset selection is used for different audio content types, then audio processing can be applied to specific content, but user experience deteriorates due to inconvenient operation and audible artifacts during transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio content type recognitionVSAvoidmanual preset selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects audio content types and adjusts processing parameters without requiring user intervention. The audio processing device autonomously identifies whether the input is music, speech, or other content types and applies appropriate processing, eliminating the need for manual preset selection while maintaining adaptability to different content types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static manual preset selection to dynamic automatic adjustment. Processing parameters change continuously and smoothly based on real-time audio content analysis, allowing the system to adapt to transitioning audio content without the abrupt switches that cause audible artifacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If discrete preset switching is used for different audio content, then specific processing algorithms can be applied, but audible artifacts are generated during transitions between presets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing algorithm accuracyVSAvoidaudible artifacts during transitions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous and smooth adjustment of processing parameters rather than discrete switching between presets. By continuously adapting parameters based on audio content type detection, the system eliminates abrupt transitions that generate audible artifacts while maintaining reliable content-specific processing throughout the transition periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes processing parameters continuously based on detected audio content types rather than switching between fixed preset configurations. This allows smooth transitions between different processing states by gradually adjusting parameters as the audio content type changes, preventing the generation of audible artifacts while maintaining accurate content-specific processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If audio processing devices are continuously adjusted based on real-time content identification, then optimal processing is achieved for varying audio content, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time content adaptationVSAvoidaudio processing system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments audio content into distinct types (music, speech, etc.) and applies specific processing parameters for each type. This segmentation approach simplifies the complexity by creating discrete content type categories with predefined processing strategies, making the adaptive system more manageable while maintaining real-time adaptation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11711062B2Volume leveler controller and controlling method

Publication Date: 2023.07.25 DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORP

AI summary

Volume leveler controller and controlling method are disclosed. In one embodiment, A volume leveler controller includes an audio content classifier for identifying the content type of an audio signal in real time; and an adjusting unit for adjusting a volume leveler in a continuous manner based on the content type as identified. The adjusting unit may configured to positively correlate the dynamic gain of the volume leveler with informative content types of the audio signal, and negatively correlate the dynamic gain of the volume leveler with interfering content types of the audio signal.