Real-Time Volume Leveling for Smooth Audio Content Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio processing systems require manual preset selection for different audio content types, leading to inconvenient user experience 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

1Reliability

If manual preset selection is used for different audio content types, then audio processing can be optimized for specific content, but user convenience deteriorates and transitions between presets produce audible artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio processing qualityVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically classifies audio content and adjusts processing parameters without user intervention. The audio classifier continuously analyzes the input signal and the adjusting unit automatically modifies parameters of audio improving devices based on classification results, eliminating the need for manual preset selection while maintaining optimized processing quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static preset selection to dynamic continuous adjustment. By using real-time audio classification and continuously adjusting parameters based on confidence values, the system adapts smoothly to changing audio content without abrupt transitions, thereby eliminating audible artifacts while maintaining processing quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If discrete preset parameters are used for different audio types, then specific content can be optimized, but continuous adjustment capability is lost causing audible artifacts during transitions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent-specific optimizationVSAvoidcontinuous adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes from discrete parameter sets to continuous parameter adjustment. The adjusting unit modifies parameters continuously based on real-time audio classification confidence values, allowing smooth transitions between different audio content types without abrupt changes that cause audible artifacts, while still maintaining optimized processing for each content type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system ensures continuous adjustment of audio processing parameters rather than discrete switching between presets. The audio classifier and adjusting unit work continuously to monitor and adapt parameters to the current audio content, eliminating gaps or abrupt transitions that would produce audible artifacts while maintaining content-specific optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If audio improving devices are applied to all audio signals, then processing coverage is maximized, but inappropriate processing is applied to certain content types causing artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing coverageVSAvoidaudible artifacts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different processing characteristics to different audio content types through real-time classification. The audio classifier identifies the specific content type and the adjusting unit tailors the processing parameters accordingly, ensuring that each audio improving device operates with appropriate settings for the current content, thereby avoiding artifacts caused by inappropriate universal processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary audio classification before applying audio improvement processing. The audio classifier analyzes the input signal and determines the appropriate processing mode in advance, allowing the audio improving devices to be configured optimally before processing begins, thus preventing artifacts that would result from applying inappropriate processing to certain content types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3190702B1Volume leveler controller and controlling method
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORP
  • EP3190702B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3190702B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3190702B1 patent drawingFigure 4

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.