Audio Dynamic Range Remapping and Tone Mapping Across Volume Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio systems face limitations in output dynamic range, leading to reduced appreciation of rich bass, clear voice, and fine sounds due to hardware constraints and user setting volume limitations, often resulting in distortion even at high volumes.
Innovation Solution
An audio system that includes a signal processor capable of variably applying dynamic range and tone mapping based on user settings and hardware characteristics, using a pre-signal processor for dynamic range remapping, a pre-scale processor for scaling, a main-signal processor for tone mapping, and a post-signal processor for compensation, to optimize audio output across different volume sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the user setting volume is increased to maintain rich bass and clear voice, then the audio output level is improved, but the audio signal becomes distorted due to speaker physical characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary dynamic range remapping and pre-scaling to the audio signal before it reaches the speaker. By adjusting the dynamic range and applying scaling factors in advance, the system prepares the signal to match the speaker's physical characteristics, preventing distortion before it occurs while maintaining adequate output levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes signal processing parameters including dynamic range compression ratios, scaling factors, and tone mapping curves based on the user's volume setting. This allows the audio signal to be optimally adapted to the speaker's characteristics at each volume level, preventing distortion while preserving audio quality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the user setting volume is reduced to prevent distortion, then the audio signal quality is improved, but the overall volume and appreciation of rich bass and fine sounds decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary dynamic range remapping and tone mapping to enhance the audio signal characteristics before volume attenuation. This ensures that even when the overall volume is reduced, the signal maintains its quality and richness through pre-optimized dynamic range and tone characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different dynamic range compression and tone mapping parameters for low volume sections compared to high volume sections. This allows the audio to maintain rich bass and fine sound details at lower volumes by using more aggressive dynamic range management and tone enhancement specific to low-volume conditions.
3Device complexity
If hardware-level limitations are accepted to maintain system simplicity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the output dynamic range and audio quality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware-level dynamic range management with software-based signal processing. By using digital signal processing techniques including dynamic range remapping, pre-scaling, and tone mapping, the system achieves extended output dynamic range without adding physical hardware components, maintaining system simplicity while improving audio quality.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an audio system and a method of controlling the same. An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an optimal listening state according to a user setting volume and hardware characteristics of an audio system. The audio system includes a signal inputter configured to receive an input audio signal; a signal processor configure to variably apply a dynamic range for each area of the input audio signal, to apply a scaling of a size corresponding to an inverse number of a boosting gain determined by a user setting volume for the input audio signal, to perform a tone mapping of the input audio signal by applying the boosting gain, to perform signal compensation for the input audio signal by the inverse number of the scaling, and to apply a master volume according to the user setting volume; a storage configured to store parameters used in signal processing of the signal processor; and a signal outputter configured to output the audio signal processed by the signal processor.