Method and device for selecting a sound algorithm

• US 7,206,414 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Issued: 04/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Grundig Multimedia B.V. (Arcelik A.S.)
• Original Assignee: Grundig Multimedia B.V. (Arcelik A.S.)
• Inventors: Schulz, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin; Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lao; Lun-See
• Application Number:
  US10/491,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20050129251A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,660 Days
• Field of Search: 381/56, 381/1, 381/58, 381 10- 11, 381/123, 352/27, 352/37, 704/200, 704/230, 704323-233, 84/1, 846/45, 84600-603, 84615-616, 84653-654, 700/94
• US Class Current: 381/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 1/00 Two-channel systems H04S5/00, H04S7/00 take precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for selecting a sound algorithm for processing an audio signal. The audio signal is analyzed and the type of audio signal is ascertained based on the analysis. The audio signal is classified as a music signal or another signal, and different sound algorithms are used for the further processing and subsequent output of the audio signal.

Claims

1. Method for the selection of a sound algorithm for the processing of an audio signal, wherein the audio signal is analyzed and, then, based on the analysis, the nature of the audio signal is determined, the audio signal is classified as a music signal or another signal and, depending on the classification, different sound algorithms are used for further processing and later reproduction of the audio signal and, for the classification of the audio signal, the method comprising:

determining a plurality of different individual quantities (M1 to M6) from at least one of the audio signal and the source of the audio signal (M7),

weighting the determined quantities (M1 to M7 differently, and

determining a total quantity (MG) for the audio signal by classifying the audio signal and by weighted addition of the individual quantities (M1 to M7), and

introducing a hysteresis limit to the resulting quantity so as to avoid frequent switching at a switching threshold when the fluctuations from the switching threshold are small.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the audio signal is a stereophonic audio signal.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the audio signal consists of at least two audio channels.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein in the case of a music signal, a sound program is chosen which contains the stereo range to the greatest possible extent or entirely.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein in the case of a music signal, a sound program is chosen which does not produce any reduction of level or produces only a slight reduction of level of the front channels.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein in the case of signals other than music, a sound program is chosen which operates similarly to the Dolby Pro Logic method.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein depending on the classification of the audio signal, the parameters to be adjusted for music and film material are chosen automatically.

8. Method according claim 7, wherein switching of the front center channel to the front left and right channels is performed and that the degree of switching is carried out individually.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein the dynamic range of the input signal and/or its level is used as first quantity (M1) for the classification of the audio signal.

10. Method according to claim 1, wherein the periodicity of the audio signal is used as second quantity (M2) for the classification of the audio signal.

11. Method according to claim 1, wherein the presence of typical signal spectra in music is used as a third quantity (M3) for the classification of the audio signal.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the typical signal spectra of wind instruments or string instruments are recognized.

13. Method according to claim 1, wherein the flatness of the frequency curve of the audio signal is used as a fourth quantity (M4) for the classification of the audio signal.

14. Method according to claim 1, wherein the number of maxima with a certain minimum level to be observed in the spectrum is used as a fifth quantity (M5) for the classification of the audio signal.

15. Method according to claim 1, wherein the presence of similar spectral structures at different frequencies in a spectrum is used as the sixth quantity (M6) for the classification of the audio signal.

16. Method according to claim 1, wherein the nature of the source of the audio signal is used as a seventh quantity (M7) for the classification of the audio signal.

17. Method according claim 16, wherein the source of the audio signal is a CD, a DVD, a data file, a radio signal receiver, an audio radio signal receiver, a satellite radio signal receiver, a cable radio signal receiver, a television transmission receiver.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein the data file is an MP3 file.

19. Method according claim 1, wherein switching to another sound algorithm is performed only when the classification of the audio signal is constant for an adjustable time period.

20. Method according to claim 19, wherein the sound algorithms can be cross-faded into one another and that the time for cross-fading can be adjusted by the user.

21. Method according to claim 19, wherein the duration in which the classification of the audio signal is determined and the time for cross-fading of a sound algorithm into another sound algorithm is reduced as a function of the total quantity (MG) when the total quantity (MG) yields an unequivocal classification.

22. Method according to claim 19, wherein the switching processes of the source signals are recognized and in these cases the duration for the classification of the audio signal and the time for cross-fading of a sound algorithm into another sound algorithm are reduced.

23. Method according to claim 22, wherein the switching processes are recognized by an abruptly occurring signal pause.

24. Method according to claim 22, wherein the switching processes are recognized by a synchronization loss of an image signal.