Process for adjusting the sound volume of a digital sound recording

• US 7,519,442 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2006
• Issued: 04/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TouchTunes Music Corporation (The Octave Music Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nathan, Guy, Dion, Dominique
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz; Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Flanders; Andrew C
• Application Number:
  US11/495,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20060265093A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 381/103, 381/107, 381/57, 381/321, 381/102, 381/106, 341/139, 345/345, 329/350, 700/94
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10009 Improvement or modification of read or write signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10527 Audio or video recording; Data buffering arrangements G11B20/12 - G11B20/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/10546 specifically adapted for audio data
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/20 Automatic control H03G3/005 takes precedence; combined with volume compression or expansion H03G7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/3089 Control of digital or coded signals

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for adjusting the sound volume of a digital sound recording characterised in that it comprises:

• • a step consisting of determining, in absolute values, for a recording, the maximum amplitude values for sound frequencies audible for the human ear,
  • a step consisting of calculating the possible gain for a specified sound level setting, between the maximum amplitude value determined above and the maximum amplitude value for all frequencies combined,
  • a step consisting of reproducing the recording with a sound card by automatically adjusting the amplification gain level making it possible to obtain a sound level for the recording of a specified value so that it corresponds to the gain calculated for this recording.

Claims

1. System for adjusting the sound volume of a digital sound recording, comprising:

means for determining, in absolute values, for a recording, the maximum amplitude values for sound frequencies audible for the human ear,

means for calculating the possible gain (Gv) for a specified sound level setting, between the maximum amplitude value (A2) and the maximum amplitude value (Am) for all frequencies combined, the possible gain being determined by applying the following formula;

Gv=20 log(A₂/Am),

means for reproducing the recording by automatically adjusting the amplification gain level making it possible to obtain a sound level for the recording of a specified value so that it corresponds to the gain calculated for this recording, the means for reproducing comprising a dynamic reproduction sound level adjustment function on the recording including authorizing a specified gain for the low-pitched and/or high-pitched sounds in the recording, the gain corresponding approximately to the attenuation applied during the production of the recording.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the means for determining, in absolute values, for a recording, the maximum amplitude values for sound frequencies audible for the human ear is configured to determine the maximum amplitude values by executing instructions that:

count the number of samples of the recording with a specified amplitude, for all the amplitudes existing in the recording,

classify the amplitudes of the number of samples found in increasing order,

store in memory the maximum amplitude, for all frequencies combined, and the amplitude, for which the order number in the classification carried out is n ranks less with reference to the rank of the maximum amplitude, the amplitude found corresponding in this case to the maximum amplitude for frequencies audible for the human ear.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein n is determined so that the degradation of the reproduction quality of the recording is not perceptible to the human ear.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein n is less than or equal to 10.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the means for determining, in absolute values, for a recording, the maximum amplitude values for sound frequencies audible for the human ear is configured to:

count the number of samples of the recording with a specified amplitude, for all the amplitudes existing in the recording,

classify the amplitudes of the number or samples found in increasing order,

calculate the mean value A_mean of the n′

highest amplitudes occurring at least k′

times in the recording.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the means for determining, in absolute values, for a recording, the maximum amplitude values for sound frequencies audible for the human ear is configured to:

compress the recording by means of at least one psycho-acoustic mask making it possible to eliminate inaudible sounds from the initial recording,

decompress the recording,

search the maximum amplitude on the decompressed recording, this amplitude corresponding in this case to the maximum amplitude for frequencies audible for the human ear.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the psycho-acoustic mask(s) is/are applied using a compression process.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein means for reproducing the recording comprises a dynamic reproduction sound level adjustment module configured to authorize a specified gain for the low-pitched and/or high-pitched sounds in the recording, the gain corresponding approximately to the attenuation applied during the reproduction of the recording.

9. A jukebox comprising the system of claim 1.