IP Library Granted Patent US 9,692,383
Granted Patent B2
US 9,692,383 · App. 14/403,242 · Granted Jun 27, 2017

Gain optimized equalizer

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,692,383
App. No.
14/403,242
Granted
Jun 27, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention is directed to determining a gain for an equalizer associated with an audio device. An exemplary method comprises determining a maximum audio output level allowed by an acoustic safety threshold; determining a setting of the equalizer; and adjusting a gain of the equalizer based on the setting and the maximum audio output level. The invention enables an audio device to simultaneously satisfy an acoustic safety threshold and deliver an optimum audio output level.

Claims (34)

1. A method for determining a gain for an equalizer associated with an audio device, the method comprising:

determining a maximum audio output level allowed by an acoustic safety threshold;

determining a setting of the equalizer; and

adjusting a gain of the equalizer based on the setting and the maximum audio output level, wherein adjusting the gain comprises:

generating an excitation vector from simulated noise associated with the acoustic safety threshold,

multiplying the excitation vector with a frequency gain setting associated with the equalizer, wherein the multiplication results in an output vector,

summarizing the output vector using a root mean squares (RMS) technique, and

adjusting the gain based on a ratio between the maximum audio output level and the summarized output vector.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the equalizer comprises a floating gain equalizer.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the setting comprises a user-defined setting.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the setting is associated with an audio effect.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic safety threshold comprises European Norm (EN) 50332.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maximum audio output level is 100 dB (A) SPL when a headphone is connected to the audio device or 150 mV when a 3.5 mm connector is connected to the audio device.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maximum audio output level is associated with a worst case scenario when frequencies associated with audio output from the audio device are weighed equally when determining the maximum audio output level.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the excitation vector comprises an audio output level for a frequency band associated with the equalizer.

9. An audio device for determining a gain for an equalizer associated with the audio device, the audio device comprising:

a memory;

a processor;

a module, stored in the memory, executable by the processor, and configured to:

determine a maximum audio output level allowed by an acoustic safety threshold;

determine a setting of the equalizer; and

adjust a gain of the equalizer based on the setting and the maximum audio output level, wherein adjust the gain comprises:

generate an excitation vector from simulated noise associated with the acoustic safety threshold,

multiply the excitation vector with a frequency gain setting associated with the equalizer, wherein the multiplication results in an output vector,

summarize the output vector using a root mean squares (RMS) technique, and

adjust the gain based on a ratio between the maximum audio output level and the summarized output vector.

10. A computer program product for determining a gain for an equalizer associated with an audio device, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code configured to:

determine a maximum audio output level allowed by an acoustic safety threshold;

determine a setting of the equalizer; and

adjust a gain of the equalizer based on the setting and the maximum audio output level, wherein adjust the gain comprises:

generate an excitation vector from simulated noise associated with the acoustic safety threshold,

multiply the excitation vector with a frequency gain setting associated with the equalizer, wherein the multiplication results in an output vector,

summarize the output vector using a root mean squares (RMS) technique, and

adjust the gain based on a ratio between the maximum audio output level and the summarized output vector.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2019
From: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 048691/0134 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 27, 2016
From: SONY CORPORATION
To: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Reel/Frame 038542/0224 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 12, 2015
From: NYSTRÖM, MARTIN; SMAILAGIC, SEAD; PETEF, ANDREJ
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 035149/0190 →