FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to methods of processing a sound track and more particularly
to a method of processing a sound track to thereby combine sounds synchronously and
therefore enhance audibility thereof without generating any interference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Human beings' and the other animals' hearing is subject to limits of a specific bandwidth,
and therefore audibility attenuates quickly outside the range of the specific bandwidth.
The prior art discloses that frequency dependent amplification of the original sound
to enhance audibility. But, in many cases, especially for old person, frequency response
is more important than amplitude since their hearing bandwidth is very much limited.
There are little tradition amplification can do to improve the audibility without
further damaged the ear by excess sound level. To avoid this problem and improve the
audibility, one can shift the inaudible bands into the audible bandwidth, and possibly
with limited amplification.
[0003] Therefore, it is imperative to provide a method of processing a sound track to thereby
combine sounds synchronously and therefore enhance audibility thereof without generating
any interference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In view of the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art, the inventor of the present
invention conceived room for improvement in the prior art and thus conducted extensive
researches and experiments according to the inventor's years of experience in the
related industry, and finally developed a method of processing a sound track to thereby
combine sounds synchronously and therefore enhance audibility thereof without generating
any interference.
[0005] In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides
a method of processing a sound track, comprising the steps of:
(1) providing a low frequency threshold and a high frequency threshold of an audible
frequency range;
(2) selecting a low-pitch sound band from a lowest frequency of an original sound
track to the low frequency threshold and raising the low-pitch sound band by a predetermined
frequency shift to a modified low-pitch sound band, or selecting a high-pitch sound
band from the high frequency threshold to the highest frequency of the original sound
track and lowering the high-pitch sound band by a predetermined frequency shift to
a modified high-pitch sound band;and
(3) combining the original sound track and the modified low-pitch sound band or combining
the original sound track and the modified high-pitch sound band,
wherein the low frequency threshold and the high frequency threshold are not correlated,
and the predetermined frequency shift is one or multiple octaves, or the predetermined
frequency shift is 2
n, where n is one of a positive integer and a negative integer.
[0006] In the step (2) of the method of processing a sound track, the low-pitch sound band
is one or multiple sound bands selected at a lower side of the original sound track,
with the low-pitch sound bands being separated by one octave or by the frequency shift
of 2
n, where n is +1 or -1, wherein the low-pitch sound bands each have a predetermined
frequency shift of one or multiple octaves or a predetermined frequency shift of 2
n, where n is one of a positive integer and a negative integer, wherein the high-pitch
sound band is one or multiple sound bands selected at a higher side of the original
sound track, with the high-pitch sound bands being separated by one octave or by the
frequency shift of 2
n, where n is +1 or -1, wherein the high-pitch sound bands each have a predetermined
frequency shift of one or multiple octaves or a predetermined frequency shift of 2
n, where n is one of a positive integer and a negative integer.
[0007] In the step (3) of the method of processing a sound track, the original sound track
and the modified low-pitch sound band are amplified by a frequency-dependent amplification
curve, respectively, and then combined, wherein the original sound track and the modified
high-pitch sound band are amplified by a frequency-dependent amplification curve,
respectively, and then combined.
[0008] In the method of processing a sound track, the amplification curves are dynamic and
instantly adjustable according to the amplitude and frequency distribution of the
original sound track.
[0009] In the method of processing a sound track, the original sound track and the modified
low-pitch sound band are combined and then one of a specific sound signature or an
indicator prompt is added to the combined original sound track and modified low-pitch
sound band if the amplitude of one of the low-pitch sound bands exceeds a preset threshold
level, wherein the original sound track and the modified high-pitch sound band are
combined and then one of a specific sound signature or an indicator prompt is added
to the combined original sound track and modified high-pitch sound band if the amplitude
of one of the high-pitch sound bands exceeds a preset threshold level.
[0010] Therefore, the present invention provides a method of processing a sound track to
thereby combine sounds synchronously and therefore enhance audibility thereof without
generating any interference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention are hereunder illustrated
with specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is another schematic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of amplification curves of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of specific sound signatures of the preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention provides a method of processing a sound
track, comprising the steps of:
(1) providing a low frequency threshold 11 and a high frequency threshold 12 of an
audible frequency range 13, wherein data pertaining to the low frequency threshold
11 and the high frequency threshold 12 of the audible frequency range 13 is obtained
by performing a hearing test on persons with normal hearing capability or persons
with an auditory disability;
(2) selecting a low-pitch sound band 2 from the lowest frequency of an original sound
track 1 to the low frequency threshold 11 and raising the low-pitch sound band 2 by
a predetermined frequency shift 23 to a modified low-pitch sound band 3, wherein the
highest frequency of the modified low-pitch sound band 3 falls between the low frequency
threshold 11 and the high frequency threshold 12; for example, as shown in FIG. 1,
the step (2) involves selecting the low-pitch sound band 2 from the lowest frequency
of the original sound track 1 to the low frequency threshold 11 or selecting the low-pitch
sound band (2" of FIG. 2) from the lowest frequency of the original sound track 1
to a frequency lower than the low frequency threshold 11; furthermore, the step (2)
further involves selecting a high-pitch sound band 4 from the high frequency threshold
12 to the highest frequency of the original sound track 1 and lowering the high-pitch
sound band 4 by a predetermined frequency shift 45 to a modified high-pitch sound
band 5, wherein the lowest frequency of the modified high-pitch sound band 5 falls
between the low frequency threshold 11 and the high frequency threshold 12; for example,
as shown in FIG. 1, the step (2) further involves selecting the high-pitch sound band
4 from the high frequency threshold 12 to the highest frequency of the original sound
track 1 or selecting the high-pitch sound band (4" of FIG. 2) from a frequency higher
than the high frequency threshold 12 to the highest frequency of the original sound
track 1; although the step (2) involves either selecting the low-pitch sound band
2 or selecting the high-pitch sound band 4, the step (2) may involve selecting the
low-pitch sound band 2 and the high-pitch sound band 4 simultaneously and modifying
them simultaneously;
(3) combining the original sound track 1 and the modified low-pitch sound band 3 (for
example, as indicated by combination 1 of FIG. 1) or combining the original sound
track 1 and the modified high-pitch sound band 5 (for example, as indicated by combination
2 of FIG. 1); simultaneously, the step (2) may involve combining the original sound
track 1, the modified low-pitch sound band 3 and the modified high-pitch sound band
5 (for example, as indicated by combination 3 of FIG. 1) simultaneously, wherein the
low frequency threshold 11 and the high frequency threshold 12 are not correlated,
wherein each of the predetermined frequency shifts 23, 45 is one or multiple octaves;
for example, as shown in FIG. 1, each of the predetermined frequency shifts 23, 45
is one octave or multiple octaves; furthermore, each of the predetermined frequency
shifts 23, 45 is 2n, where n is a positive integer or a negative integer; for example, if the highest
frequency of the low-pitch sound band 2 is 100 Hz, the highest frequency of the modified
low-pitch sound band 3 can be 200 Hz, 400 Hz ... where n is +1, +2... ; furthermore,
if the lowest frequency of the high-pitch sound band 4 is 10000 Hz, the lowest frequency
of the modified high-pitch sound band 5 can be 5000 Hz, 2500 Hz... where n is -1,
-2...
[0013] As described above, the present invention provides a method of processing a sound
track to thereby combine an original sound and a modified sound synchronously, so
as to enhance the audibility of sounds without generating any interference.
[0014] Referring to FIG. 2, in the step (2) of the method of processing a sound track, the
low-pitch sound bands 2', 2" are one sound band (2' or 2") or multiple sound bands
(2' and 2") selected at a lower side of the original sound track 1, with the low-pitch
sound bands (2' and 2") being separated by one octave or by the frequency shift of
2
n, where n is +1 or -1, wherein the low-pitch sound bands 2', 2" are each separated
by a predetermined frequency shifts 23', 23" of one octave 23', multiple octaves 23"
(two octaves) or 2
n, where n is a positive integer or a negative integer. Furthermore, the high-pitch
sound bands 4', 4" are one sound band (4' or 4") or multiple sound bands (4' and 4")
selected at a higher side of the original sound track 1, with the high-pitch sound
bands (4' and 4") being separated by one octave or2
n, where n is +1 or -1. The predetermined frequency shifts 45', 45" of the high-pitch
sound bands 4', 4" are one octave 45' or multiple octaves 45" (two octaves). The predetermined
frequency shifts 45', 45" of the high-pitch sound bands 4', 4" are 2
n, where n is a positive integer or a negative integer. Although the step (2) involves
either selecting the low-pitch sound bands 2', 2" or selecting the high-pitch sound
bands 4', 4", the step (2) may involve selecting them simultaneously, then modifying
them simultaneously, and eventually combining them. Therefore, the method of processing
a sound track of the present invention offers various combination choices as needed
and therefore enhances audibility thereof.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 3, in the step (3) of the method of processing a sound track, the
original sound track 1 and the modified low-pitch sound band 3 are amplified by frequency-dependent
amplification curves 6, 7 and then combined, or, alternatively, the original sound
track 1 and the modified high-pitch sound band 5 are amplified by frequency-dependent
amplification curves 6, 8 and then combined. Similarly, the original sound track 1,
the modified low-pitch sound band 3 and the modified high-pitch sound band 5 are amplified
by frequency-dependent amplification curves 6, 7, 8 and then combined. Therefore,
the method of processing a sound track of the present invention not only combines
the original sound and modified sound synchronously but also amplifies the combined
sounds as needed and therefore enhances audibility thereof.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 3, in the method of processing a sound track, the amplification
curves 6, 7, 8 are dynamic and instantly adjustable according to the amplitude and
frequency distribution of the original sound track 1. Therefore, the method of processing
a sound track of the present invention offers various combination choices as needed
and therefore enhances audibility thereof.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 4, in the method of processing a sound track, a specific sound
signature 91 or an indicator prompt is added to the combined original sound track
1 and modified low-pitch sound bands 3', 3" if the amplitude of one of the low-pitch
sound bands 2', 2" exceeds a preset threshold level. A specific sound signature 92
or an indicator prompt is added to the combined original sound track 1 and modified
high-pitch sound bands 5', 5" if the amplitude of one of the high-pitch sound bands
4', 4" exceeds a preset threshold level. Similarly, a specific sound signature or
an indicator prompt is added to the combined original sound track 1, modified low-pitch
sound bands 3', 3" and modified high-pitch sound bands 5', 5". Therefore, the method
of processing a sound track of the present invention improves the recognition the
nature of the original sound.
[0018] The present invention is disclosed above by preferred embodiments. However, persons
skilled in the art should understand that the preferred embodiments are illustrative
of the present invention only, but should not be interpreted as restrictive of the
scope of the present invention. Hence, all equivalent modifications and replacements
made to the aforesaid embodiments should fall within the scope of the present invention.
Therefore, the legal protection for the present invention should be defined by the
appended claims.
1. A method of processing a sound track, comprising the steps of:
(1) providing a low frequency threshold and a high frequency threshold of an audible
frequency range;
(2) selecting a low-pitch sound band from a lowest frequency of an original sound
track to the low frequency threshold and raising the low-pitch sound band by a predetermined
frequency shift to a modified low-pitch sound band, or selecting a high-pitch sound
band from the high frequency threshold to the highest frequency of the original sound
track and lower the high-pitch sound band by a predetermined frequency shift to a
modified high-pitch sound band; and
(3) combining the original sound track and the modified low-pitch sound band or combining
the original sound track and the modified high-pitch sound band,
wherein the low frequency threshold and the high frequency threshold are not correlated,
and the predetermined frequency shift is one or multiple octaves, or the predetermined
frequency shift is 2n where n is one of a positive integer and a negative integer.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the step (2), the low-pitch sound band is one or
multiple sound bands selected at a lower side of the original sound track, with the
low-pitch sound bands being separated by one octave or by the frequency shift of 2n where n is +1 or -1, wherein the low-pitch sound bands each have a predetermined
frequency shift of one or more octaves or a predetermined frequency shift of 2n where n is one of a positive integer and a negative integer, wherein the high-pitch
sound band is one or multiple sound bands selected at a higher side of the original
sound track, with the high-pitch sound bands being separated by one octave or by the
frequency shift of 2n where n is +1 or -1, wherein the high-pitch sound bands each have a predetermined
frequency shift of one or more octaves or a predetermined frequency shift of 2n where n is one of a positive integer and a negative integer.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the step (3), the original sound track and the
modified low-pitch sound band are amplified by a frequency-dependent amplification
curve, respectively, and then combined, wherein the original sound track and the modified
high-pitch sound band are amplified by a frequency-dependent amplification curve,
respectively, and then combined.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the amplification curves are dynamic and instantly
adjustable according to amplitude and frequency distribution of the original sound
track.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein the original sound track and the modified low-pitch
sound band are combined and then one of a specific sound signature or an indicator
prompt is added to the combined original sound track and modified low-pitch sound
band if the amplitude of one of the low-pitch sound bands exceeds a preset threshold
level, wherein the original sound track and the modified high-pitch sound band are
combined and then one of a specific sound signature or an indicator prompt is added
to the combined original sound track and modified high-pitch sound band if the amplitude
of one of the high-pitch sound bands exceeds a preset threshold level.