CN115706893A

CN115706893A - Audio processing device capable of dynamically adjusting calculation basis of sound dosage

Info

Publication number: CN115706893A
Application number: CN202110933951.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 刘育玮; 吴锜; 洪佳君
Original assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp
Current assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp
Priority date: 2021-08-13
Filing date: 2021-08-13
Publication date: 2023-02-17

Abstract

The invention provides an audio processing device capable of dynamically adjusting the calculation basis of sound dosage, which comprises: a volume measuring circuit configured to generate a plurality of volume values, wherein the volume values respectively correspond to the volume of sound emitted by an audio playing device at a plurality of time points or the volume of sound received by a microphone at a plurality of time points; a sound dose calculation circuit, coupled to the volume measurement circuit, configured to generate a sound dose value corresponding to a measurement time period according to the volume values and contents of a weight table; a control circuit, coupled to the acoustic dose calculation circuit, configured to compare the acoustic dose value with a dose threshold value to determine whether to generate a control signal; and an indication signal generating circuit, coupled to the control circuit, configured to generate a corresponding indication signal according to the control signal.

Description

Audio processing device capable of dynamically adjusting calculation basis of sound dosage

Technical Field

The present invention relates to audio dose monitoring technology, and more particularly, to an audio processing apparatus capable of dynamically switching a comparison reference of a sound dose or dynamically adjusting a calculation basis of the sound dose.

Background

In daily life, work, or various entertainments, various sounds or noises are often received by the ears of a person. Many studies have shown that if it is exposed to a high volume environment or a noise environment for a long time, it may have an adverse effect on the psychological or physiological aspect of human beings. For example, stress, annoyance, and/or inattention may be caused, hypertension may be induced or a transient decrease in hearing may be caused, possibly with the result of a permanent hearing loss.

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued warnings in 2019 indicating that about 11 billion of young people worldwide are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe ear usage, including frequent exposure to loud audio levels of personal audio devices, or frequent loud entertainment venues, etc. However, modern people are using various consumer electronics or audio-visual devices for a longer time, and therefore more and more people are at risk of hearing damage without self-awareness.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of this, how to conveniently and effectively monitor the sound dose (audio dose) received by the user is a problem to be solved.

The present specification provides an embodiment of an audio processing device, comprising: an audio playing device for generating sound according to an audio setting signal; and a dose monitoring circuit, comprising: a volume measuring circuit, configured to generate a plurality of volume values respectively corresponding to the sound emitted by the audio playing device at a plurality of time points according to the audio setting signal; a sound dose calculation circuit, coupled to the volume measurement circuit, configured to generate a sound dose value corresponding to a measurement time period according to the volume values and contents of a weight table; a control circuit, coupled to the acoustic dose calculation circuit, configured to generate the audio setting signal and compare the acoustic dose value with a dose threshold to determine whether to generate a control signal; and an indication signal generating circuit, coupled to the control circuit, configured to generate a corresponding indication signal according to the control signal.

The present specification further provides an embodiment of an audio processing apparatus, comprising: a microphone for receiving sound; and a sound dose monitoring circuit, comprising: a volume measurement circuit configured to generate a plurality of volume values corresponding to the sound levels received by the microphone at a plurality of time points, respectively; a sound dose calculation circuit, coupled to the volume measurement circuit, configured to generate a sound dose value corresponding to a measurement time period according to the volume values and contents of a weight table; a control circuit, coupled to the acoustic dose calculation circuit, configured to compare the acoustic dose value with a dose threshold value to determine whether to generate a control signal; and an indication signal generating circuit, coupled to the control circuit, configured to generate a corresponding indication signal according to the control signal.

The present specification further provides an embodiment of a sound dose monitoring circuit for use in an audio processing device, comprising: a volume measuring circuit configured to generate a plurality of volume values, wherein the volume values respectively correspond to the volume of sound emitted by an audio playing device at a plurality of time points or the volume of sound received by a microphone at a plurality of time points; a sound dose calculation circuit, coupled to the volume measurement circuit, configured to generate a sound dose value corresponding to a measurement time period according to the volume values and contents of a weight table; a control circuit, coupled to the acoustic dose calculation circuit, configured to compare the acoustic dose value with a dose threshold value to determine whether to generate a control signal; and an indication signal generating circuit, coupled to the control circuit, configured to generate a corresponding indication signal according to the control signal.

One advantage of the above-described embodiments is that the sound dose monitoring circuit is integrated into various audio processing devices frequently used by users, so as to measure and monitor the sound dose received by the users at any time. Another advantage of the above embodiment is that the sound dose monitoring circuit automatically generates an associated indicator signal when the sound dose received by the user exceeds a predetermined criterion.

Other advantages of the present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a simplified functional block diagram of an audio processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a simplified diagram of a weight table according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a simplified functional block diagram of an audio processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a simplified diagram of a weight table according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram of a weight table according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram of a weight table according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numbers indicate the same or similar elements or process flows.

Fig. 1 is a simplified functional block diagram of an audio processing apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The audio processing device 100 includes a sound dose monitoring circuit 110, an audio playing device 120, a main microphone 130, an in-ear microphone 140, and a prompting device 150. In the present embodiment, the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 includes a volume measuring circuit 111, a weight table storing circuit 112, a sound dose calculating circuit 113, an indication signal generating circuit 114, a transmission circuit 115, and a control circuit 116.

In the audio processing apparatus 100, the audio playing device 120 can be coupled to the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 through various wired or wireless transmission methods, and is configured to generate or play various sounds or music according to the control of an audio setting signal ACS generated by the sound dose monitoring circuit 110. In practice, the audio playing device 120 can be implemented by various electronic devices capable of generating sound, such as a wired earphone, a wireless earphone, a wired speaker, a wireless speaker, a smart television, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, and a mobile phone.

The primary microphone 130 is coupled to the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 and is configured to receive sound from the vicinity of the user to generate a corresponding sound signal. The main microphone 130 may transmit the generated sound signal to the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 through various wired or wireless transmission methods. If the audio processing device 100 has a voice communication function, the main microphone 130 can be used as a voice input device for the user.

The in-ear microphone 140 is coupled to the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 and is positionable for use in the ear canal of a user. The in-ear microphone 140 is configured to receive sound transmitted into the ear canal of the user to produce a corresponding sound signal. Similarly, the in-ear microphone 140 may transmit the generated sound signal to the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 through various wired or wireless transmission methods.

In practice, the main microphone 130 and the in-ear microphone 140 can be implemented by various sound receiving devices capable of converting received sound into sound signals in analog format or digital format.

The prompting device 150 is coupled to the acoustic dose monitoring circuit 110 and configured to generate an appropriate prompting signal or prompting message according to the control or indication of the acoustic dose monitoring circuit 110. In practice, the prompting device 150 can be implemented by various electronic devices capable of generating a prompting signal or a prompting message, such as a buzzer, a speaker, a light-emitting device, a display, a mobile phone, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, or a wearable device.

In the sound dose monitoring circuit 110, the volume measuring circuit 111 is coupled to the main microphone 130, the in-ear microphone 140 and the control circuit 116, and configured to generate a plurality of volume values SV respectively corresponding to the sound volume emitted by the audio playing device 120 at a plurality of time points, the sound volume received by the main microphone 130 at a plurality of time points or the sound volume received by the in-ear microphone 140 at a plurality of time points.

In operation, the volume measuring circuit 111 may receive the sound signals generated by the main microphone 130 through various wired or wireless transmission methods, and convert the sound signals generated by the main microphone 130 at different time points into a plurality of first volume values corresponding to the sound levels received by the main microphone 130 at different time points, respectively.

Similarly, the volume measuring circuit 111 can receive the sound signals generated by the in-ear microphone 140 through various wired or wireless transmission methods, and respectively convert the sound signals generated by the in-ear microphone 140 at different time points into a plurality of second volume values corresponding to the sound magnitudes received by the in-ear microphone 140 at different time points.

In addition, the magnitude of the sound generated by the audio playing apparatus 120 depends on the audio setting signal ACS generated by the control circuit 116. Therefore, the volume measuring circuit 111 can also convert the audio setting signal ACS generated by the control circuit 116 at different time points into a plurality of third volume values corresponding to the sound volume emitted by the audio playback device 120 at different time points.

In one embodiment, the volume measurement circuit 111 may determine the basis for calculating the volume value SV according to a signal source selected by a manufacturer or a user of the voice dose monitoring circuit 110 in advance.

For example, if the preselected signal source is the audio playback device 120, the volume measurement circuit 111 can utilize the third volume values as the volume values SV corresponding to different sampling time points.

For another example, if the pre-selected signal source is the main microphone 130, the volume measuring circuit 111 can utilize the first volume values as the volume values SV corresponding to different sampling time points.

For another example, if the preselected signal source is the in-ear microphone 140, the volume measuring circuit 111 can utilize the second volume values as the volume values SV corresponding to different sampling time points.

In another embodiment, the loudness measuring circuit 111 may compare the magnitudes of the first loudness value, the second loudness value and the third loudness value corresponding to the same sampling time point, and dynamically switch the generation basis of the loudness values SV according to the comparison result.

For example, if the first volume value is greater than the second volume value and the third volume value at a first sampling time point, the volume measuring circuit 111 may use the first volume value as a volume value SV corresponding to the first sampling time point.

For another example, if the third volume value is greater than the first volume value and the second volume value at a second sampling time point, the volume measuring circuit 111 can use the third volume value as a volume value SV corresponding to the second sampling time point.

For another example, if the second volume value is greater than the first volume value and the third volume value at a third sampling time point, the volume measuring circuit 111 can use the second volume value as a volume value SV corresponding to the third sampling time point.

The volume measurement circuit 111 can dynamically determine the generation basis of the volume values SV corresponding to other sampling time points in the manner described above.

In another embodiment, the volume measuring circuit 111 can compare the spatial distances between the user and the main microphone 130, the in-ear microphone 140 and the audio playback device 120, and dynamically switch the generation basis of the volume value SV according to the comparison result.

For example, if the volume measuring circuit 111 determines that the audio playback device 120 is closer to the user than the main microphone 130 and the in-ear microphone 140 at a first sampling time point, the volume measuring circuit 111 can use the third volume value corresponding to the first sampling time point as a volume value SV corresponding to the first sampling time point.

For another example, if at a second sampling time point, the volume measuring circuit 111 determines that the main microphone 130 is closer to the user than the audio playback device 120 and the in-ear microphone 140, the volume measuring circuit 111 can use the first volume value corresponding to the second sampling time point as a volume value SV corresponding to the second sampling time point.

For another example, if at a third sampling time point, the volume measuring circuit 111 determines that the in-ear microphone 140 is closer to the user than the audio playback device 120 and the main microphone 130, the volume measuring circuit 111 can use the second volume value corresponding to the third sampling time point as a volume value SV corresponding to the third sampling time point.

In practice, the volume measuring circuit 111 may generate a volume value SV at intervals (e.g., 0.1 second, 0.25 second, 0.3 second, 0.5 second, 0.6 second, 1 second, 1.5 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds), and may use various suitable data formats to express the volume value SV, such as pascal (Pa), microbar (μ Pa), decibel (dB), and so on. The volume measuring circuit 111 generates a time interval (unit time length) between two consecutive volume values SV.

As can be seen from the above description, if the unit time length is 1 second, the volume measuring circuit 111 will generate 60 volume values SV in one minute, and generate 3600 volume values SV in one hour. If the unit time length is 2 seconds, the volume measuring circuit 111 generates 30 volume values SV in one minute and 1800 volume values SV in one hour.

In the sound dose monitoring circuit 110, the weight table storage circuit 112 is configured to store one or more weight tables, wherein each weight table records a corresponding relationship between a volume and a weight value. For example, fig. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of a weight table 200 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the weight table 200, the volume value is presented in the form of decibel value (dB).

As shown in fig. 2, the correspondence between the volume value and the weight value (weight value) varies in a stepwise manner, and the weight value corresponding to each volume value represents a risk value that may cause hearing loss when exposed to the volume value to some extent. In the embodiment of fig. 2, each step up (about 3 dB) in the volume value corresponds to a doubling (or nearly doubling) of the weight value.

The audio dose calculation circuit 113 is coupled to the volume measurement circuit 111 and the weight table storage circuit 112, and configured to generate an audio dose value AD corresponding to a measurement period (measuring period) according to a plurality of volume values SV generated by the volume measurement circuit 111 and contents of a specific weight table. The aforementioned measurement period may be set to various suitable time lengths, for example, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 5 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, and so on.

In operation, the sound dose calculation circuit 113 converts the volume values SV into corresponding weight values according to the contents of the specific weight table, and multiplies the weight values SV by the corresponding unit time lengths to generate weighted values (weighted values), wherein the sum of the unit time lengths is equal to the total time length of the measurement period.

Then, the acoustic dose calculation circuit 113 calculates a sum of the weighted values as an acoustic dose value AD corresponding to the measurement period.

If the volume value SV received by the volume dose calculation circuit 113 at a first time point is 80dB, the volume dose calculation circuit 113 can convert the volume value SV into a corresponding weight value "1" according to the contents of the weight table 200.

If the volume value SV received by the volume dose calculation circuit 113 at a second time point is 91dB, the volume dose calculation circuit 113 can convert the volume value SV into the corresponding weight value "16" according to the contents of the weight table 200.

If the volume value SV received by the volume calculation circuit 113 at a third time point is 65dB, the volume calculation circuit 113 can convert the volume value SV into a corresponding weight value "0" according to the contents of the weight table 200.

If the volume value SV received by the volume calculation circuit 113 at a fourth time point is 114dB, the volume calculation circuit 113 can convert the volume value SV into the corresponding weight value "4200" according to the content of the weight table 200.

For example, it is assumed that the aforementioned measurement period is 1 hour and the unit time length (i.e., the time interval between the two consecutive volume values SV generated by the volume measurement circuit 111) is 1 second. In this case, the sound dose calculation circuit 113 receives 3600 volume values SV within one hour. For simplicity of explanation, it is assumed here that of the aforementioned 3600 volume values SV, 1200 volume values SV are 60dB in size, 1800 volume values SV are 85dB in size, and 600 volume values SV are 100dB in size.

In this case, the voice dose calculation circuit 113 may convert 1200 volume values SV of 60dB into corresponding 1200 weight values "0", respectively, convert 1800 volume values SV of 85dB into corresponding 1800 weight values "4", respectively, and convert 600 volume values SV of 100dB into corresponding 600 weight values "128", respectively, according to the contents of the weight table 200.

In addition, the sound dose calculation circuit 113 may multiply the 1200 weight values "0" by the unit time length "1" to generate 1200 weight values "0", may multiply the 1800 weight values "4" by the unit time length "1" to generate 1800 weight values "4", and may multiply the 600 weight values "128" by the unit time length "1" to generate 600 weight values "128".

Then, the sound dose calculation circuit 113 may calculate the sum of the weighted values (84000 =0 +1200 +4 +128 +600 in this example) and may use the calculated sum as the sound dose value AD of the last hour.

For another example, assume that the measurement period is 30 minutes and the unit time length (i.e., the time interval between the two consecutive volume values SV generated by the volume measurement circuit 111) is 2 seconds. In this case, the sound dose calculation circuit 113 receives 900 volume values SV in 30 minutes. For simplicity of explanation, it is assumed here that of the aforementioned 900 volume values SV, 100 volume values SV are 55dB in size, 300 volume values SV are 82dB in size, 270 volume values SV are 88dB in size, and 230 volume values SV are 94dB in size.

In this case, the voice dose calculation circuit 113 may convert 100 volume values SV of 55dB into corresponding 100 weight values "0", respectively, convert 300 volume values SV of 82dB into corresponding 300 weight values "2", respectively, convert 270 volume values SV of 88dB into corresponding 270 weight values "8", respectively, and convert 230 volume values SV of 94dB into corresponding 230 weight values "32", respectively, according to the contents of the weight table 200.

In addition, the sound dose calculation circuit 113 may multiply the above-mentioned 100 weight values "0" by the unit time length "2" to generate 100 weighted values "0", may multiply the above-mentioned 300 weight values "2" by the unit time length "2" to generate 300 weighted values "4", may multiply the above-mentioned 270 weight values "8" by the unit time length "2" to generate 270 weighted values "16", and may multiply the above-mentioned 230 weight values "32" by the unit time length "2" to generate 230 weighted values "64".

Then, the acoustic dose calculation circuit 113 may calculate the sum of the weighted values (20240 = 0+4 +300 +16 +64 +230 in this example), and may use the calculated sum as the acoustic dose value AD of the last 30 minutes.

In practice, the acoustic dose calculation circuit 113 may use the sum (sum) of weighted values in a specific measurement period as the acoustic dose value AD, and may transmit the acoustic dose value AD to the control circuit 116 after the measurement period ends.

Alternatively, the acoustic dose calculation circuit 113 may also roll-wise calculate a moving sum (moving sum) of the weighted values during a particular measurement period, and use the calculated moving sum as the acoustic dose value AD.

As shown in fig. 1, the control circuit 116 is coupled to the sound dose calculation circuit 113, the indication signal generation circuit 114 and the audio playing device 120. The control circuit 116 is configured to generate an audio setting signal ACS for controlling the audio playing apparatus 120, and the control circuit 116 can transmit the generated audio setting signal ACS to the audio playing apparatus 120 through various wired transmission or wireless transmission methods. As described above, the audio playing device 120 can generate or play various sounds or music according to the control of the audio setting signal ACS.

In addition, the control circuit 116 is configured to compare the acoustic dose value AD generated by the acoustic dose calculation circuit 113 with a dose threshold (dose threshold) to determine whether a control signal CTL is generated.

The magnitude of the dose threshold is related to the duration of the measurement period. For example, in one embodiment, if the measurement period is 7 days, the control circuitry 116 may set the dose threshold to 144000; if the measurement period is 1 day, the control circuit 116 may set the dose threshold to 20571; if the measurement period is 1 hour, the control circuitry 116 may set the dose threshold to 857; and so on for the rest.

If the sound dose value AD exceeds the corresponding dose threshold, the control circuit 116 may determine that the sound dose received by the user during the measurement period is a level that endangers the hearing health of the user. In this case, the control circuit 116 generates and transmits a control signal CTL to the indication signal generating circuit 114.

The indication signal generating circuit 114 is configured to generate a corresponding indication signal INS according to a control signal CTL of the control circuit 116 generated by the control circuit 116.

The transmission circuit 115 is coupled to the indication signal generating circuit 114, and configured to transmit the indication signal INS to the prompting device 150 through various wired transmission or wireless transmission methods, so that the prompting device 150 generates a corresponding prompting signal or prompting message to prompt the user that the exposed dosage of sound reaches the warning level. For example, the prompting device 150 can generate various warning lights, warning sounds, warning music, warning voices, warning texts and/or warning images according to the indication signal INS to remind the user to take relevant protective measures.

In some embodiments, the control circuit 116 can also actively adjust the audio setting signal ACS to decrease the volume of the sound or music emitted by the audio playing device 120 when the sound dose value AD exceeds the dose threshold.

In practice, the volume measuring circuit 111 may be implemented by using various suitable circuits or chips having signal receiving capability, signal processing capability and signal conversion capability. The weight table storage circuit 112 may be implemented using various volatile memory or non-volatile storage devices. The sound dose calculation Circuit 113 may be implemented using various microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital operation circuits, digital signal processing circuits, or Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). The indication signal generation circuit 114 may be implemented using various suitable circuits having instruction processing and signal generation capabilities. The transmission circuit 115 may be implemented using various wired or wireless transmission interfaces. For example, depending on the Communication method to be performed with the prompting device 150, the transmission circuit 115 may be implemented by a combination of a signal line, an Inter-IC Sound (I2S) Interface, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Interface, a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) Interface, a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) Interface, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Interface, a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCI-E) Interface, an internet Card (NIC) Interface, a Wi-Fi Interface, a Bluetooth Interface, a Low power consumption Bluetooth (Bluetooth) Interface, and a Bluetooth Interface, or a combination of NFC and NFC interfaces. The control circuit 116 may be implemented using various microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital computing circuits, digital signal processing circuits, or Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs).

The different functional blocks of the dosimetry circuit 110 may be implemented by different circuits, or integrated into a single circuit chip. For example, the volume measuring circuit 111 and the sound dose calculating circuit 113 may be integrated together. For another example, the sound dose calculation circuit 113 may be integrated with the control circuit 116. Also for example, the indication signal generation circuit 114 may be integrated with the control circuit 116.

In practice, the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 and the audio playing device 120 may be integrated into a single device, or the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 and the prompting circuit 150 may be integrated into a single device.

As can be seen from the foregoing description, the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 can measure the sound level emitted by the audio playback device 120, the sound level received by the main microphone 130, and the sound level received by the in-ear microphone 140, and generate the sound dose value AD corresponding to the measurement result. When the audio dose monitoring circuit 110 determines that the audio dose value AD exceeds a predetermined threshold, the prompting device 150 is instructed to generate a related prompting signal or prompting message, so that a user can know the monitoring result of the audio dose monitoring circuit 110.

In practical applications, the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 can be integrated into various audio processing devices 100 frequently used by users to measure and monitor the sound dose received by the users at any time.

Another advantage of the audio processing device 100 is that the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 can automatically generate an associated indication signal when the sound dose received by the user exceeds a predetermined standard, so as to remind the user to take an associated protective measure. Therefore, the risk of hearing damage of the user can be effectively reduced.

Different users have different physiological characteristics and conditions and may therefore have different sensitivity and/or tolerance levels for the received acoustic dose. In addition, in some applications, the audio processing device 100 may only have a single user, but in other applications, the audio processing device 100 may be used by multiple users (e.g., multiple family members or multiple colleagues) in turn.

Therefore, in some embodiments, the control circuit 116 is further configured to switch the magnitude of the dose threshold under a predetermined condition, i.e., to switch the comparison criterion (comparison criterion) of the acoustic dose value AD generated by the acoustic dose calculation circuit 113.

In one embodiment, the predetermined condition indicates that the age of the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 exceeds a predetermined age (predetermined age). In operation, the control circuit 116 may set different acoustic dose value comparison criteria for different age intervals. For example, for a user younger than 15 years old, the control circuit 116 may set the comparison criterion of the audio dose value AD to a first dose threshold TH1; for users between 15 and 20 years of age, the control circuit 116 may set the comparison criterion of the acoustic dose value AD as a second dose threshold value TH2; for users between 20 and 30 years of age, the control circuit 116 may set the comparison criterion of the audio dose value AD to a third dose threshold TH3; for users older than 30 years, the control circuit 116 may set the comparison criterion of the acoustic dose value AD to a fourth dose threshold TH4.

In some applications where the user's hearing or physical and mental health is more important, the control circuit 116 may set the second dosage threshold TH2 to be greater than the first dosage threshold TH1, set the third dosage threshold TH3 to be greater than the second dosage threshold TH2, and set the fourth dosage threshold TH4 to be greater than the third dosage threshold TH3.

In some applications that are more focused on the entertainment experience of the user, the control circuit 116 may set the fourth dose threshold TH4 to be greater than the first dose threshold TH1, set the second dose threshold TH2 to be greater than the fourth dose threshold TH4, and set the third dose threshold TH3 to be greater than the second dose threshold TH2.

In this way, the control circuit 116 automatically switches the dosage threshold value when the age of the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 exceeds a predetermined age (e.g., 15 years).

In practice, the control circuit 116 may be configured with various suitable mechanisms to determine the age of the user. For example, in the embodiment where the prompting device 150 is implemented by a mobile phone, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer or a wearable device, the control circuit 116 may require the user to input the basic data of the age and the like through the prompting device 150 in advance. For another example, the control circuit 116 may require the user to provide the age and other basic data through other input devices (not shown). For another example, the control circuit 116 may be operated with various image acquisition circuits (not shown) with human face recognition capability to automatically estimate the age of the user.

In another embodiment, the predetermined condition refers to a predetermined physiological indicator of the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 changing more than a predetermined degree (predetermined degree). For example, the control circuit 116 may set the dose threshold value to a first dose threshold value TH1 when the heart rate or blood pressure of the user is normal, and may switch the dose threshold value from the first dose threshold value TH1 to a different second dose threshold value TH2 when the heart rate or blood pressure of the user increases by more than 20%. In the case that the heart rate or blood pressure of the user rises above 40%, the control circuit 116 can switch the dosage threshold from the second dosage threshold TH2 to a different third dosage threshold TH3.

For another example, the control circuit 116 may set the dose threshold to a first dose threshold TH1 when the breathing rate of the user is normal, and may switch the dose threshold from the first dose threshold TH1 to a different second dose threshold TH2 when the breathing rate of the user increases by more than 15%. In the case where the user's breathing rate increases by more than 50%, the control circuit 116 can switch the aforementioned dose threshold from the second dose threshold TH2 to a third, different dose threshold TH3.

In some applications, the control circuit 116 may set the second dose threshold value TH2 to be less than the first dose threshold value TH1, and set the third dose threshold value TH3 to be less than the second dose threshold value TH2.

In practice, the control circuit 116 may employ any suitable mechanism or be coupled with any suitable detection device for detecting the predetermined physiological parameter of the user. For example, in embodiments where the prompting device 150 is implemented as a wearable device, the control circuit 116 may utilize the prompting device 150 to detect a predetermined physiological metric of the user. For another example, the control circuit 116 can be used with various physiological index tracking devices (not shown) having physiological index detection capability to track the variation of the predetermined physiological index of the user.

In another embodiment, the predetermined condition refers to that the user of the audio processing device 100 is in a physiological period (physiological period). For example, the control circuit 116 can switch the dosage threshold from a first dosage threshold TH1 to a second different dosage threshold TH2 during the physiological period of the user. After the user has finished the physiological period, the control circuit 116 can switch the dosage threshold from the second dosage threshold TH2 to the first dosage threshold TH1. In some applications, the control circuit 116 may set the second dose threshold TH2 to be smaller than the first dose threshold TH1.

In practice, the control circuit 116 may be configured with various suitable mechanisms to determine whether the user is in the physiological stage. For example, in an embodiment where the reminder device 150 is implemented by a mobile phone, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer or a wearable device, the control circuit 116 may require the user to set the physiological period data through the reminder device 150 in advance. Alternatively, the control circuit 116 may require the user to provide his or her physiological session data in advance through other input devices (not shown).

In another embodiment, the predetermined condition indicates that the user of the audio processing device 100 is in a gestation period (gestation period). For example, the control circuit 116 may switch the dosage threshold from a first dosage threshold TH1 to a different third dosage threshold TH3 during the pregnancy period of the user. After the user gives birth, the control circuit 116 can switch the dosage threshold from the third dosage threshold TH3 to the first dosage threshold TH1. In some applications, the control circuit 116 may set the third dose threshold TH3 to be smaller than the first dose threshold TH1.

In practice, the control circuit 116 may be configured with various suitable mechanisms to determine whether the user is in gestation. For example, in embodiments where the reminder device 150 is implemented as a cell phone, desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, or wearable device, the control circuit 116 may ask the user to provide the date they began pregnancy and delivery through the reminder device 150. Alternatively, the control circuit 116 may require the user to provide the date on which they started pregnancy and delivery via other input devices (not shown).

In another embodiment, the predetermined condition refers to that the working time of the audio processing apparatus 100 is night (night time). For example, the control circuit 116 may set the dosage threshold value to a first dosage threshold value TH1 when the operating time of the audio processing device 100 is daytime (daytime), and switch the dosage threshold value from the first dosage threshold value TH1 to a different second dosage threshold value TH2 when the operating time of the audio processing device 100 is nighttime. The control circuit 116 can set the relative magnitude between the second dose threshold TH2 and the first dose threshold TH1 according to the design requirement of the application.

In practice, the control circuit 116 may employ various suitable mechanisms or cooperate with various suitable devices to determine the operation time of the audio processing apparatus 100. For example, in an embodiment where the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 has a built-in clock (not shown), the control circuit 116 can determine the operating time of the audio processing device 100 by using the built-in clock. For another example, in an embodiment where the prompting device 150 is implemented by a mobile phone, a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer or a wearable device, the control circuit 116 can utilize the prompting device 150 to confirm the working time of the audio processing device 100. For another example, the control circuit 116 may also use other devices to query the internet for the current time of the geographic location of the sound dose monitoring circuit 110.

In another embodiment, the predetermined condition refers to that the ambient temperature of the audio processing apparatus 100 changes by more than a predetermined magnitude (predetermined magnitude). For example, the control circuit 116 may set the dose threshold value to a first dose threshold value TH1 when the ambient temperature of the audio processing device 100 is normal, and may switch the dose threshold value from the first dose threshold value TH1 to a different second dose threshold value TH2 when the ambient temperature of the audio processing device 100 rises by more than 10%. In the case that the ambient temperature of the audio processing device 100 rises by more than 20%, the control circuit 116 can switch the dosage threshold from the second dosage threshold TH2 to a different third dosage threshold TH3. In some applications, the control circuit 116 may set the second dose threshold value TH2 to be smaller than the first dose threshold value TH1, and set the third dose threshold value TH3 to be smaller than the second dose threshold value TH2.

For another example, the control circuit 116 may switch the dosage threshold from the first dosage threshold TH1 to a different second dosage threshold TH2 when the ambient temperature of the audio processing device 100 decreases by more than 10%. In the case that the ambient temperature of the audio processing apparatus 100 decreases by more than 20%, the control circuit 116 can switch the dosage threshold from the second dosage threshold TH2 to a different third dosage threshold TH3. In some applications, the control circuit 116 may set the second dose threshold value TH2 to be greater than the first dose threshold value TH1, and set the third dose threshold value TH3 to be greater than the second dose threshold value TH2.

In practice, the control circuit 116 may employ various suitable mechanisms or cooperate with various suitable detection devices to detect the ambient temperature of the audio processing device 100. For example, in an embodiment where the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 has a built-in temperature detector (not shown), the control circuit 116 may detect the ambient temperature of the audio processing device 100 by using the built-in temperature detector. For another example, in an embodiment where the prompting device 150 is implemented as a wearable device, the control circuit 116 may utilize the prompting device 150 to detect the ambient temperature of the audio processing device 100. For another example, the control circuit 116 may also use other devices to query the internet for the current temperature of the geographic location where the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 is located.

In another embodiment, the predetermined condition is that the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 is changed and the age difference between the new user and the old user exceeds a predetermined value (predetermined value). For example, the control circuit 116 may switch the dosage threshold from a first dosage threshold TH1 to a second, different dosage threshold TH2 when the new user is older than 5 years than the original user.

For another example, the control circuit 116 may switch the dosage threshold from the first dosage threshold TH1 to a different third dosage threshold TH3 when the new user is older than 15 years than the original user.

For another example, the control circuit 116 may switch the dosage threshold from the first dosage threshold TH1 to a different fourth dosage threshold TH4 if the new user is younger than the original user by more than 10 years.

The control circuit 116 may set the relative magnitudes of the first dose threshold TH1, the second dose threshold TH2, the third dose threshold TH3 and the fourth dose threshold TH4 according to the design requirements of the application.

In practice, the control circuit 116 may be configured with various suitable detection mechanisms or authentication mechanisms to determine whether the user of the audio processing device 100 changes. For example, the control circuit 116 may be used with various iris recognition devices (not shown), fingerprint recognition devices (not shown) or face recognition devices (not shown) to determine whether the user of the audio processing device 100 is replaced by another person. For another example, the control circuit 116 may request the user to input data such as an identification code or a password through another input device (not shown), so that the control circuit 116 can determine whether the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 is replaced by another person.

In addition, as mentioned above, the control circuit 116 can determine the ages of the original user and the new user by using the above-mentioned various methods. For the sake of brevity, the description is not repeated here.

In another embodiment, the predetermined condition indicates that the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 is changed and the gender of the new user is different from that of the original user. For example, the control circuit 116 may switch the dosage threshold from a first dosage threshold TH1 to a second different dosage threshold TH2 when the user of the audio processing device 100 changes from a male user to a female user.

For another example, the control circuit 116 may switch the dosage threshold from the second dosage threshold TH2 to a different first dosage threshold TH1 when the user of the audio processing device 100 changes from a female user to a male user.

The control circuit 116 can set the relative magnitude between the first dose threshold TH1 and the second dose threshold TH2 according to the design requirement of the application.

In practice, the control circuit 116 can determine whether the gender of the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 has changed by using the above-mentioned various manners. For the sake of brevity, the description is not repeated here.

In some embodiments, the control circuit 116 may switch the magnitude of the dose threshold, i.e., the comparison reference of the audio dose value AD generated by the audio dose calculation circuit 113, when any one of the aforementioned predetermined conditions is satisfied.

In other embodiments, the control circuit 116 switches the dose threshold when two or more of the above-mentioned predetermined conditions are met.

As can be seen from the foregoing description, the control circuit 116 can adaptively switch the magnitude of the dose threshold value for comparison with the acoustic dose value AD generated by the acoustic dose calculation circuit 113 based on the difference in the physiological condition of the users themselves, the difference between users, the difference in the ambient temperature, and/or the difference in the usage time. This can greatly increase the flexibility and application range of the sound dose monitoring circuit 110, and make the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 and the audio processing device 100 more suitable for different users and/or different usage situations.

In another aspect, the structure and operation of the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 can provide adaptive hearing protection functions that are more personal and can be automatically adjusted according to different conditions.

In addition, the architecture and operation of the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 can also make the audio processing device 100 support an application mode shared by multiple users, which can greatly improve the application value of the audio processing device 100.

Referring to fig. 3, a simplified functional block diagram of an audio processing apparatus 100 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown.

Compared to the aforementioned embodiment of fig. 1, the dose monitor circuit 110 in fig. 3 further includes a compensation circuit 317. As shown in fig. 3, the compensation circuit 317 is coupled to the volume measuring circuit 111 and configured to compensate the volume values SV generated by the volume measuring circuit 111 under a first target condition.

In an embodiment, the first target condition refers to a noise reduction structure (not shown) disposed on the audio playing device 120. As mentioned above, the audio playback device 120 can be implemented by a wired earphone or a wireless earphone, and the volume measurement circuit 111 can generate the volume value SV at each sampling time point according to the above-mentioned various manners.

In practical applications, various noise reduction structures may be disposed on the audio playback device 120 to improve the sound field effect of the audio playback device 120. For example, the audio playback device 120 may be provided with a relatively high-covering ear-cup structure, a relatively high-sound-absorbing ear-cup gasket may be used, a relatively thick ear-cup body may be used, or the main body of the audio playback device 120 may be designed to conform to the shape of the ear canal.

The various noise reduction structures described above may result in the volume received by the user wearing the audio playback device 120 being less than the actual volume of the external environment, so that the user may not be aware that he or she is actually exposed to an unhealthy high volume environment, such as a noisy entertainment venue, a bar, a court, etc.

Therefore, in the case that the audio playing device 120 is provided with a noise reduction structure, the compensation circuit 317 can instruct the volume measuring circuit 111 to compensate the volume value SV at each sampling time point according to a noise reduction effect (noise reduction effect) generated by the noise reduction structure.

For example, if the noise reduction effect generated by the noise reduction structure is-5 decibels (dB), the compensation circuit 317 may generate and transmit a volume compensation value C-SV to the volume measuring circuit 111 to instruct the volume measuring circuit 111 to add a compensation amount of 3dB to 5dB to each volume value SV to form a compensated volume value SV'.

For another example, if the noise reduction effect generated by the noise reduction structure is-10 db, the compensation circuit 317 may generate and transmit a volume compensation value C-SV to the volume measuring circuit 111 to instruct the volume measuring circuit 111 to add 8db to 10 db compensation to each volume value SV to form a compensated volume value SV'.

In another embodiment, the first target condition refers to the audio playback device 120 having an active noise reduction (ANC) function. As mentioned above, the audio playing device 120 can be implemented by a wired earphone or a wireless earphone. It is known that some earphones have an active noise reduction function, which can improve the sound field effect of the audio playing device 120.

The active noise reduction function described above also causes the volume received by the user wearing the audio playback device 120 to be less than the actual volume of the external environment, so that the user may not be aware of the fact that the user is exposed to an unhealthy high volume environment, such as a noisy entertainment venue, a bar, a court, etc.

Therefore, in the case that the audio playback device 120 has the active noise reduction function, the compensation circuit 317 can instruct the volume measurement circuit 111 to compensate the volume value SV at the respective sampling time point according to the noise reduction effect generated by the active noise reduction function.

For example, if the noise reduction effect generated by the active noise reduction function is-15 db, the compensation circuit 317 may generate and transmit a volume compensation value C-SV to the volume measuring circuit 111 to instruct the volume measuring circuit 111 to add a compensation amount of 12 db to 15 db to each volume value SV to form a compensated volume value SV'.

For another example, if the noise reduction effect generated by the active noise reduction function is-30 db, the compensation circuit 317 may generate and transmit a volume compensation value C-SV to the volume measuring circuit 111 to instruct the volume measuring circuit 111 to add a compensation amount of 25 db to 30 db to each volume value SV to form a compensated volume value SV'.

Then, the sound dose calculation circuit 113 may calculate the corresponding sound dose value AD by using the compensated volume value SV' in the same manner as the embodiment of fig. 1.

Therefore, the compensation circuit 317 compensates the volume value SV generated by the volume measuring circuit 111 under the first target condition, which is equivalent to the calculation basis of the adjusted sound dose value AD.

In practice, the compensation circuit 317 may instruct the volume measuring circuit 111 to compensate the generated volume values SV when any of the first target conditions mentioned above is satisfied, i.e., adjust the calculation basis of the volume dose value AD.

In other embodiments, the compensation circuit 317 instructs the volume measuring circuit 111 to compensate the generated volume values SV only when the two first target conditions are satisfied.

As mentioned above, the audio processing apparatus 100 may be used by only a single user, or alternatively by multiple users (e.g., multiple family members or multiple colleagues). Different users have different physiological characteristics and conditions and may therefore have different sensitivity and/or tolerance levels for the received acoustic dose.

In the embodiment of fig. 3, the compensation circuit 317 is further coupled to the weight table storage circuit 112 and the audio dose calculation circuit 113, and is configured to adjust the contents of the weight table used by the audio dose calculation circuit 113 under a second target condition.

In an embodiment, the second target condition refers to the age of the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 exceeding a predetermined age. In practice, the compensation circuit 317 may set different weighting tables for different age intervals and instruct the audio dose calculation circuit 113 to use the corresponding weighting table according to the age group of the user, i.e., adjust the content of the weighting table used by the audio dose calculation circuit 113.

For example, the compensation circuit 317 may set a corresponding first weight table (e.g., the weight table 200 shown in fig. 2) for users between 20 and 30 years of age.

For another example, the compensation circuit 317 may set a second weight table (e.g., a weight table 400 shown in fig. 4) with a higher weight value than the first weight table for users younger than 15 years old. In the embodiment of fig. 4, each volume value in the weight table 400 corresponds to a weight value that is 15% higher than the corresponding weight value in the weight table 200.

For another example, the compensation circuit 317 may set a third weight table (e.g., a weight table 500 shown in fig. 5) having weight values between the first weight table and the second weight table for users between 15 and 20 years old, in the embodiment of fig. 5, the weight value corresponding to each volume value in the weight table 500 is 10% higher than the corresponding weight value in the weight table 200.

For another example, the compensation circuit 317 may set a fourth weight table (e.g., the weight table 600 shown in fig. 6) having different weight values from the first weight table, the second weight table and the third weight table for users older than 30 years. In the embodiment of fig. 6, the weight value corresponding to each volume value in the first half of the weight table 600 is 5% lower than the corresponding weight value in the weight table 200, but the weight value corresponding to each volume value in the second half of the weight table 600 is 5% higher than the corresponding weight value in the weight table 200.

The compensation circuit 317 may also set the same weight table for users of different ages.

In operation, the compensation circuit 317 may generate and transmit a weight adjustment indicator C-WT to the dosage calculation circuit 113 according to the age of the user of the audio processing device 100 to instruct the dosage calculation circuit 113 to switch the weight table to be used, so as to automatically adjust the content of the weight table to be used.

For example, when the age of the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 is less than 15 years old, the compensation circuit 317 may calculate the sound dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 400 by using the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the sound dose calculation circuit 113.

For another example, when the age of the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 is between 15 and 20 years old, the compensation circuit 317 may use the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the audio dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the audio dose value AD according to the content of the weight table 500.

For another example, when the age of the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 is between 20 and 30 years old, the compensation circuit 317 may use the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the audio dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the audio dose value AD according to the content of the weight table 200.

For another example, when the age of the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 is greater than 30 years old, the compensation circuit 317 may use the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the sound dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the sound dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 600.

In other words, the sound dose calculation circuit 113 automatically adjusts the contents of the weight table used according to the indication of the compensation circuit 317 when the age of the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 exceeds a predetermined age (e.g., 15 years old).

In practice, the compensation circuit 317 may determine the age of the user by using various methods as described above. For the sake of brevity, the description is not repeated here.

In another embodiment, the second target condition refers to a predetermined physiological indicator of the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 changing more than a predetermined degree. For example, the compensation circuit 317 may calculate the audio dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 200 by using the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the audio dose calculation circuit 113 when the heart rate or blood pressure of the user is normal, and may calculate the audio dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 500 instead by using the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the audio dose calculation circuit 113 when the heart rate or blood pressure of the user rises by more than 20%. In the case where the heart rate or blood pressure of the user rises by more than 40%, the compensation circuit 317 may use the weight adjustment indication C-WT to indicate that the acoustic dose calculation circuit 113 instead calculates the acoustic dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 400.

For another example, the compensation circuit 317 may calculate the audio dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 200 by using the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the audio dose calculation circuit 113 when the respiratory rate of the user is normal, and may calculate the audio dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 500 instead by using the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the audio dose calculation circuit 113 when the respiratory rate of the user increases by more than 15%. In the case that the breathing frequency of the user increases by more than 50%, the compensation circuit 317 may use the weight adjustment indication C-WT to indicate that the acoustic dose calculation circuit 113 instead calculates the acoustic dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 400.

In practice, the compensation circuit 317 can detect the predetermined physiological index of the user by using various methods as described above. For the sake of brevity, the description is not repeated here.

In another embodiment, the second target condition refers to that the user of the audio processing device 100 is in a physiological period. For example, the compensation circuit 317 may use the weight adjustment indicator C-WT to indicate the audio dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the audio dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 400 or 500 during the physiological period of the user. After the user ends the physiological period, the compensation circuit 317 may utilize the weight adjustment indicator C-WT to indicate the audio dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the audio dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 200.

In practice, the compensation circuit 317 can determine whether the user is in the physiological period by using various methods as described above. For the sake of brevity, the description is not repeated here.

In another embodiment, the second target condition refers to that the user of the audio processing device 100 is in a gestational period. For example, the compensation circuit 317 may use the weight adjustment indicator C-WT to indicate the audio dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the audio dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 400, 500, or 600 during the pregnancy of the user. After the user gives birth, the compensation circuit 317 may use the weight adjustment indicator C-WT to indicate the audio dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the audio dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 200.

In practice, the compensation circuit 317 can determine whether the user is in the gestation period by using various methods as described above. For the sake of brevity, the description is not repeated here.

In another embodiment, the aforementioned second target condition means that the working time of the audio processing apparatus 100 is night. For example, the compensation circuit 317 may calculate the sound dose value AD by using the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the sound dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the sound dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 500 when the operating time of the audio processing apparatus 100 is day, and calculate the sound dose value AD by using the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the sound dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the sound dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 200 or 600 when the operating time of the audio processing apparatus 100 is night.

In practice, the compensation circuit 317 may determine the operation time of the audio processing apparatus 100 by using the various manners described above. For the sake of brevity, the description is not repeated here.

In another embodiment, the second target condition refers to a change in the ambient temperature of the audio processing apparatus 100 exceeding a predetermined level. For example, the compensation circuit 317 may instruct the acoustic dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the acoustic dose value AD based on the contents of the weight table 200 using the weight adjustment instruction C-WT when the ambient temperature of the audio processing apparatus 100 is normal, and may instruct the acoustic dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the acoustic dose value AD based on the contents of the weight table 500 using the weight adjustment instruction C-WT when the ambient temperature of the audio processing apparatus 100 rises by more than 10%. In the case where the ambient temperature of the audio processing apparatus 100 rises by more than 20%, the compensation circuit 317 may calculate the sound dose value AD by the weight adjustment instruction C-WT instruction sound dose calculation circuit 113 in accordance with the contents of the weight table 400.

For another example, the compensation circuit 317 may instruct the sound dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the sound dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 600 using the weight adjustment instruction C-WT when the ambient temperature of the audio processing apparatus 100 decreases by more than 10%. In the case where the ambient temperature of the audio processing apparatus 100 decreases by more than 20%, the compensation circuit 317 may calculate the sound dose value AD by using the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the sound dose calculation circuit 113 according to the contents of the weight table 500.

In practice, the compensation circuit 317 may detect the ambient temperature of the audio processing apparatus 100 by using the various manners described above. For the sake of brevity, the description is not repeated here.

In another embodiment, the second target condition is that the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 is changed and the age difference between the new user and the old user exceeds a predetermined value. For example, if the audio dose calculation circuit 113 calculates the audio dose value AD corresponding to the original user with age 18 according to the contents of the weight table 500, the compensation circuit 317 may use the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the audio dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the audio dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 200 instead when the new user is older than the original user by more than 10 years.

For another example, the compensation circuit 317 may use the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the audio dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the audio dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 600 when the new user is older than 30 years than the original user.

For another example, the compensation circuit 317 may use the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the acoustic dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the acoustic dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 400 instead when the new user is younger than the original user by more than 10 years.

In practice, the compensation circuit 317 can determine whether the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 changes and determine the ages of the original user and the new user by using the various manners described above. For the sake of brevity, the description is not repeated here.

In another embodiment, the second target condition indicates that the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 is changed and the gender of the new user is different from that of the original user. For example, if the audio dose calculation circuit 113 calculates the audio dose value AD corresponding to a male user according to the contents of the weight table 200, the compensation circuit 317 may use the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the audio dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the audio dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 600 instead when the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 changes from a male user to a female user.

For another example, the compensation circuit 317 may use the weight adjustment instruction C-WT to instruct the acoustic dose calculation circuit 113 to calculate the acoustic dose value AD according to the contents of the weight table 200 instead when the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 changes from a female user to a male user.

In practice, the compensation circuit 317 can determine whether the gender of the user of the audio processing apparatus 100 has changed in various manners as described above. For the sake of brevity, the description is not repeated here.

Then, the voice dose calculation circuit 113 may calculate the corresponding voice dose value AD by using the contents of the adjusted weight table in the manner described above with reference to the embodiment of fig. 1.

Therefore, the compensation circuit 317 adjusts the contents of the weight table used by the acoustic dose calculation circuit 113 under the second target condition, and equivalently, is the basis for calculating the adjusted acoustic dose value AD.

In some embodiments, the compensation circuit 317 may instruct the sound dose calculation circuit 113 to adjust the weighting table used, i.e., adjust the calculation basis of the sound dose value AD, when any one of the aforementioned second target conditions is satisfied.

In other embodiments, the compensation circuit 317 may instruct the dosimetry circuit 113 to adjust the weight table when two or more second target conditions are met.

It should be noted that the contents of the weight tables 200, 400, 500 and 600 are only some exemplary embodiments, and do not limit the practical implementation manner of the present invention. In practice, the number of fields, the range of volume values and/or the interval size of volume values in the individual weight table may be designed differently from the previous embodiment.

As can be seen from the foregoing description, the compensation circuit 317 can adaptively adjust the calculation basis of the audio dose value AD based on the physiological condition difference of the users themselves, the difference between the users, the difference of the ambient temperature and/or the difference of the usage time, and further, the influence control circuit 116 compares the audio dose value AD with the corresponding dose threshold value. This can greatly increase the flexibility and application range of the sound dose monitoring circuit 110, and make the sound dose monitoring circuit 110 and the audio processing device 100 more suitable for different users and/or different usage situations.

In practice, the compensation circuit 317 may be implemented by various microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital arithmetic circuits, digital signal processing circuits, or Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). In some embodiments, the compensation circuit 317 may be integrated with the sound dose calculation circuit 113 or the compensation circuit 317 may be integrated with the control circuit 116.

The foregoing descriptions regarding the connection, implementation, operation and related advantages of other elements in fig. 1 also apply to the embodiment in fig. 3. For the sake of brevity, the description is not repeated here.

Please note that, the architecture of the audio processing apparatus 100 in the foregoing embodiments of fig. 1 and fig. 3 is only an exemplary embodiment, and is not limited to the practical implementation of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments, one of the primary microphone 130, the in-ear microphone 140, the audio playback device 120, and the prompt device 150 may be omitted.

For another example, in some embodiments, primary microphone 130 and in-ear microphone 140 may be omitted.

As another example, in some embodiments, the primary microphone 130 and the audio playback device 120 may be omitted.

As another example, in some embodiments, in-ear microphone 140 and audio playback device 120 may be omitted.

In addition, in some embodiments, the compensation circuit 317 may compensate only the volume values SV generated by the volume measuring circuit 111 without adjusting the contents of the weight table used by the sound dose calculating circuit 113. Alternatively, the compensation circuit 317 may adjust only the contents of the weight table used by the sound dose calculation circuit 113 without compensating the plurality of volume values SV generated by the volume measurement circuit 111.

Certain terms are used throughout the description and following claims to refer to particular elements, and those skilled in the art may refer to like elements by different names. In the present specification and the scope of the claims, the difference in the name is not used as a means for distinguishing the elements, but the difference in the function of the element is used as a reference for distinguishing. In the following description and in the claims, the terms "include" and "comprise" are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean "include, but not limited to. Also, the term "coupled" is intended to include any direct or indirect connection. Therefore, if a first element is coupled to a second element, the first element can be directly connected to the second element through an electrical connection or a signal connection such as wireless transmission or optical transmission, or indirectly connected to the second element through another element or a connection means.

The description of "and/or" as used in this specification is inclusive of any combination of one or more of the listed items. In addition, any singular term shall include the plural unless the specification specifically states otherwise.

The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and all equivalent changes and modifications made by the claims of the present invention should be covered by the present invention.

[ notation ] to show

Audio processing device (audio processing device)

An acoustic dose monitoring circuit (audio dose monitoring circuit)

A volume measuring circuit (sound level measuring circuit)

A weight table storage circuit (weighting table storage circuit)

An audio dose calculation circuit (audio dose calculating circuit)

An indication signal generating circuit (indication signal generating circuit)

A transmission circuit (transmission circuit)

Control circuit (control circuit)

120. audio playing device (audio playback device)

A main microphone (main microphone)

An in-ear microphone (in-ear microphone)

Prompting device (prompt device)

200. 400, 500, 600

A compensation circuit (compensation circuit)

Audio setting signal (audio configuration signal)

AD.. Acoustic dose value (audio dose value)

Control signal (control signal)

C-SV. volume compensation value

C-WT.

Indication signal (INS)

SV.

Compensated sound level value (SV).

Claims

1. An audio processing apparatus (100), comprising:

an audio playback device (120) for generating sound in accordance with an audio setting signal (ACS); and

a sonic dose monitoring circuit (110), comprising:

a volume measuring circuit (111) configured to generate a plurality of volume values (SV) corresponding to the volume of the sound emitted by the audio playback device (120) at a plurality of time points, respectively, according to the audio setting signal (ACS);

-a sound dose calculation circuit (113), coupled to the volume measurement circuit (111), arranged to generate a sound dose value (AD) corresponding to a measurement period according to the volume values (SV) and contents of a weight table (200;

a control circuit (116), coupled to the acoustic dose calculation circuit (113), configured to generate the audio setting signal (ACS) and compare the acoustic dose value (AD) with a dose threshold to determine whether to generate a control signal (CTL); and

an indication signal generating circuit (114), coupled to the control circuit (116), is configured to generate a corresponding indication signal (INS) according to the control signal (CTL).

2. The audio processing device (100) of claim 1, wherein the sound dose monitoring circuit (110) further comprises:

a compensation circuit (317), coupled to the volume measurement circuit (111), configured to compensate the plurality of volume values (SV) under a first target condition, or to adjust the content of the weight table (200.

3. The audio processing device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the first target condition is selected from a group consisting of:

the audio playing device (120) is provided with a noise reduction structure; and

the audio playback device (120) has an active noise reduction function.

4. The audio processing apparatus (100) of claim 2, wherein the second target condition is selected from a group consisting of:

an age of a user of the audio processing device (100) exceeding a predetermined age;

a predetermined physiological indicator of a user of the audio processing device (100) varies by more than a predetermined degree;

the user of the audio processing device (100) is in a physiological phase;

the user of the audio processing device (100) is in a gestational period;

the working time of the audio processing device (100) is night;

the ambient temperature variation of the audio processing apparatus (100) exceeds a predetermined magnitude;

the user of the audio processing device (100) changes, and the age difference between the new user and the original user exceeds a preset value; and

the user of the audio processing device (100) is changed and the gender of the new user is different from the original user.

5. The audio processing apparatus (100) of claim 2, wherein the sound dose calculation circuit (113) converts the volume values (SV) into corresponding weight values according to contents of the weight table (200, 400, 500, 600), and multiplies the weight values by corresponding unit time lengths to generate weighted values, wherein a sum of the unit time lengths is equal to a total time length of the measurement period;

wherein the acoustic dose calculation circuit (113) further calculates a sum of the weighted values as the acoustic dose value (AD) corresponding to the measurement period.

6. An audio processing device (100) comprising:

a microphone (130; and

a sonic dose monitoring circuit (110), comprising:

a volume measurement circuit (111) arranged to generate a plurality of volume values (SV) corresponding respectively to the magnitudes of sounds received by the microphone (130;

a control circuit (116), coupled to the acoustic dose calculation circuit (113), configured to compare the acoustic dose value (AD) with a dose threshold value to determine whether to generate a control signal (CTL); and

7. The audio processing device (100) of claim 6, wherein the sound dose monitoring circuit (110) further comprises:

8. The audio processing apparatus (100) recited in claim 7, wherein the first target condition is selected from a group consisting of:

the audio playback device (120) has an active noise reduction function.

9. The audio processing apparatus (100) recited in claim 7, wherein the second target condition is selected from a group consisting of:

the user of the audio processing device (100) is in a physiological period;

the user of the audio processing device (100) is in a gestational period;

the working time of the audio processing device (100) is night;

10. The audio processing apparatus (100) of claim 7, wherein the sound dose calculation circuit (113) converts the volume values (SV) into corresponding weight values according to contents of the weight table (200, 400, 500, 600), and multiplies the weight values by corresponding unit time lengths to generate weighted values, wherein a sum of the unit time lengths is equal to a total time length of the measurement period;