Patent · US Expired

Audio compressor, expander, and noise reduction circuits for consumer and semi-professional use

US5185806A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
8References
67Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 11, 1990
Grant dateFeb 9, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 11, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03G9/18
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Three related embodiments of audio signal dynamic range circuits for consumer and semi-professional audio signal compressors, expanders, and compressor/expander noise reduction systems incorporate certain basic features of professional Spectral Recording (SR) while adapting SR for use with consumer recording media (particularly audio cassette tape) and reducing the cost and complexity of the SR circuitry. In addition, the three embodiments, and particularly the preferred embodiment, provide substantial compatibility with the existing B-type and C-type consumer and semi-professional noise reduction systems. Subjective performance substantially equivalent to 16-bit PCM audio systems is achieved with analog audio cassette tape media. In all three embodiments there are two cascaded stages: (1) a high-level stage having a high-frequency fixed-band/sliding band action-substitution sub-state and a low-frequency fixed-band sub-stage and (2) a low-level stage having only a high-frequency fixed-band/sliding band action-substitution sub-stage. The dynamic action regions of the high-frequency action-substitution sub-stages are staggered. Each of the high-frequency sub-stages provides up to 12 …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.