Frequency normalization of audio signals

Abstract

A system and method is provided to produce a flatter frequency response from an audio source that has a non-flat frequency response and, as such, has missing spectral content. The system and method achieves a flatter frequency response by characterizing the frequency response of the audio source based upon a reference input signal. This reference input signal is used to establish a reference frequency response, which is stored in a memory and used to select equalizer settings. The system restores missing spectral content by way of summing multiple input signals from the audio source. The system then normalizes the frequency response based on characterizations of the signal by utilizing equalizer settings from memory.

1 . A method for manipulating a frequency response of an audio source, comprising:
 characterizing said frequency response of said audio source from an input signal, said input signal is carried on multiple channels;   storing said frequency response in a memory;   summing said multiple channels to restore missing frequency information to said input signal; and   producing an output signal having full range frequency information.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising normalizing said frequency response to have a flatter frequency response. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising configuring an equalizer setting from said memory to vary said output signal. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A method for processing an audio signal comprising:
 applying an analog input signal carried on multiple inputs to a differential input;   converting said analog input signal to a digital signal;   characterizing a frequency response of said digital signal;   determining if said digital signal possesses full frequency range information;   summing said multiple inputs to recover lost frequency information when said digital signal does not possess full frequency range information;   producing an analog output signal possessing full range frequency information;   after summing, normalizing said frequency response to have a flatter frequency response.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising storing said frequency response in a memory. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising configuring an equalizer setting from said memory to vary said output signal. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising processing said analog output signal to possess a flatter frequency response. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising providing an instruction to sum said multiple inputs from a control device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising establishing a reference frequency response level for providing said analog output signal with a flatter frequency response. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising processing said analog output signal with an analog preamplifier. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, accepting additional audio inputs from an auxiliary input. 
     
     
         14 . A frequency normalization unit coupled between a head unit and an amplifier, comprising:
 a input section that receives an analog signal from said head unit that is carried multiple input channels;   an analog to digital converter that converts said analog signal to a digital signal;   a digital signal processor coupled to said analog to digital converter that characterizes a frequency response of said digital signal;   a microcontroller coupled to said digital signal processor, said microcontroller directs said digital signal processor to sum said multiple input channels to recover lost frequency information, thereby producing an audio signal with a full range frequency response having a non-flat frequency response, and said microcontroller corrects the audio signal in concert with a power reference level to create a restored output with a flat frequency response; and   a digital to analog converter coupled to said digital signal processor that converts said audio signal to an audio analog signal.   
     
     
         15 . The frequency normalization unit of  claim 14 , said microcontroller provides instructions to said digital signal processor to processes said digital signal to have a flatter frequency response. 
     
     
         16 . The frequency normalization unit of  claim 14 , further comprising a memory that stores said frequency response. 
     
     
         17 . The frequency normalization unit of  claim 14 , further comprising a wireless communication unit coupled to said microcontroller. 
     
     
         18 . The frequency normalization unit of  claim 14 , further comprising a preamplifier coupled to said digital to analog converter. 
     
     
         19 . The frequency normalization unit of  claim 14 , further comprising an auxiliary input coupled to said analog to digital converter. 
     
     
         20 . A method for restoring audio frequencies to an audio source output, comprising:
 restoring missing frequencies received on multiple source channels wherein the frequencies are restored by summing to produce a full frequency range summed output comprising a non-flat frequency response and the summed output is corrected in concert with a power reference level to deliver a restored output with a flat frequency response.