3D Audio Encoding Using Location Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to precisely maintain the cubic effect of 3D audio signals when encoding and decoding, particularly when a 5.1 channel signal is reproduced through speakers other than 5.1 channel speakers.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that encode and decode 3D audio signals by obtaining and utilizing location parameters, spatial parameters, and channel parameters to accurately represent and restore the virtual location and correlation of 3D audio objects on multi-channel speaker layouts, ensuring the cubic effect is maintained across different speaker configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a 5.1 channel 3D audio signal is encoded and decoded using existing technologies, then the audio signal can be reproduced on various speaker configurations, but the cubic effect of the 3D audio signal is not precisely maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 3D audio signal processing into distinct components: location parameters (azimuth, elevation, distance), spatial parameters (inter-channel correlations), and audio signal parameters. This segmentation allows each component to be independently encoded and decoded, enabling precise reconstruction of the cubic effect across different speaker configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the 3D audio signal into a parameter-based representation including location parameters (azimuth, elevation, distance) and spatial parameters. These parameters are then adjusted according to the target speaker configuration, allowing the same encoded signal to maintain its cubic effect whether reproduced on 5.1, 7.1, or other speaker setups.
2Measurement precision
If location parameters and spatial parameters are encoded separately to maintain cubic effect, then the precision of 3D audio reproduction is improved, but the encoding complexity and data volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and encoding location parameters (azimuth, elevation, distance) and spatial parameters during the encoding phase. These parameters are stored in the bitstream and automatically applied during decoding, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations during playback and simplifying the decoding process while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a parameter-based copy of the spatial relationships in the 3D audio signal. Instead of encoding the full multi-channel signal for each speaker configuration, it encodes a set of location and spatial parameters that can be used to generate the appropriate channel assignments for any speaker layout, significantly reducing data volume while maintaining precision.
3Measurement precision
If gain values for each channel are used to determine location parameters, then the virtual location accuracy is improved, but the amount of data to be encoded increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the raw gain values for each channel into compressed location parameters (azimuth, elevation, distance) that describe the virtual location. This parameter transformation reduces the data volume by representing the spatial information in a more compact form while maintaining or improving the accuracy of virtual location representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential location information from the gain values by identifying and encoding only the critical parameters (azimuth, elevation, distance) that define the virtual location. This extraction process separates the necessary spatial information from the redundant data, reducing the overall data volume while preserving location accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of encoding a multi-channel 3-dimensional (3D) audio signal mixed with a multi-channel 3D object signal is provided. The method includes: obtaining a location parameter indicating a virtual location of the multi-channel 3D object signal on a multi-channel speaker layout based on a gain value of the multi-channel 3D object signal for each channel; and encoding the multi-channel 3D audio signal and the location parameter.