Adaptive Inter-Channel Time Difference Parameter Search

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio processing technologies waste computing resources and reduce processing efficiency due to using a fixed search range and step for determining the inter-channel time difference (ITD) parameter, which does not adapt to varying channel quality.

Innovation Solution

Adapting the search complexity based on current channel quality by determining a target search complexity from multiple predefined complexities, allowing for flexible precision of the ITD parameter, thereby optimizing search processing on audio signals from multiple channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a fixed search range and search step are used for determining ITD parameter, then the determination method is simple, but computing resources are wasted and processing efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of determination methodVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the search range and search step adaptive rather than fixed. The search parameters are dynamically adjusted based on channel quality assessment, allowing the system to optimize processing efficiency for different audio conditions while maintaining simplicity through automated adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of search range and search step based on channel quality. By modifying these parameters dynamically according to the assessed channel conditions, the system resolves the contradiction between method simplicity and processing efficiency, achieving both through adaptive parameter selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a large search range and small search step are used, then precision of ITD parameter is high, but computing resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of ITD parameterVSAvoidcomputing resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by adjusting the search parameters according to local channel conditions. Different search ranges and steps are selected based on the specific channel quality assessment, ensuring high precision when needed while conserving computing resources when channel conditions allow for coarser search.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes search parameters (range and step) based on channel quality to resolve the contradiction between precision and computing resource usage. When channel quality is good, finer search parameters are used for higher precision; when channel quality is poor, coarser parameters reduce computing resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If adaptive search complexity is implemented, then processing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of determination method
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing channel quality assessment before the ITD parameter search. This preliminary step enables the system to pre-determine appropriate search parameters, improving processing efficiency while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through a structured two-stage approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback from channel quality assessment to adjust search parameters. The system evaluates channel conditions and feeds this information back to select appropriate search range and step, achieving adaptive processing efficiency while maintaining reasonable device complexity through feedback-driven parameter selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3255632B1Method and apparatus for determining time difference parameter among sound channels
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3255632B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3255632B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3255632B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method (100) and an apparatus (200) for determining an inter-channel time difference parameter are provided, so that precision of a determined ITD parameter can adapt to channel quality. The method (100) includes: determining a target search complexity from at least two search complexities, where the at least two search complexities are in a one-to-one correspondence with at least two channel quality values (S110); and performing search processing on a signal on a first sound channel and a signal on a second sound channel according to the target search complexity, to determine a first inter-channel time difference ITD parameter corresponding to the first sound channel and the second sound channel (S120).