Ambisonic Coefficient Transition Coding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current audio compression technologies face challenges in efficiently encoding and decoding higher-order ambisonic audio data, particularly in handling multiple transitions within a frame, which can result in redundant information and energy amplification during reconstruction.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a bitstream signaling mechanism that tracks ambient HOA coefficient transitions and adjusts the encoding of foreground and background channels, removing redundant information by specifying only necessary vector elements, thereby improving coding efficiency and soundfield reproduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple transitions are handled by encoding all vector elements for each transition, then transition accuracy is improved, but data redundancy increases and coding efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransition accuracyVSAvoidcoding efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary vector elements that change during transitions, rather than encoding all vector elements. By identifying and encoding only the specific elements that undergo transition (e.g., when ambient HOA coefficients change from foreground to background or vice versa), the system maintains transition accuracy while eliminating redundant data encoding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different encoding strategies to different parts of the data structure based on their transition characteristics. Vector elements are categorized by their transition behavior, and only those requiring updates are encoded with full precision, while stable elements are handled differently or omitted, creating a localized optimization approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If all vector elements are encoded during transitions, then information completeness is improved, but energy amplification occurs during reconstruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidenergy amplification
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes redundant vector element encodings that would otherwise be included during transitions. By extracting only the essential changing elements and excluding redundant repetitions, the system preserves necessary information for accurate reconstruction while preventing the accumulation of redundant energy that would cause amplification artifacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If redundant information is retained in the bitstream, then reconstruction accuracy is improved, but bitstream size increases and transmission efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereconstruction accuracyVSAvoidbitstream size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and retains only the essential vector elements required for accurate soundfield reconstruction, removing redundant information from the bitstream. By carefully selecting which vector elements to encode based on their actual contribution to reconstruction accuracy, the system minimizes bitstream size while preserving sufficient information for faithful soundfield reproduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3363213B1Coding higher-order ambisonic coefficients during multiple transitions
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3363213B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3363213B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3363213B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In general, techniques are described for coding higher-order ambisonic coefficients during multiple transitions. A device comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform the techniques. The processor may be configured to obtain a multi-transition indication of whether an ambient HOA coefficient is in transition during a same frame of the bitstream as a foreground audio signal is in transition. The processor may also be configured to obtain a vector that describes a spatial characteristic of a corresponding foreground audio signal based on the multi-transition indication, both the vector and the corresponding HOA audio signal decomposed from the HOA audio data. The memory may be configured to store the vector.