Audio Artifact Masking via Surround Decorrelation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Highly compressed audio data often results in sound artifacts that detract from audio quality, as existing technologies fail to effectively address the issue of artifact generation and masking.

Innovation Solution

A system that generates a mask control signal to identify audio artifacts and mixes it with a decorrelated input audio signal to relocate artifacts from the front stereo image to the surround stereo image, using components like AGC core, downward expander, and Hilbert filters to create auxiliary masker signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If audio data is highly compressed to reduce data size, then storage and transmission efficiency is improved, but audio quality deteriorates due to artifact generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata sizeVSAvoidaudio artifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful audio artifacts into a beneficial masking signal. By detecting artifacts in the front stereo image and generating a masked version that relocates them to the surround stereo image, the artifacts become inaudible background elements that actually help mask other compression artifacts, thereby improving overall perceived audio quality while maintaining high compression ratios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves audio artifacts from the front stereo image (primary audio dimension) to the surround stereo image (spatial dimension). This dimensional relocation allows artifacts to be positioned in the spatial background where they are less perceptible, effectively hiding them without losing the compressed audio data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If compression ratio is increased to improve productivity, then processing speed is improved, but audio quality deteriorates due to artifact generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidaudio artifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts compression artifacts (harmful byproduct of high compression) into a beneficial masking signal that improves perceived quality. The artifact masking signal is generated by processing the compressed audio through detection and relocation stages, transforming the harmful artifacts into useful masking elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS9875756B2System and method for artifact masking

Publication Date: 2018.01.23 PSYX RES

AI summary

A system for processing audio data comprising a first signal processing path configured to generate a mask control signal. A second signal processing path configured to generate a decorrelated input audio signal. A mixer configured to mix the mask control signal and the decorrelated input audio signal and to generate an output.