Audio Codebook Level Estimation From Bitstream Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current audio processing methods require full decoding and complex computations to estimate the level of encoded audio signals, which is inefficient, especially in applications like teleconferencing where dominant streams need to be identified and mixed.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for level estimation that determines a codebook used for encoding the audio signal and derives a level value associated with it, allowing for level estimation without full decoding, using bitstream parameters like Huffman codebooks and scalefactors to calculate energy, amplitude, or loudness directly from the bitstream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If full decoding of audio signals is conducted to estimate energy or loudness, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary information (codebook index and scalefactors) from the bitstream required for level estimation, without performing full decoding of the audio signal. This allows accurate level estimation while avoiding the computational complexity of complete decoding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs level estimation using preliminary information available in the bitstream (codebook index and scalefactors) before full decoding would be required. This preliminary estimation provides sufficient accuracy for applications like teleconferencing where dominant stream identification is needed.
2Measurement precision
If full decoding is performed for multiple audio streams, then level estimation accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts level estimation information directly from bitstream parameters (codebook index and scalefactors) without waiting for or performing full decoding. This extraction approach provides accurate level estimates for multiple streams simultaneously, significantly reducing processing time for applications requiring analysis of multiple audio streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs level estimation as a preliminary operation using readily available bitstream data before any decoding takes place. This allows rapid comparison and identification of dominant streams across multiple audio inputs, eliminating the time-consuming sequential decoding process.
3Productivity
If bitstream parameters are used for level estimation, then processing efficiency is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses codebook index and scalefactors as intermediary parameters that bridge the gap between compressed bitstream data and accurate level estimation. These intermediaries contain sufficient information to derive accurate level estimates without requiring full decoding, thus maintaining both efficiency and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the available bitstream parameters (codebook index and scalefactors) into level estimates through mathematical relationships. By changing the form of these parameters and combining them appropriately, accurate level information is derived efficiently without sacrificing measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for level estimation of an encoded audio signal is provided. The apparatus has a codebook determinator for determining a codebook from a plurality of codebooks as an identified codebook. The audio signal has been encoded by employing the identified codebook. Moreover, the apparatus has an estimation unit configured for deriving a level value associated with the identified codebook as a derived level value and for estimating a level estimate of the audio signal using the derived level value.