Audio Decoder Buffer Adaptation for 3D Audio
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The 3D audio standard requires a large minimum decoder input buffer size, which can be challenging for platforms with small memory sizes to ensure, making it difficult to decode bit streams in apparatuses with different hardware scales.
Innovation Solution
A decoding device and method that selects and decodes audio elements based on the size of the buffer, allowing for various combinations of audio elements to be used, adjusting the buffer size and bit rate to accommodate different hardware scales, and reducing unnecessary audio element transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the minimum decoder input buffer size is set according to the 3D audio standard to support all audio elements, then the decoder can handle any bit stream configuration, but the buffer size becomes excessively large (up to 100 MByte), making it difficult for platforms with small memory sizes to ensure the buffer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio elements into multiple groups (first group and second group) with different buffer size requirements. The NCC value is calculated separately for each group, allowing the decoder to process audio elements in manageable segments rather than requiring a single large buffer for all elements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by calculating NCC values for different subsets of audio elements rather than for all elements. The first NCC value corresponds to a first subset of audio elements and the second NCC value corresponds to a second subset, allowing the system to use only the necessary portion of the buffer based on current decoding needs.
2Ease of manufacture
If the buffer size is reduced to accommodate platforms with small memory sizes, then the decoder can be mounted on various hardware scales, but it becomes impossible to decode bit streams with high numbers of SCEs and CPEs as prescribed by the 3D audio standard
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by allowing the decoder to switch between different NCC calculation modes based on the audio element configuration. The system dynamically determines which audio elements belong to which group and calculates appropriate NCC values, enabling the same decoder hardware to adapt to different bit stream complexities without requiring physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal decoder architecture that can handle both simple and complex bit streams using the same hardware resources. By implementing multiple NCC calculation methods and audio element grouping strategies, the decoder achieves multi-functionality, supporting platforms with small memory sizes while maintaining capability to decode various bit stream configurations.
3Reliability
If all audio elements are decoded to maintain high audio quality, then the audio reproduction is comprehensive, but the processing load and memory requirements increase significantly for platforms with limited resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different processing strategies for different groups of audio elements. The first group of audio elements can be processed with higher priority or more resources, while the second group can use optimized or reduced processing. This enables the system to maintain high audio quality for critical elements while reducing processing load overall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameters by introducing group-based NCC calculations. Instead of uniformly processing all audio elements with the same parameters, the system adjusts the NCC value and processing intensity based on the specific group of audio elements being decoded, thereby optimizing the balance between audio quality and processing load.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a decoding device comprising at least one buffer and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to select, based at least in part on a size of the at least one buffer, at least one audio element from among multiple audio elements in an input bit stream; and generate an audio signal by decoding the at least one audio element.