Audio Decoder Dynamic to Static Object Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Audio decoders face limitations in providing an immersive audio experience when processing dynamic audio objects due to computational restrictions, especially at low bitrates, where parametric reconstruction of individual dynamic audio objects is not possible, leading to restricted audio output.

Innovation Solution

An audio decoder with multiple decoding modes, including a second mode that maps dynamic audio objects to static audio objects corresponding to a predefined immersive speaker configuration, allowing for immersive audio output even in low complexity scenarios by determining the presence of dynamic audio objects and adjusting the decoding process accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If parametric reconstruction of individual dynamic audio objects is performed, then audio quality and immersion are improved, but computational complexity and processing power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio reconstruction qualityVSAvoiddecoder processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified copy of the audio object representation by mapping dynamic audio objects to static audio objects with fixed spatial positions. This copying approach preserves the essential audio content while eliminating the computationally intensive parametric reconstruction process, allowing high-quality audio output without requiring complex real-time calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameters of audio object representation from dynamic (time-varying spatial positions) to static (fixed spatial positions). This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain immersive audio quality while significantly reducing computational complexity, as static positions can be pre-calculated and stored without requiring real-time processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic audio objects with varying spatial positions are processed, then audio flexibility and adaptability are improved, but decoder complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio spatial flexibilityVSAvoiddecoder processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the spatial mapping relationships between dynamic audio objects and static audio object positions. This preliminary processing allows the decoder to simply retrieve and apply pre-computed mappings rather than performing complex real-time calculations, maintaining spatial flexibility while reducing processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces static audio objects as an intermediary representation layer between the dynamic audio input and the final audio output. This intermediary converts the flexible but complex dynamic spatial information into a simplified static representation that can be easily processed and rendered, maintaining adaptability while reducing decoder complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If low bit rate audio transmission is used, then transmission efficiency and bandwidth utilization are improved, but audio quality and decoding capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebit rate efficiencyVSAvoidaudio reconstruction quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential spatial mapping information and audio object parameters from the full dynamic audio data, discarding redundant temporal spatial variation information. This extraction allows the system to transmit audio at low bit rates while maintaining sufficient quality for immersive playback, as the pre-computed static mappings preserve the critical spatial relationships needed for audio immersion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3874491B1Audio encoder and audio decoder
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 DOLBY INTERNATIONAL AB
  • EP3874491B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3874491B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3874491B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to the field audio coding, an in particular to an audio decoder having at least two decoding modes, and associated decoding methods and decoding software for such audio decoder. In one of the decoding modes, at least one dynamic audio object is mapped to a set of static audio objects, the set of static audio objects corresponding to a predefined speaker configuration. The present disclosure further relates to a corresponding audio encoder, and associated encoding methods and encoding software for such audio encoder.