Hierarchical Audio Decoder Adaptation via Dynamic Tree Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio encoding and decoding systems using hierarchical structures are inflexible, leading to suboptimal performance and high complexity, as the decoder structure must match the encoder structure, limiting adaptability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that generate output audio channels by receiving a data stream with input audio channels and parametric data, including decoder tree structure data for a hierarchical decoder structure, allowing the decoder to adapt to the encoder structure and efficiently communicate channel split characteristics, enabling flexible and high-quality audio channel generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the decoder structure is made to match the encoder structure using standardized units, then the encoding and decoding process becomes systematic and easier to implement, but the system loses flexibility and adaptability to different encoding configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The decoder structure is made dynamic by allowing it to adapt its configuration based on the encoder's hierarchical structure. The decoder can be configured with different numbers of channels and hierarchical layers corresponding to the encoder's setup, enabling flexible adaptation while maintaining systematic implementation through standardized units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters such as the number of channels and hierarchical layer configuration to match the encoder's structure. By adjusting these parameters, the decoder can adapt to different encoding configurations while still using standardized processing units, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and ease of implementation.
2Device complexity
If a fixed hierarchical decoder structure is used to match the encoder, then the decoding process becomes simpler and more standardized, but the system achieves suboptimal performance due to lack of adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The decoder structure transitions from being fixed to dynamic, where it can adapt its configuration based on the encoder's hierarchical structure. This allows the decoder to achieve optimal performance by matching the encoder's specific configuration while maintaining relative simplicity through standardized units.
Solution Approach 2:
The decoder receives feedback information about the encoder's hierarchical structure and uses this information to configure itself accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the decoder to adapt to different encoding configurations, achieving optimal performance without significantly increasing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the decoder is designed with high flexibility to adapt to different encoder structures, then adaptability and performance improve, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The decoder is segmented into standardized units that can be independently configured. Each unit processes specific hierarchical layers or channel groups, allowing the overall decoder to achieve high flexibility through combination of standardized modules rather than requiring a completely custom complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The decoder units are designed with universal functionality that allows them to operate in different configurations. The same standardized units can be used across different encoder configurations by adjusting parameters such as the number of channels and hierarchical layers, thus achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio encoder (109) has a hierarchical encoding structure and generates a data stream comprising one or more audio channels as well as parametric audio encoding data. The encoder (109) comprises an encoding structure processor (305) which inserts decoder tree structure data into the data stream. The decoder tree structure data comprises at least one data value indicative of a channel split characteristic for an audio channel at a hierarchical layer of the hierarchical decoder structure and may specifically specify the decoder tree structures to be applied by a decoder. A decoder (115) comprises a receiver (401) which receives the data stream and a decoder structure processor (405) for generating the hierarchical decoder structure in response to the decoder tree structure data. A decode processor (403) then generates output audio channels from the data stream using the hierarchical decoder structure.