Multi-Channel Audio Decoding Levels for Flexible Speaker Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-channel audio decoders struggle to decode input audio channel signals into suitable numbers of channels based on the actual speaker configuration at the receiver, leading to inefficiencies in decoding and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize decoding-level information to selectively decode bitstreams, generating the appropriate number of audio channels by using a combination of OTT and TTT decoders, along with space information about magnitude differences and similarities between channels, allowing for scalable channel decoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional decoders directly generate L audio channel signals by decoding M input audio channel signals or by upmixing downmixed signals, then the decoding process is straightforward, but it is difficult to decode into a suitable number of channels based on the actual speaker configuration at the receiver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic decoding by introducing a decoding level parameter that can be adjusted according to the receiver's speaker configuration. The decoder selectively applies different decoding levels (e.g., decoding level 0 for 2.0 channels, decoding level 1 for 5.1 channels, decoding level 2 for 7.1 channels) to transform the encoded bitstream into the appropriate number of audio channels. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to various speaker configurations without requiring multiple fixed decoders, thereby improving versatility while managing complexity through a unified adaptive structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the decoder supports multiple speaker configurations, then adaptability improves, but decoding complexity and data volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal decoder that can handle multiple speaker configurations through a single unified structure. The decoder includes a decoding level generation unit that produces different decoding levels based on the target speaker configuration, and an audio decoder that selectively applies these levels. This multi-functional design allows one decoder to serve multiple purposes (2.0, 5.1, 7.1 channel outputs) without requiring separate dedicated decoders for each configuration, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity through code reuse and unified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the decoding process into multiple hierarchical levels, where each decoding level corresponds to a specific channel configuration. The decoding level generation unit divides the overall decoding task into discrete levels (level 0: 2.0 channels, level 1: 5.1 channels, level 2: 7.1 channels), and the audio decoder selectively executes the appropriate level based on the speaker configuration. This segmentation allows the system to support multiple configurations by only activating the necessary decoding stages, reducing unnecessary computational complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Reliability
If all audio channel signals are decoded to maximum channels, then audio quality is maintained, but data volume and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by decoding only the necessary number of audio channels based on the receiver's speaker configuration rather than always decoding to the maximum number of channels. The decoding level generation unit determines the appropriate decoding level, and the audio decoder selectively processes only the required channels (e.g., decoding to 2.0 channels when the receiver has only two speakers, or to 5.1 channels when five speakers plus subwoofer are present). This partial processing maintains audio quality for the actual playback configuration while reducing unnecessary data volume and processing load that would result from decoding to maximum channels regardless of the receiver's capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
An system, method, and method of encoding/decoding a multi-channel audio signal, including a decoding level generation unit producing decoding-level information that helps a bitstream including a number of audio channel signals and space information to be decoded into a number of audio channel signals, wherein the space information includes information about magnitude differences and/or similarities between channels, and an audio decoder decoding the bitstream according to the decoding-level information. Accordingly, even a single input bitstream can be decoded into a suitable number of channels depending on the type of a speaker configuration used. Scalable channel decoding can be achieved by partially decoding an input bitstream. In the scalable channel decoding, a decoder may set decoding levels and outputs audio channel signals according to the decoding levels, thereby reducing decoding complexity.