Multi-Channel Audio Decoding with Scalable 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 multi-channel audio signal decoding system that uses decoding-level information to selectively decode bitstreams, generating the appropriate number of audio channels by including information on magnitude differences and similarities between channels, and employing OTT and TTT decoders to upmix or downmix signals accordingly.
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 input audio channel signals into audio signals of a suitable number of channels based on the actual known type of speaker configuration at the receiver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic decoding level selection where the decoder can adaptively choose between different decoding levels (first level: direct decoding, second level: decoding with upmixing) based on the speaker configuration type. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize performance for different speaker setups while managing complexity through conditional processing paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the decoding parameter (decoding level) based on the speaker configuration type. When the speaker configuration type indicates a multi-speaker setup, the system selects the second decoding level which includes upmixing operations to generate additional channels. This parameter change enables adaptability without requiring a completely different decoding architecture.
2Productivity
If the decoder selectively decodes bitstreams into different numbers of channels based on speaker configuration, then the output is optimized for the specific setup, but the decoding complexity increases due to multiple decoding levels and upmixing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the decoding process into distinct decoding levels (first level: direct decoding, second level: decoding with upmixing). Each level is a self-contained processing path that can be independently selected based on speaker configuration. This segmentation allows the system to achieve optimized performance for different configurations while managing complexity by only activating the necessary processing path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary determination of the speaker configuration type before executing the decoding process. Based on this preliminary information, the system pre-selects the appropriate decoding level, avoiding unnecessary processing steps. This preliminary action improves decoding efficiency by eliminating redundant operations while maintaining the capability for selective channel generation.
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.