Audio Encoding Apparatus Dynamic Code Amount Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio encoding methods, such as HE-AAC, face challenges in efficiently encoding audio while maintaining high quality, particularly in controlling the code amount for low-frequency and high-frequency signal components, leading to potential audio quality deterioration.

Innovation Solution

An encoding device with a first high-frequency encoding unit, a low-frequency encoding unit, a low-frequency decoding unit, and a multiplexing unit, which calculates and adjusts the high-frequency code amount based on both the low-frequency and high-frequency components to ensure the high-frequency code string does not exceed the high-frequency code amount, allowing for flexible code amount management and improved audio quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If only characteristic information of high-frequency signal component is encoded, then coding efficiency is improved, but adjusting flexibility of code amount is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoding efficiencyVSAvoidadjusting flexibility of code amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic code amount adjustment by calculating a high-frequency code amount based on signal characteristics and using this calculated value to control the encoding process. The system dynamically determines the appropriate code amount for high-frequency components rather than using a fixed allocation, thereby maintaining both coding efficiency and adjusting flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of code amount allocation by introducing a calculated high-frequency code amount that adapts to signal characteristics. This parameter change enables flexible control of bit allocation between low-frequency and high-frequency components, resolving the contradiction between efficient coding and adjustable flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If high-frequency range is encoded first with remaining code amount allocated to low-frequency range, then configuration complexity is reduced, but code amount control precision is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration complexityVSAvoidcode amount control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary calculation of the high-frequency code amount based on signal characteristics before the actual encoding process. This preliminary action enables precise control of code amount allocation while maintaining a relatively simple configuration, as the code amount determination is prepared in advance rather than requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If code amount of low-frequency and high-frequency components cannot be appropriately controlled, then encoding flexibility is maintained, but audio quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencoding flexibilityVSAvoidaudio quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the calculated high-frequency code amount is used to control the encoding process. The system calculates the appropriate code amount based on signal characteristics and uses this information to adjust the encoding of both low-frequency and high-frequency components, ensuring optimal audio quality while maintaining encoding flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2693430B1Encoding apparatus and method, and program
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP2693430B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2693430B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2693430B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This technology relates to an encoding device, an encoding method, and a program capable of improving audio quality and more efficiently encoding audio. A first high-frequency encoding circuit encodes a high-frequency range based on a low-frequency subband signal and a high-frequency subband signal and obtains a high-frequency code amount. A low-frequency encoding circuit encodes a low-frequency signal with a code amount determined by the high-frequency code amount and a low-frequency decoding circuit decodes the encoded low-frequency signal. A subband dividing circuit divides a decoded low-frequency signal obtained by decoding into decoded low-frequency subband signals of a plurality of subbands and a second high-frequency encoding circuit generates a high-frequency code string such that a code amount of the high-frequency code string for obtaining a high-frequency component is not larger than the high-frequency code amount based on the decoded low-frequency subband signals and the high-frequency subband signals. The present invention is applicable to the encoding device.