Audio Encoding Using Neural Network Up-Sampling for Weak Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio encoding and decoding methods suffer from data loss during compression, leading to poor media quality, especially in weak network environments where transmission efficiency is compromised.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method involves up-sampling and down-sampling techniques using convolutional neural networks to enhance encoding and decoding processes, where encoding vectors of historical audio frames are used to improve the quality of current frames by caching up-sampling or down-sampling feature values, and utilizing a shared codebook for efficient data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional audio encoding and decoding methods are used, then network transmission costs are reduced through compression, but media data quality deteriorates due to data loss during encoding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork transmission costsVSAvoidmedia data quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-training a neural network model with large amounts of audio data before actual encoding/decoding operations. This pre-training enables the model to learn optimal encoding strategies and maintain high audio quality even during compression in weak network conditions, resolving the contradiction between transmission cost reduction and quality preservation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts encoding parameters based on network conditions. In weak network environments, the system modifies encoding parameters to prioritize quality over compression ratio, while in good network conditions, it increases compression. This adaptive parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize for either transmission efficiency or quality depending on real-time conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If compression is increased to reduce data transmission size, then network transmission efficiency improves, but data loss increases resulting in poor media quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork transmission efficiencyVSAvoiddata loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the neural network continuously monitors decoding quality and adjusts encoding parameters accordingly. The model uses feedback from previous encoding/decoding cycles to optimize the balance between compression ratio and quality, reducing information loss while maintaining transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts compression levels based on real-time network conditions and content characteristics. Rather than using fixed compression ratios, the neural network adapts encoding strength dynamically, applying stronger compression only when network conditions permit and content allows, thereby minimizing information loss while maximizing transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If encoding compression is applied to reduce bandwidth usage, then transmission costs decrease, but audio quality deteriorates especially in weak network environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth usageVSAvoidaudio quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The neural network model is pre-trained on extensive audio data to learn robust encoding strategies that maintain quality in weak network conditions. This preliminary training enables the system to reliably encode audio at lower bitrates without significant quality degradation, resolving the contradiction between bandwidth reduction and quality maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different encoding strategies to different portions of audio content based on their importance and characteristics. Critical audio elements are encoded with higher quality while less important portions receive stronger compression. This local quality approach allows overall bandwidth reduction while preserving essential audio quality, especially important in weak network environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20240249737A1Audio encoding and decoding method and related product
Publication Date: 2024.07.25 TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • US20240249737A1 patent drawing
  • US20240249737A1 patent drawing
  • US20240249737A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An audio decoding method performed by a computer device includes obtaining encoding vectors of audio frames in an audio frame sequence, and performing, in response to a current audio frame in the audio frame sequence being to be decoded, up-sampling on an encoding vector of a historical audio frame to obtain an up-sampling feature value describing the historical audio frame. The historical audio frame includes one or more audio frames decoded before the current audio frame in the audio frame sequence. The method further includes performing, based on the up-sampling feature value, up-sampling on an encoding vector of the current audio frame to obtain decoded data of the current audio frame.