Audio Object Encoding with Dominant-Object Parametric Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio encoding technologies face challenges in efficiently encoding multiple audio objects at low bitrates, particularly when the number of objects increases, leading to significant bitrate rises and audible signal degradation.
Innovation Solution
A parametric approach that selects and encodes information for a subset of dominant audio objects per time/frequency unit, using multiple directional cues and power ratios, along with a direction-dependent downmix to generate transport channels, enhancing audio quality and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If discrete coding approach is used to encode multiple audio objects, then audio quality is maintained, but bitrate consumption increases prohibitively as number of objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transmits only the most relevant parameters (directional cues, power ratios) of dominant audio objects instead of encoding complete object information. This selective extraction maintains perceptual audio quality while dramatically reducing bitrate consumption compared to discrete coding of all objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the coding approach from transmitting full object waveforms to transmitting compressed parametric representations (directional cues, power ratios). This parameter transformation enables efficient representation of multiple audio objects at low bitrates while preserving essential perceptual characteristics.
2Quantity of substance
If parametric approach is used to reduce bitrate, then bitrate consumption decreases, but audio quality degrades due to loss of object details
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different coding strategies to different audio objects based on their perceptual importance. Dominant objects that contribute most to the audio scene are encoded with higher fidelity (multiple directional cues, power ratios), while less important objects use simpler representations, optimizing overall quality for the given bitrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transmits more directional information (multiple cues per object) than traditionally used in parametric approaches. This excessive encoding of directional characteristics compensates for the reduced bitrate by preserving spatial perception quality that listeners find most important.
3Loss of information
If all audio objects are encoded individually, then complete audio information is preserved, but device complexity and processing load increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the most perceptually relevant information from each audio object (directional cues, power ratios) for transmission. This selective extraction reduces encoding complexity and data volume while maintaining the essential information needed for high-quality audio reproduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the audio scene into dominant and non-dominant objects, applying different encoding strategies to each segment. This segmentation reduces overall processing complexity by focusing computational resources on the most important objects that contribute most to perceived audio quality.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for encoding a plurality of audio objects, having: an object parameter calculator configured for calculating, for one or more frequency bins of a plurality of frequency bins related to a time frame, parameter data for at least two relevant audio objects, wherein a number of the at least two relevant audio objects is lower than a total number of the plurality of audio objects, and an output interface for outputting an encoded audio signal having information on the parameter data for the at least two relevant audio objects for the one or more frequency bins.