Audio Payload Format Marker Bits for Coding Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio payload formats for multichannel or stereo audio signal encoders face inefficiencies due to the need for in-band signalling to switch between coding modes, which consumes transmission bandwidth and lacks flexibility to accommodate future coding modes without pre-allocating extra bits, and legacy decoders struggle to decode additional modes.

Innovation Solution

A payload format that appends marker bits to denote core and extension coding, allowing flexible in-band signalling to incorporate additional modes without pre-allocating bits, ensuring compatibility with legacy decoders by ignoring unsupported modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If in-band signalling is used to switch between coding modes, then coding mode switching capability is improved, but transmission bandwidth is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoding mode switching capabilityVSAvoidtransmission bandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The payload format is designed to be universal and multi-functional, supporting both core coding and extension coding modes within a single standardized structure. The format can adapt to different coding modes (speech, music, ambient sound) without requiring separate signaling mechanisms, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining coding mode switching capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The payload format employs dynamic elements that allow it to adapt its structure based on the coding mode being used. The format can dynamically include or exclude extension coding portions depending on whether extension coding is applicable, optimizing bandwidth usage while maintaining the ability to switch between different coding modes as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If pre-allocation of bits is done to accommodate future coding modes, then future adaptability is improved, but current bandwidth efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuture coding mode accommodationVSAvoidbandwidth efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The payload format is segmented into a core portion and an optional extension portion. The core portion contains essential data that can be decoded by legacy decoders, while the extension portion contains additional data for extended coding modes. This segmentation allows the format to accommodate future coding modes without pre-allocating bits, as the extension portion can be added or removed based on compatibility requirements, maintaining bandwidth efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The payload format implements partial action by including only the necessary extension coding portions when needed, rather than always including all possible future extensions. This approach maintains bandwidth efficiency by transmitting only what is currently required while preserving the capability to add extension portions for future coding modes when applicable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If extension coding portions are added to support future modes, then adaptability is improved, but legacy decoder compatibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuture coding mode supportVSAvoidlegacy decoder compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The payload format is divided into a core portion that contains essential data compatible with legacy decoders, and an optional extension portion that contains additional data for extended coding modes. Legacy decoders can successfully decode the core portion without needing to understand the extension portion, thereby maintaining compatibility while allowing new decoders to utilize the full format including extension portions for future coding modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The payload format acts as an intermediary structure that bridges legacy and future coding modes. The core portion serves as a common ground that both legacy and new decoders can process, while the extension portion provides additional functionality for new decoders. This intermediary structure enables legacy decoder compatibility to be maintained while supporting future coding modes through the optional extension portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3120354B1Methods, apparatuses for forming audio signal payload and audio signal payload
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3120354B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3120354B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3120354B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is disclosed inter alia a method for forming an audio payload frame, wherein the audio payload frame comprises: an encoded audio data frame with a first marker bit at the front of the encoded audio data frame, wherein the first marker is set to a first value, and wherein the first value denotes a type of encoded audio data in the encoded audio data frame; an extension encoded audio data frame; and a second marker bit in front of the first marker bit, wherein the second marker bit is set to a second value; and wherein the second value denotes a type of encoded audio data other than the type of encoded audio data in the encoded audio data frame.