Audio Stream Containers for Selective Receiver Decoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in reducing processing load at the reception side when transmitting multiple kinds of audio data items, such as channel and object coded data, which can enhance realistic sound reproduction.

Innovation Solution

A transmission apparatus inserts attribute information and stream correspondence relation information into a container format, allowing selective decoding and processing of necessary audio data groups, reducing processing load at the reception side.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple kinds of audio data items (channel coded data and object coded data) are transmitted together to enhance realistic sound reproduction, then audio quality and realism are improved, but processing load at the reception side increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio qualityVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments audio data into multiple groups (channel coded data group and object coded data group) with distinct attributes, allowing the reception device to selectively decode only the necessary groups based on playback requirements, thereby reducing processing load while maintaining audio quality when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different audio data groups are assigned different attributes (e.g., group 1 for channel coded data, group 2 for object coded data) that indicate their specific characteristics and decoding requirements, enabling the reception device to apply appropriate processing only to relevant groups rather than uniformly processing all audio data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If attribute information is inserted into container layers to enable selective decoding, then processing load is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing loadVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses standard container formats (MP4, MPEG-2 TS) that already exist in the industry, inserting attribute information into their existing layer structures. This universal approach allows the solution to work with existing infrastructure and devices without requiring entirely new complex systems

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

Solution Approach 2:

Attribute information acts as an intermediary layer between the audio data and the decoding process, providing metadata that guides selective decoding without requiring fundamental changes to the audio coding framework or reception device architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4254405B1Transmitting device and receiving device
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4254405B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4254405B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4254405B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To reduce a processing load at a reception side in a case where a plurality kinds of audio data items are transmitted. A container in a predetermined format having a predetermined number of audio streams including coded data items of a plurality of groups is transmitted. For example, the coded data items of the plurality of groups include either or both of channel coded data items and object coded data items. Attribute information indicating respective attributes of the coded data items of the plurality of groups is inserted into a layer of the container and/or a layer of an audio stream. For example, stream correspondence relation information indicating which audio stream includes each of the coded data items of the plurality of groups is further inserted.