Backwards Compatible Audio Representation Subband Directional Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio processing technologies face challenges in directly rendering two-channel spatial audio representations, particularly in obtaining Left/Right-stereo representations from direct and ambient audio components, as these components cannot be directly played back over loudspeakers or headphones.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that provide directional information associated with subbands of the left and right audio channels, allowing for the determination of sound source direction, which is used to generate spatial audio signals and maintain compatibility with traditional Left/Right-stereo representations by encoding and decoding these signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two-channel spatial audio representation is provided with direct and ambient audio components, then spatial audio rendering capability is improved, but compatibility with traditional stereo playback equipment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The audio signal is divided into subbands, and directional information is provided for at least one subband. This segmentation allows the system to maintain compatibility with traditional stereo equipment while enabling enhanced spatial audio rendering through frequency-dependent directional processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds directional information within the existing two-channel audio representation structure. The directional information is associated with subbands of the left and right audio channels, allowing traditional stereo players to playback the base audio signal while the enhanced spatial rendering is achieved through the nested directional data
2Measurement precision
If directional information is added to subbands, then sound source localization capability is improved, but data complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing directional information for all subbands, the patent specifies that directional information is provided for at least one subband. This partial action approach achieves sufficient sound source localization capability while minimizing the increase in data complexity
Data Source
AI summary
It is inter alia disclosed to provide a left signal representation associated with a left audio channel and a right signal representation associated with a right audio channel, each of the left and right signal representations being associated with a plurality of subbands of a frequency range, and to provide directional information associated with at least one subband of the plurality of subbands associated with the left and the right signal representation, the directional information being at least partially indicative of a direction of a sound source with respect to the left and right audio channel.