Directional Audio Parameter Encoding With Split Time-Frequency Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for encoding directional audio coding parameters, such as DirAC metadata, face challenges in achieving low bit-rates while maintaining high quality, particularly due to the large amount of data required for transmitting 3D audio scenes, and previous solutions have compromised on spatial resolution or limited applications to specific scenarios like teleconferences.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves calculating diffuseness and direction parameters with different resolutions, quantizing, and encoding them separately to achieve a low bit-rate representation, using a parameter calculator and encoder processor to generate a quantized and encoded representation, and employing a decoder to convert back to original resolutions for audio rendering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If directional audio coding parameters are encoded with high resolution to maintain spatial quality, then audio rendering quality is improved, but transmission bit-rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments spatial parameters into two distinct categories: diffuseness parameters and direction parameters. Each category is encoded with different time/frequency resolutions tailored to its specific requirements. Diffuseness parameters use one resolution while direction parameters use another, allowing optimized bit-rate allocation for each parameter type rather than using a uniform high resolution for all parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different encoding resolutions to different parameter types based on their local requirements. Direction parameters, which require higher precision for spatial localization, are encoded with higher resolution. Diffuseness parameters, which vary more slowly, are encoded with lower resolution. This local quality approach maintains necessary spatial accuracy where needed while reducing overall bit-rate.
2Productivity
If directional audio coding parameters are encoded with low bit-rate to reduce transmission data, then transmission efficiency is improved, but spatial rendering quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting parameters into diffuseness and direction categories with different encoding resolutions, the patent achieves low overall bit-rate while preserving critical spatial information. The direction parameters maintain higher resolution to ensure accurate spatial localization, while diffuseness parameters use lower resolution, collectively achieving efficient compression without sacrificing essential spatial rendering quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resolution parameter differently for different parameter types. Instead of using a single resolution setting, it applies multiple resolution levels matched to the specific characteristics of each parameter category, optimizing the trade-off between bit-rate and rendering quality.
3Device complexity
If uniform resolution is used for all spatial parameters to simplify encoding, then device complexity is reduced, but encoding efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the encoding process into distinct paths for diffuseness and direction parameters, each with its own resolution settings. This segmentation increases encoding efficiency by matching resolution to parameter requirements, while the modular structure of the segmentation keeps the increased complexity manageable through systematic organization.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for encoding directional audio coding parameters including diffuseness parameters and direction parameters includes: a parameter calculator for calculating the diffuseness parameters with a first time or frequency resolution and for calculating the direction parameters with a second time or frequency resolution; and a quantizer and encoder processor for generating a quantized and encoded representation of the diffuseness parameters and the direction parameters.