Dynamic Format Conversion for Multichannel Audio Metadata
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multichannel audio format conversion methods often damage the original intent of the content creator and can perform unintended conversions, as they lack dynamic adaptation to playback environments.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic format conversion scheme that identifies and generates audio metadata to convert multichannel audio data from a creator-defined format to a playback environment-specific format, using multiple format conversion schemes for each playback period, which can include linear and nonlinear conversions, and is stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If uniform format conversion is applied to all multichannel audio content, then format compatibility is improved, but the original writing intention of the content creator is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic format conversion by storing multiple format conversion schemes (first, second, third schemes) with different conversion priorities and characteristics. The system dynamically selects which conversion scheme to apply based on the specific playback environment and content requirements, rather than uniformly applying a single conversion method to all content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of format conversion by introducing conversion priority levels and multiple conversion schemes. Each scheme has different conversion characteristics and priorities, allowing the system to adjust the conversion behavior according to the specific content and playback environment, thereby preserving the original writing intention while maintaining compatibility.
2Loss of information
If dynamic format conversion with multiple schemes is implemented, then writing intention is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing multiple format conversion schemes and their associated priorities in the audio metadata during content creation. This allows the playback device to simply retrieve and apply the appropriate pre-defined scheme based on the playback environment, rather than performing complex real-time analysis and decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces audio metadata as an intermediary that carries format conversion information between the content creator and the playback device. This intermediary structure organizes multiple conversion schemes with priorities in a standardized format, simplifying the management complexity by providing a clear interface and structure for storing and retrieving conversion parameters.
3Measurement precision
If multiple format conversion schemes are stored for each playback period, then conversion accuracy is improved, but data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by associating specific format conversion schemes with specific playback periods or segments of the audio content. Instead of storing all possible conversion schemes for all content uniformly, the system stores conversion schemes locally relevant to specific time periods or content segments, reducing the overall metadata volume while maintaining high conversion accuracy where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio metadata providing apparatus and method and a multichannel audio data playback apparatus and method to support a dynamic format conversion are provided. Dynamic format conversion information may include information about a plurality of format conversion schemes that are used to convert a first format set by a writer of multichannel audio data into a second format that is based on a playback environment of the multichannel audio data and that are set for each of playback periods of the multichannel audio data. The audio metadata providing apparatus may provide audio metadata including the dynamic format conversion information. The multichannel audio data playback apparatus may identify the dynamic format conversion information from the audio metadata, may convert the first format of the multichannel audio data into the second format based on the identified dynamic format conversion information, and may play back the multichannel audio data with the second format.