Binaural Decoder Gain Correction for HRTF Upmix Energy Errors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating binaural signals from multi-channel audio face challenges in energy conservation and spectral coloring due to non-energy-conserving upmixing rules, especially when using HRTF filters, leading to artifacts in binaural decoding.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel decoder that calculates a gain factor to correct energy errors in binaural signal generation by using upmix rule information and HRTF filter characteristics, allowing for energy-corrected binaural signal production without fully rendering the multichannel signal, thereby reducing spectral coloring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If non-energy-conserving upmixing rules are used for binaural decoding, then computational efficiency is improved and audio quality is enhanced, but energy errors occur leading to spectral coloring artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by calculating gain factors that modify the energy characteristics of the upmixed signal. The gain factors are computed based on the upmixing rule information and HRTF filter characteristics, dynamically adjusting the energy parameters to compensate for energy losses introduced by non-energy-conserving upmixing rules, thereby eliminating spectral coloring artifacts while maintaining computational efficiency
2Ease of manufacture
If non-energy-conserving upmixing rules are used, then the upmixing process becomes simpler and more efficient, but spectral coloring artifacts are introduced in the binaural output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces gain factors as an intermediary element between the upmixing process and the final binaural output. These gain factors act as a mediator that corrects the energy imbalances caused by simple non-energy-conserving upmixing rules, eliminating spectral coloring artifacts without complicating the upmixing process itself. The gain factors are calculated using upmixing rule information and HRTF filter characteristics
3Manufacturing precision
If energy-corrected binaural signal production is implemented, then spectral coloring is reduced, but additional gain factor calculation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating the gain factors in advance during the decoding process, before the final binaural signal is produced. The gain factors are computed based on available upmixing rule information and HRTF filter characteristics, allowing the energy correction to be applied efficiently without requiring complex iterative optimization or additional hardware complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-channel decoder for generating a binaural signal from a downmix signal using upmix rule information on an energy-error introducing upmix rule for calculating a gain factor based on the upmix rule information and characteristics of head related transfer function based filters corresponding to upmix channels. The one or more gain factors are used by a filter processor for filtering the downmix signal so that an energy corrected binaural signal having a left binaural channel and a right binaural channel is obtained.