Multi-Overlap Window Sequencing for Low-Delay Audio Coding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional audio or image coding systems face challenges in minimizing look-ahead delay while maintaining high coding quality, particularly in handling transients, leading to pre-echo noise and reduced efficiency due to restricted window lengths and binary choices in transform overlap widths.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that adaptively select window sequences with multiple overlap regions, allowing for precise control of transform lengths and overlap widths based on transient locations, using a set of three windows with different overlap lengths, including zero overlap, to minimize pre-echoes and optimize coding efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional binary overlap widths (50% or reduced) are used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to transient locations is limited and pre-echo noise occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to transient locationsVSAvoidwindow sequence complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the window sequence into multiple distinct window types (first window, second window, third window) with different overlap characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to select appropriate window segments based on transient detection, providing fine-grained adaptability to different signal conditions without requiring a completely complex system redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic window sequence selection that adapts to detected transients. The system transitions from static binary overlap choices to dynamic multi-window sequencing based on transient location detection. This dynamic adaptation allows the overlap width to be adjusted in real-time according to signal characteristics, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If long transform overlap is used for stationary signals, then coding efficiency is improved, but look-ahead delay increases and pre-echo noise occurs during transients

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoding efficiencyVSAvoidlook-ahead delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic transform length selection that switches between long transforms (for stationary signals) and short transforms (for transient regions). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain long overlap for coding efficiency during stationary periods while reducing overlap and look-ahead delay when transients are detected, thus resolving the time-efficiency contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different transform lengths and overlap widths locally according to signal characteristics. Instead of using a uniform transform length throughout the signal, the system identifies transient regions and applies short transforms locally in those regions while maintaining long transforms in stationary regions. This local adaptation optimizes both coding efficiency and transient handling without requiring global parameter changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If short transforms are used for transient regions, then pre-echo noise is reduced, but coding efficiency decreases due to increased transform switching overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepre-echo noiseVSAvoidtransform switching complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the signal processing into distinct transform types (long and short) that can be selectively applied. This segmentation allows the system to use short transforms only in specific transient regions where they are most beneficial, rather than applying them globally. The structured segmentation of transform types simplifies the switching logic compared to arbitrary transform length changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transform length parameter adaptively based on detected transient locations. By systematically varying this key parameter (transform length) in response to signal characteristics, the system reduces pre-echo noise in transient regions while maintaining coding efficiency in stationary regions. The parameter change is driven by objective transient detection rather than subjective decision-making, reducing switching overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10354662B2Apparatus and method for generating an encoded signal or for decoding an encoded audio signal using a multi overlap portion
Publication Date: 2019.07.16 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
  • US10354662B2 patent drawing
  • US10354662B2 patent drawing
  • US10354662B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus for generating an encoded signal includes: a window sequence controller for generating a window sequence information for windowing an audio or image signal, the window sequence information indicating a first window for generating a first frame of spectral values, a second window function and at least one third window function for generating a second frame of spectral values, wherein the first window function, the second window function and the one or more third window functions overlap within a multi-overlap region; a preprocessor for windowing a second block of samples corresponding to the second window function and the at least one third window functions using an auxiliary window function to acquire a second block of windowed samples, a spectrum converter for applying an aliasing-introducing transform; and a processor for processing the first frame and the second frame to acquire encoded frames of the audio or image signal.