Multi-Channel Audio Decoding Levels for Partial Channel Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-channel audio decoders struggle to decode input audio channel signals into suitable numbers of channels based on the actual speaker configuration at the receiver, leading to inefficiencies in decoding and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a decoding level generation unit to produce decoding-level information for controlling the level of decoding of a bitstream, allowing selective decoding of encoded audio channel signals into a suitable number of channels based on the receiver's speaker configuration, using OTT and TTT decoders to generate and decode audio channel signals with space information about magnitude differences and similarities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional decoders directly generate L audio channel signals by decoding M input audio channel signals or by upmixing downmixed signals, then the decoding process is straightforward, but it is difficult to decode into a suitable number of channels based on the actual speaker configuration at the receiver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the decoding process into multiple levels (first level, second level, third level decoders) that can be selectively activated. Each level handles a specific transformation stage (e.g., M-channel to N-channel downmixing, N-channel to L-channel upmixing), allowing the system to adapt to different speaker configurations by enabling or disabling specific decoder levels, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity through modular organization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic selection of decoding levels based on the actual speaker configuration at the receiver. The system can dynamically choose to operate at different decoding levels (full decoding, partial decoding, or selective decoding) depending on the receiver's capabilities and speaker arrangement, making the decoding process adaptable rather than fixed
2Reliability
If the decoder decodes all M input audio channel signals into L output channel signals, then complete audio information is preserved, but decoding complexity increases when the receiver has fewer speakers than channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary audio channel signals needed for the specific speaker configuration at the receiver. Instead of decoding all M input channels into L output channels regardless of configuration, the system selectively extracts and decodes only the required channels, reducing decoding complexity while maintaining audio information completeness for the actual playback setup
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of decoding level based on the receiver's speaker configuration. The system can operate at different decoding levels (e.g., first level for basic downmixing, second level for intermediate processing, third level for full upmixing), allowing the decoder to adjust its processing depth to match the receiver's capabilities, thus reducing unnecessary complexity while preserving required audio information
Data Source
AI summary
An system, method, and method of encoding/decoding a multi-channel audio signal, including a decoding level generation unit producing decoding-level information that helps a bitstream including a number of audio channel signals and space information to be decoded into a number of audio channel signals, wherein the space information includes information about magnitude differences and/or similarities between channels, and an audio decoder decoding the bitstream according to the decoding-level information. Accordingly, even a single input bitstream can be decoded into a suitable number of channels depending on the type of a speaker configuration used. Scalable channel decoding can be achieved by partially decoding an input bitstream. In the scalable channel decoding, a decoder may set decoding levels and outputs audio channel signals according to the decoding levels, thereby reducing decoding complexity.