Sound Frame Length Adaptation for Transform Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sound synthesis methods in the transform domain are inefficient due to frame lengths not being powers of two, leading to redundant data and increased processing time, especially when converting between time and frequency domains.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that form frames with sound parameters, transform them into efficient inverse frames, and either discard or repeat frames to match the desired time domain length, utilizing nearly all data for improved efficiency and maintaining sound duration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If frame length is chosen to be a power of two for efficient transform, then transform efficiency is improved, but time domain sound duration becomes inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransform efficiencyVSAvoidtime domain sound duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the sound signal into multiple frames, where each frame is processed independently through the transform domain. This segmentation allows the use of power-of-two frame lengths for efficient FFT/IFFT transforms while maintaining the ability to reconstruct accurate time domain sound duration through proper frame management and overlap-add operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts frame parameters including frame length, overlap factor, and shift amount to optimize both transform efficiency and time domain accuracy. By changing these parameters adaptively, the system achieves efficient power-of-two transforms while maintaining precise time domain representation of the sound signal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If frame length is increased to improve transform efficiency, then processing time is reduced, but redundant data increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidredundant data
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a window function that extends slightly beyond the actual required frame length, creating a small amount of redundant data at the edges. This excessive action allows the use of efficient power-of-two transform lengths while the windowing function ensures that the redundant portions contribute minimally to the final reconstructed signal, thus reducing overall processing time without significant loss of information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the redundant portions of the transformed data through careful windowing and overlap-add operations. By taking out the unnecessary edge portions that result from padding to power-of-two lengths, the system maintains transform efficiency while minimizing the amount of redundant data that needs to be processed and stored.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If all inversely transformed data is used to maximize efficiency, then transform efficiency is improved, but frame length mismatch occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransform efficiencyVSAvoidframe length compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic frame length adjustment where the actual output frame length is determined by the transform length minus the window function support. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different transform lengths (including power-of-two lengths for efficiency) while automatically adjusting the effective frame length to maintain compatibility with the desired time domain duration through overlap-add processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2038881B1Sound frame length adaptation
Publication Date: 2011.08.10 NXP BV
  • EP2038881B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2038881B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2038881B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A method of producing time domain sound data (B) from sound parameters (A), the method comprising the steps of: forming first frames, each first frame containing sound parameters representing sound, - forming second frames from the first frames, each second frame containing transform domain sound data derived from the sound parameters, the transform domain sound data of each second frame representing sound having a specific time domain length, and each second frame having a length corresponding with an efficient inverse transform, inversely transforming the second frames into third frames (G1, G2,...), each third frame containing time domain sound data corresponding to the transform domain sound data of a second frame, and each third frame having a length equal to a second frame, outputting substantially all time domain sound data (B) of each third frame, and discarding or repeating first frames (F3, F7) as necessary to compensate for any length difference between the said specific time domain length (P) and the length of the third frames (Q).