Integrated Speech Audio Encoding Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing speech and audio codecs operate independently, failing to effectively integrate speech and audio signal encoding and decoding while adapting to signal characteristics and bitrate requirements.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that integrate speech and audio signal encoding and decoding by analyzing input signal characteristics, selecting appropriate encoding schemes, expanding frequency bands, and converting sampling rates to achieve efficient encoding and decoding across various bitrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If speech and audio codecs operate independently, then each codec can be optimized for its specific signal type, but the system cannot adapt to mixed speech-audio signals or achieve integrated encoding efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal codec structure that can handle both speech and audio signals through a single integrated system. The encoder includes signal type detection functionality that automatically identifies whether the input is speech or audio, and routes it to the appropriate encoding path. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate independent codecs while maintaining optimization for each signal type, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The codec employs dynamic switching between different encoding modes based on real-time signal characteristic analysis. The system dynamically adjusts its operation by detecting signal type and selecting appropriate encoding parameters, allowing it to adapt to mixed speech-audio signals. This dynamic behavior enables the system to maintain high efficiency across varying input conditions without requiring multiple fixed-structure codecs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single integrated codec is used for both speech and audio, then adaptability to different signal types is improved, but the complexity of the encoding structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated codec is segmented into distinct functional modules: signal type detection module, speech encoding module, audio encoding module, and a switching/control module. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the simplicity of specialized encoders while achieving integration through modular architecture. Each module remains relatively simple, but their coordinated operation provides comprehensive speech-audio encoding capability, resolving the complexity issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary signal type detection and control mechanism that mediates between the input signal and the encoding modules. This intermediary component analyzes the input signal characteristics and directs the signal to the appropriate encoding path, enabling the integrated codec to function as a unified system without requiring complex cross-coupling between speech and audio encoding modules. The intermediary simplifies the overall structure by providing clear separation of encoding paths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequency band expansion is performed, then the frequency band coverage is improved, but the processing complexity and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs frequency band expansion as a preliminary processing step before the main encoding operation. By expanding the frequency band early in the signal processing chain, the system prepares the signal for subsequent encoding without requiring complex real-time adjustments during encoding. This preliminary action simplifies the overall processing complexity by separating the frequency expansion function from the encoding function, allowing each to be optimized independently.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an encoding apparatus for integrally encoding and decoding a speech signal and a audio signal, and may include: an input signal analyzer to analyze a characteristic of an input signal; a stereo encoder to down mix the input signal to a mono signal when the input signal is a stereo signal, and to extract stereo sound image information; a frequency band expander to expand a frequency band of the input signal; a sampling rate converter to convert a sampling rate; a speech signal encoder to encode the input signal using a speech encoding module when the input signal is a speech characteristics signal; a audio signal encoder to encode the input signal using a audio encoding module when the input signal is a audio characteristic signal; and a bitstream generator to generate a bitstream.