Vector Quantization Bit Allocation for Audio Encoding Constraints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-rate lattice vector quantization methods face challenges in reducing the number of bits required for encoding, particularly in cases where the available bit budget is insufficient or not optimally allocated, leading to inefficiencies in encoding audio or voice signals.

Innovation Solution

An encoding apparatus and method that dynamically allocate and manage bit budgets for sub-vectors using a control circuitry to configure the number of bits based on available resources, optimizing the encoding process by selecting a dominant sub-vector for priority encoding and adjusting bit allocation strategies to minimize the overall bit usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multi-rate lattice vector quantization is applied to encode audio or voice signals, then the encoding quality is improved, but the number of bits required for encoding increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencoding qualityVSAvoidnumber of bits

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the vector quantization process into multiple rates, processing signals at different resolutions. By segmenting the encoding into coarse and fine quantization stages, the system achieves high encoding quality while controlling bit consumption through hierarchical processing rather than uniform high-resolution encoding throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different quantization precision to different parts of the signal or different sub-vectors. By allocating higher precision only where necessary and lower precision elsewhere, the system maintains overall encoding quality while reducing total bit requirements through non-uniform quality distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the bit budget is increased for vector quantization, then the encoding precision is improved, but the loss of time for processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveencoding precisionVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic or iterative quantization processes where encoding is performed in multiple passes or stages. By periodically refining the quantization at different rates, the system achieves high precision without requiring all processing to occur at maximum computational intensity simultaneously, thus managing processing time more efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary coarse quantization before fine quantization. By pre-processing the signal with lower precision encoding first, the system reduces the complexity of subsequent high-precision processing, achieving overall high encoding precision while reducing total processing time through staged refinement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12579990B2Encoding device, decoding device, encoding method, and decoding method

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

An encoding device comprising: a quantization circuit that generates a quantization parameter that includes information about a vector quantization codebook; and a control circuit that sets the number of available bits according to conditions for encoding based on the difference between the number of bits available for encoding of the target sub-vector and the number of bits for the quantization parameter of the target sub-vector.