3D Audio Encoding Using Vote-Based Virtual Speaker Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high calculation complexity of compressing three-dimensional audio signals using existing encoders hinders efficient data storage and transmission, requiring a method to reduce this complexity while maintaining audio quality.

Innovation Solution

A three-dimensional audio signal encoding method that selects a subset of representative virtual speakers based on vote values, reducing the number of coefficients needed for compression, thereby decreasing calculation load and improving compression efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the encoder uses a plurality of preconfigured virtual speakers to compress the three-dimensional audio signal, then the compression coding can be performed, but the calculation complexity becomes high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression coding capabilityVSAvoidcalculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the virtual speaker selection process into multiple stages: first selecting representative coefficients from the audio signal, then using these coefficients to vote for representative virtual speakers. This segmentation reduces the calculation complexity by avoiding the need to process all virtual speakers simultaneously while maintaining compression effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the necessary representative virtual speakers from the complete set of preconfigured virtual speakers. By using vote values to identify and select only the most relevant virtual speakers for each frame, the system reduces calculation complexity while maintaining adequate compression performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If the encoder transmits a virtual speaker for each coefficient, then compression can be achieved, but the data amount increases and calculation load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression efficiencyVSAvoiddata amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the selection of virtual speakers with the compression process itself. By selecting representative virtual speakers that can represent multiple coefficients simultaneously, the system achieves compression without transmitting separate virtual speaker information for each coefficient, thereby reducing the overall data amount.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of virtual speaker representation from a per-coefficient approach to a frame-level representative approach. By selecting a limited number of representative virtual speakers per frame based on vote values, the system reduces the quantity of transmitted data while maintaining compression efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4328906B1Three-dimensional audio signal encoding method and apparatus, and encoder
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4328906B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4328906B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP4328906B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application discloses a three-dimensional audio signal coding method and apparatus, and an encoder (113), and relates to the multimedia field. The method includes: After determining a first quantity of virtual speakers and a first quantity of vote values based on a current frame of a three-dimensional audio signal, a candidate virtual speaker set, and a voting round quantity (610), the encoder (113) selects a second quantity of representative virtual speakers for the current frame from the first quantity of virtual speakers based on the first quantity of vote values (620), and further encodes the current frame based on the second quantity of representative virtual speakers for the current frame to obtain a bitstream (630). This achieves efficient data compression.