Apparatus and method for spatial audio object coding employing hidden objects for signal mixture manipulation

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention relates to an improved spatial audio object coding technique. It introduces the concept of 'hidden objects'—additional parametric information that represents modifications, errors, or effects applied to the audio mixture during encoding (such as compression artifacts or added reverberation). The encoder calculates these hidden objects by analyzing the differences between the original and processed downmix signals. The decoder can use this information to suppress or control the influence of these unwanted artifacts or effects, thereby enhancing the perceptual quality and flexibility of the rendered spatial audio scene without altering existing decoding standards.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• High-quality music streaming services where coding artifacts need to be minimized for object-based audio rendering.
• Cinema or immersive virtual reality/audio installations where spatial fidelity and artifact reduction are important.
• Audio broadcasting where post-production effects or compressions are used and later need to be fine-tuned or mitigated at the receiver end.
• Consumer devices (e.g., smart speakers, soundbars) that render spatial audio content and require minimal distortion from encoding or effects processing.
• Professional DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) environments where object-based mixes might be compressed, but separated or adjusted post-distribution.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significant improvement in output spatial audio quality by suppressing coding artifacts and unwanted processing effects.
• Allows flexible control (e.g., attenuating, removing, or keeping) of added audio effects or artifacts at the decoding/rendering stage.
• Compatible with existing standardized decoders (such as MPEG SAOC), requiring no changes to deployed infrastructure.
• Enhances object separation in the decoding process, leading to a clearer and more realistic rendered audio scene.
• Offers users or automated systems the option to control the amount of post-processing effect retained in playback, supporting personalized or context-adapted audio experiences.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

An apparatus for encoding one or more audio objects to obtain an encoded signal is provided. The apparatus comprises a downmixer (110) for downmixing the one or more audio objects to obtain one or more unprocessed downmix signals. Moreover, the apparatus comprises a processing module (120) for processing the one or more unprocessed downmix signals to obtain one or more processed downmix signals. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a signal calculator (130) for calculating one or more additional signals, wherein the signal calculator (130) is configured to calculate each of the one or more additional signals based on a difference between one of the one or more processed downmix signals and one of the one or more unprocessed downmix signals. Moreover, the apparatus comprises an object information generator (140) for generating parametric audio object information for the one or more audio objects and additional parametric information for the additional signal. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises an output interface (150) for outputting the encoded signal, the encoded signal comprising the parametric audio object information for the one or more audio objects and the additional parametric information for the one or more additional signals. Moreover, a corresponding apparatus for decoding is provided.