Audio Encoder and Method for Encoding an Audio Signal

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

This invention is an audio encoder and an encoding method that improves the quality of encoded audio signals (such as speech) by dynamically adjusting how the encoder treats different parts of the input based on their noise content. Specifically, it increases encoding accuracy for parts of the audio less affected by noise, while less accurately encoding parts that are more noisy. This is achieved by analyzing the noise in the audio signal and adapting the encoder’s processing, for example by modifying perceptual weighting functions, so that the most intelligible or important segments are preserved with higher fidelity.

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

• Speech codecs for mobile telephony (e.g., mobile calls in noisy environments such as streets or vehicles)
• Voice over IP (VoIP) communication systems operating in noisy conditions
• Hearing aids or assistive listening devices that transmit speech in noisy environments
• Conference systems or remote work audio tools where background noise is present
• Audio and video recording devices to improve clarity of captured speech in noisy environments
• Broadcast or live streaming where the speaking environment cannot be fully controlled

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Improves intelligibility and reduces listening effort in noisy conditions
• Enhances perceived speech or audio quality even when background noise is present
• Operates with low computational complexity and low delay, making it suitable for real-time and low-power devices
• Can be implemented as an add-on to existing audio codecs without changing transmission formats
• Efficiently utilizes the available encoding resources by focusing on the parts of the signal most relevant for understanding
• Reduces artifacts compared to conventional noise suppression that is separate from the encoder

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Patent Abstract

An audio encoder (100) for providing an encoded representation (102) on the basis of an audio signal (104), wherein the audio encoder (100) is configured to obtain a noise information (106) describing a noise included in the audio signal (104), and wherein the audio encoder (100) is configured to adaptively encode the audio signal (104) in dependence on the noise information (106), such that encoding accuracy is higher for parts of the audio signal (104) that are less affected by the noise included in the audio signal (104) than for parts of the audio signal (104) that are more affected by the noise included in the audio signal (104).