Apparatus and method for encoding and decoding an encoded audio signal using temporal noise/patch shaping

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

This patent describes a method and apparatus for encoding and decoding audio signals that efficiently compresses audio by separating it into important (tonal) and less important (noise-like) components in the spectral domain. Gaps in the spectrum left after compressing only the most important audio content are filled intelligently by analyzing similarities between frequency regions and reusing content from well-matched regions. Temporal noise shaping (TNS) and temporal tile shaping (TTS) techniques are used to reduce perceptual artifacts, such as pre-echoes, especially in transient-rich audio. The invention preserves audio quality at lower bitrates and improves the accuracy of high-frequency reconstruction without requiring complex signal transformations or additional filterbanks.

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

• High-quality audio streaming services where bandwidth is limited (e.g., mobile or wireless audio).
• Efficient audio storage or transmission in music streaming, online radio, or podcast platforms.
• Embedding in consumer electronics such as smartphones, tablets, Bluetooth speakers, and headphones to provide better sound quality with less memory and power consumption.
• Low-bitrate broadcast applications, such as digital radio or audio for video streaming.
• Hearing aids and audio assistive devices where quality and delay are important but resources are limited.
• Multichannel audio and surround sound compression for home theater, cinema, and gaming applications.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly reduces audio file size or transmission bitrate while maintaining perceived audio quality, especially at low bitrates.
• Enables full-band audio coding without the need for complex additional transforms or filterbanks, simplifying implementation and reducing processing requirements.
• Provides accurate preservation and reconstruction of tonal and high-frequency components, leading to clearer, more natural sound.
• Minimizes perceptual artifacts like pre-echoes and musical noise, enhancing the listening experience, particularly for transient and complex sounds.
• Adaptable and scalable to different audio types and application requirements, including mono, stereo, and multichannel signals.
• Flexible integration with existing audio codecs, supporting enhancements in both consumer and professional audio equipment.

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Patent Abstract

An apparatus for decoding an encoded audio signal, comprises: a spectral domain audio decoder (602) for generating a first decoded representation of a first set of first spectral portions being spectral prediction residual values; a frequency regenerator (604) for generating a reconstructed second spectral portion using a first spectral portion of the first set of first spectral portions, wherein the reconstructed second spectral portion additionally comprises spectral prediction residual values; and an inverse prediction filter (606) for performing an inverse prediction over frequency using the spectral residual values for the first set of first spectral portions and the reconstructed second spectral portion using prediction filter information (607) included in the encoded audio signal.