Integral Band-Wise Parametric Coder

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

The invention relates to an efficient audio encoder and decoder system that uses 'integral band-wise parametric coding.' It divides an audio signal’s frequency spectrum into multiple sub-bands and encodes not just the raw quantized spectral data but also a parametric representation (such as energy levels) of sub-bands that have been quantized to zero. This allows selective and adaptive parametric coding only for those spectral bands where it is most needed, optimizing quality versus bitrate. The system ensures high spectral resolution for parametric coding, adapts to signal characteristics, and supports efficient joint bitrate allocation between waveform and parametric coded parts.

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

• Audio streaming over bandwidth-limited networks, such as mobile or satellite links.
• Voice over IP (VoIP) and telecommunication systems needing efficient, low-latency compression.
• Music and multimedia broadcasting with tight bitrate budgets (e.g., DAB/DAB+, internet radio).
• Storage of large-scale audio databases, like in music libraries, with high compression efficiency.
• Hearing aids or assistive listening devices where both low bitrate and high fidelity are important.
• Embedded systems and IoT devices requiring compact storage/transmission of audio data.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables high perceived audio quality at lower bitrates compared to traditional coders.
• Reduces bitrate by coding only key parameters (e.g., energy) for spectral regions with no significant content.
• Adaptive and flexible encoding, with joint optimization between waveform and parametric coding, ensures efficient use of available bits.
• Achieves high spectral resolution in the parametric coding where it matters, improving reconstruction accuracy.
• Minimizes artifacts in audio playback, especially in low or zero-energy spectral bands, by reconstructing them using parametric models.
• Hardware/software efficiency: Can be implemented as software, hardware, or mixed solutions; suitable for real-time and embedded processing.
• Scalable: The system allows balancing of quality and bitrate for diverse application needs.

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Patent Abstract

Encoder for encoding a spectral representation of audio signal (XMR) divided into a plurality of sub-bands, wherein the spectral representation (XMR) consists of frequency bins or of frequency coefficients and wherein at least one sub-band contains more than one frequency bin, the encoder comprising:a quantizer configured to generate a quantized representation (XQ) of the spectral representation of audio signal (XMR) divided into the plurality sub-bands;a band-wise parametric coder configured to provide a coded parametric representation (zfl) of the spectral representation (XMR) depending on the quantized representation (XQ), wherein the coded parametric representation (zfl) consists of parameters describing the spectral representation (XMR) in the sub-bands or coded versions of the parameters; wherein there are at least two sub-bands being different and parameters describing the spectral representation (XMR) in the at least two sub-bands being different.