Abstract: In a multi-channel encoder generating several different parameter sets for reconstructing a multi-channel output signal using at least one transmission channel, the data stream is written such that the two parameter sets are decodable independently of each other. Thus, a multi-channel decoder is enabled to skip a parameter set which is marked as optional and/or has a higher version number when reading the data stream and still to perform a valid multi-channel reconstruction using a data set marked as mandatory or a data set having a sufficiently low version number. This achieves a flexible encoder/decoder concept suitable for future updates characterized by backward compatibility and reliability.

Abstract: Processing of information signals separated according to modulation and carrier components in a more controlled way is made possible by a device for processing an information signal including a unit for converting the information signal to a time/spectral representation by block-wise transforming of the information signal and a unit for converting the information signal from the time/spectral representation to a spectral/modulation spectral representation, wherein the unit for converting is designed such that the spectral/modulation spectral representation depends on both a magnitude component and a phase component of the time/spectral representation of the information signal. A unit then performs a manipulation and/or modification of the information signal in the spectral/modulation spectral representation to obtain a modified spectral/modulation spectral representation.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to bridge the gap between parametric multi-channel audio coding and matrixed-surround multi-channel coding by gradually improving the sound of an up-mix signal while raising the bit-rate consumed by the side-information starting from 0 up to the bit-rates of the parametric methods. More specifically, it provides a method of flexibly choosing an “operating point” somewhere between matrixed-surround (no side-information, limited audio quality) and fully parametric reconstruction (full side-information rate required, good quality). This operating point can be chosen dynamically (i.e. varying over time) and in response to the permissible side-information rate, as it is dictated by the individual application.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to bridge the gap between parametric multi-channel audio coding and matrixed-surround multi-channel coding by gradually improving the sound of an up-mix signal while raising the bit-rate consumed by the side-information starting from 0 up to the bit-rates of the parametric methods. More specifically, it provides a method of flexibly choosing an “operating point” somewhere between matrixed-surround (no side-information, limited audio quality) and fully parametric reconstruction (full side-information rate required, good quality). This operating point can be chosen dynamically (i.e. varying over time) and in response to the permissible side-information rate, as it is dictated by the individual application.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that parameters including a first set of parameters of a representation of a first portion of an original signal and including a second set of parameters of a representation of a second portion of the original signal can be efficiently encoded, when the parameters are arranged in a first sequence of tuples and in a second sequence of tuples, wherein the first sequence of tuples comprises tuples of parameters having two parameters from a single portion of the original signal and wherein the second sequence of tuples comprises tuples of parameters having one parameter from the first portion and one parameter from the second portion of the original signal. An efficient encoding can be achieved using a bit estimator to estimate the number of necessary bits to encode the first and the second sequence of tuples, wherein only the sequence of tuples is encoded, that results in the lower number of bits.

Abstract: A compact encoded representation of information values not exceeding a predefined size can be derived when a first encoding rule generating an encoded representation of the information values of variable length is compared to a second encoding rule generating an encoded representation of the information values of fixed length and when the encoding rule resulting in the encoded representation requiring the lower number of information units is chosen. Thus, the maximum bit rate can be guaranteed to be at least the maximum bit rate of the second encoding rule deriving the second encoded representation. Signaling the choice of the encoding rule by some rule information together with the encoded representation of the information values, the correct information values can later on be derived on a decoder side, using a decoding rule fitting the encoding rule used during the encoding.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that an efficient code for encoding information values can be derived, when two or more information values are grouped in a tuple in a tuple order and when an encoding rule is used, that assigns the same code word to tuples having identical information values in different orders and that does derive an order information, indicating the tuple order, and when the code word is output in association with the order information.

Abstract: A scalable encoder having a first encoder, a decoder and a second encoder includes, above that, a phase distorter to reduce a non-linear frequency-dependent phase distortion introduced by the first encoder or by the decoder, which results in an increased difference signal of a comparator. Thus, a difference signal with less energy is obtained that the second encoder can encode with less bits, that is with a higher bit efficiency.

Abstract: A scalable encoder having a first encoder, a decoder and a second encoder includes, above that, a phase distorter to reduce a non-linear frequency-dependent phase distortion introduced by the first encoder or by the decoder, which results in an increased difference signal of a comparator. Thus, a difference signal with less energy is obtained that the second encoder can encode with less bits, that is with a higher bit efficiency.