Patent Description:
In a conventional art, linear predictive encoding has been applied to encode a speech signal and an audio signal. A code excited linear prediction (CELP) encoding technology has been employed for linear prediction. The CELP encoding technology may use an excitation signal and a linear predictive coding (LPC) coefficient with respect to an input signal. When encoding the input signal, the LPC coefficient may be quantized. However, quantizing of the LPC may have a narrowing dynamic range and may have difficulty in verifying a stability.

In addition, a codebook index for recovering an input signal may be selected in the encoding. When all the LPC coefficients are quantized using the same importance, a deterioration may occur in a quality of a finally generated input signal. That is, since all the LPC coefficients have a different importance, a quality of the input signal may be enhanced when an error of an important LPC coefficient is small. However, when the quantization is performed by applying the same importance without considering that the LPC coefficients have a different importance, the quality of the input signal may be deteriorated.

Accordingly, there is a desire for a method that may effectively quantize an LPC coefficient and may enhance a quality of a synthesized signal when recovering an input signal using a decoder. In addition, there is a desire for a technology that may have an excellent coding performance in a similar complexity.

In "<NPL>, there is provided the description of an algorithm for the scalable coding of narrow-band and wideband speech and audio signals at <NUM>-<NUM> kbit/s.

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. Embodiments are described below to explain the present disclosure by referring to the figures.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of an audio signal encoding apparatus <NUM> defining an application context for understanding the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the audio signal encoding apparatus <NUM> may include a preprocessing unit <NUM>, a spectrum analyzer <NUM>, a linear predictive coding (LPC) coefficient extracting and open-loop pitch analyzing unit <NUM>, an encoding mode selector <NUM>, an LPC coefficient quantizer <NUM>, an encoder <NUM>, an error recovering unit <NUM>, and a bitstream generator <NUM>. The audio signal encoding apparatus <NUM> may be applicable to a speech signal.

The preprocessing unit <NUM> may preprocess an input signal. Through preprocessing, a preparation of the input signal for encoding may be completed. Specifically, the preprocessing unit <NUM> may preprocess the input signal through high pass filtering, pre- emphasis, and sampling conversion.

The spectrum analyzer <NUM> may analyze a characteristic of a frequency domain with respect to the input signal through a time-to-frequency mapping process. The spectrum analyzer <NUM> may determine whether the input signal is an active signal or a mute through a voice activity detection process. The spectrum analyzer <NUM> may remove background noise in the input signal.

The LPC coefficient extracting and open-loop pitch analyzing unit <NUM> may extract an LPC coefficient through a linear prediction analysis of the input signal. In general, the linear prediction analysis is performed once per frame, however, may be performed at least twice for an additional voice enhancement. In this case, a linear prediction for a frame-end that is an existing linear prediction analysis may be performed for a one time, and a linear prediction for a mid-subframe for a sound quality enhancement may be additionally performed for a remaining time. A frame-end of a current frame indicates a last subframe among subframes constituting the current frame, a frame-end of a previous frame indicates a last subframe among subframes constituting the last frame.

A mid-subframe indicates at least one subframe present among subframes between the last subframe that is the frame-end of the previous frame and the last subframe that is the frame-end of the current frame. Accordingly, the LPC coefficient extracting and open-loop pitch analyzing unit <NUM> may extract a total of at least two sets of LPC coefficients.

The LPC coefficient extracting and open-loop pitch analyzing unit <NUM> may analyze a pitch of the input signal through an open loop. Analyzed pitch information may be used for searching for an adaptive codebook.

The encoding mode selector <NUM> may select an encoding mode of the input signal based on pitch information, analysis information of the frequency domain, and the like. For example, the input signal may be encoded based on the encoding mode that is classified into a generic mode, a voiced mode, an unvoiced mode, or a transition mode.

The LPC coefficient quantizer <NUM> may quantize an LPC coefficient extracted by the LPC coefficient extracting and open-loop pitch analyzing unit <NUM>. The LPC coefficient quantizer <NUM> will be further described with reference to <FIG>.

The encoder <NUM> may encode an excitation signal of the LPC coefficient based on the selected encoding module. Parameters for encoding the excitation signal of the LPC coefficient may include an adaptive codebook index, an adaptive codebook again, a fixed codebook index, a fixed codebook gain, and the like. The encoder <NUM> may encode the excitation signal of the LPC coefficient based on a subframe unit.

[When an error occurs in a frame of the input signal, the error recovering unit <NUM> may extract side information for total sound quality enhancement by recovering or hiding the frame of the input signal.

The bitstream generator <NUM> may generate a bitstream using the encoded signal. In this instance, the bitstream may be used for storage or transmission.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of an LPC coefficient quantizer according to one or more embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, a quantization process including two operations may be performed. One operation relates to performing of a linear prediction for a frame-end of a current frame or a previous frame. Another operation relates to performing of a linear prediction for a mid-subframe for a sound quality enhancement.

An LPC coefficient quantizer <NUM> with respect to the frame-end of the current frame or the previous frame includes a first coefficient converter <NUM>, a weighting function determination unit <NUM>, a quantizer <NUM>, and a second coefficient converter <NUM>.

The first coefficient converter <NUM> converts an LPC coefficient that is extracted by performing a linear prediction analysis of the frame-end of the current frame or the previous frame of the input signal. The first coefficient converter 202converts , to a format of a line spectral frequency (LSF) coefficient and optionally an immitance spectral frequency (ISF) coefficient, the LPC coefficient with respect to the frame-end of the current frame or the previous frame. The ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient indicates a format that may more readily quantize the LPC coefficient.

The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine a weighting function associated with an importance of the LPC coefficient with respect to the frame-end of the current frame and the frame-end of the previous frame, based on the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient converted from the LPC coefficient. The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine a per-magnitude weighting function and a per-frequency weighting function. The weighting function determination unit <NUM> determines and combines a weighting function based on at least one of a frequency band, an encoding mode, and spectral analysis information.

For example, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may induce an optimal weighting function for each encoding mode. The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may induce an optimal weighting function based on a frequency band of the input signal. The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may induce an optimal weighting function based on frequency analysis information of the input signal. The frequency analysis information may include spectrum tilt information.

The weighting function for quantizing the LPC coefficient of the frame-end of the current frame, and the weighting function for quantizing the LPC coefficient of the frame-end of the previous frame that are induced using the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may be transferred to a weighting function determination unit <NUM> in order to determine a weighting function for quantizing an LPC coefficient of a mid-subframe.

An operation of the weighting function determination unit <NUM> will be further described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The quantizer <NUM> quantizes the converted LSF coefficient , optionally quantizes the converted ISF coefficient, using the weighting function with respect to the LSF coefficient, , optionally with respect to the ISF coefficient, that is converted from the LPC coefficient of the frame-end of the current frame or the LPC coefficient of the frame-end of the previous frame. As a result of quantization, an index of the quantized LSF coefficient, optionally an index of the ISF coefficient, with respect to the frame-end of the current frame or the frame-end of the previous frame may be induced.

The second converter <NUM> converts the quantized LSF coefficient, optionally the quantized ISF coefficient, to the quantized LPC coefficient. The quantized LPC coefficient that is induced using the second coefficient converter <NUM> may indicate not simple spectrum information but a reflection coefficient and thus, a fixed weight may be used.

Referring to <FIG>, an LPC coefficient quantizer <NUM> with respect to the mid-subframe may include a first coefficient converter <NUM>, the weighting function determination unit <NUM>, a quantizer <NUM>, and a second coefficient converter <NUM>.

The first coefficient converter <NUM> may convert an LPC coefficient of the mid-subframe to one of an ISF coefficient or an LSF coefficient.

The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine a weighting function associated with an importance of the LPC coefficient of the mid-subframe using the converted ISF coefficient or LSF coefficient.

For example, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine a weighting function for quantizing the LPC coefficient of the mid-subframe by interpolating a parameter of a current frame and a parameter of a previous frame. Specifically, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine the weighting function for quantizing the LPC coefficient of the mid-subframe by interpolating a first weighting function for quantizing an LPC coefficient of a frame-end of the previous frame and a second weighting function for quantizing an LPC coefficient of a frame-end of the current frame.

The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may perform an interpolation using at least one of a liner interpolation and a nonlinear interpolation. For example, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may perform one of a scheme of applying both the linear interpolation and the nonlinear interpolation to all orders of vectors, a scheme of differently applying the linear interpolation and the nonlinear interpolation for each sub-vector, and a scheme of differently applying the linear interpolation and the nonlinear interpolation depending on each LPC coefficient.

The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may perform the interpolation using all of the first weighting function with respect to the frame-end of the current frame and the second weighting function with respect to the frame-end of the previous end, and may also perform the interpolation by analyzing an equation for inducing a weighting function and by employing a portion of constituent elements. For example, using the interpolation, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may obtain spectrum information used to determine a per-magnitude weighting function.

As one example, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine a weighting function with respect to the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient, based on an interpolated spectrum magnitude corresponding to a frequency of the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient converted from the LPC coefficient. The interpolated spectrum magnitude may correspond to a result obtained by interpolating a spectrum magnitude of the frame-end of the current frame and a spectrum magnitude of the frame-end of the previous frame. Specifically, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine the weighting function with respect to the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient, based on a spectrum magnitude corresponding to a frequency of the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient converted from the LPC coefficient and a neighboring frequency of the frequency. The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine the weighting function based on a maximum value, a mean, or an intermediate value of the spectrum magnitude corresponding to the frequency of the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient converted from the LPC coefficient and the neighboring frequency of the frequency.

A process of determining the weighting function using the interpolated spectrum magnitude will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As another example, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine a weighting function with respect to the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient, based on an LPC spectrum magnitude corresponding to a frequency of the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient converted from the LPC coefficient. The LPC spectrum magnitude may be determined based on an LPC spectrum that is frequency converted from the LPC coefficient of the mid-subframe. Specifically, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine the weighting function with respect to the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient, based on a spectrum magnitude corresponding to a frequency of the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient converted from the LPC coefficient and a neighboring frequency of the frequency. The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine the weighting function based on a maximum value, a mean, or an intermediate value of the spectrum magnitude corresponding to the frequency of the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient converted from the LPC coefficient and the neighboring frequency of the frequency.

A process of determining the weighting function with respect to the mid-subframe using the LPC spectrum magnitude will be further described with reference to <FIG>.

The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine a weighting function based on at least one of a frequency band of the mid-subframe, encoding mode information, and frequency analysis information. The frequency analysis information may include spectrum tilt information.

The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine a final weighting function by combining a per-magnitude weighting function and per-frequency weighting function that are determined based on at least one of an LPC spectrum magnitude and an interpolated spectrum magnitude. The per-frequency weighting function may be a weighting function corresponding to a frequency of the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient that is converted from the LPC coefficient of the mid-subframe. The per-frequency weighting function may be expressed by a bark scale.

The quantizer <NUM> may quantize the converted ISF coefficient or LSF coefficient using the weighting function with respect to the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient that is converted from the LPC coefficient of the mid-subframe. As a result of quantization, an index of the quantized ISF coefficient or LSF coefficient with respect to the mid-subframe may be induced.

The second converter <NUM> may converter the quantized ISF coefficient or the quantized LSF coefficient to the quantized LPC coefficient. The quantized LPC coefficient that is induced using the second coefficient converter <NUM> may indicate not simple spectrum information but a reflection coefficient and thus, a fixed weight may be used.

Hereinafter, a relationship between an LPC coefficient and a weighting function will be further described.

One of technologies available when encoding a speech signal and an audio signal in a time domain may include a linear prediction technology. The linear prediction technology indicates a short-term prediction. A liner prediction result may be expressed by a correlation between adjacent samples in the time domain, and may be expressed by a spectrum envelope in a frequency domain.

The linear prediction technology may include a code excited linear prediction (CELP) technology. A voice encoding technology using the CELP technology may include G. <NUM>, an adaptive multi-rate (AMR), an AMR-wideband (WB), an enhanced variable rate codec (EVRC), and the like. To encode a speech signal and an audio signal using the CELP technology, an LPC coefficient and an excitation signal may be used.

The LPC coefficient may indicate the correlation between adjacent samples, and may be expressed by a spectrum peak. When the LPC coefficient has an order of <NUM>, a correlation between a maximum of <NUM> samples may be induced. An order of the LPC coefficient may be determined based on a bandwidth of an input signal, and may be generally determined based on a characteristic of a speech signal. A major vocalization of the input signal may be determined based on a magnitude and a position of a formant. To express the formant of the input signal, <NUM> order of an LPC coefficient may be used with respect to an input signal of <NUM> to <NUM> that is a narrowband. <NUM> to <NUM> order of LPC coefficients may be used with respect to an input signal of <NUM> to <NUM> that is a wideband.

A synthesis filter H(z) may be expressed by Equation <NUM>. <MAT>
where a j denotes the LPC coefficient and p denotes the order of the LPC coefficient.

A synthesized signal synthesized by a decoder may be expressed by Equation <NUM>. <MAT>
where Ŝ(n) denotes the synthesized signal, û(n) denotes the excitation signal, and N denotes a magnitude of an encoding frame using the same order. The excitation signal may be determined using a sum of an adaptive codebook and a fixed codebook. A decoding apparatus may generate the synthesized signal using the decoded excitation signal and the quantized LPC coefficient.

The LPC coefficient may express formant information of a spectrum that is expressed as a spectrum peak, and may be used to encode an envelope of a total spectrum. In this instance, an encoding apparatus may convert the LPC coefficient to an ISF coefficient or an LSF coefficient in order to increase an efficiency of the LPC coefficient.

The ISF coefficient may prevent a divergence occurring due to quantization through simple stability verification. When a stability issue occurs, the stability issue may be solved by adjusting an interval of quantized ISF coefficients. The LSF coefficient may have the same characteristics as the ISF coefficient except that a last coefficient of LSF coefficients is a reflection coefficient, which is different from the ISF coefficient. The ISF or the LSF is a coefficient that is converted from the LPC coefficient and thus, may maintain formant information of the spectrum of the LPC coefficient alike.

Specifically, quantization of the LPC coefficient may be performed after converting the LPC coefficient to an immitance spectral pair (ISP) or a line spectral pair (LSP) that may have a narrow dynamic range, readily verify the stability, and easily perform interpolation. The ISP or the LSP may be expressed by the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient. A relationship between the ISF coefficient and the ISP or a relationship between the LSF coefficient and the LSP may be expressed by Equation <NUM>. <MAT>
where q i denotes the LSP or the ISP and ωi denotes the LSF coefficient or the ISF coefficient. The LSF coefficient may be vector quantized for a quantization efficiency. The LSF coefficient may be prediction-vector quantized to enhance a quantization efficiency. When a vector quantization is performed, and when a dimension increases, a bitrate may be enhanced whereas a codebook size may increase, decreasing a processing rate. Accordingly, the codebook size may decrease through a multi-stage vector quantization or a split vector quantization.

The vector quantization indicates a process of considering all the entities within a vector to have the same importance, and selecting a codebook index having a smallest error using a squared error distance measure. However, in the case of LPC coefficients, all the coefficients have a different importance and thus, a perceptual quality of a finally synthesized signal may be enhanced by decreasing an error of an important coefficient. When quantizing the LSF coefficients, the decoding apparatus may select an optimal codebook index by applying, to the squared error distance measure, a weighting function that expresses an importance of each LPC coefficient. Accordingly, a performance of the synthesized signal may be enhanced.

According to one or more embodiments, a per-magnitude weighting function is determined with respect to a substantial affect of each ISF coefficient or LSF coefficient given to a spectrum envelope, based on substantial spectrum magnitude and frequency information of the LSF coefficient, optionally of the ISF coefficient. In addition, an additional quantization efficiency is obtained by combining a per-frequency weighting function and a per-magnitude weighting function. The per-frequency weighting function is based on a perceptual characteristic of a frequency domain and a formant distribution. Also, since a substantial frequency domain magnitude is used, envelope information of all frequencies may be well used, and a weight of each ISF coefficient or LSF coefficient may be accurately induced.

According to one or more embodiments, when an ISF coefficient or an LSF coefficient converted from an LPC coefficient is vector quantized, and when an importance of each coefficient is different, a weighting function indicating a relatively important entry within a vector may be determined. An accuracy of encoding may be enhanced by analyzing a spectrum of a frame desired to be encoded, and by determining a weighting function that may give a relatively great weight to a portion with a great energy. The spectrum energy being great may indicate that a correlation in a time domain is high.

<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> illustrate a process of quantizing an LPC coefficient according to one or more embodiments (not encompassed by the claims).

<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> illustrate two types of processes of quantizing the LPC coefficient. <FIG> may be applicable when a variability of an input signal is small. <FIG> and <FIG> may be switched and thereby be applicable depending on a characteristic of the input signal. <FIG> illustrates a process of quantizing an LPC coefficient of a mid-subframe.

An LPC coefficient quantizer <NUM> may quantize an ISF coefficient using a scalar quantization (SQ), a vector quantization (VQ), a split vector quantization (SVQ), and a multi-stage vector quantization (MSVQ), which may be applicable to an LSF coefficient alike.

A predictor <NUM> may perform an auto regressive (AR) prediction or a moving average (MA) prediction. Here, a prediction order denotes an integer greater than or equal to '<NUM>'.

An error function for searching for a codebook index through a quantized ISF coefficient of <FIG> may be given by Equation <NUM>. An error function for searching for a codebook index through a quantized ISF coefficient of <FIG> may be expressed by Equation <NUM>. The codebook index denotes a minimum value of the error function.

An error function induced through quantization of a mid-subframe that is used in International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization sector (ITU-T) G. <NUM> of <FIG> may be expressed by Equation <NUM>. Referring to Equation. <NUM>, an index of an interpolation weight set minimizing an error with respect to a quantization error of the mid-subframe may be induced using an ISF value <MAT> that is quantized with respect to a frame-end of a current frame, and an ISF <MAT> value that is quantized with respect to a frame-end of a previous frame. <MAT><MAT> <MAT>.

Here, w(n) denotes a weighting function, z(n) denotes a vector in which a mean value is removed from ISF(n), c(n) denotes a codebook, and p denotes an order of an ISF coefficient and uses <NUM> in a narrowband and <NUM> to <NUM> in a wideband.

According to one or more embodiments, an encoding apparatus determines an optimal weighting function by combining a per-magnitude weighting function using a spectrum magnitude corresponding to a frequency of the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient that is converted from the LPC coefficient, and a per-frequency weighting function, preferably using a perceptual characteristic of an input signal and a formant distribution.

<FIG> illustrates a process of determining, by the weighting function determination unit <NUM> of <FIG> (similar principles apply to the unit <NUM> according to the claimed intervention), , a weighting function according to one or more embodiments.

<FIG> illustrates a detailed configuration of the spectrum analyzer <NUM>. The spectrum analyzer <NUM> may include an interpolator <NUM> and a magnitude calculator <NUM>.

The interpolator <NUM> may induce an interpolated spectrum magnitude of a mid-subframe by interpolating a spectrum magnitude with respect to a frame-end of a current frame and a spectrum magnitude with respect to a frame-end of a previous frame that are a performance result of the spectrum analyzer <NUM>. The interpolated spectrum magnitude of the mid-subframe may be induced through a linear interpolation or a nonlinear interpolation.

The magnitude calculator <NUM> may calculate a magnitude of a frequency spectrum bin based on the interpolated spectrum magnitude of the mid-subframe. A number of frequency spectrum bins may be determined to be the same as a number of frequency spectrum bins corresponding to a range set by the weighting function determination unit <NUM> in order to normalize the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient.

The magnitude of the frequency spectrum bin that is spectral analysis information induced by the magnitude calculator <NUM> may be used when the weighting function determination unit <NUM> determines the per-magnitude weighting function.

The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may normalize the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient converted from the LPC coefficient of the mid-subframe. During this process, a last coefficient of ISF coefficients is a reflection coefficient and thus, the same weight may be applicable. The above scheme may not be applied to the LSF coefficient. In p order of ISF, the present process may be applicable to a range of <NUM> to p-<NUM>. To employ spectral analysis information, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may perform a normalization using the same number K as the number of frequency spectrum bins induced by the magnitude calculator <NUM>.

The weighting function determination unit <NUM> (similar principles apply to unit <NUM> according to the claimed invention) determines a per-magnitude weighting function W <NUM>(n) of the LSF coefficient, optionally the ISF coefficient, affecting a spectrum envelope with respect to the mid-subframe, based on the spectral analysis information transferred via the magnitude calculator <NUM>. For example, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> determines the per-magnitude weighting function based on frequency information of the LSF coefficient, optionally the ISF coefficient, and an actual spectrum magnitude of an input signal. The per-magnitude weighting function is determined for the LSF coefficient, optionally the ISF coefficient, converted from the LPC coefficient.

The weighting function determination unit <NUM> determines the per-magnitude weighting function based on a magnitude of a frequency spectrum bin corresponding to each frequency of the LSF coefficient, optionally the ISF coefficient.

The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine the per-magnitude weighting function based on the magnitude of the spectrum bin corresponding to each frequency of the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient, and a magnitude of at least one neighbor spectrum bin adjacent to the spectrum bin. In this instance, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine a per-magnitude weighting function associated with a spectrum envelope by extracting a representative value of the spectrum bin and at least one neighbor spectrum bin. For example, the representative value may be a maximum value, a mean, or an intermediate value of the spectrum bin corresponding to each frequency of the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient and at least one neighbor spectrum bin adjacent to the spectrum bin.

The , the weighting function determination unit <NUM> (similary unit <NUM>) determines a per-frequency weighting function W z(n) based on frequency information of the LSF co-efficient, optionally of the ISF coefficient. Specifically, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine the per-frequency weighting function based on a perceptual characteristic of an input signal and a formant distribution. The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may extract the perceptual characteristic of the input signal by a bark scale. The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine the per-frequency weighting function based on a first formant of the formant distribution.

As one example, the per-frequency weighting function may show a relatively low weight in an extremely low frequency and a high frequency, and show the same weight in a predetermined frequency band of a low frequency, for example, a band corresponding to the first formant.

The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine a final weighting function by combining the per-magnitude weighting function and the per-frequency weighting function. The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine the final weighting function by multiplying or adding up the per-magnitude weighting function and the per-frequency weighting function.

As another example, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine the per-magnitude weighting function and the per-frequency weighting function based on an encoding mode of an input signal and frequency band information, which will be further described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a process of determining a weighting function based on encoding mode and bandwidth information of an input signal according to one or more embodiments.

In operation <NUM>, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may verify a bandwidth of an input signal. In operation <NUM>, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine whether the bandwidth of the input signal corresponds to a wideband. When the bandwidth of the input signal does not correspond to the wideband, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine whether the bandwidth of the input signal corresponds to a narrowband in operation <NUM>. When the bandwidth of the input signal does not correspond to the narrowband, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may not determine the weighting function. Conversely, when the bandwidth of the input signal corresponds to the narrowband, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may process a corresponding sub-block, for example, a mid-subframe based on the bandwidth, in operation <NUM> using a process through operation <NUM> through <NUM>.

When the bandwidth of the input signal corresponds to the wideband, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may verify an encoding mode of the input signal in operation <NUM>. In operation <NUM>, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine whether the encoding mode of the input signal is an unvoiced mode. When the encoding mode of the input signal is the unvoiced mode, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine a per-magnitude weighting function with respect to the unvoiced mode in operation <NUM>, determine a per-frequency weighting function with respect to the unvoiced mode in operation <NUM>, and combine the per-magnitude weighting function and the per-frequency weighting function in operation <NUM>.

Conversely, when the encoding mode of the input signal is not the unvoiced mode, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine a per-magnitude weighting function with respect to a voiced mode in operation <NUM>, determine a per-frequency weighting function with respect to the voiced mode in operation <NUM>, and combine the per-magnitude weighting function and the per-frequency weighting function in operation <NUM>. When the encoding mode of the input signal is a generic mode or a transition mode, the weighting function determination unit <NUM> may determine the weighting function through the same process as the voiced mode.

For example, when the input signal is frequency converted according to a fast Fourier transform (FFT) scheme, the per-magnitude weighting function using a spectrum magnitude of an FFT coefficient may be determined according to Equation <NUM>. <MAT> Where,.

<FIG> illustrates an ISF obtained by converting an LPC coefficient.

Specifically, <FIG> illustrates a spectrum result when an input signal is converted to a frequency domain according to an FFT, the LPC coefficient induced from a spectrum, and an ISF coefficient converted from the LPC coefficient. When <NUM> samples are obtained by applying the FFT to the input signal, and when <NUM> order linear prediction is performed, <NUM> LPC coefficients may be induced, the <NUM> LPC coefficients may be converted to <NUM> ISF coefficients.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a weighting function based on an encoding mode according to one or more embodiments.

Specifically, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a per-frequency weighting function that is determined based on the encoding mode of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates a graph <NUM> showing a per-frequency weighting function in a voiced mode, and <FIG> illustrates a graphing <NUM> showing a per-frequency weighting function in an unvoiced mode.

For example, the graph <NUM> may be determined according to Equation <NUM>, and the graph <NUM> may be determined according to Equation <NUM>. A constant in Equation <NUM> and Equation <NUM> may be changed based on a characteristic of the input signal. <MAT><MAT>.

A weighting function finally induced by combining the per-magnitude weighting function and the per-frequency weighting function may be determined according to Equation <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a process of determining, by the weighting function determination unit <NUM> of <FIG>, a weighting function according to other one or more embodiments (similar principles apply to unit <NUM> of <FIG>).

<FIG> illustrates a detailed configuration of the spectrum analyzer <NUM>. The spectrum analyzer <NUM> may include a frequency mapper <NUM> and a magnitude calculator <NUM>.

The frequency mapper <NUM> may map an LPC coefficient of a mid-subframe to a frequency domain signal. For example, the frequency mapper <NUM> frequency converts the LPC coefficient of the mid-subframe using an FFT, a modified discrete cosine transform (MDST), and the like, and may determine LPC spectrum information about the mid-subframe. In this instance, when the frequency mapper <NUM> uses a <NUM>-point FFT instead of using a <NUM>-point FFT, the frequency conversion may be performed with a significantly small complexity. The frequency mapper <NUM> may determine a frequency spectrum magnitude of the mid-subframe using LPC spectrum information.

The magnitude calculator <NUM> may calculate a magnitude of a frequency spectrum bin based on the frequency spectrum magnitude of the mid-subframe. A number of frequency spectrum bins may be determined to be the same as a number of frequency spectrum bins corresponding to a range set by the weighting function determination unit <NUM> to normalize an ISF coefficient or an LSF coefficient.

The magnitude of the frequency spectrum bin that is spectral analysis information induced by the magnitude calculator <NUM> may be used when the weighting function determination unit <NUM> determines a per-magnitude weighting function.

A process of determining, by the weighting function determination unit <NUM>, the weighting function is described above with reference to <FIG> and thus, further detailed description will be omitted here.

<FIG> illustrates an LPC encoding scheme of a mid-subframe according to one or more embodiments.

A CELP encoding technology may use an LPC coefficient with respect to an input signal and an excitation signal. When the input signal is encoded, the LPC coefficient may be quantized. However, in the case of quantizing the LPC coefficient, a dynamic range may be wide and a stability may not be readily verified. Accordingly, the LPC coefficient may be converted to an LSF (or an LSP) coefficient or an ISF (or an ISP) coefficient of which a dynamic range is narrow and of which a stability may be readily verified.

In this instance, the LPC coefficient converted to the ISF coefficient or the LSF coefficient may be vector quantized for efficiency of quantization. When the quantization is performed by applying the same importance with respect to all the LPC coefficients during the above process, a deterioration may occur in a quality of a finally synthesized input signal. Specifically, since all the LPC coefficients have a different importance, the quality of the finally synthesized input signal may be enhanced when an error of an important LPC coefficient is small. When the quantization is performed by applying the same importance without using an importance of a corresponding LPC coefficient, the quality of the input signal may be deteriorated. A weighting function may be used to determine the importance.

In general, a voice encoder for communication may include <NUM> of a subframe and <NUM> of a frame. An AMR and an AMR-WB that are voice encoders of a Global system for Mobile Communication (GSM) and a third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) may include <NUM> of the frame consisting of four <NUM>-subframes.

As shown in <FIG>, LPC coefficient quantization may be performed each one time based on a fourth subframe (frame-end) that is a last frame among subframes constituting a previous frame and a current frame. An LPC coefficient for a first subframe, a second subframe, and a third subframe of the current frame may be determined by interpolating a quantized LPC coefficient with respect to a frame-end of the previous frame and a frame-end of the current frame.

According to one or more embodiments, an LPC coefficient induced by performing linear prediction analysis in a second subframe may be encoded for a sound quality enhancement. The weighting function determination unit <NUM> may search for an optimal interpolation weight using a closed loop with respect to a second frame of a current frame that is a mid-subframe, using an LPC coefficient with respect to a frame-end of a previous frame and an LPC coefficient with respect to a frame-end of the current frame. A codebook index minimizing a weighted distortion with respect to a <NUM> order LPC coefficient may be induced and be transmitted.

A weighting function with respect to the <NUM> order LPC coefficient may be used to calculate the weighted distortion. The weighting function to be used may be expressed by Equation <NUM>. According to Equation <NUM>, a relatively great weight may be applied to a portion with a narrow interval between ISF coefficients by analyzing an interval between the ISF coefficients.

A low frequency emphasis may be additionally applied as shown in Equation <NUM>. The low frequency emphasis corresponds to an equation including a linear function.

According to one or more embodiments, since a weighting function is induced using only an interval between ISF coefficients or LSF coefficients, a complexity may be low due to a significantly simple scheme. In general, a spectrum energy may be high in a portion where the interval between ISF coefficients is narrow and thus, a probability that a corresponding component is important may be high. However, when a spectrum analysis is substantially performed, a case where the above result is not accurately matched may frequently occur.

Accordingly, proposed is a quantization technology having an excellent performance in a similar complexity. A first proposed scheme may be a technology of interpolating and quantizing previous frame information and current frame information. A second proposed scheme may be a technology of determining an optimal weighting function for quantizing an LPC coefficient based on spectrum information.

Claim 1:
A quantization method of a frame-end subframe in an input signal including a speech signal or an audio signal, the method comprising:
obtaining a line spectral frequency (<NUM>), LSF, coefficient from a linear prediction coding, LPC, coefficient of the frame-end subframe in the input signal; the method being characterised by further comprising:
determining a magnitude weighting function, based on a magnitude of a spectrum bin corresponding to a frequency of the LSF coefficient;
determining a frequency weighting function based on frequency information from the LSF coefficient;
determining a weighting function of the frame-end subframe (<NUM>) by multiplying the magnitude weighting function and the frequency weighting function;
quantizing the LSF coefficient based on the determined weighting function (<NUM>); and
converting the quantized LSF coefficient to a quantized LPC coefficient (<NUM>),
wherein the magnitude of the spectrum bin is obtained by using a fast Fourier transform coefficient which is frequency-converted from the input signal.