Abstract:
A signal encoding device which encodes acoustic signals is provided with a conversion circuit (601) which converts inputted acoustic signals into frequency components, signal component separation circuit (602) which separates the output of the circuit (602) into tone and noise components, tone component encoding circuit (603) which encodes tone-component signals, and noise component encoding circuit (604) which encodes noise-component signals. The encoding efficiency of the signal encoding device is improved without deteriorating the tone quality of the tonal acoustic signals, because the circuit (603) encodes (601) the signal components of the tone-component signals into codes having different code lengths.
Abstract:
A frequency component separating circuit (701) converts an input waveform signal into frequency components. The frequency components are normalized, quantized, and encoded by a normalizing/quantizing circuit (702) and a code string generating circuit (703). By use of a processed-band limiting circuit (704), the QMF operation for the unnecessary band is omitted. Therefore the number of operations necessary for the filter operation is decreased and high-speed operation is enabled. Further the work area necessary for the filter operation can be decreased. The filter operation is thus simplified in conformity with, for example, the quality of reproduced signals required, and the size of the encoding and decoding devices can be lessened.
Abstract:
A center (content supply center) (1865) for storing/managing a content is connected to user terminals (1861-1864) used by users through networks (861-867). The center (1865) sends a signal of a content for trial viewing/listening to a user terminal free or at a low price. The user terminal (1861-1864) receives the signal, and the user can select, purchase, and reproduce at high quality only the content that the user likes. Thus trial viewing/listening is possible, and the opportunity to purchase a content is enhanced since it is unnecessary to download a large amount of data with high quality from a content supply center.
Abstract:
A recording medium for recording a code string comprising: encoded signals of an A-channel, i.e. (L+R)/2, generated from L- and R-channels; encoded signals of a B-channel, i.e. either one of L- and R-channels or (L-R)/2; channel constitution data which are the information for selecting B-channel signals; and encoding parameters. The A-channel is used for such signals that can be reproduced with a reproducing device of an old standard type and the B-channel is used for such signals that can be reproduced with a reproducing device of a new standard type. The reproducing device of a new standard type can reproduce both A- and B-channel signals. Encoding and decoding which realize multichannel devices by expanding the new standard while making possible the reproduction with the reproducing device of an old standard type, wherein the deterioration of tone quality is reduced by minimizing the quantization noise produced by encoding.
Abstract:
An information transfer apparatus includes a random access storage medium, request information input means connected to a removable information recording apparatus and information output means connected to the removable information recording apparatus, wherein information is read out at random from the recording medium on the basis of request information inputted through the request information input means, and it is output through the information output means. The information recording apparatus stores temporarily the information inputted through the information input means in the recording means, and then records it into the recording medium consisting of a plurality of recording medium pieces. Accordingly, even when the recording medium has a relatively low write speed, it can record the information correctly and at a high speed. The information transfer apparatus assumes versatile memory constructions, and sequentially transfers the stored information on the basis of the information transfer request signal requesting the information transfer from the information recording apparatus which records and reproduces the inputted information. The information recording apparatus executes recording control so that the inputted information is recorded in a plurality of recording medium pieces in a transverse sequence and in parallel. Accordingly, the information can be recorded in parallel by a simple control into a variety of information recording apparatuses constituted by recording media having various write times, and the information can be transferred at a high speed by using a simple hardware.
Abstract:
An encoding method and apparatus and a decoding method and apparatus in which the encoded information is decreased in volume and in which the encoding and decoding operations are performed with a smaller processing volume and a smaller buffer memory capacity. The apparatus includes a low range signal splitting circuit (261g, 261h) for separating low-range side signal components (260c,260d) from L and R channel signals (260a,260b) converted by a transform circuit into spectral signal components, and a channel synthesis circuit (261e) for synthesizing (L+R) channel signal components from the L and R channel spectral signal components (260c,260d). The apparatus also includes a high range signal separating circuit (261f) for separating the high range side signal components (260h) from the (L+R) channel signal components (260a,260b), a signal component encoding circuit (261j,261k) for compression-encoding low-range side signal components and a signal component encoding circuit (261i) for compression-encoding the normalization coefficient information obtained on normalization of the (L+R) channel high-range signal components.
Abstract:
Apparatus for recording an information signal as bit-compressed digital data. The apparatus comprises a bit compressor and a recording system. The bit compressor receives the information signal as digital data. The digital data include bits, and the bits include redundant bits. The bit compressor compresses the digital data by removing only the redundant bits from the digital data to generate the bit-compressed digital data at a variable bit rate. The redundant bits are bits that result in a quantizing noise level lower than an allowed noise level at which the quantizing noise is imperceptible to a human auditory sense. The allowable noise level is determined by a masking threshold and a minimum audibility limit. The recording system receives the bit-compressed digital data from the bit compressor and records the bit-compressed data on a recording medium.
Abstract:
Input signals are converted into frequency components, the frequency components are separated into first signals composed of tonal components and second signals composed of other components. The first and second signals are respectively encoded and code string to be transmitted or recorded is generated. For example, only the first signals are encoded, and an information substring generated for, e.g., every quantization accuracy information which has a common value and a parameter related to the encoding of the first signals is included in the code string, by using at least either, for example, the number of spectrum components constituting the tonal components which is the parameter related to the separation or, for example, quantization accuracy information which is the parameter related to the encoding of the first signals as reference parameter. Thus, the inputted signals can be encoded more efficiently than conventional.