Multi-Resolution Switched Audio Encoding/Decoding Scheme

Method of audio encoding an audio signal, comprising:

• encoding, in a first coding branch, an audio signal using a first coding algorithm to acquire a first encoded signal, the first coding branch comprising the first converter for converting an input signal into a spectral domain;
• encoding, in a second coding branch, an audio signal using a second coding algorithm to acquire a second encoded signal, wherein the first coding algorithm is different from the second coding algorithm, the second coding branch comprising a domain converter for converting an input signal from an input domain into an output domain, and a second converter for converting an input signal into a spectral domain;
• switching between the first coding branch and the second coding branch so that, for a portion of the audio input signal, either the first encoded signal or the second encoded signal is in an encoder output signal;
• analyzing the portion of the audio signal to determine, whether the portion of the audio signal is represented as the first encoded signal or the second encoded signal in the encoder output signal,
• variably determining a respective time/frequency resolution of the first converter and the second converter, when the first encoded signal or the second encoded signal representing the portion of the audio signal is generated;
• and
• generating an encoder output signal comprising the first encoded signal and the second encoded signal and an information indicating the first encoded signal and the second encoded signal, and an information indicating the time/frequency resolution applied for encoding the first encoded signal and for encoding the second encoded signal.

Audio decoder for decoding an encoded signal, the encoded signal comprising a first encoded signal, a second encoded signal, an indication indicating the first encoded signal and the second encoded signal, and a time/frequency resolution information to be used for decoding the first encoded signal and the second encoded audio signal, comprising:

• a first decoding branch for decoding the first encoded signal using a first controllable frequency/time converter, the first controllable frequency/time converter being configured for being controlled using the time/frequency resolution information for the first encoded signal to acquire a first decoded signal;
• a second decoding branch for decoding the second encoded signal using a second controllable frequency/time converter, the second controllable frequency/time converter being configured for being controlled using the time/frequency resolution information for the second encoded signal;
• a controller for controlling the first frequency/time converter and the second frequency/time converter using the time/frequency resolution information;
• a domain converter for generating a synthesis signal using the second decoded signal;
• and
• a combiner for combining the first decoded signal and the synthesis signal to acquire a decoded audio signal.

Method of audio decoding an encoded signal, the encoded signal comprising a first encoded signal, a second encoded signal, an indication indicating the first encoded signal and the second encoded signal, and a time/frequency resolution information to be used for decoding the first encoded signal and the second encoded audio signal, comprising:

• decoding, by a first decoding branch, the first encoded signal using a first controllable frequency/time converter, the first controllable frequency/time converter being configured for being controlled using the time/frequency resolution information for the first encoded signal to acquire a first decoded signal;
• decoding, by a second decoding branch, the second encoded signal using a second controllable frequency/time converter, the second controllable frequency/time converter being configured for being controlled using the time/frequency resolution information for the second encoded signal;
• controlling the first frequency/time converter and the second frequency/time converter using the time/frequency resolution information;
• generating, by a domain converter, a synthesis signal using the second decoded signal;
• and
• combining the first decoded signal and the synthesis signal to acquire a decoded audio signal.

Encoded audio signal comprising:

• a first encoded signal;
• a second encoded signal, wherein a portion of an audio signal is either represented by the first encoded signal or the second encoded signal;
• an indication indicating the first encoded signal and the second encoded signal;
• an indication of a first time/frequency resolution information to be used for decoding the first encoded signal, and
• an indication of a second time/frequency resolution information to be used for decoding the second encoded signal.

Computer program for performing, when running on a processor, a method of audio encoding an audio signal, comprising:

• encoding, in a first coding branch, an audio signal using a first coding algorithm to acquire a first encoded signal, the first coding branch comprising the first converter for converting an input signal into a spectral domain;
• encoding, in a second coding branch, an audio signal using a second coding algorithm to acquire a second encoded signal, wherein the first coding algorithm is different from the second coding algorithm, the second coding branch comprising a domain converter for converting an input signal from an input domain into an output domain, and a second converter for converting an input signal into a spectral domain;
• switching between the first coding branch and the second coding branch so that, for a portion of the audio input signal, either the first encoded signal or the second encoded signal is in an encoder output signal;
• analyzing the portion of the audio signal to determine, whether the portion of the audio signal is represented as the first encoded signal or the second encoded signal in the encoder output signal,
• variably determining a respective time/frequency resolution of the first converter and the second converter, when the first encoded signal or the second encoded signal representing the portion of the audio signal is generated;
• and
• generating an encoder output signal comprising the first encoded signal and the second encoded signal and an information indicating the first encoded signal and the second encoded signal, and an information indicating the time/frequency resolution applied for encoding the first encoded signal and for encoding the second encoded signal
• or
• the method of audio decoding an encoded signal, the encoded signal comprising a first encoded signal, a second encoded signal, an indication indicating the first encoded signal and the second encoded signal, and a time/frequency resolution information to be used for decoding the first encoded signal and the second encoded audio signal, comprising:
• decoding, by a first decoding branch, the first encoded signal using a first controllable frequency/time converter, the first controllable frequency/time converter being configured for being controlled using the time/frequency resolution information for the first encoded signal to acquire a first decoded signal;
• decoding, by a second decoding branch, the second encoded signal using a second controllable frequency/time converter, the second controllable frequency/time converter being configured for being controlled using the time/frequency resolution information for the second encoded signal;
• controlling the first frequency/time converter and the second frequency/time converter using the time/frequency resolution information;
• generating, by a domain converter, a synthesis signal using the second decoded signal;
• and
• combining the first decoded signal and the synthesis signal to acquire a decoded audio signal.