Audio encoding transmission system

Abstract

An audio encoding transmission system is provided for a transmitting station which performs data transmission with respect to a receiving station through a network. The transmitting station contains a scalable encoder which performs an encoding process on audio signals input thereto in response to bit rate information representing a bit rate which is variable in response to a condition of the network. Results of the encoding process are partitioned into outline data, having a low bit rate, and detail data. Herein, the outline data correspond to low-frequency components of the audio signals while the detail data correspond to high-frequency components of the audio signals, for example. A bit stream is constructed using the outline data and detail data as well as additional information such as a header and a boundary identifier which are created on the basis of the audio signals and bit rate information. Thus, the transmitting station transmits the bit stream to the receiving station via the network. Herein, the transmitting station firstly performs real-time transmission of the outline data with a low bit rate. So, the receiving station performs successive decoding of the outline data to provide successive reproduction of the audio signals. This provides a chance for a listener to give a brief audition to the audio signals substantially without a wait time. Thereafter, the transmitting station transmits the detail data to the receiving station. Thus, the receiving station is capable of performing decoding of the outline data and detail data to provide high-quality reproduction of the audio signals.