Audio Codec Bus Segmentation for Simultaneous Voice and Music
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital audio convergence devices, such as smartphones, face limitations in system functionality due to the need for shared audio transducer resources and the demands on the shared audio data bus, which restricts simultaneous execution of different audio applications like voice calls and music playback.
Innovation Solution
A dual-mode digital audio bus architecture that allows simultaneous communications sessions by dividing the bus into sections, enabling separate communication between different processors and codecs without interference, and switching between unitary and dual modes to optimize resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a shared audio data bus is used to reduce the number of conductors, then device size and cost are reduced, but system functionality is limited and simultaneous audio applications cannot execute
Solution Approach 1:
The audio data bus is divided into multiple independent sections, each capable of simultaneous operation. The first section connects the communications processor to the audio codec, while the second section connects the applications processor to the wireless codec. This segmentation allows multiple audio applications to execute simultaneously without interference, resolving the contradiction between reducing conductor count and maintaining system functionality.
2Reliability
If separate processors are used for telephony and device-centric audio applications, then processing requirements are met, but the number of conductors and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple audio processing functions into a unified audio codec that can handle both telephony and device-centric audio applications. The audio codec integrates functionality for processing voice calls, music playback, and wireless audio transmission, reducing the need for separate dedicated processors while maintaining the required processing capabilities for different audio types.
3Device complexity
If audio transducer resources are shared between communications and applications processors, then cost and size are reduced, but communication modes are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the audio codec can dynamically switch between handling telephony audio and device-centric audio based on system requirements. The bus architecture allows dynamic routing of audio signals, enabling the shared transducer resources to support multiple communication modes simultaneously or sequentially without restriction.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a
AI summary
The present invention provides an audio codec for converting digital audio signals to analogue audio signals, the audio codec comprising: at least two digital audio bus interfaces (40, 41) for coupling to respective digital audio buses or bus sections; digital- to-analogue conversion means (13, 14) for converting digital audio signals received through first and second digital audio bus interfaces to analogue audio signals, for output to an audio transducer (10); adding means (15a, 15b) for adding together digital audio signals received through the first and second digital audio bus interfaces to form a combined digital audio signal; and means to route the combined signal to one of the first and second digital audio bus interfaces of the audio codec, or to a third digital audio bus interface of the audio codec, for transmission on a digital audio bus or bus section.