Audio Processing Split Between Software Effects and Hardware DSP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio processing in personal computers relies heavily on software, leading to high power consumption and size issues, which can be undesirable for users and IT departments, resulting in inconsistent audio quality due to the removal of audio processing objects.
Innovation Solution
A system architecture that offloads baseline audio processing to a peripheral device with an audio processor, utilizing a controller to dynamically adjust hardware audio effects based on software-processed signals, ensuring consistent audio quality regardless of software presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If audio processing is implemented in software (APOs), then audio quality can be optimized, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides audio processing into two segments: software-based APOs for complex audio effects and quality optimization, and hardware-based DSP for baseline processing tasks. This segmentation allows the system to leverage the strengths of both software (flexibility, quality) and hardware (efficiency, low power consumption), resolving the contradiction between audio quality and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coordination mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the software APO and hardware DSP. This mediator manages the division of labor, determining which processing tasks are handled by software and which by hardware, thereby optimizing the balance between audio quality and power consumption dynamically.
2Reliability
If APO software is included to ensure audio quality, then audio processing capability is maintained, but system complexity and software size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts baseline audio processing functionality from the software APO and implements it in hardware DSP. This extraction reduces the complexity and size of the required software while maintaining audio quality, as the hardware handles fundamental processing tasks that would otherwise require substantial software implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing only the essential baseline processing in hardware, while leaving more advanced or application-specific audio effects to be handled by software APOs when needed. This approach maintains audio quality without requiring complete software implementation of all processing functions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If baseline audio processing is offloaded to hardware DSP, then power consumption is reduced, but support for all audio processing modes becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the hardware DSP with multi-functionality to handle various baseline audio processing modes efficiently. Simultaneously, the software APO provides universal support for advanced and application-specific audio effects. This combination ensures both low power consumption for basic functions and high adaptability for diverse audio processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic coordination mechanism that can adaptively allocate processing tasks between hardware DSP and software APO based on the specific audio processing mode required. This dynamic allocation allows the system to maintain low power consumption for baseline operations while providing full versatility when advanced audio effects are needed.
4Ease of operation
If APO software is removed to reduce bloatware, then user preference is satisfied, but audio quality cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the hardware DSP to handle baseline audio processing tasks. This ensures that essential audio quality processing is already in place before the user makes any decisions about APO installation, thereby maintaining audio quality even when users choose to remove APO software to reduce bloatware.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, comprising: main circuitry, comprising: a central processor; memory comprising software instructions which when executed by the central processor cause the central processor to: selectively apply one or more software audio effects to an audio signal to generate a first software processed audio signal; and output the first software processed audio signal; audio processing circuitry, comprising: an audio processor configured to: receive the first software processed audio signal; apply first hardware audio effects to the first software audio signal to generate a first hardware processed audio signal; and output an output audio signal derived from the first hardware processed audio signal; and a controller configured to dynamically adjust the first hardware audio effects applied to the first software processed audio signal in dependence on a characteristic of the first software processed audio signal.