Audio Processing Engine Host CPU Task Offloading

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio processing systems in electronic devices face challenges in balancing performance, cost, and power consumption, particularly in mobile devices, as high-performance audio processing hardware is required for high sound quality and complex sound effects, leading to increased power and cost, and may not be able to handle processes with higher complexity than designed for.

Innovation Solution

An audio processing method that utilizes a host CPU and an audio processing engine to determine the capability of performing audio processes based on run times, allowing the engine to perform tasks or request the CPU to do so, optimizing resource usage and enabling the handling of processes with higher complexity by offloading tasks to the CPU when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high performance hardware is used for audio processing, then audio processing capability is improved, but power consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio processing capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic task allocation where the audio processing engine and host CPU can flexibly assume different roles based on process complexity and runtime requirements. Simple audio processes are handled by the dedicated audio processing engine for efficient execution, while complex processes are offloaded to the host CPU, creating a dynamic system that adapts to varying computational demands without requiring permanently high-performance hardware for all scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The host CPU is designed to serve dual purposes: it handles general computing tasks and also performs audio processing when the audio processing engine requests assistance for complex processes. This multi-functionality allows the system to avoid dedicating separate high-performance hardware solely for audio processing, as the host CPU can fulfill both roles, thereby reducing overall power consumption and cost while maintaining audio processing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If high performance hardware is used for audio processing, then audio processing capability is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio processing capabilityVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The host CPU is designed to serve dual purposes: it handles general computing tasks and also performs audio processing when the audio processing engine requests assistance for complex processes. This multi-functionality allows the system to avoid dedicating separate high-performance hardware solely for audio processing, as the host CPU can fulfill both roles, thereby reducing overall power consumption and cost while maintaining audio processing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The audio processing engine is designed to autonomously determine whether it can handle a given audio process within the predetermined time period. When the engine identifies that a process exceeds its capability, it automatically requests assistance from the host CPU without requiring external intervention or complex system coordination. This self-service mechanism simplifies the overall system architecture and reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for additional control hardware or complex inter-component communication infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If the audio processing engine handles all processes, then power consumption is reduced, but it cannot handle processes with higher complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidprocess complexity handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic task allocation where the audio processing engine and host CPU can flexibly assume different roles based on process complexity and runtime requirements. Simple audio processes are handled by the dedicated audio processing engine for efficient execution, while complex processes are offloaded to the host CPU, creating a dynamic system that adapts to varying computational demands without requiring permanently high-performance hardware for all scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10133541B2Host CPU-assisted audio processing method and computing system performing the same

Publication Date: 2018.11.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An audio processing method and a computing system performing the audio processing method are provided. The computing system includes an audio processing engine and a host central processing unit (CPU). The audio processing engine determines whether it is possible for the audio processing engine to perform a first process for first audio data, based on a run time of the first process for the first audio data, and performs the first process or requests the host CPU to perform the first process, based on a result of the determination.