Audio Playback Buffering Reduces Application Processor Power Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio playback methods in mobile devices lead to increased power consumption as the application processor must remain active, reducing the playable time of audio files.
Innovation Solution
A data processing method that decodes audio files in advance and stores them in buffers, allowing the application processor to enter a sleep mode, with the audio playing unit sequentially transmitting the stored data to a DAC for playback, and generating an interrupt signal when buffers are empty to re-activate the processor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the application processor continuously decodes and transmits audio data in real-time, then the audio playback quality is maintained, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-decoding audio data into multiple buffers before playback. The application processor decodes audio files in advance and stores the decoded data in a plurality of buffers within the audio playing unit. This allows the processor to enter sleep mode during playback while the audio playing unit sequentially transmits stored data to the DAC, maintaining playback quality without continuous processing.
2Productivity
If the application processor remains activated during audio playback, then audio data can be decoded and transmitted continuously, but the playable time of audio files decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-decodes and stores audio data in multiple buffers before playback begins. This preliminary action enables the application processor to complete its work before playback and enter sleep mode, while the audio playing unit continues to transmit stored data sequentially to the DAC, extending the playable time without interrupting audio output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the circular buffer mechanism. When one buffer becomes empty, the system automatically switches to the next buffer in sequence, creating a periodic transmission pattern. This allows the application processor to remain inactive for extended periods while audio playback continues uninterrupted through the sequential buffer transmission.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the application processor is deactivated to reduce power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but the audio playback cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio data transmission function between the application processor and the audio playing unit. The application processor performs the decoding function and stores data in multiple buffers, then enters sleep mode. The audio playing unit is segmented as an independent component that sequentially transmits stored data to the DAC, maintaining audio playback continuity without requiring the processor to remain active.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the audio playing unit with multiple buffers as an intermediary between the application processor and the DAC. This intermediary stores decoded audio data and manages the sequential transmission to the DAC, allowing the application processor to deactivate while maintaining audio playback through the intermediary buffer system.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing method for audio playback, an audio playing method, and an audio player are provided. The data processing method for audio playback in an application processor includes: reading n-th audio data (where n is a natural number of 1 or more) which is an n-th part of one or more audio files, which is selected in accordance with a user command, from a storage unit; decoding the read n-th audio data; and storing the decoded n-th audio data in an m-th buffer of an audio playing unit at a subsequent stage (where m is equal to n mode M, M is the number of buffers in the audio playing unit, and m is equal to M when the remainder is 0). Accordingly, since the application processor need not always be activated to play audio, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of a battery.