Audio Stack Cache for Concurrent Multi-Process Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices are limited in allowing concurrent access to hardware resources like audio inputs, restricting multiple applications from using these resources simultaneously, which hampers voice-controlled operations and other applications that require constant audio input availability.
Innovation Solution
An improved audio stack system that establishes sessions between multiple application processes and a cache memory, providing a false indication of exclusive access to the audio input resource, allowing multiple processes to access and use the resource without conflicts, while maintaining efficient memory utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operating system or driver limits access to a single application process for a hardware resource, then the reliability of the resource access is improved, but the adaptability of the system is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a resource stack as an intermediary layer between application processes and hardware resources. This resource stack manages resource allocation and provides controlled access to multiple processes, resolving the contradiction by maintaining reliable access control while enabling multi-process utilization through a centralized management mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the resource access management into distinct layers: the resource stack, the operating system, and individual application processes. This segmentation allows the resource stack to handle multi-process coordination while maintaining the reliability guarantees expected by individual applications, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability
2Productivity
If the operating system allows multiple application processes to concurrently access a hardware resource, then the productivity of the system is improved, but the reliability of resource access is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The resource stack acts as a mediator that coordinates concurrent access requests from multiple processes. It implements proper synchronization and resource management protocols that enable high productivity through concurrent access while maintaining reliability by preventing conflicts and ensuring consistent state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the resource stack can adjust access permissions, buffer sizes, and synchronization mechanisms based on the current system state and process requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize for productivity when resources are available while maintaining reliability when conflicts arise
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods provide concurrent access to a single input resource. An audio stack of a computing device can receive multiple requests from applications to provide concurrent access to audio data received via an input resource, such as audio data received via an audio card coupled to a microphone. A request to access the resource is received from a first application. Based on the request, a cache memory is instantiated to model a memory buffer of the resource. A direct session between a component of the audio stack and the resource is established. As audio data is encoded, the audio stack component can receive the encoded audio data and write the audio data into the cache. A first session between the first application and the cache is generated, such that the first application interprets the cache as the audio input resource buffer memory. The first session can provide the first application with access to audio data in real-time, as if the audio data were being received directly from the audio stack component. A second application requesting access to the resource can be provided with a second session to facilitate concurrent access to the audio input data.