Independent Audio Subsystem for Power and Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multimedia devices with combined functionalities face challenges in power consumption and copyright protection, as the central processing unit (CPU) is constantly active, limiting battery life and exposing copyrighted media to potential illegal copying and distribution.
Innovation Solution
An independent audio subsystem loosely coupled to the CPU, handling all audio processing, decoding, mixing, and routing, allowing the CPU to enter a low power state and enabling enhanced copyright protection through encryption and secure data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the CPU directly controls and processes all audio data, then audio processing capability is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the audio processing function into a separate audio processing unit that operates independently from the CPU. The CPU only needs to initiate audio playback by writing data to a buffer, after which the audio processing unit handles decoding, mixing, and routing autonomously, allowing the CPU to enter low-power states.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio processing unit is designed to be self-sufficient, with its own buffer memory and processing capabilities. It can autonomously read from the buffer, process audio data, and output to various devices without requiring continuous CPU intervention, enabling the CPU to conserve power.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the CPU directly accesses and processes decrypted copyrighted media, then audio processing flexibility is improved, but copyright protection is weakened due to vulnerability to illegal copying
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the decrypted copyrighted media data from the CPU's accessible memory space and places it into a buffer that is only accessible to the audio processing unit. This physical separation ensures that even though the CPU can process flexible audio formats, it cannot access or copy the decrypted content, thereby protecting copyright while maintaining processing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer acts as an intermediary between the CPU and the audio processing unit. The CPU writes encrypted or raw audio data to the buffer without direct access to decrypted content, and the audio processing unit reads from this buffer to perform processing. This intermediary mechanism enables flexible processing while preventing unauthorized copying.
3Speed
If dedicated simple circuitry is used for telephone audio processing, then real-time delay is reduced, but audio enhancement capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The audio processing unit is designed with multi-functional capabilities that can handle both real-time telephone audio processing and enhanced audio effects. By implementing a universal processing architecture with configurable parameters, the system achieves low latency for telephone calls while also supporting various audio enhancements without requiring separate dedicated circuitry for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A media processing system and device with improved power usage characteristics, improved audio functionality and improved media security is provided. Embodiments of the media processing system include an audio processing subsystem that operates independently of the host processor for long periods of time, allowing the host processor to enter a low power state while the audio data is being processed. Other aspects of the media processing system provide for enhanced audio effects such as mixing stored audio samples into real-time telephone audio. Still other aspects of the media processing system provide for improved media security due to the isolation of decrypted audio data from the host processor.