Shared Audio Buffer for Multi-App Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computing systems face inefficiencies in power consumption, memory usage, and processor utilization due to multiple applications continuously capturing duplicate audio data streams from audio capture hardware, leading to unnecessary duplication and lack of access to pre-request audio data.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a shared memory space, such as a rolling audio buffer, where audio data streams are stored and segments are provided to applications based on detected triggers, allowing historical and contemporary segments to be accessed without duplicating the entire stream for each application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each application continuously captures audio data stream from audio capture hardware, then each application can access audio data independently, but power consumption increases and duplicate audio data is captured unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the audio capture function at the operating system level, where a single audio data stream is captured and stored in shared memory space accessible by multiple applications. This eliminates duplicate capture operations while maintaining independent access for each application, thereby reducing power consumption while preserving audio data availability.
2Reliability
If each application stores audio data stream in its own memory space, then each application has dedicated access to audio data, but memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal shared memory space that serves multiple applications simultaneously. This single memory space is accessible by all applications that need audio data, eliminating the need for each application to maintain its own separate audio data storage. This reduces overall memory usage while preserving independent access capabilities through the shared memory interface.
3Speed
If audio data stream is captured continuously by each application, then real-time audio access is ensured, but processor utilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio data handling responsibilities: the operating system captures and stores the audio data stream in shared memory space, while applications access pre-captured segments from this shared space. This segmentation eliminates redundant capture operations by multiple applications, reducing processor utilization while maintaining fast access to audio data segments through the shared memory interface.
4Adaptability or versatility
If applications request microphone access individually, then each application can control its own audio capture, but access to pre-request audio data is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the operating system continuously capture and store audio data segments in shared memory space before any application requests them. When an application requests audio data, it can access these pre-captured segments from shared memory, gaining access to audio data that occurred before the application's explicit request while still maintaining application-specific control through the request mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio capture method is performed by a computing system. A plurality of applications is instantiated. An audio data stream is received via audio capture hardware. The audio data stream is stored in a memory space accessible by the plurality of applications. A trigger associated with an application of the plurality of applications is detected. A history segment of the audio data stream is provided from the shared memory space to the application based on the trigger. The history segment is captured prior to the trigger. A contemporary segment of the audio data stream is provided to the application based on the trigger. The contemporary segment is captured subsequent to the trigger.