Time Converter Buffer Overflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing signal rendering technologies face challenges in providing reliable translation between the original and adapted time bases when reproduction rate adaptation is applied, leading to delays and unreliability, especially when multiple changes occur in a short time period.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing arrangement that includes a time converter to manage reproduction rate changes by storing information for a predetermined number of commands and disabling further command acceptance until the effects of previous changes have emerged from the buffer, ensuring accurate time conversion and preventing overflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If reproduction rate adaptation is applied to a signal stream before buffering, then the signal can be rendered at variable speeds, but the translation between original and adapted time bases becomes unreliable when multiple changes occur in a brief time period
Solution Approach 1:
The time converter stores information for a predetermined number of accepted rate change commands in advance, before they need to be processed. This preliminary storage ensures that when rate changes occur frequently, the system already has the necessary time base translation information available, preventing translation unreliability without delaying the reproduction rate adaptation functionality.
2Reliability
If the time converter stores information for multiple accepted commands, then time base translation remains accurate during frequent rate changes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The time converter stores information for a predetermined number of accepted commands (at least one, preferably a small fixed number) rather than storing all possible commands or implementing complex prediction mechanisms. This partial storage approach provides sufficient accuracy for frequent rate changes while keeping the device complexity manageable and practical.
3Reliability
If the time converter disables acceptation of further commands when information for predetermined number of commands is stored, then buffer overflow is prevented, but the responsiveness to rate change commands is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The time converter operates in periodic cycles, storing information for a predetermined number of commands and then disabling acceptation until the effect of previous commands emerges from the buffer. This periodic enable/disable pattern ensures buffer overflow prevention while allowing command acceptance to resume promptly when safe, balancing reliability with responsiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A signal data source supplies signal data of a stored signal that is defined relative to a original time base. The signal data is processed by adding or removing samples to adapt a reproduction rate to an adapted time base. The samples of the signal with the adapted reproduction rate are passed through a delaying buffer and the signal is rendered after it emerges from the buffer. A time converter determines time values relative to the original time base and the adapted time base. Commands are provided to control the rate used for reproduction rate adaptation. Normally, each command is accepted and used to change the rate. Information is stored after the commands have been used to change the reproduction rate. Acceptance of further commands is disabled when a predetermined number of accepted commands is stored, until at least one of the stored commands have emerged from the buffer.