Waveform Writing Device RAM Segmentation for Fragmented Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sound generators face inefficiencies in RAM usage due to irregular placement of in-use and unused waveform regions, leading to difficulties in writing new tone waveforms even when sufficient free space is available, as the loading structure of sound source LSI does not allow for dividing waveforms in RAM, resulting in unclear allocation processes and user burden.
Innovation Solution
A processor-based system that retrieves segment group information for waveform data items, groups waveforms with the same segment information, and writes them as a single group to prescribed storage segments in RAM, allowing for efficient allocation and writing of new waveforms without requiring sequential free space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If waveform data is stored sequentially in RAM without segmentation, then the loading structure of sound source LSI is simple, but new waveforms cannot be written when free space is fragmented even though total free space is sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the waveform memory into multiple storage segments of fixed size. Each segment can independently store waveform data, and the system manages multiple segments rather than treating memory as a single continuous space. This segmentation allows the system to write waveforms to any available segment regardless of fragmentation in the overall memory space, resolving the contradiction between simple loading structure and reliable waveform writing.
2Ease of manufacture
If waveform regions are allocated sequentially in RAM, then the allocation process is simple, but RAM usage becomes inefficient when waveforms are repeatedly written and overwritten
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic segment management where the system can select any free segment for waveform storage rather than strictly sequential allocation. When a segment becomes unavailable, the system dynamically identifies and uses other free segments. This dynamic approach maintains allocation simplicity while significantly improving RAM usage efficiency by preventing fragmentation waste and allowing flexible reuse of freed segments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple waveforms are stored for each tone, then more waveform variations are available, but each waveform requires sequential storage space in RAM
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing memory into multiple fixed-size segments, the system can store multiple waveform variations for each tone across different segments rather than requiring large sequential space. Each waveform variation occupies a separate segment or portions of segments, allowing the system to maintain high adaptability with multiple waveform options while efficiently utilizing the total memory area available, thus reducing the requirement for large contiguous sequential space.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for reading waveform data of a musical tone from a primary storage device and transferring the read waveform data to a secondary storage device for tone reproduction includes a processor configured to perform: retrieving, for each waveform of a plurality of waveforms that represent a musical tone stored in the primary storage device, segment group information from the primary storage device; retrieving the plurality of waveforms that represent the musical tone from the primary storage device, the waveform group retrieval process retrieving a waveform or waveforms, among the plurality of waveforms, that have the same segment group information as a group; and writing, as a single group, the waveform or waveforms, among the plurality of waveforms, that have the same segment group information onto one of prescribed storage segments that are storage regions of prescribed sizes in the secondary storage device.