Audio signal saving operation controlling method, program thereof, record medium thereof, audio signal reproducing operation controlling method, program thereof, record medium thereof, audio signal inputting operation controlling method, program thereof, and record medium thereof

• US 20020156637A1
• Filed: 04/01/2002
• Published: 10/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Azuma, Takafumi, Fujiyama, Hideharu
• Granted Patent: US 7,346,513 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/275
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs

Abstract

A method that allows two or more APs (application programs) to use a sound card and an AP to select an input device of the sound card regardless of a mixer device of the sound card is disclosed.

A connecting module 31 is disposed among a sound card 17, a HDD 13, and an NIC 19. Switches 32 and 33 are disposed in parallel to the connecting module 31. In other words, an audio signal that is input form the sound card 17 is supplied to the NIC 19 through the switch 32. In addition, the audio signal is supplied to the HDD 13 through the switch 33. The switch 32 is equivalent to a concept of an application interface for starting and stopping a sending operation for an audio signal supplied from the sound card 17 to the network 111. The switch 33 is equivalent to a concept of an application interface for starting and stopping a saving operation for an audio signal supplied from the sound card 17 to the HDD 13.

Claims

1. An audio signal saving operation controlling method for causing an application program to control a sending operation and a saving operation for an audio signal, the application program being installed in a computer that is equipped with a sound card and a network interface card, the method comprising the steps of:

starting the sending operation for the audio signal to the network, when a send start method for starting the sending operation for the audio signal to a network is called from the application program installed in the computer;

stopping the sending operation for the audio signal to the network, when a send stop method for stopping the sending operation for the audio signal to the network is called from the application program;

starting the saving operation for the audio signal to a record medium, when a save start method for starting the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium is called from the application program; and

stopping the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium, when a save stop method for stopping the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium is called from the application program,

wherein the audio signal is saved to the record medium without need to interrupt the sending operation for the audio signal to the network, and

wherein the audio signal is sent to the network without need to interrupt the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium.

2. The audio signal saving operation controlling method as set forth in claim 1,

wherein an application program that calls the send start method and the send stop method is different from an application program that calls the save start method and the save stop method.

3. An audio signal reproducing operation controlling method for causing an application program to control a receiving operation, a reproducing operation, and a saving operation for an audio signal, the application program being installed in a computer that is equipped with a sound card, the method comprising the steps of:

starting the receiving operation and the reproducing operation for the audio signal, when a receive and reproduction start method for starting the receiving operation and the reproducing operation for the audio signal is called from the application program installed in the computer;

stopping the receiving operation and the reproducing operation for the audio signal, when a receive and reproduction stop method for stopping the receiving operation and the reproducing operation for the audio signal is called from the application program;

starting the saving operation for the audio signal to a record medium, when a save start method for starting the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium is called from the application program; and

stopping the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium, when a save stop method for stopping the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium is called from the application program,

wherein the audio signal is saved to the record medium without need to interrupt the receiving operation and the reproducing operation for the audio signal, and

wherein the audio signal is received and reproduced without need to interrupt the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium.

4. The audio signal reproducing operation controlling method as set forth in claim 3,

wherein an application program that calls the receive and reproduction start method and the receive and reproduction stop method is different from an application program that calls the save start method and the save stop method.

5. The audio signal reproducing operation controlling method as set forth in claim 3,

wherein the save start method starts the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium and starts the receiving operation the reproducing operation for the audio signal.

6. The audio signal reproducing operation controlling method as set forth in claim 3,

wherein after the receive and reproduction start method is called, the save start method is called.

7. The audio signal reproducing operation controlling method as set forth in claim 3,

wherein the received and reproduced audio signal is supplied through a network.

8. An audio signal inputting operation controlling method for causing an application program to control an inputting operation and an outputting operation of a sound card, the application program being installed in a computer, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a component type of the sound card, and

recording the detected component type to an information file,

wherein when the application program controls the inputting operation and the outputting operation, the information file is referenced.

9. The audio signal inputting operation controlling method as set forth in claim 8,

wherein information that represents whether or not there is a terminal that mixes all inputs is recorded in the information file.

10. The audio signal inputting operation controlling method as set forth in claim 8,

wherein a name designated by a user can be recorded to the information file.

11. An audio signal saving operation controlling program for causing an application program to control a sending operation and a saving operation for an audio signal, the application program being installed in a computer that is equipped with a sound card and a network interface card, the controlling program comprising:

means for starting the sending operation for the audio signal to the network, when a send start method for starting the sending operation for the audio signal to a network is called from the application program installed in the computer;

means for stopping the sending operation for the audio signal to the network, when a send stop method for stopping the sending operation for the audio signal to the network is called from the application program;

means for starting the saving operation for the audio signal to a record medium, when a save start method for starting the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium is called from the application program; and

means for stopping the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium, when a save stop method for stopping the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium is called from the application program,

wherein the audio signal is saved to the record medium without need to interrupt the sending operation for the audio signal to the network, and

wherein the audio signal is sent to the network without need to interrupt the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium.

12. The audio signal saving operation controlling program as set forth in claim 11,

wherein an application program that calls the send start method and the send stop method is different from an application program that calls the save start method and the save stop method.

14. The audio signal reproducing operation controlling program as set forth in claim 13,

wherein an application program that calls the receive and reproduction start method and the receive and reproduction stop method is different from an application program that calls the save start method and the save stop method.

15. The audio signal reproducing operation controlling program as set forth in claim 13,

wherein the save start method starts the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium and starts the receiving operation the reproducing operation for the audio signal.

16. The audio signal reproducing operation controlling program as set forth in claim 13,

wherein after the receive and reproduction start method is called, the save start method is called.

17. The audio signal reproducing operation controlling program as set forth in claim 13,

wherein the received and reproduced audio signal is supplied through a network.

19. The audio signal inputting operation controlling program as set forth in claim 18,

wherein information that represents whether or not there is a terminal that mixes all inputs is recorded in the information file.

20. The audio signal inputting operation controlling program as set forth in claim 18,

wherein a name designated by a user can be recorded to the information file.

13. An audio signal reproducing operation controlling program for causing an application program to control a receiving operation, a reproducing operation, and a saving operation for an audio signal, the application program being installed in a computer that is equipped with a sound card, the controlling program comprising:

means for starting the receiving operation and the reproducing operation for the audio signal, when a receive and reproduction start method for starting the receiving operation and the reproducing operation for the audio signal is called from the application program installed in the computer;

means for stopping the receiving operation and the reproducing operation for the audio signal, when a receive and reproduction stop method for stopping the receiving operation and the reproducing operation for the audio signal is called from the application program;

means for starting the saving operation for the audio signal to a record medium, when a save start method for starting the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium is called from the application program; and

means for stopping the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium, when a save stop method for stopping the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium is called from the application program,

wherein the audio signal is saved to the record medium without need to interrupt the receiving operation and the reproducing operation for the audio signal, and

wherein the audio signal is received and reproduced without need to interrupt the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium.

18. An audio signal inputting operation controlling program for causing an application program to control an inputting operation and an outputting operation of a sound card, the application program being installed in a computer, the controlling program comprising:

means for detecting a component type of the sound card, and

means for recording the detected component type to an information file,

wherein when the application program controls the inputting operation and the outputting operation, the computer is operated so that the information file is referenced.

21. A record medium on which an audio signal saving operation controlling program has been recorded, the controlling program causing an application program to control a sending operation and a saving operation for an audio signal, the application program being installed in a computer that is equipped with a sound card and a network interface card, the controlling program comprising:

means for starting the sending operation for the audio signal to the network, when a send start method for starting the sending operation for the audio signal to a network is called from the application program installed in the computer;

means for stopping the sending operation for the audio signal to the network, when a send stop method for stopping the sending operation for the audio signal to the network is called from the application program;

means for starting the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium, when a save start method for starting the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium is called from the application program; and

means for stopping the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium, when a save stop method for stopping the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium is called from the application program,

wherein the audio signal is saved to the record medium without need to interrupt the sending operation for the audio signal to the network, and

wherein the audio signal is sent to the network without need to interrupt the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium.

22. The record medium as set forth in claim 21,

wherein an application program that calls the send start method and the send stop method is different from an application program that calls the save start method and the save stop method.

24. The record medium as set forth in claim 23,

wherein an application program that calls the receive and reproduction start method and the receive and reproduction stop method is different from an application program that calls the save start method and the save stop method.

25. The record medium as set forth in claim 23,

wherein the save start method starts the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium and starts the receiving operation the reproducing operation for the audio signal.

26. The record medium as set forth in claim 23,

wherein after the receive and reproduction start method is called, the save start method is called.

27. The record medium as set forth in claim 23,

wherein the received and reproduced audio signal is supplied through a network.

29. The record medium as set forth in claim 28,

wherein information that represents whether or not there is a terminal that mixes all inputs is recorded in the information file.

30. The record medium as set forth in claim 28,

wherein a name designated by a user can be recorded to the information file.

23. A record medium on which an audio signal reproducing operation controlling program has been saved, the controlling program causing an application program to control a receiving operation, a reproducing operation, and a saving operation for an audio signal, the application program being installed in a computer that is equipped with a sound card, the controlling program comprising:

means for starting the receiving operation and the reproducing operation for the audio signal, when a receive and reproduction start method for starting the receiving operation and the reproducing operation for the audio signal is called from the application program installed in the computer;

means for stopping the receiving operation and the reproducing operation for the audio signal, when a receive and reproduction stop method for stopping the receiving operation and the reproducing operation for the audio signal is called from the application program;

means for starting the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium, when a save start method for starting the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium is called from the application program; and

means for stopping the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium, when a save stop method for stopping the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium is called from the application program,

wherein the audio signal is saved to the record medium without need to interrupt the receiving operation and the reproducing operation for the audio signal, and

wherein the audio signal is received and reproduced without need to interrupt the saving operation for the audio signal to the record medium.

28. A record medium on which an audio signal inputting operation controlling program has been recorded, the controlling program causing an application program to control an inputting operation and an outputting operation of a sound card, the application program being installed in a computer, the controlling program comprising:

means for detecting a component type of the sound card, and

means for recording the detected component type to an information file,

wherein when the application program controls the inputting operation and the outputting operation, the computer is operated so that the information file is referenced.