Systems and methods for parsing flexible audio codec topologies

• US 20050278168A1
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Liu, Cheng-mean, Cross, Noel R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,756,594 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/221
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs

Abstract

Systems and methods for parsing flexible audio codec topologies are described. In one aspect, codec topology information is obtained from an audio codec. The codec topology information includes a list of processing node connections and configuration default data for respective processing nodes associated with the audio codec. The codec topology information is evaluated to identify valid audio codec topologies based on set of valid connection path criteria.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

obtaining codec topology information from an audio codec, the codec topology information comprising a list of processing nodes, processing node connections, and configuration default data for respective processing nodes associated with the audio codec; and

evaluating the codec topology information to identify valid audio codec topologies based on set of valid connection path criteria.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the audio codec information is high definition audio codec information.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each valid topology of the valid audio codec topologies is a substantially optimal path.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each topology of the valid audio codec topologies ends with a processing node with a physical connection.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each topology of the valid audio codec topologies does not share a render or capture processing node with another topology of the valid audio topologies.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the valid audio codec topologies are compatible with user audio policy settings or system vendor policy settings.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein no topology of the valid audio codec topologies is a looping topology.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein evaluating valid audio codec topologies further comprises eliminating invalid codec topologies.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising prioritizing each valid audio codec topology as a function of an association default value of a processing node at the end of a connection path corresponding to the valid audio codec topology.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, and further comprising:

prioritizing each valid audio codec topology as follows;

priority=2<sup>N−

k</sup>; and

wherein N represents a maximum association default value identified among the valid audio codec topologies, and k represents an association default value of the valid audio codec topology.

11. A method as recited in claim 1, and further comprising generating topology port objects for respective ones of the valid audio codec topologies, each topology port object being for use by an application to interface with one or more logical audio devices supported by the audio codec.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the topology port objects comprise wave or topology port objects.

13. A method as recited in claim 1, and further comprising:

generating topology port objects for respective ones of the valid audio codec topologies, each topology port object being for use by an application to interface with one or more logical audio devices supported by the audio codec; and

providing the topology port objects to an operating system for subsequent access by an application operating under the operating system.

14. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions executable by a processor for:

requesting a set of characteristics from an audio codec, the characteristics comprising a list of processing node connections associated with respective ones of the audio codecs;

receiving the characteristics; and

responsive to receiving the characteristics, identifying audio codec topologies, each valid audio codec topology being associated with a particular logical audio device supported by the audio codec.

15. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 14, wherein each valid topology of the valid audio codec topologies represents a substantially optimal path.

16. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 14, wherein each topology of the valid audio codec topologies ends with a connection point that has a physical connection, and has respective input and output connection points that are not a shared codec resource with another topology of the valid audio topologies.

17. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 14, wherein the valid audio codec topologies are compatible with user audio policy settings or system vendor policy settings.

18. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 14, wherein no topology of the valid audio codec topologies is a looping topology.

19. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 14, wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for:

prioritizing each valid audio codec topology as a function of an association default value of a connection point at the end of a connection point connection path corresponding to the valid audio codec topology, the prioritizing indicating a single group of valid audio codec topologies; and

providing an interface to an operating system for application access to respective topologies identified in the single group.

20. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 14, wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for:

prioritizing each valid audio codec topology as follows;

priority=2<sup>N−

k</sup>; and

wherein N represents a maximum association default value identified among the valid audio codec topologies, and k represents an association default value of the valid audio codec topology.

21. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 14, wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions, after identifying, for generating topology port objects for respective ones of the valid audio codec topologies, each topology port object being for use by an application to interface with one or more logical audio devices supported by the audio codec.

22. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 21, wherein the topology port objects comprise wave or topology port objects.

23. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 14, wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions, after identifying, for:

generating topology port objects for respective ones of the valid audio codec topologies, each topology port object being for use by an application to interface with one or more logical audio devices supported by the audio codec; and

providing the topology port objects to an operating system for subsequent access by an application operating under the operating system.

24. A computing device providing a uniform audio class driver architecture, the computing device comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising computer-program instructions executable by the processor for;

communicating, by one or more generic audio drivers, a request to an audio codec via an audio controller bus driver to obtain a connection list of substantially all connections defined by the audio codec; and

identifying substantially all valid audio codec topologies from the connection list, the valid audio codec topologies being compatible with a number of connection path validation criteria or user policies or original equipment manufacturer policies

25. A computing device as recited in claim 24, wherein each topology of the valid audio codec topologies ends with a connection point that has a physical connection.

26. A computing device as recited in claim 24, wherein each topology of the valid audio codec topologies has a respective input or output connection point that is not a shared codec resource with another topology of the valid audio topologies.

27. A computing device as recited in claim 24, wherein no topology of the valid audio codec topologies is a looping topology.

28. A computing device as recited in claim 24, and further comprising computer-program instructions for prioritizing each valid audio codec topology as a function of an association default value of a connection point at the end of a connection point connection path corresponding to the valid audio codec topology.

29. A computing device as recited in claim 24, and further comprising computer-program instructions for generating topology port objects for respective ones of the valid audio codec topologies, each topology port object being for use by an application to interface with one or more logical audio devices supported by the audio codec.

30. A computing device as recited in claim 29, wherein the topology port objects comprise wave or topology port objects.

31. A computing device as recited in claim 24, and further comprising computer-program instructions for:

generating, by respective ones of the one or more generic audio class drivers, topology port objects for associated ones of the valid audio codec topologies, each topology port object being for use by an application to interface with one or more logical audio devices supported by the audio codec; and

providing, by the respective ones, the topology port objects to an operating system for subsequent access by an application operating under the operating system.

32. A computing device for parsing flexible audio codec topologies, the computing device comprising:

obtaining means to obtain codec topology information from an audio codec, the codec topology information comprising a list of processing node connections associated with respective ones of the audio codecs, one or more of the processing node connections representing invalid connections; and

filtering means to automatically eliminate the invalid connections to identify valid audio codec topologies, each valid audio codec topology being associated with a particular logical audio device supported by the audio codec.

33. A computing device as recited in claim 32, wherein each topology of the valid audio codec topologies is an end-to-end connected topology, and has respective input and output capabilities that are not a shared codec resource with another topology of the valid audio topologies.

34. A computing device as recited in claim 32, wherein the valid audio codec topologies are compatible with user audio policy settings or system vendor policy settings.

35. A computing device as recited in claim 32, wherein no topology of the valid audio codec topologies is a looping topology.

36. A computing device as recited in claim 32, and further comprising prioritizing means to prioritize each valid audio codec topology as a function of an association default value of a connection point at the end of a connection point connection path corresponding to the valid audio codec topology.

37. A computing device as recited in claim 32, and further comprising generating means to instantiate wave or topology port objects for respective ones of the valid audio codec topologies, each topology port object being for use by an application to interface with one or more logical audio devices supported by the audio codec.

38. A computing device as recited in claim 32, and further comprising:

generating means to generate topology port objects for respective ones of the valid audio codec topologies, each topology port object being for use by an application to interface with one or more logical audio devices supported by the audio codec; and

providing means to provide the topology port objects to an operating system for subsequent access by an application operating under the operating system.