Multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data and its operation method

• US 20080031593A1
• Filed: 08/07/2006
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Altek Corporation
• Original Assignee: Altek Corporation
• Inventors: Lin, Ching-Huei, Chuang, Shih-Fang
• Application Number:
  US11/499,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20080031593A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording

Abstract

A multi-layer structure unit of recording AV frame data includes a general control layer, a task control layer and a movie-format control layer. The general control layer is used to control a compression process of AV frame data, and manage a circular queue. The task control layer includes a plurality of control units, and is used to execute the necessary task of recording AV frame data with accessing the circular queue. Finally, the movie-format control layer is used for building a file with AV frame data. Hence, the multi-layer structure unit of recording AV frame data can improve the extensibility, the maintenance and the readability of software program.

Claims

1. A multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data, comprising:

a general control layer, for controlling a compression process for said audio/video frame data and managing a circular queue;

a task control layer, having a plurality of control units, and saving said circular queue to execute a task of said recorded audio/video frame data; and

a movie-format control layer, having at least one movie-format control unit, for creating a file by said audio/video frame data.

2. The multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data of claim 1, wherein said general control layer further comprises a circular queue management unit, a compressing image unit and a compressing sound unit.

3. The multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data of claim 1, wherein said circular queue is controlled by a head index and a tail index.

4. The multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data of claim 1, wherein said circular queue includes a plurality of buffers for storing data temporarily.

5. The multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data of claim 4, wherein said buffers have a uniform memory space.

6. The multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data of claim 4, wherein said buffers come with a status selected from the collection of a blank status, a write-in status, a fill-up status, and a read status.

7. The multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data of claim 1, wherein said control unit is an image compression task unit, a write file task unit, a sound read task unit or an application program open unit.

8. The multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data of claim 1, wherein said MOV file format control unit is an AVI file format control unit or a MOV file format control unit.

9. The multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data of claim 1, wherein said task control layer and said movie-format control layer are independent modules.

10. A method for operating a multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data, comprising the steps of:

receiving an audio/video frame data;

executing a task of compressing an audio/video frame data which is set to a blank status of a buffer in a circular queue to a write status, and compressing said audio/video frame data into said buffer;

determining whether or not said buffer is filled up;

setting the status of said buffer to a fill-up status and setting the status of another buffer to a blank status, if said buffer is determined to be filled up;

setting said buffer to a read status, after a write file task is used to detect said buffer which has been set to a fill-up status; and

reading a plurality of compressed audio/video frame data temporarily stored in said buffer and creating a movie-format file by said compressed audio/video frame data.

11. The method for operating a multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data of claim 10, wherein said task of compressing said audio/video frame data is carried out by an interlace compression method.

12. The method for operating a multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data of claim 11, wherein said interlace compression method is carried out by compressing images first and then compressing sounds.

13. The method for operating a multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data of claim 10, wherein said circular queue is controlled by a head index and a tail index.

14. The method for operating a multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data of claim 13, wherein said head index is operated and used when said write file task is executed, and said tail index is operated and used when said compress audio/video frame data task is executed.

15. The method for operating a multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data of claim 10, wherein said circular queue includes a plurality of buffers.

16. The method for operating a multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data of claim 15, wherein said buffers have a uniform memory space.

17. The method for operating a multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data of claim 10, wherein said movie-format is in an AVI file format or a MOV file format.

18. A method for a task of compressing an audio/video frame data, being an interlace compression method, applied to a method for operating a multi-layer structure unit for recording audio/video frame data, comprising the steps of:

(a) waiting for an image change event;

(b) determining whether or not said multi-layer structure unit is situated at a recording status;

(c) determining whether or not a buffer in a circular queue exists in an image frame data, if the result of Step (b) is yes;

(d) compressing a sound frame data, if the result of Step (c) is yes;

(e) determining whether or not said buffer is filled up;

(f) setting said buffer to a fill-up status, and obtaining a buffer which is set to a blank status, if the result of Step (e) is yes;

(g) setting the size for said sound frame data, if the result of Step (c) is no, or the result of Step (e) is no, or after Step (f);

(h) compressing an image frame data; and

(i) updating a recording information;

repeating the foregoing steps to compress said image frame data and said sound frame data into said buffer, so as to complete said interlace compression method.

19. The method for a task of compressing audio/video frame data of claim 18, wherein said interlace compression method is carried out by compressing images first and then compressing sounds.

20. The method for a task of compressing audio/video frame data of claim 18, wherein said image change event is an image change detected by a charge-coupled device (CCD).

21. The method for a task of compressing audio/video frame data of claim 18, wherein said circular queue includes a plurality of buffers.

22. The method for a task of compressing audio/video frame data of claim 21, wherein said buffers have a uniform memory space.

23. The method for a task of compressing audio/video frame data of claim 18, wherein said recording information is an information of a remaining recording time or a recording error.