Sample accurate audio state update

• US 5,999,906 A
• Filed: 03/04/1998
• Issued: 12/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Embree, Paul M., Mercs, Laura, Mercs, James S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hudspeth, David R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ABEBE, DANIEL DEMELASH
• Application Number:
  US09/034,300
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 704/500, 704/270, 704/272
• US Class Current: 704/500
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10527 Audio or video recording; Data buffering arrangements G11B20/12 - G11B20/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/10592 specifically adapted for recording or reproducing multichannel signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/10 Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/3027 used signal is digitally coded
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/3036 Time code signal
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D

Abstract

A method and apparatus for sample accurate parameter update management in digital audio recording/playback wherein a digital signal processor, memory, recording controller, and appropriate interfacing facilitate storage and retrieval of digital audio data samples continuously to achieve substantially seamless flow and sample accurate audio state updated at precisely designated times, all as required in such critical synchronizing applications as film dubbing.

Claims

1. In a system for processing digital audio signals to provide sample accurate audio updating for substantially eliminating artifacts, the combination comprising:

a digital signal processing subsystem for generating and managing audio sample data to provide time synchronization for substantially seamless audio sample data flow, including a digital signal input and a digital audio signal output;

a memory for said digital signal processing subsystem; and

a digital recorder controller in communication with said processing subsystem for providing audio state update messages to modify audio parameters at specified sample times.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said audio state update messages specify parameter changes.

3. A system for processing digital signals as set forth in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein said audio is synchronized with other external data.

4. A system for processing digital signals as set forth in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein said audio is synchronized with video.

5. A system for processing digital signals as set forth in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein said audio is synchronized with film.

6. A system for processing digital signals as set forth in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein said audio is associated with time codes.

7. A system for processing digital signals as set forth in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein said audio is associated with time codes which are SMPTE time codes.

8. A system for processing digital signals as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means for generating an interrupt for each digital audio signal and updating the audio state upon each change of audio state responsive to the interrupt, such that the audio state is sample accurate.

9. A system for processing digital signals as set forth in claim 8, wherein the interrupt generating means further comprise means for providing a timing input to the processing subsystem, and associating time stamps with audio samples and audio sequences, to enable the processing subsystem to synchronize start and stop of playback and recording of audio samples.

10. A method for processing digital audio signals to provide sample accurate audio updating for substantially eliminating artifacts, comprising:

receiving an audio signal input;

directing and storing said audio signal input in a memory;

generating and managing audio sample data to provide time synchronization for substantially seamless audio sample data flow; and

modifying audio parameters at specified sample times for controlling the audio by periodically updated parameter changes from a digital recorder controller.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, further including:

monitoring the time codes and time stamps associated with said audio signal input.

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

generating an interrupt for each digital audio signal; and

updating the audio state upon each change of audio state responsive to the interrupt, such that the audio state is sample accurate.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the step of generating the interrupt further comprises providing a timing input to a processing subsystem, and associating time stamps with audio samples and audio sequences, to enable the processing subsystem to synchronize start and stop of playback and recording of audio samples.