JP2001111384A - Signal processing filter system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal processing filter system for sharing a signal processing filter without depending on application or hardware. SOLUTION: An interface providing part 20 is provided with a first interface 21 being an API, and an application 10 is constituted so as to be made independent. A higher rank layer is constituted so as not to be made dependent or a hardware driver 30 or a hardware 40 by a second interface 22. An interface common to a signal processing filter part 50 can be provided by a third interface 23, and the signal processing filter part 50 can be shared. The application 10 transfers processing data through the first interface 21 and the third interface 23 to the signal processing filter part 50 so that the filter processing can be executed, and the executed result is returned through the third interface 23 and the first interface 21 to the application 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signal processing filter system for realizing various signal processing functions such as a low-pass filter and a high-pass filter in a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as PC).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a recent personal computer, various multimedia-compatible applications and peripheral devices for handling various media are being developed with the improvement of multimedia processing functions such as sound, still image, and moving image. When processing these various signal media, signal processing filters are widely used.

The construction of a signal processing filter used in the prior art and the use of the signal processing filter will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of hardware and software of a conventional PC which is widely used. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1001 denotes an application. A plurality of applications can be provided. Here, from application 1 to application n (n is an arbitrary integer)
Up to several. Reference numeral 1002 denotes middleware such as a library managed by the operating system. For example, in the operating system “Windows (TM)” of Microsoft Corporation, it is provided as “DLL (Dynamic Linking Library)”. Although the operating system is not shown, the layer of the application 1001
And the hardware driver 1003.
1003 is a hardware driver;
Is a peripheral device that is hardware such as a sound card. The hardware driver 1003 is software for controlling the hardware 1004, and is prepared in one-to-one correspondence with the hardware 1004. Again, hardware 1004 and hardware driver 1
A plurality of sets 003 can be provided, and here, a plurality of sets from the set of hardware 1 and the hardware driver 1 to the set of hardware m and the hardware driver m are provided.

[0005] Reference numeral 1010 denotes an interface between the application 1001 and the middleware 1002, which is called an application interface (hereinafter abbreviated as API). The application and lower layers communicate with each other via the API 1010. Reference numeral 1020 denotes an interface between the middleware 1002 and the hardware driver 1003, which is called a driver interface. The middleware 1002 and lower layers communicate with each other via the driver interface 1020.

In FIG. 6, the application 10
01, middleware 1002, hardware driver 1
003 is a software part, and the hardware 100
4 is a hardware part.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, in order to perform signal processing using various filters such as a low-pass filter and a high-pass filter, the following system configuration is used.

[0008] The first configuration is an application 1001
One of the functions is to incorporate a signal processing filter function as software into the application itself. FIG. 7A shows this state. In FIG. 7A, reference numeral 1005 denotes a signal processing filter. Since the signal processing filter 1005 is included as one function of each application, it is provided for each of the applications 1 to n. In some applications, the use of the signal processing filter 1005 is not assumed, and these do not need to include the signal processing filter 1005.

The second configuration is to provide a signal processing filter as software as a part of the middleware 1002 as a library. FIG. 7B shows this state. In FIG. 7B, 1005
Is a signal processing filter, which is provided in the middleware 1002 as a part of the library. in this case,
It is sufficient to provide one newly developed unique signal processing filter. However, the interface between the application 1001 and the signal processing filter 1005 is used as the interface 1
010 must be provided, and each application needs to be modified so that the interface can be used. Similarly, the interface between the signal processing filter 1005 and the hardware driver 1003 must be provided by being incorporated in the interface 1020, and the hardware driver 1003 needs to be changed.

The third configuration is a hardware driver 10
03 is configured to incorporate a signal processing filter function. FIG. 8A shows this state. Similarly, in FIG. 8A, reference numeral 1005 denotes a signal processing filter. Similarly, depending on the hardware, the signal processing filter 10
In some cases, it is not assumed that the H.05 is used, and the corresponding hardware driver need not include the signal processing filter 1005.

In a fourth configuration, as one function of hardware 1004 such as a sound card,
In this configuration, a signal processing filter is incorporated in the signal processor No. 04. FIG. 8B shows this state. Similarly, in FIG. 8B, reference numeral 1005 denotes a signal processing filter. In this configuration, the signal processing filter 1
The control of 005 is performed by a hardware driver 1003 that controls the hardware 1004. Note that some hardware is not assumed to use the signal processing filter 1005, and it is not necessary to include the signal processing filter 1005.

[0012]

The conventional arrangement for providing a signal processing filter has the following problems.

In the first configuration, the application 1
When the signal processing filter 1005 is incorporated in 001, it is necessary to incorporate a similar signal processing filter for each application as needed. In this case, after all, the same signal processing filter is included in each application, which results in an increase in application development cost.
This leads to an increase in development man-hours. Also, in order to handle audio in existing applications and signal media that was not assumed at the time of development, for example, applications that do not assume audio processing, it is necessary to modify the application and incorporate an audio signal processing filter. The disadvantage of not being available cannot be overcome.

In the second configuration, the signal processing filter 1005 is provided as one of the libraries of the middleware 1002.
If they are provided as one, it is necessary to design and provide an API between the application 1001 and the library and a driver interface between the library and the hardware driver 1003, and generally, the source code is not disclosed. It is difficult and requires a great deal of effort to make changes in accordance with the unique API of each application and changes in accordance with the unique driver interface of each hardware driver.

When the third configuration is adopted and a signal processing filter 1005 is incorporated in the hardware driver 1003, it is necessary to incorporate a similar signal processing filter for each hardware driver as necessary. This causes the same problem as the case where it is incorporated in the application 1001 having the first configuration. It is not possible to prepare a similar hardware driver with a signal processing filter function for each hardware and for each hardware version. Realistically difficult and labor intensive.

The signal processing filter of the hardware 1004 has a signal processing filter 1 in the fourth configuration.
When the 005 is incorporated, the dedicated chip for the signal processing filter is mounted on the hardware, which leads to an increase in cost. In addition, the dedicated chip for the signal processing filter is replaced in response to a change in the function that the application 1001 wants to use. It is necessary to change the firmware of the dedicated chip, which requires a great deal of cost and labor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a signal processing filter system having a mechanism capable of commonly using prepared signal processing filters without depending on applications, hardware, and hardware drivers. And

The present invention also provides a desired signal processing filter function on a personal computer used by a user.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a signal processing filter system provided with a mechanism capable of utilizing signal processing filter resources on another platform accessible on a network when no signal processing software exists.

Further, the present invention provides a signal processing filter system capable of processing a new signal medium using the signal processing filter even for an existing application which does not assume the use of the signal processing filter. Aim.

[0020]

In order to achieve the above object, a signal processing filter system according to the present invention is a signal processing filter system using a personal computer or the like as a platform, and includes a signal processing filter section and an interface providing section. The interface providing unit is located between an application and a hardware driver, and includes a first interface for the application, a second interface for the hardware driver, and a third interface for the signal processing filter unit. Mediating and controlling data exchange between the first to third interfaces. The application exchanges data with the signal processing filter unit via a first interface and a third interface of the interface providing unit, executes a filter process using the signal processing filter unit, and executes the filter processing. The processing signal can be exchanged with the hardware driver via the first interface and the second interface.

According to the above configuration, the signal processing filter system of the present invention can have a mechanism that can use the prepared signal processing filter in common without depending on the application, hardware, and hardware driver. There is no need to incorporate signal processing filters for each application, hardware driver, and hardware,
The first interface provided by the interface, the second
Any application or hardware driver that satisfies the above interface can commonly use the signal processing filter without any change.

Further, a signal processing filter system according to the present invention when using a signal processing filter resource accessible on a network includes a network resource control unit and an interface providing unit, and the interface providing unit includes an application and a hardware. A first interface for the application, a second interface for the hardware driver, and a third interface for the network resource control unit.
Mediating and controlling the exchange of data between the third interfaces. The network resource control unit has access means for a signal processing filter resource on a network, and the application utilizes the network resource control unit via a first interface and a third interface of the interface providing unit. Exchanges data with a signal processing filter resource on the network, performs filter processing using the signal processing filter, and performs processing with the hardware driver via a first interface and a second interface of the interface providing unit It is characterized by being able to exchange signals.

With the above arrangement, the network resource control unit manages the signal processing filter resources accessible on the network, determines the signal processing filter resources capable of processing the contents specified by the application, and executes the signal processing filter resources on the network by remote access. Leverage resources. In this case, the application, hardware, and hardware driver need not be aware of the existence of the network resource.

Here, even if the application is an existing application that does not have a control function for the signal processing filter unit and the hardware driver, the interface providing unit may determine whether the application via the first interface and the second interface has the same function. If the configuration is such that the exchange of data with the hardware driver and the exchange of data between the application and the signal processing filter unit via the first interface and the third interface are mediated and controlled, the use of the signal processing filter can be reduced. It is possible to provide an environment that can process a new signal medium using the signal processing filter even for an existing application that is not assumed. Similarly, even if the hardware driver is an existing hardware driver that does not assume the use of the signal processing filter unit, the interface providing unit may determine whether the hardware driver via the second interface and the third interface is compatible with the hardware driver. With a configuration that mediates and controls the exchange of data with the signal processing filter unit, signal processing of data captured by existing hardware and hardware drivers becomes possible.

It is preferable that the processing content of the interface providing unit is controllable from the application. With this configuration, the processing content of the interface providing unit can be customized according to the usage environment of each application. It is possible to make detailed settings for the use of. Similarly, it is preferable that the processing content of the interface providing unit is controllable from the hardware driver. With this configuration, every time the hardware driver to be used is switched, the processing of the interface providing unit is adjusted according to the usage environment. The contents can be customized, and detailed settings can be made for the use of the signal processing filter unit.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Each embodiment of the signal processing filter system of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) The signal processing filter system according to Embodiment 1 is located between a signal processing filter unit, an application and a hardware driver, and has a first interface for an application and a second interface for a hardware driver. And an interface control unit having a third interface to the signal processing filter unit, and has a basic configuration having a mechanism capable of commonly using the signal processing filter.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a signal processing filter system according to the first embodiment. In this example, a platform is a personal computer.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an application, and a plurality of applications can be provided. Here, applications 1 to
It is assumed that an application n (n is an integer of 2 or more) is provided. The type and content of the application are not limited, and include a variety of applications. For example, an application with sound processing, an application with data compression processing, an application with data expansion processing, an application with noise canceller processing, an AGC
(Automatic gain control: automatic gain control).

Reference numeral 20 denotes an interface providing unit, which is a first interface 21 which is an API with the application 10 and a second interface 22 which is a driver interface with a hardware driver 30 described later.
And a third interface 23 with a signal processing filter unit 50 described later, and controls data input / output processing, data conversion, inter-interface cooperation processing, and the like via these interfaces.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a hardware driver, which is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the hardware 40 described later, and controls the corresponding hardware 40 according to a control command passed from the application 10. When there are a plurality of hardware drivers as described later, a plurality of hardware drivers are prepared corresponding to each of the hardware drivers.

Reference numeral 40 denotes hardware, which is a peripheral device of a personal computer. It is also possible to have more than one. Here, hardware 1 to hardware m
(M is an integer of 2 or more). The type and contents of the hardware as the peripheral device are not limited, and include various types. For example, a sound board, a LAN
There are boards and so on. These are variously developed and supplied by various development vendors.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a signal processing filter unit. In accordance with a command given from the application 10, a digital signal taken from the application 10 or the hardware 40 is processed. In the present invention, the signal processing filter unit 50 may include various types of filters. For example,
Linear signal processing filters include a finite impulse response filter (FIR filter), an infinite impulse response filter (IIR filter), a Kalman filter, a Wiener filter, a correlation coefficient calculation filter, a linear prediction filter, and the like. Examples include a filter using a neural network, a Volterra filter, and the like.

Reference numeral 60 denotes an interface control unit which controls the setting of the contents of the interface providing unit 20;
This is a part for observing the state of the interface providing unit 20. It is preferable that the interface between the interface control unit 60 and the interface providing unit 20 is also defined as a part 21 ′ of the first interface 21.
If the operation screen of the interface control unit 60 is provided in the form of a control panel on the desktop of a personal computer, a graphical user interface (GUI) that is easy to understand with a mouse and a keyboard is provided, and the usability of the user is improved.

In FIG. 1, various resources such as a CPU, a memory, and an operating system which are generally required for controlling the personal computer are omitted for convenience of explanation.

The operation of the signal processing filter system having the above configuration will be described.

The following effects can be obtained by the first interface 21, the second interface 22, the third interface 23, and the function of mediating and controlling data exchange between these interfaces, provided by the interface providing unit 20.

First, A which the interface providing unit 20 has
By the first interface 21 that is a PI, the application 10 has an independent configuration that does not depend on layers below the application. Many applications are described in accordance with an industry-standard API. If the first interface 21 of the interface providing unit 20 of the signal processing filter system of the present invention is an API that is an industry standard, many applications are described. Applications can be used in the signal processing filter system of the present invention. Each of the applications 1 to n performs data input / output and command input / output using the API. When using the signal processing filter unit 50 from each application, only data and instructions are exchanged according to the API, and there is no need to directly exchange data and instructions with the unique interface of the signal processing filter unit 50.

Next, a second interface 22 which is a driver interface of the interface providing unit 20
Accordingly, a layer higher than the hardware driver 30 has an independent configuration independent of the hardware driver and the hardware. That is, since the interface providing unit 20 has the second interface 22, the application does not need to be aware of the difference in the type and version of the hardware of the peripheral device used. When inputting and outputting data processed by the signal processing filter unit 50 in each hardware, only data is exchanged according to the driver interface, and there is no need to directly exchange data with a unique interface of the signal processing filter unit 50.

Next, the signal processing filter unit 5 is provided by the third interface 23 of the interface providing unit 20.
0 can be commonly used as an entire signal processing filter system by providing an interface with the interface providing unit 20. As described above, if one signal processing filter unit 50 is prepared for the entire signal processing system, it is used via the third interface 23 of the interface providing unit 20.

The interface providing unit 20 performs the first
The application 10, the hardware driver 30, and the hardware 40 can exchange data with the signal processing filter unit 50 by mediating and controlling the exchange of data between the interface 21 to the third interface 23. When using the signal processing filters, it is not necessary to prepare individual signal processing filters as in the related art. Further, when using the signal processing filter function of the signal processing filter unit 50, the application 10, the hardware driver 30, and the hardware 40 do not need to individually consider the signal processing filter unit 50. Even if the signal processing filter unit 50 is newly developed or its version is changed, if the original input / output interface is provided as the third interface 23 to the interface providing unit 20, the signal processing filter system of the present invention can be used. It becomes possible to take in.

An example of the flow of data processing is as follows. First, the contents of the interface providing unit 20 and the signal processing filter unit 50 are set by the interface control unit 60. When using the signal processing filter unit 50,
The application 10 passes the data stream to be processed to the interface providing unit 20 via the first interface 21. The data stream is passed to the signal processing filter unit 50 via the third interface 23 under the control of the interface providing unit 20. The signal processing filter unit 50 performs a filtering process on the passed data stream and returns the data stream to the interface providing unit 20 via the third interface 23. Interface provider 2
Under the control of 0, the processing data stream is returned to the application 10 via the first interface 21.
Alternatively, the data is passed to the hardware driver 30 via the second interface, and is used in the hardware 40. Next, when using the hardware 40, the application 10 passes the data stream to the interface providing unit 20 via the first interface 21, and the data stream passes through the second interface under the control of the interface providing unit 20. It is passed to the hardware driver 30. The data stream is used in the hardware 40 under the control of the hardware driver 30.

As described above, the interface providing unit 20
Uses the first interface 21, the second interface 22, and the third interface 23 provided by the application 10, the hardware driver 30, the hardware 40, and the signal processing filter unit 50.
Are independent of each other, and a mechanism that can use the prepared signal processing filters in common can be provided.

As described above, the application 10
Even for an existing application that does not have a control function for the signal processing filter unit 50 and the hardware driver 30, the interface providing unit 20 transmits data to the existing application 10 via the first interface 21 and the third interface 23. Of the existing application 1 that is not assumed to use the signal processing filter unit 50.
For 0, it is possible to provide an environment in which new signal media can be processed using the signal processing filter unit 50.

Similarly, even if the hardware driver 30 is an existing hardware driver that does not assume the use of the signal processing filter unit 50, the interface providing unit 20 will connect the second interface 22 to the third interface 22. Since the configuration is such that the exchange of data is mediated and controlled via the interface 23, new signal processing of data captured by existing hardware and hardware drivers becomes possible.

(Embodiment 2) The signal processing filter system according to Embodiment 2 replaces the interface control unit described in Embodiment 1 as a part for controlling the setting of the contents of the interface providing unit and observing the state of the interface providing unit. , The application, and the hardware driver have the function.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a signal processing filter system according to the second embodiment.
The platform is a personal computer. Further, the same elements as those in the schematic configuration diagram of the signal processing filter system of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In the second embodiment, the application 10
a also has an interface control function of the interface providing unit 20. The flow of the control and the flow of the state observation are indicated by dotted lines from the application 10a to the interface providing unit 20. As described above, the application 10a is connected to the interface providing unit 2
Also, by providing an interface control function of 0, the contents of the interface providing unit 20 are optimized for each application when the application is switched,
The advantage is that customization and undesired settings that are enabled before switching can be canceled. For example, when switching applications in a multi-window environment, the interface providing unit 20
Is optimized and customized for the switched application 10a, it is not necessary for the user to rewrite the contents of the interface providing unit 20 every time.

Next, the interface providing unit 20 is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the interface control part is not independent as the interface control unit 60, and each application 10a,
The hardware driver 30a described later also has the function.

Next, the hardware driver 30a is the same as the hardware driver 30 described in the first embodiment, but the second embodiment also has an interface control function of the interface providing unit 20.
The flow of control and the flow of state observation given to the interface providing unit 20 are shown as dotted lines from the hardware driver 30a to the interface providing unit 20. When the user inputs a setting for switching the hardware 40 to be used from the application 10a or the like, the operating system switches the hardware driver 30a, and the enabled hardware driver 30a executes the content of the interface providing unit 20 by the interface control function. Optimize, customize and remove required settings and unnecessary settings that are enabled. This processing need not be directly input by the user, and is performed autonomously by the hardware driver 30a if the setting for switching the hardware 40 is performed.

As described above, the hardware driver 30a
Also has an interface control function of the interface providing unit 20, whereby the advantage that the contents of the interface providing unit 20 can be optimized and customized for each hardware when hardware used as a peripheral device is switched is obtained. This eliminates the need for the user to rewrite the contents of the interface providing unit 20 every time.

Hardware 40, signal processing filter unit 5
0 is the same as the element described in the first embodiment.

With the above configuration, according to the signal processing system of the second embodiment, the interface control unit described in the first embodiment serves as a part for controlling the setting of the contents of the interface providing unit and observing the state of the interface providing unit. In place of the application 60, the application 10a and the hardware driver 30a are configured to have the function. In an environment using a plurality of applications and a plurality of hardware, the control regarding the setting of the contents of the interface providing unit and the state of the interface providing unit 20 are performed. Observation can be performed, and undesired settings effective before switching applications or the like can be canceled.

(Embodiment 3) As Embodiment 3 of the present invention, when music data is downloaded and reproduced using the Internet, the acoustic characteristics of a concert hall, a stadium or the like are reproduced using a FIR type signal processing filter. Here is an example of adding

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a signal processing filter system according to the third embodiment. Also in the example of the third embodiment, the platform is a personal computer. Further, the same elements as those in the schematic configuration diagram of the signal processing filter system of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the signal processing filter system according to the third embodiment, the music reproduction application downloads music data compressed by MPEG Audio or the like via the Internet, decodes the data, decodes the data, and outputs the music from the speaker. Playback output. At this time, various acoustic characteristics are added using a FIR filter 1/2 /./ n as a signal processing filter unit.

The application of the third embodiment is a music reproduction application 10b.

The interface providing unit 20 is the same as that shown in the first embodiment, and
0b, a sound card driver 30b as a hardware driver, and a second interface 2 for a modem driver 30c.
2. Control the third interface 23 for the FIR filter as the signal processing filter unit 50a. Also,
The interface to the interface control unit 60 is also defined as a part 21 ′ of the first interface 21.

In the third embodiment, as hardware that is a peripheral device of the computer system, a sound card 40b and a speaker 40d connected to the sound card 40b as hardware related to audio output, and a modem as hardware related to network communication. 40c. The modem 40c is generally connected to the Internet 40e via a provider. The hardware driver includes a sound card driver 30b for controlling the sound card 40b and a modem driver 30c for controlling the modem 40c. As mentioned above,
Sound card driver 30b and modem driver 30c
Are controlled by the interface providing unit 20 via the second interface 22.

Next, an FIR filter is used as the signal processing filter section 50a. Here, a plurality of FIR filters can be prepared to form an FIR filter group. For example, FIR1, FIR2,..., FIRn are prepared. The acoustic characteristics of a concert hall, stadium, etc. can be represented by an impulse response measured at the place. By preparing an FIR filter group using the impulse response as a coefficient, the acoustic properties of the place are added to the reproduced music. can do. Therefore, switching of the FIR filter to add acoustic characteristics of various places can be realized by changing the filter coefficient and the number of taps.

Next, the interface control unit 60 is provided with the interface providing unit 20 in the same manner as described in the first embodiment.
Control for setting the contents of the interface and the interface providing unit 2
This is the part for observing the state of 0. Here, selection of ON / OFF of the addition of the acoustic characteristic and the signal processing filter unit 50a
, / N, which is used as a filter, is also selected. Of course, the interface control unit 60
As described in the second embodiment, the music playback application 10b, the sound card driver 30b, and the modem driver 30c have an interface control function, and when these are incorporated, the interface providing unit 20 is autonomously provided. May be changed.

A flow of a process of downloading and reproducing music data using the Internet by a computer to which the signal processing filter system according to the third embodiment configured as described above is applied will be described.

First, the music reproduction application 10b is activated, and starts using a hardware driver for a necessary peripheral device. Here, a sound card driver 30b for the sound card 40b and a modem driver 30c for the modem 40c are used. The setting contents of the interface providing unit 20 are updated via the interface control unit 60.

Next, the user selects an acoustic characteristic to be set. Here, for example, "concert hall", "stadium",
Select the desired playback environment, such as "disco". The interface control unit 60 changes the setting contents of the interface providing unit 20 via the interface 21 ′ defined as a part of the first interface with the specified contents. Further, an FIR filter that gives the selected acoustic characteristic via the third interface 23 is selected (for example, the FIR filter 1 that executes the acoustic characteristic adding process of the concert hall for the designation of “concert hall” is selected). ).

The music reproduction application 10b downloads music data from a site on the Internet. The instruction content is given via the first interface 21, and controlled by the interface providing unit 20 via the second interface 22.
c and passed through the modem 40c to the Internet 40
Request download of music data to the designated site on e. The designated site on the Internet 40e distributes the designated music data in the MPEG Audio compression format to the computer, receives the music data via the modem 40c and the modem driver 30c, and transmits the music data to the interface providing unit 20 via the second interface. It is passed to the music reproduction application 10b via the first interface under the control of the interface providing unit 20.

The music playback application 10b is an MP
When playing back music data in the EGA Audio compression format,
The FIR filter selected by the interface control unit 60 to add a designated acoustic characteristic (for example, a concert hall) is used (for example, the FIR filter 1). The reproduced music data stream is passed from the first interface 21 to the interface providing unit 20, and is passed to the signal processing filter unit 50a via the third interface 23 under the control of the interface providing unit 20 to add desired acoustic characteristics. Is done. The music data subjected to the acoustic characteristic addition processing is passed to the interface providing unit 20 via the third interface 23, and returns to the music reproduction application 10b via the first interface 21 under the control of the interface providing unit 20.

Next, the music data stream to which the desired acoustic characteristics have been added is passed to the interface providing unit 20 via the first interface 21, and the sound card driver is controlled by the second interface 22 under the control of the interface providing unit 20. 30b, passed from the sound card 40b to the speaker 40d, and output as music from the speaker 40d. After the desired sound characteristics are added by the signal processing unit 50a, the interface controller 20 directly sends the sound card driver 30b from the second interface 22 and the speaker 40d from the sound card 40b.
May be output to the speaker 40d as music.

As described above, according to the signal processing filter system of Embodiment 3, by providing one set of FIR filters, when downloading and reproducing music data using the Internet, the FIR type signal processing filter can be used. Thus, the acoustic characteristics of a concert hall or stadium can be added to the reproduced music, and there is no need to separately provide an FIR filter in a music reproduction application, a sound card driver, or the like. Even if a new FIR filter is developed, the FIR filter can be additionally mounted on the signal processing filter unit only by making it correspond to the third interface 23 between the FIR filter and the interface providing unit 20. Further, the FIR filter processing can be executed when an existing music reproduction application or an existing sound card which is not expected to use the FIR filter is used.

(Embodiment 4) As Embodiment 4 of the present invention, a case where a desired signal processing filter and signal processing software are not mounted on a personal computer serving as a platform on which the signal processing filter system is constructed. In addition, signal processing is executed by using a signal processing filter and software for signal processing on the network via the network. In this example, the MPE stored on the hard disk on the platform
When playing back compressed audio data in the GAudio format, add various acoustic characteristics by performing music data signal processing using signal processing filters and signal processing software on another personal computer on a remote network. Then, an example is shown in which reproduced music is output from a speaker on its own platform.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a signal processing filter system according to the fourth embodiment. Also in the example of the fourth embodiment, the platform is a personal computer. In addition, the same elements as those in the schematic configuration diagram of the signal processing filter system of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment and FIG. 3 described in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted as appropriate. I do.

In the fourth embodiment, the application
The music reproduction application 10b. The interface providing unit 20 is provided with a first interface 21 as an interface with the music reproduction application 10b.

A sound card 40b, a speaker 40d, and a hard disk 40f are provided as peripheral hardware. Sound card driver 30 that controls sound card 40b as a hardware driver
b, a hard disk driver 30f for controlling the hard disk 40f is provided. The interface providing unit 20 is provided with a second interface 22 as an interface with the sound card driver 30b and the hard disk driver 30f.

The interface control unit 60 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The interface providing unit 20 is provided with 21 ′ as a part of the first interface 21 as an interface with the interface control unit 60.

In the fourth embodiment, the signal processing filter unit 5
0b is not provided on this platform, but is on another personal computer 80 connected via the Internet. In the fourth embodiment, the third interface 23a of the interface providing unit 20 is an interface with the network resource control unit 70. The network resource control unit 70 is a part that manages resources on the network that can be accessed from the platform and controls access to the resources. Based on the instruction content passed from the music reproduction application 10b, a signal processing filter resource on a network that can execute necessary signal processing is selected from registered signal processing filter resources, and a modem driver 30c and a modem Personal computer 80 connected via the Internet via the Internet 40c
Controls data communication between and.

As an example of the signal processing filter unit 50b on the network according to the fourth embodiment, the FI
An R filter can be used. Again multiple FIs
R filter can be assumed, music playback application 10
b) Switching and selecting an FIR filter for adding an acoustic characteristic according to the reproduction environment of the music selected in b.

The flow of music data reproduction processing of the signal processing filter system according to Embodiment 4 configured as described above will be described.

First, the music playback application 10b is activated, and starts using the hardware driver for the necessary peripheral device. Here, the sound card driver 30b for the speaker 40d, the hard disk 40f
Hard disk driver 30f is used.
The setting contents of the interface providing unit 20 are updated via the interface control unit 60.

Next, the user selects an acoustic characteristic to be set. Here, for example, a reproduction environment of a concert hall is selected via the interface control unit 60.
The interface control unit 60 changes the setting contents of the interface providing unit 20 via the interface 21 ′ defined as a part of the first interface with the specified contents. Also, the third interface 23a
, The designation of the type of FIR filter that gives the selected acoustic characteristic to the network resource control unit 70.

The music reproduction application 10b takes in compressed audio data in MPEG Audio format from the hard disk 40f. The instruction content is provided via the first interface 21 and the interface providing unit 20
Is passed to the hard disk driver 30f via the second interface 22 under the control of
Extract compressed audio data in MPEG Audio format from f. The designated music data in the MPEG Audio compression format is transferred to the interface providing unit 20 via the hard disk driver 30f and the second interface 22, and is transferred to the music reproduction application 10b under the control of the interface providing unit 20.

The music reproduction application 10b is an MP
After decompressing the music data in the EGA Audio compression format, the signal processing filter unit 50b on the network is used to add the designated acoustic characteristics upon reproduction (for example, the FIR filter 1). The expanded music data stream includes information indicating the content of the acoustic characteristic to be added (or the content of the signal processing filter) and the first interface 2.
1 to the interface providing unit 20, and the third interface 23 is controlled by the interface providing unit 20.
The data is passed to the network resource control unit 70 via a. The network resource control unit 70 searches for a resource on the network that can execute the processing based on information indicating the content of the acoustic characteristic to be added (or the content of the signal processing filter), and a personal computer on the network that holds the resource. By designating the address of the (site) 80, the data stream is sent to the network via the modem driver 30c and the modem 40c.

The personal computer (site) 80 on the network converts the data stream into a designated signal processing filter 50b (F) based on the received data content.
The sound characteristic adding process is performed through the IR filter 1), and the result is returned to the platform.

The music data subjected to the acoustic characteristic addition processing is received by the modem driver 30c through the modem 40c, and further passed to the interface providing unit 20 through the network resource control unit 70 and the third interface 23a. The control returns to the music reproduction application 10b via the first interface 21 under the control of the interface providing unit 20.

Next, the music data stream to which the desired acoustic characteristics have been added is passed to the interface providing unit 20 via the first interface 21, and the sound card driver is controlled by the second interface 22 under the control of the interface providing unit 20. 30b, passed from the sound card 40b to the speaker 40d, and output as music from the speaker 40d. Also, after the desired acoustic characteristics have been added,
The sound may be directly passed from the interface controller 20 to the sound card driver 30b from the second interface 22 and from the sound card 40b to the speaker 40d, and output from the speaker 40d as music.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, even when a desired signal processing filter and signal processing software are not mounted on a personal computer serving as a platform on which the signal processing filter system is constructed. The signal processing can be executed by using a signal processing filter and software for signal processing on the network via the network. Processing capability of a personal computer that actually performs signal processing on the network,
If the signal processing filter capacity and the memory capacity are sufficient, even if the processing capacity and the memory capacity of a personal computer serving as a platform for playing music with speakers are small, it is possible to reproduce data subjected to advanced data signal processing in a short time. .

(Embodiment 5) Embodiment 5 is a modification of the configuration of the signal processing filter section. As a configuration of the signal processing filter unit, a media-dependent signal processing unit that depends on the signal medium and a media-independent signal processing unit that does not depend on the signal medium are provided, and a media-dependent signal processing unit is prepared for each signal medium to be received, It is used in common.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the signal processing filter section 50c of the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the signal processing filter unit 50c is provided with a media-dependent signal processing unit 51 for each signal medium as a signal input / output stage.
In the example of FIG. 5, two parts, an audio signal input / output processing part 51a and an image signal input / output processing part 51b, are provided. The signal processing filter unit 50c is provided with a media-independent signal processing unit 52 that does not depend on signal media as a unit that performs signal processing such as filter processing. In the example of FIG. 5, two FIR filter units 52a and IIR filter units 52b are provided.

The signal processing filter section 50c of the fifth embodiment
The following is an example of the processing using. If the FIR filter processing is performed on the audio signal, the input audio signal is passed to the FIR filter unit 52a via the audio signal input / output processing unit 51a. When performing IIR filter processing on an audio signal, the input audio signal is passed to the IIR filter section 52b via the audio signal input / output processing section 51a. As described above, by providing the audio signal input / output processing unit 51a depending on the audio medium as a common input stage for the audio signal, the FIR filter unit 52a and the IIR filter unit 52b are provided.
Eliminates the need to individually have an audio signal input / output processing section as an input stage. Similarly, since the image signal input / output processing unit 51b is provided as a common input stage for the image signal, the FIR filter unit 52a and the IIR filter unit 52b
Eliminates the need to individually have an image signal input / output processing section as an input stage.

As described above, according to the signal processing filter system of the fifth embodiment, the signal processing filter unit has a media-dependent signal processing unit that depends on the signal medium for each signal medium to be accepted, and a signal processing unit that depends on the signal medium. Media independent signal processing part,
It is not necessary to prepare duplicate media-dependent signal processing portions as input stages, so that the system configuration can be simplified and the system cost can be reduced.

[0089]

According to the signal processing filter system of the present invention, the signal processing filter unit is provided between the application and the hardware driver and provided independently of each other, and the signal processing filter unit is provided. The providing unit has a first interface for the application, a second interface for the hardware driver, and a third interface for the signal processing filter unit, so that the providing unit depends on the application, the hardware, and the hardware driver. Instead, it is possible to have a mechanism that can use the prepared signal processing filters in common.

Even if the application is an existing application that does not have a control function for the signal processing filter unit and the hardware driver, the interface providing unit may use the signal processing filter unit via the first interface for the existing application. The configuration that provides a control function for a hardware driver provides an environment in which a new signal medium can be processed using the signal processing filter even for an existing application that does not assume the use of the signal processing filter. It is possible to do. Similarly, even if the hardware driver is an existing hardware driver that does not assume the use of the signal processing filter unit, the interface providing unit uses the existing hardware driver via the second interface. With this configuration, signal processing of data captured by existing hardware and hardware drivers can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a signal processing filter system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a signal processing filter system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a signal processing filter system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a signal processing filter system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a signal processing filter unit 5 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
Diagram showing the configuration of 0b

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of hardware and software of a conventional PC that has been widely used.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration (a) in which a signal processing filter function is incorporated in a conventional application and a configuration (b) in which a signal processing filter function is incorporated in middleware which is a library.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration (a) in which a signal processing filter function is incorporated in a conventional hardware driver and a configuration (b) in which a signal processing filter function is incorporated in hardware.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 10a application 10b music reproduction application 20 interface providing unit 21 first interface 22 second interface 23, 23a third interface 30, 30a hardware driver 30b sound card driver 30c modem driver 30f hard disk driver 40 hardware 40b sound Card 40c Modem 40d Speaker 40e Internet 40f Hard disk 50, 50a, 50b, 50c Signal processing filter section 51 Media dependent signal processing section 51a Audio signal input / output processing section 51b Image signal input / output processing section 52 Media independent signal processing section 52a FIR filter Unit 52b IIR filter unit 60 interface control unit 70 network resource control Part 80 Personal computer on network

Claims (7)

[Claims] A first interface for the application, a second interface for the hardware driver, a second interface for the hardware driver, and a second interface for the signal processing filter. And an interface providing unit that mediates and controls the exchange of data between the first to third interfaces. The application includes a first interface and a third interface of the interface providing unit. Exchanges data with the signal processing filter unit through the filter processing unit using the signal processing filter unit, and executes a first interface and a second interface of the interface providing unit.
A signal processing filter system capable of exchanging processing signals with the hardware driver via the interface of (1). A second interface for the application, a second interface for the hardware driver, and a second interface for the network resource control unit, the network interface being located between the network resource control unit, the application and the hardware driver; An interface providing unit for mediating and controlling data exchange between the first to third interfaces, the network resource control unit having access means for a signal processing filter resource on a network. The application uses the network resource control unit via the first interface and the third interface of the interface providing unit, and controls the signal processing filter resources and data on the network. And performing filter processing using the signal processing filter, and exchanging a processing signal with the hardware driver via a first interface and a second interface of the interface providing unit. Filter system. 3. When the application is an application that does not have a function of controlling the signal processing filter unit and the hardware driver, the interface providing unit may control the signal processing filter unit and the hardware driver via the second interface. 3. The mediation and control of data exchange between an application and the hardware driver and data exchange between the application and the signal processing filter unit via the first interface and the third interface. 4. The signal processing filter system according to any one of the above. 4. In a case where the hardware driver is a hardware driver having no control function for the signal processing filter unit, the interface providing unit may control the hardware processing via the second interface and a third interface. The signal processing filter system according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing filter system mediates and controls data exchange between a wear driver and the signal processing filter unit. 5. The processing content of the interface providing unit can be controlled from the application.
Or the signal processing filter system according to any one of 2. 6. The signal processing filter system according to claim 1, wherein the processing content of the interface providing unit is controllable from the hardware driver. 7. The signal processing filter includes a media-dependent signal processing portion that depends on a signal medium and a media-independent signal processing portion that does not depend on a signal medium, and for each signal medium that is to receive the media-dependent signal processing portion. 3. The signal processing filter system according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing filter system is prepared and used, and the media-independent signal processing portion is commonly used by all signal media to be received. 4.