Presentation-quality buffering process for real-time audio
US7162418B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 15, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10L19/167
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A buffering process for real-time digital audio is provided to effect of network “jitter” from inconsistent network packet delivery rates. The buffering algorithm is particularly useful for audio data including distinct bursts separated by silence, such as speech. The process holds incoming audio packets in a queue until either: (a) the buffer contents meet a predetermined threshold; or (b) the end packet of a burst is received. The result is that silent periods between bursts may expand or decrease relative to the original audio pattern, allowing cumulative jitter to be played out as silence. The threshold is sized such that the deviation in silence is unnoticeable by a listener. In an optional embodiment, the process periodically adjusts the threshold to adapt to network conditions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.