Patent ID: 6327631
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: H04H

Abstract:
Processing apparatus for a signal processing system comprising means for inputting and outputting audio signals and a network of interconnected processing units comprising a plurality of signal processors for digitally processing input signals in real time to generate output signals and a plurality of control processors for controlling the operation of said signal processors, said processing apparatus comprising means for automatically scheduling control tasks in said control processor(s) in a number of time slices, in which the automatically scheduling means includes time slice coordination means wherein said control processors communicate to coordinate the execution of successive time slices, in which said time slice coordination means includes a control line connected in common to each control processor, means for writing a busy signal having a first binary value from a respective control processor to said control line at a start of an operation of a respective task for a time slice for each said control processor and for maintaining said busy signal with said first binary value to said control line until completion of the respective task, means for writing a completion signal having a second binary value which is opposite to said first binary value from a respective control processor to said control line on completion of the respective task for the respective time slice for each said control processor, and means, responsive to said opposite binary value being returned on said control line which indicates that all control processors have completed their tasks for said respective time slice, for enabling each said control processor to commence operations for the next time slice.