Patent ID: 6501717
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: H04S

Abstract:
An audio signal processing apparatus comprising:detecting means for detecting levels of digital audio signals of a respective plurality of channels; predicting means for predicting, based on the detected levels, whether or not an overflow of at least one combined audio signal calculated in a predetermined manner from the digital audio signals having the detected levels will occur; attenuation means for attenuating a portion of a digital audio signal of at least one channel of the plurality of channels when the predicting means predicts that an overflow will occur, to thereby prevent said overflow; and calculating means for calculating the at least one combined audio signal in said predetermined manner from the digital audio signals including the at least one attenuated digital audio signal; whereby said predicting means detects the frequency of attenuation of said at least one digital audio signal and determines if the frequency exceeds a predetermined threshold and, when the frequency does exceed said predetermined threshold, said attenuation means attenuates the entirety of said digital audio signal of at least one channel.