Low-delay signal processing based on highly oversampled digital processing

A low-delay signal data processing system comprising:

• a delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter for receiving an audio signal and for generating a digital sample signal at a high oversampling rate;
• oversampling processor including a low-delay filter connected to said analog-to-digital converter for processing the digital sample signal at the high oversampling rate with low-delay;
• and
• a delta-sigma digital-to-analog converter connected to said oversampling processor for receiving the digital sample signal at the high oversampling rate with low-delay for generating an analog signal.

A low-delay signal processing method comprising the steps of:

• generating a digital sample signal at a high oversampling rate from a delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter;
• processing the digital sample signal at the high oversampling rate through an oversampling processing path having a low-delay filter to produce a low-delay signal;
• and
• receiving the low-delay signal in a delta-sigma digital-to-analog converter to convert the low-delay signal into an analog signal with low delay.

A low-delay headphone system comprising:

• a microphone for converting sound into an audio signal;
• a delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter for receiving said audio signal and for generating a digital sample signal at a high oversampling rate;
• an oversampling processor including a low-delay filter connected to said analog-to-digital converter for processing said digital sample signal at the high oversampling rate with low-delay;
• a delta-sigma digital-to-analog converter connected to said oversampling processor for receiving said digital sample signal at the high oversampling rate with low-delay for generating an analog signal;
• and
• a speaker for converting said analog signal into a sound signal.

A low-delay portable audio player adapted to be connected to a headphone and a microphone, said audio player comprising:

• the microphone being used to convert sound into an audio signal;
• a delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter for receiving said audio signal and for generating a digital sample signal at a high oversampling rate;
• an oversampling processor including a low-delay filter connected to said analog-to-digital converter for processing said digital sample signal at the high oversampling rate with low-delay;
• a delta-sigma digital-to-analog converter connected to said oversampling processor for receiving said digital sample signal at the high oversampling rate with a low-delay for generating an analog signal;
• and
• a speaker disposed in the headphone for converting said analog signal into a sound signal.