Apparatus, system and method for buffering audio data to allow low power states in a processing system during audio playback

Abstract

An audio data stream from a processing system may be buffered to allow low power states in the processing system during audio playback. An audio buffer may be provided external to the processing system and between the processing system and an audio codec. The audio buffer may also shift to an alternate audio data interface mode when the processing system is in the low power state. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an audio buffer control configured to be coupled to an audio controller in a processing system and configured to control buffering of at least one audio data stream received from the audio controller in the processing system; and   an audio codec coupled to the audio buffer, the audio codec being configured to receive buffered audio data stream transferred from the audio buffer and to convert the buffered audio data stream into at least one audio output, the audio buffer control being configured to transfer the buffered audio data stream to the audio codec independent of a low power state of the processing system.