Low power digital audio decoding/playing system for computing devices

• US 20030088326A1
• Filed: 10/17/2002
• Published: 05/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maishi Electronic (Shanghai) Limited
• Original Assignee: O2 Micro International Limited (O2 Micro Incorporated)
• Inventors: Du, Sterling, Lam, James, Denning, Bruce
• Granted Patent: US 7,522,966 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3293 by switching to a less power-consuming processor, e.g. sub-CPU
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A low-power digital audio decoding and playing system and method for computing devices provides a low-cost, low power-consumption, long-battery-life audio playing and decoding system, which may be used to play compressed audio files of various formats. A software only solution for such a system is provided. Various applications including media select applications, voice recording applications, digital device applications, and remote control applications are also provided.

Claims

1. A computer system adapted to play audio files in an audio compression mode, said computer system comprising:

a system CPU responsive to a control signal to load a first operating system or a second operating system, wherein said first operating system is run by said computer system in a first operation mode and said second operating system is run by said computer system in a second audio compression mode; and

at least one function key configured to enable a user to enter a directory mode while said computer system is in said second audio compression mode, said directory mode providing said user access to a directory of said audio files.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein said at least one function key is further configured to enable said user to exit said directory mode.

3. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising at least a second function key configured to enable said user to search said audio files in said directory mode.

4. The computer system of claim 3, wherein said second function key is configured to enable said user to select said audio files in said directory mode.

5. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising a video display screen, wherein said video display screen is configured to display directory data to aid said user in navigating in said directory mode.

6. The computer system of claim 5, wherein said directory data comprises audio file name data and directory name data.

7. A computer system adapted to play audio files in an audio compression mode, said computer system comprising:

a system CPU responsive to a control signal to load a first operating system or a second operating system, wherein said first operating system is run by said computer system in a first operation mode and said second operating system is run by said computer system in a second audio compression mode, and wherein said computer system operating in said audio compression mode operates software applications selected from the group consisting of media select applications, voice recording applications, digital device applications, and remote control applications.

8. A computer system adapted to play audio files, said computer system comprising:

a system CPU;

memory;

at least one drive comprising compressed audio data;

an input audio device;

a first operating system adapted to control at least said system CPU and said memory; and

a second operating system, said second operating system configured to cause said system CPU to decompress said compressed data and store said compressed data in said memory, wherein said second operating system is also configured to permit a user to input analog voice data into said input audio device during a voice recording application.

9. The computer system of claim 8, further comprising a codec configured to receive said analog voice data from said input audio device and convert said analog voice data into digital audio data representative of said analog voice data, and wherein said system CPU is also configured to compress said digital audio data into a compressed audio recorded file, wherein said compressed audio data comprises said compressed audio recorded file.

10. The computer system of claim 9, further comprising an IC having a buffer configured to store said digital audio data, and wherein said system CPU has a first power state, a second power state, and a third power state, said system CPU consuming less power in said second state than in said first power state, and said system CPU consuming less in said third power state than in said second power state, wherein said IC and said second operating system is configured to enable said CPU to enter said third power state when said buffer reaches a predetermined low data condition.

11. The computer system of claim 10, wherein said first power state is state C0 and said third power state is state C3.

12. The computer system of claim 10, wherein said buffer comprises a FIFO buffer.

13. The computer system of claim 10, wherein said IC provides a wake up signal to said system CPU when said buffer reaches a predetermined full data condition, and wherein said system CPU is responsive to said wake up signal to change from said third power state to said first power state, said system CPU performing said compression of said digital audio data into said compressed audio recorded file while in said first power state.

14. A computer system adapted to play audio files, said computer system comprising:

a system CPU;

memory;

at least one drive comprising compressed audio data;

a first operating system adapted to control at least said system CPU and said memory; and

a second operating system, said second operating system configured to cause said system CPU to decompress said compressed data and store said compressed. data in said memory, wherein said second operating system is also configured to permit a user to input digital data from a digital device.

15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein said digital device comprises a digital camera.

16. The computer system of claim 14, wherein said digital device is integral with said computer system.

17. The computer system of claim 15, further comprising an IC, and wherein said system CPU has a first power state and a second power state, wherein said CPU consumes less power in said second power state than in said first power state, and wherein said digital camera is integral with said computer system, and wherein said IC is configured to enable said system CPU to enter said second power state until said digital camera is ready to take a picture.

18. A computer system adapted to play audio files, said computer system comprising:

a system CPU;

memory;

a transceiver;

at least one drive comprising compressed audio data;

a first operating system adapted to control at least said system CPU and said memory; and

a second operating system, said second operating system configured to cause said system CPU to decompress said compressed data and store said compressed data in said memory, wherein said second operating system is also configured to permit a user to control said computer system from a remote controller which provides remote control signals to said transceiver.

19. A computer system adapted to play audio files in an audio compression mode, said computer system comprising:

a transceiver; and

a system CPU responsive to a control signal to load a first operating system or a second operating system, wherein said first operating system is run by said computer system in a first operation mode and said second operating system is run by said computer system in a second audio compression mode, wherein said control signal is provided by said transceiver after receiving a remote control signal from an associated remote controller.