Low power digital audio decoding/playing system for computing devices
First Claim
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1. A machine-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to perform a method of playing audio files, said method comprising:
- providing compressed audio data to a processor of said computer system for decompressing said compressed audio data, thereby providing decompressed audio data;
storing said decompressed audio data in a memory of said computer system;
transferring said decompressed audio data from said processor to an output amplifier through a first transfer path through a circuit situated between said processor and said output amplifier if said computer system is operated by a first operating system; and
transferring said decompressed audio data from said processor to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuit that differs from said first transfer path if said computer system is operated by a second operating system, wherein on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path, play of said decompressed audio data is controlled using user-actuated function keys that are coupled to said circuit.
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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.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A machine-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to perform a method of playing audio files, said method comprising:
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providing compressed audio data to a processor of said computer system for decompressing said compressed audio data, thereby providing decompressed audio data; storing said decompressed audio data in a memory of said computer system; transferring said decompressed audio data from said processor to an output amplifier through a first transfer path through a circuit situated between said processor and said output amplifier if said computer system is operated by a first operating system; and transferring said decompressed audio data from said processor to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuit that differs from said first transfer path if said computer system is operated by a second operating system, wherein on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path, play of said decompressed audio data is controlled using user-actuated function keys that are coupled to said circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A personal computer (PC) adapted to function as a decompressed audio player, said PC comprising:
a central processing unit (CPU) responsive to a control signal to load either a first operating system or a second operating system, wherein said first operating system is run by said PC in a first PC mode and said second operating system is run by said PC in a second compressed audio mode, wherein compressed audio data residing in at least one drive of said PC is decompressed by said CPU into decompressed audio data, and wherein said decompressed audio data is transferred from said CPU to an output amplifier through a first transfer path through a circuit situated between said CPU and said output amplifier if said PC operates in said first PC mode, and wherein said decompressed audio data is transferred from said CPU to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuit if said PC operates in said second compressed audio mode, wherein on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path, play of said decompressed audio data is controlled using user-actuated function keys that are coupled to said circuit. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method of operating a personal computer (PC) in either a first personal computer (PC) mode or a second compressed audio performance mode comprising:
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initiating a control signal; loading either a first or second operating system based on said control signal, wherein said first operating system operates said PC in said first PC mode and said second operating system operates said PC in said second compressed audio performance mode; providing compressed audio data to a central processing unit (CPU) of said PC; decompressing said compressed audio data into decompressed audio data; transferring said decompressed audio data from said CPU to an output amplifier through a first transfer path through a circuit situated between said CPU and said output amplifier if said PC operates in said first PC mode; and transferring said decompressed audio data from said CPU to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuit that differs from said first transfer path if said PC operates in said second compressed audio performance mode, wherein on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path, play of said decompressed audio data is controlled using user-actuated function keys that are coupled to said circuit. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A machine-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to perform a method of playing audio files, said method comprising:
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selecting compressed audio data by activation of at least one function key; reading said compressed audio data; providing said compressed audio data to a processor of said computer system for decompressing said compressed audio data, thereby providing decompressed audio data; storing said decompressed audio data in a memory coupled to said processor of said computer system; transferring said decompressed audio data from said processor to an output amplifier through a first transfer path through a circuit situated between said processor and said output amplifier if said computer system is operated by a first operating system; and transferring said decompressed audio data from said processor to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuit that differs from said first transfer path if said computer system is operated by a second operating system, wherein on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path, play of said decompressed audio data is controlled using user-actuated function keys that are coupled to said circuit. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A personal computer (PC) adapted to play audio files, said PC comprising:
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a system CPU; a memory coupled to said system CPU; and a machine-readable medium coupled to said system CPU and whose contents cause said PC to perform a method of playing said audio files, said method comprising; selecting compressed audio data by activation of at least one function key; reading said compressed audio data; providing said compressed audio data to said system CPU for decompressing said compressed audio data, thereby providing decompressed audio data; storing said decompressed audio data in said memory of said PC; transferring said decompressed audio data from said system CPU to an output amplifier through a first transfer path through a circuit situated between said system CPU and said output amplifier if said PC is operated by a first operating system; and transferring said decompressed audio data from said system CPU to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuit that differs from said first transfer path if said PC is operated by a second operating system, wherein on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path, play of said decompressed audio data is controlled using user-actuated function keys that are coupled to said circuit. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification