Low power digital audio decoding/playing system for computing devices

• US 7,526,349 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2001
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maishi Electronic (Shanghai) Limited
• Original Assignee: O2 Micro International Limited (O2 Micro Incorporated)
• Inventors: Du, Sterling, Chan, Reginia, Densham, William L., Her, Sheau Chuen, Lam, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Flanders, Andrew C
• Application Number:
  US09/921,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20020068988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,826 Days
• Field of Search: 700/94, 710/14
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/32 Means for saving power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4406 Loading of operating system

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. In one aspect, a computer system adapted to play audio files comprises a system CPU, memory, at least one drive comprising compressed audio data, and an audio controller coupled to the system CPU, memory and drive. The audio controller is adapted to cause the drive to read the compressed audio data from the drive, to cause the system CPU to decompress the compressed audio data from the drive into decompressed audio data, to cause the decompressed audio to be stored in the memory, and to cause the decompressed audio data to be retrieved from the memory for playing.

Claims

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

a system CPU;

at least one drive coupled to said system CPU and having stored thereon an audio file comprising compressed audio data; and

circuitry coupled between said drive and a digital-to-analog converter, said circuitry also coupled to user-actuated function keys;

wherein a first operating system is adapted to control at least said system CPU and is executed when said computer system is operating in a first mode, said first operating system adapted to decompress said compressed audio data if said computer system is operated by said first operating system; and

wherein a second operating system is executed instead of said first operating system when said computer system is operating in a second mode, said second operating system adapted to decompress said compressed audio data if said computer system is operated by said second operating system, wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said digital-to-analog converter through a first transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said digital-to-analog converter through a second transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said second operating system, wherein on said first transfer path said decompressed audio data is not modified by said circuitry but on said second transfer path play of said decompressed audio data is subject to said function keys.

50. The computer system of claim 1 wherein said circuitry is coupled between a South Bridge and said digital-to-analog converter.

51. The computer system of claim 50 wherein said circuitry is coupled to said South Bridge via a first AC_link and to said digital-to-analog converter via a second AC_link.

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

a system CPU;

at least one drive coupled to said system CPU and having compressed audio data stored thereon; and

circuitry coupled between said drive and a digital-to-analog converter, said circuitry also coupled to user-actuated function keys;

wherein a first operating system is adapted to control at least said system CPU and is executed when said computer system is operating in a first mode, said first operating system adapted to decompress said compressed audio data if said computer system is operated by said first operating system; and

wherein a second operating system is executed instead of said first operating system when said computer system is operating in a second mode, said second operating system adapted to decompress said compressed audio data if said computer system is operated by said second operating system, wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said digital-to-analog converter through a first transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said digital-to-analog converter through a second transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said second operating system, wherein on said first transfer path said decompressed audio data is not modified by said circuitry but on said second transfer path play of said decompressed audio data is subject to said function keys.

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

a system CPU;

at least one drive coupled to said system CPU and having stored thereon compressed audio data; and

circuitry coupled between said drive and a digital-to-analog converter, said circuitry also coupled to user-actuated function keys;

wherein a mini-operating system runs instead of a first operating system controlling said computer system, wherein said mini-operating system operates only to play audio files, wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said digital-to-analog converter through a first transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein decompressed audio data is transferred through a second transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said mini-operating system, wherein play of said decompressed audio data is subject to said function keys on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path.

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

a memory that stores compressed audio data;

a system CPU coupled to said memory; and

circuitry coupled between said memory and an output amplifier, said circuitry also coupled to user-actuated function keys;

wherein a mini-operating system runs instead of a first operating system controlling said computer system, wherein said mini-operating system operates only to play audio files, wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said output amplifier through a first transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said mini-operating system, wherein on said first transfer path said decompressed audio data is not modified by said circuitry but on said second transfer path play of said decompressed audio data is subject to said function keys.

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

a memory that stores compressed audio data;

a system CPU coupled to said memory;

circuitry coupled between said memory and a codec, said circuitry also coupled to user-actuated function keys; and

an audio controller;

wherein a mini-operating system runs instead of a first operating system controlling said computer system, wherein said mini-operating system operates only to play audio files, wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said codec through a first transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said codec through a second transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said mini-operating system, wherein on said first transfer path said decompressed audio data is not modified by said circuitry but on said second transfer path play of said decompressed audio data is subject to said function keys.

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

a memory that stores compressed audio data;

a system CPU coupled to said memory;

an audio controller coupled to said memory; and

circuitry coupled between said memory and a codec, said circuitry also coupled to user-actuated function keys;

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

wherein a second operating system is stored in BIOS, said second operating system controlling said audio controller and said system CPU, wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said codec through a first transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said codec through a second transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said second operating system, wherein play of said decompressed audio data is subject to said function keys on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path.

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

a system CPU;

at least one drive coupled to said system CPU and having stored thereon an audio file comprising compressed audio data; and

circuitry coupled between said drive and a codec, said circuitry also coupled to user-actuated function keys;

wherein a first operating system is adapted to control at least said system CPU and decompress said compressed audio data, when said computer system is operating in a first mode;

wherein a play list software program is executable under said first operating system, said play list software program being adapted to permit selection and storage of a play list comprising said audio file; and

wherein a second operating system is executed instead of said first operating system when said computer system is operating in a second mode, said second operating system adapted to decompress said compressed audio data when said computer system is operating in said second mode, wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said codec through a first transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein said decompressed audio data is transferred to said codec through a second transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said second operating system, wherein on said first transfer path said decompressed audio data is not modified by said circuitry but on said second transfer path play of said decompressed audio data is subject to said function keys.

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

a system CPU;

a drive coupled to said system CPU and having stored thereon at least one compressed audio file; and

circuitry coupled between said drive and a codec, said circuitry also coupled to user-actuated function keys;

wherein a mini-operating system runs instead of a first operating system controlling said computer system, wherein said mini-operating system operates only to play audio files, and wherein said mini-operating system is stored in BIOS, said mini-operating system controlling said system CPU so as to cause said system CPU to decompress said at least one audio file to provide at least one decompressed audio file, and wherein said decompressed audio file is transferred to said codec through a first transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein said decompressed audio file is transferred to said codec through a second transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said mini-operating system, wherein on said first transfer path said decompressed audio data is not modified by said circuitry but on said second transfer path play of said decompressed audio data is subject to said function keys.

9. A method of playing audio files on a computer system, said method comprising:

booting a first operating system;

creating and storing a play list comprising a list of compressed audio files residing on at least one drive of a computer system having said at least one drive, a CPU, and a memory;

terminating said first operating system;

booting a second operating system upon activation by a switch, wherein said second operating system runs instead of said first operating system to operate only to play audio files, said second operating system being adapted to cause said system CPU to decompress said compressed audio files and store compressed audio data in said memory;

reading said play list;

reading said compressed audio files from said drive based on said play list;

providing said compressed audio files to said CPU for decompressing the data of said compressed audio file into decompressed audio data;

storing said decompressed audio data in said memory;

transferring said decompressed audio data to an output amplifier through a first transfer path through circuitry coupled between said memory and said output amplifier if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, wherein on said first transfer path said decompressed audio data is not modified by said circuitry; and

transferring said decompressed audio data from said CPU to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuitry that differs from said first transfer path if said computer system is operated by said second operating system, wherein on said second transfer path play of said decompressed audio data is subject to function keys coupled to said circuitry.

10. A method of playing audio files on a computer system, said method comprising:

booting a first operating system;

creating and storing a play list comprising a list of compressed audio files residing on one or more drives of a computer system having at least a drive, a CPU, and a memory;

terminating said first operating system;

booting a second operating system, wherein said second operating system runs instead of said first operating system to operate only to play audio files, and wherein said second operating system is stored in BIOS, said second operating system being adapted to cause said compressed audio files to be decompressed;

reading said play list;

reading said compressed audio files from said drive based on said play list;

decompressing said compressed audio data into decompressed audio data;

storing said decompressed audio data in said memory;

transferring said decompressed audio data to a codec through a first transfer path through circuitry coupled between said memory and said codec if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, wherein on said first transfer path said decompressed audio data is not modified by said circuitry; and

transferring said decompressed audio data to said codec through a second transfer path through said circuitry that differs from said first transfer path if said computer system is operated by said second operating system, wherein on said second transfer path play of said decompressed audio data is subject to user-actuated function keys coupled to said circuitry.

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

a system CPU;

a memory coupled to said system CPU;

at least one drive coupled to said system CPU and comprising compressed audio data;

circuitry coupled between said drive and a digital-to-analog converter, said circuitry also coupled to user-actuated function keys;

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

wherein a second operating system is adapted to cause said system CPU to decompress said compressed audio data and store decompressed audio data in said memory, wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said digital-to-analog converter through a first transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said digital-to-analog converter through a second transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said second operating system;

a first switch coupled to said system CPU, the activation of said first switch causing said first operating system to boot; and

a second switch coupled to said system CPU, the activation of said second switch causing said second operating system to boot.

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

a system CPU;

a memory coupled to said system CPU;

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

at least one drive coupled to said system CPU and comprising compressed audio data;

circuitry coupled between said drive and an output amplifier, said circuitry also coupled to user-actuated function keys;

wherein a second operating system runs independently of said first operating system, said second operating system being adapted to cause said system CPU to decompress said compressed audio data and store decompressed audio data in said memory, wherein decompressed audio data is transferred from said system CPU to said output amplifier through a first transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein decompressed audio data is transferred from said system CPU to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said second operating system, wherein play of said decompressed audio data is subject to said function keys on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path; and

a switch coupled to said system CPU, the activation of said switch causing said second operating system to boot.

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

a memory that stores compressed audio data;

a system CPU coupled to said memory;

circuitry coupled between said memory and a codec, said circuitry also coupled to user-actuated function keys;

wherein a first operating system is adapted to control at least said system CPU;

wherein a second operating system operates independently of said first operating system, said second operating system being adapted to cause said system CPU to decompress said compressed audio data to provide decompressed audio data, wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said codec through a first transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said codec through a second transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said second operating system, wherein on said first transfer path said decompressed audio data is not modified by said circuitry but on said second transfer path play of said decompressed audio data is subject to said function keys; and

a switch coupled to said memory, the activation of said switch causing said second operating system to boot and cause said system CPU to decompress said compressed audio data.

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

a memory that stores compressed audio data;

a system CPU coupled to said memory;

an audio controller coupled to said memory;

circuitry coupled between said memory and an output amplifier, said circuitry also coupled to user-actuated function keys;

wherein a first operating system is adapted to control at least said system CPU;

wherein a second operating system operates independently of said first operating system, said second operating system controlling said audio controller and said system CPU, so as to cause said system CPU to decompress said compressed audio data to provide decompressed audio data, wherein said decompressed audio data is transferred to said output amplifier through a first transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein decompressed audio data is transferred to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuitry if said computer system is operated by said second operating system, wherein play of said decompressed audio data is controlled in response to actuation of any one of said function keys when said decompressed audio data is transferred on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path; and

a switch coupled to said memory, the activation of said switch causing said second operating system to boot.

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

a system CPU;

a drive coupled to said system CPU and having stored thereon a compressed audio file;

a circuit coupled between said drive and an output amplifier, said circuit also coupled to user-actuated function keys;

wherein a mini-operating system runs instead of a first operating system controlling said computer system, wherein said mini-operating system only operates to play said audio files, said mini-operating system being stored in BIOS and adapted to control said system CPU so as to cause said system CPU to decompress said audio file to provide a decompressed audio file, wherein said decompressed audio file is transferred to said output amplifier through a first transfer path through said circuit if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein said decompressed audio file is transferred to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuit if said computer system is operated by said mini-operating system, wherein play of said decompressed audio data is controlled in response to actuation of any one of said function keys when said decompressed audio data is transferred on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path; and

a switch coupled to said system CPU, the activation of said switch causing said operating system to boot.

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

a system CPU capable of running under a first operating system;

a memory coupled to said system CPU;

a drive coupled to said system CPU and having stored thereon a compressed audio data;

an audio controller coupled to said system CPU, memory and drive; and

a circuit coupled between said drive and a codec, said circuit also coupled to user-actuated function keys;

said audio controller capable of running under a second operating system distinct from said first operating system, being adapted to cause said drive to read said compressed audio data, to cause said system CPU to decompress said compressed audio data, thereby providing decompressed audio data, and to cause said decompressed audio data to be stored in said memory, wherein said decompressed audio data is transferred to said coded through a first transfer path through said circuit if said system CPU runs under said first operating system, and wherein said decompressed audio data is transferred from said system CPU to said codec through a second transfer path through said circuit if said audio controller runs under said second operating system, wherein play of said decompressed audio data is controlled in response to actuation of any one of said function keys when said decompressed audio data is transferred on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path.

17. The computer system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said audio controller is further adapted to place said system CPU in standby state when said system CPU is not decompressing said compressed audio data.

18. The computer system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said audio controller is further adapted to cause said decompressed audio data to be retrieved from said memory for playing.

19. The computer system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said drive is selected from the group consisting of:

a hard disk, a removable disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, and an IDE device.

20. The computer system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said compressed audio data is in a format selected from the group consisting of:

MP3, WMA, AAC.

21. The computer system as claimed in claim 16, further comprising at least one digital computer bus, wherein said audio controller is coupled to at least one of said system CPU, memory, and drive via said digital computer bus.

22. The computer system as claimed in claim 16, further comprising an LCD interface for generating signals to an LCD display for displaying song name, file/directory name and/or timing data.

23. The computer system as claimed in claim 16, wherein a software driver receives interrupts generated by at least one of said function keys and passes said interrupts to said system CPU.

24. The computer system as claimed in claim 23, wherein said CPU utilizes said interrupts to control audio player software.

25. The computer system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said audio controller is adapted not to cause said drive to read said compressed audio data, nor to cause said system CPU to decompress said compressed audio data, nor to cause said decompressed audio data to be stored in said memory, unless said computer system is off, in hibernate mode, in suspend to HDD mode, or in one of power states S4 or S5.

26. The computer system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said audio controller is adapted not to cause said drive to read said compressed audio data, nor to cause said system CPU to decompress said compressed audio data, nor to cause said decompressed audio data to be stored in said memory, when said computer system is on, in sleep mode, in suspend to RAM mode, or in one of power states S0 or S3.

27. The computer system as claimed in claim 23, wherein said software driver is adapted not to receive said interrupts generated by at least one of said plurality of function keys nor pass said interrupts to said system CPU, unless said computer system is on, in sleep mode, in suspend to RAM mode, or in one of power states S0 or S3.

28. The computer system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said compressed audio data is stored in one or more audio files on said drive, said computer system further comprising a play list software program for creating and storing a play list comprising one or more said audio files.

29. The computer system as claimed in claim 28, wherein said play list software program is executable only when said computer is on or in power state S0.

30. The computer system as claimed in claim 29, wherein said audio controller is further adapted to cause said drive to read said compressed audio data based, at least in part, on said stored play list.

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

a system CPU capable of running under a first operating system;

a memory coupled to said system CPU;

at least one drive coupled to said system CPU and having compressed audio data stored thereon, said compressed audio data residing in one or more audio files;

a circuit coupled between said drive and an output amplifier, said circuit also coupled to user-actuated function keys;

wherein a play list software program selects a play list comprising one or more of said audio files; and

an audio controller coupled to said system CPU, memory and drive;

said audio controller capable of running under a second operating system distinct from said first operating system, being adapted to cause said drive to read at least one said audio file of said play list, to cause said system CPU to decompress the compressed audio data of said file and thereby provide decompressed audio data, and to cause said decompressed audio data to be stored in said memory, wherein said decompressed audio data is transferred to said output amplifier through a first transfer path through said circuit if said system CPU runs under said first operating system, and wherein said decompressed audio data is transferred from said system CPU to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuit if said audio controller runs under said second operating system, wherein said function keys generate commands that are used to control play of said decompressed audio data when said decompressed audio data is transferred on said second path but not when said decompressed audio data is transferred on said first path.

32. A method of playing audio files on a computer system, said method comprising:

reading compressed audio data from a drive of a computer system further comprising a CPU, BIOS and a memory;

decompressing said compressed audio data, thereby providing decompressed audio data;

storing said decompressed audio data for playback using a mini-operating system operating independently of a first operating system controlling said computer system;

transferring said decompressed audio data to an output amplifier through a first transfer path through a circuit coupled between said drive and said output amplifier if said computer system is operated by said first operating system; and

transferring said decompressed audio data from said CPU to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuit if said computer system is operated by said mini-operating system, wherein said second transfer path differs from said first transfer path, wherein said mini-operating system stored in said BIOS of said computer system is operable only to play said compressed audio data, wherein on said first transfer path said decompressed audio data is not modified by said circuit but on said second transfer path play of said decompressed audio data is subject to user-actuated function keys that are coupled to said circuit.

33. The method of playing audio files on a computer system as claimed in claim 32, further comprising placing said system CPU in a standby state when said system CPU is not decompressing said compressed audio data.

34. The method of playing audio files on a computer system as claimed in claim 32, further comprising retrieving said decompressed audio data from said memory for playing.

35. The method of playing audio files on a computer system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said drive is selected from the group consisting of:

a hard disk, a removable disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, a flash media, and an IDE device.

36. The method of playing audio files on a computer system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said compressed audio data is in a format selected from the group consisting of:

MP3, WMA, and AAC.

37. The method of playing audio files on a computer system as claimed in claim 32, further comprising generating signals to an LCD display for displaying song name, file/directory name and/or timing data.

38. The method of playing audio files on a computer system as claimed in claim 32, further comprising receiving user commands generated by at least one of said function keys and utilizing said user commands to control said playing.

39. The method of playing audio files on a computer system as claimed in claim 32, further comprising receiving interrupts generated by at least one of said function keys and passing said interrupts to said system CPU.

40. The method of playing audio files on a computer system as claimed in claim 39, wherein said computer system further comprises audio player software, and wherein said method further comprise utilizing said interrupts to control said audio player software.

41. The method of playing audio files on a computer system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said steps of reading compressed audio data from the drive of said computer system, providing said compressed audio data to said CPU, and storing said decompressed, audio data in said memory, are not performed unless paid computer system is off, in hibernate mode, in suspend to HDD mode, or in one of power states S4 or S5.

42. The method of playing audio files on a computer system as claimed in claim 39, wherein said steps of receiving interrupts generated by at least one of said plurality of function keys and passing said interrupts to said system CPU are not performed unless said computer system is on, in sleep mode, in suspend to RAM mode, or in one of power states S0 or S3.

43. A method of playing audio files on a computer system, said method comprising:

creating and storing a play list comprising a list of compressed audio files residing on one or more drives of a computer system further comprising a CPU and a memory;

reading said play list;

reading said compressed audio files from said drive based on said play list;

providing said compressed audio data to said CPU for decompressing the data of said compressed audio file into decompressed audio data;

storing said decompressed audio data in said memory for playback using a mini-operating system operating independently of a first operating system controlling said computer system;

transferring said decompressed audio data from said CPU to an output amplifier through a first transfer path through a circuit coupled between said drive and said output amplifier if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, wherein said circuit is coupled to a plurality of user-actuated function keys;

transferring said decompressed audio data from said CPU to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuit if said computer system is operated by said mini-operating system, wherein said second transfer path differs from said first transfer path and wherein said mini-operating system is operable only to play said compressed audio data, wherein on said first transfer path said decompressed audio data is not modified by said circuit but on said second transfer path play of said decompressed audio data is subject to user commands generated using said function keys; and

using said mini-operating system for retrieving said decompressed audio data from said memory for playing.

44. A method of playing audio files on a computer system, said method comprising:

when said computer system is on, in sleep mode, in suspend to RAM mode, or in one of power states S0 or S3, creating and storing a play list comprising a list of compressed audio files residing on one or more drives of a computer system further comprising a CPU and a memory, wherein said list of compressed audio files is stored for playback using a mini-operating system operating independently of a first operating system controlling said computer system, wherein said mini-operating system is operable only to play said compressed audio data when said computer system is off;

when said computer system is off, in hibernate mode, in suspend to HDD mode, or in one of power states S4 or S5, reading said play list;

when said computer system is off, in hibernate mode, in suspend to HDD mode, or in one of power states S4 or S5, reading said compressed audio files from said drive based on said play list;

when said computer system is off, in hibernate mode, in suspend to HDD mode, or in one of power states S4 or S5, providing said compressed audio data to said CPU for decompressing the data of said compressed audio file into decompressed audio data;

when said computer system is off, in hibernate mode, in suspend to HDD mode, or in one of power states S4 or S5, storing said decompressed audio data in said memory, wherein said decompressed audio data is transferred from said system CPU to an output amplifier through a first transfer path through a circuit coupled between said system CPU and said output amplifier if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein said decompressed audio data is transferred from said system CPU to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuit if said computer system is operated by said mini-operating system, wherein said circuit is coupled to a plurality of user-actuated function keys and wherein, on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path, play of said decompressed audio data is subject to user commands generated using said function keys; and

when said computer system is off, in hibernate mode, in suspend to HDD mode, or in one of power states S4 or S5, retrieving said decompressed audio data from said memory for playing.

45. A method of playing audio files on a computer system, said method comprising:

reading compressed audio data from the drive of a computer system, said computer system further comprising a CPU and a memory;

providing said compressed audio data to said CPU for decompressing said compressed audio data into decompressed audio data;

storing said decompressed audio data in said memory for playback using a mini-operating system operating independently of a first operating system controlling said computer system;

transferring said decompressed audio data from said CPU to an output amplifier through a first transfer path through a circuit coupled between said system CPU and said output amplifier if said computer system is operated by said first operating system;

transferring said decompressed audio data from said CPU to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuit if said computer system is operated by said mini-operating system, wherein said mini-operating system is operable only to play said compressed audio data, wherein said circuit is coupled to a plurality of user-actuated function keys and wherein, on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path, play of said decompressed audio data is subject to user commands generated using said function keys; and

using said mini-operating system for playing said decompressed audio data from said memory.

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

a memory having stored therein an audio file comprising compressed audio data;

at least one function key coupled to a circuit that is coupled between said memory and an output amplifier, said function key configured to enable a user to select said audio file and control play of said audio file;

a system CPU coupled to said memory;

an audio controller coupled to said memory; and

wherein a mini-operating system that only operates to play said audio files runs instead of a first operating system controlling said computer system, wherein said mini-operating system comprises file management software, said file management software configured to manage said audio file and to permit said user to access said audio file via said at least one function key, said operating system also configured to control said audio controller and said CPU to cause said CPU to decompress said audio file to provide a decompressed audio file, wherein said decompressed audio file is transferred from said system CPU to said output amplifier through a first transfer path through said circuit if said system CPU runs under said first operating system, and wherein said decompressed audio file is transferred from said system CPU to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuit if said audio controller runs under said mini-operating system, and wherein, on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path, play of said decompressed audio data is subject to user commands generated using said function key.

47. The computer system of claim 46, further comprising an LCD display configured to display a file/directory name for said audio files.

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

a system CPU;

a memory coupled to said system CPU;

at least one drive coupled to said system CPU and having stored thereon an audio file comprising compressed audio data;

at least one function key coupled to a circuit coupled between said drive and an output amplifier, said function key configured to enable a user to select said audio file and control play of said audio file; and

wherein a mini-operating system that only operates to play said audio files runs instead of a first operating system controlling said computer system wherein said mini-operating system comprising files management software, said file management software configured to manage said audio file and permit said user to access said audio file via said at least one function key, said operating system also configured to control said CPU to cause said CPU to decompress said audio file to provide a decompressed audio file, wherein said decompressed audio file is transferred from said system CPU to an output amplifier through a first transfer path through said circuit if said computer system is operated by said first operating system, and wherein said decompressed audio file is transferred from said system CPU to said output amplifier through a second transfer path through said circuit if said computer system is operated said mini-operating system, and wherein, on said second transfer path but not on said first transfer path, play of said decompressed audio data is subject to user commands generated using said function key.

49. The computer system of claim 48, further comprising an LCD display configured to display a file/directory name for said compressed audio data.