Abstract: A compressed digital music adapting apparatus for vehicles is described, which includes a cigarette-lighter power port and an FM modulator/transmitter. The FM modulator/transmitter modulates compressed digital music from a digital music player and then transmits the modulated music to an FM receiver at a higher radiated power level when the apparatus is operating in a vehicle than when the apparatus is operated such that the compressed digital music is broadcasted outside the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing digital quality transmission of audio and non-audio information using low cost components and arrangement. The present invention provides for the transmission of the audio and non-audio transmission by first converting the data to conform to the CD standard format and conditioning the converted signal to thereby generate a conditioned EFM signal. The conditioned EFM signal is used to frequency modulate a carrier. By converting the audio and non-audio information to conform to the CD standard format, the present method provides a low cost means of transmitting the data with error detection and correction. Another aspect of the present invention relates to embedding the non-audio information in the SUBCODE block of the data frame according to the CD standard. The non-audio information may be unrelated to the audio information, and the audio and non-audio information may be transmitted to separate devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for processing encoded digital audio data, wherein the digital audio data is encoded using one of a plurality of encoding formats. The present invention prevents encoded digital audio data that has been copied onto a particular type of data storage medium having a unique identifier, such as a compactflash memory card, from another one of the particular type of data storage medium from being playable in an audio playback device according to the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, an encoded audio data file is encrypted using a unique identifier associated with the data storage device and a second key, an associated decoder file is encrypted using a first key, and the encrypted data and decoder files are stored onto the data storage device. During playback, a digital signal processor decrypt the audio data file in response to the second key and decrypts the decoder file in response to the first key.

Abstract: A digital audio player and a method for providing audio playlist files. The audio data player comprises a DSP coupled with data storage. Data storage is a high-volume storage device such a hard drive for storing audio data files. The method provides playlist records in a playlist file for use by audio data player by locating audio data files stored on data storage, reading content information for the audio data files, determining file pointers locating the audio data files, sorting the content information and file pointers by at least a portion of the content information, determining indexing information indicating the location and number of playlist records related by content information, and storing the content information, indexing information and file pointers in playlist records in a playlist. The method includes creating a number of playlist files, each sorted by different content information such as ID3 tag information stored in MP3 files, for example, artist, album, genre, and title.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing digital quality transmission of audio and non-audio information using low cost components and arrangement. The present invention provides for the transmission of the audio and non-audio transmission by first converting the data to conform to the CD standard format and conditioning the converted signal to thereby generate a conditioned EFM signal. The conditioned EFM signal is used to frequency modulate a carrier. By converting the audio and non-audio information to conform to the CD standard format, the present method provides a low cost means of transmitting the data with error detection and correction. Another aspect of the present invention relates to embedding the non-audio information in the SUBCODE block of the data frame according to the CD standard. The non-audio information may be unrelated to the audio information, and the audio and non-audio information may be transmitted to separate devices.

Abstract: A digital audio player and a method for processing encoded digital audio data, wherein the digital audio data is encoded using one of a plurality of encoding formats. The exemplary audio data player includes a hard disk or other data storage medium for storing data files, a microcontroller, buffer memory for anti-skip protection, and an audio decoder. The encoded audio data files and associated decoder files are downloaded from a personal computer or similar device to the audio data player hard drive. The player provides a menu-driven user interface for selection, sorting, and playback of stored audio data files. The audio decoder, generally a digital signal processor, provides various preset equalization modes. The preset modes are specific to audio genres such as jazz, pop, and rock.

Abstract: A digital audio player and a data structure and method for providing an audio playlist. The data structure includes a playlist record for each audio data file, each playlist record including a file pointer segment and an information segment having a plurality of content information fields and at least one indexing information field. A method of browsing audio file content information in an audio data player having a user interface includes providing at least one playlist including records stored in a predetermined sequence and including an information segment including content information fields and indexing information fields, outputting the content information fields to the user interface, receiving a playlist navigation signal from the user interface, and in response to the playlist navigation signal, using the indexing information fields to locate and output the content information fields for another record, the records related by the predetermined sequence and the navigation signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for detecting and concealing errors in stored digital samples. A multibit digital input sample is received and an error detecting code, corresponding to that input sample is calculated. Then a multibit digital storage sample is generated by substituting the error detecting code for the same number of least significant bits of the input sample. The storage sample is then stored in a memory device. A previously stored sample is retrieved from the memory device and is analyzed to detect whether an error has occurred. If an error is detected, a substitute sample is produced for the retrieved sample, otherwise the retrieved sample is produced.