Data processing: speech signal processing – linguistics – language – Audio signal bandwidth compression or expansion
Reexamination Certificate
1997-06-30
2001-06-05
Dorvil, Richemond (Department: 2641)
Data processing: speech signal processing, linguistics, language
Audio signal bandwidth compression or expansion
C704S270000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243686
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to an adapter for playing or recording musical selections and other audio programs stored in a digital medium such as a flash memory card using a standard stereo system, and more particularly to an adapter which uses the cassette mechanism of the stereo system as the interface for the digital medium.
b. Description of the Prior Art
Rapid advances in computer technology and related fields have resulted in very small energy efficient and inexpensive data storage media such as flash memory cards. While these media were primarily designed for use as memory for storing digital data, for example in laptop computers, digital cameras and other similar applications, they can also be used to store digital musical selections or other audio programs. For example, using MPEG2 or other data compression techniques, a musical selection of about 4 minutes can now be stored in a digital memory of 2 megabytes, and can be replayed in an acceptable manner. Moreover, flash memory cards are expected in the near future which have capacities of up to 16 megabytes or even more.
Hence, using these flash memory cards it is possible to distribute music to the general public using either standard venues such as record stores, mail order catalogs and so on, as well as non-conventional venues, such as the Internet.
A major problem in introducing a new medium such as flash cards is that they are incompatible with presently available stereo systems. The music-playing public is accustomed to playing music using standard stereo systems, i.e., systems which can play music originating either from live transmissions, such as AM or FM radio or TV, or from prerecorded media such as records, Cds or analog or digital cassettes. A typical audiophile has many prerecorded musical selections in one or more of these formats and naturally has a tendency to resist new types of prerecorded media which are not compatible.
OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an adapter for replaceable flash memory cards which can be used in existing stereo systems having a cassette or same magnetic storage medium interface.
A further objective is to provide a cassette adapter which can be readily used by a consumer without the need of any special training or any additional expensive equipment.
A further objective is to provide an adapter which is constructed and arranged to interface with a conventional stereo system so as to maintain full functionality of the included cassette player even when used with an adapter.
Yet another objective is to provide a cassette adapter which includes a battery and a charging device.
Other objectives and advantages of the invention will become apparent form the following description. Briefly, an adapter constructed of accordance with this invention includes a housing similar to the housing of a standard cassette. Disposed within the housing is a flash card, or other solid state memory, which contains digital data.
Audio data is retrieved from the card, decompressed, converted into corresponding analog signals and then fed to the play head of a standard cassette player. Means are provided to maintain substantially all the functions of the cassette player, including fast forward, reverse, etc.
Preferably, an electric generator is also provided to recharge a battery which provides power to the adapter. Advantageously, the same generator may be used to apply a load on the cassette player's motor to simulate the end of a tape. Optionally, the output assembly of the adapter is modular and can be adapted to output signals to other devices, such as an earphone. A recording head may also be provided to record data in the flash memory.
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patent: 5491774 (1996-02-01), Norris et al.
patent: 5633837 (1997-05-01), Gantt
patent: 5654942 (1997-08-01), Akahane
patent: 5790423 (1998-08-01), Lau et al.
patent: 5815426 (1998-09-01), Jigour et al.
McPherson Al
Thagard Gregory
Dorvil Richemond
Gottlieb Rackman & Reisman P.C.
Warner Music Group Inc.
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