	US 7,522,965 B2
	Low power digital audio decoding/playing system for computing devices
Reginia Chan, Los Altos, Calif. (US); Sheau Chuen Her, Milpitas, Calif. (US); James Lam, Fremont, Calif. (US); William Densham, Los Gatos, Calif. (US); and Sterling Du, Palo Alto, Calif. (US)
Assigned to O2Micro International Limited, Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands)
Filed on Jul. 30, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/208,728.
Application 10/208728 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/969060, filed on Oct. 02, 2001.
Application 09/969060 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/921171, filed on Aug. 02, 2001.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/250899, filed on Dec. 01, 2000.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/265466, filed on Jan. 30, 2001.
Prior Publication US 2003/0060911 A1, Mar. 27, 2003
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06F 17/00 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 700—94

32 Claims

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.