| US 7,548,851 B1 | ||
| Digital multimedia jukebox | ||
| Jack Lau, Flat C2, 33/F, Imperial Court, 62G Conduit Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong (China); Chi Ying Tsui, Room 816, UG Hall 1, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong (China); Roger Shu Kwan Cheng, 2/F, Flat H, Tower 2, Nan Fung Plaza, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong (China); Chi Wai Yung, 10F, 2B, Nassau Street, Mei Foo Sun Cheun, Kowloon, Hong Kong (China); Jimmy Tai Kwan Tang, M1606, Kornhill, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong (China); Kin Ping Ng, Room 2, 5/F, Hiu Kwong Court, 32 Hiu Kwong Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong (China); Sai Kit Lai, Room 2405, Sau Shan House, Cheung Shan Estate, Tsuen Wan, N.T., Hong Kong (China); Kai Kin Chan, Room 2012, Hang Yee House, Cheung Hang Estate, Tsing Yi, N.T., Hong Kong (China); and Wing Chau Chan, Room 915, Yung Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Kwai Chung, N.T., Hong Kong (China) | ||
| Filed on Oct. 11, 2000, as Appl. No. 9/686,574. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/158809, filed on Oct. 12, 1999. | ||
| Int. Cl. G10L 19/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 704—201 [711/111] | 16 Claims |
| 1. A method for storing previously recorded sets of audio tracks in a compressed format in at least one memory device and
for later retrieving the set of audio tracks in the compressed format, and for converting the set of audio tracks retrieved
in the compressed format into a set of signals in an uncompressed format suitable to be played to sound the respective audio-tracks,
the method comprising:
transferring a plurality of sets of audio tracks in the uncompressed format from a first storage device to a second storage
device, without compression, and storing the set of audio tracks in the uncompressed format in the second storage device;
compressing the set of audio tracks transferred to and stored in the second storage device in the uncompressed format into
the compressed format;
storing the set of audio tracks in the compressed format in the second storage device; and
upon receiving a request for an audio track to be played, retrieving the set of audio tracks in the compressed format and
decompressing the set of audio tracks retrieved into signals in the uncompressed format suitable to be played to sound the
audio track, wherein the compressing and the decompressing are performed according to a predetermined priority in which decompressing
the set of audio tracks retrieved in the compressed format takes priority over compressing a set of audio tracks transferred
in the uncompressed format from the first storage device.
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