Importance

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Abstract

A sound compression/decompression peripheral which operates with a host computer or other remote sound data storage device. The peripheral comprises a plurality of hand operable switches which may be dedicated to functions to which users of tape recorders are accustomed such as 'RECORD' 'PLAY' 'STOP' 'REWIND' 'FAST FORWARD' and 'PAUSE'. The switches may also perform other functions. One possible embodiment of the peripheral comprises: a microphone; a speaker; a .mu.Law codec which converts the analog signals from the microphone into digital pulse code modulated signals, and which converts digital pulse code modulated signals into corresponding analog signals for driving the speaker; a digital signal processor which compresses sound information carried in the pulse code modulated signals, which outputs compressed sound data to a microcontroller, which receives compressed sound data from the microcontroller, which decompresses the compressed sound data into pulse code modulated signals, and which outputs pulse code modulated signals to the encoder/decoder; a microcontroller which buffers compressed sound data between a personal computer and the digital signal processor, which monitors the status of a plurality of hand operable switches, and which relays switch status to the personal computer; and a plurality of hand operable switches.

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First Claim