Audio converter device and method for using the same

Abstract

An audio converter device and a method for using the same. The audio converter device receives the digital audio data from a first device via a local area network. The audio converter device decompresses the digital audio data and converts the digital audio data into analog electrical data. The audio converter device transfers the analog electrical data to an audio playback device.

1 . A system comprising: 
 a storage gateway device having an associated content management system by which a user creates a play list for accessing one or more of a plurality of digital media files;    a client converter device in communication via a local area network with the storage gateway device, the client converter device adapted to display a representation of the play list received from the storage gateway device; and    a remote control device for transmitting commands for initiating playback via the client converter device of one or more digital media files represented on the displayed play list;    wherein the client converter device further comprises a volatile memory buffer to store portions of a digital media file requested to be played when transmitted to the client converter device from the storage gateway device via the local area network; a microprocessor to convert portions of the digital media file as stored in the volatile memory buffer into a format usable by a playback system; and a buffer management function to control flow of portions of the digital media file requested to be played from the storage gateway device to the client converter device to ensure that the volatile memory buffer is filled as portions of the digital media file already received from the storage gateway device and stored in the volatile memory buffer are being converted by the microprocessor.    
   
   
       2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the request to initiate playing of one or more digital media files represented on the displayed play list comprises a mark-up language formatted message.  
   
   
       3 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the request comprises an HTTP request message.  
   
   
       4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the remote control device transmits commands to the client converter device using an IR protocol.  
   
   
       5 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the remote control device transmits commands to the client converter device using a RF protocol.  
   
   
       6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the remote control device comprises a personal digital assistant.  
   
   
       7 . The system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the personal digital assistant is dockable with the client converter device.  
   
   
       8 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the play list comprises digital media files stored in a memory associated with the storage gateway device.  
   
   
       9 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the play list comprises digital media files stored on a web-based server accessible to the storage gateway device via a wide area network.  
   
   
       10 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the remote control device transmits commands to the client converter device to cause the client converter device to transmit via the local area network to the storage gateway device a request to initiate playback via the client converter device of one or more digital media files represented on the display play list.