Patent ID: 6366544
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
An universal compact disc (CD) player having the ability to decode and play an encoded audio file recorded on a CD, regardless of a particular encoding algorithm used to encode the audio file, the player comprising:(a) drive means for spinning a CD; (b) optical reproducing means for reading the signal encoded on the CD; (c) a signal amplifier for amplifying the signal read by the optical sensing means and producing an amplified signal; (d) a programmable digital signal processor adapted to decode the amplified signal under the direction of a decoding software program, producing a decoded signal; (e) at least one decoding software program directing the operation of the digital signal processor; (f) memory means for storing the decoding software program and nonerasable copy indicating data; (g) means for downloading the decoding software program into the memory means from an external memory; (h) a digital-to-analog converter to convert the decoded signal into an analog audio signal; (i) nonerasable copy indicating data adapted to be transferred to the external memory, thereby preventing the decoding software program to be loaded into another universal CD player when said external memory is used on said other universal CD player.