Patent ID: 7522965

Claim:
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.