Method and integrated circuit for use by a handheld multiple function device

An integrated circuit for use by a multifunction handheld device, the integrated circuit comprises:

• a processing module;
• a memory, operably coupled to the processing module, for storing a plurality of digitally formatted files, and that stores operational instructions that cause the processing module to:
• receive a first digitally formatted file of the plurality of digitally formatted files from a host device when coupled to the host device via a host interface and store the first digitally formatted file in the memory, wherein the handheld device is powered by the host device when coupled to the host device via the host interface;
• generate a second digitally formatted file of the plurality of digitally formatted files by digitally recording a voice sample and store the second digitally formatted file in the memory;
• playback a selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted files, the playback including the generation of an audio output;
• monitoring for a low voltage condition produced by a low battery voltage;
• when the low voltage condition is detected, enabling a first fail safe algorithm to:
• disable the audio output;
• store settings corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted audio files;
• and
• shutdown the multifunction handheld device;
• wherein, when the battery is replaced and the handheld device is reactivated, the memory further stores operationally instructions that enable the playback of the selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted files to resume where the playback left off.

An integrated circuit for use by a multifunction handheld device, the integrated circuit comprises:

• a processing module;
• a memory operably coupled to the processing module, for storing a plurality of digitally formatted files, and that stores operational instructions that cause the processing module to:
• receive a first digitally formatted file of the plurality of digitally formatted files from a host device when coupled to the host device via a host interface and store the first digitally formatted file in the memory;
• generate a second digitally formatted file of the plurality of digitally formatted files by digitally recording a voice sample and store the second digitally formatted file in the memory;
• playback a selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted files, the playback including the generation of an audio output;
• monitoring for a low voltage condition produced by a low battery voltage;
• when the low voltage condition is detected, enabling a first fail safe algorithm to:
• disable the audio output;
• store an audio setting corresponding to the playback;
• and
• shutdown the multifunction handheld device.

A method for use in a multifunction handheld device, the method comprises:

• receiving a first plurality of digitally formatted files from a host device when coupled to the host device via a host interface;
• playing a selected one of the first plurality of digitally formatted files, the playing including generating an audio output;
• monitoring for a low voltage condition produced by a low battery voltage;
• when the low voltage condition is detected, enabling a first fail safe algorithm to:
• disable the audio output;
• store an audio setting corresponding to the playing of the audio output;
• and
• shutdown the multifunction handheld device.

The method of claim 55, further comprising:

• monitoring of the audio output for an overload condition;
• when an overload condition is detected and when the low voltage condition is not detected, enabling a second fail safe algorithm to:
• disable the audio output for a predetermined period of time;
• after expiration of the predetermined period of time, enable the audio output;
• and
• resume monitoring of the audio output for the overload condition.

An method for use in a multifunction handheld device, the method comprising:

• receiving a first plurality of digitally formatted files from a host device when coupled to the host device via a host interface;
• powering the multifunction handheld device by the host device when coupled to the host device via the host interface;
• playing a selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted files, the playing including the generation of an audio output;
• monitoring for a low voltage condition produced by a low battery voltage;
• when the low voltage condition is detected, enabling a first fail safe algorithm to:
• disable the audio output;
• store settings corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted audio files;
• and
• shutdown the multifunction handheld device.