Apparatus for the digital storage of audio signals employing read only memories

An audio playback apparatus for playback of stored audio signals without the use of mechanically moving playback means, comprising:

• a read only memory having a plurality of storage locations, including at least one plurality of a large number of storage locations sufficient in capacity to permanently store at least one set of said audio signals in a digitized format corresponding to at least one continuous sound signal which is to be played back, a data reduction algorithm which is associated with each of said at least one set of audio signals which are stored in a digitized format, said each of at least one set of audio signals stored in a digitized format having a tag identifying the data reduction algorithm with which it is associated, and an error detecting and correcting algorithm which is associated with each of said at least one set of audio signals which are stored in a digitized format;
• read out means for reading out at least one set of stored audio signals and tags associated therewith, said data reduction algorithm associated therewith, and said error detecting and correcting algorithm associated therewith from said at least one plurality of storage locations of said read only memory;
• an error detecting and correcting means including a first programmable microprocessor for converting the output from the read out means into error corrected audio signals and correcting algorithm, said first programmable microprocessor having its control program stored in said read only memory;
• a data expander means including a second programmable microprocessor for converting the output from said error detecting and correcting means into a digitized audio signal under control of said data reduction algorithm, said second programmable microprocessor having its control program stored in said read only memory, whereby said second programmable microprocessor selects said controlling data reduction algorithm according to the tag associated with said output from said error detecting and correcting means;
• a digital-to-analog converter for converting said digitized audio signals output from said data expander into analog audio signals;
• an analog audio amplifier having an input coupled to the output of said digital-to-analog converter for providing an output of amplified analog audio signals;
• and
• a loudspeaker system having an input coupled to the output of said amplifier for providing an audible sound signal from said amplifier analog audio signals.