Enhanced delivery of audio data for portable playback

A method comprising the steps of:

• downloading to a computer digital audio data stored at a remote location;
• establishing via a docking station an upload connection between the computer and a portable unit having storage and playback capability;
• and
• uploading the data to the portable unit for storage therein.

Audio information storage and playback apparatus comprising:

• a computer and associated data interface, programmed to receive and extract an audio data file from an incoming signal over an internetwork channel at a transfer rate that is greater than a playback rate for audibly perceptible playback of information contained in the data file;
• and
• a data transfer mechanism adapted for connection to the computer and to a playback module that receives and stores the data file from the computer and provides audibly perceptible playback of the data file, wherein said playback module further comprises:
• flash memory for receiving and storing said data file from said computer;
• a playback selection device to select and retrieve at least one selected data file recorded in the flash memory;
• a digital-to-analog conversion device to convert the selected data file into an audio signal;
• and
• an audio processing device to select and retrieve the selected data file from the flash memory and to reproduce the selected data file in audibly perceptible form for playback at a real time delivery rate.

Audio information storage and playback apparatus comprising:

• a computer and associated data interface, programmed to receive and extract an text data file from an incoming signal over an internetwork channel, where the text data file is received by the computer at a transfer rate that is greater than a playback rate for audibly perceptible playback of information contained in the text data file;
• and
• a data transfer mechanism, adapted for connection to the computer and to a playback module that receives and stores the text data file from the computer and provides audibly perceptible playback of the text data file, further comprising said playback module, wherein said playback module comprises:
• flash memory for receiving and storing said text data file from said computer;
• a playback selection device to select and retrieve at least one selected data file recorded in the flash memory;
• a text-to-speech conversion device to receive at least one text data file from the playback selection device and to convert at least one text data file to an output signal that is in audio format;
• a digital-to-analog conversion device to convert the text-to-speech conversion means output signal into an audio signal;
• and
• an audio processing device to receive the digital-to-analog conversion means output signal and to reproduce the output signal in audibly perceptible form for playback at a real time delivery rate.

A system for receiving, storing and playing back digital files, the system comprising:

• a portable storage and playback device that receives and stores a digital file over an internetwork channel at a transfer rate that is greater than a playback rate for audibly perceptible playback of information contained in the data file;
• a personal computer that contains at least one digital file;
• and
• a transfer mechanism connected to the portable storage and playback device and including a signal connection for facilitating transfer of the digital file between the personal computer and the portable storage and playback device,
• wherein at least one of the personal computer and the portable storage and playback device includes software to facilitate a transfer of the digital file from the personal computer to the portable storage and playback device, using the connection between the personal computer and the transfer mechanism, and the portable playback and storage device is removed from the transfer mechanism for playback of the digital file,
• wherein said transfer mechanism comprises a docking station connected to said portable storage and playback device and includes said signal connection between said personal computer and said portable storage and playback device.