Patent Application
20060256475
The present invention relates generally to an adapter for use in a cassette player audio system. More particularly, the invention relates to an adapter that enables audio signals from a portable audio device to be played through, or reproduced by, a cassette player audio system.
Recently, new formats have become available for high fidelity sound reproduction. One type of format is the digital audio player commonly known as an MP3 player. A typical MP3 player includes a hard disk drive and a DRAM memory buffer, although many models use only non-volatile solid-state memory. The format of the data files encoding the music is significantly compressed compared to that used for compact disks or other previous encoding schemes, allowing significant reduction in the amount of disk storage space required per song. This, combined with large advances in the density of hard disk storage, has enabled the emergence of hand-held players such as the Apple iPod, the Creative Labs' Zen, and other very compact players capable of holding a user's complete music collection within the playback device. Users can easily convert music from their Compact Disks into MP3 format using free software on their home computers, and there is a large and growing market for music already in MP3 format that can be downloaded from the internet. Such compact players are thus a significant improvement over CD players and tape cassettes that employ removable media. Additionally, the compactness of the electronics required to provide digital audio functionality has made it possible to include digital audio functionality within other devices, such as telephones and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
Prior to the introduction of the aforementioned compact disc and player, sound systems, such as those provided in automobiles, generally have utilized tape cassettes as the source from which audio signals are played back. Cassettes utilize magnetic tape on which high fidelity music has been recorded. The sound systems with which such cassettes are compatible include a playback deck that receives the cassette or cartridge, reproduces the signals that had been recorded on the magnetic tape therein and converts those signals to audible sounds. Significant investments have been made by consumers to provide high quality sound systems in their automobiles and elsewhere for the purpose of enjoying prerecorded cassettes. Some new cars offer an optional attachment for an MP3 player, such as the Apple iPod, and this is expected to increase as a trend.
Several methods have been employed for playback of MP3 players through existing stereos in cars, but each of these has drawbacks. The three general categories of devices that are currently used to adapt portable players to car stereos are: radio frequency transmitters, which broadcast low-power FM signals that are received by the car's radio; generic cassette-tape player adapters, which play via a wire from the headphone jack of the player through an adapter that takes the form of a cassette tape, coupling the audio signal through a magnetic head into the playback head of the car's cassette deck; and direct-attachment to the car's stereo via auxiliary audio inputs.
The problem with the radio transmitters is that they are limited in power by FCC regulations to levels that are easily overwhelmed by broadcast radio stations. This problem is especially acute in major metropolitan areas where there are many radio stations crowding the FM bands.
An exemplary prior art cassette type adapter is taught by U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,897. The adapter described is in the form of a simple compact cassette employing a loose wire connecting to the playback head inside the cassette, and protruding from the front of the cassette deck, with a connector at the other end to connect to the audio source. This type of prior art cassette-deck adapters has a wire dangling out of the front of the cassette deck, and does not provide a means for holding the portable player, nor does it provide a means for charging the battery of the player. This results in a cluttered and unsightly mess of wires around the dashboard, and the player usually rests on a vacant seat or is dropped into a cup holder, or balanced precariously on the dashboard or center console.
Finally, the direct-attached units are the best method, but tend to be very expensive, require special stereos with auxiliary inputs, and typically require expert installation. They also generally plug into the player via a wire coming out from beneath the dashboard or in the glove box, presenting similar mounting issues as the other choices.
Thus, there exists a need for a reliable, inexpensive and easy to use adapter that enables a portable device to be used with, or played through, a cassette player system.
The present invention solves the above described need. The present invention has for its object to provide an improved adapter. To this end, an adapter in accordance with principles of the present invention is characterized in that an audio source, for example a portable audio player such as an MP3 player, is mounted directly to an extension of the adapter so that it is positioned conveniently and cleanly with no loose wires.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an adapter by which a portable device, such as a portable audio player or other playback device of different format, and a cassette player are made compatible without requiring rewiring or reconstruction of the audio system in which the cassette player is a part.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a means by which the batteries of the portable device can be charged without the need for a standard cigarette-lighter adapter and its associated wire, by employing a generator within the cassette adapter to generate electricity to charge the device, that is driven by the cassette deck mechanism. An exemplary prior art for a generator of this type is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,420,849.
The present invention is directed to an adapter for enabling signals produced by a signal source, such as a portable audio player, personal digital assistant or telephone device, to be reproduced as audio sounds by a cassette player audio system having a cassette audio playback deck. An adapter, according to principles of the present invention, includes a housing having a configuration of a cassette normally used with the cassette playback deck, a record head supported in a peripheral front wall of the housing, and an extension of said housing for mounting of the signal source and providing an electrical coupling from the signal source to the adapter for providing audio signals to the record head to allow playback through the audio system of the cassette playback deck. A holder is attached to the extension of the housing for mounting the signal source. The holder can include a docking connector and an auxiliary power connecter. The auxiliary power connector can be used for charging the batteries of the portable audio player, using either power from a generator integrated into the adapter or power from an auxiliary power source.
The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
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In a still further embodiment, an adapter according to principles of the present invention includes a removable stereo faceplate which is used as the housing portion of the adapter, as shown in
In operation, when the adapter 100 is loaded into the cassette playback deck, and that deck as well as the portable device 1 mounted on the adapter 100 are both operated, signals produced by the portable device 1 are coupled, by means of the electrical conductor 9 and audio circuit, to the record head 7. The signals from the record head 7 are then coupled to the playback head of the cassette playback deck and those signals are reproduced by the audio system. Optionally, another set of conductors is connected at one end to a generator circuit within the adapter 100, and is connected at its other to the charging plug on the portable audio player 1.
While the particular embodiments of the adapter as illustrated herein are fully capable of satisfying the needs and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.
