Patent Application
20080005440
The invention of the present application will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and method, given only by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to the drawing figures, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements throughout the several figures.
In general terms, a cradle embodying principles of the present invention enables a portable media device, e.g., an MP3 player, portable video or image player, and the like, that is, otherwise static devices whose main function is to help play back data, to be transformed into a source of data that can be controlled away from a PC.
Turning now to the drawing figures,
The cradle 10 includes a number of communications ports or connectors, preferably bidirectional, including, but not limited to: an infrared (IR) communications port 20; audio/video input and output 22; communication links, e.g., USB, IEEE 1394, ethernet, and the like; and combinations of such ports or connectors. Of course, the cradle 10 also includes the necessary controllers and the like to permit the cradle to use all the communications links to transfer data to and from connected devices, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The cradle 10 preferably includes a power connector 26 for connection to standard A/C power supply, and associated power supplies, etc., for conditioning that power, and may alternatively or additionally include a battery (not illustrated).
The memory 40 includes one or more of a RAM, ROM, flash memory, hard disk drive, as well as other memory devices, and combinations of such memories. The memory 40 includes a set or sets of logical instructions that are executable by the processor 38 to receive and interpret signals from the user interface 36, control the display 34, control the input and output of data and signal streams through array 42, and input to and read from the memory 40, so that the device 30 functions as a portable media device. More specifically, and by way of non-limiting example, audio data and/or signals, video data and/or signals, control data and/or signal for the device 30 itself, data and/or signals representative of the information presented on display 34, and power can be input from and output to the array 42.
While the device 30 operates as a portable media device in a generally known way, such as by placing the array 42 in communication with a PC for receiving media (e.g., MP3, JPEG, and/or MPEG) data, including synchronization of data sets, a cradle 10 of the present invention further enables the device 30 to stream media data and/or signal to and from additional connected devices.
The memory 52 includes a set or sets of logical instructions that are executable by the processor 50 to receive and interpret signals from a connected PC, a docked or cradled device 30, and/or via one of the other communications ports, to control the optional display 18, control the input and output of data and signal streams through connector 16 and one or more of the I/O connectors 20, 22, 24, 56, 58, 60, 62, and input to and read from the memory 40, so that the cradle 10 streams data and/or signals. By way of non-limiting examples, the logic of cradle 10 is configured to enable streaming data and/or signals from the device 30, from a connected device such as a PC, and/or from the internet 100, though the cradle to both the device 30 and to a connected device:
audio data and/or signals to a connected audio device, e.g., a stereo;
still image data and/or signals to a connected video device, e.g., a television; and/or
video data and/or signals to a connected video device, e.g., a television.
The logic of cradle 10 is also further optionally configured to enable the cradle to receive IR data signals via the IR port 20 from, e.g., an IR-enabled television remote control device, IR-enabled personal digital assistant (PDA), and other IR-enabled devices, to control the operation of the cradle, operation of a cradled device 30, or both.
The logic of cradle 10 is also further optionally configured to enable the cradle to receive from a cradled device 30 data representative of the device's output to display 34, i.e., the User Interface (UI) and output suitable data or a signal to a connected video device, e.g., a television. In this manner, the limited size of the display 34 does not limit use of the cradle 10, as the same UI can be displayed on a much larger, connected display device.
The logic of cradle 10 is also further optionally configured to enable a cradled device 30 to take over the function of the cradle using the user interface 36 of the portable device, allowing a user to interact with a connected PC, the internet, or connected device.
As a further optional feature or function of the invention, the cradle device 10 may provide a conversion or translation function for the data streaming or passing through the device. For example, the cradle 10 may provide a conversion function by converting the data from digital to analog (or analog to digital) as the data moves through the cradle. Further, the cradle 10 may translate the data between different formats or codes, such as, for example, from the MP3 format to the WMA format. Further, the cradle 10 may perform a combination of conversion and translation of the data, such as, for example, changing the data from an MP3 format to an analog form.
Several of the components and subcomponents of the cradle 10 and device 30 are not described in high detail, as such are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art; accordingly, further details will not be provided herein so as to not obscure the principles of the present invention.
While the invention has been described in detail with reference to, exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the invention.
