Abstract:
A portable satellite receiver includes a tuner, an antenna, and an amplifier. The portable satellite receiver has a protective housing enclosing the tuner, antenna, and amplifier. The portable satellite receiver is configured to interface with an accessory device through a communication link such that the accessory device receives audio signals from the portable satellite receiver over the communication link.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/620,569, filed on Oct. 20, 2004, entitled “DOCKABLE MP3/SATELLITE PLAYER FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention generally relates to a portable satellite receiver.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Currently, satellite radio receivers, such as those offered by XM and Sirius, are used at fixed locations. Whether it is docked in the car or another cradle (e.g. at home via a home entertainment system or a boom box), the receiver unit itself is generally not usable while the receiver is being transported between the boom box and the vehicle. Also, there is no battery power or portable antenna currently on these devices.  
         [0006]     Personal music players, such as MP3 players and hereafter referred to as such, have almost the opposite problem. They are useable as a portable device, but have no way of easily and effectively docking or being interfaced with a vehicle. Despite the success of high end players such as iPod (offered by Apple Computers), there are very few ways to safely select and play their content over the speakers of a vehicle&#39;s audio system. Currently the only ways to communicate from an MP3 player is via a cassette adapter, an FM modulator (wired or wireless), or a protocol converter. The cassette adapter can only send analog signals (thus lower audio quality) to the audio system&#39;s cassette player and can only send data one way (from the MP3 player to the cassette player). An FM modulator also can only send analog signals and can only send data one way to the radio. While protocol converters have been introduced, they only work with specific vehicles and can transmit only limited signals both ways.  
         [0007]     To date, interconnecting multimedia devices such as CD players, digital MP3 players/recorders, digital cameras and digital video recorders to transmit data between devices typically uses various physical cables. The use of cables has a few drawbacks.  
         [0008]     For example, to connect an MP3 player to the vehicle head unit either an FM modulator, or cassette insert or a direct connection to audio in needs to be done. The interconnections of the various cables/wires are either costly to install or unsightly to the driver and not OEM certified.  
         [0009]     As discussed above, one solution might be infrared or FM modulation for wireless data transfer. However, infrared provides a very slow and unreliable connection, and FM modulation does not provide the performance in sound quality of a direct connection.  
         [0010]     As a result, there is a need for a direct “cable free” interface/connection between multimedia devices and the head unit to transmit data without the physical limitations or drawbacks of using cables. Also, it will transmit the data at a bandwidth that enhances the multimedia experience.  
         [0011]     In view of the above, it is apparent that there exists a need for an improved portable satellite receiver.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0012]     In satisfying the above need, as well as overcoming the enumerated drawbacks and other limitations of the related art, the present invention provides an improved portable satellite receiver.  
         [0013]     The portable satellite receiver described herein provides a dockable and portable device that operates as both a satellite radio receiver and an MP3 player. With the portable satellite receiver, the user can seamlessly listen to music in the car, take the receiver out of the vehicle and listen to it on the go, and then re-dock it at home. Some features of the device include a head unit (single din 50 mm, dual din 100 mm, Gap size radio 120 mm, or other size radios) so that the dockable unit can seamlessly interface with a radio head unit in a vehicle. Other applications and accessories include a home docking station, portable boom box, boat docking system, shower docking system (water proof), and integration with other systems that provide the user audio entertainment.  
         [0014]     The abilities of the portable satellite receiver include synching content, recording capabilities (recording data from the internet, from CD, from FM or AM stations), time shifting of data, and an integrated human machine interfaces (HMI). This ability also applies to the feature of recording data/music by a dynamic filtering process. The end user could filter the recording by type of data such as artist, song title, album title, comedy sketch, any news with the specific word “X” in the title, etc. This type of on-demand and filtering of data allows the end user to record content that he or she so desires only. This feature would reduce the specific amount of internal or external memory that is needed. Regarding the latter, the HMI is designed and optimized for different locations and uses. For example, the HMI for the portable satellite receiver in the car is different than the HMI for portable satellite receiver during portable use. Further, the HMI is different for left and right handed people.  
         [0015]     According to the present invention, the portable satellite receiver can be docked with a radio head unit, with a home unit, or used as a stand alone device. To support use in the portable mode, the portable satellite receiver has a battery and diversity antenna mounted in the housing of the portable satellite receiver. As a result, digital satellite content can be listened to while on the go (going for a walk, running, outside on the beach, in a moving car, similar usages to what people use portable devices today). Because the satellite portion relies on getting signals from overhead satellites, satellite repeaters (located in some buildings) or land based antennas, the system might not be usable in locations like subways, in tunnels, underground garages, etc. In this environment the user can utilize the MP3 functions for entertainment.  
         [0016]     Thus, there is a seamless ability to listen to MP3 recordings or satellite content in a portable fashion. Once at the vehicle, one can dock the portable satellite receiver into the vehicle&#39;s head unit and continue to listen to the same content over the car&#39;s speaker system. Additionally, a record feature allows time shifting of satellite radio programming by storing it in the player for later playback. Utilizing this feature, the portable satellite receiver will record satellite radio programming while installed in a vehicle equipped with a satellite antenna. The satellite radio programming will be stored in one of the common or future audio formats—such as MP3, and the recorded programming will be played back at a later time. For example, the recorded programming can be played when the portable satellite receiver is undocked from the vehicle/antenna and is in portable mode. For optimum performance, the portable satellite receiver is designed so that it can be easily integrated or docked to an audio system, such that the system can transfer data fully both ways, to and from the portable satellite receiver. The portable satellite receiver would send clear digital signals to the audio system of the vehicle, allowing for better sound quality than current systems and would allow the end user to use the vehicle&#39;s HMI interface of the audio system to control the portable device (in vehicle buttons are bigger than aftermarket or consumer electronic devices, which tend to be very small, and are located best for the driver to use the controls while driving so as to minimize driver distraction).  
         [0017]     In another aspect of the invention, the portable satellite receiver allows the end user to record music from the vehicle&#39;s audio system (CD player, cassette tape, FM, AM, external hard-drive, etc.) onto the portable satellite receiver, so the end user could listen to the content away from the vehicle. As mentioned above, this would allow for time-shifting of content (listening to talk radio at a later time, or listening to the beginning or end of a program or music that was missed). The system would also allow programs over satellite or other systems (FM, AM) to be coded (unique codes within the song itself or in a separate software file that is sent with the data) so the device would automatically or manually recognize the programs and automatic or manually start to record them when the vehicle is on or off. As noted above, today music content is being distributed more and more over non traditional means (less and less people are buying music from stores or in CD format). Many people are receiving music over the internet. Satellite radio provides a good infrastructure for the distribution of this data.  
         [0018]     The portable satellite receiver has improved mobility over prior technology, from rechargeable battery technology and a diversity antenna, which gives it the ability to continue to play while being carried and not docked into an associated component. The antenna system would use a diversity antenna which would be built into the housing, headphones, or another location near or on the device, so that the reception would be usable in situations like going for a walk, running, beach, or even sitting in a moving car. The antenna strategy would use the latest technology and the smallest packaging so as to benefit use in a portable device. When the system is used in a vehicle, the satellite antenna could be built into the audio system before hand or would require an extra antenna to be provided (wired or wireless). This also holds true if the device is used in the home (the antenna would be already provided in the home docking unit or an extra line would be wired from the home docking unit to the outside) or other options such as a portable boom box, boating, etc. Using a diversity antenna strategy (does not exist in satellite radio system today), the system would be able to automatically switch to the antenna module that is getting the best reception at that specific moment in time. Another way for the diversity antenna to work is if the system collects the antenna signals from two or more antennas at the same time and use a complex algorithm to combine the two or more signals into one complete and unique satellite signal that would be better than the signals by itself.  
         [0019]     The antenna is preferably not seen by the user and may be provided within a typical headset. The antenna, during the portable operation, would not be visible to the end user and the end user would not have to plug or unplug the antenna. This would be done wirelessly or via connectors on the portable satellite receiver that would automatically connect the proper signals and sources from the device to the head unit or docking system (home, auto, etc.). The signals in the connectors would include but not be limited to power, ground, audio L in, audio R in, audio L ground in, audio R ground in, audio R out, audio L out, audio R ground out, audio L ground out, signal  1 , signal  2 , signal  3 , audio  4 , audio  5  (for bus/CAN interface protect for future OEM/OES), antenna power, antenna ground, low signal for when the system is on, high signal for when record function is pushed. Preferably, the portable satellite receiver would also have a 2.0 USB interface connection, or other suitable connection, for external computers/internet.  
         [0020]     The rechargeable battery pack would use lithium ion, lithium polymer, and/or hydrogen based fuel cell (or future high technology battery storage devices). The unit could be a built in battery source or it would be designed with no battery and instead with the option to insert a battery as an accessory depending on the marketing strategy. If built in, the battery would power the portable satellite receiver during portable operation and would be charging when inserted to a home/automotive/head unit or other docking station/radio.  
         [0021]     The portable satellite receiver can be compatible with all music formats (including, but not limited to, WMA, MP3 and AAC) that are popular or desired by the end customers. Alternatively, the player could use a proprietary format and digital rights management (DRM) protected and unprotected songs/data. The portable system can also use external memory options, such as compact flash, SD, memory stick, hard drive, mini-hard drive, etc., if desired.  
         [0022]     In addition to the above features, the portable satellite receiver would include components enabling it to record programming from digital satellite or FM radio while in the audio/radio head unit docking station (or other data via the radio, AM, CD, etc.); to time shift (play FM, satellite data, AM content from a different time); record at a specific time on a specific channel or station; record with voice memo or bookmarks; record specific content based on genre, title, author, name or station; and to integrate with a radio head unit docking station.  
         [0023]     When integrated into a head unit via a docking feature or an audio system or docking station, once docked, the controls of the audio system will be integrated with the portable satellite receiver. The portable satellite receiver becomes an extension of the audio system and will have the same “look and feel” as player (i.e. HMI); the ability to sync content; the ability to connection to on-line music services; the ability to show different content on the portable satellite receiver screen; all being done without loss of the sound quality that occurs with existing cassette adapter and FM transmitter solutions.  
         [0024]     As mentioned above, the HMI would be optimized for auto, home, portable mode, right and left handed people. When the system is docked into a radio head unit, the control button will generally be on the left side, so that the driver of the vehicle can easily use the system. The distance from the driver&#39;s right hand (with driver on the left side of the car) is the shortest, if the operation dial or control buttons are closer to the driver. Thus, the dial or buttons need to be located on the left hand side of the portable satellite receiver and/or head unit.  
         [0025]     When the system is undocked and used by an end customer in a portable mode of operation, functionality of the controls can automatically change so the dial or other controls can be used on the right hand side of the portable satellite receiver. As such the dial or buttons are reprogrammed so the same features can be used in the same way, but the dials are on the right hand side, or opposite side, of the LCD screen. The LCD screen, or rather its display, once undocked will be automatically flipped so the text and pictures on the LCD screen are upright in relation to the location of the dials. Thus, the player is optimized for end customers that use the system both in the auto and portable options. For left-handed people who prefer the dials on the left side and the LCD screen on the right side of the player there will be an option built into the device so they can manually change the flip-flop or handiness feature. The same would also hold true for vehicles in which the driver sits on the right side of the vehicle.  
         [0026]     For OEM/OES automotive uses in which a radio head unit accompanies the portable satellite receiver, the following application could also be employed. For cost sensitive OEMs, the player can have a low cost memory chip built into it and have the radio head unit store a majority of the programming in the radio head memory. Since there is usually more free space in a radio, bigger sized memory can be used. Every time an end user docks the portable satellite receiver into the radio head unit, the radio head unit and the portable satellite receiver can sync as to maximize the limited memory space on the portable device.  
         [0027]     The portable satellite receiver is also readily upgradeable. Since technology changes so quickly and the cost of technology also changes very fast, the portable satellite receiver is constructed so one can upgrade the memory very quickly (in production with a memory chip swap or in the field with a memory plug in card). The same holds true for the type of battery used, and type of antenna used. Since the size of the receptacle (where the portable satellite receiver is docked) stays the same for many years (usually in the field for 5-10 years) one can design next generation portable devices so they can be docked into older head units with ease. Interchangeability of the portable satellite receiver allows end customers and OEMs to have a constant upgrade program, consumer electronics to be used by the automotive end customer sooner, and OEMs to offer end customers a base package, midlevel package and premium package, all with the same base radio unit (e.g. a base package audio system and head unit with no add on, a midlevel package with the portable satellite receiver, and a premium package is with a portable satellite receiver and a navigation system.)  
         [0028]     Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent to persons skilled in the art after a review of the following description, with reference to the drawings and claims that are appended to and form a part of this specification. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of a portable satellite receiver and a docking station in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the portable satellite receiver and the docking station in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view of a portable satellite receiver and a docking station with a wireless communication link in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view of a portable satellite receiver and a headphone unit in accordance with the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0033]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a portable satellite receiver embodying the principles of the present invention is illustrated therein and designated at  10 . The portable satellite receiver  10  includes an antenna  12 , a tuner  16 , a MP3 player  22 , and an audio output device  25 .  
         [0034]     The antenna  12  is a circularly polarized antenna such as a patch, quadra filar helix, or cross-dipole antenna. In a portable application however, a patch antenna will likely be used. The antenna  12  receives a satellite broadcast signal that is communicated to a low noise amplifier  14 . The low noise amplifier  14  provides an amplified signal to the tuner  16 . The tuner  16  decodes the amplified signal to generate an audio signal that may be provided to an audio output circuit  25 . The audio output circuit  25  may include an audio output device such as a speaker or may simply provide a headphone connection. The tuner  16  is also in communication with controls  18  and a display  20 . The controls  18  are provided to manipulate tuner parameters including channel selection, volume, base control, and treble control. The display  20  can provide tuner status information to the user or prompt the user for specific input via the controls  18 .  
         [0035]     The tuner  16  is also in communication with a digital media player such as an MP3 player  22 , such that the tuner  16  may receive an audio signal from the MP3 player  22  and provide the signal to the audio output circuit  25 . Additionally, the MP3 player  22  may be configured to record audio information from the tuner  16 , for later playback. The MP3 player  22  or similar digital media player may have program information tags that store title, artist, album and genre information allowing synchronization of recording and play lists, and selection lists. A battery  24  provides power to each of the previously mentioned components including antenna  12 , the low noise amplifier  14 , the tuner  16 , the controls  18 , the display  20 , the MP3 player  22 , and the audio output circuit  25 . The battery  24  may be a lithium ion battery or other power storage device such as a fuel cell. Further, each of the previously mentioned components is contained within and protected by a housing  23 . Further, a connector  26  is located on the surface of the housing  23  and configured to interface with other devices, such as a docking station  30 . The docking station  30  includes a connector  32  that interfaces with the connector  26  of the portable satellite receiver. Accordingly, the battery  24  and the tuner  16  are in electrical communication with the connector  26  to interface with the docking station  30 . A power supply  34  is in communication with connector  32  to provide power to the battery  24 .  
         [0036]     In addition, a controller  36  is in communication with the connector  32  allowing communication between the controller  36  and the tuner  16 . For example, the tuner  16  may provide an audio signal to the controller  36  which may then be provided to an audio output circuit  46 . The audio output circuit  46  may be in communication with audio output devices such as headphones  48  or fixed speakers  50 . This allows the portable satellite receiver  10  to be used in conjunction with other home entertainment components such as the speakers  50 .  
         [0037]     A display  38  and controls  40  are in communication with the controller  36  allowing the controls  40  to adjust tuner parameters on the tuner  16  and allowing the tuner  16  to provide display status or other tuner information to the display  38  on the docking station  30 . The controls  40  may also facilitate a remote control connection allowing the tuner parameters within the tuner  16  to be manipulated remotely. Further, an antenna  42  is in communication with the controller  36  through a low noise amplifier  44 . Accordingly, the docking station  30  may receive a satellite signal via the antenna  42  and generate an amplified signal using the low noise amplifier  44 . The amplified signal is provided to the tuner  16  through the controller  38 . This could allow a larger, more powerful fixed antenna to provide an improved satellite signal to the tuner  16  while the portable satellite receiver  10  is in communication with the docking station  30 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the portable satellite receiver  10  and the docking station  30 , shown a radio head unit. The portable satellite receiver  10  has a front face  55  that includes the controls  18  and the display  20 . Opposite the front face  55 , a back face includes a connector  26  (partially shown) that is configured to interface with the docking station  30 . The face plate  60  of the docking station  30  includes controls  40  and a display  38 . In addition, the face plate  60  includes a recess  62  that is configured to receive the portable satellite receiver  10 . As the recess  62  receives a portable satellite player  10 , the connector  26  interfaces with a connector  32  located within the recess to conveniently provide communication between the docking station  30  and the portable satellite player  10  as previously described in combination with  FIG. 1  above. This provides a cable-less interface between the portable satellite receiver  10  and the docking station  30 . The recess  62  acts a receptacle that provides a means of automatically transferring digital media between the portable satellite receiver  10  and the head unit. Control and Display information is given to the portable satellite receiver  10 , as well as, power to operate and charge the battery of the portable satellite receiver  10 . This interface would also provide hot swapping (connection while the system is running) and automatic power up and power down of the portable satellite receiver  10  based on the status of the docking station  30 .  
         [0039]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a portable satellite receiver embodying the principles of the present invention is illustrated therein and designated at  110 . The portable satellite receiver  110  includes an antenna  112 , a tuner  116 , a MP3 player  122 , and an audio output device  125 . The antenna  112  is a circularly polarized antenna, such as a patch, quadra filar helix, or cross-dipole antenna. The antenna  112  receives a satellite broadcast signal that is communicated to a low noise amplifier  114 . The low noise amplifier  114  provides an amplified signal to the tuner  116 . The tuner  116  decodes the amplified signal to generate an audio signal that may be provided to an audio output circuit  125 . The audio output circuit  125  may include an audio output device such as a speaker or may simply provide a headphone connection.  
         [0040]     The tuner  116  is also in communication with controls  118  and a display  120 . The controls  118  are provided to manipulate tuner parameters including channel selection, volume, base control, and treble control. The display  120  can provide tuner status information to the user or prompt the user for specific input via the controls  118 . The tuner  116  is also in communication with an MP3 player such that the tuner  116  may receive input from the MP3 player  122  and provide an audio output to the audio output circuit  125 . A battery  124  provides power to each of the previously mentioned components including antenna  112 , the low noise amplifier  114 , the tuner  116 , the controls  118 , the display  120 , the MP3 player  122 , and the audio output circuit  125 . The battery  124  may be a lithium ion battery or other power storage device such as a fuel cell.  
         [0041]     Each of the previously mentioned components is contained within and protected by a housing  123 . Further, a transceiver  126  is located within the housing  123  and configured to communicate with a docking station  130 . The transceiver  126  may be a radio frequency transceiver, infra-red transceiver, or any other commonly known wireless transmission means. Accordingly, the tuner  116  is in electrical communication with the transceiver  126  to interface with the docking station  130 .  
         [0042]     The docking station  130  includes a transceiver  132  that interfaces with the transceiver  126  of the portable satellite receiver  110 . In addition, a controller  136  is in communication with the transceiver  132  allowing communication between the controller  136  and the tuner  116 . For example, the tuner  116  may provide an audio signal to the controller  136  which may then be provided to an audio output circuit  146 . The audio output circuit  146  may be in communication with audio output devices such as headphones  148  or permanently placed speakers  150 . Communication between the transceivers  126  and  132  allows the portable satellite receiver  110  to be used in conjunction with other home entertainment components such as the speakers  150 .  
         [0043]     A display  138  and controls  140  are in communication with the controller  136  allowing the controls  140  to adjust tuner parameters on the tuner  116  and allowing the tuner  116  to provide display status or other tuner information to the display  138  on the docking station  130 . Further, an antenna  142  is in communication with the controller  136  through a low noise amplifier  144 . Accordingly, the docking station  130  may receive a satellite signal via the antenna  142  and generate an amplified signal through the low noise amplifier  144  that is provided to the tuner  116  through the controller  138 . This could allow a larger, more powerful fixed antenna to provide an improved satellite signal to the tuner  116  while the portable satellite receiver  110  is in communication with the docking station  130 .  
         [0044]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a portable satellite receiver embodying the principles of the present invention is illustrated therein and designated at  210 . The portable satellite receiver  210  includes an antenna  212 , a tuner  216 , a MP3 player  222 , and an audio output device  225 . The antenna  212  is a circularly polarized antenna and receives a satellite broadcast signal that is communicated to the low noise amplifier  214 . A low noise amplifier  214  provides an amplified signal to the tuner  216 . The tuner  216  decodes the amplified signal to generate an audio signal that may be provided to an audio output circuit  225 . The audio output circuit  225  may include an audio output device such as a speaker or may simply provide a headphone connection. The tuner  216  is also in communication with controls  218  and a display  220 . The controls  218  are provided to manipulate tuner parameters including channel selection, volume, base control, and treble control. The display  220  can provide tuner status information to the user or prompt the user for specific input via the controls  218 . The tuner  216  is also in communication with an MP3 player  222 , such that the tuner  216  may receive input from the MP3 player  222  and provide an audio output to the audio output circuit  225 .  
         [0045]     A battery  224  provides power to each of the previously mentioned components including antenna  212 , the low noise amplifier  214 , the tuner  216 , the controls  218 , the display  220 , the MP3 player  222 , and the audio output circuit  225 . The battery  224  may be a lithium ion battery or other power storage device such as a fuel cell. Further, each of the previously mentioned components is contained within and protected by a housing  223 .  
         [0046]     The transceiver  226  communicates with a headphone  230  through a transceiver  236 . The headphone  230  includes speakers  238 , a frame  240 , a power supply  242 , and an antenna  244 . The transceiver  236  receives an audio signal from the portable satellite receiver  210  and provides the audio signal to an audio output circuit  237 . The audio output circuit  237  provides the audio signal to the speakers  238  allowing the user to hear the audio from a portable satellite receiver  210 . In addition, the headphone  230  may include an antenna  244  to facilitate satellite signal reception. Accordingly, the antenna  244  may be a circularly polarized antenna, such as a patch, quadra filar helix, cross-dipole antenna. The antenna  244  is in communication with a low noise amplifier  246  to generate an amplified signal. The low noise amplifier is in communication with a retransmitting antenna  248 , such that the amplified signal is retransmitted via the retransmitting antenna  248  to the antenna  212  in the portable satellite receiver  210 . Alternatively, the low noise amplifier may be in communication with the transceiver  236  to communicate the amplified signal to the tuner  216  through the transceiver  266 . The retransmitting antenna  248  may be any of the antennas mentioned above or even a straight conductor that is a quarter wavelength of the satellite signal. The straight conductor may be a wire run between two earpieces or alternatively the frame  240  may also serve as the retransmitting antenna, if the frame  240  is in electrical communication with the low noise amplifier  246  to receive the amplified signal. The power supply  242  is in communication with each of the transceiver  226 , the audio output circuit  237 , the antenna  244 , and the low noise amplifier  246 . In addition, the power supply  242  may be attached to a power source, such as a solar or gyro powered device.  
         [0047]     As a person skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the above description is meant as an illustration of implementation of the principles this invention. This description is not intended to limit the scope or application of this invention in that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change, without departing from the spirit of this invention, as defined in the following claims.