Abstract:
An audio device supports a variety of digital music players and includes a cradle that physically holds any of a plurality of digital music players. A power port on the audio device provides power to a selected one of the digital music players, through a cable that is specific to the selected digital music player through a cable that connects between the power port and the selected digital music player while the selected digital music player is held within the cradle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is related to a co-pending application, filed even date, 12/889,941, titled, “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIRECTIONAL SPEAKERS”. This application is also related to a co-pending application, filed even date, 12/889,951, titled, “SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOLDING A DEVICE AND CONTAINING A MICROPHONE.” 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 12/699,078, filed on Feb. 3, 2010 and titled “DIGITAL MUSIC PLAYER CRADLE ATTACHMENT”, the content of which is included by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of audio devices and more particularly to an audio system with a cradle for supporting digital music players and providing power to such. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many existing audio devices such as portable stereo systems and portable karaoke systems have cradles that accept portable music players. In such, the portable music player connects through a plug in the cradle that is proprietary to the audio device. Power is provided to the portable music player through the jack and audio is communicated from the portable music player to the audio device through the jack. 
     Being that the plug is an integral part of the cradle; the cradle/jack system only operates for one or a limited number of portable music players. For example, some recent audio devices have a cradle that only accepts a certain portable music player such as an iPOD Nano. If it is desired to use a different portable music player, there is no way to connect and/or support the different portable music player through the cradle/jack system. Instead, the non-supported portable music player must be connected to audio inputs through audio cables and, since it does not fit in the cradle, it rests on a nearby surface. The non-supported portable music player does not receive power through the audio cables and requires an additional cable to a source of power such as a wall-wart power supply. 
     What is needed is an audio system that holds and provides power directly to a variety of possible devices when one of such devices are supported in a cradle. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, an audio system that supports a plurality of digital music players of different sizes is disclosed including a cradle that has a cavity that supports at least one of the digital music player. The cradle has a cavity for accepting a connector and the connector interfaces to the digital music player and passes power to the digital music player. The audio system has a power port for providing power to the connector through a wire, and, therefore, power to the digital music player. The cradle includes a base for supporting the cavity. The cavity is in an upper surface of the base and accepts an end portion of a largest digital music player of the plurality digital music players. A support wall extends from an upper rear surface of the base for supporting one of the digital music players and there is at least one ledge within the cavity. The at least one ledge forms decreasingly sized sub-openings towards a bottom of the cavity, whereas each sub-opening is sized corresponding to a different one of the plurality of digital music players. 
     In another embodiment, a method of supporting digital music players in an audio system is disclosed including providing a cradle for supporting the digital music player. A base of the cradle is attached to the audio system. The cradle has a cavity for accepting an end portion of the digital music player. The method includes connecting a first digital music player to a first end of a data cable and connecting a second end of the data cable to a power port of the audio system. The first digital music player is placed into the cavity and one or more audio cables are connected between the first digital music player and the audio system. The cavity accepts and holds an end portion of a largest digital music player and has a support wall extending from an upper rear surface of the base for supporting one of multiple digital music players at a time. At least one ledge is formed within the cavity. The ledge(s) form decreasingly sized sub-openings towards a bottom of the cavity, whereas each ledge/sub-opening is sized to hold a different one of the multiple digital music players. 
     In another embodiment, an audio device that supports a variety of digital music players is disclosed. The audio device includes a cradle that physically holding any of the digital music players. A power port on the audio device provides power to a selected digital music player, through a cable that is specific to that digital music player. The cable connects between the power port and the selected digital music player while the elected digital music player is held within the cradle. The cradle has a base, a system for accepting an end portion of a digital music player of the multiple digital music players, and wall for supporting the digital music player extending from an upper surface of the base. The system for accepting has a stepping for supporting multiple digital music players within the system for supporting the digital music player. The stepping supports the multiple digital music players and includes at least one ledge that forms decreasing sized sub-openings towards a bottom of the means for supporting the digital music player, whereas each sub-opening is sized to hold a different one of the multiple digital music players. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a directional speaker system. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a top view of the directional speaker system with speakers facing an audience. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a top view of the directional speaker system with speakers facing a performer. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a keyed rotating attachment system. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cutaway view of a keyed rotating attachment system. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an electrical interface of the rotating attachment system. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a mating electrical interface of the rotating attachment system. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a rear perspective view of the system. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a rear perspective view of the system showing handle/microphone storage in detail. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a side perspective view of the system. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a rear perspective view of the system showing handle/microphone in use as a handle. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a rear perspective view of another exemplary system showing handle/microphone storage in detail. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a front perspective view of the second exemplary system showing a microphone in storage. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A,  2 B, perspective view of a directional speaker system is shown. For explanation purposes, a pedestal karaoke system  10  is used as an exemplary audio device. The elements of the disclosed invention are applicable to other portable and/or stationary devices and are not limited to a karaoke system. 
     The exemplary audio device (system)  10  has a system console  24  supported by a pedestal  20 . The system console  24  typically has controls (e.g. volume, play, stop, etc), displays and indicators. In this exemplary system  10 , music or karaoke content comes from a digital music player  80  that is inserted into a cradle  81  (see  FIG. 8 ) and connected to audio inputs  99  of the exemplary system  10 . In this example, there are two microphones  70 / 72  in dual-purpose handle/microphone holders  90 / 92  (see  FIG. 7 ). 
     In a preferred embodiment, the cradle  81  is stepped as disclosed in the parent application, “DIGITAL MUSIC PLAYER CRADLE ATTACHMENT,” which is included by reference. Thereby, the cradle  81  supports a large variety of music players  80  of varying sizes and shapes. In such, the music player  80  sits in a cradle  81 . Power is provided from a power port (e.g. USB port)  21 , into which the power cable plug  82  (e.g. USB plug) is connected to provide power to the music player  80 . Although not shown, audio from the music player is connected to the audio input jacks  99  of the system  10 . In this way, the system  10  supports many different music players  80  from one or more manufactures and having different sizes, thicknesses and shapes. It is anticipated that the power cable/plug  82  is supplied by the manufacturer of the music player  80  since the music player end of the cable/plug  82  is often terminated with a proprietary connector. 
     The system is supported by a base  22 , preferably wider than the pedestal  20  to reduce the probability of tipping. 
     The pedestal  20  has side walls  17 . Preferably, the side walls  17  of the pedestal  20  are not parallel and purposely angle towards each other getting closer towards the front of the pedestal  15 , where the user typically stands. Two speakers  50 / 52  are rotatably mounted to the side walls  17  of the pedestal  20 . The speakers  50 / 52  are rotated to face away from the user (performer) as shown in  FIG. 2A  when the user (performer) is using the system  10  with other people (e.g. an audience). Since the speakers  50 / 52  are angled outwardly due to the angle of the side walls  17 , sound from the speakers  50 / 52  diverge and produce sound that is better distributed to multiple listeners (e.g. the audience). The speakers  50 / 52  are rotated to face the user (performer) as shown in  FIG. 2  when the user (performer) is not concerned with other people hearing the performance. Since the speakers  50 / 52  are angled inwardly due to the angle of the side walls  17 , sound from the speakers  50 / 52  converge to a point near the user (performer) and produce sound that is concentrated for the enjoyment of the user (performer). 
     Note that other mechanisms are anticipated that provide the same feature in which the speakers are directed outwardly (sound is aimed away from straight ahead) when facing away from the performer and in which the speakers are directed inwardly (sound is aimed to a focal point near the performer) when facing the performer. For example, in some embodiments, the sides of the pedestal  20  are parallel, but the rotating posts that support the speakers  50 / 52  are at an angle with respect to the side walls of the pedestal  20 . In some embodiments, more than two rotatable speakers  50 / 52  are anticipated (not shown). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-6 , views of a keyed rotating attachment system is shown. In  FIG. 3 , only one speaker  50  is shown (more than one speaker is anticipated). The speaker  50  has a rotating support post  54  that has one or more key posts  51 , In some embodiments, a speaker electrical interface  56  is provided to connect the speaker  50 / 52  to the audio outputs of the system  10  (details shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The key posts  51  slide into slots  27  of a cavity  26  of the system  10  when the speaker  50 / 52  is, for example, horizontal (90 degrees rotated from the position shown in  FIG. 1 ). Once inserted, the speakers  50 / 52  are rotated toward the audience (diverging) or toward the performer (converging), thereby locking the key posts  51  into the slots  27 . Any other way of a rotatable connection is anticipated, permanent or removable. 
     In some embodiments, electrical connections are provided to connect the speakers  50 / 52  to the audio outputs of the system  10 . There are many ways known to electrically connect a rotating device (e.g. a wind generator is rotatably mounted to a tower and electricity passes through the rotatable interface from the generator to the electrical connections at the ground). The example shown has two sets of connectors  58 / 60  on the speaker support post  54  that connect to contacts  28  and  29  in the cavity  26 . 
     Alternately, in some embodiments, the speakers  50 / 52  are electrically connected to the system  10  by wires (not shown) instead of through electrical connections associated with the rotating connection. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-10 , perspective views of the system showing the combined handle/microphone feature will be described. In some embodiments, a music player  80  provides content (e.g. music, karaoke content, video, etc). In such, the music player  80  sits in a cradle  81 . For convenience, a power port (e.g. USB port)  21  is provided, into which the power cable plug  82  (e.g. USB plug) is connected to provide power to the music player  80 . Although not shown, audio from the music player is connected to the audio input jacks  99  of the system  10 . 
     In some embodiments, the system  10  includes a base speaker  19  (e.g. a sub-woofer), preferably mounted in the pedestal  20 . 
     Handles  71 / 73  of the microphones  70 / 72  are inserted into microphone holders  90 / 92  that double as handles  90 / 92 . A convex surface  91 / 93  of the microphone holders  90 / 92  that double as handles  90 / 92  keeps the microphone handles  71 / 73  from falling out while providing enough of an opening for a persons fingers  98  (see  FIG. 10 ) when using the microphone holders  90 / 92  that double as handles  90 / 92  as handles as shown in  FIG. 10 . The sides of the system console  24  has a handle opening  95  through which the user&#39;s fingers  98  fit, wrapping through and out of the microphone holders  90 / 92  that double as handles  90 / 92 . The shape of the handle  90 / 91 / 92 / 93 / 95  is preferably, though not required, shaped to comfortably interface with a typical hand and fingers  98  of a person who carries the system  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , perspective view of another exemplary system  110  showing handle/microphone storage  100 / 102  in detail will be described. For storage, the handles  71 / 73  of the microphones  70 / 72  (only one microphone  70  is shown) are inserted into microphone holders  100 / 102  that double as handles  100 / 102 . A convex surface  101 / 103  of the microphone holders  100 / 102  that double as handles  100 / 102  keeps the microphone handles  71 / 73  from falling out while providing enough of an opening for a persons fingers when using the microphone holders  100 / 102  that double as handles  100 / 102  as handles as shown in  FIG. 11 . The sides of the exemplary system  110  has a handle opening  105 / 107  through which the user&#39;s fingers  98  fit, wrapping through and out of the microphone holders  100 / 102  that double as handles  100 / 102 . The shape of the handle  100 / 101 / 102 / 103 / 105 / 107  is preferably, though not required, shaped to comfortably interface with a typical hand and fingers  98  of a person who carries the system  110 . 
     In this exemplary system  110 , music or karaoke content comes from a music player  80  that is inserted into a cradle  81  and connected to audio inputs of the exemplary system  110 . In this example, there is one microphone  70  in a first dual-purpose handle/microphone holder  100  and the second dual-purpose handle/microphone holder  102  is empty. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the cradle  81  is stepped as disclosed in the parent application, “DIGITAL MUSIC PLAYER CRADLE ATTACHMENT,” which is included by reference. Thereby, the cradle  81  supports a large variety of music players  80  of varying sizes and shapes. In such, the music player  80  sits in a cradle  81 . Power is provided from a power port (e.g. USB port)  21 , into which the power cable plug  82  (e.g. USB plug) is connected to provide power to the music player  80 . Although not shown, audio from the music player is connected to the audio input jacks of the system  110 . In this way, the system  110  supports many different music players  80  from one or more manufactures and having different sizes, thicknesses and shapes. It is anticipated that the power cable/plug  82  is supplied by the manufacturer of the music player  80  since the music player end of the cable/plug  82  is often terminated with a proprietary connector. 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
     It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.