Patent Publication Number: US-2007114974-A1

Title: Fm transmitter and power supply / charging assembly for mp3 player

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/615,108 filed on Jul. 8, 2003, which application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/197,367 filed on Jul. 17, 2002, and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,085. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      This invention relates to accessories for MP3 players used for on-line downloading, storage and playing of music. More specifically, the invention relates to an FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly for such MP3 players, and to a kit comprising such assembly in combination with other mounting/power/charging accessories.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Music players of widely varying type are ubiquitous throughout the world, and have evolved through various forms over the years, from portable single transistor radios in the 1950&#39;s to tape cassette players to compact disc players and more recently to MP3 players, which enable a user to download digital media (e.g., audio) material from an internet site and store same in storage medium of a player in a digital format (such as MPEG-1 audio layer 3, or “MP3”) format for subsequent selective listening.  
      A number of MP3 players have been developed and are commercially available, including the Nomad jukebox commercially available from Creative Labs, SonicBlue&#39;s Rio volt, jukebox recorder commercially available from Archos Technology, and numerous others. A high-capacity MP3 player of such type is the iPod® MP3 player commercially introduced by Apple Computer, Inc. (Cupertino, Calif.) in 2001. The Apple iPod® has a capacity for approximately 1000 songs of commercial play length.  
      MP3 players of the aforementioned type rely on batteries for their portability, and are typically provided with a headset for user listening.  
      One problem associated with the small size and light-weight characteristics of such MP3 players, as requisite to their portability and ease of use, is battery life. Another problem is the personal character of the headphone-equipped MP3 player. The MP3 player may be equipped with a speaker, but its small size and light-weight characteristics limit the size of the speaker, making it less than desirable when it is desirable to transmit music to a group of persons, such as in a vehicle passenger compartment, or a room.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates in certain embodiments to an FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly for an MP3 player.  
      In one aspect, a FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly comprises a unitary and modular docking unit, in which the MP3 player is reposable in electrical communication therewith. The docking unit in a specific embodiment accommodating the iPod® MP3 player, the docking unit interconnects with the MP3 player via the MP3 player headphone and firewire ports. In other embodiments, accommodating MP3 players without firewire ports, the docking unit may interconnect with the MP3 player via the headphone and power port. The base docking unit contains within the unitary housing an FM transmitter and firewire power plug for the MP3 player. The base docking unit is provided with a matable plug coupling, for joining of the base docking unit to any of suitable power/charging components attachable thereto.  
      In another aspect, a base docking unit of the FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly is provided as a component of a multi-accessory kit. The kit comprises, in addition to the base docking unit, a ratcheting arm coupleable with a cigarette lighter power socket, e.g., a conventional 12 volt socket, in which the arm also functions as a mounting device which is pivotably adjustable to spatially position the MP3 player and affixed docking unit in any of a variety of spatial positions, relative to the user. The kit optionally also includes a short adaptor coupleable with a power supply, e.g., in a desk mount or wall mount plate. The kit optionally further includes a desk mount that is engagable with the short adaptor, to provide a desk mountable conformation of the MP3 player, and/or a wall mount plate for wall mounting of the FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly, so that the MP3 player may be disposed in the modular docking unit as wall mounted.  
      In another aspect, a docking and power supply/charging assembly electrically coupleable with a portable digital media player having a storage medium adapted to receive and store digital media files comprises: structure defining a docking cavity for receipt therein of a portable digital media player; at least one electrical coupling disposed in the docking cavity and adapted to engage the portable digital media player when the portable digital media player is received by the docking cavity; at least one power/charging circuit element connectable with said portable digital media player via the at least one electrical coupling element for transmission of electrical power therethrough to charge and/or power the portable digital media player; and an adjustable mounting element affixed to a plug connector engageable with a cigarette lighter socket of a motor vehicle and adapted to maintain the portable digital media player in any of a plurality of spatial positions, the plug connector being in electrical communication with the at least one power/charging circuit element.  
      In another aspect, an audio transmitter and power supply/charging assembly electrically coupleable with a portable digital media player having a storage medium adapted to receive and store digital media files comprises: a cavity-defining body structure adapted to receive at least a portion of the portable digital media player, the body having at least one associated electrical connector adapted to engage the portable digital media player when the portable digital media player is received by the body structure; an audio transmitter connectable with said portable digital media player via the electrical connector and adapted to transmit audio content played by said portable digital media player to a separate audio player that is independent of said portable digital media player; and at least one power/charging circuit element connectable with said portable digital media player via the at least one electrical connector and adapted to transmit electrical power therethrough to charge and/or power the portable digital media player.  
      In another aspect, a docking assembly electrically coupleable with a portable digital media player having a storage medium adapted to receive and store digital media files comprises: a body defining a docking cavity sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the portable digital media player; at least one electrical coupling disposed in the cavity and adapted to engage the portable digital media player when the player is received by the body; at least one electrical circuit element adapted to conduct power from an external power source to the at least one electrical coupling; and a transmitter connectable with the portable digital media player via the at least one electrical coupling and adapted to wirelessly transmit media content from the portable digital media player to an external receiving device.  
      In another aspect, a method for broadcasting signals from a portable digital media player to an external receiving device is provided, the method comprising the steps of: providing a docking assembly comprising (a) a cavity-defining body adapted to receive the portable digital media player, (b) a transmitter adapted to transmit media content from the portable digital media player to the external receiving device, (c) an electrical coupling disposed in the cavity and adapted to engage the portable digital media player when the portable digital media player is received by the body, and (d) at least one electrical circuit element to conduct power from an external power source to the electrical coupling; inserting at least a portion of the portable digital media player into the cavity, wherein the electrical coupling engages the portable digital media player during the inserting step; and wirelessly transmitting a signal containing media content played by the portable digital media player to the external receiving device.  
      In another aspect, a method for broadcasting signals from a portable digital media player to an external receiving device is provided, the method comprising the steps of: providing a docking assembly comprising (a) a body adapted to retain the portable digital media player, (b) a transmitter adapted to transmit audio content from the portable digital media player to the external receiving device, (c) an electrical coupling disposed in or on the body and adapted to engage the portable digital media player when the player is received by the body, and (d) at least one electrical circuit element to conduct power from an external power source to the electrical coupling; operatively coupling the portable digital media player and the docking assembly in a single step of depressing at least a portion of the portable digital media player into or against the body to simultaneously engage the electrical coupling; and wirelessly transmitting a signal containing media content played by the portable digital media player to the external receiving device.  
      Other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of an FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of the FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a right-hand side view, in elevation, of the assembly of  FIGS. 1-2 .  
       FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the assembly of  FIGS. 1-2 .  
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the assembly of  FIGS. 1-2 .  
       FIG. 6  is a left-hand side view, in elevation, of the assembly of  FIGS. 1-2 .  
       FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of the FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly of  FIG. 1 , with an MP3 player mounted therein.  
       FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of an audio system including the modular docking unit of the FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly according to one embodiment of the invention, having an MP3 player mounted therein, and arranged in FM transmitting relationship to an FM receiver having audio speakers attached thereto  
       FIG. 9  is a pivotably adjustable ratchet adaptor, which is coupleable with a cigarette lighter power socket, e.g., a conventional  12  volt socket, wherein the outer coupling end of the adaptor is engagable with the port on the rear face of the docking unit of the FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly, with the ratchet arm being pivotably adjustable to spatially position the MP3 player at a given orientation relative to a user.  
       FIG. 10  is a short adaptor coupleable with the coupling structure on the rear face of the docking unit of  FIGS. 1-6 , wherein the adaptor includes a wall mounting plate, accommodating wall mounting of the FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly.  
       FIG. 11  is a desk mount device, in which the short adaptor of  FIG. 10  may be reposed, to provide desktop access of a user to the MP3 player as reposed in the docking unit coupled with the adaptor mounted on the desk mount article.  
       FIG. 12  is a front elevation view of an FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 13  is a left-hand side view, in elevation, of the assembly of  FIG. 12 .  
       FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 12 .  
       FIG. 15  is a rear elevation view of the FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly of  FIG. 12 .  
       FIG. 16  is a right-hand side view, in elevation, of the assembly of  FIG. 12 .  
       FIG. 17  is a top plan view of the FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly shown in  FIG. 12 .  
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an MP3 player having a connector adapted for coupling with a firewire port or a USB port.  
       FIG. 19  is a schematic front elevation view of an FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly according to another embodiment of the invention, arranged for mounting therein of an MP3 player of the type shown in  FIG. 18 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS THEREOF  
      The present invention, in one embodiment, provides an integrated FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly for an MP3 player, that dramatically increases the utility of the basic MP3 player.  
      The FM transmitter in the assembly according to one embodiment of the invention transmits music played through the MP3 player to a range of FM frequencies, enabling FM reception of audio music signals that then can be played through an FM receiver, such as an FM radio receiver in a vehicle, a FM radio in proximity to the FM transmitter, and otherwise for extended area broadcast of the MP3 player-originated music.  
      As one example, the base dock unit of the FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly may be deployed in an automobile or other vehicular environment, wherein the unit is powered by a power adaptor plugged into a cigarette lighter socket of the vehicle. The FM transmitter then transmits the MP3 player-originated music to the FM receiver in such vehicle, enabling the acoustic system of the vehicle to be employed for broadcast of the music to the interior passenger compartment of the vehicle.  
      The FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly may as hereinafter described more fully comprise an AC charger enabling the battery of the MP3 player to be recharged to a more fully charged state allowing its use to be lengthened while on battery power.  
      The FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly may be provided in a kit including the base docking unit and various adaptor/charger/mount accessories, as hereinafter described.  
      Although the ensuing discussion is directed to an embodiment having specific use and applicability to the iPod® MP3 player, it will be recognized that the utility of the invention is not thus limited, but rather extends to and encompasses other MP3 players. Accordingly, although the iPod® MP3 player utilizes a firewire port for power connection purposes, other types of port and electrical connection means may be employed.  
      Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a front elevation view of an FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly  10  having a main body portion  12  including a back wall whose surface  14  together with side rails  18  and  20  define a cavity in which the MP3 player is selectively reposable. Such an FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly, along with assemblies according to other embodiments, are sometimes referred to hereinafter as the modular docking unit(s).  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the modular docking unit is provided with a male connector element  26  matably engagable with the headphone port of the MP3 player, as well as a coupling  28  matably engagable with the firewire port of the MP3 player.  
      In the housing of the modular docking unit according to one embodiment is provided an FM transmitter, which transmits music played through the MP3 player to a range of FM frequencies. The FM transmitter may be of any suitable type, and operates to transmit music to an FM receiver in the vicinity of the MP3 player.  
      The FM transmitter may for example be provided having a tuning frequency in the FM band of 88-95 Megahertz (MHz) and a transmission range of 4-6 feet or more. Stereo transmitters of such type are readily commercially available, and are of appropriate size for incorporation in the modular docking unit.  
      The FM transmitter may simply transmit at a frequency fixed in the aforementioned 88-95 band, or the transmitter may be tunable to select a specific frequency within such spectrum.  
      In operation, the FM receiver receives the transmitted audio from the MP3 player transmitted by the modular docking unit, and the FM receiver, e.g., in a user&#39;s automobile, then is able to transmit the audio content to the vehicular sound system, e.g., by tuning the FM receiver to the frequency of the transmitter in the modular docking unit.  
      The modular docking unit in the interior of its housing also includes circuitry and components for charging the battery of the MP3 player, through the firewire power port or other electrical input port (e.g., USB or other port) to charge the MP3 player&#39;s battery, as well as providing power to the MP3 player when docked in the modular docking unit.  
      As shown in  FIG. 1 , the modular docking unit has on a lower portion  22  thereof indicator lights  30  and  32 , which are configured for indicating when the MP3 player is charging or fully charged, and/or when the MP3 player is “ON.” 
      The modular docking unit may also be provided with an ON/OFF switch, or selectively actuating the MP3 player, charging function of the modular docking unit, etc.  
       FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of the MP3 player, showing the back wall surface  34 , on which is provided a boss  37  forming a coupling cavity  36  including a power connector element  38 . The housing of the modular docking unit may be of a 2-piece construction, with mechanical fastener elements  40 ,  42 ,  44  and  46  serving to couple the respective parts of the unit. Alternatively, the modular docking unit may be formed of a unitary molded material, having a port or opening therein for insertion and assembly of the interior components, including circuitry and components as described hereinabove.  
       FIG. 3  is a right-hand side elevation view of the modular docking unit, showing the retention member  24  at the upper portion of the housing.  FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the modular docking unit, including a further mechanical fastener  50  for retaining interior assembly elements of the unit.  
       FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the modular docking unit, showing the retention member  24 , which is selectively disengagable by thumb-actuatable release member  54 .  
       FIG. 6  is a left-hand side elevation view of the modular docking unit, showing the symmetrical character of same relative to the view illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 7  illustrates the FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly  10  having an MP3 player  56  disposed in the cavity of the body  12 .  
       FIG. 8  is a corresponding view of MP3 player  56  mounted in the body  12  of the FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly  10 . In this configuration, the modular docking unit is mounted on a pedestal  60  having an arm extending upwardly at the rear of the modular docking unit and coupling with the power element  38  on boss  37  (see  FIGS. 2, 3  and  6 ). The pedestal  60  is provided with an electrical coupling  62  accommodating power plug  64  connected to power cord  66 , providing power to the pedestal  60  for transmittal through contact  38  to the MP3 player by element  28 , as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
      When the MP3 player is actuated to play the stored audio content, the corresponding signal is transmitted through coupling element  26  shown in  FIG. 1  to the FM transmitter in the housing of the modular docking unit, generating an FM signal that is transmitted to FM receiver  68  powered by power cord  70 . The FM receiver  68  in turn is coupled by speaker wires  74  and  78  to speakers  72  and  76 , respectively. In such manner, the audio content played by the MP3 player  56  is transmitted by the FM transmitter to FM receiver  68  and outputted as sound output at speakers  72  and  76 .  
      Concurrently, the MP3 player can be electrically charged to renew the battery power of the unit, so that when undocked from the modular docking unit, the MP3 player may be outfitted with earphones and deployed in a personal listening arrangement.  
      Although the  FIG. 8  embodiment is shown as including a table-type FM receiver, it will be recognized that the arrangement is illustrative only, and is adaptable to automotive or vehicular sound systems including an FM receiver.  
      The modular docking unit as shown in  FIGS. 1-6  may be coupled with a power source in any suitable manner.  
       FIG. 9  shows a ratchet-type adaptor  80  including engagement structure  82  matable with the cavity  36  shown in  FIG. 2  on the modular docking unit. The coupling structure  82  is at the face of tubular member  81  which is pivotably mounted on spindle  84  which is positionable by means of the manual wing-nut  86 , which is selectively manually tightenable or loosenable, to adjust the attitude of tubular member  81  relative to the main body  88  of the adaptor. The main body  88  is joined to a plug end  90  featuring electrical contact elements  92  and  94 , for engagement of the plug end  90  with a corresponding socket, such as a cigarette lighter socket of a motor vehicle.  
       FIG. 10  shows another adaptor  96  having engagement structure  98  at the extremity of cylindrical member  100  mounted on plate number  102 . The engagement structure  98  is engagable with the cavity  37  at the rear face of the modular docking unit (see  FIG. 2 ).  
      The plate  102  shown in  FIG. 10  is provided with mounting openings  104 ,  106  and  108 , for wall-attachment of the adaptor, using mounting screws, nails, etc.  
      The adaptor shown in  FIG. 10  permits the modular docking unit to be wall-mounted, whereby the MP3 player may be selectively docked and undocked from the wall-mounted modular docking unit.  
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a desk mount article  120 , in which the short adaptor  96  shown in  FIG. 10  may be selectively reposed, or coupling with the desk mount article  120  joined to power cord  122 .  
      The modular docking unit as shown in  FIGS. 1-6  may thereby be coupled with the adaptor  96  of the desk mount article by engagement of the engagement structure with the cavity  37  and electrical coupling  38  as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 12  is a front elevation view of an FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly  200 , or modular docking unit, according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
      The modular docking unit  200  includes a main body portion  212  defining a cavity for selectively reposing the MP3 player therein. The cavity is bounded by back wall  214  and side rails  218  and  220 . Extending into the cavity is a male connector  226 , which may serve to couple the modular docking unit with the headphone jack of the MP3 player, as well as a coupling  228  matably engagable with the firewire port of the MP3 player. The cavity as shown is also bounded by laterally inwardly facing elements, which serve as inwardly extending tabs on the respective side rails, to assist in retaining the MP3 player in position in the cavity during audio play, storage or charging of the player.  
      On the upper portion  222  of the modular docking unit  200  in the position shown, is provided an LED power indicator light  230 , and a firewire port adjustment switch  221 , which serves to laterally reposition the coupling  228  in the cavity, so that the coupling is placed in register with the firewire port of the MP3 player.  
      On the lower portion of the modular docking unit  200  in the position illustrated in  FIG. 12 , a retractable security shelf member  224  is provided. The shelf member  224  can be selectively manually adjusted to a forward position to assist in retaining the MP3 player in the cavity of the unit, so that the MP3 player is positionally fixtured in the cavity of the modular docking unit during use or charging of the MP3 player.  
      In the ensuing  FIGS. 13-17 , all parts and structural features of the modular docking unit are correspondingly numbered to the same parts and structural features as shown in  FIG. 12 , for ease of reference.  
       FIG. 13  is a left-hand side view, in elevation, of the modular docking unit  200  of  FIG. 12 , showing the boss  237  on the rear surface of the unit and the protruding power connector element  238 . A headphone jack  219  is provided on the side surface of the unit, as shown, for selective use of the modular docking unit in a headphones-engaged listening mode when an MP3 player is mounted in the unit.  
       FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view of the modular docking unit shown in  FIG. 12 , showing the retractable security shelf  224 . The shelf member includes a ridged surface to facilitate engagement with the thumb or other digit of the user, in selectively extending the shelf forwardly to secure the MP3 player in position, or alternatively to retract the shelf so that the MP3 player can be removed from the modular docking unit.  
       FIG. 15  is a rear elevation view of the modular docking unit of  FIG. 12 , showing the boss  237  on the back wall surface  234 . The boss  237  forms a coupling cavity  236  including the power connector element  238  therein. The housing of the modular docking unit of this embodiment can be of two-piece construction, wherein each of the front and back sections of the housing are secured to one another by means of mechanical fasteners  240 ,  242  and  244 , as shown. The housing of the modular docking unit may alternatively be formed of single-piece construction, or otherwise formed and fabricated in a suitable manner facilitating the assembly of the unit.  
       FIG. 16  is a right-hand side view, in elevation, of the assembly of  FIG. 12 , showing the boss  237  on the back wall surface and the power connector element  238  protruding therefrom. The retractable security shelf  224  is shown at the bottom of the unit in the view illustrated, and the firewire port adjustment switch  221  is shown protruding from the upper end of the unit.  
       FIG. 17  is a top plan view of the modular docking unit shown in  FIG. 12 , with the firewire port adjustment switch  221  protruding from the front surface of the main body portion  212  of the unit.  
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an MP3 player  256  having a connector  259  adapted for docking with a firewire port or a USB port. The MP3 player  256  illustrated in  FIG. 18  is an iPod® MP3 player, available from Apple Computer, Inc., Cupertino, Calif., although other MP3 players can be used with the modular docking unit according to various embodiments of the invention.  
       FIG. 19  is a schematic front elevation view of a modular docking unit  300  according to another embodiment of the invention, arranged for mounting therein of an MP3 player of the type shown in  FIG. 18 . The modular docking unit  300  includes a housing  312  defining a cavity therein bounded by back wall surface  314  and the side rails  318  and  320  of the housing. At the bottom extremity of the cavity is positioned a dock connector  327  that mates with the connector  259  of the MP3 player  256  (see  FIG. 18 ).  
      The modular docking unit  300  has on a lower portion of the housing, on a frontal surface thereof, a frequency indicator display  330 , which in the drawing indicates a frequency of 102.5 megahertz (MHz) being transmitted by the transmitter in the docking unit. Below the frequency indicator display is a tuning control  332 , which can be variously configured as a membrane switch, as a thumb-wheel control, or other control member that is selectively actuatable to increase or decrease the transmitter frequency, as desired.  
      To the right of the frequency indicator display  327  on the lower portion of the housing  312  is a power indicator  334 , which may comprise an LED or other suitable element indicating the power “ON” or “OFF” status of the unit. Adjacent to the power indicator  334  is an FM transmitter indicator element  336  which may likewise comprise an LED or other suitable element indicating the “ON” or “OFF” status of the FM transmitter disposed in the housing.  
      The modular docking unit  300  of  FIG. 19  is shown as coupled to a flexible 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter  350 , to enable the unit to be powered from the electrical system of a vehicle, by plug-in of the adapter  350  into the cigarette lighter of the vehicle. The connected modular docking unit  300  then is situated to receive the MP3 player in the cavity of the housing, and to be actuated to transmit audio from the MP3 player to the sound system of the vehicle in which the modular docking unit is mounted.  
      It will therefore be recognized that the FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly of the present invention may be widely varied in specific structure, while providing FM transmission ability to the MP3 player docked therein, and concurrently providing charging capability to the MP3 player battery, as well as power during docked usage of the MP3 player.  
      The various adaptor units shown, as well as the associated mounting articles, may be provided as a kit together with the FM transmitter and power supply/charging assembly, to provide a package of alternative parts for varied deployment of the docked MP3 player.  
      While the invention has been described herein with respect to various illustrative aspects, features and embodiments, it will be recognized that the invention is not thus limited, but that the present invention extends to and encompasses other features, modifications, and alternative embodiments, as will readily suggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the art based on the disclosure and illustrative teachings herein. The claims that follow are therefore to be construed and interpreted as including all such features, modifications and alternative embodiments, within their spirit and scope.