PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8477953-B2
Application Number: US-69605907-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Portable media delivery system

Abstract:
An improved media delivery apparatus is disclosed. The media delivery apparatus can, for example, be a portable speaker system. In one embodiment, the media delivery apparatus is used with a portable media player. According to one aspect, audio output characteristics of a media delivery apparatus can be controlled based on whether a removable component is attached or detached. Another aspect pertains to improved techniques to attach a removable component to a media delivery apparatus. According to still another aspect a portion of a housing of an electrical device, such as a media delivery apparatus, can be utilized as part of a connector or plug.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A media delivery apparatus having a housing including audio output circuitry and at least one speaker, and the media delivery apparatus having a removable cover to cover said at least one speaker, comprising
 an audio output subsystem that produces audio signals, 
 wherein said at least one speaker is operatively connected to receive the audio signals from said audio output circuit; 
 a removable cover for said at least one speaker, wherein the removable cover is configured to be attached to a housing of the media delivery apparatus by a mounting arrangement that provides a gap between the removable cover and the housing of the media delivery apparatus; 
 a cover detection circuit operatively connected to provide a cover detection signal to said audio output subsystem based on whether or not said removable cover is attached or not, 
 wherein the audio signals supplied to said at least one speaker have at least one audio characteristic that varies depending on the cover detection signal, wherein the housing includes a housing wall that includes an opening for receiving a connector therethrough; 
 a fixture mounted to an inner surface of the housing wall so that an outer surface of the housing wall is continuous, the fixture including a body having a void for receiving the connector therein, and one or more electrical contacts disposed inside and extending outside the void, the void cooperating with the opening of the housing wall to form the interior space that receives the connector, the one or more electrical contacts extending partially into the opening in the housing wall; and 
 a removable access door for placement inside the access opening, the removable access door including a retention plate that slides in and out of an opening in the removable access door, the retention plate sliding between a disengaged position where the retention plate is contained within the perimeter of the removable access door, and an engaged position where the retention plate extends out of and past the perimeter of the removable access door in order to mate with the slot disposed within the access opening thereby securing the removable access door within the access opening of the housing wall. 
 
     
     
       2. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one audio characteristic pertains to equalization settings. 
     
     
       3. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cover detection signal provided by said cover detection circuit indicates whether said removable cover is attached to or removed from the housing. 
     
     
       4. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , wherein when altering the at least one audio characteristic of the resulting audio, a first predetermined set of equalization levels are used when said removable cover is determined to be attached, and a second predetermined set of equalization levels are used when said removable cover is determined to be removed. 
     
     
       5. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said media delivery apparatus is a portable media player box. 
     
     
       6. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said media delivery apparatus includes a plurality of speakers, and wherein said removable cover serves to cover the plurality of speakers. 
     
     
       7. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein, when attached, said removable cover imposes a fabric in front of said at least one speaker. 
     
     
       8. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said cover detection circuit includes at least a switch. 
     
     
       9. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mounting arrangement for detachably coupling a speaker grill to the housing of the media delivery apparatus, the mounting arrangement comprising: 
 a housing-side mount attached to the housing of the media delivery apparatus, the housing-side mount including a receptacle and a holding detect mechanism within the receptacle; and 
 a grill-side mount attached to the speaker grill, the grill-side mount including a post that when inserted into the receptacle is held in the receptacle by the holding detent mechanism, thereby removably attaching the speaker grill to the housing, wherein the speaker grill is separated from the housing by a gap when the post of grill-side mount is inserted into the receptacle. 
 
     
     
       10. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said mounting arrangement further comprises:
 a dampening mechanism disposed between the speaker grill and the housing. 
 
     
     
       11. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the holding detent mechanism includes one or more holding flexures and wherein the post includes a recess for receiving the holding flexures, the holding flexures being biased inwardly towards a centerline of the receptacle, wherein during insertion the end of the post causes the holding flexures to bend outwardly and wherein upon further insertion the flexures resume there inwardly biased state inside the recess thereby holding the post within the receptacle. 
     
     
       12. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 9 ,
 wherein the post includes a base, a ball and a neck disposed between the base and the ball, 
 wherein the housing-side mount includes a cap having an opening for receiving the ball therethrough so that the ball can be placed within a void of the receptacle, and 
 wherein the holding detent mechanism is a retainer ring that is trapped between the opening in the cap and the void of the receptacle, the retainer ring bending outwardly away from its axis when the ball is pushed or pulled between the opening and the void, the retainer ring capturing the ball when the ball is pushed therethrough and releasing the ball when the ball is pulled therethrough. 
 
     
     
       13. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said mounting arrangement further comprises:
 a dampening ring that is trapped between the speaker grill and the post, the dampening ring including a tube portion that extends along the neck of the post, the ends of the dampening ring being configured to come in contact with the housing-side mount when the grill-side mount is fully engaged with the housing-side mount. 
 
     
     
       14. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said mounting arrangement further comprises:
 a dampening device that is trapped between the speaker grill and the post. 
 
     
     
       15. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the dampening device is configured to come in contact with the housing-side mount when the grill-side mount is fully engaged with the housing-side mount. 
     
     
       16. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a docking station integrated within a top wall of the housing, the docking station allowing a handheld media player to interact with the media delivery apparatus, the docking station including a media bay capable of physically receiving the handheld media player and a connector arrangement disposed within the media bay for operatively coupling the handheld media player to the operational components of the media delivery apparatus. 
 
     
     
       17. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said media delivery apparatus further comprises:
 one or more input mechanisms for controlling some aspect of the handheld media player when the handheld media player is docked within the docking station. 
 
     
     
       18. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said media delivery apparatus further comprises:
 at least one dampening device disposed between the speaker grill and the housing wall. 
 
     
     
       19. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the mounting arrangement comprises:
 a housing-side mount attached to the housing of the media delivery apparatus, the housing-side mount including a receptacle and a holding detect mechanism within the receptacle; and 
 a grill-side mount attached to the speaker grill, the grill-side mount including a post that is inserted into the receptacle and held in the receptacle by the holding detent mechanism. 
 
     
     
       20. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said media delivery apparatus further comprises:
 a removable access door that covers and seals a battery cavity of the portable sound system, the removable access door including a retention plate that slides in and out of an opening in the removable access door, the retention plate sliding between a disengaged position where the retention plate is contained within the perimeter of the removable access door, and an engaged position where the retention plate extends out of and past the perimeter of the removable access door in order to mate with a slot disposed within the battery cavity thereby securing the removable access door in front of the battery cavity. 
 
     
     
       21. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said portable sound system further comprises:
 a power socket formed by a portion of a wall of the housing so that the wall of the housing can maintain a continuous appearance without gaps, lines or breaks. 
 
     
     
       22. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the access opening includes a recessed portion disposed around the perimeter of the access opening, the recessed portion receiving a back side of the removable access door, the recessed portion placing the outer surface of the removable access door substantially flush with the outer surface of the housing wall adjacent the access opening when the removable access door is disposed within the access opening and abutting against the recess portion. 
     
     
       23. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the removable access door includes a rotating member on its exposed side for driving the retention plate between the engaged and disengaged positions. 
     
     
       24. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the housing includes a second slot within the access opening, the second slot being positioned opposite the first slot, and wherein the removable access door includes a lip for placement within the second slot, the lip being positioned opposite the retention plate. 
     
     
       25. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the removable access door comprises an outer shell and an inner shell that form an enclosure that slidably retains the retention plate therein, the outer and inner shell defining an opening that allows the retention plate to slide in and out of the enclosure between the engaged and disengaged positions. 
     
     
       26. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the housing wall includes a recessed portion surrounding the opening, the recessed portion receiving therein an end portion of the body of the fixture. 
     
     
       27. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 26 , wherein the housing wall includes posts and the fixture includes tabs that rest on the posts. 
     
     
       28. A media delivery apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrical contacts includes at least one ground contact.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/363,649, filed Feb. 27, 2006, and entitled “PORTABLE MEDIA DELIVERY SYSTEM,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference that is also related to: (i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/423,490, filed Apr. 25, 2003, entitled “MEDIA PLAYER SYSTEM,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/051,499, filed Feb. 23, 2005, entitled “ACCESSORY AUTHENTICATION FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (iii) U.S. application Ser. No. 11/125,883 filed May 9, 2005 entitled “UNIVERSAL DOCKING STATION FOR HAND HELD ELECTRONIC DEVICES”, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; (iv) U.S. application Ser. No. 11/212,302 filed Aug. 24, 2005 entitled “DOCKING STATION FOR HAND HELD ELECTRONIC DEVICES”, which is herein incorporated by reference; (v) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/245,937, filed Oct. 7, 2005, entitled “TECHNIQUES FOR PAIRING REMOTE CONTROLLERS WITH HOST DEVICES,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; and (vi) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/326,169, filed Jan. 4, 2006, entitled “REMOTE CONTROLLER AND FM RECEPTION ARRANGEMENT,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/810,241, filed Jun. 1, 2006, and entitled “PORTABLE MEDIA DELIVERY SYSTEM,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to media devices and, more particularly, to portable media devices, such as portable media players, that couple to accessory devices. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A media player stores media assets, such as audio tracks or photos, that can be played or displayed on the media player. One example of a media player is the iPod® media player, which is available from Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Often, a media player acquires its media assets from a host computer that serves to enable a user to manage media assets. As an example, the host computer can execute a media management application to manage media assets. One example of a media management application is iTunes® produced by Apple Computer, Inc. 
     A media player typically includes one or more connectors or ports that can be used to interface to the media player. For example, the connector or port can enable the media player to (i) couple to a host computer, (ii) be inserted into a docking system, or (iii) connect to an accessory device. There are today many different types of accessory devices that can interconnect to the media player. For example, a remote control can be connected to the connector or port to allow the user to remotely control the media player. As another example, an automobile can include a connector and the media player can be inserted onto the connector such that an automobile media system can interact with the media player, thereby allowing the media content on the media player to be played within the automobile media system. As still another example, a media player can be connected to a speaker dock, which can then serve as a portable media system or sound system. 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, there is a need for improved interaction between media devices and accessory devices. There is also a need for improved design of accessories that produce audible sounds. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to an improved media delivery apparatus. The media delivery apparatus can, for example, be a portable speaker system. In one embodiment, the media delivery apparatus is used with a portable media player. The media delivery apparatus can also be referred to as a sound system. 
     The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a method, system, device, apparatus (including graphical user interface), or computer readable medium. Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below. 
     The invention, in one embodiment, relates to a media delivery apparatus. The media delivery apparatus includes at least: an audio output subsystem that produces audio signals; at least one speaker operatively connect to receive the audio signals from said audio output circuit; a removable cover for said at least one speaker; and a cover detection circuit operatively connected to provide a cover detection signal to said audio output subsystem based on whether or not said removable cover is attached or not. The audio signals supplied to said at least one speaker have at least one audio characteristic that varies depending on the cover detection signal. 
     The invention, in another embodiment, relates to a media delivery apparatus. The media delivery apparatus includes at least: a controller for controlling output of media data; an audio output circuit operatively connected to said controller for receiving the media data and producing audio signals; at least one speaker operatively connect to receive the audio signals from said audio output circuit; a removable grill to cover said at least one speaker; and a grill detection circuit operatively connected to provide a grill detection signal to at least one of said controller and said audio output circuit. At least one of said controller and said audio output circuit operates to alter audio characteristics of the resulting audio output from said at least one speaker dependent on the grill detection signal. 
     The invention, in another embodiment, relates to a method for modifying audio output by a media delivery apparatus. The media delivery apparatus having a housing including audio output circuitry and one or more speakers. The media delivery apparatus also having a removable cover to cover at least the one or more speakers. The method including at least the acts of: determining whether the removable cover is attach or removed from the housing; and altering equalization characteristics imposed by the audio output circuitry dependent on whether the removable cover is determined to be attached or removed. 
     The invention relates, in one embodiment, to a portable sound system for docking a handheld media player. The sound system includes a housing forming at least partially a speaker box. The sound system also includes one or more speaker drivers mounted to a front wall of the housing. The speaker drivers are configured to output sound based on audio signals generated at the media player. The sound system further includes a removable speaker grill that is detachably coupled to the front wall of the housing via a mounting arrangement. The speaker grill has a shape that coincides with the shape of the front wall of the housing. The mounting arrangement minimizes the gap found between the speaker grill and the housing wall. The sound system additionally includes a docking station integrated within a top wall of the housing of the sound system. The docking station allows the handheld media player to interact with the portable sound system, the docking station includes a media bay capable of physically receiving the handheld media player and a connector arrangement disposed within the media bay for operatively coupling the handheld media player to the operational components of the portable sound system. 
     The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a sound system. The sound system includes a housing having a housing wall with an access opening and a slot disposed within the access opening. The sound system also includes a removable access door for placement inside the access opening. The removable access door includes a retention plate that slides in and out of an opening in the removable access door. The retention plate slides between a disengaged position where the retention plate is contained within the perimeter of the removable access door, and an engaged position where the retention plate extends out of and past the perimeter of the removable access door in order to mate with the slot disposed within the access opening thereby securing the removable access door within the access opening of the housing wall. 
     The invention relates, in still another embodiment, to a mounting arrangement for detachably coupling a speaker grill to a housing of a sound system. The mounting arrangement includes a housing-side mount attached to the housing of the sound system. The housing-side mount includes a receptacle and a holding detect mechanism within the receptacle. The mounting arrangement also includes a grill-side mount attached to the speaker grill. The grill-side mount including a post that is inserted into the receptacle and held in the receptacle by the holding detent mechanism. 
     The invention relates, in yet another embodiment, to a power plug system for a sound system. The power plug system includes a portion of housing wall of the sound system. The housing wall includes an opening for receiving a connector therethrough. The power plug system also includes a fixture mounted to an inner surface of the housing wall so that an outer surface of the housing wall is continuous. The fixture includes a body having a void for receiving the connector therein, and electrical contacts disposed inside and extending outside the void, the void cooperating with the opening to form the interior space that receives the connector. The electrical contacts extend partially into the opening in the housing wall. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of a media system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of an audio delivery apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a block diagram of an audio delivery apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of an equalization adjustment process according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an audio output modification process according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is front perspective diagram of a sound system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is rear perspective diagram of a sound system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a sound system with a removable access door in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view diagram of a removable access door in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a sound system with a removable speaker grill in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the mounting arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11A  is a side elevation view, in cross section, showing a grill-side mount disengaged from a housing-side mount in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11B  is a side elevation view, in cross section, showing a grill-side mount engaged with the housing-side mount in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram showing a retainer ring configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevation view, in cross section, of a power plug arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevation view, in cross section, of a power plug arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15A  is a front view of a housing for the power plug arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15B  is a rear view of a housing for the power plug arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a fixture for the power plug arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to an improved media delivery apparatus. The media delivery apparatus can, for example, be a portable speaker system. In one embodiment, the media delivery apparatus is used with a portable media player. The media delivery apparatus can also be referred to as a sound system. 
     The improved media delivery device can include one or more different aspects. One aspect of the invention pertains to controlling audio output characteristics of a media delivery apparatus based on whether a removable component is attached or detached. Another aspect of the invention pertains to improved techniques to attach a removable component to a media delivery apparatus. Still another aspect of the invention concerns utilization of a portion of a housing of an electrical device, such as a media delivery apparatus, as part of a connector or plug. 
     Embodiments of various aspects of the invention are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-16 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. 
     One aspect of the invention pertains to controlling audio output characteristics of a media delivery apparatus based on whether a removable component is attached or detached. In particular, the removable component can be a cover (e.g., grill) for a speaker of the media delivery apparatus. The audio characteristics that are being controlled dependent on the presence or absence of the cover can include equalization settings. Advantageously, given that the presence of the grill on the housing affects the audio characteristics of the media delivery apparatus, the ability to utilize different equalization settings dependent upon the presence or absence of the cover yields an improved media delivery apparatus. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of a media system  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The media system  100  includes a media delivery apparatus  102 . The media delivery apparatus  102  serves to output media, such as outputting audio sounds. For example, the audio sound can pertain to music. The media delivery apparatus  102  can also be referred to as a media delivery accessory. More particularly, the media delivery apparatus  102  can be considered a speaker system. 
     The media delivery apparatus  102  includes a housing  104  that supports or contains various components of the media delivery apparatus  102 . The housing  104  includes an opening or receptacle  106  and a connector  108  disposed therein. Besides the media delivery apparatus  102 , the media system  100  also includes a portable media player  110 . The portable media player  110  is, more generally, a portable computing device, such as the portable media device  102  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The portable media player  110  includes a connector  112 , a display  114  and a user input device  116 . The user input device  116  can, for example, be a touch pad, a dial, a wheel, and/or a button. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the exemplary user input device  116  depicted is a circular touchpad that supports rotational inputs and may include a center button. Typically, the portable media player  110  is a battery-powered media playback device. The battery-powered media playback devices can be highly portable, such as handheld or pocket-sized media players. Examples of portable media device include media players (e.g., MP3 players or video players), cell phones having media support, and PDAs. 
     Although the portable media player  110  is fully operational apart from the media delivery apparatus  102 , the portable media player  110  can be connected to the media delivery apparatus  104 . In particular, the portable media player  110  includes the connector  112 . The portable media player  110  can be placed in the opening or receptacle  106  such that the connector  108  physically and electrically connects with the connector  112  of the portable media player  110 , thereby connecting the portable media player  110  to the media delivery apparatus  104 . The opening or receptacle  106  can also be considered a media bay opening for removably receiving the portable media player  110 . 
     The media delivery apparatus  102  includes a plurality of speakers  118 . In one embodiment, the speakers  118  include a pair of midrange speakers and a subwoofer speaker. The media delivery apparatus  102  can further provide a cover  119  that can be removable be attached to the front of the housing  102  such that one or more of the speakers  118  can be covered. The cover  119  is, for example, a speaker grill. Typically, the cover  119  is decorative so as to provide a uniform and more aesthetic look for the front of the housing  102  when attached. In  FIG. 1 , the front of the housing  102  is shown with the cover  119  removed; however, the representative placement for the cover  119  with is depicted as a dotted line. The housing  104  also includes volume control devices  120  and  122 . In one embodiment, the volume control devices  120  and  122  are buttons. Still further, the housing  104  can include an indicator light  124  that is operated to provide visual feedback to the user regarding the operation or condition of the media delivery apparatus  102 . The housing  104  can also include an infrared receiver window  126  that can be used by an infrared receiver internal to the housing  104  when picking up wireless infrared transmissions from a remote controller  128 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the remote controller  128  includes a plurality of user input controls  130 . Through use of the user input controls  130  on the remote controller  128 , the user is able to indirectly interact with the portable media player  110  or directly interact with the media delivery apparatus  102 . For example, the user of the remote controller  128  can interact with the user input controls  130  to select a media item to be played on the portable media player  110  with its audio output being provided by the speakers  118  of the media delivery apparatus  102 . The remote controller  128  can also be used to alter the volume of the audio output from the media delivery apparatus  102 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of an audio delivery apparatus  200  according to one embodiment of the invention. As an example, the audio delivery apparatus  200  can represent audio delivery circuitry within the media delivery apparatus  102  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The audio delivery apparatus  200  includes a controller  202 , an audio output circuit  204  and a speaker  206 . The controller  202  receives media data to be output by the audio output circuit  204  via the speaker  206 . The controller  202  can, for example, receive the media data from an internal data storage device or from an input/output (I/O) interface  208 . For example, the I/O interface  208  can permit connection to a media storage device, such as a removable data storage device, a portable media player or a network-based media storage device. 
     The audio delivery apparatus  200  is provided within a housing and has a grill that is removable with respect to the housing. A grill detection circuit  210  is provided to determine whether the grill is attached or detached from the housing for the audio delivery apparatus  200 . The grill detection circuit  210  provides a grill detection signal to the audio output circuit  204 . According to one embodiment, the audio output circuit  204  can output audio signals to the speaker  206  in accordance with equalization settings that are determined dependent upon the grill detection signal. The audio delivery apparatus  200  has equalization settings A  212  and equalization settings B  214  available for usage. When the grill detection signal detects that the grill is attached to the housing, then the equalization settings A  212  can be utilized by the audio detection circuit  204  in producing the output signals for the speaker  206 . On the other hand, when the grill detection signal indicates that the grill is removed from the housing, then equalization settings B  214  can be utilized by the audio output circuit  204  in producing the output signals for the speaker  206 . 
       FIG. 2B  is a block diagram of an audio delivery apparatus  250  according to another embodiment of the invention. As an example, the audio delivery apparatus  250  can represent audio delivery circuitry within the media delivery apparatus  102  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The audio delivery apparatus  250  includes a controller  252 , an audio output circuit  254  and a speaker  256 . The controller  252  acquires media data that is processed to produce output audio data. The output audio data is supplied to the audio output circuit  254 . The audio output circuit  254  then produces audio signals that are provided to the speaker  256  so that the appropriate audio sounds are produced. The controller  252  can, for example, receive the media data from an internal data storage device or from an input/output (I/O) interface  258 . For example, the I/O interface  258  can permit connection to a media storage device, such as a removable data storage device, a portable media player or a network-based media storage device. 
     Once the controller  252  receives the media data that is to be output (i.e., played), the controller  252  can produce the audio output data. In doing so, the controller  252  can interact with a grill detection circuit  260 . In particular, the grill detection circuit  260  provides a grill detection signal to the controller  252 . The grill detection signal indicates whether a removable grill is attached or detached from the housing for the audio delivery apparatus  250 . The controller  252  also has access to equalization settings  262 . The controller  252  produces the audio output data for the audio output circuit  254  dependent upon not only the media data but also the appropriate equalization settings  262 . The controller  252  determines the equalization settings  262  to be utilized, often from a plurality of different available sets, based at least in part on the grill detection signal provided by the grill detection circuit  260 . 
     In one embodiment, the grill detection circuit  210 ,  260  includes at least a switch. In one embodiment, the removable grill can be attached to the housing through a plurality of posts provided on the removable grill. These mounting posts can be metal so as to act as a switch-closing element when the removable grill is attached to the housing. However, in general, the grill detection circuit  260  can use any of a wide range of different mechanical or optical switches. 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of an equalization adjustment process  300  according to one embodiment of the invention. The equalization adjustment process  300  is, in general, performed by an audio delivery apparatus. For example, the equalization adjustment process  300  can be performed by the audio delivery apparatus  100  illustrate din  FIG. 1  or the audio delivery apparatus  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2A , or the audio delivery apparatus  250  illustrated in  FIG. 2B . 
     The equalization adjustment process  300  includes a decision  302  that determines whether a removable cover is attached. For example, the audio delivery apparatus includes a removable cover. Hence, the decision  302  can determine whether or not the removable cover is attached. When the decision  302  determines that the removable cover is attached, equalization characteristics are set  304  in accordance with a first set of equalization levels. On the other hand, when the decision  302  determines that the removable cover is not attached, then equalization characteristics are set  306  in accordance with a second set of equalization levels. Accordingly, the equalization adjustment process  300  can utilize different equalization characteristics depending upon whether the removable cover is attached or not. In any case, following the blocks  304  and  306 , the equalization adjustment process  300  is complete and ends. 
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an audio output modification process  400  according to one embodiment of the invention. The audio output modification process is, for example, performed by an audio delivery apparatus. 
     The audio output modification process  400  begins with a decision  402 . The decision  402  determines whether a media play request has been received. When the decision  402  determines that a media play request has not yet been received, the audio output modification process  400  awaits such a request. Once the decision  402  determines that a media play request has been received, the audio output modification process  400  continues. In other words, the audio output modification process  400  can be deemed invoked once a media play request is received. 
     After the media play request has been received, media data to be played is obtained  404 . Next, a decision  406  determines whether a speaker cover is attached. Here, the audio delivery apparatus includes a removable speaker cover. The decision  406  determines whether the speaker cover is attached to the audio delivery apparatus or removed therefrom. When the decision  406  determines that the speaker cover is attached, equalization characteristics are set  408  to a first set of equalization levels. Alternatively, when the decision  406  determines that the speaker cover is not attached, equalization characteristics are set  410  to a second set of equalization levels. Accordingly, the audio output modification process  400  allows different equalization settings to be automatically utilized depending upon whether or not the speaker cover is attached. 
     Following the blocks  408  or  410 , audio signals are produced  412  based on the media data and the equalization characteristics that have been set. The audio signals are then output  414  to one or more speakers. Thereafter, a decision  416  determines whether the audio output modification process  400  should continue. When the decision  416  determines that the audio output modification process  400  should continue, processing returns to repeat the block  404  and subsequent blocks. Alternatively, when the decision  416  determines that the audio output modification process  400  should not continue the audio output modification process  400  ends. 
     The invention pertains to improved techniques to attach a removable component to a media delivery apparatus. As discussed below, the removable component can, for example, be an access door for the media delivery apparatus or a speaker grill (or cover) for the media delivery device. The invention also pertains to an improved plug arrangement that makes use of a portion of the housing of the media delivery device. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective diagrams of a sound system  500 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  is a front perspective view and  FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the sound system  500 . The sound system  500  is capable of playing recorded music at relatively high volume. 
     The sound system  500  includes a housing  502  and one or more speaker drivers  504  mounted to the housing  502 . The speaker drivers  504  may for example be mounted to the front wall  506  of the housing  502 . The speaker drivers  504  are configured to output sound based on audio signals generated via a media player  508  that is integrated with the sound system  500  or one that is removably coupled to the sound system  500  (as shown). The media player  508  may be a digital music player such as an MP3 player. By way of example, the media player may be a iPod® media player manufactured by Apple Inc., of Cupertino, Calif. 
     The type and number of speaker drivers  504  may be widely varied. In the illustrated embodiment, the sound system  500  includes a central sub woofer  504 A and full range drivers  504 B positioned at the sides of the subwoofer  504 A. In order to further enhance the sound output, the sound system  500  may further include one or more ports  510  disposed in the front wall  506  along with the speaker drivers  504 . 
     Besides acting like a speaker box, the housing  502  serves various functions including but not limited to surrounding internal components at a peripheral region thereof so as to cover and protect them from adverse conditions; structurally supporting the internal components in their assembled position within the housing  502 ; and defining the shape or form of the sound system  500 . 
     Although not shown, the internal components may for example include processors, controllers, memory, electrical circuits, batteries, power supplies, amplifiers as well as other circuitry needed to operate the sound system  500 . The various electrical components of the sound system  500  are powered by a power supply that draws energy from a battery or a power outlet. Amplifiers, in particular, are configured to increase or boost the level of an audio signal provided by a media player whether internal or external to the system ( 108 ). Generally speaking, the amplifier receives audio signals from the media player  508  and generates larger, more powerful audio signals. The amplified audio signals are used to drive the one or more speaker drivers  504  mounted to the front of the housing  502 . That is, the amplified audio signals move a speaker cone of the speaker drivers  504  back and forth thereby generating a physical sound wave. 
     In order to protect the speaker drivers  504  particularly the exposed speaker cones of the speaker drivers  504  (as well as the ports), the sound system  500  also includes a removable speaker grill  512  that is situated in front of the speaker drivers  504 . Although not a requirement, in one embodiment, the speaker grill  512  includes a frame and a fabric cover that is attached around the frame. Alternatively, the speaker grill  512  may be embodied as a perforated metal or plastic cover. In one implementation, the speaker grill  512  has a shape that coincides with the shape of the front wall  506  of the housing  502  thereby improving the aesthetic appearance of the sound system  500 . The speaker grill  512  also includes one or mounts  514  for coupling the speaker grill  512  to corresponding mounts  516  on the front of the housing  502 . In most cases, the mounts  514 / 516  allow the speaker grill  512  to be easily removed from the housing  502 . For example, the mounts  514 / 516  may be embodied as snap fittings or friction couplings or magnetic couplings, etc. 
     In one embodiment, unlike conventional speaker mounts, the speaker mounts  514 / 516  of the present invention are configured to limit the gap  518  found between the edges of the speaker grill  512  and the front wall  506  of the housing  502  to further improve the aesthetic appearance of the sound system  500  as well as to better protect the speaker cones of the speaker drivers  504 . The gap is small yet adequate to isolate the speaker grill  512  from the front wall  506  of the housing  502 . By way of example, according to one embodiment of the invention, the gap  518  may be between about 1-6 mm and more particularly about 2 mm. In order to maintain a small gap, the speaker grill  512  may provide a space, void or recess on its inside surface for receiving the protruding speaker drivers  504 . When the speaker grill is attached using the mounts  514 / 516 , the speaker drivers  504  are seated within this space thereby forming the small gap. By way of example, the outer frame of the speaker grill that surrounds the speaker drivers may have a depth larger than the depth of the protruding speaker drivers. 
     Although this arrangement improves the aesthetic appearance and helps protect the speaker drivers  504 , it may generate undesired noise, such as vibrations or chatter, between the speaker grill  512  and the front wall  506  when the speaker drivers  504  are operating. The sound waves generated by the speaker drivers  504  cause the speaker grill  512  to vibrate. Because of the small gap  518  between the speaker grill  512  and housing  502 , the vibrating speaker grill  512  intermittingly comes into contact with the housing  502  thereby creating chatter, which can degrade the listening experience. Therefore, in accordance with one embodiment, the speaker grill  512  further includes a dampening mechanism for preventing the chatter. In one embodiment, the dampening mechanism may, for example, be deformable bumpers or gaskets that are positioned between the inside surface of the speaker grill  512  and the outside surface of the front wall  506  along the perimeter of their interface (e.g., edge). In one implementation, the deformable bumpers or gaskets fill the gap between the speaker grill and housing (at least at certain portions of the gap) thereby dampening the vibration. In one implementation, the bumpers or gaskets are placed at the locations of the mounts  514 / 116 . 
     The sound system  500  also includes a power arrangement  530  for powering the sound system  500 . The power arrangement  530  typically includes one or more internal batteries and/or an external power cord  534  that plugs into a power outlet in order to provide power to the sound system  500 . The power may be used to drive the various components of the sound system  500  including for example the amplifier. The power may also be used to recharge or provide power to the media player  508  operatively coupled to the sound system  500 . 
     In one embodiment, the sound system  500  includes a battery compartment  536  including a battery cavity for placement of one or more batteries such as alkaline or lithium-ion batteries, and an access door  538  that covers and seals the battery cavity  536 . The access door  538  when removed allows the user access to the battery cavity  536  so that batteries can be removed and replaced. In one implementation, the battery cavity  536  is configured to receive a plurality of “D” sized batteries. For example, the cavity  536  may be configured for 6 “D” sized batteries. The access door  538  when inserted acts like part of the housing  502 . For example, it may be flush with the back housing wall  507 . In most cases, the access door  538  includes a locking feature  540  for securing the access door  538  to the housing  502  in front of the battery cavity  536 . 
     In one embodiment, in order to maintain a clean continuous appearance at the housing wall  507  (as well as to better seal the housing), a power plug  542  for receiving a cord connector  544  of the power cord  534  is formed by a portion of the housing  502 . That is, rather than using inserts which form gaps and lines at the power plug  542 , the housing  502  itself forms a part of the power plug  542  thereby maintaining a clean continuous look and eliminating gaps. Not only does this provide a better appearance, but it is also believed to prevent contaminants and provide better sound quality. In this embodiment, the power plug  542  includes an internal fixture (not shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) that is attached inside the housing  502  behind an opening  543  in the housing wall  507 . The opening  543  in the housing wall  507  is sized and dimension to match the cord connector  544  so that the cord connector  544  can interface with the internal fixture disposed therein. 
     The sound system  500  may also include an integrated docking station  550  for allowing the media player  508  to interact with the sound system  500 . When inserted in the docking station  550 , the functionality of a media player  508  becomes available for use by the sound system  500  (or vice versa). The media player  508  essentially becomes a part of the sound system  500  when placed in the docking station  550 . When the media player  508  is taken out, it becomes a separate device again. 
     As shown, the integrated docking station  550  includes a media bay  552  capable of physically receiving the media player  508  and a connector arrangement  554  disposed within the media bay  552  for operatively coupling the media player  508  to the operational components of the sound system  500 . The media bay  552  is integrated or part of the housing  502  so that media player  508  can be easily be inserted into or removed from the media bay  552 . In one embodiment, the media bay  552  is integral with the top wall  556  of the housing  502 . That is, the media bay  552  is formed into the top wall  556 . In most cases, the user interface of the media player  508  is completely exposed to the user so that it is accessible to a user while inserted in the media bay  552 . In some cases, the user interface of the media player  508  may act as the primary user interface of the sound system  500  and in other cases, the user interface may be secondary to a user interface of the sound system  500 . 
     In one embodiment, the media bay  552  is configured to have a size and shape that coincides with the size and shape of the media player  508  so that the media player  508  can rest snugly within the media bay  552 . That is, the inner peripheral surfaces of the media bay  552  are sized to receive the outer peripheral surfaces of the media player  508  (allowing for some tolerances). By way of example, the media bay  552  may be configured to receive the back end of the media player  508 . Alternatively, the media bay  552  may be configured to receive a bottom end of the media player  508  (as shown). In either case, the connector on the media player  508  is configured to connect with the connector on the docking station  550  when the media player  508  is inserted in the media bay  552 . 
     In another embodiment, the docking station  550  may include a plurality of removable spacers or inserts (not shown) that can change the size and shape of the media bay  552  thereby accommodating more than one media player. This is especially beneficial when supporting various media players that come in different sizes and shapes. In this embodiment, the media bay  552  is configured to receive all the various inserts, and each of the inserts has a slot or opening that accommodates a particular media player. 
     In another embodiment, the docking station  550  may be a universal docking station capable of receiving media players that come in different sizes and shapes. In this embodiment, the docking station  550  includes one or more adjustable members that have the ability to change the dimensions (size and/or shape) of the media bay  552  in order to accommodate more than one media player  508 . Generally speaking, the adjustable members expand the media bay  552  outwardly to accommodate larger media devices  508  and retract the media bay  552  inwardly to accommodate smaller media devices  508 . By way of example, the docking station  550  may include at least one sliding member that slides within the media bay  552  between a retracted position that forms a large opening in the media bay  552  for receiving larger handheld media players  508 , and an expanded position that forms a small opening in the media bay  552  for receiving smaller media players  508 . 
     In one implementation of this embodiment, the docking station includes a sliding blade on each side of the media bay. The sliding blades slide towards the center of the media bay to change its shape and size. The sliding blades may move together, or separately depending on the needs of the docking station. In one example, the movement of the blades are connected such that they move together in and out of the media bay. The blades may for example have a trapezoidal shape such that their edges come into contact at the minimum sized opening in the media bay. In one implementation, the movement of the blades may be automatic. For example, the docking station may sense the presence of the media player and thereafter drive the blades to close until they abut the surfaces of the media player. This may, for example, be accomplished through a motor and cams, gears or cables that drive the blades together. 
     In another embodiment, the docking station may include a rotatable platform that contains the media connector. In this embodiment, instead of having a connector disposed within a media bay, the connector rotates on a platform from a position within the docking station where it is hidden from view and protected from damage to a position outside the docking station so that a media player can be connected thereto. The connector protrudes away from one of the sides of the platform. The platform generally rotates within a void that is similar to the media bay. The depth of the void has a depth and shape that allows the platform including the connector to fully rotate through 360 degrees or alternatively between 0 and 180 degrees. That is, the void is dimensioned to allow the platform/connector to rotate therein without impediments. Furthermore, in order to help seal the void and reduce gaps, the platform may have an outer perimeter that substantially matches the inner perimeter of the opening in the void. Moreover, the top and bottom surfaces of the platform may be configured to be flush with the outer surface of the docking station when it is in the 0 or 180 degree positions. In one implementation, the platform is attached to the sides of the void via a pair of pivots, and connector arrangement of the docking station is seated on one side of the platform. The connector arrangement can therefore be hidden from view when the platform is turned over. In this implementation, the connector arrangement may be electrically connected to other electrical components through wires or flex circuits that run through the pivots. 
     Additional information on docking stations that can be integrated into the media delivery system or sound system may be found in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/423,490, filed Apr. 25, 2003 entitled “MEDIA PLAYER SYSTEM”, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; U.S. application Ser. No. 11/125,883 filed May 9, 2005 entitled “UNIVERSAL DOCKING STATION FOR HAND HELD ELECTRONIC DEVICES”, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference; and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/212,302 filed Aug. 24, 2005 entitled “DOCKING STATION FOR HAND HELD ELECTRONIC DEVICES”, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     The sound system  500  may include one or more buttons  560  for controlling the media player  508  when the media player  508  is placed in the docking station  552 . The functionality of the buttons  560  may be widely varied and may include one or more controls for us with the sound system  500  or the media player  508 . In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the sound system  500  includes a pair of buttons for increasing and decreasing the volume being outputted by the sound system  500 . In order to maintain a continuous surface and prevent lines and breaks in the housing wall  556 , the buttons  560  may be capacitive buttons. 
     Alternatively or additionally, a remote control (not shown) having the controls necessary to control the media player  508  may be provided. The remote control may interact with the sound system using known wireless interfaces. In one example, the wireless interface is based on infrared (IR) communications. In cases such as these, the front wall may include an optical IR sensing device for receiving instructions from the remote control. The optical IR sensing device may for example be placed behind the fabric portion of the speaker grill  512 . Addition information on remote controls that can be used may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/245,937, filed Oct. 7, 2005, entitled “TECHNIQUES FOR PAIRING REMOTE CONTROLLERS WITH HOST DEVICES”, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, an access door for a sound system is provided. The access door is easily removable and typically includes a quick release coupling. The access door is further configured to maintain the contour of the sound system (e.g., flush with the housing of the sound system). In some cases, the access door may be further configured to help seal an interface with the housing in order to provide better sound quality. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a sound system  600  with a removable access door  602  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The sound system  600  may, for example correspond to the sound system  500  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Although the access door  602  can be placed anywhere on the sound system  600 , in the illustrated embodiment, the access door  602  is situated at the back wall  604  of the housing  606  of the sound system  600 . 
     The removable access door  602  is configured to fit within an opening  608  in the back wall  604  of the housing  606 . The shape of the access door  602  typically coincides with the shape of the opening  608  in order to provide a tight fit (may include some tolerances). The opening  608  may, for example, be an opening associated with a compartment  610  located inside the housing  606 . In one embodiment, the compartment  610  is a battery compartment. 
     Although not a requirement, the opening  608  may include a cutout or recessed portion  612  around its perimeter for receiving the back side of the removable access door  602  (e.g., abutment stop). The recessed portion  612  provides a mating interface for the access door  602  relative to the housing  606 . It may also provide a better seal between the door and the housing. In most cases, the recessed portion  612  is designed to place the outer surface  614  of the access door  602  substantially flush with the outer surface  616  of the back wall  604  of the housing  606  adjacent the access door  602  when the access door  602  is disposed within the opening  608  and abutting the recessed portion  612  (e.g., the depth of the recess is equal to the thickness of the access door at its perimeter). This is typically done to provide a clean and continuous appearance that is aesthetically pleasing to the user. In one embodiment, the outer surface  614  of the access door  602  is substantially planar (flat) in order to coincide with the planar contour of the back wall  604  of the housing  606 . The recessed portion  612  can also include or support a gasket to provide an improved acoustic seal when the access door  602  is attached to the back wall  604  of the housing  606 . 
     The access door  602  generally includes a locking mechanism for securing the access door  602  to the housing  606  when it is desired to be closed and for releasing the access door  602  from the housing  606  when it is desired to be opened. The locking mechanism generally consists of two parts, a housing-side locking mechanism and a door side locking mechanism. These two mechanisms are cooperatively positioned so that when the access door  602  is closed, the locking mechanisms are capable of lockably engaging with one another thus securing the access door  602  to the housing  606 . The locking mechanism also includes a quick release locking feature that enables a user to easily and quickly lock and unlock the door side locking mechanism relative to the housing-side locking mechanism (or vice versa) thereby securing or releasing the access door  602  from the housing  606  in a simple and easy manner. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7A , one embodiment of a locking mechanism will be described. The locking mechanism includes a sliding retention bar  620  that slides out of the top of the access door  602  in order to mate with a top slot (or recess)  622  located within the opening  608  of the housing  606 . The retention bar  620  is configured to engage the slot  622  to hold the access door  602  in place. The retention bar  620  is slidable between an engagement position, moving the retention bar  620  within the slot  622 , and a disengagement position, decoupling the retention bar  620  from the slot  622 . When engaged, the retention bar  620  is captured within the slot  622  and therefore the access door  602  is secured to the housing  606 . When disengaged, the retention bar  620  is released from the slot  622  and therefore the access door  602  can be removed from the housing  606 . The locking mechanism may further include a rotatable locking feature  624  for driving the retention bar  620  between the engagement and disengagement positions. The rotatable locking feature  624  is generally designed for ease of use and one-handed operation. In one example, the rotatable locking feature  624  is a flat circular insert that is flush with the outer surface of the access door  602  and that includes a channel for manipulating it between an open and closed position. 
     The locking mechanism may further include a fixed retention lip  630  located at the bottom of the access door  602  that mates with a bottom slot or recess  632  located within the opening  608  of the housing  606 . The slot  632  receives the retention lip  630  so as to help secure the access door  602  to the housing  606  as well as to coarsely position the access door  602  relative to the housing  606 . As should be appreciated, the retention bar  620  and the slot  622  typically need to be aligned in order for them to properly engage one another. 
     Although the slots  622  and  632  can be placed at any depth within the opening  608 , they are typically located at a position that places the outer surface  614  of the access door  602  flush with the outer surface  616  of the housing  606 . 
     In order to connect the access door  602  to the housing  606 , a user places the retention lip  630  within the slot  632  and rotates the access door  602  about this interface. At the end of the rotation, the access door  602  is placed within the opening  608  and the back side of the access door  602  is placed against the recessed portion  612 . Furthermore, the retention bar  620  is positioned adjacent the slot  622  (e.g., disengagement position). 
     In order to secure the access door  602  to the housing  606 , the user rotates the locking feature  624 . The rotating action causes the retention bar  620  to slide into the slot  622  (e.g., engagement position). Although not shown in this Figure, the locking mechanism generally includes some means for transforming rotating motion of the locking feature  624  into linear motion of the retention bar  622 . When the retention bar  620  is captured within the slot  622 , the access door  602  is held relative to the housing  606 . 
     In some cases, it may be necessary to provide a means for forcing the access door  602  tight against the recessed portion  612  in order to seal the interface there between. In cases such as this, the retention bar  620  and/or the slot  622  may include a tapered portion or ramp that causes the access door  602  to move towards the recessed portion  612  as the retention bar  620  slide into the slot  622 . The tapered portion in essence causes the access door  602  to be sucked into the opening  608  against the recessed portion  612 . 
     In order to remove the access door  602  from the housing  606 , a user simply performs the operations in reverse. For example, the user rotates the locking feature  624  back to its unlocked position in order to slide the retention bar  620  from the engagement position to the disengagement position. When in the disengagement position, the retention bar  620  is decoupled from the slot  622  and therefore the access door  602  is no longer secured to the housing  606 . Thereafter, the user rotates the access door  602  away from the housing  606  about the retention lip/slot interface. Once the access door  602  is free from the opening  608 , the user may simple lift up on the access door  602  to release the retention lip  630  from the slot  632 . Once released, the access door  602  is fully removed from the housing  606 . 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view diagram of a removable access door  650  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The removable access door  650  may, for example, correspond to the removable access door  602  shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
     The access door  650  includes an outer shell  652 , sliding retention bar  654 , and inner shell  656 . The outer shell  652  and inner shell  656  are attached to one another thereby forming the peripheral outer surface of the access door  650 . The outer and inner shell  652  and  656  slidably retain the sliding retention bar  654  therein when attached together. The sliding retention bar  654  slides through an opening formed between the top edges of the outer and inner shells  652  and  656 . 
     Referring to the outer shell  652 , the outer shell  652  includes a body  660  and a stiffening plate  662  attached to the body  660 . The stiffening plate  662  may, for example, be adhered to the body  660  in order to stiffen the outer shell  652  (e.g., prevent flexing, bending and torsion). The body  660  includes a front wall  664  and a plurality of side walls  666  that form a pocket  668 . A plurality of slots  670  are provided along the side walls  666 . The top wall  666  further includes a recess  672  for slidably receiving the retention bar  654 . The front wall  664  includes a rotating disk  674  recessed therein. The rotating disk  674  includes a post  676  that extends away from the back side of the disk  674 . The body  660  also includes a retention lip  678  extending from the bottom wall  666 . The stiffening plate  662  includes a plurality of threads  680  and a channel  682  in which the post  676  of the rotatable disk  674  rotates. The ends of the channel  682  serve as abutment stops for the post  676  (e.g., define the two positions of the lock). When adhered, the stiffening plate  662  helps retain the rotatable disk  674  (e.g., the rotatable lock is trapped between the front wall and the stiffening plate). 
     Referring to the inner shell  656 , the inner shell  656  includes a body  686 . The body  686  is in the form of a plate and is dimensioned to fit within the pocket  668  between the various side walls  666  (e.g., has an outer perimeter that matches the inner perimeter of the side walls). The top edge of the body  686  includes a recess  688 . A plurality of tabs  690  are provided along the edges of the body  686 . The tabs  690  are configured to snap into the slots  670  of the first body  660  thereby helping retain the inner shell  656  to the outer shell  652 . The body  686  also includes a plurality of posts  692  with through holes disposed therein. The posts  692 , and more particular the through holes align with threads  680  of the stiffening plate  662  when the inner shell  656  is placed within the outer shell  652 . Screws  694  are provided to attached the inner shell  656  to the outer shell  652 , i.e., the screws  694  are inserted through the posts  692  and threaded to the threads  680  of the stiffening plate  662 . The posts  692  serve to provide standoffs for providing the internal volume needed for the sliding retention plate  654 . The posts  692  also serves as guides along which the retention plate  654  slides when moving in and out of the access door  650 . 
     Referring to the sliding retention plate  654 , the sliding retention plate  654  includes a top portion  695  that is seated within the opening formed by the recesses  672 / 688  of the inner and outer shells  652  and  656 . The top portion  695  includes a tapered edge  696  for helping guide the plate  654  into a slot within a housing. The retention plate  654  also includes a plurality of channels  697 . When the inner shell  652  is attached to the outer shell  656 , the posts  692  of the inner shell  656  are disposed within the channels  697 . The retention plate  654  therefore is slidably retained between the inner and outer shells  652  and  656 . The posts  692  guide the retention plate  654  linearly up and down. The retention plate  654  also includes a cam groove  698  that receives the post  676  of the rotating disk  674 . When the rotating disk  674  is rotated, the post  676  slides within the cam groove  698  and drives the retention plate  654  up and down via a cam action (e.g., the post pushes upwards and downwards on the retention plate depending on the direction of rotation). 
     The access door  650  may further include a pad  699  that is connected to the inner shell  652 . The pad  699  serves to cover the heads of the screws  694  as well as to provide a spring force on any components disposed on the inside of the access door. That is, when the access door is positioned within an opening in a housing, the pad  699  pushes against a component such as a battery thus helping retain the component in its desired position inside the housing. 
     According to another aspect of the invention pertains to a mounting arrangement for detachably connecting a speaker grill to a housing of a sound system. The mounting arrangement holds the speaker grill in place relative to the housing, helps align the speaker grill to the housing, and provides a controlled minimum gap between the speaker grill and the housing along there edges. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are diagrams of a sound system  700  with a removable speaker grill  702  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9A  illustrates a front surface of the sound system  700 .  FIG. 9B  illustrates an inside view of the removable speaker grill  702  while detached from the front surface of the sound system  700 . The sound system  700  may, for example, correspond to the sound system  500  illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The removable speaker grill  702  is typically positioned over a housing wall  704  of a housing  706  of the sound system  700 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9A , the housing wall  704  supports a plurality of speaker drivers  708  and ports  710 . In particular, three speakers  708  and two ports  710 . The front wall also includes a plurality of housing-side speaker mounts  712  located at the corners of the housing wall  704 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9B , the speaker grill  702  includes a frame  720  with a fabric  722  stretched around it. The frame  720  includes an outer frame member  724  as well as internal frame member  726  disposed within the outer frame member  724 . The outer frame member  724  typically has an outer perimeter that matches the outer perimeter of the housing wall  704  (e.g., they have the same shape). The internal frame member  726  helps support the outer frame member  724  and is located in between the speaker drivers  708  so as not to degrade the sound being outputted by the speaker drivers  708 . The frame  720  also includes a plurality of grill-side speaker mounts  730  located at the corners of the speaker grill  702 . The grill-side speaker mounts  730  are located at a position that coincides with the position of the housing-side speaker mounts  712  on the housing wall  704 . The grill-side speaker mounts  730  are configured to engage the housing-side speaker mounts  712  in order to hold the speaker grill  702  in position relative to the housing wall  704 . For example, to provide a small gap between the speaker grill  702  and the housing wall  704  as well as to align the edges of the speaker grill  702  with the edges of the housing wall  704 . 
     In one embodiment, the interface between the housing-side mounts  712  and the grill-side mounts  730  are designed to provide limited holding power. For example, enough holding power to secure the speaker grill  702  to the housing  706 , while still allowing a user to overcome the holding power when attaching and detaching the speaker grill  702  to and from the housing  706 . One advantage of this type of interface is that the speaker grill  702  can be attached and detached with relative ease. 
     In one implementation, the housing-side speaker mounts  712  include a receptacle and a holding detent mechanism within the receptacle, and the grill-side speaker mounts  730  include a post that is inserted into the receptacle and held in the receptacle by the holding detent mechanism. When the post is inserted into the receptacle, the post is captured by the holding detent mechanism thereby securing the post within the receptacle and therefore the speaker grill  702  to the housing wall  704 . When the post is removed from the receptacle, the post is released by the holding detent mechanism thereby freeing the post from the receptacle and therefore the speaker grill  702  from the housing wall  704 . 
     To elaborate, the holding detect mechanism may include one or more holding flexures, and the post may include a recess. The holding flexures are biased inwards towards the centerline of the receptacle such that they extend into the receptacle. When the post is pushed into the receptacle, the post engages the holding flexures. Because the flexures flex, the flexures bend outwards away from the centerline of the receptacle when the end of the post is slid through the holding flexures. Upon further insertion, the holding flexures resume their natural position (bend back towards the centerline) within the recess thereby trapping the flexures within the recess. Using this arrangement, the post is prevented from sliding out of the receptacle on its own. In order to remove the post, a user simply pulls on the post. During the pulling action, the holding flexures flex around the post such that the flexures again bend outward thereby releasing the post from the receptacle. Using this arrangement, the user simply has to overcome the bias at the detent/recess interface when attaching or detaching the speaker grill  702 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 ,  11 A, and  11 B, one embodiment of a speaker grill mounting arrangement  750  illustrated. The mounting arrangement  750  may, for example, correspond to the mounting arrangement shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B .  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the mounting arrangement  750  including a housing-side mount  752  and a grill-side mount  754  capable of engaging the housing-side mount  752 .  FIG. 11A  is a side elevation view, in cross section, showing the grill-side mount  754  disengaged from the housing-side mount  752 .  FIG. 11B  is a side elevation view, in cross section, showing the grill-side mount  754  engaged with the housing-side mount  752 . 
     The grill-side mount  754  includes a fastener  760 , a standoff  762 , a base  764 , a neck  766  and a ball  768 . The fastener  760  attaches to the speaker grill  756 . By way of example, the fastener  760  may be a screw that threads into an opening in the frame of the speaker grill  756 . The standoff  762  provides a gap between the speaker grill  756  and the base  764  thereby forming a recess for trapping a dampening ring  770 . The neck  766  positions the ball  768  in its desired location relative to the base  764 . The grill-side mount  754  may be formed from any suitable material including plastics and metals. In one example, the grill-side mount is formed from stainless steel. 
     The dampening ring  770  mentioned above is configured to dampen the vibration of the speaker grill  756  in order to eliminate noise (e.g., chatter) that can occur between the speaker grill  756  and a housing wall  758  especially when the speaker grill  756  is located closely to the housing wall  758  (small gap). In one embodiment, the dampening ring  770  includes a base  772  with an opening  774  that surrounds the standoff  762 , and a tube portion  776  that extends from the base  772 . The base  772  is trapped between the base  764  of the grill-side mount  756  and the speaker grill  756  inside the recess. The tube portion  776  surrounds and extends past the base  764  of the grill-side mount  756 . The ends of the tube portion  776  are configured to contact either the housing wall  758  or the housing-side mount  752  when the grill-side mount  754  is attached thereto. Furthermore, the dampening ring  770  is configured to be sandwiched between the housing wall  758  (or the housing-side mount  752 ) and the speaker grill  756  when the grill-side mount  754  is fully engaged with the housing-side mount  752 . The dampening ring  770  may be formed from any suitable dampening material. By way of example, the dampening ring  770  may be formed from rubber or rubber like materials. 
     The housing-side mount  752  includes a cap  780 , a receptacle  782  and a retainer ring  784 . The cap  780  includes an opening  786  for receiving the ball  768  therethrough. The cap  780  also includes a receiver section  788  for guiding and locating the ball  768  relative to the opening  786 . The receiver section  788  may, for example, include a taper or curved surface. The cap  780  also includes a shoulder portion  792  that abuts against the surface of the housing wall  758  and a base portion  794  that extends through an opening  759  in the housing wall  758 . By way of example, the shoulder and base portions  792  and  794  may be glued to the housing wall  758 . The receptacle  782  includes an end portion  796  that closes off the opening  786  and a tube portion  798  that is snugly fitted within the base portion  794  of the cap  780 . The end and tube portions  796  and  798  form a void  800  for receiving the ball  768  when the grill-side mount  754  is coupled to the housing-side mount  752 . The tube portion  798  also is configured to create a recess  802  between its end and the receiver portion  788  of the cap  780 . The recess  802  is configured to trap the retainer ring  784  therein. The cap  780  and the receptacle  782  may be formed from any suitable material including plastics and metals. In one example, they are formed from plastic. 
     The retainer ring  784  is configured to capture the ball  768  inside the void  800  created by the receptacle  782 . The retainer ring  784  generally has an inside diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the ball  768 . However, because the retainer ring  784  includes a cut out, the ring  784  is capable of bending outwardly away from its center axis. The recess  802  is preferably dimensioned to allow for this expansion of the retainer ring  784 . Furthermore, the retainer ring  784  includes a tapered section  804  and  806  on both sides of its opening for smoothly guiding the ball  768  therethrough in either direction. In fact, the tapered sections  804  and  806  may help pull the ball  768  into the void  800  and push the ball  768  out of the opening  786 . Furthermore, the pushing and pulling nature of the retainer ring  784  may provide feedback in the form of an audio and tactile click upon engagement and disengagement therefrom thereby alerting a user as to when the grill is engaged or disengaged (the retainer ring snapping back to position creates an pulsed vibration and click). The retainer ring  384  may be formed from any suitable material including plastics and metals. In one example, it is formed from plastic. 
     Although the retainer ring  784  may float in the recess  802 , in some cases as shown in  FIG. 12 , the retainer ring  784  may include a protrusion  810  that helps secure the retainer ring  784  inside the recess  802 . In one embodiment, the end of the tube portion  798  includes a pair of protrusions  812  that form a recess for placement of the retainer ring protrusion  810 . The end of the tube portion  798  may also include another protrusion  814  that sits within the cut out section  816  of the retainer ring  784 . 
     The operation of the mounts will now be described. During engagement, the ball  768  comes into contact with the receiver portion  788  of the cap  780 . The receiver portion  788  because of its taper helps guide the ball  768  to the opening  786  in the cap  780 . During further insertion, the ball  768  comes into contact with the retainer ring  784 . The ball  768  pushes against the tapered section  804  of the retainer ring  784  thereby expanding the retainer ring  784 . When a sufficient force has been exerted, the ball  768  makes it completely though the retainer ring  784  and the tapered section  806  on the other side of the retainer ring  784  pulls the ball  768  into the void  800 . At this time, the dampening ring  770  is sandwiched between the speaker grill  756  and the cap  780 , which is an extension of the housing wall  758 . Because the dampening ring  770  is typically formed from a deformable material, the dampening ring  770  compresses under the engagement force. The speaker grill  756  is therefore held tight against the housing wall  758 , and the vibration generated by speakers blasting is absorbed by the dampening ring  770 . As a result, the speaker grill  756  tends not to vibrate and as such undesired noise (e.g., chatter) is substantially eliminated. 
     During disengagement, the ball  768  comes into contact with the tapered section  806  of the retainer ring  784 . The ball  768  pushes against the tapered section  806  of the retainer ring thereby expanding the retainer ring  784 . When a great enough force has been exerted, the ball  768  makes it completely though the retainer ring  784  and the tapered section  804  on the other side of the retainer ring  784  pushes the ball  768  out of the opening  786 . As a result, the ball  768  is released and the speaker grill  756  can be removed from housing wall  758 . 
     According to still another aspect of the invention, a power port for receiving a power plug is provided within a continuous surface of the housing of a sound system. As such, the housing wall is preserved from lines and cracks thereby improving the aesthetic appearance and sound quality of the sound system. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13-16 , one embodiment of a power plug system  850  will be described. The power plug system  850  can also be referred to as a power plug arrangement and may, for example, be used in an electronic device, such as the sound system  500  shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 13  is a side elevation view, in cross section, of a power plug arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 14  is a side elevation view, in cross section, of the power plug arrangement.  FIG. 15A  is a front view of a housing for the power plug arrangement.  FIG. 15B  is a rear view of a housing for the power plug arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a fixture for the power plug arrangement in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     The power plug system  850  includes a fixture  852  that is mounted to the backside of a housing wall  854  so that the outer surface  856  of the housing wall  854  is left undisturbed (e.g., no lines or breaks due to the fixture). The fixture  852  includes a body  858  having void  860 . The void  860  is sized and shaped for a snug fit with a power connector at the end of a power cable. That is, the void  860  has an inner perimeter that coincides with an outer perimeter of the power connector (e.g., substantially same size and shape). The fixture  852  also includes spatially separated power contacts  862  disposed inside and extending out of the void  860 . The power contacts  862  are supported by the back wall of the base  858 . In some cases, the power contacts  862  are press fit into the back wall. In other cases, the power contacts  862  are embedded in the back wall. Each of the power contacts  862  are electrically coupled to a separate wire  864 , the ends of which may also be disposed within the back wall. The ends of the wires  864  may for example be soldered to the power contacts  862  and embedded within the back wall. Although not shown, the wires  864  connect the fixture  852  to a power supply or power management circuit of the sound system. 
     The housing wall  854  includes an opening  866  therethrough. Like the void  860 , the opening  866  is sized and shaped for a snug fit with a power connector at the end of a power cable. That is, the opening  866  has an inner perimeter that coincides with an outer perimeter of the power connector (e.g., substantially same size and shape). The opening  866  in the housing wall  854  is aligned with the void  860  in the fixture  852  in order to form the interior space that physically receives the power connector. That is, the void  860  cooperates with the opening  866  to form the power plug socket of the sound system. Furthermore, as shown, the power contacts  862  extend through the void  860  and partially into the opening  866  so that the power contacts  862  are properly placed relative to the outer surface  856  of the housing wall  854 . A portion of the power contacts  862  are positioned within the void  860  and a portion of the power contacts  862  is positioned within the opening  866 . 
     In order to ensure the proper alignment between the void  860  and the opening  866 , the inner surface of the housing wall  854  may include a recessed portion  868  that physically receives an end portion  870  of the base  858 . That is, the end portion  870  and the recess  868  have the same shape and thus their edges serve to align the void  860  with the opening  866 . In some cases, the end portion  870  may be stepped inward from the rest of the base  858  to provide further support to the mating interface. Any suitable technique can be used to attach the fixture  852  to the housing wall  854  including, for example, heat staking, fasteners, glues, snaps, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the base  858  includes tabs  880  that rest on posts  882  of the housing  854 . The tabs  880  include a through hole for receiving a screw that threads into the post  882  thereby securing the fixture  852  to the housing  854 . 
     In some embodiments, in addition to spatially separated power contacts  862 , power plug system  850  can include at least an earth (or ground) contact that provides a dedicated connection to ground. In this way, power plug system can be configured to be used with any of a number of wiring systems used throughout the world. 
     Although the power plug system discussed above is directed at power plugs, the various aspects of the invention may be applied to other types of connectors as for example data connectors (e.g., USB, parallel, serial, Firewire, etc.). The media items (media assets) can pertain to one or more different types of media content. In one embodiment, the media items are audio tracks. In another embodiment, the media items are images (e.g., photos). However, in other embodiments, the media items can be any combination of audio, graphical or video content. 
     In one embodiment, a portable media device is a portable computing device dedicated, at least in part, to processing media such as audio, video or images. For example, a portable media device can be a media player (e.g., MP3 player, video player), a game player, a video recorder, a camera, an image viewer and the like. These devices are generally battery operated and highly portable so as to allow a user to listen to music, play games or videos, record video or take pictures wherever the user travels. In one implementation, the media player is a handheld device that is sized for placement into a pocket or hand of the user. By being handheld, the media player is relatively small and easily handled and utilized by its user. By being pocket-sized, the user does not have to directly carry the device and therefore the device can be taken almost anywhere the user travels (e.g., the user is not limited by carrying a large, bulky and often heavy device, as in a portable computer). Furthermore, the device may be operated by the user&#39;s hands, no reference surface such as a desktop is needed. 
     The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the invention can be used separately or in any combination. 
     The invention can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. Some embodiments of the invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
     The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the written description. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention should not be limited to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20070403
Publication Date: 20130702
Grant Date: 20130702
Priority Date: 20060227
Inventors: HOBSON PHIL
NOVOTNEY DONALD J.
LO IDA YUM YUM
DOROGUSKER JESSE L.
HOWARTH RICHARD P.
HAMMERSTROM JEFFREY ALLAN
TISCARENO VICTOR M.
KRUEGER SCOTT
TERLIZZI JEFFREY J.
FILSON JOHN BENJAMIN
LIN WEY-JIUN
MARTINEZ JOSE NATIVIDAD
GREENE ERIC B.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04S7/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/023", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R3/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R3/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/66", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/748", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/66", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04S7/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2103/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R1/023", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2205/021", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2205/021", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2103/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/748", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 38190845