PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7632114-B2
Application Number: US-39445906-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Interface connecter between media player and other electronic devices

Abstract:
An interface connector is disclosed. The connector enables a compact communication link between a media player and a CPU configured so that the interface enables the media player to operate as a USB memory drive for the CPU. In one embodiment, the invention comprises an interface that is removably engagable from a media player and another electronic device. The interface includes a rigid housing with a first and second end connectors that are configured to facilitate data and power transmission between a media player and an electronic device when connected to the interface. The interface connector can be configured to be very compact and easily transportable.

Claims:
1. An interface for connecting a handheld media player with an electronic device, the interface comprising:
 a first end connector configured for direct engagement with a connection port of the handheld media player, the first end connector having a housing designed to accommodate at least thirty electrical contacts spaced apart in a single row of thirty sequentially numbered contact locations, the thirty sequentially numbered contact locations including:
 contact locations  3  through  9  designated to carry digital signals including USB signals, and 
 contact locations  25  through  28  designated to carry analog signals including analog audio signals; 
 
 a second end connector having a plurality of electrical contacts that are electrically coupled to a corresponding plurality of contacts of the first end connector, the plurality of electrical contacts of the second end connector being exposed to enable engagement with a connector coupled to the electronic device and 
 a rigid housing accommodating the first end connector and the second end connector, the first end connector being maintained in a fixed orientation with respect to the second end connector such that the first and second end connectors are substantially aligned along a plane vertically bisecting the first end connector and the second end connector, the rigid housing having a compact shape and a bay opening, surrounding the first end connector and extending beyond a width of the second end connector, for receiving the media player, 
 wherein, when the first end connector of the interface is in direct engagement with the connection port of the handheld media player, the resulting combination of the handheld media player and the interface yields a compact handheld system for connecting the handheld media player to the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       2. The interface of  claim 1  wherein the bay opening is configured to receive a portion of the handheld media player. 
     
     
       3. The interface of  claim 1  wherein the first end connector includes a retention mechanism to hold the handheld media player. 
     
     
       4. The interface of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of electrical contacts of the second end connector are in a single row. 
     
     
       5. The interface of  claim 1  wherein the contacts of the first end connector fit snugly into recessed contacts of the handheld media player. 
     
     
       6. The interface of  claim 1  wherein the first end connector and the second end connector are placed on opposite ends of the rigid housing. 
     
     
       7. The interface of  claim 1  wherein the second end connector accommodates a smaller number of electrical contacts than the first end connector, and wherein the width of the first end connector, with respect to the direction of the single row of contacts, is larger than the width of the second end connector. 
     
     
       8. The interface of  claim 1  wherein the thirty sequentially numbered contact locations further comprise contact locations  3 ,  5 ,  7  and  9  designated for Firewire signals. 
     
     
       9. The interface of  claim 1  wherein the thirty sequentially numbered contact locations further comprise contact locations  4 ,  6 , and  8  designated for USB signals. 
     
     
       10. The interface of  claim 1  wherein the thirty sequentially numbered contact locations further comprise contact locations  8 ,  11  or  12  designated for power. 
     
     
       11. The interface of  claim 1  wherein the thirty sequentially numbered contact locations further comprise contact location  10  designated for an accessory identify signal that has an associated electrical pull down function to notify the handheld media player of a specific device. 
     
     
       12. The interface of  claim 1  wherein the thirty sequentially numbered contact locations further comprise:
 contact location  13  designated for an accessory power signal that can receive power from the handheld media player; and 
 contact location  20  designated for an accessory detect signal. 
 
     
     
       13. The interface of  claim 1  wherein the thirty sequentially numbered contact locations further comprise contact locations  18  and  19  designated for serial protocol signals. 
     
     
       14. The interface of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of electrical contacts of the second end connector protrude from the rigid housing. 
     
     
       15. An interface for connecting a handheld media player with an electronic device, the interface comprising:
 a first end connector having a housing designed to accommodate a first plurality of contacts spaced apart in a single row of contact locations, wherein the contact locations are sequentially numbered from a first end to a second end, the contact locations including:
 a first ground contact location designated for ground, 
 a first group of digital contact locations designated for one or more digital signals including USB, the first group of digital contact locations being disposed between the first ground contact location and the first end, 
 a second group of analog contact locations designated for one or more analog signals including at least one audio signal, the second group of analog contact locations being disposed between the first ground contact location and the second end; 
 
 a second end connector having a second plurality of electrical contacts that are electrically coupled to a corresponding plurality of contacts of the first end connector, the second plurality of electrical contacts of the second end connector being exposed to enable engagement with a connector coupled to the electronic device, 
 a rigid housing accommodating the first end connector and the second end connector, the first end connector being maintained in a fixed orientation with respect to the second end connector, the rigid housing having a bay opening, surrounding the first end connector and extending beyond a width of the second end connector, for receiving the handheld media player and a support tab extending away from the first end connector outside the bay opening, the support tab sized to physically support the handheld media player when the first end connector of the interface is in direct engagement with the connection port of the handheld media player, the resulting combination of the handheld media player and the interface yielding a compact handheld system for connecting the handheld media player to the electronic device. 
 
     
     
       16. The interface of  claim 15  wherein the bay opening is configured to receive a portion of the handheld media player. 
     
     
       17. The interface of  claim 15  wherein the first end connector includes a retention mechanism to hold the handheld media player. 
     
     
       18. The interface of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of electrical contacts of the second end connector protrude from the rigid housing. 
     
     
       19. The interface of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of electrical contacts of the second end connector are in a single row. 
     
     
       20. The interface of  claim 15  wherein the contacts of the first end connector fit snugly into recessed contacts of the handheld media player. 
     
     
       21. The interface of  claim 15  wherein the first end connector and the second end connector are placed on opposite ends of the rigid housing. 
     
     
       22. The interface of  claim 15  wherein the second end connector accommodates a smaller number of electrical contacts than the first end connector, and wherein the width of the first end connector, with respect to the direction of the single row of contacts, is larger than the width of the second end connector. 
     
     
       23. The interface of  claim 15  wherein contact locations from the first group of digital contact locations that are designated for USB are disposed consecutively in every other contact location. 
     
     
       24. The interface of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of contact locations comprises at least 30 contact locations, and wherein the first ground contact location is at contact location  16 , the second ground contact location is at contact location  1 , and the third ground contact location is at contact location  30 , and wherein the sequentially numbered contact locations further include additional ground contact locations  2 ,  15 , and  29  designated for ground. 
     
     
       25. The interface of  claim 15  wherein the first group of digital contact locations comprises locations  3  to  9 , and wherein the second group of analog contact locations comprises locations  25  to  28 . 
     
     
       26. The interface of  claim 15  wherein the first group of digital contact locations comprises locations  3 ,  5 ,  7  and  9  designated for Firewire signals. 
     
     
       27. The interface of  claim 15  wherein the first group of digital contact locations comprises locations  4 ,  6 , and  8  designated for USB signals. 
     
     
       28. The interface of  claim 15  further comprising a plurality of contacts made of electrically conductive material disposed at the plurality of contact locations, respectively, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of contacts can be active when the plug connector is connected to the corresponding receptacle connector of the handheld media player. 
     
     
       29. The interface of  claim 15  further comprising one or more power contacts made of electrically conductive material disposed in one or more of contact locations  8 ,  11  or  12 . 
     
     
       30. The interface of  claim 15  wherein the contact locations further comprise an accessory identify contact location  10  designated for an accessory identify signal that has an associated electrical pull down function to notify the handheld media player of an accessory identification. 
     
     
       31. The interface of  claim 15  wherein the contact locations further comprise:
 an accessory power contact location  13  designated for an accessory power signal that can receive power from the handheld media player; and 
 an accessory detect contact location  20  designated for an accessory detect signal. 
 
     
     
       32. The interface of  claim 15  wherein the contact locations further comprise serial protocol contact locations  18  and  19  designated for serial protocol signals.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a media player interface connector. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved features for connecting the media player to an external USB port using a one-piece connector. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The hand held consumer electronics market is exploding, and an increasing number of those products are including mechanism for expanding connections thereto. By way of example, hand held consumer electronic products may correspond to cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), video games, radios, MP3 players, CD players, DVD players, televisions, game players, cameras, etc. Most of these devices include some sort of connector for making connections to other devices (e.g., Firewire, USB, audio out, video in, etc.). Some of these devices have been capable of connections to other devices through docking stations. For example, cellular phones have included docking stations for charging the cellular phones and PDAs have included docking stations for communicating with a host computer. Other devices have been capable of wireless connections therebetween. For example, cellular phones use wireless connections to communicate back and forth (e.g., include wireless receivers). 
     MP3 music players in particular have typically made connections to other devices through connectors. For example, the MP3 music player known as the iPod manufactured by Apple Computer of Cupertino, Calif. has included a Firewire connector for communicating with a computer. Although such a Firewire connector generally allows data transmissions to travel back and forth between the MP3 music player and the computer, it is a long cable that is not compact and does not have a rigid case. As should be appreciated, MP3 music players are configured to play MP3 formatted songs. These songs may be uploaded from the computer and thereafter stored in the MP3 player. As is generally well known, the MP3 format is a compression system for digital music that helps reduce the size of a digitized song without hurting the sound quality, i.e., compress a CD-quality song without losing the CD sound quality. By way of example, a 32 MB song on a CD may compress down to about a 3 MB song using the MP3 format. This generally lets a user download a song in minutes rather than hours. Additionally, and advantageously, the iPod can be configured as a portable memory storage type device enabling standard memory information (i.e., non-music related memory) to be downloaded into the device for transport and transfer to other devices. Such an implementation could be used to use an iPod as a portable “hard drive” for example. 
     Although current media players such as work well to transfer data in such a manner, there is a continuing need for improved features and interconnection approaches for connecting or coupling media players to one or more external devices (e.g., input or output). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates, in one embodiment, to an interface that enables a connection between a media player and a computer. The interface enables the media player to operate as a USB memory drive. 
     In one embodiment, the invention comprises removably engagable interface for connecting a media player with other electronic devices. Such interfaces are configured to enable data and power transmission between the media player and said electronic device, the interface including a rigid housing with a first and a second end connector. The first end connector is for connecting with a media player and includes a plurality of electrical contacts arranged to enable data and power transmissions to pass between the media player and the second end connector. The second end connector includes a plurality of electrical contacts arranged in the connector thereby enabling said data and power transmissions to pass between the media player and the other electronic device. 
     The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a method of connecting a hand held media player to another device. The method includes transferring data between a media player and computer device. The method involves connecting a communication port of a media player to a first end connector of an interface connector having a rigid housing that holds the first end connector and the second end connector. The connector enables electric connections between the first and second end connectors and is configured to transfer data information between the first and second end connectors. The second end connector of the interface connector is connected to the CPU to enable the transfer of data information between the media player and the CPU through the interface connector. Once connected the method involves transferring data between the media player and the CPU and saving the data in a memory of at least one of the media player and the CPU. 
     These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a media player, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of a media player system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3(   a ),  3 ( b ) and  3 ( c ) are top views illustrating various embodiments of connector interfaces used to enable various aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the interface embodiment such as shown in  FIG. 3(   c ) in accordance with the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a media player system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6A  is a top view of a connector interface, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6B  shows end on views of the first and second ends of the connector interface shown in  FIG. 6A , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6C  is a pin designation chart, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective diagram of a connector interface engaging with a media player in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7B  is a perspective diagram of a connector interface engaging with a media player and CPU in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
     The inventors are aware that media players include large memory elements capable of storing data comprising 20GB or more in the memory elements. This memory is versatile and can be configured to operate as portable hard drive or a portable USB drive such as are commonly found in so-called USB “flash memory” and drives in common usage. Current connector technologies require the implementation of long cord with interface plugs at either end configured to connect the media player with a computer. These are inconvenient and difficult to quickly use. The inventor has conceived of a connector interface having a hard connector shell with one end configured to connect with the USB port of a computer and another end configured to connect with the media player. This interface is to be small and convenient to carry. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective diagram of a media player  100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The term “media player” generally refers to computing devices that are dedicated to processing media such as audio, video or other images, as for example, music players, game players, video players, video recorders, cameras, and the like. In some cases, the media players contain single functionality (e.g., a media player dedicated to playing music) and in other cases the media players contain multiple functionality (e.g., a media player that plays music, displays video, stores pictures and the like). In either case, these devices are generally portable so as to allow a user to listen to music, play games or video, record video or take pictures wherever the user travels. 
     In one embodiment, the media player is a handheld device that is sized for placement into a pocket of the 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 laptop or notebook computer). For example, in the case of a music player, a user may use the device while working out at the gym. In case of a camera, a user may use the device while mountain climbing. In the case of a game player, the user can use the device while traveling in a car. Furthermore, the device may be operated by the users hands, no reference surface such as a desktop is needed. In the illustrated embodiment, the media player  100  is a pocket sized hand held MP3 music player that allows a user to store a large collection of music (e.g., in some cases up to 4,000 CD-quality songs). Although used primarily for storing and playing music, the MP3 music player shown herein may also include additional functionality such as storing a calendar and phone lists, storing and playing games, storing photos and the like. In fact, in some cases, it may act as a highly transportable storage device. 
     By way of example, the MP3 music player may correspond to the Ipod MP3 player manufactured by Apple Computer of Cupertino, Calif. The pocket sized Ipod has a width of about 2.4 inches, a height of about 4 inches and depths ranging from about 0.72 to about 0.84 inches. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the media player  100  includes a housing  102  that encloses internally various electrical components (including integrated circuit chips and other circuitry) to provide computing operations for the media player  100 . In addition, the housing may also define the shape or form of the media player. That is, the contour of the housing  102  may embody the outward physical appearance of the media player  100 . The integrated circuit chips and other circuitry contained within the housing may include a microprocessor (e.g., CPU), memory (e.g., ROM, RAM), a power supply (e.g., battery), a circuit board, a hard drive, other memory (e.g., flash) and/or various input/output (I/O) support circuitry. The electrical components may also include components for inputting or outputting music or sound such as a microphone, amplifier and a digital signal processor (DSP). The electrical components may also include components for capturing images such as image sensors (e.g., charge coupled device (CCD) or complimentary oxide semiconductor (CMOS)) or optics (e.g., lenses, splitters, filters). The electrical components may also include components for sending and receiving media (e.g., antenna, receiver, transmitter, transceiver, etc.). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the media player  100  includes a hard drive thereby giving the media player massive storage capacity. For example, a 20 GB hard drive can store up to 4000 songs or about 266 hours of music. In contrast, flash-based media players on average store up to 128 MB, or about two hours, of music. The hard drive capacity may be widely varied (e.g., 5, 10, 20 MB, etc.). In addition to the hard drive, the media player  100  shown herein also includes a battery such as a rechargeable lithium polymer battery. These type of batteries are capable of offering about 10 hours of continuous playtime to the media player. 
     The media player  100  also includes a user interface  103 . The user interface  103  allows the user of the media player  100  to initiate actions on the media player  100  and provides the user with output associated with using the media player (e.g., audio, video, images, etc.). The user interface  103  may be widely varied. By way of example, the user interface  103  may include switches, buttons, keys, dials, trackballs, joysticks, touch pads, touch screens, displays, microphones, speakers, cameras, and the like. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the media player  100  includes a display screen  104  and related circuitry. The display screen  104  is used to display a graphical user interface as well as other information to the user (e.g., text, objects, graphics). By way of example, the display screen  104  may be a liquid crystal display (LCD). In one particular embodiment, the display screen corresponds to a 160-by-128-pixel high-resolution display, with a white LED backlight to give clear visibility in daylight as well as low-light conditions. As shown, the display screen  104  is visible to a user of the media player  100  through an opening  105  in the housing  102 , and through a transparent wall  106  that is disposed in front of the opening  105 . Although transparent, the transparent wall  106  may be considered part of the housing  102  since it helps to define the shape or form of the media player  100 . 
     In addition to the display screen  104 , the media player  100  also includes a touch pad  110 . The touch pad is an intuitive interface that provides easy one-handed operation, i.e., lets a user interact with the media player with one or more fingers. The touch pad  110  is configured to provide one or more control functions for controlling various applications associated with the media player  100 . For example, the touch initiated control function may be used to move an object or perform an action on the display screen  104  or to make selections or issue commands associated with operating the media player  100 . In order to implement the touch initiated control function, the touch pad  110  may be arranged to receive input from a finger moving across the surface of the touch pad  110 , from a finger holding a particular position on the touch pad and/or by a finger tapping on a particular position of the touch pad. The touch pad may be widely varied. For example, the touch pad may be a conventional touch pad based on a Cartesian coordinate system, or the touch pad may be a touch pad based on a Polar coordinate system. Furthermore, the touch pad  110  may be used in a relative and/or absolute mode. In absolute mode, the touch pad  110  reports the absolute coordinates of where it is being touched. For example x, y in the case of the Cartesian coordinate system or (r, θ) in the case of the Polar coordinate system. In relative mode, the touch pad  110  reports the direction and/or distance of change. For example, left/right, up/down, and the like. 
     The touch pad  110  generally consists of a touchable outer surface  111  for receiving a finger for manipulation on the touch pad  110 . Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , beneath the touchable outer surface  111  is a sensor arrangement. The sensor arrangement includes a plurality of sensors that are configured to activate as the finger sits on, taps on or passes over them. In the simplest case, an electrical signal is produced each time the finger is positioned over a sensor. The number of signals in a given time frame may indicate location, direction, speed and acceleration of the finger on the touch pad, i.e., the more signals, the more the user moved his or her finger. In most cases, the signals are monitored by an electronic interface that converts the number, combination and frequency of the signals into location, direction, speed and acceleration information. This information may then be used by the media player  100  to perform the desired control function on the display screen  104 . 
     The position of the display screen  104  and touch pad  110  relative to the housing  102  may be widely varied. For example, they may be placed at any external surface (e.g., top, side, front, or back) of the housing  102  that is accessible to a user during manipulation of the media player  100 . In most cases, the touch sensitive surface  111  of the touch pad  110  is completely exposed to the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the touch pad  110  is located in a lower, front area of the housing  102 . Furthermore, the touch pad  110  may be recessed below, level with, or extend above the surface of the housing  102 . In the illustrated embodiment, the touch sensitive surface  111  of the touch pad  110  is substantially flush with the external surface of the housing  102 . 
     The shape of the display screen  104  and the touch pad  110  may also be widely varied. For example, they may be circular, rectangular, triangular, and the like. In general, the outer perimeter of the shaped touch pad defines the working boundary of the touch pad. In the illustrated embodiment, the display screen is rectangular and the touch pad  110  is circular. More particularly, the touch pad is annular, i.e., shaped like or forming a ring. When annular, the inner and outer perimeter of the shaped touch pad defines the working boundary of the touch pad. 
     In addition to above, the media player  100  may also include one or more buttons  112 . The buttons  112  are configured to provide one or more dedicated control functions for making selections or issuing commands associated with operating the media player  100 . By way of example, in the case of an MP3 music player, the button functions may be associated with opening a menu, playing a song, fast forwarding a song, seeking through a menu and the like. In most cases, the button functions are implemented via a mechanical clicking action. The position of the buttons  112  relative to the touch pad  110  may be widely varied. For example, they may be adjacent one another or spaced apart. In the illustrated embodiment, the buttons  112  are configured to surround the inner and outer perimeter of the touch pad  110 . In this manner, the buttons  112  may provide tangible surfaces that define the outer boundaries of the touch pad  110 . As shown, there are four buttons  112 A that surround the outer perimeter and one button  112 B disposed in the center or middle of the touch pad  110 . By way of example, the plurality of buttons  112  may consist of a menu button, play/stop button, forward seek button and a reverse seek button, and the like. 
     Moreover, the media player  100  may also include a hold switch  114 . The hold switch  114  is configured to activate or deactivate the touch pad and/or buttons. This is generally done to prevent unwanted commands by the touch pad and/or buttons, as for example, when the media player is stored inside a user&#39;s pocket. When deactivated, signals from the buttons and/or touch pad are not sent or are disregarded by the media player. When activated, signals from the buttons and/or touch pad are sent and therefore received and processed by the media player. 
     The media player  100  may also include one or more connectors for receiving and transmitting data to and from the media player. By way of example, the media player may include one or more audio jacks, video jacks, data ports and the like. The media player  100  may also include one or more connectors for receiving and transmitting power to and from the media player  100 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the media player includes a headphone jack  116  and a data port  118 . The headphone jack  116  is capable of receiving a headphone or speaker plug associated with headphones/speakers configured for listening to sound being outputted by the media device  100 . The data port  118 , on the other hand, is capable of receiving a data plug/cable assembly configured for transmitting and receiving data to and from a host device such as a general purpose computer (e.g., desktop computer, portable computer). By way of example, the data port  118  may be used to upload or down load audio, video and other images to and from the media device  100 . For example, the data port may be used to download songs and play lists, audio books, ebooks, photos, and the like into the storage mechanism of the media player. 
     The data port  118  may be widely varied. For example, the data port may be a PS/2 port, a serial port, a parallel port, network interface port, a USB port, a Firewire port and/or the like. In some cases, the data port  118  may be a wireless link such as a radio frequency (RF) link or an optical infrared (IR) link in order to eliminate the need for a cable. Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , the media player  100  may also include a power port that receives a power plug/cable assembly configured for delivering powering to the media player  100 . In some cases, the data port  118  may serve as both a data and power port. 
     Although only one data port is provided, it should be noted that this is not a limitation and that multiple data ports may be incorporated into the media player. In a similar vein, the data port may include multiple data functionality, i.e., integrating the functionality of multiple data ports into a single data port. Furthermore, it should be noted that the position of the hold switch, headphone jack and data port on the housing may be widely varied. That is, they are not limited to the positions shown in  FIG. 1 . They may be positioned almost anywhere on the housing (e.g., front, back, sides, top, bottom). For example, the data port may be positioned on the top, sides, back, front surfaces of the housing rather than the bottom surface as shown. Although it should be noted that having the data port on the bottom surface provides some benefits when connecting to other devices. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a media player connection with another electronic system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A media player  152  is connected to another electronic device  154  by an interface connector  156 . The electronic devices may be widely varied. By way of example, the devices may correspond to desktop computers, notebook computers, personal digital assistants, video or imaging equipment (e.g., cameras, monitors), audio equipment (home stereos, car stereos, boom boxes), family radios (e.g., walkie talkies), peripheral devices (e.g., keyboards, mice, displays, printers, scanners), other media players, personal media devices (discussed in greater detail below) and the like. 
     The electronic device  154  and the media player  152  are configured to communicate with one another through interface connector  156 . When the media player is configured as a USB drive (i.e., as a portable memory device) the system is configured as would be the case for a standard USB flash drive. Additionally, the protocol under which the media player and electronic device communicate is standardized and well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the protocol arrangements can be widely varied. By way of example, the communication protocol may be a master/slave communication protocol, server/client communication protocol, peer/peer communication protocol, and the like. Using a master/slave communication protocol, one of the devices is a master and the other is a slave. The master controls the slave. Using a client/server communication protocol, a server program responds to requests from a client program. The server program may operate on the media player or the media device. Using a peer to peer communication protocol either of the two devices can initiate a communication session. 
     Typically, the interface connector  156  enables two-way communication between the media player and the electronic device. For example, both the media player and electronic device may be enabled to receive and transmit signals therebetween. The signals may be data (analog, digital), power (AC, DC), and/or the like. In most cases, the data corresponds to data associated with the media player as for example audio, video, images and the like. In particular, the system is configured to transmit memory information between the device and player. 
     Both the media player  152  and the associated electronic device  154  include a connector terminals  158 A and  158 B, respectively. The media terminals  158  provide a direct connection between the media player  152  and the electronic device  154  (e.g., a computer). In such connections, the media terminals  158  are configured to physically and operatively connect the media player  152  to the electronic device  154 . For example, the media player  152  and the electronic device  154  includes a connection having a pair of connection ports (one on the media player and on the electronic device) and an interface connector  156  compatible with both ports. By way of example, the connection interface connector and ports may include one or more of the following interfaces: PS/2, serial, parallel, network (e.g., Ethernet), USB, Firewire and/or the like. 
     In one particular embodiment the electronic device port is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port and the media player port is an iPod universal docking port. The interface connector includes an end connector compatible with each of these ports. 
       FIGS. 3(   a ),  3 ( b ), and  3 ( c ) are diagrams of various connector interfaces for connecting the media players with the other electronic devices. The connector interfaces  301 ,  311 , and  321  are hardware components that include a set of end connectors configured to allow a media player  174  to transmit data to and receive data from another electronic device. That is, the connector interfaces  301 ,  311 , and  321  make available additional functionality that would not otherwise be achieved through the media player. The connector interfaces  301 ,  311 , and  321  are small separate components that enable electronic data transmission between the media player  302  (shown also by dashed lines) and an associated electronic device. By way of example, the media player  302  may generally correspond to the media player shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3(   a ), the inventor points out that the connector interface  301  can be of almost any size. However, applicants note that small sizes are particularly advantageous. In one implementation, the connector interface  301  is about one inch long and less than two inches wide being less than about ½ inch thick. As is known to those having ordinary skill in the art many other sizes are applicable. The forgoing dimensions are particularly useful due to the small size involved. 
     As shown, each of the connector interfaces  301 ,  311 , and  321  includes a housing  303 ,  313 ,  323 . The housings  303 ,  313 ,  323  are configured to include an end connector  304 ,  314 ,  324  capable of coupling with an access port of the media player  302 . In one embodiment, the access port of the media player comprises an iPod universal docking port. Additionally, the housings include another end connector  305 ,  315 ,  325  configured to electrically connect with the electronic device. In the depicted embodiments the end connectors  305 ,  315 ,  325  enable connection with a USB port of an electronic device. In particular, housings  313  and  323  include media player attachment bays  316  and  326 . These bays are openings in an end of the housings. At the base of the bays are located end connectors  314  and  324 . The attachment bays are configured to physically receive the media player  302 . In other words, the media player  302  can be inserted into the bay openings  316 ,  326 . Once the media player  302  is inserted into the bay and connected with the end connector the combination (housing and player) can be plugged into the electronic device to enable communication between player and another electronic device. 
     Further referring to  FIGS. 3(   c ) &amp;  4  a connector embodiment is shown.  FIG. 4  is a cross-section depiction of the interface connector  321  shown in  FIG. 3(   c ).  FIG. 4  clearly depicts the bay opening  326  and the end connector  324 . Also, a support tab  327  is also depicted. The support tab further supports the media player  302 . Although many different embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention, the inventors point out that the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3(   a ) is the most compact and therefore the most preferred embodiment. 
     The bay openings  316 ,  326  of the interface connectors  311 ,  321  may be widely varied. In most cases, bay openings  316 ,  326  are dimensioned to receive the media players  302 . That is, the inner peripheral surfaces of the bay openings  316 ,  326  are sized to receive the outer peripheral surfaces of the media player  302  (allowing for some tolerances). In the depicted embodiments, the end connectors  314 ,  324  of the interface connectors  311 ,  321  are configured to connect with the media player plug (e.g.,  158 A) when the media player  302  is inserted in the bay openings  316 ,  326 . The position of the inserted player  302  relative to the interface connectors  311 ,  321  may be widely varied. For example, the bay openings  316 ,  326  may be configured to receive the entire media player  302  or it may only be configured to receive a portion of the media player  302 . 
     The media player  302  typically retains the end connector  304 ,  314 ,  324 , until it is disconnected from the interface connectors  301 ,  311 ,  321  (e.g., doesn&#39;t slide out). For example, a retention mechanism such as a snap, a spring loaded latch or a magnet may be used to hold the media player  302  together with the interface connectors  301 ,  311 ,  321 . The media player  302  may also be retained by the interface connectors  301 ,  311 ,  321  by the force of engaged connectors of the end connector and an end connector (e.g.,  304 / 158 A). An ejection mechanism may additionally be used to release the media player  302  from the interface connectors  301 ,  311 ,  321  (e.g., to overcome any holding forces). 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a media player/electronic device system  200 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The system  200  generally includes a media player  202  and another electronic device  204 . By way of example, the media player and electronic device may correspond to the media player and CPU shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown, the media player  202  includes a processor  206  (e.g., CPU or microprocessor) configured to execute instructions and to carry out operations associated with the media player  202 . For example, using instructions retrieved for example from memory, the processor  206  may control the reception and manipulation of input and output data between components of the media player  202 . In most cases, the processor  206  executes instruction under the control of an operating system or other software. The processor  206  can be a single-chip processor or can be implemented with multiple components. 
     In most cases, the processor  206  together with an operating system operates to execute computer code and produce and use data. The computer code and data may reside within a program storage block  208  that is operatively coupled to the processor  206 . Program storage block  208  generally provides a place to hold data that is being used by the system  200 . By way of example, the program storage block  208  may include Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random-Access Memory (RAM), hard disk drive, flash memory and/or the like. As is generally well known, RAM is used by the processor as a general storage area and as scratch-pad memory, and can also be used to store input data and processed data. ROM can be used to store instructions or program code followed by the processor as well as other data. Hard disk drives can be used to store various types of data and can permit fast access to large amounts of stored data. The computer code and data could also reside on a removable program medium and loaded or installed onto the computer system when needed. 
     Importantly, this storage can be used to store any memory data that a user may desire. For this reason, the inventors contemplate that the media player can be used to be operated as a USB memory drive, thereby extending the versatility of the media player. 
     Also, program storage block  208  can be configured to store audio programs for controlling the distribution of audio in the media player  202 . The audio program may contain song lists associated with songs also stored in the storage block  208 . The songs may be accessed through a user interface  210  operatively coupled to the processor  206 . The user interface  210  may include a display for visually displaying the song lists (as part of a GUI interface) and a touch pad or buttons for selecting a song to be played or reviewing and/or customizing the song lists, i.e., the user may quickly and conveniently review the lists and make changes or selections thereto. Additionally, the interface  210  can be used to identify and access other stored data files thereby permitting the media player to act as a general storage device. 
     The media player also includes an input/output (I/O) controller  212  that is operatively coupled to the processor  206 . The (I/O) controller  212  may be integrated with the processor  206  or it may be a separate component as shown. The I/O controller  212  is generally configured to control interactions with one or more media devices  214  that can be coupled to the media player  202 . The I/O controller  212  generally operates by exchanging data (and/or power) between the media player  202  and the media devices  214  that desire to communicate with the media player  202 . In some cases, the media devices  214  may be connected to the I/O controller  212  through wired connections and in other cases the media devices  214  may be connected to the I/O controller  212  through wireless connections. In the illustrated embodiment, the media device  214  is capable of being connected to the I/O controller  212  through a wired connection. 
     The media player  202  also includes a connector  216  capable of connecting to a corresponding connector  217  of a connector interface  156 . The interface has another connector  219  (which is electrically connected with connector  217 ) enabling communication with a communication port  218  of another electronic device  204  (e.g., a CPU or processor). 
     The connector interface  156  used to connect the media player  202  and another electronic device  204  may be widely varied. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector interface  156  includes a rigid interface housing having both power and data contacts. The power contacts  222  of the media player  202  are operatively coupled to a battery  224  of the media player  202  and the data contacts  226  of the media player  202  are operatively coupled to the I/O controller  212 . As should be appreciated, the power contacts  222 A of the connector  216  are configured to engage the power contacts  222 B of the connector interface  156  and thereby connect the connector interface  156  to connector  218  of the electronic device  204 . In this way operational or charging power can be provided to the media player  202 , and the data contacts  226 A of the connector  216  are configured to engage the data contacts  226 B of the connector  218  so as to provide data transmissions to and from the media player  202 . The data contacts may be widely varied. For example, they may be configured to provide one or more data transmitting functionalities including Firewire, USB, USB 2.0, Ethernet, and the like. The connectors may also include a variety of other contacts  230  for transmitting other types of data as for example remote control, video (in/out), audio (in/out), analog TV, and the like. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are diagrams of an embodiment of a connector interface  156  including a connector assembly pin arrangement, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the arrangement includes a first end connector  236  and a second end connector  238 . The connectors  236  and  238  are located in a rigid housing  240 . By way of example, the connectors  236  and  238  may generally correspond to the connectors  217 / 219  of  FIG. 5 . The first and second connectors  236  and  238  are encased in the housing  240  and include a plurality of corresponding contacts  244  and  246  that when engaged operatively couple the media player and the added electronic device together. The housing is generally formed from an insulating material such as plastic and the contacts are generally formed from an electrically conductive material such as a copper alloy. In the illustrated embodiment, the contacts  244  protrude from the housing  240  for insertion into corresponding recessed contacts of the media player (e.g., male-female connection). In some cases, the contacts  244  are configured to snugly fit into the recessed contacts of the media player so that the connectors are held together. Additionally or alternatively, the connectors  236  and  238  may include a locking means for locking the connectors together. For example, one of the connectors may include a latch that engages and disengages to and from a portion of the other connector. The configuration of the contacts may be widely varied (e.g., spacing, # of rows or columns, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the contacts are spaced apart in a single row. The connectors may be manufactured using a variety of techniques. By way of example, the connectors may be manufactured using techniques similar to those used by JAE of Japan. 
     The signals carried by the contacts may be widely varied. For example, a portion of the contacts may be dedicated to Firewire signals while another portion may be dedicated to USB signals. The contacts may also be used for grounds, charging, powering, protocols, accessory identification, audio, line-in, line-out, and the like. Additional contacts may be used for grounding the housing of the connector. The number of contacts may also be widely varied. The number generally depends on the signals needed to support the devices using the connectors. In one embodiment, some of the contacts are used to support Firewire while other contacts are used to support USB. In this embodiment, the minimum number of contacts corresponds to the number required to support these devices. In most cases, however, the number of contacts tends to be greater than this number (other signals are needed). In the illustrated embodiment, each of the connectors includes at least 30 contacts, including Firewire contacts, USB contacts, grounding contacts, powering contacts, reserved contacts and the like. An example of a pin count which may used can be seen in  FIG. 6C . Although this pin count is shown, it should be noted that it is not a limitation and that any configuration of the functions described therein may be used. 
     However, the inventor specifically contemplates that any number of contacts sufficient to transfer memory and data between the media player and the electronic device can be used in accordance with the principles of the invention. 
       FIGS. 7A-7B  are diagrams that illustrate an implementation embodiment of the invention. A media player (e.g., an iPod)  100  having a data port  118  is connected with a connection interface  156 . By inserting end connector  244  into the data port  118  of the media player  156  and inserting second end connector  246  into a communication port of a computer (CPU or other processor)  700  a data link between media player and computer are established. In one implementation, the communication port of the computer  700  is a USB compatible port  158 B. In one embodiment clamp feature hold the connection interface  156  in firm contact with the media player  100  and the computer  700 . By pressing detachment pins  701  the latches can be released and the connection interface  156  can be disconnected. 
     Once the media player  100 , connection interface  156 , and computer  700  are connected the media player can be used as a USB memory device. Either data can be transferred from the computer  700  to the media player  100  as a destination memory or data stored on the media player  100  can be transferred from the media player  100  to the computer  700 . Thus the media player  100  can be used as a memory transfer location or a sand alone docking station  250 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The small size of the connection interface  156  enables the interface to be easily transported with the media player for quick easy memory usage. 
     Furthermore, the present invention includes a method for transferring data between the media player  100  and the CPU  700 . In particular, such data may include non-audiovisual files. This means other types of data beyond .MP3, .WAV, .AIFF, .RA (Real Audio files), MIDI and the like can be stored and retrieved in the media player enabling it to function much as a USB memory device (e.g., such as flash memory products). 
     While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. For example, although the invention has been described in terms of an MP3 music player, it should be appreciated that certain features of the invention may also be applied to other types of media players such as video recorders, cameras, and the like. Furthermore, the MP3 music player described herein is not limited to the MP3 music format. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20060330
Publication Date: 20091215
Grant Date: 20091215
Priority Date: 20060330
Inventors: DANNER ELIOT P.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R2201/04", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R31/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R27/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R33/94", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R31/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R27/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R31/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/04", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R27/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 38310039