Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to digital music players and more particularly to a cradle for supporting and holding one of a selection of music players. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Digital music players are well known in the industry. Generally, these devices have internal storage for storing songs in digital format, a display for providing user feedback and controls for accepting user inputs to direct the music player to convert one or more of the songs from digital format into analog so that the user can listen to the audio with headphones or through an amplifier and speakers. 
         [0005]    Predominately, portable music players utilize songs or other audio content in the form of compressed digitized audio files (e.g., content). Music or other audio is converted to digital by an audio-to-digital converter (ADC), then sampled at a given rate, then compressed using a particular encoding standard such as MP3 (MPEG-2 layer 3) or WMA (Windows® Media Audio). 
         [0006]    When used in a portable mode, digital music players are predominately used with earphones for a single user&#39;s pleasure. Although portable music players are perfect for use in a portable mode such as when walking or exercising, often such players are used in a stationary mode. There are two primary modes of stationary use: connected to an audio system for amplification and reproduction of music from the digital music player and connected to a computer for management and loading of content. 
         [0007]    For connection to an audio system, often the audio input of the audio system is connected directly to the headphone jack of the digital music player and the music normally heard on the user&#39;s headphone is amplified and delivered to one or more speakers for the user&#39;s listening pleasure. Alternately, a connector, usually located on the bottom of the digital music player, interfaces to a mating connector and some of the pins on the connector carry the analog audio output from the digital music player to a cable that connects to the input of the audio system. There have been several docking systems designed for popular digital music players such as those marketed by Apple corporation. Additionally, some manufacturers market audio systems with docking cradles for specific digital music player such as the Apple Corporation ipod®. For example, Apple Corporation markets an alarm clock and amplified speakers called “XtremeMac Luna Speakers.” The “XtremeMac Luna Speakers” have a docking cradle that accepts an ipod®, but users with different digital music players cannot use the docking cradle and must use this device&#39;s auxiliary audio input connected to the earphone jack of their music player. When connected in this fashion, the digital music player does not receive power from the audio system and is not supported or protected from damage or scratching. 
         [0008]    For connection to a computer system, often a data cable is connected to the connector located on the bottom of the digital music player. Often, some of the pins on this connector include power pins to power the digital music player while connected to the computer as well as data pins for transferring digitized audio files to the digital music player from the computer. Often, the data pins conform to a computer interface standard such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), a standard supported by many existing computers. Such a standard often provides for two-way data transmission as well as power, usually 5 volts, DC. 
         [0009]    There have been several computer connection docking systems designed for certain popular digital music players such as those marketed by Apple Corporation. For example, Apple Corporation markets an ipod® nano docking station for supporting the ipod® nano and connecting it to a computer system. Unfortunately, this docking station only accepts the ipod® nano and no other digital music players, not even other digital music players from the same manufacturer. A user having two different digital music players would need two different docking cradles. 
         [0010]    Some docking cradles, such as those provided with digital music player from Apple Corporation, hold more than one variety of digital music players. For example the Apple Universal ipod® Dock holds any of the ipod® nano, 30 GB ipod®, 80 GB ipod®, etc. It does this with five different adapter inserts, requiring the user to swap inserts depending upon which digital music player they are currently using. 
         [0011]    What is needed is a digital music player cradle that supports more than one class of music player. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In one embodiment, a digital music player cradle for sequentially supporting multiple digital music players is disclosed including a base with a cavity in an upper surface. The cavity accepts an end portion of a largest digital music player of the multiple digital music players. A support wall extends from the upper surface of the base for supporting one of the digital music players at a time. A trough in the back of the base extends through the support wall and into the cavity. The trough is provided to route a data cable connected to the one of the multiple digital music players. A plurality of ledges is within the cavity. The ledges are of decreasing size towards the bottom of the cavity and each ledge is sized to hold a different one of the multiple digital music players. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, a method of supporting multiple digital music players is disclosed including providing a digital music player cradle for supporting any one digital music player of the multiple digital music players. The digital music player cradle has a base with a cavity in an upper surface. The cavity accepts an end portion of a largest digital music player of the multiple digital music players. A support wall extends from the upper surface of the base for supporting one of the multiple digital music players at a time and a trough passes through the back side of the base, extends through the support wall and interfaces with the cavity to route a data cable connected to the one of the digital music players. Ledges of decreasing size towards a bottom of the cavity are configured to each hold a different one of the multiple digital music players. The method continues with connecting a first digital music player to a first end of the data cable and connecting a second end of the data cable connected to a computer system then inserting a first end of the first digital music player into the cavity with a back side of the first digital music player resting against the support wall. Next, the first digital music player is removed from the cavity and a second digital music player is connected to the first end of the data cable. The second digital music player has a different width than the first digital music player. Finally, a first end of the second digital music player is inserted into the cavity with a back side of the second digital music player resting against the support wall. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, a digital music player cradle for sequentially supporting multiple digital music players is disclosed including a base with an area for accepting an end portion of any one of the multiple digital music players and a support extending from an upper surface of the base for resting the digital music player. The base has a channel to allow a data cable connected to the digital music player to pass out to be connected to a computer system. Steps support the multiple digital music players within the area for supporting the digital music player, the steps including ledges of decreasing size towards the bottom of the area for supporting the digital music player and each ledge is sized to hold a different sized digital music players. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates an isometric view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention from the back. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention from the bottom. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates an isometric view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention holding a large-sized digital music player. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates an isometric view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention holding a medium-sized digital music player. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates an isometric view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention holding a small-sized digital music player. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  illustrates an isometric view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention holding a micro-sized digital music player. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. In the following description, many different digital music players are currently on the market. These devices generally have persistent storage for storing audio content (music) such as a micro-hard disk or flash memory. Under user control, the audio files are retrieved, uncompressed and converted to analog audio. The analog audio signal is often emitted in a 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack for the user to connect headphones or other reproduction devices. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an isometric view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention is described. The digital music player cradle  10  accommodates a variety of digital music players of various widths and thicknesses, thereby eliminating the need for multiple cradles or adapter inserts as provided in the past. The digital music player cradle  10  has a base  12 , a cavity for containing an end of the digital music player (not shown) and a support wall  14  for supporting the digital music player on a slight slant towards the rear. In some embodiments, a pair of front clip indentations  16  is provided to hold a clip-on micro-sized music player (not shown). 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an isometric view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention from the back is described. Again, the digital music player cradle  10  accommodates a variety of digital music players of various widths and thicknesses. The digital music player cradle  10  has a base  12 , a cavity for containing an end of the digital music player (not shown) and a support wall  14  for supporting the digital music player on a slight slant towards the rear. In some embodiments, a pair of front clip indentations  16  is provided to hold a clip-on micro-sized music player (not shown). Also, in some embodiments, a pair of rear clip indentations  17  is provided to hold a clip-on micro-sized music player (not shown). 
         [0027]    A cable trough  20  is provided to route a data cable from the digital music player (not shown). Often, the digital music player (not shown) has a connector for connecting to a computer for transferring content through the data cable. As an example, many current digital music players have a connector for connecting to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention from the bottom is described. In some embodiments, the base of the digital music player cradle  10  has a removable bottom  13 . In some embodiments, balancing weights are disposed inside of the base  12  and sealed with the bottom  13  by various methods known in the art including, but not limited to, ultrasonic welding, adhesives, pressure fits, etc. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a cross-sectional view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1  is described. The base  12  digital music player cradle is shown with the bottom  13  installed. In this embodiment, the cavity  18  is shaped to hold the ends of three different digital music players. An end of a larger-sized digital music player such as an Apple Corporation 80 GB ipod® or a Microsoft Corporation Zume™ fits within the outer cavity formed by a ledge  28 . An end of a medium-sized digital music player such as an Apple Corporation 30 GB ipod® fits within the middle cavity formed by a ledge  26 . An end of a smaller-sized digital music player such as an Apple Corporation Nano® fits within the inner cavity formed by a ledge  24 . Although shown having three ledges  24 / 26 / 28 , the present invention is not limited in the number of sizes of digital music players supported. Any number of digital music players from two digital music players is supportable by the present invention. Also, although shown fitting with Apple Corporation products, the digital music player cradle  10  of the present invention is adaptable to any size and shape of digital music player. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an isometric view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention holding a large-sized digital music player  50  is described. In this view, a large-sized digital music player  50  such as the Apple Corporation 80 GB ipod® or a Microsoft Corporation Zume™ is shown resting within the outer cavity formed by the ledge  28  and resting on the support wall  14 . In such a position, the large-sized digital music player  50  is raised off the table surface, helping to prevent scratches and other damage. Many large-sized digital music players  50  have controls  54  for selecting songs, etc. and a display for informing the user of various modes of operation  52 . Also, many large-sized digital music players  50  have a connector into which a stereo headphone jack  34  with cable  32  is inserted. The data cable  30  is connected to the large-sized digital music player  50  by a connector similar to the connector  31  as shown in  FIG. 7  (not visible in this figure) and the data cable  30  is routed through the trough  20 . The present invention functions with or without a data cable  30  and connector  31  attached. Likewise, the present invention functions with or without an audio cable  32  attached. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , an isometric view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention holding a medium-sized digital music player is described. In this view, a medium-sized digital music player  56  such as the Apple Corporation 30 GB ipod® is shown resting within the middle cavity formed by the ledge  26  and resting on the support wall  14 . In such a position, the medium-sized digital music player  56  is raised off the table surface, helping to prevent scratches and other damage. Many medium-sized digital music players  56  have controls  54  for selecting songs, etc. and a display for informing the user of various modes of operation  52 . Also, many medium-sized digital music players  56  have a connector into which a stereo headphone jack  34  with cable  32  is inserted. The data cable  30  is connected to the medium-sized digital music player  56  by a connector similar to the connector  31  as shown in  FIG. 7  (not visible in this figure) and the data cable  30  is routed through the trough  20 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , an isometric view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention holding a small-sized digital music player is described. In this view, a smaller-sized digital music player  58  such as the Apple Corporation Nano® is shown resting within the inner cavity formed by the ledge  24  and resting on the support wall  14 . In such a position, the smaller-sized digital music player  58  is raised off the table surface, helping to prevent scratches and other damage. Many smaller-sized digital music players  58  have controls  54  for selecting songs, etc. and a display for informing the user of various modes of operation  52 . Also, many smaller-sized digital music players  58  have a connector into which a stereo headphone jack  34  with cable  32  is inserted. The data cable  30  is connected to the smaller-sized digital music player  58  by a connector similar to the connector  31  as shown in  FIG. 7  (not visible in this figure) and the data cable  30  is routed through the trough  20 . The present invention functions with or without a data cable  30  and connector  31  attached. Likewise, the present invention functions with or without an audio cable  32  attached. For some digital music players such as the smaller-sized digital music player  58 , the orientation of the data connector  31  makes it difficult to rest properly in an upright position within the digital music player cradle  10 . In such cases, the smaller-sized digital music player  58  rests in an upside-down configuration as shown in  FIG. 7 , still providing the benefit of keeping the smaller-sized digital music player off of the table surface and thereby protecting it. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , an isometric view of a digital music player cradle of the present invention holding a micro-sized digital music player is described. Some micro-sized digital music players  60  are very small and are designed to clip onto a user&#39;s clothing. Often, these micro-sized digital music players  60  such as the Apple Corporation Mini, have no display and only a control  64  for initiating the playing of audio, etc. To support micro-sized digital music players  60 , a pair of front clip indentations  16  and a pair of rear clip indentations  17  are provided. Using these clip indentations  16 / 17 , a clip of the micro-sized digital music player  60  clips onto the support wall and the edges of each side of the micro-sized digital music player&#39;s  60  clip is held within the clip indentations  16 / 17 . Without the clip indentations, the micro-sized digital music player&#39;s  60  clip would not stay in place, especially if the digital music player cradle  10  is made from a slippery, plastic material. As stated previously, the present invention functions with one set of clip indentations  16 / 17 , two sets of clip indentations  16 / 17  and without any clip indentations  16 / 17 , depending upon the types and styles of digital music players supported. 
         [0034]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0035]    It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.

Technology Category: h