Personal audio player with a removable multi-function module

• US 20020015362A1
• Filed: 06/14/2001
• Published: 02/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SigmaTel Incorporated (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: Digital Networks North America, Inc. (DEI Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Johnson, Phil, Marshall, John, Walters, Michael, Cowgill, Clayton N.
• Granted Patent: US 6,606,281 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 369/11
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 2207/16 Solid state audio deprecated, only for historical reasons, G06F3/16, G11B
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/16 Storage of analogue signals in digital stores using an arrangement comprising analogue/digital [A/D] converters, digital memories and digital/analogue [D/A] converters

Abstract

A digital audio player has a removable and interchangeable multi-function module that has at least one operating member. The multi-function interchangeable module interoperates with the body of the digital audio player to provide a plurality of features, which include, but are not limited to, additional memory storage, radio tuner, display, Infrared transceiver and wireless transceiver.

Claims

1. A digital audio player comprising:

a first unit, being operative to process and broadcast digital audio data; and

a second unit coupled to the first unit, having an interface and a first operating member and at least one additional operating member.

2. A digital audio player of claim 1, wherein the second unit is interchangeably coupled to the first unit.

3. A digital audio player according to claim 1, wherein the first operating member in the second unit comprises a battery.

4. A digital audio player according to claim 1, wherein the additional operating members in the second unit comprise a memory storage device.

5. A digital audio player of claim 4, wherein the additional memory storage device includes a hard drive.

6. A digital audio player of claim 4, wherein the additional memory storage device includes an optical disk.

7. A digital audio player of claim 4, wherein the additional memory storage device includes a flash memory card.

8. A digital audio player according to claim 1, wherein the additional operating members in the second unit include an antenna and a radio tuner.

9. A digital audio player according to claim 1, wherein the additional operating members in the second unit include an antenna and an Infrared transceiver.

10. A digital audio player according to claim 1, wherein the additional operating members in the second unit include a memory interconnect socket.

11. A digital audio player according to claim 1, wherein the additional operating members in the second unit include a display unit.

12. A digital audio player according to claim 11, wherein the display unit is a LCD.

13. A digital audio player according to claim 1, wherein the additional operating members in the second unit include a battery recharging circuit.

14. A digital audio player according to claim 1, wherein the additional operating members in the second unit include a wireless transceiver.

15. A module, removably coupled to the body of a digital audio player, for performing at least one function, comprising:

an interface to couple the module to the body of the digital audio player; and

at least one operating member, being operative to perform predetermined function for the digital audio player.

16. A digital audio player, comprising:

a digital audio player body comprising a digital processor and an interconnection module; and

a plurality of interchangeable module units, each attachable to the digital audio player body, each of the plurality of interchangeable module units including at least one operating member and a connecting structure, the operating member performing one of a plurality of predetermined functions.

17. A digital audio player comprising:

a first means, being operative to process and broadcast digital audio data; and

a second means, coupled to the first means, having an interface and a first operating member and at least one additional operating member.

18. A digital audio player, comprising:

a digital audio player means comprising a digital processor and an interconnection module; and

a plurality of interchangeable means, each attachable to the digital audio player means, each of the plurality of interchangeable means including at least one operating member and a connecting structure, the operating member performing one of a plurality of predetermined functions.

19. A digital audio player comprising:

a body comprising a digital processor and an interconnection module; and

a removable module comprising a flash memory device and a power source.

20. A digital audio player comprising:

a body comprising a digital processor and an interconnection module; and

a removable module comprising a radio tuner and a power source.

21. A digital audio player comprising:

a body comprising a digital processor and an interconnection module; and

a removable module comprising a mass storage device and a power source.

22. A digital audio player comprising:

a body comprising a digital processor and an interconnection module; and

a removable module comprising a mass storage device and a power source.

23. A digital audio player comprising:

a body comprising a digital processor and an interconnection module;

a removable module comprising a display device and a power source.

24. A digital audio player comprising:

a body comprising a digital processor and an interconnection module;

a removable module comprising an infrared transceiver and a power source.

25. A digital audio player comprising:

a body comprising a digital processor and an interconnection module;

a removable module comprising a wireless transceiver and a power source.

26. A digital audio player comprising:

a body comprising a digital processor and an interconnection module;

a removable module comprising a memory interconnect socket and a power source.

27. A digital audio player comprising:

a body comprising a digital processor and an interconnection module;

a removable module comprising a battery recharging unit and a rechargeable battery.