Multi-function device and method for controlling the device

• US 20050266878A1
• Filed: 05/12/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Jae-Ho, Kim, Hark-Sang, Ryu, Yeong-Moo, Choi, Do-Hwan
• Application Number:
  US11/127,256
• Publication Number:
  US 20050266878A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0041 Point to point H04N2201/0039 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0058 Docking-station, cradle or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0089 Image display device

Abstract

Disclosed is a multi-function portable device having a portable home theater for outputting an MPEG layer 3 (MP3) file, photographing video data, performing a remocon function, receiving television (TV) video data, transmitting and receiving data to and from, respectively, a mobile terminal and a personal computer (PC), performing an alarm function, performing an Frequency modulation (FM) transmission/reception function for transmitting data of the portable home theater to an external device and for receiving data from the external device, being provided with power from a cradle of the portable home theater, and transmitting data to the cradle of the portable home theater. The cradle of the portable home theater provides power to the portable home theater and outputs data received from the portable home theater.

Claims

1. A multi-function portable device comprising:

a portable home theater for outputting an MPEG layer 3 (MP3) file, photographing video data, performing a remocon function, receiving television (TV) video data, transmitting and receiving data to and from, respectively, a mobile terminal and a personal computer (PC), performing an alarm function, performing an frequency modulation (FM) transmission/reception function for transmitting data of the portable home theater to an external device and for receiving data from the external device, receiving power from a cradle of the portable home theater, and transmitting data to the cradle of the portable home theater; and

the cradle of the portable home theater for providing power to the portable home theater and outputting data received from the portable home theater.

2. The multi-function portable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable home theater comprises:

an MP3 function unit for decoding and outputting an MP3 file;

a camera function unit for photographing and outputting video data;

a remocon function unit for performing a remocon function to control an external device;

a TV reception unit for receiving and transmitting TV video data;

an FM transmission/reception unit comprising an FM transmission unit and an FM reception unit, the FM transmission unit transmitting data of the portable home theater to an external device, the FM reception unit receiving data of the external device;

a universal serial bus (USB) unit connected to the mobile terminal and the PC to transmit and receive data;

a first connector connected with the cradle of the portable home theater to receive power and transmit data to the cradle of the portable home theater; and

a control unit for controlling all of the functions of the portable home theater, receiving power from the cradle when the portable home theater is connected to the cradle in order to charge the portable home theater, and transmitting data to the cradle of the portable home theater in order to allow the cradle to output the data.

3. The multi-function portable device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the portable home theater transmits and receives data to and from, respectively, the mobile terminal by wireless communication.

4. The multi-function portable device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the TV reception unit receives TV video data through the FM reception unit, an RF terminal connected to an external device and an antenna, and transmits the received TV video data.

5. The multi-function portable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portable home theater further comprises:

a hard disk drive (HDD) for storing data of the portable home theater;

a memory comprises an internal memory and an external memory, the internal memory being included in the portable home theater, the external memory being adapted to be in and withdrawn from the portable home theater;

a key input unit comprising function keys for setting and performing the functions of the portable home theater;

a display unit for displaying data of the portable home theater;

an ear jack for outputting data of the portable home theater to an earphone when the earphone is connected to the ear jack; and

at least one speaker for outputting data of the portable home theater.

6. The multi-function portable device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cradle of the portable home theater comprises:

a second connector for providing power to the portable home theater and receiving data from the portable home theater;

at least one speaker for outputting data received through the second connector; and

an external power jack connected to an external power supply.

7. A method for performing multiple functions in a multi-function device comprising a portable home theater and a cradle of the portable home theater, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying a plurality of the functions of the portable home theater when a menu is selected in the portable home theater;

performing an MP3 function when the MP3 function of the displayed functions is selected;

performing a camera function when the camera function of the displayed functions is selected;

performing a remocon function for controlling an external device when the remocon function of the displayed functions is selected;

performing a TV video data reception function when the TV reception function of the displayed functions is selected; and

performing an alarm function when the alarm function of the displayed functions is selected.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

receiving power from the cradle and charging when the portable home theater is inserted into the cradle of the portable home theater; and

outputting data through the cradle when the portable home theater transmits the data to the cradle.