Digital multimedia device

• US 20070198760A1
• Filed: 11/13/2006
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Han, Jae-uk
• Granted Patent: US 7,543,099 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/303
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A digital multimedia device capable of functioning as both a portable multimedia player (PMP) and a notebook computer is provided. The digital multimedia device includes: a computer unit including a body, a first processor included in the body to operate a first operating system (OS), a first display unit for displaying image information processed by the first processor, and a first input unit; a PMP unit including a second processor to operate a second operating system, a hard disk drive (HDD) for storing programs and data, a second display unit for displaying image information processed by the second processor, and a second input unit; and a docking unit disposed in the computer unit and the PMP unit for docking the PMP unit to the computer unit, wherein, when the PMP unit is docked with the computer unit, the computer unit shares the HDD with the PMP unit to perform processing operations, and the PMP unit operates independently or in association with the computer unit.

Claims

1. A digital multimedia device comprising:

a computer unit including a body, a first processor included in the body to operate a first operating system (OS), a first display unit for displaying image information processed by the first processor, and a first input unit;

a portable multimedia player (PMP) unit including a second processor to operate a second operating system (OS), a hard disk drive (HDD) for storing programs and data, a second display unit for displaying image information processed by the second processor, and a second input unit; and

a docking unit disposed in the computer unit and the PMP unit, for docking the PMP unit to the computer unit,

wherein, when the PMP unit docks with the computer unit, the computer unit shares the HDD with the PMP unit to perform processing operations; and

wherein the PMP unit can operate independently or in association with the computer unit.

2. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the docking unit comprises:

a docking portion disposed in the body of the computer unit, to receive the PMP unit mounted thereon; and

first and second connectors disposed in the docking unit and the PMP unit respectively, for establishing connection between the computer unit and the PMP unit, when the PMP unit is docked with the computer unit.

3. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the computer unit further comprises a window disposed in the body for enabling an image displayed on the second display unit of the PMP unit to be viewed by a user, when the PMP unit is mounted in the docking portion of the computer unit.

4. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an eject member disposed corresponding to the docking portion of the computer unit for ejecting the PMP unit from the docking portion of the computer unit.

5. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising an eject member disposed in the docking portion of the computer unit for ejecting the PMP unit from the docking portion of the computer unit.

6. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body of the computer unit is provided with a slot on a side to accommodate the PMP unit, and a window on a surface to enable a user to view the second display unit of the PMP unit, when the PMP unit is inserted in the slot.

7. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PMP unit corresponds to a MP3 player.

8. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computer unit corresponds to one of a notebook computer, a portable digital assistant (PDA), a hand-held PC, and a mobile device.

20. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the PMP unit corresponds to a MP3 player, and the computer unit corresponds to one of a notebook computer, a portable digital assistant (PDA), a hand-held PC, and a mobile device.

9. A digital multimedia device comprising:

a main body;

a processor included in the main body to operate an operating system (OS);

a display panel connected to the main body to provide a visual display of information;

a keyboard located on a surface of the main body;

a slot provided on a side of the main body to accommodate an insertion of a portable multimedia player (PMP) unit having a storage device to store data and programs; and

a window located on the surface of the main body, adjacent to the keyboard, to enable a user to view a display panel of the PMP unit, when the PMP unit is inserted in the slot;

wherein, when the PMP unit is inserted into the slot, the processor shares the storage device of the PMP unit to perform operations.

10. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the slot is provided with a docking portion to receive the PMP unit mounted thereon, and a connector arranged to establish communication with the PMP unit, when the PMP unit is mounted on the docking portion.

11. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising an eject member disposed corresponding to the docking portion for enabling a user to eject the PMP unit from the docking portion.

12. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the PMP unit corresponds to a MP3 player.

13. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the storage device is a hard disk drive.

14. Adigital multimedia device comprising:

a computer unit including a main body, a first processor included in the main body to operate a first operating system (OS), a first display unit for displaying image information processed by the first processor, and a docking station; and

a portable multimedia player (PMP) unit docked to the docking station of the computer unit, and including a second processor to operate a second operating system (OS), a hard disk drive (HDD) for storing programs and data, and a second display unit for displaying image information processed by the second processor;

wherein, when the PMP unit is docked at the docking station of the computer unit, the computer unit shares the hard disk drive (HDD) with the PMP unit to perform operations.

15. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the docking station is disposed on a side of the main body of the computer unit, to receive the PMP unit mounted thereon, and is provided with a connector to establish communication with the PMP unit, when the PMP unit is docked at the docking station.

16. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the computer unit further comprises a window disposed on a surface of the main body for enabling an image displayed on the second display unit of the PMP unit to be viewed by a user, when the PMP unit is docked at the docking station.

17. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 14, further comprising an eject member disposed corresponding to the docking station for ejecting the PMP unit from the docking station.

18. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the PMP unit corresponds to a MP3 player.

19. The digital multimedia device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the computer unit corresponds to one of a notebook computer, a portable digital assistant (PDA), a hand-held PC, and a mobile device.