Apparatus and a method for processing signals from a device

• US 20080013607A1
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Inventors: Neo, Juinn Shyong, Kua, Gin Eng, Low, Long Chye, Sim, Wong Hoo
• Application Number:
  US11/444,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20080013607A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/220
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/20 for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus for processing incoming signals, the apparatus comprising: a first connector of a first interface for operative connection with a corresponding second connector of an interface of a first device; a third connector of a second interface for operative connection with a corresponding fourth connector of an interface of a second device, and a processor to process the incoming signals received from the first device through the first interface and transmitting the processed signals through the second interface to the second device. Advantageously, the processor adjusts the processed signals affecting audio output in a manner like volume, treble, bass, balance or fader. It is preferable that the second device may be selected from the group consisting of: another apparatus for processing digital signals, a set of speakers, a computer, a device with speakers, a television, and a mobile phone. Similarly, the first device may be selected from the group consisting of: another apparatus for processing digital signals, a media player, a mobile phone, a computer, a VCR and a PDA. A corresponding method for processing signals from a device is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing incoming signals, the apparatus comprising:

a first connector of a first interface for operative connection with a corresponding second connector of an interface of a first device;

a third connector of a second interface for operative connection with a corresponding fourth connector of an interface of a second device, and

a processor to process the incoming signals received by the apparatus from the first device through the first interface and transmitting the processed signals through the second interface to the second device.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor adjusts the processed signals affecting audio output in a manner selected from the group consisting of:

volume, treble, bass, balance and fader.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second device is selected from the group consisting of:

another apparatus for processing digital signals, a set of speakers, a computer, a device with speakers, a television, and a mobile phone.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the incoming signals are processed in a manner selected from the group comprising:

by restoring compressed signals to approximately its original form, by augmenting signals to high definition format.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first device is selected from the group comprising:

another apparatus for processing digital signals, a media player, a mobile phone, a computer, a video cassette recorder (VCR) and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the first interface and second interface are able to be used, a power connection of the third connector and the fourth connector is able to be used to provide electrical power to the first device from the second device.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fifth connector of a first interface for operative connection with a corresponding second connector of an interface of another first device.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first connector and the fifth connector of the first interface are of the type selected from the group consisting of:

identical and different.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a transceiver for wireless communication using technologies selected from the group consisting of:

UltraWideBand (UWB), Bluetooth, infrared, and any form of radio frequency transmission.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a remote control for operative control of the processor and/or the transceiver for wireless functionality.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a decoder for decoding the incoming signals received by the apparatus into multiple channels.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interface of the second device resides in a receiver in the second device.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a receiving structure to support the first device in a stationary position.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the receiving structure is interchangeable.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein all the connectors are coupling parts selected from the group consisting of:

a USB connector, an IEEE 1394 Firewire connector, an earphone jack connector, a SCART connector, an S-Video connector and a proprietary connector set.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is controllable.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the incoming signals are selected from the group consisting of:

digital and analog.

26. A media reproduction device comprising the apparatus as claimed in claim 1.

18. A method for processing incoming signals, the method comprising:

connecting a first device to an apparatus for processing incoming signals; and

connecting the apparatus to a second device,

wherein the apparatus processes the incoming signals received from the first device and transmits the processed signals to the second device.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first device is selected from the group consisting of:

another apparatus for processing digital signals, a media player, a mobile phone, a computer, a VCR and a PDA.

20. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the incoming signals are processed by a processor in the apparatus.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the incoming signals are processed in a manner selected from the group consisting of:

by restoring compressed signals to approximately its original form, by augmenting signals to high definition format.

22. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the processor adjusts the processed signals affecting audio output in a manner selected from the group consisting of:

volume, treble, bass, balance and fader.

23. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the incoming signals are selected from the group consisting of:

digital and analog.

24. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the processor is controllable.

25. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the second device is selected from the group consisting of:

another apparatus for processing digital signals, a set of speakers, a computer, a device with speakers, a television, and a mobile phone.

27. A media reproduction device configured to perform the method as claimed in claim 18.