Personal media device docking station having an acoustic interface

• US 20080219488A1
• Filed: 03/09/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Crooijmans, Wim, Howarth, Richard Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,724,837 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/333
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for a media device docking station having one or more acoustic channels to transfer sound to or from the media device while the media device is docked with the docking station.

Claims

1. A docking unit for a media device:

comprising;

one or more first apertures for exchanging sound with the media device,

one or more second apertures for exchanging the sound with the surrounding environment, and

one or more acoustic channels for coupling the sound between the one or more first apertures and the one or more second apertures.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more first apertures are positioned in close proximity to the media device.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the one or more first apertures are positioned along the surface of a well of the docking unit.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the one or more second apertures are positioned along an outside surface of the docking unit.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein a first set of the one or more acoustic channels transports sound toward the media device.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein a second set of the one or more acoustic channels transports the sound away from the media device.

7. The device of claim 6 comprising an insulator being positioned substantial between the first set and second set of the one or more acoustic channels to reduce interference between the channels.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the one or more first apertures include a first set of apertures in close proximity to an acoustic source of the media device.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the one or more first apertures include a second set of apertures in close proximity to a microphone of the media device.

10. The device of claim 1 comprising an insulator for insulating sound from one portion of the housing of the docking station from another portion of the housing of the docking station.

11. The device of claim 1 comprising a support mechanism for detachably holding the media device.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the support mechanism includes at least one of a well, a clamp, a holster, a clip, an adhesive, a magnet, and a connector.

13. A method for delivering sound from a media device comprising:

emitting sound from an acoustic source of the media device,

transporting the sound through one or more acoustic channels of a docking unit in proximity to the media device, and

coupling the sound from the one or more acoustic channels to outside of the docking unit.

14. The method of claim 13 comprising positioning one or more first apertures in close proximity to the media device.

15. The method of claim 14 comprising positioning the one or more first apertures along the surface of a well of the docking unit.

16. The method of claim 15 comprising positioning one or more second apertures along an outside surface of the docking unit.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising using the one or more acoustic channels to couple the one or more first apertures to the one or more second apertures.

18. A method for delivering sound to a media device comprising:

positioning the media device in close proximity to a docking unit,

receiving a sound at the docking unit,

transporting the sound through one or more acoustic channels of the docking unit, and

coupling the sound to the media device.

19. The method of claim 18 comprising positioning one or more first apertures in close proximity to the media device.

20. The method of claim 19 comprising positioning the one or more first apertures along the surface of a well of the docking unit.

21. The method of claim 20 comprising positioning one or more second apertures along an outside surface of the docking unit.

22. The method of claim 21, comprising using the one or more acoustic channels to couple the one or more first apertures to the one or more second apertures.

23. A docking unit for a media device comprising:

a support structure for holding the media device, and

a spacer for separating a portion of the media device from the docking station to enable sound to flow to and from the media device.

24. The unit of claim 23, wherein the spacer is a portion of an electrical connector.

25. The unit of claim 23, wherein the spacer extends from a surface of the docking unit.

26. The unit of claim 23, wherein the spacer is formed by a relief on a surface of the docking unit.

27. The unit of claim 23, wherein the spacer forms a gap between a portion of the media device and a portion of the docking unit, the gap establishing an acoustic channel through which sound is emitted from or received by the media device.