METHODS AND AN APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZING PLAYBACK OF MEDIA CONTENT FROM A DIGITAL HANDHELD DEVICE

• US 20100217411A1
• Filed: 02/26/2009
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Inventors: Goh, Aik Hee Daniel, Suprapmo, Susimin
• Granted Patent: US 8,285,405 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/021 Aspects relating to docking-station type assemblies to obtain an acoustical effect, e.g. the type of connection to external loudspeakers or housings, frequency improvement
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/303 Tracking of listener position or orientation

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus and methods for optimizing playback of media content from a digital handheld device. The apparatus may be functionally connected to the digital handheld device, and for allowing placement of the digital handheld device at a receptor. Correspondingly, the methods for optimizing playback of media content from a digital handheld device preferably entail a usage of the aforementioned apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for optimizing playback of media content from a digital handheld device, the apparatus being functionally connected to the digital handheld device, and for allowing placement of the digital handheld device at a receptor, the apparatus including:

a first electrical contact set for a functional connection to a second electrical contact set located within the receptor;

at least one electrical line coupled to the first electrical contact set for passing current from the second electrical contact set via the first electrical contact set to a first connector which is able to couple to a second connector of the digital handheld device;

at least one data line coupled to the first connector for passing data from the digital handheld device via the first connector to either a wireless transceiver or the first electrical contact set;

a controller located along the at least one electrical line and the at least one data line; and

at least one motion sensor coupled to the controller for detecting movement of the apparatus, wherein data on the movement of the apparatus detected by the at least one motion sensor is input to the controller, the controller processing the data to either output directions on the digital handheld device for a user of the digital handheld device, or transmitting the data via the wireless transceiver.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptor is incorporated into either a sound reproduction device or a media reproduction device.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the directions lead the user to a position of at least one of, optimum image reproduction and optimum sound reproduction, by the media reproduction device.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wireless transceiver coupled to the controller is for transmitting data wirelessly from the digital handheld device coupled to the apparatus to either the sound reproduction device or the media reproduction device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the data is either media content playback instructions or media content.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the placement of the digital handheld device at the receptor enables charging of a power source of the digital handheld device.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is able to transcode the media content to minimize a processing load on the digital handheld device.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein transmitting the data via the wireless transceiver to either a sound reproduction device or a media reproduction device varies media playback parameters of either the sound reproduction device or the media reproduction device.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the media playback parameters are selected from a group consisting of:

relative audio phase, audio delay, amplitude of audio, frequency response of audio, image contrast, image refresh rate, and image brightness.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the variation of the media playback parameters ensures optimal media content playback at a position of the user of the apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further including at least one acoustic sensor coupled to the controller for detecting audio reproduction quality at the apparatus, wherein information on the audio reproduction quality at the apparatus is input to the controller, the controller processing the information on the audio reproduction quality at the apparatus to either output directions on the digital handheld device for a user of the digital handheld device, or transmit the data via the wireless transceiver.

3. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. A method for optimizing playback of media content from a digital handheld device, the method including:

connecting the digital handheld device to either a sound reproduction device or a media reproduction device, the connection being wireless through a wireless transceiver;

detecting movement of the digital handheld device relative to either the sound reproduction device or the media reproduction device; and

processing data pertaining to the movement of the digital handheld device;

wherein either directions are output on the digital handheld device for a user of the digital handheld device, or the processed data is transmitted via the wireless transceiver.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the directions lead the user to a position of optimum sound reproduction by the sound reproduction device.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the directions provide guidance to a position of at least one of, optimum image reproduction and optimum sound reproduction, by the media reproduction device, and wherein the directions are provided audibly or on a display of the digital handheld device.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the processed data is transmitted via the wireless transceiver to either the sound reproduction device or the media reproduction device, with the processed data being used for varying media playback parameters.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the media playback parameters are selected from a group consisting of:

relative audio phase, audio delay, amplitude of audio, frequency response of audio, image contrast, image refresh rate, and image brightness.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the movement of the digital handheld device is detected with at least one motion sensor.

23. (canceled)

25. A method for optimizing playback of media content from a digital handheld device, the method including:

connecting the digital handheld device to either a sound reproduction device or a media reproduction device, the connection being wireless through a wireless transceiver;

detecting audio playback quality at the digital handheld device; and

processing information pertaining to the audio playback quality;

wherein either directions providing guidance relating to a position of the apparatus relative to at least one of optimal image reproduction quality or audio reproduction quality are output on the digital handheld device for a user of the digital handheld device, or the processed information is transmitted via the wireless transceiver.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the directions lead the user to a position of optimum sound reproduction by the sound reproduction device.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the processed information is transmitted via the wireless transceiver to either the sound reproduction device or the media reproduction device, with the processed data being used for varying media playback parameters.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the media playback parameters are selected from a group consisting of:

relative audio phase, audio delay, amplitude of audio, and frequency response of audio.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the variation of the media playback parameters ensures optimal media content playback at a position of the user of the digital handheld device.

27. (canceled)

31. (canceled)