Removable face plate compressed digital music player

• US 7,170,828 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2001
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Estevez, Leonardo W.
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, TAN X
• Application Number:
  US09/998,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20020077834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,884 Days
• Field of Search: 369/1, 369/2, 369/4, 369/6, 369/7, 369/10, 369/11, 369/12, 369/29.02, 369/21, 369/22, 369/15.01, 455/569.2, 455/572, 455/575.1, 455/575.9, 455/90.2, 455/90.3, 704/500, 704/501
• US Class Current: 369/2
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 2207/16 Solid state audio deprecated, only for historical reasons, G06F3/16, G11B
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/10 Input/output [I/O] data interface arrangements, e.g. I/O data control circuits, I/O data buffers
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/1039 using pipelining techniques, i.e. using latches between functional memory parts, e.g. row/column decoders, I/O buffers, sense amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/16 Storage of analogue signals in digital stores using an arrangement comprising analogue/digital [A/D] converters, digital memories and digital/analogue [D/A] converters

Abstract

This invention comprises a two part audio system in which all of the processing power is allocated to a small, lightweight satellite part that is the face unit. Mass storage, amplification, and wired power for recharging the face unit is provided by the other part, the base. The base runs either from a 120 volts AC source or 12 volts DC. The face unit contains a small amount of flash memory making it capable of carrying music normally stored on two or more compact discs (CDS).

Claims

1. A music system comprising:

a self-contained, portable music player including

a rechargeable battery pack for powering the music player,

an input device including at least a keypad for receiving user inputs;

an output device including a display;

a memory capable of storing digital music in at least one compressed digital format,

a data processor connected to said input device, said output device and said memory, said data processor programmed to decompress said digital music into uncompressed digital music samples,

an audio coder-decoder connected to said data processor for receiving said uncompressed digital music samples from said data processor and converting said uncompressed digital music samples into analog music,

a headset connector connected to said audio coder-decoder for supplying said analog music, and

a first base connector including

a first power connection connected to said rechargeable battery pack capable of receiving charging power, and

a player analog output connection connected to said audio coder-decoder for supplying said analog music, and

an analog input connection connected to said audio coder-decoder for receiving an analog input; and

a base unit including

a second base connector including

a second power connection for connection to said first power connection,

an analog input connection for connection to said player analog output connection of said first base connector,

a base unit analog output connection for connection to said analog input connection of said first base connector,

a power source connected to said second power connection for supplying recharging power for said rechargeable battery pack,

a pre-amplifier having an input connected to said analog input connection and an output,

a power amplifier having an input connected to said output of said pre-amplifier and an output,

a tuner for receiving and demodulating analog audio signals, said tuner supplying said analog audio signals to said base unit analog output connection, and

a speaker system connected to said output of said power amplifier for reproducing sound corresponding to said output of said power amplifier, wherein the music system operates in

a portable mode wherein said self-contained, portable music player is disconnected from said base unit and powered by said rechargeable battery pack, enabling a user to listen to selected digital music stored in said memory via said headset connector earphone, and

in a base mode wherein said self-contained, portable music player is connected to said base unit via said first base connector and said second base connector and powered from said power source, enabling a user to listen to selected digital music stored in said memory via said speaker system of said base unit and enabling a user to listen to music from said tuner supplied to said analog input connection of said first base connector.

2. The music system of claim 1, wherein:

said data processor is further programmed in cooperation with said input device enabling a user to enter volume control data via said keypad;

said first base connector further includes a volume data output connection for transmission of volume control data from the self-contained, portable music player;

said second base connector further includes a volume data input connection for connection to said volume data output connection; and

said pre-amplifier is further connected to said volume data input connection and producing an amount of amplification corresponding to the volume control data.

5. The music system of claim 1, wherein:

said self-contained, portable music player wherein

said first base connector further includes a first digital data bus connection for bidirectional data exchange and

said data processor being further connected to said first digital data bus connection of said base connector for communicating station selection data corresponding to inputs received from said input device via said first digital data bus connection to the base unit;

said base unit wherein

said second base connector further includes a second digital data bus connection for connection to said first digital data bus connection for receiving digital data including station selection data, and

said tuner being connected to said second digital data bus connection and further selecting a station corresponding to said station selection data.

7. The music system of claim 2, wherein:

said base unit includes no volume control input.

9. The music system of claim 5, wherein:

said base unit includes no station selection input.

3. A base unit for use with a self-contained, portable music player comprising:

a tuner for receiving and demodulating analog audio signals;

base connector including

a power connection,

an analog input connection for receiving an analog input,

a base unit analog output connection connected to said tuner to output demodulated analog audio signals;

a power source connected to said power connection for supplying recharging power for the self-contained, portable music player;

a pre-amplifier having an input connected to said analog input connection and an output,

a power amplifier having an input connected to said output of said pre-amplifier and an output, and

a speaker system connected to said output of said power amplifier for reproducing sound corresponding to said output of said power amplifier.

4. The base unit of claim 3, wherein:

said base connector further includes a volume data input connection for receiving of volume control data from the self-contained, portable music player;

said pre-amplifier is further connected to said volume data input connection and producing an amount of amplification corresponding to the volume control data.

6. The base unit of claim 3, wherein:

said base connector further includes a digital data bus connection for receiving digital data including station selection data; and

said tuner being connected to said digital data bus connection and further selecting a station corresponding to said station selection data.

8. The base unit of claim 4, wherein:

said base unit includes no volume control input.

10. The base unit of claim 6, wherein:

said base unit includes no station selection input.

11. A self-contained, portable music player comprising:

a rechargeable battery pack for powering the music player;

an input device including at least a keypad for receiving user inputs;

an output device including a display;

a memory capable of storing digital music in at least one compressed digital format;

a data processor connected to said input device, said output device and said memory, said data processor programmed to decompress said digital music into uncompressed digital music samples, said data processor further programmed in cooperation with said input device enabling a user to enter volume control data via said keypad;

an audio coder-decoder connected to said data processor for receiving said uncompressed digital music samples from said data processor and converting said uncompressed digital music samples into analog music;

a headset connector connected to said audio coder-decoder for supplying said analog music; and

a base connector including

a power connection connected to said rechargeable battery pack capable of receiving charging power,

an analog output connection connected to said audio coder-decoder for supplying said analog music for amplification and reproduction via speakers, and

a volume control data output connection for transmission of volume control data from the self-contained, portable music player; and

wherein the self-contained, portable music player operates in

portable mode disconnected from a base unit and powered by said rechargeable battery pack, enabling a user to listen to selected digital music stored in said memory via said headset connector, and

in a base mode connected to a base unit via said base connector and powered via said power connector, enabling a user to listen to selected digital music stored in said memory via said analog output connection and control listening volume via said volume control data.

12. The self-contained, portable music player of claim 11, wherein:

said base connector further includes a station selection data output connection; and

said data processor being further programmed in cooperation with said input device enabling a user to enter station selection data via said keypad, said data processor being further connected to said station selection data output connection of said base connector for communicating station selection data corresponding to inputs received from said input device via said station selection output connection.

13. A music system comprising:

a self-contained, portable music player including

a rechargeable battery pack for powering the music player,

an input device including at least a keypad for receiving user inputs;

an output device including a display;

a memory capable of storing digital music in at least one compressed digital format,

a data processor connected to said input device, said output device and said memory, said data processor programmed to decompress said digital music into uncompressed digital music samples, said data processor further programmed in cooperation with said input device enabling a user to enter volume control data via said keypad,

an audio coderdecoder connected to said data processor for receiving said uncompressed digital music samples from said data processor and converting said uncompressed digital music samples into analog music,

a headset connector connected to said audio coder-decoder for supplying said analog music, and

a first base connector including

a first power connection connected to said rechargeable battery pack capable of receiving charging power,

a player analog output connection connected to said audio coder-decoder for supplying said analog music, and

a volume control data output connection for transmission of volume control data from the self-contained, portable music player; and

a base unit including

a second base connector including

a second power connection for connection to said first power connection,

an analog input connection for connection to said player analog output connection of said first base connector,

a volume control data input connection for connection to said player volume control data output connection of said first base connector,

a power source connected to said second power connection for supplying recharging power for said rechargeable battery pack,

a pre-amplifier having an input connected to said analog input connection and an output, said pre-amplifier further connected to said volume control data input connection and producing an amount of amplification corresponding to the volume control data,

a power amplifier having an input connected to said output of said pre-amplifier and an output,

a speaker system connected to said output of said power amplifier for reproducing sound corresponding to said output of said power amplifier,

said base unit having no input for volume control; and

wherein the music system operates in

a portable mode wherein said self-contained, portable music player is disconnected from said base unit and powered by said rechargeable battery pack, enabling a user to listen to selected digital music stored in said memory via said headset connector, and

in a base mode wherein said self-contained, portable music player is connected to said base unit via said first base connector and said second base connector and powered from said power source, enabling a user to listen to selected digital music stored in said memory via said speaker system of said base unit and control listening volume via said volume control data.

14. The music system of claim 13, wherein:

said self-contained portable music player wherein

said first base connector further includes a station selection data output connection, and

said data processor being further programmed in cooperation with said input device enabling a user to enter station selection data via said keypad, said data processor being further connected to said station selection data output connection of said first base connector for communicating station selection data corresponding to inputs received from said input device via said station selection output connection;

said base unit wherein

said second base connector further includes a station selection data input connection for connection to said player station selection data output connection of said first base connector,

said base unit further including a tuner for receiving and demodulating analog audio signals and connected to said station selection data input connection of said second base connector for selecting a station corresponding to said station selection data; and

said base unit having no input for station selection.

15. A base unit for use with a self-contained, portable music player comprising:

a base connector including

a power connection,

an analog input connection for receiving an analog input,

a volume control data input connection for receiving volume control data;

a power source connected to said power connection for supplying recharging power for the self-contained, portable music player;

a pre-amplifier having an input connected to said analog input connection and an output, said pre-amplifier further connected to said volume control data input connection and producing an amount of amplification corresponding to the volume control data;

a power amplifier having an input connected to said output of said pre-amplifier and an output;

a speaker system connected to said output of said power amplifier for reproducing sound corresponding to said output of said power amplifier;

said base unit having no input for volume control.

16. The base unit of claim 15, wherein:

said base connector further includes a station selection data input connection for receiving station selection data;

said base unit further including a tuner for receiving and demodulating analog audio signals and connected to said station selection data input connection of said base connector for selecting a station corresponding to said station selection data; and

said base unit having no input for station selection.

17. A self-contained, portable music player comprising:

a rechargeable battery pack for powering the music player;

an input device including at least a keypad for receiving user inputs;

an output device including a display;

a memory capable of storing digital music in at least one compressed digital format;

a data processor connected to said input device, said output device and said memory, said data processor programmed to decompress said digital music into uncompressed digital music samples, said data processor further programmed in cooperation with said input device enabling a user to enter station selection data via said keypad;

an audio coder-decoder connected to said data processor for receiving said uncompressed digital music samples from said data processor and converting said uncompressed digital music samples into analog music;

a headset connector connected to said audio coder-decoder for supplying said analog music; and

a base connector including

a power connection connected to said rechargeable battery pack capable of receiving charging power,

an analog output connection connected to said audio coder-decoder for supplying said analog music for amplification and reproduction via speakers, and

a station selection data output connection for transmission of station selection data from the self contained, portable music player; and

wherein the self-contained, portable music player operates in

a portable mode disconnected from a base unit and powered by said rechargeable battery pack, enabling a user to listen to selected digital music stored in said memory via said headset connector, and

in a base mode connected to a base unit via said base connector and powered via said power connector, enabling a user to listen to selected digital music stored in said memory via said analog output connection and control station selection of a tuner via said station selection data.

18. A music system comprising:

a self-contained, portable music player including

a rechargeable battery pack for powering the music player,

an input device including at least a keypad for receiving user inputs;

an output device including a display;

a memory capable of storing digital music in at least one compressed digital format,

a data processor connected to said input device, said output device and said memory, said data processor programmed to decompress said digital music into uncompressed digital music samples, said data processor further programmed in cooperation with said input device enabling a user to enter station selection data via said keypad,

an audio coder-decoder connected to said data processor for receiving said uncompressed digital music samples from said data processor and converting said uncompressed digital music samples into analog music,

a headset connector connected to said audio coder-decoder for supplying said analog music, and

a first base connector including

a first power connection connected to said rechargeable battery pack capable of receiving charging power,

a player analog output connection connected to said audio coder-decoder for supplying said analog music, and

a station selection data output connection for transmission of station selection data from the self-contained, portable music player; and

a base unit including

a second base connector including

a second power connection for connection to said first power connection,

an analog input connection for connection to said player analog output connection of said first base connector,

a station selection data input connection for connection to said player station selection data output connection of said first base connector,

a power source connected to said second power connection for supplying recharging power for said rechargeable battery pack,

a pre-amplifier having an input connected to said analog input connection and an output,

a power amplifier having an input connected to said output of said pre-amplifier and an output,

a speaker system connected to said output of said power amplifier for reproducing sound corresponding to said output of said power amplifier,

a tuner for receiving and demodulating analog audio signals and connected to said station selection data input connection of said second base connector for selecting a station corresponding to said station selection data; and

said base unit having no input for station selection; and

wherein the music system operates in

a portable mode wherein said self-contained, portable music player is disconnected from said base unit and powered by said rechargeable battery pack, enabling a user to listen to selected digital music stored in said memory via said headset connector, and

in a base mode wherein said self-contained, portable music player is connected to said base unit via said first base connector and said second base connector and powered from said power source, enabling a user to listen to selected digital music stored in said memory via said speaker system of said base unit and control station selection of the tuner via said station selection data entered via said portable music player input device.

19. A base unit for use with a self-contained, portable music player comprising:

a base connector including

a power connection,

an analog input connection for receiving an analog input,

a station selection data input connection for receiving station selection data;

a power source connected to said power connection for supplying recharging power for the self-contained, portable music player;

a pre-amplifier having an input connected to said analog input connection and an output;

a power amplifier having an input connected to said output of said pre-amplifier and an output;

a speaker system connected to said output of said power amplifier for reproducing sound corresponding to said output of said power amplifier;

a tuner for receiving and demodulating analog audio signals and connected to said station selection data input connection of said base connector for selecting a station corresponding to said station selection data; and

said base unit having no input for station selection.