Communication between an accessory and a media player using a protocol with multiple lingoes

• US 7,526,588 B1
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Schubert, Emily C., Krueger, Scott, Lydon, Gregory T., Filson, John B., Novotney, Donald J., Archibald, John, Tupman, David, Holden, Paul, Leung, Wang Chun, Bolton, Lawrence G.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, RAYMOND NGAN
• Application Number:
  US11/479,314
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 710313- 15, 710/110, 710300-306, 710 8- 12, 710 62- 64, 710/72
• US Class Current: 710/105
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6456 comprising keying elements at different positions along the periphery of the connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2105/00 Three poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90

Abstract

A connector interface system is disclosed. The connector interface system includes an interface and a protocol in communication with which allows a media player to communicate with external devices over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a plurality of accessory lingoes. The accessory lingoes comprise a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, a RF transmitter lingo and an extended interface lingo.

Claims

1. A connector interface system comprising:

an interface; and

a protocol in communication with the interface which allows a media player to communicate with a range of external accessories over a transport link, wherein the protocol includes a general lingo and one or more of a plurality of accessory lingoes, wherein the plurality of accessory lingoes includes a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, a RF transmitter lingo and an extended interface lingo.

2. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the interface includes a receive (Rx) contact and a transmit (Tx) contact.

3. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the interface comprises a wireless interface.

4. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the general lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

a Request Identify command;

an Identify command;

an ACK command;

a RequestMediaPlayerName command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerName command;

a RequestMediaPlayerSoftwareVersion command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerSoftwareVersion command;

a RequestMediaPlayerSerialNum command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerSerialNumber command;

a RequestMediaPlayerModelNum command;

a RequestLingoProtocolVersion command;

a ReturnLingoProtocolVersion command;

an IdentifyAccessoryLingoes command;

a GetDevAuthenticationInfo command;

a RetDevAuthenticationInfo command;

an AckDevAuthenticationInfo command;

a GetDevAuthenticationSignature command;

a RetDevAuthenticationSignature command;

an AckDevAuthenticationStatus command;

a GetMediaPlayerAuthenticationInfo command;

a RetMediaPlayerAuthenticationInfo command;

an AckMediaPlayerAuthenticationInfo command;

a GetMediaPlayerAuthenticationSignature command;

a RetMediaPlayerAuthenticationSignature command;

an AckMediaPlayerAuthenticationStatus command;

or a NotifyMediaPlayerStateChange command.

5. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the microphone lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

a BeginRecord command;

an EndRecord command;

a BeginPlayback command;

an EndPlayback command;

an ACK command;

a GetDevAck command;

a MediaPlayerModeChange command;

a GetDevCaps command;

a RetDevCaps command;

a GetDevCtrl command;

a RetDevCtrl command;

or a SetDevCtrl command.

6. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the simple remote lingo comprises:

a ContextButtonStatus command.

7. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the display remote lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

an ACK command;

a GetCurrentEQProfileIndex command;

a RetCurrentEQProfileIndex command;

a SetCurrentEQProfileIndex command;

a GetNumEQProfiles command;

a RetNumEQProfiles command;

a GetIndexedEQProfileName command;

a RetIndexedEQProfileName command;

a SetRemoteEventNotification command;

a RemoteEventNotification command;

a GetRemoteEventStatus command;

a RetRemoteStatus command;

a GetMediaPlayerStateInfo command;

a RetMediaPlayerStateInfo command;

a SetMediaPlayerStateInfo command;

a GetPlayStatus command;

a RetPlayStatus command;

a SetCurrentPlayingTrack command;

a GetIndexedPlayingTrackInfo command;

a RetIndexedPlayingTrackInfo command;

a GetNumPlayingTracks command;

a RetNumPlayingTracks command;

a GetPowerBatteryState command;

a RetPowerBatteryState command;

a GetSoundCheckState command;

a RetSoundCheckState command;

or a SetSoundCheckState command.

8. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the RF transmitter lingo comprises any of the following commands:

a BeginTransmission command; and

an EndTransmission command.

9. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the extended interface lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

an Acknowledge command;

a GetCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterInfo command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterInfo command;

a SetCurrentPlaying-TrackChapter command;

a GetCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterPlayStatus command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterPlayStatus command;

a GetCurrentPlayingTrackChapterName command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterName command;

a GetAudiobookSpeed command;

a ReturnAudiobookSpeed command;

a SetAudiobookSpeed command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackInfo command;

a ReturnIndexedPlaying-TrackInfo command;

a RequestProtocolVersion command;

a ReturnProtocolVersion command;

a RequestMediaPlayerName command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerName command;

a ResetDBSelection command;

a SelectDBRecord command;

a GetNumberCategorized-DB Records command;

a ReturnNumberCategorizedDBRecords command;

a RetrieveCategorized-DatabaseRecords command;

a ReturnCategorized-DatabaseRecord command;

a GetPlayStatus command;

a ReturnPlayStatus command;

a GetCurrentPlaying-TrackIndex command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackIndex command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackTitle command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackArtistName command;

a ReturnIndexedPlaying-TrackArtistName command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackAlbumName command;

a ReturnIndexedPlayingTrackAlbumName command, a SetPlayStatusChange-Notification command;

a PlayStatusChange-Notification command, a PlayCurrentSelection command;

a PlayControl command;

a GetShuffle command;

a ReturnShuffle command;

a SetShuffle command;

a GetRepeat command;

a ReturnRepeat command;

a SetRepeat command;

a SetDisplayImage command;

a GetMonoDisplayImageLimits command;

a ReturnMonoDisplay-ImageLimits command;

a GetNumPlayingTracks command;

a ReturnNumPlayingTracks command;

a SetCurrentPlayingTrack command;

a SelectSortDBRecord command;

a GetColorDisplay-ImageLimits command;

or a ReturnColorDisplay-ImageLimits command.

10. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the interface includes a plurality of signal contacts.

11. The connector interface system of claim 1 wherein the transport link comprises a USB transport link.

12. A media player comprising:

a device; and

a connector interface system in communication with the device, the connector interface system comprising an interface and a protocol in communication with the interface which allows the media player to communicate with a range of external accessories over a transport link, wherein the protocol includes a general lingo and any one or more of a plurality of accessory lingoes, wherein the plurality of accessory lingoes includes a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, a RF transmitter lingo and an extended interface lingo.

13. The media player of claim 12 wherein the interface includes a receive (Rx) contact and a transmit (Tx) contact.

14. The media player of claim 12 wherein the interface comprises a wireless interface.

15. The media player of claim 12 wherein the general lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

a Request Identify command;

a Identify command;

an ACK command;

a RequestMediaPlayerName command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerName command;

a RequestMediaPlayerSoftwareVersion command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerSoftwareVersion command;

RequestMediaPlayerSerialNum command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerSerialNumber command;

a RequestMediaPlayerModelNum command;

a RequestLingoProtocolVersion command;

a ReturnLingoProtocolVersion command;

an IdentifyAccessoryLingoes command;

a GetDevAuthenticationInfo command;

a RetDevAuthenticationInfo command;

an AckDevAuthenticationInfo command;

a GetDevAuthenticationSignature command;

a RetDevAuthenticationSignature command;

an AckDevAuthenticationStatus command;

a GetMediaPlayerAuthenticationInfo command;

a RetMediaPlayerAuthenticationInfo command;

an AckMediaPlayerAuthenticationInfo command;

a GetMediaPlayerAuthenticationSignature command;

a RetMediaPlayerAuthenticationSignature command;

an AckMediaPlayerAuthenticationStatus command;

or a NotifyMediaPlayerStateChange command.

16. The media player of claim 12 wherein the microphone lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

a BeginRecord command;

an EndRecord command;

a BeginPlayback command;

an EndPlayback command;

an ACK command;

a GetDevAck command;

a MediaPlayerModeChange command;

a GetDevCaps command;

a RetDevCaps command;

a GetDevCtrl command;

a RetDevCtrl command;

or a SetDevCtrl command.

17. The media player of claim 12 wherein the simple remote lingo comprises:

a ContextButtonStatus command.

18. The media player of claim 12 wherein the display remote lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

an ACK command;

a GetCurrentEQProfileIndex command;

a RetCurrentEQProfileIndex command;

a SetCurrentEQProfileIndex command;

a GetNumEQProfiles command;

a RetNumEQProfiles command;

a GetIndexedEQProfileName command;

a RetIndexedEQProfileName command;

a SetRemoteEventNotification command;

a RemoteEventNotification command;

a GetRemoteEventStatus command;

a RetRemoteStatus command;

a GetMediaPlayerStateInfo command;

a RetMediaPlayerStateInfo command;

a SetMediaPlayerStateInfo command;

a GetPlayStatus command;

a RetPlayStatus command;

a SetCurrentPlayingTrack command;

a GetIndexedPlayingTrackInfo command;

a RetIndexedPlayingTrackInfo command;

a GetNumPlayingTracks command;

a RetNumPlayingTracks command;

a GetPowerBatteryState command;

a RetPowerBatteryState command;

a GetSoundCheckState command;

a RetSoundCheckState command;

or a SetSoundCheckState command.

19. The media player of claim 12 wherein the RF transmitter lingo comprises any of the following commands:

a BeginTransmission command; and

an EndTransmission command.

20. The media player of claim 12 wherein the extended interface lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

an Acknowledge command;

a GetCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterInfo command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterInfo command;

a SetCurrentPlaying-TrackChapter command;

a GetCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterPlayStatus command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterPlayStatus command;

a GetCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterName command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterName command;

a GetAudiobookSpeed command;

a ReturnAudiobookSpeed command;

a SetAudiobookSpeed command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackInfo command;

a ReturnIndexedPlaying-TrackInfo command;

a RequestProtcolVersion command;

a ReturnProtocolVersion command;

a RequestMediaPlayerName command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerName command;

a ResetDBSelection command;

a SelectDBRecord command;

a GetNumberCategorized-DB Records;

a ReturnNumber-CategorizedDBRecords command;

a RetrieveCategorized-DatabaseRecords command;

a ReturnCategorized-DatabaseRecord command;

a GetPlayStatus command;

a ReturnPlayStatus command;

a GetCurrentPlaying-TrackIndex command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackIndex command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackTitle command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackArtistName command;

a ReturnIndexedPlaying-TrackArtistName command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackAlbumName command;

a ReturnIndexedPlayingTrackAlbumName command;

a SetPlayStatusChange-Notification command;

a PlayStatusChange-Notification command, a PlayCurrentSelection command;

a PlayControl command;

a GetShuffle command;

a ReturnShuffle command;

a SetShuffle command;

a GetRepeat command;

a ReturnRepeat command;

a SetRepeat command;

a SetDisplayImage command;

a GetMonoDisplay-ImageLimits command;

a ReturnMonoDisplay-ImageLimits command;

a GetNumPlayingTracks command;

a ReturnNumPlayingTracks command;

a SetCurrentPlayingTrack command;

a SelectSortDBRecord command;

a GetColorDisplay-ImageLimits command;

or a ReturnColorDisplay-ImageLimits command.

21. The media player of claim 12 wherein the interface includes a plurality of signal contacts.

22. The media player of claim 12 wherein the transport link comprises a USB transport link.

23. The media player of claim 12 wherein the external accessories comprise any of a car stereo, a home stereo, a remote control, a radio, a voice recorder, a docking station or a wireless device for communication to other accessories.

24. A connector comprising:

a plurality of signal contacts;

a protocol which allows a media player to communicate discriminately with a range of external accessories in accordance with accessory type capabilities over a transport link, wherein the protocol includes a general lingo and one or more of a plurality of accessory lingoes; and

an interface for the plurality of signal contacts that includes a mode which allows the media player to be controlled utilizing the protocol via the transport link.

25. The connector of claim 24 wherein the transport link comprise a USB transport link.

26. The connector of claim 24 wherein the transport link comprises a logical connection between an accessory and a media player.

27. The connector of claim 24 wherein the general lingo allows for accessory identification, authentication and retrieval of information from a device.

28. The connector of claim 24 wherein the of the plurality of accessory lingoes comprises:

a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo;

a RF transmitter lingo and an extended interface lingo.

29. The connector of claim 28 wherein the general lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

a Request Identify command;

an Identify command;

an ACK command;

a RequestMediaPlayerName command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerName command;

a RequestMediaPlayerSoftwareVersion command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerSoftwareVersion command;

a RequestMediaPlayerSerialNum command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerSerialNumber command;

a RequestMediaPlayerModelNum command;

a RequestLingoProtocolVersion command;

a ReturnLingoProtocolVersion command;

an IdentifyAccessoryLingoes command;

a GetDevAuthenticationInfo command;

a RetDevAuthenticationInfo command;

an AckDevAuthenticationInfo command;

a GetDevAuthenticationSignature command;

a RetDevAuthenticationSignature command;

an AckDevAuthenticationStatus command;

a GetMediaPlayerAuthenticationInfo command;

a RetMediaPlayerAuthenticationInfo command;

an AckMediaPlayerAuthenticationInfo command;

a GetMediaPlayerAuthenticationSignature command;

a RetMediaPlayerAuthenticationSignature command;

an AckMediaPlayerAuthenticationStatus command;

or a NotifyMediaPlayerStateChange command.

30. The connector of claim 28 wherein the microphone lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

a BeginRecord command;

an EndRecord command;

a BeginPlayback command;

an EndPlayback command;

an ACK command;

a GetDevAck command;

a MediaPlayerModeChange command;

a GetDevCaps command;

a RetDevCaps command;

a GetDevCtrl command;

a RetDevCtrl command;

or a SetDevCtrl command.

31. The connector of claim 28 wherein the simple remote lingo comprises:

a ContextButtonStatus command.

32. The connector of claim 28 wherein the display remote lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

an ACK command;

a GetCurrentEQProfileIndex command;

a RetCurrentEQProfileIndex command;

a SetCurrentEQProfileIndex command;

a GetNumEQProfiles command;

a RetNumEQProfiles command;

a GetIndexedEQProfileName command;

a RetIndexedEQProfileName command;

a SetRemoteEventNotification command;

a RemoteEventNotification command;

a GetRemoteEventStatus command, a RetRemoteStatus command;

a GetMediaPlayerStateInfo command;

a RetMediaPlayerStateInfo command;

a SetMediaPlayerStateInfo command;

a GetPlayStatus command;

a RetPlayStatus command;

a SetCurrentPlayingTrack command;

a GetIndexedPlayingTrackInfo command;

a RetIndexedPlayingTrackInfo command;

a GetNumPlayingTracks command;

a RetNumPlayingTracks command;

a GetPowerBatteryState command;

a RetPowerBatteryState command;

a GetSoundCheckState command;

a RetSoundCheckState command;

or a SetSoundCheckState command.

33. The connector of claim 28 wherein the RF transmitter lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

a BeginTransmission command;

or a EndTransmission command.

34. The connector of claim 28 wherein the extended interface lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

an Acknowledge command;

a GetCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterInfo command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterInfo command;

a SetCurrentPlaying-TrackChapter command;

a GetCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterPlayStatus command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterPlayStatus command;

a GetCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterName command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterName command;

a GetAudiobookSpeed command;

a ReturnAudiobookSpeed command;

a SetAudiobookSpeed command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackInfo command;

a ReturnIndexedPlaying-TrackInfo command;

a RequestProtocolVersion command;

a ReturnProtocolVersion command;

a RequestMediaPlayerName command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerName command;

a ResetDBSelection command;

a SelectDBRecord command;

a GetNumberCategorized-DB Records command;

a ReturnNumber-CategorizedDBRecords command;

a RetrieveCategorized-DatabaseRecords command;

a ReturnCategorized-DatabaseRecord command;

a GetPlayStatus command;

a ReturnPlayStatus command;

a GetCurrentPlaying-TrackIndex command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackIndex command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackTitle command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackArtistName command;

a ReturnIndexedPlaying-TrackArtistName command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackAlbumName command;

a ReturnIndexedPlayingTrackAlbumName command;

a SetPlayStatusChange-Notification command;

a PlayStatusChange-Notification command;

a PlayCurrentSelection command;

a PlayControl command;

a GetShuffle command;

a ReturnShuffle command;

a SetShuffle command;

a GetRepeat command;

a ReturnRepeat command;

a SetRepeat command;

a SetDisplayImage command;

a GetMonoDisplay-ImageLimits command;

a ReturnMonoDisplay-ImageLimits command;

a GetNumPlayingTracks command;

a ReturnNumPlayingTracks command;

a SetCurrentPlayingTrack command;

a SelectSortDBRecord command;

a GetColorDisplay-ImageLimits command;

or a ReturnColorDisplay-ImageLimits command.

35. A media player comprising:

a device;

a plurality of signal contacts within the device;

a protocol which allows the device to communicate discriminately with a range of external accessories in accordance with accessory type capabilities over a transport link, wherein the protocol includes a general lingo and any one or more of a plurality of accessory lingoes; and

an interface for the plurality of signal contacts that includes a mode which allows the device to be controlled utilizing the protocol via the transport link.

36. The media player of claim 35 wherein the transport link comprises a USB transport link.

37. The media player of claim 35 wherein the transport link comprises a logical connection between an accessory and a media player.

38. The media player of claim 35 wherein the general lingo allows for accessory identification and retrieval of information from an accessory.

39. The media player of claim 35 wherein the plurality of accessory lingoes comprises:

a microphone lingo command;

a simple remote lingo command;

a display remote command;

a RF transmitter lingo command; and

an extended Interface lingo command.

40. The media player of claim 38 wherein the general lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

a Request Identify command;

an Identify command;

an ACK command;

a RequestMediaPlayerName command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerName command;

a RequestMediaPlayerSoftwareVersion command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerSoftwareVersion command;

a RequestMediaPlayerSerialNum command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerSerialNumber command;

a RequestMediaPlayerModelNum command;

a RequestLingoProtocolVersion command;

a ReturnLingoProtocolVersion command;

an IdentifyAccessoryLingoes command;

a GetDevAuthenticationInfo command;

a RetDevAuthenticationInfo command;

an AckDevAuthenticationInfo command;

a GetDevAuthenticationSignature command;

a RetDevAuthenticationSignature command;

an AckDevAuthenticationStatus command;

a GetMediaPlayerAuthenticationInfo command;

a RetMediaPlayerAuthenticationInfo command;

an AckMediaPlayerAuthenticationInfo command;

a GetMediaPlayerAuthenticationSignature command;

a RetMediaPlayerAuthenticationSignature command;

an AckMediaPlayerAuthenticationStatus command;

or a NotifyMediaPlayerStateChange command.

41. The media player of claim 39 wherein the microphone lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

a BeginRecord command;

an EndRecord command;

a BeginPlayback command;

an EndPlayback command;

an ACK command;

a GetDevAck command;

a MediaPlayerModeChange command;

a GetDevCaps;

RetDevCaps command;

a GetDevCtrl command;

a RetDevCtrl command;

or a SetDevCtrl command.

42. The media player of claim 39 wherein the simple remote lingo comprises:

a ContextButtonStatus command.

43. The media player of claim 40 wherein the display remote lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

an ACK command;

a GetCurrentEQProfileIndex command;

a RetCurrentEQProfileIndex command;

a SetCurrentEQProfileIndex command;

a GetNumEQProfiles command;

a RetNumEQProfiles command;

a GetIndexedEQProfileName command;

a RetIndexedEQProfileName command;

a SetRemoteEventNotification command;

a RemoteEventNotification command;

a GetRemoteEventStatus command, a RetRemoteStatus command, a GetMediaPlayerStateInfo command;

a RetMediaPlayerStateInfo command;

a SetMediaPlayerStateInfo command;

a GetPlayStatus command;

a RetPlayStatus command;

a SetCurrentPlayingTrack command;

a GetIndexedPlayingTrackInfo command;

a RetIndexedPlayingTrackInfo command;

a GetNumPlayingTracks command;

a RetNumPlayingTracks command;

a GetPowerBatteryState command;

a RetPowerBatteryState command;

a GetSoundCheckState command;

a RetSoundCheckState command;

or a SetSoundCheckState command.

44. The media player of claim 39 wherein the RF transmitter lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

a BeginTransmission command;

or an EndTransmission command.

45. The media player of claim 39 wherein the extended interface lingo comprises any one or more of the following commands:

an Acknowledge command;

a GetCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterInfo command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterInfo command;

a SetCurrentPlaying-TrackChapter command;

a GetCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterPlayStatus command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterPlayStatus command;

a GetCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterName command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackChapterName command;

a GetAudiobookSpeed command;

a ReturnAudiobookSpeed command;

a SetAudiobookSpeed command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackInfo command;

a ReturnIndexedPlaying-TrackInfo command;

a RequestProtocolVersion command;

a ReturnProtocolVersion command;

a RequestMediaPlayerName command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerName command;

a ResetDBSelection command;

a SelectDBRecord command;

a GetNumberCategorized-DB Records command;

a ReturnNumber-CategorizedDBRecords command;

a RetrieveCategorized-DatabaseRecords command;

a ReturnCategorized-DatabaseRecord command;

a GetPlayStatus command;

a ReturnPlayStatus command;

a GetCurrentPlaying-TrackIndex command;

a ReturnCurrentPlaying-TrackIndex command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackTitle command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackArtistName command;

a ReturnIndexedPlaying-TrackArtistName command;

a GetIndexedPlaying-TrackAlbumName command;

a ReturnIndexedPlayingTrackAlbumName command;

a SetPlayStatusChange-Notification command;

a PlayStatusChange-Notification command;

a PlayCurrentSelection command;

a PlayControl command;

a GetShuffle command;

a ReturnShuffle command;

a SetShuffle command;

a GetRepeat command;

a ReturnRepeat command;

a SetRepeat command;

a SetDisplayImage command;

a GetMonoDisplay-ImageLimits command;

a ReturnMonoDisplay-ImageLimits command;

a GetNumPlayingTracks command;

a ReturnNumPlayingTracks command;

a SetCurrentPlayingTrack command;

a SelectSortDBRecord command;

a GetColorDisplay-ImageLimits command;

or a ReturnColorDisplay-ImageLimits command.

46. The media player of claim 39 wherein the external accessories comprise any of a car stereo, a home stereo, a remote control, a radio, a voice recorder, a docking station or a wireless device for communication to other accessories.

47. A connector comprising:

a plurality of signal contacts;

a protocol which allows a device to communicate with a range of accessories over a transport link; and

an interface for the plurality of signal contacts that includes a mode which allows the device to be controlled utilizing the protocol via the transport link, wherein the protocol allows for any one or more of the following functions;

Play/Pause;

Volume up;

Volume Down;

Next track;

Previous track;

Next album;

Previous album;

Stop;

Play/Resume;

Pause;

Mute;

Toggle;

Next chapter;

Previous chapter;

Next play list;

Previous play list;

Shuffle setting advance;

Repeat setting advance;

Power on;

Power off;

Backlight for a predetermined period;

Begin fast forward;

Begin rewind;

Menu;

Select;

Up arrow;

or Down arrow.

48. A connector interface system comprising:

a connector system for receiving a plurality of signals;

a protocol which allows for a device to communicate with a range of external devices over a transport link; and

an interface for the plurality of signal contacts that includes a mode which allows the device to be controlled utilizing the protocol via the transport link, wherein the protocol allows for any one or more of the following functions;

Play/Pause;

Volume up;

Volume Down;

Next track;

Previous track;

Next album;

Previous album;

Stop;

Play/Resume;

Pause;

Mute;

Toggle;

Next chapter;

Previous chapter;

Next play list;

Previous play list;

Shuffle setting advance;

Repeat setting advance;

Power on;

Power off;

Backlight for a predetermined period;

Begin fast forward;

Begin rewind;

Menu;

Select;

Up arrow;

or Down arrow.

49. The connector interface system of claim 48 wherein the connector system comprises a wireless connector system.

50. A media player comprising:

a device;

a connector system for receiving a plurality of signals;

a protocol which allows the device to communicate with a range of external accessories over a transport link; and

an interface for the plurality of signal contacts that includes a mode which allows the device to be controlled utilizing the protocol via the transport link, wherein the protocol allows for any one or more of the following functions;

Play/Pause;

Volume up;

Volume Down;

Next track;

Previous track;

Next album;

Previous album;

Stop;

Play/Resume;

Pause;

Mute;

Toggle;

Next chapter;

Previous chapter;

Next play list;

Previous play list;

Shuffle setting advance;

Repeat setting advance;

Power on;

Power off;

Backlight for a predetermined period;

Begin fast forward;

Begin rewind;

Menu;

Select;

Up arrow;

or Down arrow.

51. The media player of claim 50 wherein the connector system comprises a wireless connector system.

52. The media player of claim 50 wherein the external accessories comprise any of a car stereo, a home stereo, a remote control, a radio, a voice recorder, a docking station or a wireless device for communication to other accessories.