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

• US 7,529,872 B1
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Issued: 05/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Krueger, Scott, Lydon, Gregory T., Filson, John B., Novotney, Donald J., Archibald, John, Tupman, David, Holden, Paul, Leung, Wang Chun, Bolton, Lawrence G., Schubert, Emily C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, RAYMOND NGAN
• Application Number:
  US11/479,894
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 710313- 15, 710/110, 710 8- 12, 710 62- 64, 710/72, 710/16, 455414-420, 4555561-5562, 455571-572
• US Class Current: 710/105
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/409 Mechanical coupling back panels H05K7/1438
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

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 accessories 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 method of operating an accessory device, the method comprising:

establishing a communication link to a media player, wherein the accessory is configured to communicate with the media player via the communication link using a media player accessory protocol comprising a general lingo and a plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player; and

sending an identification command of the general lingo to the media player via the communication link, wherein the identification command identifies at least one of the accessory lingoes supported by the media player as being supported by the accessory.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the identification command indicates that the accessory supports exactly one of the accessory lingoes supported by the media player and identifies the one accessory lingo that the accessory supports.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the identification command indicates that the accessory supports one or more of the accessory lingoes supported by the media player and identifies each of the accessory lingoes that the accessory supports.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player includes at least one lingo from a group consisting of a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an extended interface lingo, and an RF transmitter lingo.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the identification command identifies a microphone lingo as an accessory lingo supported by the accessory, the method further comprising:

receiving a first command of the microphone lingo from the media player, the first command signaling that recording of audio input is beginning; and

receiving a second command of the microphone lingo from the media player, the second command signaling that recording of audio input is ending.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the identification command identifies a simple remote lingo as an accessory lingo supported by the accessory, the method further comprising:

sending a command of the simple remote lingo to the media player, the command indicating a status of a user-operable control of the accessory.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the identification command identifies a display remote lingo as an accessory lingo supported by the accessory, the method further comprising:

sending a first command of the display remote lingo to the media player, the first command requesting information about one or more tracks queued for playback by the media player; and

receiving a second command of the display remote lingo from the media player, the second command providing the requested information about the one or more tracks queued for playback by the media player.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the identification command identifies a display remote lingo as an accessory lingo supported by the accessory, the method further comprising:

sending a first command of the display remote lingo to the media player, the first command requesting information about a state of the media player;

receiving a second command of the display remote lingo from the media player, the second command providing the requested information about the state of the media player; and

sending a third command of the display remote lingo to the media player, the third command instructing the media player to change the state of the media player.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the identification command identifies a display remote lingo as an accessory lingo supported by the accessory, the method further comprising:

sending a first command of the display remote lingo to the media player, the first command requesting information indicating a current equalizer setting of the media player;

receiving a second command of the display remote lingo from the media player, the second command providing the information indicating the current equalizer setting of the media player; and

sending a third command of the display remote lingo to the media player, the third command instructing the media player to change the current equalizer setting of the media player.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the identification command identifies an RF transmitter lingo as an accessory lingo supported by the accessory, the method further comprising:

receiving a first command of the RF transmitter lingo from the media player, the first command indicating that the accessory should begin a transmission; and

receiving a second command of the RF transmitter lingo from the media player, the second command indicating that the accessory should end the transmission.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one accessory lingo includes an extended interface lingo, the method further comprising:

sending a first command of the extended interface lingo to the media player, the first command requesting information about a currently playing track; and

receiving a second command of the extended interface lingo from the media player, the second command providing the requested information about the currently playing track.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one accessory lingo includes an extended interface lingo, the method further comprising:

sending a first command of the extended interface lingo to the media player, the first command requesting information about a track queued for playback by the media player; and

receiving a second command of the extended interface lingo from the media player, the second command providing the requested information about the track queued for playback by the media player.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one accessory lingo includes an extended interface lingo, the method further comprising:

sending a first command of the extended interface lingo to the media player, the first command requesting information from a database of tracks stored on the media player; and

receiving a second command of the extended interface lingo from the media player, the second command providing the requested information from the database of tracks stored on the media player.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one accessory lingo includes an extended interface lingo, the method further comprising:

sending a first command of the extended interface lingo to the media player, the first command instructing the media player to select one or more tracks from a database of tracks stored on the media player; and

sending a second command of the extended interface to the media player, the second command instructing the media player to queue the selected one or more tracks for playback.

15. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

in response to receiving the first command of the microphone lingo, transitioning to a high power state; and

in response to receiving the second command of the microphone lingo, transitioning to a low power state.

16. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

receiving a third command of the microphone lingo from the media player, the third command signaling a beginning of playback of recorded audio input; and

receiving a fourth command of the microphone lingo from the media player, the fourth command signaling an ending of playback of recorded audio input.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

in response to receiving the third command of the microphone lingo, transitioning to a high power state; and

in response to receiving the fourth command of the microphone lingo, transitioning to a low power state.

18. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

in response to receiving the first command, transitioning to a high power state and beginning the transmission; and

in response to receiving the second command, ending the transmission and transitioning to a low power state.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least one accessory lingo includes an extended interface lingo, the method further comprising:

sending a mode controlling command of the general lingo to the media player, the mode controlling command indicating that the media player should enter an extended interface operating mode.

20. An accessory for use with a media player, the accessory comprising:

an interface capable of communicating with a media player in accordance with a media player accessory protocol, the media player accessory protocol comprising a general lingo and a plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player, wherein the accessory supports at least one of the plurality of accessory lingoes,

wherein the interface is configured to send an identification command of the general lingo to the media player, wherein the identification command identifies at least one of the accessory lingoes as being supported by the accessory.

21. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the identification command indicates that the accessory supports exactly one of the plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player and identifies the one accessory lingo that the accessory supports.

22. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the identification command indicates that the accessory supports one or more of the plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player and identifies each of the accessory lingoes that the accessory supports.

23. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player includes a microphone lingo, wherein the accessory supports the microphone lingo, and wherein the microphone lingo includes:

a first command receivable by the accessory and signaling a beginning of recording of audio input; and

a second command receivable by the accessory and signaling an ending of recording of audio input.

24. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the microphone lingo further includes:

a third command receivable by the accessory and signaling a beginning of playback of recorded audio input; and

a fourth command receivable by the accessory and signaling an ending of playback of recorded audio input.

25. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player includes a simple remote lingo, wherein the accessory supports the simple remote lingo, and wherein the simple remote lingo includes one or more commands sendable by the accessory to indicate a status of a user-operable control of the accessory.

26. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player includes a display remote lingo, wherein the accessory supports the display remote lingo, and wherein the display remote lingo includes a commands sendable by the accessory to control an equalizer setting of the media player.

27. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player includes a display remote lingo, wherein the accessory supports the display remote lingo, and wherein the display remote lingo includes:

a first command sendable by the accessory to request information about one or more tracks queued for playback by the media player; and

a second command receivable by the accessory and providing information about one or more tracks queued for playback by the media player.

28. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player includes a display remote lingo, wherein the accessory supports the display remote lingo, and wherein the display remote lingo includes:

a first command sendable by the accessory to request information about a state of the media player;

a second command receivable by the accessory and providing information about the state of the media player; and

a third command sendable by the accessory to change the state of the media player.

29. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player includes an RF transmitter lingo, wherein the accessory supports the RF transmitter lingo, and wherein the RF transmitter lingo includes:

a first command receivable by the accessory and indicating when the accessory should begin a transmission; and

a second command receivable by the accessory and indicating when the accessory should end a transmission.

30. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player includes an extended interface lingo, wherein the accessory supports the extended lingo, and wherein the extended interface lingo includes:

a first command sendable by the accessory to request information about a currently playing track;

a second command receivable by the accessory and providing the requested information about the currently playing track;

a third command sendable by the accessory to request information about a track queued for playback by the media player;

a fourth command receivable by the accessory and providing the requested information about the track queued for playback by the media player;

a fifth command sendable by the accessory to request information from a database of tracks stored on the media player; and

a sixth command receivable by the accessory and providing the requested information from the database of tracks stored on the media player.

31. The accessory of claim 30 wherein the extended interface lingo further includes:

a seventh command sendable by the accessory to instruct the media player to select a track for playback.

32. The accessory of claim 30 wherein the general lingo further includes a mode controlling command sendable by the accessory to indicate when the media player should enter an extended interface operating mode.

33. The accessory of claim 30 wherein the general lingo includes at least one command from a group consisting of:

a RequestIdentify command;

a RequestMediaPlayerName command;

a RequestMediaPlayerSoftwareVersion command;

a RequestMediaPlayerSerialNum command;

a RequestMediaPlayerModelNum command;

a RequestLingoProtocolVersion command;

an Identify command;

an IdentifyAccessoryLingoes command;

an ACK command;

an AckDevAuthenticationInfo command;

an AckDevAuthenticationStatus command;

an AckMediaPlayerAuthenticationInfo command;

an AckMediaPlayerAuthenticationStatus command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerName command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerSoftwareVersion command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerSerialNumber command;

a ReturnLingoProtocolVersion command;

a RetDevAuthenticationInfo command;

a RetDevAuthenticationSignature command;

a RetMediaPlayerAuthenticationInfo command;

a RetMediaPlayerAuthenticationSignature command;

a GetDevAuthenticationInfo command;

a GetDevAuthenticationSignature command;

a GetMediaPlayerAuthenticationInfo command;

a GetMediaPlayerAuthenticationSignature command; and

a NotifyMediaPlayerStateChange command.

34. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the accessory supports a microphone accessory lingo that includes at least one command from a group consisting of:

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; and

a SetDevCtrl command.

35. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the accessory supports a simple remote accessory lingo that includes a ContextButtonStatus command.

36. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the accessory supports a display remote accessory lingo that includes at least one command from a group consisting of:

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; and

a SetSoundCheckState command.

37. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the accessory supports an RF transmitter accessory lingo that includes at least one command from a group consisting of:

a BeginTransmission command; and

an EndTransmission command.

38. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the accessory supports an extended interface accessory lingo that includes at least one command from a group consisting of:

an Acknowledge command;

a GetCurrentPlayingTrackChapterInfo command;

GetCurrentPlayingTrackChapterPlayStatus command;

a GetCurrentPlayingTrackChapterName command;

a GetAudiobookSpeed command;

a GetIndexedPlayingTrackInfo command;

a GetNumberCategorizedDB Records command;

a GetPlayStatus command;

a GetCurrentPlayingTrackIndex command;

a GetIndexedPlayingTrackTitle command;

a GetIndexedPlayingTrackArtistName command;

a GetIndexedPlayingTrackAlbumName command;

a GetRepeat command;

a GetShuffle command;

a GetColorDisplayImageLimits command;

a GetNumPlayingTracks command;

a GetMonoDisplayImageLimits command;

a ReturnCurrentPlayingTrackChapterInfo command;

a ReturnCurrentPlayingTrackChapterPlayStatus command;

a ReturnCurrentPlayingTrackChapterName command;

a ReturnAudiobookSpeed command;

a ReturnIndexedPlayingTrackInfo command;

a ReturnProtocolVersion command;

a ReturnMediaPlayerName command;

a ReturnNumberCategorizedDBRecords command;

a ReturnCategorizedDatabaseRecord command;

a ReturnPlayStatus command;

a ReturnCurrentPlayingTrackIndex command;

a ReturnIndexedPlayingTrackArtistName command;

a ReturnIndexedPlayingTrackAlbumName command;

a ReturnShuffle command;

a ReturnRepeat command;

a ReturnMonoDisplayImageLimits command;

a ReturnNumPlayingTracks command;

a ReturnColorDisplayImageLimits command;

a SetCurrentPlayingTrack Chapter command;

a SetAudiobookSpeed command;

a SetPlayStatusChangeNotification command;

a SetShuffle command;

a SetDisplayImage command;

a SetRepeat command;

a SetCurrentPlayingTrack command;

a RequestProtocolVersion command;

a RequestMediaPlayerName command;

a ResetDBSelection command;

a SelectDBRecord command;

a SelectSortDBRecord command;

a RetrieveCategorizedDatabaseRecords command;

a PlayStatusChangeNotification command, a PlayCurrentSelection command; and

a PlayControl command.

39. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the interface includes a connector having a plurality of signal contacts arranged to be connectable to a plurality of signal contacts of a mating connector of the media player.

40. The accessory of claim 20 wherein the interface includes a wireless communication interface.

41. A method of operating an accessory, the method comprising:

establishing communication with a media player, wherein the accessory is configured to communicate with the media player using a media player accessory protocol comprising a general lingo including an identification command and at least one accessory lingo;

sending the identification command of the general lingo to the media player, wherein the identification command identifies an accessory lingo of the media player accessory protocol as being supported by the accessory; and

providing authentication information to the media player using one or more accessory-authentication commands of the general lingo.

42. The method of claim 41 further comprising:

obtaining authentication information from the media player using one or more media-player-authentication commands of the general lingo.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein the identification command of the general lingo indicates that the accessory supports exactly one of a plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player and identifies the one accessory lingo that the accessory supports.

44. The method of claim 41 wherein the identification command of the general lingo identifies one or more of a plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player as being supported by the accessory.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein the plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player includes at least one lingo from a group consisting of a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an extended interface lingo and an RF transmitter lingo.

46. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium encoded with program instructions, which when executed by a processor in an accessory device cause the processor to execute a method comprising:

establishing a communication link to a media player, wherein the accessory is configured to communicate with the media player via the communication link using a media player accessory protocol comprising a general lingo and a plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player; and

sending an identification command of the general lingo to the media player via the communication link, wherein the identification command identifies at least one of the accessory lingoes supported by the media player as being supported by the accessory.

47. The computer program product of claim 46 wherein the identification command indicates that the accessory supports exactly one of the accessory lingoes supported by the media player and identifies the one accessory lingo that the accessory supports.

48. The computer program product of claim 46 wherein the identification command indicates that the accessory supports one or more of the accessory lingoes supported by the media player and identifies each of the accessory lingoes that the accessory supports.

49. The computer program product of claim 46 wherein the plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player includes at least one lingo from a group consisting of a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an extended interface lingo, and an RF transmitter lingo.

50. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium encoded with program instructions, which when executed by a processor in an accessory device cause the processor to execute a method comprising:

establishing communication with a media player, wherein the accessory is configured to communicate with the media player using a media player accessory protocol comprising a general lingo including an identification command and at least one accessory lingo;

sending the identification command of the general lingo to the media player, wherein the identification command identifies an accessory lingo of the media player accessory protocol as being supported by the accessory; and

providing authentication information to the media player using one or more accessory-authentication commands of the general lingo.

51. The computer program product of claim 50 wherein the method further comprises:

obtaining authentication information from the media player using one or more media-player-authentication commands of the general lingo.

52. The computer program product of claim 50 wherein the identification command of the general lingo indicates that the accessory supports exactly one of a plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player and identifies the one accessory lingo that the accessory supports.

53. The computer program product of claim 50 wherein the identification command of the general lingo identifies one or more of a plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player as being supported by the accessory.

54. The computer program product of claim 50 wherein the plurality of accessory lingoes supported by the media player includes at least one lingo from a group consisting of a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an extended interface lingo and an RF transmitter lingo.