Digital music player accessory interface

• US 7,647,129 B1
• Filed: 11/23/2005
• Issued: 01/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vinci Brands LLC
• Original Assignee: Griffin Technology
• Inventors: Griffin, Paul P. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz; Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCORD, PAUL C
• Application Number:
  US11/286,610
• Time in Patent Office: 1,511 Days
• Field of Search: 700/94
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence

Abstract

An FM transmitter accessory for a digital music player having a display screen uses a microprocessor to create image files that are transferred to the digital music player such that they are displayed on its screen. When a user input on the accessory is manipulated on the accessory to select a transmission frequency for the FM transmitter, the microcontroller generates a new image file that corresponds to the selected frequency and transfers the generated image file to the digital music player such that the selected frequency is displayed on the screen of the digital music player. In addition, by constantly generating new displays based upon user inputs, the accessory can display menus on the screen of the digital music player that can be manipulated by user to select between a number of displayed options.

Claims

1. An accessory for coupling with a digital music player having a display screen, said accessory comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a signal from the digital music player to a remote receiver or a receiver for receiving a signal from a remote transmitter and transferring said signal to said digital music player;

a user interface that allows a user to select a frequency for the transmitter or receiver and;

a microcontroller for generating a display file in accordance with a digital music player format based upon the selected frequency; and

a digital music player interface for transferring the display file to the digital music player such that an image corresponding to the display file is displayed on the display screen of the digital music player.

2. The accessory of claim 1 wherein a housing of the accessory is designed to be physically coupled to a housing of the digital music player such that the digital music player is mounted to the accessory.

3. The accessory of claim 2 wherein said housing includes a piece of adhesive material for firmly securing said accessory housing to said digital music player housing.

4. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the user interface allows a user to manipulate a menu displayed on the video screen of the digital music player such that the user can selected between one of a number of options displayed on said screen.

5. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said user interface is a multi position toggle switch.

6. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said digital music player further comprises a static memory for storing a static image file.

7. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the accessory is a parasitic device that obtains power from the digital music player.

8. The accessory of claim 1 wherein the accessory can control a volume of the digital music player.

9. An accessory for use with a digital music player wherein said digital music player includes a display screen and said digital music player is configured to receive and display a static image file received from the accessory, said accessory comprising:

an FM transmitter for transmitting an audio signal as a frequency modulated signal;

a set of user inputs that allow a user to a select a transmission frequency for said FM transmitter;

a microcontroller for configuring said transmitter to transmit at said selected frequency and generating an image data file based upon said selected transmission frequency; and

a coupling for coupling said accessory to said digital music player such that said image file can be transferred from said accessory to said digital music player such that said selected transmission frequency is displayed on said display of said digital music player.

10. The accessory of claim 9 wherein said microcontroller generates image files for display on said digital music player display such that said user inputs can be used to manipulate a menu displayed on said display of said digital music player.

11. The accessory of claim 9 wherein said microcontroller generates a new image file for transmission to said digital music player when said user inputs on said accessory are manipulated.

12. The accessory of claim 9 further comprising adhesive pad on a housing for helping secure said digital music player to said accessory.

13. The accessory of claim 9 further comprising a housing configured to physically couple to a housing of said digital music player.

14. The accessory of claim 9 wherein said set of user inputs further comprises includes a multi position toggle switch.

15. A method of displaying dynamic images generated by an accessory on a screen of a digital music player wherein said digital music player is adapted to display a static image based upon data stored in a static image memory;

wherein said accessory is an FM transmitter designed to be coupled to said digital music player such that an audio signal from said digital music player is broadcast by said accessory and wherein said data bits correspond to a transmission frequency of said accessory;

said method;

generating a series of data bits in said accessory based upon a desired image to be displayed on said screen;

transferring said data bits to said digital music player such that an image based upon said data bits is displayed on said screen;

generating a series of data bits based upon a desired image to be displayed on said screen in response to a user input being manipulated on said accessory; and

transferring said series of data bits to said digital music player such that an image based upon said second series of data bits is displayed on said screen.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising generating an image corresponding to a menu having a number of user selections with said accessory, transferring said menu image to said digital music player, displaying said menu image on said screen, and monitoring a user input on said accessory to determine which of said user selections is selected by said user.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing a toggle switch as user input for said accessory.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein said accessory is adapted to be physically and electrically coupled to said digital music player.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said accessory has an adhesive pad that aids in securing said accessory to said digital music player.