Auxiliary power adapter having device controls

• US 7,679,322 B1
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Issued: 03/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vinci Brands LLC
• Original Assignee: Griffin Technology
• Inventors: Griffin, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fantu; Yalkew
• Application Number:
  US11/367,622
• Time in Patent Office: 1,474 Days
• Field of Search: 320/114, 455/347
• US Class Current: 320/114
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

An accessory for a portable electronic device, such as a digital music player, includes a set of device controls for controlling the portable electronic device. The accessory includes a microprocessor and a memory that contains function codes corresponding to the functions selected by the controls. In response to user manipulation of the controls, the accessory sends the function codes to the portable electronic device that cause the device to perform the requested function. Preferably, the accessory is a charger is adapted to be inserted into for a 12-volt car auxiliary power outlet and has the controls on the protruding face of the charger body. The accessory may also include an FM transmitter for transmitting an audio signal received from the portable electronic device to the car stereo.

Claims

1. A charger for a digital music player comprising:

a unitary charger body having a set of controls whereby a user can manipulate a function of said digital music player by using said set of controls wherein a lower portion of said unitary charger body is adapted to fit in a 12-volt car outlet and said set of controls are positioned on an upper portion on said unitary charger body that extends from said 12-volt car outlet.

2. The charger of claim 1 wherein said charger has controls that allow a user to pause, play, rewind, or skip songs played by said digital music player.

3. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said charger further comprises a function code memory.

4. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said charger further comprises an FM transmitter for broadcasting a signal received from said digital music player to a remote receiver.

5. The charger of claim 1 wherein said controls are positioned on an end face of said charger body.

6. The charger of claim 1 wherein said charger is coupled to said digital music player through a cable and accessory port connector.

11. The accessory of claim 1 wherein said device is a digital music player and said accessory has controls that allow a user to pause, play, rewind, or skip songs played by said digital music player.

22. The charger of claim 1 further comprising an audio output means for transferring audio from said portable electronic device to a car receiver.

7. An accessory for a portable electronic device, said accessory comprising:

an interface whereby said accessory can transfer control codes to said portable electronic device in response to a user input on said accessory such that a user can implement functions on said portable electronic device with said user inputs on said accessory; and

wherein said accessory has a housing with a lower portion that is adapted to fit in a 12-volt car outlet and an upper portion firmly coupled to said lower portion and said user input is positioned on said upper portion.

8. The accessory of claim 7 wherein said portable electronic device further comprises a digital music player.

9. The accessory of claim 7 wherein said user inputs are positioned on an end face of said upper portion of said housing.

10. The accessory of claim 7 wherein said accessory further comprises an FM transmitter for wirelessly transmitting said control codes to a receiver in said portable electronic device.

12. The accessory of claim 8 wherein said accessory communicates with operating software of the digital music player such that the charger can control the functions of the digital music player.

13. The accessory of claim 7 further comprising a microphone such that a voice signal can be received with said microphone and stored on said portable electronic device.

14. A method of controlling a portable electronic device with a charger having a lower portion adapted to fit in a 12-volt car outlet and an upper portion securely connected to said lower portion that extends from said 12-volt car outlet when said lower portion is mounted in said 12-volt car outlet comprising:

providing a set of user inputs on said upper portion of said charger and transferring control codes from said charger to said portable electronic device in response to manipulation of said user inputs such that a function of said portable electronic device is controlled by said user inputs on said charger.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising receiving an audio signal from said portable electronic device with said charger and transmitting said audio signal from said charger to a remote receiver.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said portable electronic device is a digital music player.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the charger is adapted to fit in a 12-volt car outlet and said controls are positioned on an end face of said charger.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein said portable electronic device is an iPod.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein said control codes enable said charger to modify a display of said electronic device.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein said charger has controls that allow a user to pause, play, rewind, or skip songs played by said portable electronic device.

21. A charger for a portable electronic device comprising:

a charger body adapted to fit in a 12-volt car outlet having a set of controls positioned on a upper portion of the charger body that extends from the 12-volt car outlet when the charger body is inserted into the 12-volt car outlet whereby a user can manipulate a function of said portable electronic device including at least one of a pause, play, rewind, or skip audio track function by using said set of controls; and

a flexible cable extending from said upper portion of the charger body having a connector positioned on one end thereof for electrically coupling said portable electronic device to said charger body.