System for interfacing with an audio player, and method of manufacturing same

• US 7,734,256 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2005
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Seil, Oliver Duncan, Neu, Thorben, Sinclair, Ian, Wadsworth, John, VanHarlingen, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung; Nay A
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN HOANG
• Application Number:
  US11/248,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20070082701A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,701 Days
• Field of Search: 455/66.1, 455/3.01, 455/41.2, 455/347, 455/554.2, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/559
• US Class Current: 455/66.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface

Abstract

A system for interfacing with an audio player comprises a housing (110, 410) containing a first connector (111, 411), a transmission device (120, 420) including a second connector (121, 421) capable of removable engagement with the first connector, a power interface (130, 430) electrically coupled to the housing, and an audio interface (140, 440) electrically coupled to the housing and capable of being coupled to the audio player. The transmission device is connectable both to the housing and to the audio player directly, and is capable of transmitting an audio signal generated by the audio player to a playback device such as a radio.

Claims

1. A system for interfacing with an audio player, the system comprising:

a housing comprising a first connector;

a transmission device comprising a second connector capable of removable engagement with the first connector, the second connector is further capable of removable engagement with the audio player;

a power interface electrically connected to the housing; and

an audio interface electrically connected to the housing and removably coupleable to the audio player,

wherein;

the transmission device is configured to wirelessly transmit signals;

the transmission device is configured to receive the signals generated by the audio player when the audio interface is connected to the audio player and when the first connector of the housing is directly connected to the second connector of the transmission device; and

the transmission device is further configured to receive the signals generated by the audio player when the second connector of the transmission device is directly connected to the audio player without using the audio interface and the first connector.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the audio interface transfers power signals and audio signals between the housing and the audio player.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein:

the audio player contains an internal battery; and

the power signals are capable of charging the internal battery.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the second connector is capable of being physically and electrically coupled to the audio player.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the housing further comprises;

an adjustment switch; and

a mounting feature.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the transmission device comprises a tuneable FM transmitter.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein:

the tuneable FM transmitter comprises;

a visual display; and

a tuning control button.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the power interface outputs power at a first level and at a second level.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the power interface comprises a power supply;

the power supply establishes a first electric potential and a second electric potential;

the audio player responds to the first electric potential; and

the transmission device responds to the second electric potential.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the second connector of the transmission device is configured to removably couple to a first output port of the audio player and is incapable of coupling to a second output port of the audio player; and

the audio interface is configured to removably couple to the second output port of the audio player and is incapable of coupling to the first output port of the audio player.

11. A system for interfacing with an audio player having a first output port that outputs a first output signal and a second output port that outputs a second output signal, the system comprising:

a housing containing a first connector;

a transmission device comprising a second connector;

a power interface electrically connected to the housing; and

an audio interface electrically connected to the housing and capable of being coupled to the audio player,

wherein;

the second connector is capable of being removably connected to the first connector;

the second connector is further capable of being removably connected to the first output port without using the first connector;

the transmission device wirelessly transmits the first output signal when the second connector is connected to the first output port without using the first connector; and

the transmission device wirelessly transmits the second output signal when the second connector is connected to the first connector.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein:

the audio interface transfers power signals and audio signals between the housing and the audio player.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein:

the transmission device receives power signals and audio signals from the audio player when the transmission device is coupled to the first output port.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein:

the audio player contains an internal battery; and

the power signals are capable of charging the internal battery.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein:

the housing further comprises;

an adjustment switch; and

a mounting feature.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein:

the transmission device comprises a tuneable FM transmitter comprising a visual display and a tuning control button.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein:

the power interface outputs power at a first level and at a second level.

18. The system of claim 11 further comprising:

a cable connecting the power interface and the housing,

wherein;

the power interface comprises a filter and a power supply;

the power supply establishes a first electric potential and a second electric potential;

the audio player is electrically connected to the first electric potential; and

the transmission device is electrically connected to the second electric potential.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein:

the cable comprises a first conductor and a second conductor;

the power supply establishes the first electric potential on the first conductor, and establishes the second electric potential on the second conductor;

the audio player is electrically connected to the first conductor and is not electrically connected to the second conductor; and

the transmission device is electrically connected to the second conductor and is not electrically connected to the first conductor.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein:

the first electric potential is approximately 12 volts; and

the second electric potential is approximately 3.3 volts.