Mobile multi-media interface and power pack for portable entertainment devices

• US 7,900,068 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2007
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Spitzer, Mark B., Weststrate, Evan
• Primary Examiner(s): BUTLER, DENNIS
• Application Number:
  US11/901,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20080072083A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 713300-324
• US Class Current: 713/310
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C

Abstract

A power supply and interface circuit assembly is used with a portable media player (PMP) to relay signals between the PMP and a peripheral device(s), such as a head-mounted display. A power supply in or attached to the assembly provides power to the circuitry, the PMP, and the peripheral device. The assembly is able to manage the charging and discharging of power to the PMP and the peripheral device and to manage multi-media signals between the PMP and the peripheral device to provide a complete, mobile interface assembly.

Claims

1. A power supply and interface circuit assembly for use with a portable media player, comprising:

circuitry operable to relay signals between a portable media player and a peripheral device, the peripheral device comprising a head-mounted display;

a power supply connection in communication with the circuitry to provide power to the circuitry, the portable media player, and the peripheral device from a power supply;

a first input/output connection in communication with the circuitry for connection to the portable media player; and

a second input/output connection in communication with the circuitry for connection to the peripheral device; and

the circuitry, the power supply connection, and the first and second input/output connections are assembled in a portable package mountable to the portable media player, and the circuitry is operable to relay signals to the head-mounted display.

2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a video amplifier in communication with the circuitry.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device further comprises a camera, and the circuitry is operable to relay signals to the camera.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device further comprises an audio element, and the circuitry is operable to relay signals to the audio element.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further operable to control power to the portable media player and the peripheral device.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further operable to regulate charging and discharging of the power supply.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further operable to regulate charging and discharging of power for the portable media player.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further operable to regulate charging and discharging of power for the peripheral device.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further operable to mediate flow of data among the power supply, the portable media player, and the peripheral device.

10. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising an indicator element to provide a signal indicative of a charge state of the power supply.

11. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising an internal or an external power supply connected to the power supply connection.

12. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising an internal power supply comprising a battery, a fixed battery, a replaceable battery, a rechargeable battery, or a Li-ion battery.

13. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a connection to an external power source.

14. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cover enclosing the assembly and the portable media player.

15. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising means for mounting the assembly to the portable media player.

16. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a processor in communication with the circuitry, the processor operable to process audio data, video data, or audio and video data from the portable media player and the peripheral device.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the processor is operable to drive the peripheral device.

18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the circuitry further comprises a logic circuit to process logic commands between the portable media player and the peripheral device.

19. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first input/output connection and the second input/output connection are in communication with each other.

20. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the circuitry comprises a wireless transceiver, or a radio or television receiver.

21. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a user input device in communication with the circuitry.

22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the user input device further comprises commands for controlling the portable media player.

23. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising an audio amplifier in communication with the circuitry.

24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the audio amplifier is connectable to an external headphone jack.