Smart docking system
First Claim
1. A media player shuttle arranged to interface with a portable electronic device, comprising:
- a body arranged for removable engagement with the portable electronic device;
a docking connector disposed in the body and configured for mateable engagement with a corresponding device connector disposed in the portable electronic device, the device and docking connectors being coupled through the removable engagement between the body and the portable electronic device, and when so coupled providing a signal path there through for coupling media player functionality provided by the media player shuttle to the portable electronic device; and
a digital media processing system located within the body for providing the media player functionality but excluding a display screen and user controls, the display screen and user controls instead being provided by the portable electronic device when the media player shuttle is engaged with the portable electronic device,wherein said digital media processing system includes an image rendering subsystem, a video rendering subsystem and an audio rendering subsystem, andwherein each of the image rendering subsystem, the video rendering subsystem and the audio rendering subsystem is contained within the body of the media player shuttle.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A smart docking system is provided by a portable electronic device that is adapted to dock with a media player shuttle. When docked, the media player shuttle adds the capability for rendering media content that is stored on the shuttle to the native functionality that is supported by the portable electronic device. The native functionality may vary, and may include that provided by a digital camera or handheld game device, for example. The media player shuttle includes storage for media content such as audio and video and a digital media processing system, but does not include a display screen or user controls. Instead, the display screen and user controls are provided by the portable electronic device when the shuttle is docked.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A media player shuttle arranged to interface with a portable electronic device, comprising:
-
a body arranged for removable engagement with the portable electronic device; a docking connector disposed in the body and configured for mateable engagement with a corresponding device connector disposed in the portable electronic device, the device and docking connectors being coupled through the removable engagement between the body and the portable electronic device, and when so coupled providing a signal path there through for coupling media player functionality provided by the media player shuttle to the portable electronic device; and a digital media processing system located within the body for providing the media player functionality but excluding a display screen and user controls, the display screen and user controls instead being provided by the portable electronic device when the media player shuttle is engaged with the portable electronic device, wherein said digital media processing system includes an image rendering subsystem, a video rendering subsystem and an audio rendering subsystem, and wherein each of the image rendering subsystem, the video rendering subsystem and the audio rendering subsystem is contained within the body of the media player shuttle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A portable electronic device that is adapted to interface with a media player shuttle, comprising:
-
a body being configured to receive the media player shuttle in a removable and engagable manner; a device connector configured for mateable engagement with a corresponding docking connector disposed in the media player shuttle, the device and docking connectors, when coupled by the receipt of the media player shuttle to the body, providing a signal path therethrough for coupling media player functionality provided by the media player shuttle to the portable electronic device, wherein the media player functionality is provided by a digital media processing system within the media player shuttle, the system including an image rendering subsystem, a video rendering subsystem and an audio rendering subsystem, and wherein each of the image rendering subsystem, the video rendering subsystem and the audio rendering subsystem is contained within the body of the media player shuttle; and circuitry disposed in the body for integrating the media player functionality from the media player shuttle with native functionality when the media player shuttle is received by the body and the connectors are coupled. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method for distributing digital media content over a network, the method comprising the steps of:
-
receiving a signal representing a user selection of media content from a PC, the PC being operatively coupled to a portable electronic device having a docked media player shuttle to perform a synchronization process, the media player shuttle providing media player functionality to the portable electronic device when docked and being removable and engagable so that media player rendering capabilities are separable from native functionality provided by the portable electronic device, wherein the media player functionality is provided by a digital media processing system within the media player shuttle, the system including an image rendering subsystem, a video rendering subsystem and an audio rendering subsystem, and wherein each of the image rendering subsystem, the video rendering subsystem and the audio rendering subsystem is contained within the body of the media player shuttle; and sending the media content to the PC responsively to the received signal so that the media content may be downloaded by the PC and transferred to the media player shuttle during the synchronization process for subsequent rendering on the portable electronic device.
-
Specification