Audio system and method

• US 20050096018A1
• Filed: 09/23/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Affinity Labs of Texas, LLC
• Inventors: White, Russell W., Imes, Kevin R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,440,772 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/02 with automatic musical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/27 Arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 : for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 : for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/64 : file transfer between terminals download of applications H04M1/72406; transfer of messages, e.g. SMS, e-mail or MMS H04M1/7243
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/14 : using intermediate storage
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 : Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

An audio system and method are disclosed. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an electronic device having a display, a digital satellite receiver, and a housing component at least partially defining a cavity in which the digital satellite receiver is secured. The system may also include a device interface system that has a sound system connector and a mounting region. The sound system connector may communicatively couple the device interface system to an existing sound system, and the mounting region may be capable of releasably engaging the electronic device such that a contact portion of the device interface system contacts a conductive element of the electronic device to form at least a portion of a communication path interconnecting the sound system and the electronic device.

Claims

1. An audio system, comprising:

an electronic device including a display, a digital satellite receiver, and a housing component at least partially forming a cavity in which the digital satellite receiver is secured;

a device interface system that comprises a sound system connector and a mount;

the sound system connector operable to communicatively couple the device interface system to a sound system; and

the mount operable to releasably engage the electronic device such that a contact portion of the device interface system contacts a conductive element of the electronic device to form at least a portion of a communication path operable to interconnect the sound system and the electronic device.

2. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises a cradle.

3. The audio system of claim 1, wherein the digital satellite receiver is operable to receive a streaming audio signal that comprises a piece of information about a selection of audio content included in the streaming audio signal.

4. The audio system of claim 3, wherein the piece of information comprises a title of the selection of audio content.

5. The audio system of claim 3, wherein the piece of information comprises a genre of the selection of audio content.

6. The audio system of claim 3, wherein the piece of information comprises an artist name.

7. The audio system of claim 1, further comprising an automobile having an installed sound system, wherein the installed sound system is the sound system and is communicatively coupled to the device interface system via the sound system connector.

8. The audio system of claim 1, further comprising a home stereo system, wherein the home stereo system is the sound system and is communicatively coupled to the device interface system via the sound system connector.

9. The audio system of claim 1, further comprising a portable radio, wherein the portable radio is the sound system and is communicatively coupled to the device interface system via the sound system connector.

10. The audio system of claim 1, further comprising:

an automobile having an installed sound system, wherein the installed sound system is the sound system and is communicatively coupled to the device interface system via the sound system connector;

a second device interface system comprising another sound system connector and a second mount; and

the second sound system connector operable to communicatively couple the second device interface system to a second sound system, wherein the second sound system is the portable radio.

11. An audio system, comprising:

a portable electronic device comprising a display, a streaming audio receiver, and a housing component at least partially defining a cavity in which the streaming audio receiver is secured, the portable electronic device further comprising a contact portion operable to form at least a portion of a link coupling the portable electronic device to an external audio system; and

a mount formed to releasably engage at least a portion of the portable electronic device, the mount comprising an interface shaped to contact the contact portion.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the streaming audio receiver comprises a digital satellite receiver.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the streaming audio receiver comprises a local area wireless receiver.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the local area wireless receiver is operable to receive radio frequency signals having a frequency around 2.4 GHz.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the external audio system comprises a home stereo system.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising the external system.

17. The system of claim 11, further comprising an automobile having an automobile sound system, wherein the external sound system comprises the automobile sound system communicatively coupled to the mount.

18. The system of claim 11, further comprising a satellite antenna communicatively coupled to the mount.

19. A method for providing audio content, comprising:

setting up an account to deliver a streaming audio signal to a modular electronic device comprising a display, a digital satellite receiver, and a housing component at least partially defining a cavity in which the streaming audio receiver is secured, the modular electronic device further comprising an interface mechanism operable to form at least a portion of a link communicatively coupling the modular electronic device to an external speaker assembly; and

communicating the streaming audio signal receivable by the digital satellite receiver.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the interface mechanism comprises an FM modulator.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the interface mechanism comprises a short range wireless transceiver operable to communicate at about 2.4 GHz.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the interface comprises a conductive contact portion.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the streaming audio signal comprises information about a song included in the streaming audio signal, further wherein the display is operable to present a graphical representation the information.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the information is selected from a group consisting of a song title, a song artist, a song decade, and a song genre.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the external speaker assembly is installed in an automobile.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein the external speaker assembly is installed in a portable radio.

27. The method of claim 19, further comprising a home stereo system including the external speaker assembly.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein the modular electronic device does not include an integrated speaker assembly.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein the modular electronic device comprises a satellite antenna within the cavity.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein the modular electronic device comprises a satellite antenna external to the cavity.

31. An audio system, comprising:

an electronic device including a display, a digital satellite receiver, a conductive interface element, and a housing a cavity in which the digital satellite receiver is secured; and

the housing formed to engage a first mount such that the conductive interface element contacts a portion of the first mount to communicatively couple the electronic device to an automobile sound system.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the housing is further formed to engage a second mount to communicatively couple the electronic device to a home audio system.

33. The system of claim 31, further comprising the first mount, wherein the first mount is operable to couple the electronic device to a power supply of an automobile.

34. The system of claim 32, further comprising the second mount.

35. The system of claim 32, further comprising the first mount and the second mount, wherein the first mount is operable to provide power to the electronic device.

36. The system of claim 31, further comprising an FM modulator secured within the cavity.

37. The system of claim 31, wherein the electronic device further comprises a display operable to present information about a selection of audio content receivable by the digital satellite receiver.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the information is selected from a group consisting of a song title, a performing artist, a genre, and a decade indicator.

39. The system of claim 31, wherein the electronic device further comprises a rechargeable power supply.