Interface connector between media player and computer

• US 20070232098A1
• Filed: 03/30/2006
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Danner, Eliot P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,632,114 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/131
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

An interface connector is disclosed. The connector enables a compact communication link between a media player and a CPU configured so that the interface enables the media player to operate as a USB memory drive for the CPU. In one embodiment, the invention comprises an interface that is removably engagable from a media player and another electronic device. The interface includes a rigid housing with a first and second end connectors that are configured to facilitate data and power transmission between a media player and an electronic device when connected to the interface. The interface connector can be configured to be very compact and easily transportable.

Claims

1. An interface for connecting a media player with other electronic devices, the interface configured to enable data and power transmission between the media player and said electronic device, the interface comprising:

a rigid housing having a first end connector and a second end connector;

the first end connector of the housing having a plurality of electrical contacts arranged in the connector to enable data and power transmission therethrough, and being configured to enable said data and power transmissions to pass between the media player and the second end connector, the first end connector further configured for removable engagement with the media player; and

the second end connector of the housing having a plurality of electrical contacts arranged in the connector to enable data and power transmission therethrough, and being configured to enable said data and power transmissions to pass between the other electronic device and the first end connector thereby enabling said data and power transmissions to pass between the media player and the other electronic device, the second end connector further configured for removable engagement with the other electronic device.

2. The interface of claim 1 wherein the first end connector electrical contacts are configured to electrically interconnect with an iPod and wherein the second end connector electrical contacts are configured to electrically interconnect with a USB connector.

3. The interface of claim 1 wherein the first end connector electrical contacts are configured to electrically interconnect with an iPod and wherein the second end connector electrical contacts are configured to electrically interconnect with a RS-232 connector.

4. The interface of claim 1 wherein the first end connector electrical contacts are configured to electrically interconnect with an iPod and wherein the second end connector electrical contacts are configured to electrically interconnect with a Firewire connector.

5. The interface of claim 1 wherein the first end connector and the second end connector are located at opposite ends of the interface and the connector face in opposite directions from each other.

6. The interface of claim 1 wherein the first end connector electrical contacts are configured to electrically interconnect with an iPod and wherein the second end connector electrical contacts are configured to electrically interconnect with a plurality of different connectors, the different connectors being selected from PS/2, serial, parallel, network, USB, and Firewire connectors.

7. The interface of claim 1 wherein the first end connector electrical contacts are configured to electrically interconnect with an iPod and wherein the second end connector electrical contacts are configured to electrically interconnect with an connector configured as a connector selected from among PS/2, serial, parallel, network, USB, and Firewire connectors.

8. The interface of claim 1 wherein the first end connector is configured to receive a bottom end of the media player.

9. The interface of claim 1 wherein the first end connector is configured to receive the entire media player.

10. The interface of claim 1 wherein the first end connector is configured to receive a portion of the media player.

13. The interface of claim 1 wherein the media player is configured to operate as a portable memory device and wherein the first end connector is plugged into a interface port of the media player and wherein the second end connector is configured as a USB connector.

14. The interface of claim 13 wherein the other electronic device is a computer having a USB port and wherein the second end connector of the housing is plugged into the computer USB port enabling data and power transmission between the media player and the computer.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

15. A method for transferring data between a media player and computer device, the method comprising:

connecting a communication port of a media player to a first end connector of an interface connector having a rigid housing that holds the first end connector and the second end connector, the interface connector enabling electric connections between the first and second end connectors and is configured to transfer data information between the first and second end connectors;

connecting the second end connector of the interface connector to a CPU thereby enabling the transfer of data information between the media player and the CPU through the interface connector;

transferring data between the media player and the CPU; and

saving the data in a memory of at least one of the media player and the CPU.

16. A method as in claim 15 wherein the data transferred between the media player and the CPU is non-audiovisual data.

17. A method as in claim 15 wherein saving the data in a memory comprises saving the data in a storage of the media player.

18. An interface for connecting an I-pod media player with another electronic device, the interface configured to enable data and power transmission between the I-pod and the electronic device, the interface comprising:

a rigid housing having a first end including a first end connector and a second end having a second end connector, the rigid housing defining the first end connector and the second end connector in a fixed positional relationship with respect to each other;

the first end comprising a recessed cradle portion having an opening that houses the I-pod media player when it is fitted into the opening of the cradle and is electrically connected with the first end connector, the first end connector having a plurality of electrical contacts arranged inside the recessed cradle portion at the base of the cradle to enable data and power transmission therethrough when the I-pod is plugged into the first end connector, wherein the first end connector enables said data and power transmissions to pass between the I-pod and the second end connector, the first end connector further configured for removable engagement with the I-pod; and

the second end connector of the housing having a plurality of electrical contacts arranged in the connector to enable data and power transmission therethrough, and being configured to be freely pluggable into suitable connection ports of said another electronic device to enable said data and power transmissions to pass between the other electronic device and the first end connector, the second end connector further configured for removable engagement with the other electronic device.