Interface systems for portable digital media storage and playback devices

• US 20080089667A1
• Filed: 10/13/2006
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Green, Andrew, Gustafson, Vincent K., Grady, Jeff, De Angelis, Garey
• Granted Patent: US 8,271,713 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/96
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence

Abstract

A docking assembly serves as an interface between (1) a portable digital media storage and playback (PDMSP) device, and (2) a media reproduction system. A remote controller preferably controls the docking assembly and PDMSP device, which may receive electric charge from the assembly. Media reproduction systems may reproduce audio and video signals in user-perceptible form. Telephonic relay capability is further provided between a telephonic PDMSP playback device and a telephonic remote controller by way of a telephone rebroadcast receiver associated with the docking assembly. Methods for downloading digital media files, and for creating or modifying playlists with a remotely controllable docking assembly adapted to provide a television-compatible video output signal, are further provided.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

communicatively coupling, via a remotely controllable docking assembly, (1) a portable digital media storage and playback device having a first display element, with (2) an audio and video reproduction system having a television-compatible second display element and a first audio amplifier adapted to drive at least one speaker, wherein the docking assembly comprises (i) a video output port adapted to communicate a television-compatible video signal to the second display element, and (ii) a video processor adapted to communicate to the video output port a television-compatible video signal indicative of a signal received from the portable digital media storage and playback device for display by the second display element, and wherein the docking assembly has an associated remote controller;

displaying on the second display element information indicative of any of (1) a digital media file, and (2) a digital media file key, as available for download or transfer to the portable digital media storage and playback device; and

selecting for download or transfer of any of the digital media file and the digital media file key using the remote controller.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital media file comprises a digital audio file.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital media file comprises a digital video file.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital media file comprises a digital skin.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital media file comprises an interactive game.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying step includes identifying a digital media file, and the selecting step includes selecting a digital media file.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying step includes identifying a digital media file key, and the selecting step includes selecting a digital media file key.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of initiating communication of confidential information using the remote controller as a condition of initiating download or transfer of the selected digital media file or digital media file key.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the confidential information comprises information enabling billing to or debiting of a financial or commercial account.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of authorizing a financial obligation or financial transfer in exchange for download or transfer of the selected digital media file or digital media file key.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote controller comprises a wireless remote controller.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of authenticating the docking assembly for communication with the portable digital media storage and playback device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein each of (1) the docking assembly and (2) the portable digital media storage and playback device includes an authentication element comprising an integrated circuit, and each integrated circuit is utilized in the authentication step.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the authentication step employs a challenge and response authentication scheme.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one step selected from (1) powering the portable digital media storage and playback device, and (2) charging a battery associated with the portable digital media storage and playback device, wherein the at least one step is performed while the portable digital media storage and playback device is communicatively coupled with an audio and video reproduction system via the remotely controllable docking assembly.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of employing the remote controller to initiate reproduction of a digital media file through the audio and video reproduction system.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the digital media file comprises a digital video file.

18. A kit, comprising a remotely controllable docking assembly and a remote controller, adapted to perform the method of claim 1.

19. An entertainment system comprising the kit of claim 18 and the audio and video reproduction system.

20. An entertainment system comprising the kit of claim 18 and the portable digital media storage and playback device.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the second display element comprises any of a television, a CRT monitor, a LCD monitor, a plasma monitor, a projection monitor, and a digital projector.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein any of the first audio amplifier and the at least one speaker is integrated with the television-compatible second display element.