Electrical and mechanical connector adaptor system for media devices

• US 8,355,690 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2010
• Issued: 01/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chestnut Hill Sound Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Chestnut Hill Sound Incorporated
• Inventors: Krampf, Steven, Ross, Evan B., Phung, Trung Quoc
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Blane J
• Application Number:
  US12/906,043
• Publication Number:
  US 20110070757A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 455/132, 455/140, 455/149, 455/150.1, 455/160.1, 455/168.1, 455/170.1, 455/344, 455/346, 455/347, 455/349, 455/350, 455/351, 381/334, 381/335, 381/386
• US Class Current: 455/349
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/185 Signal analysis techniques for reducing or preventing false alarms or for enhancing the reliability of the system
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/0025 in a remote control unit remote control tuning in general H03J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 2200/25 Remote control device with display
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/088 with parts of the receiver detachable or collapsible
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/20 for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/45 for FM stereophonic broadcast systems receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/021 Aspects relating to docking-station type assemblies to obtain an acoustical effect, e.g. the type of connection to external loudspeakers or housings, frequency improvement
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems

Abstract

An electrical connector adaptor system for connecting a base media device having at least one integral electrical connector with one or more detachable second media devices. The integral connector is located within a mechanical adaptor for protecting a second media device from mechanical damage and/or to prevent lateral movement of the second media device. Each second media device has a connector that may differ from a connector of other second media devices, or the second media device may have a different form factor from other second media devices. The system includes a detachable electrical connector adaptor module which has a first electrical connector for mating with the base media device integral connector and a second electrical connector for mating with the second media device.

Claims

1. An electrical connector adaptor system for connecting a base media device which has at least one integral electrical connector with one or more detachable second media devices, said integral connector being located within a mechanical adaptor for protecting a connected second media device from mechanical damage and/or to prevent lateral movement of the second media device, each of the second media devices having a connector that may differ from a connector of another detachable second media device and/or having a form factor differing from that of another detachable second media device, wherein each said media device is used for at least one of media information access, media information transmission, media information storage, media information consumption, and/or exchange of control signals, said system comprising:

a detachable electrical connector adaptor module at least partially located within the mechanical adaptor when connected to said base media device integral connector, for creating at least one bi-directional electrical connection between the base media device and one or more serially attachable and detachable second media devices, each second media devices having at least one integral connector, the electrical connector adaptor module further comprising

(1), an adaptor module first electrical connector for mating with said base media device integral electrical connector, wherein corresponding terminals of the adaptor module first electrical connector being electrically connected to corresponding terminals of said base media device integral electrical connector, the correspondences being determined by terminal arrangements on the base media device connector, and

(2), an adaptor module second electrical connector for mating with said second media device integral electrical connector, wherein corresponding terminals of the second adaptor electrical connector being electrically connected to corresponding terminals of the second device electrical connector, the correspondences being determined by terminal arrangements on the second device electrical connector.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the base media device is a docking station for a portable entertainment device.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the second device is an Auxiliary Source Module (ASM).

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the ASM comprises a wireless receiver.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the wireless receiver is a digital radio receiver.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the wireless receiver is a satellite receiver.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein the ASM comprises a wireless transceiver.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the media information is audio media information.

9. The system of claim 3 wherein the ASM is a portable music player.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the mechanical adaptor includes a removable portion.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said removable portion comprises a movable lid to protect a recessed first device connector when not in use.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said first device connector is a male connector and said corresponding adaptor module first connector is a female connector.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said first device connector is a female connector and said corresponding adaptor module first connector is a male connector.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said second device connector is a male connector and said corresponding adaptor module second connector is a female connector.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said second device connector is a female connector and said corresponding adaptor module second connector is a male connector.