User guide

US 8,271,713 B2
5
digital media storage and playback device to a media signal
reproduction system having an ampli?er and at least one
speaker, Wherein the media reproduction system is adapted to
reproduce the signal indicative of digital media content in
user-perceptible form. Such embodiment may further include
circuitry adapted to control operation of a user-perceptible
display element.
Another aspect of the invention relates to the addition of
authentication elements and steps to the foregoing devices
and methods.
In another aspect of the invention, any of the foregoing
aspects may be combined for additional advantage.
Other aspects, features and embodiments of the invention
Will be more fully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block schematic vieW of a docking assembly
controllable via a remote controller and adapted for use in
interfacing a portable digital media storage and playback
device With an audio and video reproduction system having a
television-compatible display element, the combination of
elements comprising an entertainment system.
FIG. 2A is a front elevation vieW of a telephonic portable
digital media storage and playback device.
FIG. 2B is a bottom vieW of the telephonic portable digital
media storage and playback device of FIG. 2A.
FIG. 3 is a schematic vieW of a remote controller device for
use With a docking assembly adapted to receive a telephonic
portable digital media storage and playback device, the
remote controller device having an integral telephone relay
transceiver, a microphone, and a speaker.
FIG. 4A is a front elevation vieW of the remote controller
device of FIG. 3.
FIG. 4B is a bottom vieW of the remote controller device of
FIG. 4A.
FIG. 5 is a perspective vieW of a docking assembly con
trollable via a Wireless remote controller (such as the control
ler of FIGS. 4A-4B) and adapted for use in interfacing a
portable digital media storage and playback device (such as
the portable digital media storage and playback device of
FIGS. 2A-2B) With an audio and video reproduction system
having a television-compatible display element.
FIG. 6 is a left side elevation vieW of the docking assembly
of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a front vieW ofthe docking assembly ofFIGS. 5-6
having docked thereto the portable digital media storage and
playback device of FIGS. 2A-2B and the remote controller
device of FIGS. 4A-4B.
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram for an authentication
scheme that may be utiliZed by and betWeen a remote con
trolled docking assembly according to the present invention
and a portable digital media storage and playback device.
FIG. 9A is a ?rst screen shot taken from a television
compatible display element receiving a signal from a docking
assembly according to the present invention and having a
portable digital media storage device docked thereto, the ?rst
screen shot shoWing a Welcome menu in a central right por
tion of the screen.
FIG. 9B is a second screen shot taken from a television
compatible display element receiving a signal from a docking
assembly according to the present invention and having a
portable digital media storage device docked thereto, the
second screen shot shoWing a digital media ?le artist name,
song title, album name, song play position, and song length
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information in an upper portion of the screen, and a settings
menu in a central right port of the screen.
FIG. 9C is a third screen shot taken from a television
compatible display element receiving a signal from a docking
assembly according to the present invention and having a
portable digital media storage device docked thereto, the third
screen shot shoWing a music menu (inclusive of playlists,
artists, albums, songs, genres, composers, and songbooks
submenus) in a central right port of the screen.
FIG. 10 is a ?owchart of various steps of a method employ
ing a remote controller and a remotely controlled docking
assembly as disclosed herein for purchasing digital media
?les and/or digital media ?le keys for doWnload or transfer to
a portable digital media storage device.
FIG. 11 is a ?owchart of various steps of a method employ
ing a remote controller and a remotely controlled docking
assembly as disclosed herein for creating, modifying, and
storing playlists of digital media ?les useable With a portable
digital media storage device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION,
AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS THEREOF
In certain aspects, the present invention provides a remote
controlled docking assembly for a portable digital media
storage and playback device that dramatically increases the
utility of a portable digital media storage and playback
(PDMSP) device. A docking assembly according to the
present invention preferably serves as a remotely controllable
interface betWeen a PDMSP device and an audio and video
reproduction system having a television-compatible display
element Without requiring the use of a personal computer,
While poWering and/or charging the PDMSP device. The
audio and video reproduction system, Which may be disposed
in a stationary (e. g., home) or vehicular environment, enables
digital media ?les such as any of music, photos, videos,
games, and the like to be reproduced in a form perceptible to
many people. By migrating aWay from a personal computer to
an entertainment system as a primary interface for a PDMSP
device, the appeal of a PDMSP device is greatly expanded not
only for the primary user’s sole enjoyment, but also for shar
ing the entertainment experience With groups of users.
Various embodiments provide additional capabilities such
as, for example, telephonic communication, remote con
trolled media ?le purchase and organization, and device
authentication capabilities. Still further features provided in
certain embodiments include Wired or Wireless netWork con
nectivity, interconnectivity With enhanced remote control
components and remote controls for other media system
devices, and video telephony capabilities.
FIG. 1 illustrates an entertainment system 99 including a
docking assembly 10 remotely controllable via a remote con
troller (preferably a Wireless remote controller, although a
Wired remote controller may be used) and adapted for use in
interfacing a portable digital media storage and playback
(PDMSP) device 80 With an audio and video reproduction
system 2 having a television compatible display element 5, an
(audio) ampli?er 4, and at least one speaker 6. The PDMSP
device 80 has a battery or other charge storage element 81,
and a ?rst display element 82 that is typically a special pur
pose LCD display or a special purpose LED display. Signals
communicated Within the PDMSP device 80 for display by
the ?rst display element 82 are typically formatted for a
special purpose ?rst display element 82, and such signals are
typically not television-compatible. The PDMSP device 80
has an onboard memory element, such as a hard disk drive
and/or ?ash memory, and is preferably adapted to store and