WO2010048662A1

WO2010048662A1 - A docking station for use with portable media players, including optional stand-alone audio video capability

Info

Publication number: WO2010048662A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/001402
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luceille Outhred; Kevin Soper; Mark Gafner
Original assignee: Digislide Holdings Limited
Priority date: 2008-10-27
Filing date: 2009-10-27
Publication date: 2010-05-06

Abstract

A docking station for portable multimedia players and where the docking station includes both audio and video reproduction capabilities but where the video reproduction facility includes an optical projection system to display the digital content on a surface. The docking station also includes stand-alone audio video generation and a clock function as options. The docking station may include a second projection means to project a different image such as that received by the television receivers or captured by a camera that can also be part of the docking station.

Description

A docking station for use with portable media players, including optional stand-alone audio video capability

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a docking station for use with portable digital media players and in particular to a docking station that has not only an audio reproduction device but also a video reproduction device where the video reproduction device includes an optical projection system to project the image of said digital media player from the docking station. The device also optionally acts as a stand-alone audio video system

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A portable multimedia player (PMP), sometimes referred to as a portable video player (PVP), is a consumer electronics device that is capable of storing and playing digital media. Digital audio players (DAP) that can also display images and play videos are PMPs. Like DAPs, the data is typically stored on a hard drive, micro drive, or flash memory.

PMPs are capable of playing digital audio, images, and video. Usually, a color liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic light emitting diode (OLED) screen is used as a display. Various players include the ability to record video, usually with the aid of optional accessories or cables, and audio, with a built-in microphone or from a line-out cable or FM tuner. Some players include readers for memory cards, which are advertised to equip players with extra storage or transferring media. In some players, features of a personal organizer are emulated, or support for games.

Two of the more known PMPs are the Apple iPod and the Microsoft Zune. Both of these are able to dock into a docking station primarily for the purposes of recharging their batteries. However, the iPod docking station also includes speakers to reproduce the audio output from the iPod.

PMPs are widely popular because of their small size and weight and are therefore a truly portable device often carried discreetly by the user whilst they are moving about. For that reason the display is limited in size and they are truly one user devices. However many people sometimes wish to share the digital content of their PMPs which they do by basically passing the device around. This takes somewhat away from the enjoyment of the content and does limit the interaction between different users or indeed how many users can view the content at once.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned problems or to provide the public with a useful alternative.

The present invention successfully addresses these problems by providing for a docking station for PMPs and where the docking station includes both audio and video reproduction capabilities but where the video reproduction facility includes an optical projection system to display the digital content on a surface. The docking station also includes stand-alone audio video generation and a clock function as options.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention could be set to reside hi a docking station for a portable multimedia player said station including an optical projection means to project the digital video image of the portable multimedia player external of said station.

Preferably the docking station further includes an audio reproduction means. Preferably the docking station further includes a rechargeable battery.

Preferably the docking station further includes internal radio and television receivers.

Preferably the docking station further includes an alarm clock.

Preferably the docking station further includes a camera and two optical projections means, one of the optical projections means displaying the image captured by the camera and the other the image from the portable multimedia player.

Preferably the docking station further includes two optical projections means, one of the optical projections means displaying the image received by the television receivers and the other the image from the portable multimedia player. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective front view of a docking station having coupled to it a

PMP; and

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the station of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

Illustrated in the Figures is a docking station 10 adapted to support a PMP 12 as is well known in the art. The PMP docks into station 10 and is both physically supported by it and in communication with it. Typically the PMP includes a female portion that mates with a male portion allowing the PMP to provide digital content to the docking station whilst the docking station generally provides electrical power to recharge the PMP. OF course, in some instances recharging of the PMP may be via a separate electrical connection and it is not intended to limit the present invention to a docking station that has to provide power to the PMP.

The digital content of the PMP can include both audio content and video content. The docking station comprises case 14 housing appropriate electronic components and includes speakers 16. It also includes an optical projection engine within the case and where the optical engine provides an image through rear port 18. The audio content of the digital information provided by the PMP is reproduced by the speakers whilst the video content is projected by the optical engine rearwardly from the station. The user therefore simply ensures that the image is displayed on a suitable projection surface. The docking station also includes internal radio and TV receivers and a clock including alarm functions as options.

Although not shown there are controls located on the station that enable the focusing and even tilting of the image. Other controls such as keystone correction may also be provided.

The reader can now appreciate the present invention. The PMP device is connected into a cradle/docking station that that has an amplifier, speakers, projection capabilities and charging facilities. The docking station generally includes an internal rechargeable battery and optional internal TV and radio receivers and clock function including alarm clock to make the whole docking station a fully portable AV centre.

Any remote control devices for the PMPs may also dock into the AV station and be charged at the same time. The station may also have an AV input for external devices to be plugged in i.e. portable DVD player, video or still camera, games consoles, mobile phone or portable GPS units that have an AV output.

The docking station could include audio out for connection to external amplified speakers and a headphone jack for personal entertainment. Depending on the resolution of the internal projection device it could include a VGA computer input.

In some cases the docking station may include a connection for at least two PMPs so that information could be shared between two such devices. Alternatively the docking station could have a memory or other storage device that would allow digital content to be stored in the station.

In an alternate embodiment the docking station may also include a camera that records an image. The projector could then project either the image that is captured by the camera or the image from the PMP device. In some cases te docking station may indeed have more then one projector capability. This would enable one of the projectors to display an image form the PMP whilst the other may project and image recorded by the docking station. Alternatively one of the projectors may display an image from the television receiver whilst the other projects an image from the PMP. Whilst the above invention has been described broadly it is to be understood that it may include any other components that are typically necessary for its operation such as internal transformers, external controls, external power leads and so on. These are considered well known in the art and it is not the intention of this specification to state that which is commonly known.

For the purposes of the specification the word "comprising" means "including but not limited to", and the word "comprises" has a corresponding meaning. Also a reference within the specification to document or to prior use is not to be taken as an admission that the disclosure therein constitutes common general knowledge in Australia.

Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Claims

1. A docking station for a portable multimedia player said station including an optical projection means to project the digital video image of the portable multimedia player external of said station.

2. A docking station as in claim 1 further including an audio reproduction means.

3. A docking station as in any one of the above claims further including a rechargeable battery.

4. A docking station as in any one of the above claims further including an internal radio and television receivers.

5. A docking station as in any one of the above claims further including an alarm clock.

6. A docking station as in any one of the above claims including a camera and two optical projections means, one of the optical projections means displaying the image captured by the camera and the other the image from the portable multimedia player.

7. A docking station as in any claim 4 including two optical projections means, one of the optical projections means displaying the image received by the television receivers and the other the image from the portable multimedia player.