Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080290970 | DEVICE FOR MONITORING MULTIPLE BROADCAST SIGNALS - A media content monitoring system uses a rack adapted to receive multiple carrier boards to improve the system's ability to be configured to specific applications. Each carrier board contains tuner modules for receiving AM/FM broadcasts, satellite radio broadcasts, TV audio broadcasts, HD, IBOC, DAB and DRM digital radio broadcasts, etc. The tuner modules produce a USB output that is combined by a USB hub on the carrier boards into a single USB output. The carrier board outputs are in turn combined by a rack based USB hub into single USB output that is provided to a host computer. The host computer includes content identification software that automatically identifies selected media content received by the tuner modules and stores the selected content in a database. The host computer can send control codes to the tuner modules to alter their reception parameters. | 11-27-2008 |
20090023483 | DIGITAL CONTROLLER AND TRANSMITTER FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A transmitting accessory couples with a portable electronic device such that audio signals or data from the device can be digitally transmitted to a remote receiver. The accessory includes an input port for receiving audio data from the portable electronic device. A digital transmitter transmits digital data corresponding to the audio signals or data from the portable electronic device to the remote digital receiver. If the audio signal is an analog signal, the accessory uses encoding circuitry to digitally encode the analog audio signal for transmission. The audio signal may be encoded into an HD radio format for reception by an HD radio receiver. The user inputs of the portable electronic device can preferably be used to control functions of the accessory and the device's display to display the selected transmission frequency or channel. | 01-22-2009 |
20090046869 | WIRELESS AUDIO RECEIVERS - An audio system uses two frequencies to transmit a left and right audio signal to a pair of wireless earphones. Mono receivers in each of the earphones respectively receive the right or left audio signals and produce an audio output. The system includes a base that docks to the earphones such that they can be charged and configured to receive an audio output at the selected transmission frequency. The audio signal can be produced by the base or received from a portable electronic device to which the base is coupled. The base can also function as an FM transmitter for the device and utilize the device's controls and display. | 02-19-2009 |
20090082890 | WIRELESS AUDIO ADAPTER - An adapter for receiving a wireless digital signal that includes an audio signal and audio metadata concerning the audio signal from a portable electronic device has a Bluetooth wireless receiver for receiving the wireless digital signal from the portable electronic device in a Bluetooth digital format. A microprocessor having format conversion software converts the Bluetooth formatted audio signal in the wireless digital signal into a satellite radio formatted audio signal. Satellite metadata generating software generates satellite radio formatted metadata based upon the received Bluetooth formatted audio metadata. A switch electrically couples an output of the adapter to a satellite radio input of an audio system when the Bluetooth transceiver detects a Bluetooth transmission. The adapter provides the satellite radio formatted audio signal and metadata to the audio system such that the audio signal is reproduced by an audio output of the audio system and the metadata is displayed on a display of the audio system. The adapter can also include an FM modulator that produces a frequency modulated output based upon the received Bluetooth formatted audio signal and metadata. | 03-26-2009 |
20090121905 | Cylindrical Remote Control - A remote control for an electronic device has a cylindrical body that can be rotated to control a function of the device. An outer circumference of the cylindrical body can rotate or an orientation sensor can be used to detect rotation of the remote body itself. A mounting portion allows the remote to be securely mounted on a mounting surface. Transport controls for the device are positioned on an upper face of the cylindrical body. A radio frequency transmitter in the cylindrical body communicates control signals to the device or an accessory coupled to the device. The remote is powered by a rechargeable power supply that can be recharged by coupling the remote to a charger or docking the remote with a base station. | 05-14-2009 |
20090181735 | Reception Boosting Accessory - A carrying case for a portable electronic device includes a coupling element that couples to an antenna of the device without establishing a direct electrical connection. The coupling element increases the reception of the device by increasing the effective size of the antenna. The coupling element is designed to correspond to the reception capabilities of the device for which the case is designed. Preferably, the coupling element is a copper foil that is positioned in the case such that it is adjacent the antenna of the device when the device is held within the case. The copper foil is shaped to correspond to a profile of the device. An antenna and signal amplifier can be used in connection with the coupling element to further boost the device's reception capability. | 07-16-2009 |
20090186581 | WIRELESS ACCESSORY FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An improved accessory for an electronic device that allows the device to interface with a standard radio receiver or another electronic device using an incompatible digital transmission format. The accessory includes a digital transceiver for establishing digital communications with a first remote device having a digital transceiver. The accessory receives audio data from the device over the digital wireless channel and produces an FM broadcast output signal based upon the received digital audio data. Thus, music from a personal computer or digital music player can be listened to over a standard radio receiver. The accessory can also be configured to produce a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth formatted output such that the audio data can be transmitted to a previously incompatible radio or headphone receiver. The user inputs of the portable electronic device can preferably be used to control functions of the accessory and the device's display to display the selected transmission frequency or channel of the accessory. | 07-23-2009 |
20090215502 | WIRELESS HEADSET WITH RECORD FUNCTION - A portable headset voice recorder that enables wireless two way voice communications between the headset and a mobile phone has an ear grip that grips an ear of a user. A housing mounted on the ear grip has a microphone, a speaker, a display and a user input. A digital memory enclosed with the housing records audio samples from the microphone in response to a user manipulating the user input. A global positioning system determines location information corresponding to the recorded audio samples. A clock generates a time stamp associated with the audio sample. The headset has a USB port that is used to recharge the headset and transfer the recorded files and associated metadata to a computer. Application software residing on the computer allows a user to review and manipulate the files and program the headset to trigger playbacks and records. | 08-27-2009 |
20090290519 | Receiver for Audio Player - An accessory for use with an existing portable electronic device has a housing that removably couples to a housing of the existing portable electronic device such that the accessory and portable electronic device function and can be portably carried as a single unit. A tunable FM radio receiver in the housing receives an FM broadcast signal and produces a broadcast audio output. A connector on the housing electrically connects the broadcast audio output to a corresponding connector on the device. Application software residing on the device utilizes an internet connection of the device to download digital content related to the broadcast audio output and display the digital content on a display of the device. | 11-26-2009 |
20090295328 | MULTIPLE DEVICE CHARGING STATION WITH USER FRIENDLY CONFIGURABLE MOUNT - A power supply for charging multiple devices that can be adapted to receive and charge practically any type of portable electronic device includes a base that receives an AC wall voltage and converts the wall voltage to DC voltage. The base includes at least two docking cavities that can simultaneously, physically and electrically couple the base to two portable electronic devices such that the devices are supported by the dock while they are being charged. The devices are supported so that there displays are visible and their controls are accessible. Adapters can also be inserted into the docking cavities to reconfigure the cavity to physically support a different type of device. | 12-03-2009 |
20100009631 | TRANSMITTING ACCESSORY UTILIZING POWER SYSTEM TRANSMISSION - An accessory for broadcasting audio from a portable electronic device to an automobile stereo receiver has an input/output port that couples the accessory to the device. The accessory receives an audio signal from the device and modulates the audio signal to a broadcast frequency. The modulated signal is coupled to the automobiles electrical system. The wiring in the automobiles electrical system then acts as an antenna that transmits the audio signal to vehicles stereo. Since the automobiles wiring is very close to the stereo antenna, an exceptionally clear, very low transmission can be achieved. The accessory is preferably adapted to be mounted in a | 01-14-2010 |
20100023328 | Audio Recognition System - A system and method of identifying an audio track uses music identification software that produces a fingerprint or audio profile for an audio segment recorded with a portable communication device. The audio profile is transmitted from the portable communication device to a remote service provider over a communication network. The remote server receives the transmitted audio track profile and compares the profile to a stored database of audio tracks. If a matching audio track is identified by the remote server, metadata relating to the identified audio track is transmitted from the remote server to the portable communication device. The received audio track metadata is then displayed on the portable communication device. | 01-28-2010 |
20100033127 | MODULAR POWER SUPPLY - A modular power supply that can be adapted to receive and charge practically any type or number of portable electronic devices includes a power converter that receives an AC wall voltage and converts the wall voltage to DC bus voltage. Each charging module has a pair of conductive rails and magnets positioned around the exterior of the module. The power converter has a connector that is physically and electrically coupled to a charging module through a pair of magnets and conductive rails such that the DC bus voltage is applied to the conductive rails of the module. Each charging module has a dock that physically couples to a portable electronic device and supplies a charging voltage produced from the DC bus voltage to the device. Additional charging modules can be physically and electrically coupled together by simply placing the modules adjacent one another through the interaction of the module's conductive rails and magnets. Adapters can be inserted into the docks of the charging modules to reconfigure the docks stations to mate with different types of devices. An FM transmitter can be included in one of the modules to transmit audio from the charging device to a remote FM receiver. | 02-11-2010 |
20100041363 | Radio Accessory Having Pass through Connector - A radio accessory for a portable electronic device, such as a digital music player, includes a connector that allows the radio to use accessories designed to couple with the portable electronic device. In addition, the radio includes a pass through connector that allows the radio to couple to the portable electronic device and accessory at the same time such that signals are transferred from the accessory to the portable electronic device through the radio. The radio preferably has a power supply and audio output such that it can function as a stand alone device. The radio can be configured to receive AM, FM or satellite broadcasts. The accessory is preferably a speaker dock designed to receive the portable electronic device. | 02-18-2010 |
20100146307 | Power Hub - A USB hub utilizes an external power supply connection and rechargeable battery to provide a fully functional USB hub that provides portable backup power for USB devices. The hub includes a housing with a host connector that is adapted to be coupled to a host. Device connectors are also positioned on the housing that are adapted to be coupled to electronic devices. A hub circuit enables USB communications between the devices and host connected to the hub. The rechargeable battery is selectively charged from the host or external power supply connection. A microcontroller controls the hub circuitry such that power is provided to the hub circuit and the device connectors from an external power source or host if available or the rechargeable battery if they are not. | 06-10-2010 |
20100183179 | Acoustic Dock for Portable Electronic Device - An accessory for a portable electronic device having a speaker uses an acoustic wave guide to passively amplify and direct the output of the device's speaker. The accessory has a housing with a docking cavity formed therein. The docking cavity has supportive sidewalls that are adapted to receive and support the portable electronic device in an upright position. A cable access channel is formed in the docking cavity that allows a connector and cable to be coupled to the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is mounted in the docking cavity. An acoustic waveguide having a spiral shaped acoustic chamber is positioned in the housing such that an entrance to the acoustic waveguide corresponds to a hole in the docking cavity that is positioned to correspond to the location of the speaker of the device when the device is mounted in the docking chamber. The exit of the acoustic chamber corresponds to an exterior opening in a sidewall of the housing and the hole in the docking cavity. The housing can be provided with charging circuitry to charge the device when the device is mounted in the dock. | 07-22-2010 |
20100184479 | System and Apparatus for Communicating Digital Data through Audio Input/Output Ports - A system for communicating digital data between a first and second device through audio input/output ports encodes the digital data into a series of audio frequency tones. The audio frequency tones are transferred between the devices as audio inputs. Audio decoding software residing on the devices monitors the audio inputs of the devices for audio signals representing digital data and decodes the audio signals into digital data when they are detected. The audio decoding and encoding software is preferably aftermarket software that is downloaded to the device through a digital data port and executed by the device's operating system software. The system can be used to provide a low cost accessory that can communicate digital data to a device without using the device's digital input/output port or requiring any expensive digital communication circuitry in the accessory. | 07-22-2010 |
20100231165 | Multiple Interface Device Charger with Removable Battery Pack - A charging accessory for a portable electronic device having a device input connector includes a main charger body portion having a power supply connection to an AC wall outlet that receives an AC power supply voltage. Power conversion circuitry converts the AC power supply voltage to a DC power supply voltage. A device connector is electrically coupled to the DC power supply voltage and configured to couple the DC power supply voltage to the device input connector of the portable electronic device. The main body also has a battery pack connector that is electrically coupled to the DC power supply voltage. The battery pack connector couples to a battery pack through a charging body connector that electrically connects to the battery pack connector and receives the DC power supply voltage when the battery pack is mounted on the main charger body portion. A rechargeable battery in the battery receives the DC power supply voltage to recharge the rechargeable battery. A device connector allows the battery pack to be directly coupled to the device input connector on the portable electronic device to provide an addition portable power supply for the device. | 09-16-2010 |