Interface of a media player with a media device
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsAnthony M. Fadell, Stephen Paul Zadesky, John Benjamin Filson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A handheld media player includes a processor, a display coupled with the processor, a memory for storing media, and a first user interface. A media device includes a second user interface, a housing having a surface, and a media connector for connecting the media device to the handheld media player. The first user interface is configured to be exposed to a user after the handheld media player is connected to the media device. The first user interface of the handheld media player acts as the primary user interface of the media device when the handheld media player is connected to the media device.
Claims20
A method of controlling a media device with a handheld media player, the method comprising the steps of:
- connecting the handheld media player to the media device, the handheld media player including:
- a processor;
- a display coupled with the processor;
- a memory for storing media;
- and
- a first user interface, wherein the first user interface is exposed to a user after the handheld media player is connected to the media device, the media device having a second user interface;
- and
- after connecting, controlling the media device with the first user interface of the handheld media player,
- wherein the first user interface of the handheld media player acts as the primary user interface of the media device when the handheld media player is connected to the media device.
A media device comprising:
- a housing having a surface;
- a connector for connecting to a handheld media player, the handheld media player including:
- a first user interface, wherein when the handheld media player is connected to the connector, the first user interface is exposed to a user;
- and
- a second user interface,
- wherein the media device is adapted to be controlled via the first user interface of the connected handheld media player acting as the primary user interface of the media device when the handheld media player is connected to the media device.
The media device of 5, wherein the media device is a computer.
The media device of 6, wherein the computer is a notebook computer.
The media device of 5, wherein the media device is a photo display that includes a display for showing images.
The media device of 5, wherein the media device further includes:
- a media bay including:
- a media bay opening in the surface of the housing;
- and
- the connector in the media bay opening,
- wherein the handheld media player is configured to be placed into the media bay to connect to the connector.
A handheld media player comprising:
- a processor;
- a display coupled with the processor;
- a memory for storing media;
- a first user interface;
- and
- an interface for connecting to a media device having a second user interface, wherein the first user interface is configured to be exposed to a user after the handheld media player is connected to the media device,
- wherein when the handheld media player is connected to the media device, the first user interface of the handheld media player acts as the primary user interface of the media device and controls the media device.
A system comprising:
- a handheld media player including:
- a processor;
- a display coupled with the processor;
- a memory for storing media;
- and
- a first user interface;
- and
- a media device including:
- a second user interface;
- a housing having a surface;
- and
- a media connector for connecting the media device to the handheld media player, wherein the first user interface is configured to be exposed to a user after the handheld media player is connected to the media device,
- wherein the first user interface of the handheld media player acts as the primary user interface of the media device when the handheld media player is connected to the media device.
The system of 14, wherein the media device includes:
- a media bay including:
- a media bay opening in the surface of the housing;
- and
- the media connector in the media bay opening,
- wherein the handheld media player is configured to be placed into the media bay to connect to the media connector.
The system of 14, wherein the first user interface of the handheld media player includes a touch pad.
The system of 14, wherein the media device is a computer.
The system of 18, wherein the computer is a notebook computer.
The system of 14, wherein the media device is a photo display that includes a display for showing images.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.