Abstract: An accessory for a digital music player establishes bidirectional communications between the digital music player and a remote receiver. The bidirectional communication channel allows song information such as the title, artist and album to be transferred from the digital music player to the remote receiver. This information is then displayed by the remote receiver. The accessory also transmits an FM audio signal to the receiver based upon an audio signal received from the digital music player such that music from the player can be played over the remote receiver. The bidirectional communication channel allows the controls of the remote receiver's controls to be used to control the music being played by the digital music player. The commands and digital information are preferably transferred between the digital music player and the remote receiver in accordance with a Radio Data System or Radio Broadcast Data System format.

Abstract: A cylindrical controller provides a user interface for an electronic device that is easier to use than conventional controls. The cylindrical body contains a number of sensors that detect when the cylindrical body is rotated between the thumb and finger of a user. The sensors determine whether the rotation is in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. The present invention allows users to remotely control a consumer electronics device by manipulating a cylindrical body with familiar prehensile gestures, i.e., pinching, squeezing, and rolling.

Abstract: An accessory for an electronic device detects manipulation of a user input of the device and alters an operating parameter of the accessory in response to the detected manipulation of the device's controls. The accessory is preferably an FM transmitter designed to be coupled to a portable media player such that an audio signal from the player is broadcast by the accessory. The user controls of the player can be used to select a transmission frequency of the accessory. The accessory can also preferably control the display of the device such that an image corresponding to the selected transmission frequency is generated by the accessory and displayed on a screen of the player.

Abstract: A case for portable electronic device has a set of substantially rigid opposing faces mounted on a hinge that fold together to enclose the device. An internal electrical connection between the device and the case is used to provide an electrical access point on the exterior of the case. The external electrical connection is accomplished through a passive electrical connector positioned on the hinge that holds the opposing faces together. Additional active electronics and batteries may also be positioned in the hinge such that the case can be operationally linked with the device contained in the case. Since many portable electronic devices are dimensioned to be carried in pockets or purses, limiting the size of a protective carrying case can be crucial to gaining consumer acceptance. The case is particularly well adapted for use with a digital music player.

Abstract: A rotary encoder is used to select a transmission frequency for an FM transmitter associated with a portable electronic device such as a cellular telephone, MP3 player or other portable type electronic device. The rotary encoder is turned in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to raise or lower the transmission frequency of the FM transmitter. Movement of the rotary encoder is translated into a frequency change on a linear, circular or exponential basis by a microprocessor. The transmission frequency of the FM transmitter is then altered to the selected frequency and the selected frequency is displayed on an LCD screen of the portable electronic device. The rotary encoder may also be used in connection with an accessory for a portable electronic device.

Abstract: An accessory for a portable electronic device, such as a digital music player, includes a set of device controls for controlling the portable electronic device. The accessory includes a microprocessor and a memory that contains function codes corresponding to the functions selected by the controls. In response to user manipulation of the controls, the accessory sends the function codes to the portable electronic device that cause the device to perform the requested function. Preferably, the accessory is a charger is adapted to be inserted into for a 12-volt car auxiliary power outlet and has the controls on the protruding face of the charger body. The accessory may also include an FM transmitter for transmitting an audio signal received from the portable electronic device to the car stereo.

Abstract: A connector uses complimentary magnetic arrays and mating surfaces on its plug and receptacle to facilitate connection and disconnection of the connector. The plug includes a magnetic array wherein the polarity of the magnets facing the receptacle when the plug and receptacle are connected is selected such that they can only be mated with a complimentary magnetic array on the receptacle when the plug has a desired orientation with respect to the receptacle. The plug and receptacle also have mechanical mating surfaces on their circumference that are shaped such that the plug and the receptacle can only be connected with the desired orientation. The plug can be separated from the receptacle by rotating the plug with respect to the receptacle such that the mechanical mating surfaces break the magnetic connection between the complimentary magnetic arrays.

Abstract: An FM transmitter accessory for a digital music player having a display screen uses a microprocessor to create image files that are transferred to the digital music player such that they are displayed on its screen. When a user input on the accessory is manipulated on the accessory to select a transmission frequency for the FM transmitter, the microcontroller generates a new image file that corresponds to the selected frequency and transfers the generated image file to the digital music player such that the selected frequency is displayed on the screen of the digital music player. In addition, by constantly generating new displays based upon user inputs, the accessory can display menus on the screen of the digital music player that can be manipulated by user to select between a number of displayed options.

Abstract: An adjustable member allows a docking connector for a portable electronic device to accommodate devices having different dimensions. The docking connector is designed to physically and electrically couple to the portable electronic device. The adjustable member alters a distance between a supporting sidewall of the docking connector and an electrical connector that couples to the portable electronic device. The adjust member is preferably a threaded shaft having a support pad for supporting a surface of the portable electronic device. A rotating knob allows a user to extend or retract the support pad on the shaft to engage the side of the portable electronic device. Thus, the docking connector can accommodate devices having different dimensions.

Abstract: A charging accessory for a portable electronic device has an input/output port for providing electrical connections to an input/output port of the device. The accessory includes a charger for charging the battery of the portable electronic device and a discharging circuit for discharging the battery of the device. A processor in the accessory determines when the device battery is fully charged and fully discharged. A time stamp associated with a charging/discharging cycle and device identification information identifying the particular device upon which the charging cycle was performed is stored in a memory of the accessory. The charging accessory then automatically performs a discharging/charging operation for the device according to a predetermined schedule to recalibrate a battery level display of the device whenever the accessory is coupled to the device.

Abstract: A pen or stylus for use with a finger activated computer touchpad uses capacitively coupled voltage signals to simulate the capacitive effect of a finger on the touchpad. In addition, the pen has buttons that can be utilized to capacitively couple control signals to the touchpad that are interpreted by application software as specific user-defined inputs. The pen has a conductive tip that is placed into contact with the touchpad. By biasing the touchpad electrodes with a properly timed voltage signal, the pen alters the charging time of the electrodes in the touchpad. This alteration in charging time is interpreted by the touchpad as a change in capacitance due to the presence of a user's finger. Thus, the pen can be used with touchpads that were designed to only detect finger movements.

Abstract: A holder for a digital audio player such as an Apple iPOD™ is designed to fit in a standard sized cup holder. The holder is configured to support the digital audio player at an easy to read angle and provides a slot for a cable such as a power cable to extend from the holder. The holder is constructed from relatively soft compressible foam that conforms to different sized cup holders and protects the digital audio player from damage. A plurality of support portions allows the holder to support various size digital audio players.

Abstract: An adapter for connection to an earphone or headphone having a speaker which is housed in a relatively rigid casing utilizes an elongated hollow body having two open ends. One open end of the body is adapted to be positioned about the relatively rigid speaker casing of the earphone or headphone for connection thereto, and the other open end of the body is adapted to be positioned within the ear of a user. The hollow body has an interior shape which is shaped to conduct sound emitted from the speaker casing toward and through the other open end of the body.

Abstract: 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.