Abstract: A music audio control and distribution system in a location, comprising a first wireless music audio device connected to a local network, the network operably connecting the music audio device with at least one of: (1) a music audio player or (2) a music audio output device, and with a remote music audio source operably connected to the local network. The location of the local network is one of (a) a home, (b) an office, and (c) an automobile. The system also includes a second music audio device comprising at least one of (i) a music audio player or (ii) a music audio output device. The second music audio device is also connected to the local network and is controllable by the first wireless music audio device.

Abstract: A media entertainment system including one or more user interfaces that are configured to receive user metadata selections and for receiving user settings for plural media source presets, playback volume settings, time settings, plural alarm settings, and plural alarm volume level settings. Each alarm and associated media source may have its own user selectable specific volume level setting that controls the appliance audio output volume when an alarm is triggered.

Abstract: A multi-mode media system operable at a given time in one of a first or a second mode, selectively, the first mode comprising operation to access a media source co-housed with or connected to and operationally integrated with the media system and configured to stream media content to the multi-mode media system for playing by the media system, and the second mode comprising operation of the media system for controlling over a network a media source remote from the multi-mode media system for outputting media content on an output device separate from the multi-mode media system, the media system not being operable in both modes simultaneously nor operable exclusively only in a single one of such modes.

Abstract: A content selection interface for a media system including at least a first network interface for finding and accessing media content remote from said media system and at least one content source integral or electrically connected to said media system. The media system interface may have a single media content selector actuable by a user and means responsive to the media content selector for selecting plural media content items from among the network and local media content sources, the media content selector presenting to the user plural media content items represented as successive positions in a linearly arrayed sequence without the user having to manifest an explicit change between network and non-network sources from position to position.

Abstract: A method of using an entertainment system to access content stored on a digital content storage device having one or more records containing metadata associated with the content on the storage device. The method includes downloading from the storage device to an entertainment system at least some of the metadata; storing the downloaded metadata in a database accessible to the entertainment system; and accessing content on the storage device from entertainment system using at least a portion of the downloaded metadata in the database.

Abstract: A content selection interface for a media system including at least a first network interface for finding and accessing media content remote from said media system and at least one content source integral or electrically connected to said media system. The media system interface may have a single media content selector actuable by a user and means responsive to the media content selector for selecting plural media content items from among the network and local media content sources, the media content selector presenting to the user plural media content items represented as successive positions in a linearly arrayed sequence without the user having to manifest an explicit change between network and non-network sources from position to position.

Abstract: A multi-mode media device arranged to store digital media content and at least in part wirelessly access and/or control a separate media source configured to provide media content to a separate media output unit. In a first mode, the media device displays a list of media content stored on the device; receives a selection signal to play a selected media content; and plays the selected content on the device. In a second mode, the device operatively connects to a media source, permitting the device to issue commands to the source; at least in part wirelessly transmits a selection signal including a media content request from the device to the media source; and in response to the media content request, the media source delivers the appropriate media content from the media source to a media output unit for output, based on the media content request.

Abstract: An entertainment system comprising a base unit with a transceiver for interacting, at times, with a control unit via a communications link, and a control unit for controlling the base unit, the control unit being dockable with the base unit to establish direct electrical connection between them, and including a transceiver for interacting with the control unit via said link when undocked. The control unit is a separate aspect of the invention or system. The base unit may contain a tuner, preferably with bandless tuning capability, and may be designed to receive into a universal docking arrangement a digitally controllable auxiliary audio source such as a portable MP3 player or other device. The base unit may further provide alarm clock functionality with numerous features including a “fail-safe’ volume control system and fail-safe alarm time setting capability.

Abstract: An electrical connector adaptor system for connecting a base media device having at least one integral electrical connector with one or more detachable second media devices. The integral connector is located within a mechanical adaptor for protecting a second media device from mechanical damage and/or to prevent lateral movement of the second media device. Each second media device has a connector that may differ from a connector of other second media devices, or the second media device may have a different form factor from other second media devices. The system includes a detachable electrical connector adaptor module which has a first electrical connector for mating with the base media device integral connector and a second electrical connector for mating with the second media device.

Abstract: An electrical connector adaptor system for connecting a base media device having at least one integral electrical connector with one or more detachable second media devices. The integral connector is located within a mechanical adaptor for protecting a second media device from mechanical damage and/or to prevent lateral movement of the second media device. Each second media device has a connector that may differ from a connector of other second media devices, or the second media device may have a different form factor from other second media devices. The system includes a detachable electrical connector adaptor module which has a first electrical connector for mating with the base media device integral connector and a second electrical connector for mating with the second media device.

Abstract: An entertainment system comprising a base unit with a transceiver for interacting, at times, with a control unit via a communications link, and a control unit for controlling the base unit, the control unit being dockable with the base unit to establish direct electrical connection between them, and including a transceiver for interacting with the control unit via said link when undocked. The control unit is a separate aspect of the invention or system. The base unit may contain a tuner, preferably with bandless tuning capability, and may be designed to receive into a universal docking arrangement a digitally controllable auxiliary audio source such as a portable MP3 player or other device. The base unit may further provide alarm clock functionality with numerous features including a “fail-safe’ volume control system and fail-safe alarm time setting capability.

Abstract: A content selection interface for an entertainment system having apparatus for receiving signals broadcast on at least a first band and signals from at least one non-broadcast content source. The interface has a single content selector actuable by a user and a mechanism responsive to the content selector for selecting content from among the broadcast signals and non-broadcast content sources which presents the broadcast signals and non-broadcast content as successive adjacent positions in a sequence without the user having to manifest a change of source selection.

Abstract: A media appliance for docking with a detachable Auxiliary Source Module (ASM), each type of ASM delivering for media stream or file in one or more of a plurality of different forms acceptable to the media appliance, at least one of those forms being digital. The appliance includes an instruction processor, memory, and at least one of digital signal processing circuitry or instructions for execution by the processor for processing media streams or files; a controller unit; and electrical contacts for connecting the media appliance with any of multiple types of ASMs.

Abstract: An electrical connector adaptor system for connecting a base media device having at least one integral electrical connector with one or more detachable second media devices. The integral connector is located within a mechanical adaptor for protecting a second media device from mechanical damage and/or to prevent lateral movement of the second media device. Each second media device has a connector that may differ from a connector of other second media devices, or the second media device may have a different form factor from other second media devices. The system includes a detachable electrical connector adaptor module which has a first electrical connector for mating with the base media device integral connector and a second electrical connector for mating with the second media device.

Abstract: An electrical connector adaptor system for connecting a base media device which has at least one integral electrical connector with one or more detachable second media devices, each having a connector that may differ from a connector of another second media device. A detachable electrical connector adaptor module is provided, for creating at least one bi-directional electrical connection between the base media device and one or more attachable and detachable second media devices, each of the second media devices having at least one integral connector. The adaptor module has a first electrical connector for mating with the base media device integral electrical connector and a second electrical connector for mating with the second media device integral electrical connector.

Abstract: A media entertainment system including an appliance that has first and second communications interfaces. The first interface is configured to convey communications between the appliance and at least one content source device, such that the appliance can control the device to receive at least one of media content and media metadata. The second interface is configured to communication bi-directionally with a control unit to convey control information and/or media metadata between the appliance and the control unit. The system further includes a control unit separate or separable from the appliance and the device and having a bi-directional communications interface and a graphical user interface configured to control the appliance and the device.

Abstract: A method of using a media device operable in first and second modes, the first mode including operation as a system for accessing a media source co-house with or directly connected to the media device. The source is configured to stream media files or media streams for output by the media device. The second mode comprises operating the media device as a remote controller system for controlling over a network a media source remote from the media device.

Abstract: A method of using a controller unit to access content stored on a digital content storage device having one or more records containing metadata associated with the content on the storage device. The method includes downloading from the storage device to a controller unit at least some of the metadata; storing the downloaded metadata in a database accessible to the controller unit; and accessing content on the storage device from the controller unit using at least a portion of the downloaded metadata in the database.

Abstract: An entertainment system comprising a base unit with a transceiver for interacting, at times, with a control unit via a communications link, and a control unit for controlling the base unit, the control unit being dockable with the base unit to establish direct electrical connection between them, and including a transceiver for interacting with the control unit via said link when undocked. The control unit is a separate aspect of the invention or system. The base unit may contain a tuner, preferably with bandless tuning capability, and may be designed to receive into a universal docking arrangement a digitally controllable auxiliary audio source such as a portable MP3 player or other device. The base unit may further provide alarm clock functionality with numerous features including a “fail-safe” volume control system and fail-safe alarm time setting capability.