U
`(.2) United States Patent
`(m) Patent Na:
`US 6,631,098 B2
`Chang et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Oct. 7, 2003
`
`
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`U300663 1098132
`
`(54) DUAL-MODE MP3 PLAYER
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Chin-Yarn Chang, Taipei (PW);
`Wen-Hwa Chou, Taipei (TW)
`.
`1
`.
`(T3) Amrgnee: Prolific 'l‘eehnology lnc., Taipei (TW)
`
`6,252,830 H1 -
`{1.202.440 Bl
`°
`(1,316,912 Ill
`*
`
`ntzom Itsu ............................ mum
`0x200] Lee
`3691!?
`
`ltthlrtl Murphy ...................... 3.2mm
`
`* ciled hy examiner
`
`( * ) Noliee:
`
`Subject to anyr disclaimer. the term of this
`palenl
`is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.('.‘_ 1540)} by 105 days.
`
`Primary Exmm'rter—Ali Ncyzari
`[7’4] Arron-rev. Agent, or Hmrfifiughme Minn. PLLC
`‘
`..
`{57}
`A1581 RACI
`
`(3]) App]. No.: 0918953166
`(22)
`Filed:
`In]. 2 20M
`'
`1'
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2(5t13t-UIKJ2395 A] Jan.2.2ltl13
`
`Int. Cl.7 .................................................. H04H 9ND
`(51)
`
`.......................... 369r?; 36mg; 36931
`(52) US. Cl.
`(58) Field of Search
`369R, 6, 7, 1,
`369310—12. 25, 2]. 4. 20. 22. 19; 32(1t'll4;
`350313.?
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. l’A’l‘EN'l' DOCUM ENI‘S
`
`"A portahle MP3 player has two operalion modes. In a first
`mode, the portable M133 player operates independently. A
`controller in the MP3 player reads first MP3 files. from
`internal memor}r and a MP3 decoder is utilized for decoding
`the MP3 flies. in addition. the aurho data are ottlpul to‘an
`earphone or a speaker. In a second mode1 a docking slallon
`is provided for placing lhe porlahle MP3 player. Which has
`an extended memory device, e.g. CD-ROM, for storing
`second MP3 files. The eonlroller ol‘thc portable MP3 player
`accesses the sewnd MP3 liles via interfaces [hell are con-
`heeled when the portable MP3 player
`is placed on the
`ducking relation. The MP3 decoder of [he portable player is
`also utilized to decode the second MP3 lites and the corre-
`sponding audio data are outpul through the ducking slation."
`
`6,001,300 A "
`
`5.-'ZUDU Btlehheint
`
`...................... 369.32
`
`5 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Jaguar Land Rover
`Jaguar Land Rover
`Exhibit 1023
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 001
`Page 001
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 7', 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`US 6,631,098 B2
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`
`
`Jaguar Land Rover
`Jaguar Land Rover
`Exhibit 1023
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 002
`Page 002
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 7, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 01"3
`
`US 6,631,098 B2
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`
`
`Jaguar Land Rover
`Jaguar Land Rover
`Exhibit 1023
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 003
`Page 003
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 1’, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 6,631,098 B2
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`0’2
`.29
`LL.
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`
`
`Jaguar Land Rover
`Jaguar Land Rover
`Exhibit 1023
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 004
`Page 004
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`

`

`It)
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`15
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`2|)
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`The present invention relates to an MP3 player device,
`more particularly, to an MP3 player with large storage.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Developments of all assortments of audio players and
`storage for audio data are progressing up date owing to the
`need of human kinds for audio storing. Especially under the
`drive of the needs for audio devices of the Internet and
`multimedia, efforts are further made to audio players and
`storage for audio data to make them with higher quality.
`higher stored capacity, and more convenient for use. The
`storage for audio data and audio players in the market are in
`sequence a phonograph disk and a phonograph player, a
`magnetic recorded tape and a magnetic recorders, a compact
`disk (CD) and a (TD-ROM, a digital versatile disk (DVD)
`and a DVD ROM, and flash ROM and an MP3 player.
`Magnetic recorded tapes are not able to be sustained for
`a long time, and are easy to be demagnetized by ultra-violet
`ray, plus their small capacities and being sensitive to noise
`signals which make the magnetic recorded tapes gradually -
`decline on the market. In a (TD—ROM, a laser light incidents
`a compact disk and reflexes back to an optical pickup head
`through the disk with audio data molded in. The reflex
`optical signals and thus the audio signals are digital, and
`which considerably make the signals themselves immune to
`noise, and thereby high audio quality is achieved. The disk
`is easy to conserve, with high capacity, low in cost, immune
`to interference of noise; which make the storage itself and
`the associated player extremely popular on the market and
`cut the first edge.
`An MP3 player is much easier to use for music listening.
`The audio data are specifically compressed and stored in a
`semiconductor memory, such as RUM, EPROM and [lash
`ROM. Although an MP3 player is small in dimension. easy
`to carry, the memory it uses costs very high as compared to
`compact disks. Generally, the size of the memory used for an
`MP3 player is 16 MB, and which is corresponding to a
`15-minute period of length. To update the data in a small-
`sized memory for an MP3 player, a computer is needed to do
`write or reWTile audio data to the MP3 player. To increase the
`capacity ofa memory of an MP3 player. added-on cards can
`be inserted into the player, but the cost needed is just sharply
`risen.
`
`30
`
`40
`
`4:1
`
`Consequently, a small-sized, light, capacious, easy-used,
`and low-priced storing device for audio data and a player has
`become the goal of the researchers’ and users’. MP3 players
`have received widely popularity since its open to the market.
`If the bottleneck for small storing space on MP3 players has
`a breakthrough, then MP3 players will be provided with all
`adVantages as mentioned above. For that reason, how to
`improve MP3 players has drawn much attention from the
`insiders and symbolized the progress of audio processes in
`electronic industry.
`SUMMERY OF TIIE INVENTION
`
`In view of the shortcoming a conventional MP3 player
`sufl‘ers,
`the present invention suggests a combined MP3
`player machine with a large memory that can be accessed by
`the controller of the MP3 player.
`In this invention, compact disks (recordable compact disk,
`re-writable compact disk, hard disk) are utilized as the
`
`50
`
`55
`
`fit]
`
`as
`
`US 6,631,098 132
`
`1
`DUAL-MODE MP3 PLAYER
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`2
`ntemory and a (TD-ROM {CD-R, CDIRW, Hard disk, etc.) is
`positioned as the ducking station of the MP3 player by use
`of combining the MP3 player and the (TD-ROM. The
`(TD—ROM is self—powered, and thus separated from a com—
`puter. The MP3 player is fabricated on the (TD—ROM and can
`be independent and detachable from the [TD-ROM. When
`they connect together, audio data can transmit to the MP3
`player from the (TD—ROM through the interface between
`them; such as USB, EPP, SCSI. IDE, and the like: and
`capacious storage is well provided. When the combined
`machine isconnected to a computer through an interface, the
`MP3 player can be programmed through the USB (R8232,
`EPP, SCSI, IDE, etc.) interface of the CD—ROM, since the
`USB (R5232. EPP, SCSI, IDE, etc.) port of the MP3 player
`is locked and bypassed to the USB (R8232, EPP, SCSI, 1013,
`etc.) port of the CD-ROM. When the combined machine
`plays, the audio signal of the M P3 to the earphone or speaker
`is locked and bypassed to the earphone or speaker of the
`(TD-ROM. When the MP3 player is extracted from the
`combined machine, it can he a player itself. The consumer,
`the combined MP3 player with a large memory, and the
`computer are We" integrated, and the CapflCIUUS memory for
`the MP3 player is perfectly achieved by bridging over the
`MP3 player and the compact disks.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION 01’ THE DRAWINGS
`
`the invention may be more clearly
`In order that
`understood, it will now be disclosed in greater detail when
`taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
`wherein:
`
`FIG. 1 is the function block of the M133 player of the prior
`art.
`FIG. 2 is the function block of the combined machine
`according to the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is the left-sided elevated view of the profile of the
`combined machine according to the present invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`To settle the limited memory issue on a conventional MP3
`player, the present invention provides herein a large memory
`for the MP3 player without needing high cost.
`Referring to FIG. 1, which depicts a function block of the
`MP3 player used in prior arts. The audio data storage l6 is
`typically flesh ROM (ROM, or EPROM is allowed also),
`and with a size of 16 MB, which is unsatisfied for current
`use. With the use of an external memory card (not shown for
`simplicity), the cost may be very high and thus not practi—
`cable. Furthermore, when updating new music or audio data
`for the MP3 player 10, a connection with a computer is
`needed.
`In the prior art,
`the computer can program the
`internal storage 16 through the interface port 30 to the
`computer interface 14 in the MP3 player 10. Since the MP3
`audio data is specifically compressed, the audio data fetched
`from the storage 16 by the player controller 18 is fed into the
`MP3 decoder 20 for decoding. The decoded audio data are
`then fed into the audio signal generator 22, and then out—
`putted to the earphone or speaker 32.
`In this invention, an MP3 ducking station is combined
`with the MP3 player in prior arts to obtain a combined
`macltinc (shown in FIG. 2) with a large memory. For the
`profile of the combined machine, see FIG. 3. The ducking
`station 40 is located below the MP3 player 10, and they
`jointly form a combined machine 50. The combined
`machine 5|] is self powered or can be optionally powered by
`
`Jaguar Land Rover
`Jaguar Land Rover
`Exhibit 1023
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 005
`Page 005
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`

`

`US 6,631,098 132
`
`3
`a computer when they are connected. The ducking station 4|]
`can be CD-ROM, CD-R, CDI'RW or a hard disk. all of which
`are able to provide mass storage for the MP3 player it}. A
`computer can program the MP3 player 10 through the USB
`(EPP, SCSI, IDL-J, or RS232, etc.) interface of the (TD-ROM
`40 since the USE (EPP. R3232, SCSI, or IDE, etc.) port 3']
`of the MP3 player 10 is locked and bypassed to the USB
`(EPP, SCSI, R5232, or lDL', etc.) port 44 ot' the CD-ROM
`4!] when the MP3 player 10 is placed on the (ID-ROM 4|} for
`use. Similarly, the signal generated from the audio signal
`generator 22 of the MP3 player 10 is locked and bypassed
`to the earphone or speaker 42 of the (JD-ROM 40 for the
`combined machine so that audio can be outpultcd from the
`earphone or speaker 42 of the (TD—ROM 40 since the
`(ID-ROM is provirlcd with a higher power speaker. For the
`combined machine 50 itself, the controller of the MP3 player
`III can read the audio data stored in the compact disk {now
`shown) through the interface (USE.
`lDE, SCSI, EPP,
`RS232, etc.) between them, which will be explained in more
`detail, and thus obtain a large memory since the compact
`disk is capacious and can be enlarged by use of a plurality
`of disks. The MP3 10 iLselt' is sclfnpowered or powured by
`the docking station “when they are connected. The MP3 II]
`is optionally detachable from the combined machine 40 and
`work as a player.
`Continuing back to FIG. 2, the player controller 18 can
`not only address the internal storage 16, but also the storage
`in the ducking station 40. The controller 18 issues an address
`signal for read. the internal storage 16 or the storage 48 in
`the sucking station 40 addressed Ihen transmits the audio
`data requested by the controller 18 to the decoder 220, since
`the MP3 data is specifically compressed. The audio signal
`generator 22 is then charge of outputting audio through the
`earphone or speaker 32.
`Continuing to FIG. 2, besides the strategy programming
`the storage 16 of the MP3 player 10 through the USB port
`30 from a computer, the computer can program the internal
`storage 16 of the MP3 player 10 through the bypass 46,
`which is extended from the USB interface 3|] of the MP3 III
`to the interface 44 of the ducking station 40. With the bypass
`46, programming from the computer to the internal storage
`16 of the combined body is possible. Similarly. the audio
`signal to the earphone or speaker 42 of the ducking station
`40 is obtained through the bypass 4? from the audio signal
`generator 22 in the MP3 player ll]. since the (TD—ROM has
`a higher power speaker.
`Since the controller 18 can access the internal storage 16
`and the storage 48 in the ducking station 40, a large memory
`equipped MP3 player is thus achieved. and a consumer, the
`combined MP3 player with a large memory, and a computer
`is thus integrated together.
`the
`As is understood by a person skilled in the art,
`foregoing preferred embodiments of the present invention
`are illustrated of the present invention rather than limiting of
`the present invention. It is intended to cover various modi-
`fications and similar arrangements included within the spirit
`and scope ofthe appended claims, the scope ofwhich should
`be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass
`all such modifications and similar structure.
`
`It)
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`15
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`2|)
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`30
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`40
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`4:1
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`50
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`55
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`4
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`at
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`What is claimed is:
`l. A dual—mode MP3 player assembly. comprising:
`a ducking station comprising:
`a connecting base;
`a first
`interface with one end connected to said con-
`nect ing base; and
`least one extended memory device for storing a
`plurality of first MP3 files, wherein another end of
`said first
`interface is connected to said extended
`memory device; and
`a portable MP3 player comprising:
`a housing having a connecting portion selectively
`placed on said connecting base of the ducking
`station;
`an internal memory within the housing for storing a
`plurality of second MP3 files;
`a M133 decoder within the housing for decoding the
`first MP3 files and the second MP3 files to gen-
`erate corresponding decoded data;
`an audio generator within the housing connected
`with said MP3 decoder for generating audio sig-
`nals to drive a speaker or an earphone according to
`the decoded data;
`a second interface with one end connected to the
`connecting portion of the housing, wherein the
`second interface is connected to the first interface
`when the housing is placed on the connecting base
`of the ducking station;
`a controller connected to the internal memory, the
`MP3 decoder and the second interface, wherein if
`the housing is placed on the connecting base of the
`ducking station, the controller accesses the first
`MP3 files on the extended memory device via the
`second interface and the first interface. and the
`controller transmits the lirst MP3 files to the MP3
`decoder to play the first MP3 files, and if the
`housing is not placed on the connecting base ofthe
`ducking station, the controller accesses the second
`MP3 files from the internal memory and the
`second MP3 tiles are transmitted to the MP3
`decoder and the audio generator to play the second
`MP3 files.
`2. The MP3 player assembly of claim 1, wherein the
`ducking station further comprises an outlet connected to an
`ear phone or a speaker and the outlet is connected to the
`portable MP3 player via the connecting base of the ducking
`station when the portable MP3 player is placed on the
`ducking station.
`3. The MP3 player assembly of claim 1, wherein the
`ducking station further comprises an internal speaker con-
`nected to the portable MP3 player via the connecting base of
`the ducking station when the portable MP3 is placed on the
`ducking station.
`4. The MP3 player assembly of claim 1, wherein the first
`interface and the second interface comprise USB{EPP,
`RS232, parallel port, serial port, SCSI, etc).
`5. The MP3 player assembly of claim 1, wherein the
`extended memory device is a (TD—ROM. a CDIRW, a CD—R
`or a hard disk.
`
`Jaguar Land Rover
`Jaguar Land Rover
`Exhibit 1023
`Exhibit 1023
`Page 006
`Page 006
`
`