Modular entertainment system with movable components

Abstract

A system for playing audio content, visual content, or audio-visual content includes a base panel that incorporates loudspeakers, amplifiers, a display/control surface, charging circuitry for any objects placed upon the display surface, and capacitive sensors to display and control the user interface. Also included are one or more portable units having housings in the shape of aesthetically-pleasing structures. These portable units include data storage components (such as hard disk drives, optical drives, flash memories, etc.) for storing the content to be played, and incorporate electronics within but have no visible controls. As the portable units are placed at any location on the display surface, a GUI automatically appears under and around the units, indicating content, controls, etc. Commands can be entered on the GUI for controlling the transfer of the content from or to the portable units and for controlling the playing of the content by the base panel.

1 . A system for playing content wherein the content is one of audio content, visual content and audio-visual content, the system comprising:
 a media player program for playing the content;   a computer configured to execute the media player program; and   a first portable unit configured for wireless communications with the computer,   wherein the computer comprises:
 circuitry for use in playing the content; and 
 a display in electrical communication with the circuitry and having a horizontal display surface, wherein the display is configured for presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) configured for operation of the computer, 
   wherein the computer is configured to cause the GUI to appear on the display in response to the placement of the first portable unit on the display surface,   wherein the first portable unit is controlled by commands entered on the GUI, and   wherein the first portable unit is configured to store the content and to wirelessly transfer the content to the computer.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer is configured to cause the GUI to appear on the display in response to the placement of the first portable unit on any location on the display surface. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is further for use with a user input device and wherein the display is a touchscreen display responsive to the user input device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portable unit has a housing and wherein the housing is in the shape of a smooth-edged stone. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portable unit has no electro-mechanical control for controlling the operation of the first portable unit. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portable unit includes a light that automatically energizes when the first portable unit is operating and automatically deenergizes when the first portable unit is dormant. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portable unit comprises one of a hard disk drive, an optical drive, and a flash memory. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portable unit comprises a portable audio player. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second portable unit configured for wireless communications with the computer,
 wherein the computer is configured to cause the GUI to appear on the display in response to the placement of the second portable unit on the display surface,   wherein the second portable unit is controlled by commands entered on the GUI, and   wherein the second portable unit is configured to store the content and to wirelessly transfer the content to the computer.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the computer is configured to cause the first portable unit to wirelessly transfer the content from the first portable unit to the second portable unit. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first portable unit comprises one of a hard disk drive, an optical drive, and a flash memory, and wherein the second portable unit comprises another one of the hard disk drive, the optical drive, and the flash memory. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein one of the first and second portable units comprises a portable audio player. 
     
     
         13 . A system for playing content wherein the content is one of audio content, visual content and audio-visual content, the system comprising:
 a media player program for playing the content;   a computer configured to execute the media player program; and   means for storing the content and for wirelessly transferring the content to the computer;   wherein the computer comprises:
 circuitry for use in playing the content; and 
 means for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) configured for operation of the computer and of the storing means, 
   wherein the computer is configured to cause the GUI to appear on the displaying means in response to the placement of the storing means on the displaying means.   
     
     
         14 . A method of playing content, wherein the content is one of audio content, visual content and audio-visual content, the method comprising:
 placing a portable unit on a horizontal display surface of a computer display of a computer, wherein the computer is configured to execute a media player program for playing the content;   displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) on the computer display in response to the placing of the portable unit on the horizontal display surface;   entering a first command on the GUI for causing the portable unit to wirelessly transfer the content from the portable unit to the computer; and   entering a second command on the GUI for causing the computer to play the content.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the portable unit has no electro-mechanical control for controlling the operation of the portable unit. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the portable unit comprises one of a hard disk drive, an optical drive, and a flash memory. 
     
     
         17 . A method of transferring content, wherein the content is one of audio content, visual content and audio-visual content, the method comprising:
 placing a first portable unit on a horizontal display surface of a computer display of a computer, wherein the first portable unit is configured for wireless communications with the computer, and wherein the computer is configured to execute a media player program for playing the content;   displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) on the computer display in response to the placing of the first portable unit on the horizontal display surface;   placing a second portable unit on the horizontal display surface, wherein the second portable unit is configured for wireless communications with the computer; and   entering a command on the GUI for causing the first portable unit to wirelessly transfer the content from the first portable unit to the second portable unit.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first portable unit comprises one of a hard disk drive, an optical drive, and a flash memory, and wherein the second portable unit comprises another one of the hard disk drive, the optical drive, and the flash memory. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein one of the first and second portable units comprises a portable audio player.