Mounting methods for digital media players

Abstract

Many methods described herein allow users to mount digital media players. Some methods include coupling a digital media player to a backside of a television.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for coupling a digital media player to a backside of a television, the television comprising a frontside configured to display an image, wherein the backside of the television faces opposite the frontside of the television, the method comprising:
 obtaining a tray configured to hold the digital media player, wherein the digital media player is capable of transmitting digital signals to the television, and the television is capable of displaying the image based on the digital signals;   coupling the tray to the backside of the television;   coupling the digital media player to the tray;   electrically coupling the digital media player to the television through an electrical cable; and   transmitting the digital signals through the electrical cable to the television to display the image based on the digital signals while the digital media player is coupled to the tray on the backside of the television.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coupling the electrical cable to the digital media player and then inserting the digital media player into the tray while the tray is coupled to the backside without disconnecting the electrical cable. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tray comprises an open portion between a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the method further comprising coupling the electrical cable to the digital media player and inserting the digital media player into the tray such that the electrical cable exits the digital media player in the open portion. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the tray comprises two retaining lips separated by the open portion, and the tray further comprises an open top configured to allow the digital media player to slide into the tray, wherein the open top is located on an opposite side of the tray relative to the open portion, the method further comprising inserting the digital media player through the open top. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the digital media player comprises a first large side, a second large side that is opposite the first large side, and four small sides, wherein the tray comprises a base and two retaining lips separated by an open portion, the method further comprising:
 placing the digital media player in the tray such that the first large side faces away from the base of the tray and away from the backside of the television; and   engaging the first large side with the two retaining lips.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the backside of the television comprises an upper half and a lower half, and the digital media player comprises a connection side configured to couple to the electrical cable, and the method further comprises:
 coupling the tray to the upper half of the backside of the television;   coupling the electrical cable to the connection side; and   coupling the digital media player to the tray such that the electrical cable exits the digital media player in a downward direction and such that the connection side is facing downward relative to the television.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising at least partially enclosing the digital media player with the two retaining lips. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the two retaining lips extend towards each other. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising electrically coupling the digital media player to the television through the electrical cable while the digital media player is coupled to the backside of the television. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising coupling the digital media player to the tray while the tray is coupled to the backside of the television and while the electrical cable couples the digital media player to the television. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical cable is an HDMI cable and the digital media player is an Apple TV. 
     
     
         12 . A method for coupling a digital media player to a backside of a television, the television comprising a frontside configured to display an image, wherein the backside of the television faces opposite the frontside of the television, wherein the backside of the television comprises an upper half and a lower half, and the digital media player comprises a connection side configured to couple to an electrical cable, the method comprising:
 obtaining a tray configured to hold the digital media player, wherein the digital media player is capable of transmitting digital signals to the television, and the television is capable of displaying the image based on the digital signals;   coupling the tray to the upper half of the backside of the television;   coupling the electrical cable to the connection side of the digital media player;   coupling the electrical cable to the television such that the electrical cable is capable of transmitting the digital signals from the digital media player to the television; and   coupling the digital media player to the tray such that the electrical cable exits the digital media player in a downward direction and such that the connection side of the digital media player is facing downward relative to the television.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the digital media player comprises a first large side, a second large side that is opposite the first large side, and four small sides, wherein the tray comprises a base and two retaining lips separated by an open portion, the method further comprising:
 placing the digital media player in the tray such that the first large side faces away from the base of the tray and away from the backside of the television; and   engaging the first large side with the two retaining lips.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 coupling a tray base to the backside of the television;   coupling a left sidewall to a left portion of the tray base and coupling a right sidewall to a right portion of the tray base;   extending the left sidewall and the right sidewall outward relative to the backside of the television;   coupling a left lip to the left sidewall and coupling a right lip to the right sidewall;   extending the left lip towards the right sidewall and extending the right lip towards the left sidewall;   placing the digital media player between the left sidewall and the right sidewall; and   engaging a surface of the digital media player that faces away from the tray base with the left lip and the right lip to hold the digital media player.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein when the tray is coupled to the backside, the tray does not comprise a top sidewall such that the tray comprises an open top, and the tray does not comprise a bottom sidewall such that the tray comprises an open portion, wherein the open top is located on an opposite side of the tray relative to the open portion, and the method further comprises:
 inserting the digital media player into the tray through the open top; and   exiting the electrical cable from the digital media player through the open portion.