Video dock for portable media player

Abstract

A docking station for a portable media player. The docking station includes a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player and a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player. A projection module operably linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface projects a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A docking station for a portable media player, the docking station comprising:
 a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player; 
 a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player; and 
 a projection module operably linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface, and to project a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The docking station of  claim 1 , where the portable media player includes a front face having a display screen, and where the docking connector secures the portable media player with the display screen of the portable media player facing away from the projected video image. 
     
     
       3. The docking station of  claim 1 , where the projection module includes short throw projection optics. 
     
     
       4. The docking station of  claim 3 , where a diagonal size of the projected image is greater than a distance from the projection module to the viewing surface. 
     
     
       5. The docking station of  claim 1 , further comprising a remote command receiver to receive commands from a remote control and to deliver the commands to the portable media player via the communication interface. 
     
     
       6. The docking station of  claim 5 , where the remote command receiver translates the received commands before delivering the commands to the portable media player. 
     
     
       7. The docking station of  claim 1 , further comprising a remote control. 
     
     
       8. The docking station of  claim 7 , where the remote control includes a control interface that substantially mimics a control interface of the portable media player. 
     
     
       9. A docking station for a portable media player, the docking station comprising:
 a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player; 
 a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player; and 
 a projection module interface to operably link the communication interface of the docking station to a docked projector, the projection module interface being configured to receive video information from the portable media player and to pass the video information to the docked projector so that the docked projector projects a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface. 
 
     
     
       10. The docking station of  claim 9 , where the portable media player includes a front face having a display screen, and where the docking connector secures the portable media player with the display screen of the portable media player facing away from the projected video image. 
     
     
       11. The docking station of  claim 9 , further comprising a remote command receiver to receive commands from a remote control and to deliver the commands to the portable media player via the communication interface. 
     
     
       12. The docking station of  claim 11 , where the remote command receiver translates the received commands before delivering the commands to the portable media player. 
     
     
       13. The docking station of  claim 9 , further comprising a remote command receiver to receive commands from a remote control and to deliver the commands to the docked projector via the projection module interface. 
     
     
       14. The docking station of  claim 13 , where the remote command receiver translates the received commands before delivering the commands to the docked projector. 
     
     
       15. The docking station of  claim 9 , where the docking station is configured to respond to commands relayed from a remote control though the docked projector. 
     
     
       16. The docking station of  claim 9 , further comprising a remote control. 
     
     
       17. The docking station of  claim 16 , where the remote control includes a control interface that substantially mimics a control interface of the portable media player. 
     
     
       18. A docking station for a portable media player, the docking station comprising:
 an adapter including a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player and a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player, wherein the adapter is one of a plurality of different adapters, each different adapter configured to secure and communicatively couple a different portable media player; and 
 a projection module operably linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface, and to project a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface. 
 
     
     
       19. The docking station of  claim 18 , where the portable media player includes a front face having a display screen, and where the docking connector secures the portable media player with the display screen of the portable media player facing away from the projected video image. 
     
     
       20. The docking station of  claim 18 , where the projection module includes short throw projection optics. 
     
     
       21. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the viewing surface is larger than a display screen of the portable media player. 
     
     
       22. The docking station of  claim 1 , further comprising a remote control, wherein the remote control controls the portable media player. 
     
     
       23. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the portable media player controls the projection module. 
     
     
       24. The docking station of  claim 1 , further comprising a speaker module, wherein the portable media player controls the speaker module. 
     
     
       25. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the portable media player controls the projection module and the speaker module. 
     
     
       26. The docking station of  claim 24 , wherein the portable media player controls an amplified volume of the speaker module. 
     
     
       27. The docking station of  claim 24 , wherein the portable media player controls a line level audio input delivered to the speaker module. 
     
     
       28. The docking station of  claim 7 , wherein the portable media player comprises a portable media player control, and the portable media player control cannot be used when the remote control is used. 
     
     
       29. The docking station of  claim 7 , wherein the portable media player comprises portable media player control, and the remote control cannot be used when the portable media player controls are used. 
     
     
       30. The docking station of  claim 1 , further comprising a speaker module, wherein the speaker module receives audio information from a source other than the portable media player. 
     
     
       31. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the projection module receives video information from a source other than the portable media player. 
     
     
       32. The docking station of  claim 1 , further comprising a speaker module, wherein the speaker module and the projection module are operated independently of one another. 
     
     
       33. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the docking station is configured to receive a signal from a remote control and to translate the signal into an infrared signal that is transmitted to a stereo receiver. 
     
     
       34. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the docking station is configured to project video information that is received from the portable media player. 
     
     
       35. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the projection module projects information corresponding to audio content that is being played onto the viewing surface. 
     
     
       36. The docking station of  claim 35 , wherein the information corresponding to audio content that is being played includes at least one of a song name, an album name, a playing time, an album cover art, or a music video. 
     
     
       37. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the video image creates a desired atmosphere. 
     
     
       38. The docking station of  claim 37 , wherein the video image comprises one or more colors of light responsive to the music being played on the portable media player. 
     
     
       39. The docking station of  claim 37 , wherein the video image comprises shining points of light to simulate a disco scene. 
     
     
       40. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the projection module is configured to project at least one of a user interface and application software images onto the viewing surface. 
     
     
       41. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the docking station is configured to be controlled by voice activation. 
     
     
       42. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the docking connector can be configured so that the orientation of the portable media device relative the docking station can be selected from two or more different orientation positions. 
     
     
       43. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the projection module performs keystone correction. 
     
     
       44. The docking station of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface for sending video information from the portable media player to an external display device. 
     
     
       45. The docking station of  claim 44 , wherein the projection module and the external display device mirror the same video images. 
     
     
       46. The docking station of  claim 44 , wherein the projection module and the external display device simultaneously display different video images. 
     
     
       47. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the portable media player comprises a built-in display screen. 
     
     
       48. The docking station of  claim 47 , wherein the built-in display screen is used in conjunction with one or more of the projection module and an external display. 
     
     
       49. The docking station of  claim 47 , wherein the built-in display screen of the portable media player shows a user interface while the projection module is projecting video image data derived from the video information onto a viewing surface. 
     
     
       50. The docking station of  claim 47 , wherein the built-in display screen of the portable media player shows video image data while the projection module is projecting a user interface onto a viewing surface. 
     
     
       51. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the docking connector physically secures the portable media player by a snap-fit coupling. 
     
     
       52. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the docking connector physically secures the portable media player by a socket-fit coupling. 
     
     
       53. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the docking connector physically secures the portable media player by a magnetic coupling. 
     
     
       54. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the docking connector comprises an energy interface that allows energy to be transferred from the docking station to the portable media player. 
     
     
       55. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the docking station comprises an accessory interface that connects one or more accessory devices. 
     
     
       56. The docking station of  claim 55 , wherein the one or more accessory devices include at least one of a DVD player, a gaming console, or subwoofer speakers. 
     
     
       57. The docking station of  claim 1 , further comprising a wired network interface. 
     
     
       58. The docking station of  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless network interface. 
     
     
       59. The clocking station of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more wired or wireless input devices to control the docking station or the portable media player. 
     
     
       60. The docking station of  claim 1  wherein the portable media player and the docking station transfer information wirelessly. 
     
     
       61. The docking connector of  claim 1 , wherein the docking connector is a standardized connector that is designed to receive a plurality of different compatible portable media players. 
     
     
       62. The docking connector of  claim 1 , wherein the docking connector is designed with a plurality of different adapters for receiving a plurality of differently configured portable media players. 
     
     
       63. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the docking connector includes the communication interface. 
     
     
       64. The docking station of  claim 18 , wherein the portable media player controls the projection module. 
     
     
       65. The docking station of  claim 18 , further comprising a speaker module, wherein the portable media player controls the speaker module. 
     
     
       66. The docking station of  claim 18 , wherein the portable media player controls the projection module and a speaker module. 
     
     
       67. The docking station of  claim 64 , further comprising a speaker module, wherein portable media player controls an amplified volume of the speaker module. 
     
     
       68. The docking station of  claim 64 , further comprising a speaker module, wherein portable media player controls a line level audio input delivered to the speaker module. 
     
     
       69. The docking station of  claim 18 , further comprising a speaker module, wherein the speaker module receives audio information from a source other than the portable media player. 
     
     
       70. The docking station of  claim 18 , wherein the projection module receives video information from a source other than the portable media player. 
     
     
       71. The docking station of  claim 18 , further comprising a speaker module, wherein the speaker module and the projection module are operated independently of one another. 
     
     
       72. The docking station of  claim 18 , wherein the projection module performs a keystone correction. 
     
     
       73. The docking station of  claim 18 , wherein the portable media player comprises a built-in display screen. 
     
     
       74. The docking station of  claim 73 , wherein the built-in display screen is used in conjunction with one or more of the projection module and an external display. 
     
     
       75. The docking station of  claim 73 , wherein the built-in display screen of the portable media player shows a user interface while the projection module is projecting video image data derived from the video information onto a viewing surface. 
     
     
       76. The docking station of  claim 73 , wherein the built-in display screen of the portable media player shows video image data while the projection module is projecting a user interface onto a viewing surface. 
     
     
       77. The docking station of  claim 18 , wherein the adapter physically secures the portable media player by a snap-fit coupling. 
     
     
       78. The docking station of  claim 18 , wherein the adapter physically secures the portable media player by a socket-fit coupling. 
     
     
       79. The docking station of  claim 18 , wherein the adapter physically secures the portable media player by a magnetic coupling. 
     
     
       80. The docking station of  claim 18 , wherein the docking connector comprises an energy interface that allows energy to be transferred from the docking station to the portable media player. 
     
     
       81. The docking station of  claim 18 , wherein the docking station comprises an accessory interface that connects one or more accessory devices. 
     
     
       82. The docking station of  claim 81 , wherein the one or more accessory devices include at least one of a DVD player, a gaming console, or subwoofer speakers. 
     
     
       83. A docking station for a portable media player, the docking station comprising:
 a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player;   a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player; and   a projection module operably linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface, and to project a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface,   wherein the portable media player includes a display screen and a control portion, and where the docking connector secures the portable media player with the display screen and the control portion of the portable media player facing away from the projected video image.   
     
     
       84. The docking station of  claim 128 , where the projection module includes short throw projection optics. 
     
     
       85. The docking station of  claim 128  further comprising: an adapter, wherein the adapter is one of a plurality of different adapters and each different adapter configured for different portable media player. 
     
     
       86. A docking station for a portable media player, the docking station comprising:
 a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player: 
 a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player; and 
 a projection module operably linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface, and to project a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface, 
 a left and right speaker module for playing audio received from the portable media player, wherein the docking connector is disposed between the left and right speaker modules. 
 
     
     
       87. The docking station of  claim 86 , wherein the left and right speaker modules are disposed on a side opposite of a side from where light of the video image projected by the projection module exits. 
     
     
       88. The docking station of  claim 86 , where the projection module includes short throw projection optics. 
     
     
       89. The docking station of  claim 86 , where the portable media player includes a front face having a display screen, and where the docking connector secures the portable media player with the display screen of the portable media player facing away from the projected video image. 
     
     
       90. The docking station of  claim 86 , wherein the portable media player comprises a built-in display screen. 
     
     
       91. A docking station for a portable media player the docking station comprising:
 a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player; 
 a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player; and 
 a projection module operably linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface, and to project a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface, and having a projection lens which projects the video image, 
 the projection lens disposed between a left speaker module and a right speaker module. 
 
     
     
       92. The docking station of  claim 91 , where the projection module includes short throw projection optics. 
     
     
       93. The docking station of  claim 91 , where the portable media player includes a front face having a display screen, and where the docking connector secures the portable media player with the display screen of the portable media player facing away from the projected video image. 
     
     
       94. The docking station of  claim 91 , wherein the portable media player comprises a built-in display screen. 
     
     
       95. A docking station for a portable media player, the docking station comprising:
 a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player; 
 a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player; and 
 a projection module operably linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface, and to project a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface, 
 a control portion of the docking station, the control portion controls the docking station, 
 the docking connector and the control portion are disposed on the upper side of the docking station. 
 
     
     
       96. The docking station of  claim 95 , where the projection module includes short throw projection optics. 
     
     
       97. The docking station of  claim 95 , where the portable media player includes a front face having a display screen, and where the docking connector secures the portable media player with the display screen of the portable media player facing away from the projected video image. 
     
     
       98. The docking station of  claim 95 , wherein the portable media player comprises a built-in display screen. 
     
     
       99. A docking station for a portable media player the docking station comprising:
 a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player. 
 a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player; and 
 a projection module operably linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface, and to project a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface, 
 a control portion of the docking station, the control portion controls the docking station, 
 the control portion is farther from the viewing surface than the docking connector. 
 
     
     
       100. The docking station of  claim 99 , where the projection module includes short throw projection optics. 
     
     
       101. The docking station of  claim 99 , wherein the portable media player comprises a built-in display screen. 
     
     
       102. The docking station of  claim 99 , where the portable media player includes a front face having a display screen, and where the docking connector secures the portable media player with the display screen of the portable media player facing away from the projected video image. 
     
     
       103. The docking station of  claim 1 , wherein the docking station is substantially larger than the portable media player. 
     
     
       104. A docking station for a portable media player, the docking station comprising:
 a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player, 
 a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player: and 
 a projection module operably linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface, and to project a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface, 
 an intake air port which intakes air from outside of the docking station, 
 an exhaust air port which exhausts air to outside of the docking station, 
 wherein the intake air port and the exhaust air port are disposed on the opposite side of the display screen of the portable media player. 
 
     
     
       105. The docking station of  claim 104 , where the projection module includes short throw projection optics. 
     
     
       106. The docking station of  claim 105 , where the portable media player includes a front face having a display screen, and where the docking connector secures the portable media player with the display screen of the portable media player facing away from the projected video image. 
     
     
       107. The docking station of  claim 105 , further comprising: an adapter, wherein the adapter is one of a plurality of different adapters and each different adapter configured for different portable media player. 
     
     
       108. A docking station for a portable media player, the docking station comprising:
 a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player; 
 a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player; and 
 a projection module operably linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface, and to project a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface, 
 wherein the portable media player is a mobile phone, and 
 wherein the docking station is substantially larger than the mobile phone. 
 
     
     
       109. The docking station of  claim 108 , where the projection module includes short throw projection optics. 
     
     
       110. The docking station of  claim 108 , where the portable media player includes a front face having a display screen, and where the docking connector secures the portable media player with the display screen of the portable media player facing away from the projected video image. 
     
     
       111. The docking station of  claim 108 , further comprising: an adapter, wherein the adapter is one of a plurality of different adapters and each different adapter configured for different portable media player. 
     
     
       112. A docking station for a portable media player, the docking station comprising:
 a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player; 
 a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player; and 
 a projection module operably linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface, and to project a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface, 
 where the portable media player includes a front face having a display screen, and where the docking connector secures the portable media player with the display screen of the portable media player facing away from the projected video image, and 
 where the projection module includes short throw projection optics. 
 
     
     
       113. The docking station of  claim 112 , wherein the docking station is substantially larger than the portable media player. 
     
     
       114. The docking station of  claim 112 , where a diagonal size of the projected image is greater than a distance from the projection module to the viewing surface. 
     
     
       115. The docking station of  claim 112 , further comprising: an adapter, wherein the adapter is one of a plurality of different adapters and each different adapter configured for different portable media player. 
     
     
       116. A docking station for a portable media player the docking station comprising:
 a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player, 
 a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player: 
 a projection module operably linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface, and to project a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface: and 
 a remote command receiver to receive commands from a remote control and to deliver the commands to the portable media player via the communication interface, 
 where the portable media player includes a front face having a display screen, and where the docking connector secures the portable media player with the display screen of the portable media player facing away from the projected video image. 
 
     
     
       117. The docking station of  claim 116 , wherein the docking station is substantially larger than the portable media player. 
     
     
       118. The docking station of  claim 116 , where a diagonal size of the projected image is greater than a distance from the projection module to the viewing surface. 
     
     
       119. The docking station of  claim 1 , further comprising: an adapter, wherein the adapter is one of a plurality of different adapters and each different adapter configured for different portable media player. 
     
     
       120. A docking station for a portable media player, the docking station comprising:
 an adapter including a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player and a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player, wherein the adapter is one of a plurality of different adapters, each different adapter configured to secure and communicatively couple a different portable media player: and 
 a projection module operably linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface, and to project a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface, 
 where the portable media player includes a front face having a display screen, and where the docking connector secures the portable media player with the display screen of the portable media player facing away from the projected video image, and 
 where the projection module includes short throw projection optics. 
 
     
     
       121. The docking station of  claim 120 , wherein the docking station is substantially larger than the portable media player. 
     
     
       122. The docking station of  claim 120 , where a diagonal size of the projected image is greater than a distance from the projection module to the viewing surface. 
     
     
       123. The docking station of  claim 120 , wherein the portable media player comprises a built-in display screen. 
     
     
       124. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the docking connector comprises a direct interface. 
     
     
       125. The docking station of claim 83, where the projection module has a gain ratio in the range of 0.5:1 to 2:1. 
     
     
       126. A projector for a portable media player, the projector comprising:
 a docking connector to connect the portable media player;   a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is connected to the portable media player;   a projection module linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface, and to project a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface.   
     
     
       127. A projection system for a projector and a portable media player, and projection system comprising:
 a docking connector to connect the portable media player;   a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is connected to the portable media player;   a projection module linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface, and to project a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface.   
     
     
       128. A docking station for a portable media player, the docking station comprising:
 a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player;   a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player; and   a projection module operably linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface, and to project a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface,   wherein the portable media player includes a display screen and a control portion, and where the docking connector secures the portable media player with the display screen and the control portion of the portable media player facing away from the projected video image.