Radio accessory having pass through connector
View Patent ↗A radio accessory for a portable electronic device, such as a digital music player, includes a connector that allows the radio to use accessories designed to couple with the portable electronic device. In addition, the radio includes a pass through connector that allows the radio to couple to the portable electronic device and accessory at the same time such that signals are transferred from the accessory to the portable electronic device through the radio. The radio preferably has a power supply and audio output such that it can function as a stand alone device. The radio can be configured to receive AM, FM or satellite broadcasts. The accessory is preferably a speaker dock designed to receive the portable electronic device.
1. An FM radio receiving accessory for use with a portable electronic device having a device input/output connector and a speaker system having a speaker input/output connector in a device dock that is configured to receive said portable electronic device, said FM radio receiving accessory comprising:
an FM receiver for receiving and demodulating an FM radio signal and producing a radio audio output;
an upper housing shaped to receive and support said portable electronic device in an upright manner when said portable electronic device is mounted on said upper housing;
a first connector positioned on said upper housing, that is adapted to couple said FM radio receiving accessory to said device input/output connector;
a lower housing shaped to fit in said device dock on said speaker system; and
a second connector positioned on said lower housing that couples said FM radio receiving accessory to said speaker input/output connector such that said radio audio output is coupled to said speaker input/output connector;
wherein said FM radio receiving accessory can selectively transfer said radio audio output or a device audio output to said speaker system; and
wherein said speaker system further comprises a charger for recharging a power supply of said portable electronic device and said FM radio receiving accessory couples a power supply of said speaker system to said power supply of said portable electronic device.
2. The FM radio receiving accessory of claim 1 further comprising a satellite radio receiver.
3. The FM radio receiving accessory of claim 1 wherein one of said first and second connectors is a male 30-pin docking connector and the other is a female 30-pin docking connector.
4. The FM radio receiving accessory of claim 1 further comprising an internal power supply and an audio output such that said FM radio receiving accessory can be used as a radio receiver without being coupled to said portable electronic device or said device dock.
5. The radio accessory of claim 1 wherein said FM receiving accessory further operates in an AM broadcast format.