System and method for accessing a user interface via a secondary device

Abstract

An adapter provides a link between a digital media player having a memory on which is stored digital media files, a display device, and a remote control. The adapter receives from the digital media player data which is used to generate a representation of a user interface which is provided to the display device for display. The adapter also receives from the remote control data for use in generating commands for controlling operations of the digital media player whereby a change in state of the digital media player resulting from a performance of an operation caused by the remote control will be reflected in the user interface on the display device.

1 . An adapter for providing a link between a digital media player having a memory on which is stored digital media files, a display device, and a remote control, the adapter comprising: 
 a processor having associated programming for receiving from the digital media player data for use in generating a representation of a user interface for the digital media player which is provided to the display device for display and associated programming for receiving from the remote control data for use in generating commands for controlling operations of the digital media player wherein a change in state of the digital media player resulting from a performance of an operation caused by the remote control will be reflected in the user interface on the display device.    
   
   
       2 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the change in state results from the performance of an operation related to navigating the digital media files.  
   
   
       3 . The adapter as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the adapter comprises a memory having stored digital images that are associated with the digital media files wherein a select one or more of the stored digital images are presented on the display device during operation of the digital media player.  
   
   
       4 . The adapter as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the stored digital images are downloaded into the memory of the adapter from the digital media player.  
   
   
       5 . The adapter as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the stored digital images are downloaded into the memory of the adapter from a computer having Internet connectivity.  
   
   
       6 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the display device comprises a television.  
   
   
       7 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the digital media player comprises an iPod®.  
   
   
       8 . The adapter as recited in  claim 7 , wherein text serial interface data received from the iPod® is used to form the representation of the user interface.  
   
   
       9 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the adapter receives from the digital media player an audio representation of a digital media file being played on the digital media file and the processor has associated programming for routing the audio representation to an audio playback device.  
   
   
       10 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processor has associated programming for use in generating commands for controlling operations of the display device from data received from the remote control.  
   
   
       12 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processor has associated programming for use in configuring the remote control to communicate with the adapter.  
   
   
       13 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processor has associated programming for use in configuring the remote control to communicate with the display device.  
   
   
       14 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , comprising circuitry for recharging a battery of the digital media player when the digital media player is in communication with the adapter.  
   
   
       15 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the remote control comprises a button activatable to send a transmission to the adapter to cause the adapter to command the digital media player to navigate to a preset song.  
   
   
       16 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the remote control comprises a button activatable to send a transmission to the adapter to cause the adapter to command the digital media player to navigate to a preset playlist.  
   
   
       17 . The adapter as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the ability to command navigation to the preset song is programmed into the adapter by activating the button on the remote control for a predetermined length of time.  
   
   
       18 . The adapter as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the ability to command navigation to the present song is programmed into the adapter by activating a button on the adapter.  
   
   
       19 . The adapter as recited in  claim 18 , wherein activating the button on the adapter after the adapter has been programmed causes the adapter to cause the digital media player to navigate to the preset song.