For all of those MP3 music owners, the future of car audio is finally here for you. Gone are the days where you had to burn your MP3s onto a CD for playback in your car audio system. Sony recently released the MEX-1GP CD receiver, a CD receiver that also features a built-in 1 GB flash memory unit. So now your car audio CD receiver behaves in the same manner as your iPod or other type of MP3 player. The 1 GB flash memory unit can store up to 500 of your favorite songs, giving you plenty of playback time for your music. This little device will make even the longest of trips in your car smoother and more enjoyable, since you will not have to worry about changing CDs any longer.
Aside from playing MP3s, this CD receiver also plays CDs (as the name implies) along with burned CD-Rs and CD-RWs so that those who wish to play their old CDs can still take advantage of this nifty product. However, the real attraction to this new car audio head unit is the MP3 playability. The flash memory unit is located in the detachable faceplate. Here resides the USB port which allows you to connect the faceplate to your PC (similar to your iPod or other MP3 player). Once your faceplate is connected to your CD, you simply drag and drop the MP3 files onto the flash memory unit of the faceplate. Unfortunately the faceplate is only compatible with Windows operating systems, so all of you Mac owners will have to go to your buddy’s house to copy the MP3s to and from the Sony MEX-1GP.
The new receiver is also aesthetically pleasing to the eye as well. It is finished in a high-gloss black color and features a 13-segment LCD display for simple navigation of track and title information. The screen displays album, artist and track name when playing your MP3 music files. Users can shuffle or repeat tracks, albums or personalized groups through controls on the faceplate or with the supplied remote control. The MEX-1GP unit has a built-in 208-watt power amplifier and a three-band equalizer enabling clear, rich sound. The selectable rear/subwoofer preamp outputs, controls the frequency and output level of an external amplifier.
After installing this receiver and experiencing it for a little over a week, I must say that I am quite impressed with this product. For one, the sound quality when playing MP3s through this unit is nothing less than phenomenal. If you didn’t know any better, you would think that you were playing a CD with the crisp and clear playback quality of this head unit. While traveling on a three hour road trip (three hours each way, six hours total) I was able to listen to one selection of songs on the way up and an entirely different selection of songs on the way back, all without the hassle of changing CDs and enduring a pause in play. I’m just a little surprised it took so long for a product like this to hit the market, especially with the increasing popularity of portable MP3 devices such as the iPod over the last several years. While it may have taken awhile for a product like this to hit the market, I’m sure Sony will have plenty of competitors very soon, which will benefit car audio enthusiasts like myself.
http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Sony-MEX-1GP--The-Next-Generation-of-Car-MP3-Players/21675
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
How Does a CD Player Work?
Today there is a wide range of CD players available for the consumer and choosing the right CD player can feel like an arduous task. Style, quality, design och technical solutions vary greatly between the different players. Some players are portable; others are included in larger sound systems. Some players can only handle one disc at the time; others can easily skip between 50 discs or more. Some CD players are very cheap, others are highly expensive. The list goes on and on. Regardless of which CD player you choose it will however consist of three basic parts that are found in all moderns CD players: a drive motor, a tracking device and a laser and lens system. Another thing that all CD players have in common is that they interpret data that has been stored in the form of elongated bumps on a CD (compact disc).
The drive motor in your CD player is the part that makes the disc spin round and round at a correct pace. The drive motor will gradually adjust the speed, since the correct pace depends on which part of the disc that is currently being interpreted. At some spots, the pace will be no higher than 200 rpm, while at other spots the pace needs to be increased up to 500 rpm. As the disc is rotated round and round by the drive motor, the tracking mechanism will adjust the laser assembly and make it possible for the laser and lens system to focus on the miniscule bumps where data has been stored. The laser is constantly being pushed from the centre and outward over the disc by the tracking mechanism.
The data interpreted by the laser and lens system has been stored in the form of elongated bumps on the surface of the CD. One single bump is very small and no wider than 0.5 microns. The height is greater than 125 nanometres and the length is 0.83 microns or slightly more. All these bumps are very neatly organised at the surface of the CD in the form of a 5 kilometre (3.5 miles) long spiral.
The CD itself is made up by several different layers, including a polycarbonate layer and an aluminium layer. When the laser tries to interpret data that has been stored on the CD, it will first penetrate the polycarbonate layer. The aluminium layer will then reflect the laser beam, and the light alterations will be detected by a special optoelectronic mechanism in the CD player. Since the bumps in which data has been stored reflects light in a different way compared to the areas between the bumps (commonly referred to as “lands”), the CD player can determine exactly which parts of the disc that is made up by bumps and which parts that are not.
If a CD is scratched or injured in any other way, it can be impossible for the CD player to interpret it. Sometimes only a minor part of the data will be skipped, but larger damages can render the entire CD useless. Always store your CD’s in a protective casing to decrease the risk of scratches. When you clean your CD’s, carefully move your hand from the centre and outwards to the edge rather than just swabbing around. Scratches that occur from a radial movement tend to be less damaging than other scratches.
The information you just read about CD players can be applied to most types of optic drives and can not only help you pick out a CD player for you home but also other types of optic drives such as car CD players and car DVD players.
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Does-a-CD-Player-Work?&id=293429
Why Do My Burned CDs Not Play In My CD Player?
So you just burned a mix CD of your favorite tunes for a road trip you and your friends are going on. You play the disc back on your computer, everything works like a charm. You might have even tried playing it back on your new home stereo, and just like on your computer, it plays fine. You head out, pop the CD into your car stereo you bought in 1998, and………nothing. The disc just spins and you get no playback. I’ve had this happen to me on numerous occasions. And have always wondered, why does my CD play on some players yet not on others? There are a few different things that factor into this.
1. CD-R vs. CD-RW.
You should be burning your audio CDs to CD-R media, not CD-RW media (CD re-writable). Some newer players will play CD-RW discs. But for the most part, the majority of audio CD players will only play CD-R discs.
2. Burn speed.
Each brand of CD-R has a certified maximum burn speed, which is expressed as a multiple of the audio playback speed. So, a disc certified at 24x can be burnt at 24 times faster than the audio CD will be spinning when it is played. You must set the burn rate in your CD duplication software according to the disc’s specification, or the data will not be written reliably. This can result in skips, or CD-Rs that will play to a certain point and then just stop. Ideally you want to burn your CD lower than the certified speed, to take into account manufacturing defects in your burner or the disc.
3. Brand of CD-R
If you have been burning CDs for a while, you probably have noticed that some brands of CD-Rs work well in some players, and some do not. CD-R discs are said to be “burned”. When you burn a CD-R disc, a focused laser beam darkens the chemical dye on your disc to mimic the bumps and flat spots that are generated on a replicated disc. (For more info on the differences between burning (CD duplication) and pressing (CD replication), please read my last article.
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Differences-Between-Short-Run-And-Long-Run-Cd-And-Dvd-Duplication-And-Replication&id=158412
Unfortunately, sometimes the mimicry is not perfect. And if you have an older CD player that was not designed to play CD-Rs, it will not always play them reliably.
By all means this is not a complete guide for troubleshooting your CD burning problems. But it should at least give you a little more insight into why those darn mix CDs you burned will not play in your home or car stereo! My best advice is that you burn your CDs according to the certified maximum burn speed (lower if possible), and try out different brands of CD media until you find one that works best in your player.
About The Author
Jason Cole and http://www.DiskFaktory.com offer great tips and information regarding CD DVD Duplication Get the information you are seeking now by visiting http://www.diskfaktory.com/tips/CD-duplication-tutorials.asp.
1. CD-R vs. CD-RW.
You should be burning your audio CDs to CD-R media, not CD-RW media (CD re-writable). Some newer players will play CD-RW discs. But for the most part, the majority of audio CD players will only play CD-R discs.
2. Burn speed.
Each brand of CD-R has a certified maximum burn speed, which is expressed as a multiple of the audio playback speed. So, a disc certified at 24x can be burnt at 24 times faster than the audio CD will be spinning when it is played. You must set the burn rate in your CD duplication software according to the disc’s specification, or the data will not be written reliably. This can result in skips, or CD-Rs that will play to a certain point and then just stop. Ideally you want to burn your CD lower than the certified speed, to take into account manufacturing defects in your burner or the disc.
3. Brand of CD-R
If you have been burning CDs for a while, you probably have noticed that some brands of CD-Rs work well in some players, and some do not. CD-R discs are said to be “burned”. When you burn a CD-R disc, a focused laser beam darkens the chemical dye on your disc to mimic the bumps and flat spots that are generated on a replicated disc. (For more info on the differences between burning (CD duplication) and pressing (CD replication), please read my last article.
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Differences-Between-Short-Run-And-Long-Run-Cd-And-Dvd-Duplication-And-Replication&id=158412
Unfortunately, sometimes the mimicry is not perfect. And if you have an older CD player that was not designed to play CD-Rs, it will not always play them reliably.
By all means this is not a complete guide for troubleshooting your CD burning problems. But it should at least give you a little more insight into why those darn mix CDs you burned will not play in your home or car stereo! My best advice is that you burn your CDs according to the certified maximum burn speed (lower if possible), and try out different brands of CD media until you find one that works best in your player.
About The Author
Jason Cole and http://www.DiskFaktory.com offer great tips and information regarding CD DVD Duplication Get the information you are seeking now by visiting http://www.diskfaktory.com/tips/CD-duplication-tutorials.asp.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Automobile CD player holder
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to devices for securing portable articles such as compact disc (CD) players, cellular telephones, small televisions and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many modern consumer electronic devices, such as CD players, can be utilized in motor vehicles. Frequently, the motor vehicle is equipped with a cigarette lighter, and power is supplied to the electronic device by a special adapter which plugs into the cigarette lighter. Audio devices such as CD players often are also provided with adapters to facilitate playing of CD's through a tape deck that is part of the vehicle's audio system. However, motor vehicles, in particular automobiles, frequently are not equipped with receptacles or mounting surfaces which can accommodate the electronic devices. As a result, the electronic devices cannot be secured within the motor vehicles, resulting in inconvenience for the vehicle operator as well as a potential safety hazard.
A need exists for a device that secures a portable electronic device, such as a CD player, within a motor vehicle but within easy reach of the vehicle operator.
SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holder for releasably securing an article within a motor vehicle equipped with a center console. The holder includes a base, means for securing the base to the center console, and means for securing the article to the base. According to another aspect, methods for releasably securing an article within a motor vehicle are provided.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which
FIG. 1 is a left perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the inventive holder for use with center consoles having cup holders, shown releasably securing a personal CD player.
FIGS. 2a-c are top plan, front elevation and bottom plan views of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment having an enclosed receptacle for the article to be secured.
FIGS. 4a-b are exploded side and front end views of an alternative embodiment of the inventive holder which includes additional mechanical element for securing an article (as shown, a personal CD player) to the holder.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing the position of the holder of FIGS. 1 and 2a-c with respect to a center console of a vehicle that includes a cup holder.
FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive holder which includes additional elements for securing the base thereof to the center console.
FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of the inventive holder and its position relative to an inclined center console.
FIGS. 8a-c are bottom plan (with respect to the center projecting element), side and top plan views of the holder shown in FIG. 7, showing the angled projecting element.
FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternative holder which is secured to a center console by suction means.
FIGS. 10a-c are top plan, side elevational and front elevational views of another embodiment of the inventive holder that includes prongs for securing any excessive length of a power cord used to supply power to the article secured by the holder.
FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive holder that includes a resilient layer for dampening vibrations transmitted from the center console to the article secured by the holder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As used herein, a "center console" denotes any element that extends between the driver and front passenger seats in a vehicle such as an automobile, truck, van, etc. Center consoles typically include one or more of the following: storage compartments, cup holders, stick shifts and instrument clusters. Center consoles can be affixed to, or project from, a vehicle dashboard, or can project from and/or rotate away from a point between the driver and front passenger seats.
Turning now to the drawings, in FIGS. 1 and 2a-c a first embodiment of a holder 10 according to the invention which is adapted for use with a center console having a cup holder includes a base 12, a projection 14 and a receptacle 16 defined in the upper surface 18 of base 12. Projection 14 is adapted to register within the cup holder of the center console, thereby releasably securing the base 12 to the center console. Receptacle 16 is adapted to receive an article, in particular a personal CD player, thereby securing the article to the base. Once secured, a CD player can then be played through the vehicle's audio system via a tape deck adapter (not shown) or other known means.
Receptacle 16 in FIGS. 1 and 2a-c has an open side along top edge 20 of base 12. In an alternative receptacle configuration shown in FIG. 3, receptacle 16 is completely enclosed.
In FIGS. 4a-b, receptacle 16 is provided with a slotted member 22, within which a grooved member 24 slidingly engages. Grooved member 24 in turn is affixed, for example using an adhesive, to personal CD player 26. By slidingly engaging grooved member 24 within slotted member 22, personal CD player 26 is retained more securely within receptacle 16.
If desired, the base of the inventive holder can be formed without a receptacle defined in its upper surface. The article to be retained, such as a personal CD player, is secured to the upper surface by any desired means, such as the grooved and slotted members shown in FIGS. 4a-b, by flexible fasteners such as one or more straps, by releasable adhesives applied to the upper surface of the holder and/or the bottom surface of the article to be secured, or by any other means.
The relationship of the holder 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2a-c to the center console of the vehicle to which it is secured is illustrated in FIG. 5. Projection 14 of holder 10 registers within cup holder 30 of console 32 and extends toward shift 33. Personal CD player 26 is secured within receptacle 16 of holder 10, and is readily accessible to the driver of the vehicle.
As illustrated, the open side of receptacle 16 faces rearward with respect to the interior of the vehicle. The open side can also be oriented to face forward.
For additional stability, an alternative embodiment of holder 10 illustrated in FIG. 6 is provided with a securing flange 36 which extends between and partially under cover 34 of compartment 40 defined within console 30. When cover 34 is closed, the cover holds securing flange 36 in place, thus further securing holder 10 to console 30. Additional stability is also provided by support 38 which extends downward from base 12 to contact console 32.
An alternative embodiment of a holder 50 is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8a-c. Some vehicles include center consoles 60 which rotate upward to form an inclined structure. Holder 50 includes base 52 and angled projection 54 adapted to register within cup holder 62 defined in the inclined console 60. A personal CD player 26 or other article is secured within receptacle 56 defined in upper surface 58 of base 52 in a manner similar to those described previously.
Other configurations of the inventive holder are that are suitable for use with center consoles having orientations and/or elements (such as covers) other than those illustrated herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. All such configurations are considered to be encompassed by the present invention.
In the foregoing embodiments, the holder is releasably secured to the center console by means of a projection which registers within a cup holder defined in the center console. Other means for securing the holder (releasably or non-releasably) to a center console are also considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, holder 70 includes a base 72 from which arms 74 downwardly project. Suction cups 76 affixed to arms 74, when pressed against console 80, secure holder 70 to the center console. Personal CD player 26 is then secured to base 72 by any desired means, such as strap 78 as shown in FIG. 9, by means of a receptacle defined in base 72 in the manner described above, or by any other means. Other means for securing the inventive holder to a center console, such as clamps, straps, adhesives, mechanical fasteners such as screws or bolts, etc. can also be used.
In FIGS. 10a-c, an alternative embodiment of the inventive holder 90 includes a ledge 92 and prongs 94. When an article such as a personal CD player is secured to holder 90 (in the illustration by disposing the article within receptacle 96), and a power cord (not shown) which supplies power to the article is plugged into a cigarette lighter located in the center console, any excess length of the power cord is wrapped around prongs 94 to retain the cord in place. Alternatively, excess lengths of power cord are secured by wrapping around posts or other elements, by grasping elements such as clips, by elastic devices, straps, etc. In a like manner, excess lengths of tape deck adapter cord (also not shown) can be secured.
FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment which is particularly in situations in which excessive vibration may cause a personal CD player to skip. Holder 100 includes base 112 and projection 114, and has defined therein receptacle 116 for receiving the article to be secured, such as a personal CD player. On the lower surface 118 of receptacle 116 is disposed a resilient element 120 which dampens vibrations transmitted from the center console to the article secured to holder 100. Resilient element 120 is comprised, for example, of a layer of a resilient material such as a foamed polymer. Other resilient elements useful in accordance with the invention include packaged liquids, gels or granulated materials, air cushions, small springs, and the like.
Although the inventive holders have been illustrated primarily in relation to vehicle center consoles, they can also be adapted to be secured to other elements within a vehicle, such as the front dashboard, a ceiling projection or compartment, etc. Holders so adapted are considered to constitute part of the invention.
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6253982-description.html
The present invention relates to devices for securing portable articles such as compact disc (CD) players, cellular telephones, small televisions and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many modern consumer electronic devices, such as CD players, can be utilized in motor vehicles. Frequently, the motor vehicle is equipped with a cigarette lighter, and power is supplied to the electronic device by a special adapter which plugs into the cigarette lighter. Audio devices such as CD players often are also provided with adapters to facilitate playing of CD's through a tape deck that is part of the vehicle's audio system. However, motor vehicles, in particular automobiles, frequently are not equipped with receptacles or mounting surfaces which can accommodate the electronic devices. As a result, the electronic devices cannot be secured within the motor vehicles, resulting in inconvenience for the vehicle operator as well as a potential safety hazard.
A need exists for a device that secures a portable electronic device, such as a CD player, within a motor vehicle but within easy reach of the vehicle operator.
SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a holder for releasably securing an article within a motor vehicle equipped with a center console. The holder includes a base, means for securing the base to the center console, and means for securing the article to the base. According to another aspect, methods for releasably securing an article within a motor vehicle are provided.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which
FIG. 1 is a left perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the inventive holder for use with center consoles having cup holders, shown releasably securing a personal CD player.
FIGS. 2a-c are top plan, front elevation and bottom plan views of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment having an enclosed receptacle for the article to be secured.
FIGS. 4a-b are exploded side and front end views of an alternative embodiment of the inventive holder which includes additional mechanical element for securing an article (as shown, a personal CD player) to the holder.
FIG. 5 is a side view showing the position of the holder of FIGS. 1 and 2a-c with respect to a center console of a vehicle that includes a cup holder.
FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive holder which includes additional elements for securing the base thereof to the center console.
FIG. 7 is a side view of another embodiment of the inventive holder and its position relative to an inclined center console.
FIGS. 8a-c are bottom plan (with respect to the center projecting element), side and top plan views of the holder shown in FIG. 7, showing the angled projecting element.
FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternative holder which is secured to a center console by suction means.
FIGS. 10a-c are top plan, side elevational and front elevational views of another embodiment of the inventive holder that includes prongs for securing any excessive length of a power cord used to supply power to the article secured by the holder.
FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive holder that includes a resilient layer for dampening vibrations transmitted from the center console to the article secured by the holder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As used herein, a "center console" denotes any element that extends between the driver and front passenger seats in a vehicle such as an automobile, truck, van, etc. Center consoles typically include one or more of the following: storage compartments, cup holders, stick shifts and instrument clusters. Center consoles can be affixed to, or project from, a vehicle dashboard, or can project from and/or rotate away from a point between the driver and front passenger seats.
Turning now to the drawings, in FIGS. 1 and 2a-c a first embodiment of a holder 10 according to the invention which is adapted for use with a center console having a cup holder includes a base 12, a projection 14 and a receptacle 16 defined in the upper surface 18 of base 12. Projection 14 is adapted to register within the cup holder of the center console, thereby releasably securing the base 12 to the center console. Receptacle 16 is adapted to receive an article, in particular a personal CD player, thereby securing the article to the base. Once secured, a CD player can then be played through the vehicle's audio system via a tape deck adapter (not shown) or other known means.
Receptacle 16 in FIGS. 1 and 2a-c has an open side along top edge 20 of base 12. In an alternative receptacle configuration shown in FIG. 3, receptacle 16 is completely enclosed.
In FIGS. 4a-b, receptacle 16 is provided with a slotted member 22, within which a grooved member 24 slidingly engages. Grooved member 24 in turn is affixed, for example using an adhesive, to personal CD player 26. By slidingly engaging grooved member 24 within slotted member 22, personal CD player 26 is retained more securely within receptacle 16.
If desired, the base of the inventive holder can be formed without a receptacle defined in its upper surface. The article to be retained, such as a personal CD player, is secured to the upper surface by any desired means, such as the grooved and slotted members shown in FIGS. 4a-b, by flexible fasteners such as one or more straps, by releasable adhesives applied to the upper surface of the holder and/or the bottom surface of the article to be secured, or by any other means.
The relationship of the holder 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2a-c to the center console of the vehicle to which it is secured is illustrated in FIG. 5. Projection 14 of holder 10 registers within cup holder 30 of console 32 and extends toward shift 33. Personal CD player 26 is secured within receptacle 16 of holder 10, and is readily accessible to the driver of the vehicle.
As illustrated, the open side of receptacle 16 faces rearward with respect to the interior of the vehicle. The open side can also be oriented to face forward.
For additional stability, an alternative embodiment of holder 10 illustrated in FIG. 6 is provided with a securing flange 36 which extends between and partially under cover 34 of compartment 40 defined within console 30. When cover 34 is closed, the cover holds securing flange 36 in place, thus further securing holder 10 to console 30. Additional stability is also provided by support 38 which extends downward from base 12 to contact console 32.
An alternative embodiment of a holder 50 is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8a-c. Some vehicles include center consoles 60 which rotate upward to form an inclined structure. Holder 50 includes base 52 and angled projection 54 adapted to register within cup holder 62 defined in the inclined console 60. A personal CD player 26 or other article is secured within receptacle 56 defined in upper surface 58 of base 52 in a manner similar to those described previously.
Other configurations of the inventive holder are that are suitable for use with center consoles having orientations and/or elements (such as covers) other than those illustrated herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. All such configurations are considered to be encompassed by the present invention.
In the foregoing embodiments, the holder is releasably secured to the center console by means of a projection which registers within a cup holder defined in the center console. Other means for securing the holder (releasably or non-releasably) to a center console are also considered to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, holder 70 includes a base 72 from which arms 74 downwardly project. Suction cups 76 affixed to arms 74, when pressed against console 80, secure holder 70 to the center console. Personal CD player 26 is then secured to base 72 by any desired means, such as strap 78 as shown in FIG. 9, by means of a receptacle defined in base 72 in the manner described above, or by any other means. Other means for securing the inventive holder to a center console, such as clamps, straps, adhesives, mechanical fasteners such as screws or bolts, etc. can also be used.
In FIGS. 10a-c, an alternative embodiment of the inventive holder 90 includes a ledge 92 and prongs 94. When an article such as a personal CD player is secured to holder 90 (in the illustration by disposing the article within receptacle 96), and a power cord (not shown) which supplies power to the article is plugged into a cigarette lighter located in the center console, any excess length of the power cord is wrapped around prongs 94 to retain the cord in place. Alternatively, excess lengths of power cord are secured by wrapping around posts or other elements, by grasping elements such as clips, by elastic devices, straps, etc. In a like manner, excess lengths of tape deck adapter cord (also not shown) can be secured.
FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment which is particularly in situations in which excessive vibration may cause a personal CD player to skip. Holder 100 includes base 112 and projection 114, and has defined therein receptacle 116 for receiving the article to be secured, such as a personal CD player. On the lower surface 118 of receptacle 116 is disposed a resilient element 120 which dampens vibrations transmitted from the center console to the article secured to holder 100. Resilient element 120 is comprised, for example, of a layer of a resilient material such as a foamed polymer. Other resilient elements useful in accordance with the invention include packaged liquids, gels or granulated materials, air cushions, small springs, and the like.
Although the inventive holders have been illustrated primarily in relation to vehicle center consoles, they can also be adapted to be secured to other elements within a vehicle, such as the front dashboard, a ceiling projection or compartment, etc. Holders so adapted are considered to constitute part of the invention.
http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/6253982-description.html
Using a PC as a CD Player
If your PC is less than ten years old, it no doubt has a CD-ROM drive.
To use your PC to play CDs, all you have to do is insert a music CD into your CD-ROM drive. This should automatically launch a music player program, such as Windows Media Player.
From there you can listen to the CD straight through, select specific tracks for playback, or even choose to listen to the tracks of a CD in random order.
If your PC is connected to the Internet, your music player software should display the album art and selected track and artist information for the CD you're playing.
http://digital-lifestyle.aol.com/music/faqs/faqarticle/_a/using-a-pc-as-a-cd-player/20070612124409990001
To use your PC to play CDs, all you have to do is insert a music CD into your CD-ROM drive. This should automatically launch a music player program, such as Windows Media Player.
From there you can listen to the CD straight through, select specific tracks for playback, or even choose to listen to the tracks of a CD in random order.
If your PC is connected to the Internet, your music player software should display the album art and selected track and artist information for the CD you're playing.
http://digital-lifestyle.aol.com/music/faqs/faqarticle/_a/using-a-pc-as-a-cd-player/20070612124409990001
‘Free’ Costello CD seeds DRM, MS Media Player 9
Hardware supporting Microsoft's Secure Audio Path DRM technology seems to have arrived, albeit somewhat bashfully, and as if that wasn't enough, today the UK Sunday Times newspaper unleashed a neat little trojan that'll upgrade you to Windows Media Player 9, complete with all those lovely facilities to protect 'your' music. If you're not careful, that is.
To remind you, Secure Audio Path is a Digital Rights Management technology designed to interpose its body between encrypted digital music and the output device, thus stopping DMCA-breaching criminals diverting the stream to an unauthorised application. In order to work it needs compliant, authenticated output devices, and by a miraculous coincidence we've just been tipped off about one of the first cuckoos to go public - Creative Labs.
Microsoft itself publishes a helpful list of players, marking those including Windows Media DRM, but bear in mind the list is dated May, so there should be quite a few more around by now. In addition, it's not particularly easy to track which PC sound cards and audio systems are compliant, so let's hear it for Creative, which has quietly announced a couple of them in the readme files of its Soundblaster Live update software.
These state:
"Microsoft's Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a technology which enables the copyright owner of an intellectual property (for example, a digital audio file), to control how the listener uses the file.
"To protect against unauthorised duplication, Sound Blaster Audigy [or Sound Blaster Live!, in the other readme] shuts down its digital output when encrypted files are played back through a Microsoft DRM supported audio player (for example, Creative PlayCenter)."
Creative will of course by no means be the only company whose products do this, and we wouldn't be at all surprised if many of them didn't feel the need to inform you of the feature on the packaging, in the manual, in the licensing agreement or even in a readme several folders deep in the software. But one can pick up the odd clue. Here, for example, is one of Microsoft's lists of audio chip manufacturers supporting WMA format. Note the reference to Corona (WMP 9) and, way down at the bottom: "Windows Media offers the industry's only integrated digital rights management solution."
The hardware could get kind of tricky to avoid, but the file format itself is currently less so. Which makes today's Sunday Times exercise rather interesting. As far as we know this is the second such exercise performed via a ST freebie. We didn't pick up on the first (Oasis, sorry people), but we've had a good look at this one.
It consists of preview tracks from Elvis Costello's When I was Cruel - Collector's Edition, due out on Monday. There are some audio tracks, which are unprotected, a couple of unprotected WMAs and a couple of protected ones, which you're only supposed to be allowed to play four times. Wearing our best face-mask and lab coat, we investigated.
Linux finds the file system on the CD alien, and declines to mount it. You can cancel the autoplay and browse the CD under XP, then copy a protected track to the hard disk and try to open it with Ashampoo, which is a nice little player which also supports .ogg files, and which we just recently discovered. It starts out thinking it's a WMA file, but then reports an unsupported file format.
OK, so what happens if you let the CD autoplay? You get the Sunday Times opening screen, then clicking continue takes you to a screen listing the tracks, what you can do with them, together with entries for "how it works" and "test your PC." The salient points of the first are that you need:
"-Windows Media Player 7.1 or later, configured to automatically acquire licenses.
-A internet connection is necessary to acquire a license for the protected tracks."
The test routine merely checks if you qualify and points you in the right direction if you don't. Opening the files with WMP, by the way, takes you in pretty much the same direction. You get the following message:
"The content you are accessing requires an additional level of security. In order to play it, you will need to update your Digital Rights Management Installation.
"When you click OK, Windows Media Player sends a unique identifier for your computer to a Microsoft service on the Internet. Click learn more to find out how the Microsoft service protects your licenses, files, and your privacy."
Unhappily, as Agnitum firewall was in the way we never did learn how Microsoft was protecting us. The page of recommended media players is however here. Note that the XP installation is running WMP 8, but that it still needs to have its DRM switched back on (which we presume would happen if we persisted) and to have the unique identifier issued. OK, try Windows 2000 with WMP 6 on it. On trying to play a file with this, you're advised that Media Player 7.1 or above is needed, and if you go ahead and click on upgrade, it takes you through to the Media Player 9 beta. At the bottom there's a link for all available versions, but even there you've got the beta listed first.
So, you've got a free preview of a couple of tracks, and you can listen to them each four times so long as you just follow the instructions. If you do, then you'll (most likely) end up with the beta of Microsoft's latest DRM player, and you'll also have your settings changed so that your installation facilitates DRM, WMA format and pay per play. But don't worry, it didn't cost you anything.* ®
* We were contacted by a reader a couple of weeks ago with a cautionary tale about players that protect your music. The reader was maybe a little careless, true, but it's easily done for people who never look in their settings, and who might not notice things getting switched on. Say you've recorded bought CDs using WMP, and you decide before upgrading to XP you'll do a clean install, so you back up your music files, vape the disk and then do the install. You did back up your licences as well, didn't you? Oh dear...
The old school CD player
Made by Yong Jieyu & Ama Xue Hong Bin this CD player will probably remind the most wise of us the good old gramophone that grand'ma had back in the days !
If you were looking for a new CD player and couldn't decide between the "square" and the rectangle" versions, this might be the puff of fresh air that you need.
http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-13985-The+old+school+CD+player.html
If you were looking for a new CD player and couldn't decide between the "square" and the rectangle" versions, this might be the puff of fresh air that you need.
http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-13985-The+old+school+CD+player.html
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