System and method for mapping interface functionality to codec functionality in a portable audio device

• US 20020046315A1
• Filed: 10/10/2001
• Published: 04/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hunts Point Ventures Incorporated, Interactive Objects, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Interactive Objects, Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Edward Christopher, Phillpis, Mark Edward
• Application Number:
  US09/975,736
• Publication Number:
  US 20020046315A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

A portable digital audio device is capable of playing a number of different data file types, such as music data files, speech data files, video data files, and the like. Different CODECs are generally used for different data types. The system determines the data file type and selects the appropriate CODEC based on the reported data file type. In addition, the reported data file type is used to select the appropriate media interface manager and appropriate user interface. The user interface, or “skin” is selected for compatibility with the media interface manager and selected CODEC. The appropriate controls are enabled and displayed for user operation. As new CODECs are added to the system, appropriate media interface managers and skins are also added to provide the necessary user interface compatibility.

Claims

1. A system for the control of display data in a hand-held portable media device, the system comprising:

a housing sized to be held by a user;

a circuit board within the housing;

a battery power supply to provide electrical power to the circuitry;

a display electrically coupled to the circuit board;

a data structure to store digital data having a predetermined data format based on a data type of the digital data;

a processor to analyze the digital data and to determine the data type based on the digital data format;

a plurality of CODECs to process the digital data and to convert the digital data to audio data, the processor selecting one of the plurality of CODECs based on the data type; and

a plurality of display managers to control display of data, the processor selecting one of the display managers based on the data type wherein the selected CODEC and the selected display manager are both selected on the basis of data type.

2. A system for the control of display data in a portable media device, the system comprising:

a data structure to store digital data having a predetermined data format based on a data type of the digital data;

a first CODEC to receive digital data from the data structure and to convert the digital data to audio data for connection to an audio output device;

a display electrically coupled to the circuit board; and

a processor to analyze the digital data and to determine the data type, the processor communicating with the display and formatting display data to generate a display based on the data type wherein display information is varied based on data type of digital data being received by the CODEC.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising an input device operable by the user to enter instructions.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a touch-sensitive input device positioned proximate the display and operable in conjunction with the display, the touch-sensitive device being operable by the user to enter instructions.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the display and touch-sensitive input device are programmable, the processor configuring the display to have a first configuration based on a first data type and a second configuration based on a second data type.

6. The system of claim 2 wherein the first CODEC is optimized for conversion of digital data of a first data type, the system further comprising a second CODEC optimized for conversion of digital data of a second data type, the processor selecting the first or second CODEC to convert the digital data to audio data based on the data type.

7. A method of selecting a CODEC from a plurality of CODECs, the method comprising:

sensing user operation of an input device to select a data file;

determining a data type of the selected data file;

selecting a CODEC from a plurality of CODECs based upon the data type;

processing the digital data using the selected CODEC; and

displaying data in a predetermined format selected for proper operation of the selected CODEC.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the display provides a user with command controls and displaying data in a predetermined format comprises displaying command controls for operation with the selected CODEC.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein a first CODEC of the plurality of CODECs is optimized for processing digital data of a first data type and a second CODEC optimized for processing digital data of a second data type and selecting a CODEC comprises selecting the first or second CODEC to process the digital data based on the data type.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the display provides a user with command controls and displaying data comprises displaying data and command controls having a first predetermined format when the first CODEC of the plurality of CODECs is selected and displaying data and command controls having a second predetermined format when the second CODEC of the plurality of CODECs is selected.

13. The computer-readable media of claim 7 wherein a first CODEC of the plurality of CODECs is optimized for processing digital data of a first data type and a second CODEC optimized for processing digital data of a second data type and selecting a CODEC comprises selecting the first or second CODEC to process the digital data based on the data type.

11. A computer-readable media that causes a processor to select a CODEC from a plurality of CODECs by performing the steps of:

sensing user operation of an input device to select a data file;

determining a data type of the selected data file;

selecting a CODEC from a plurality of CODECs based upon the data type;

processing the digital data using the selected CODEC; and

displaying data in a predetermined format selected for proper operation of the selected CODEC.

12. The computer-readable media of claim 11 wherein the display provides a user with command controls and displaying data in a predetermined format comprises displaying command controls for operation with the selected CODEC.

14. The computer-readable media of claim 13 wherein the display provides a user with command controls and displaying data comprises displaying data and command controls having a first predetermined format when the first CODEC of the plurality of CODECs is selected and displaying data and command controls having a second predetermined format when the second CODEC of the plurality of CODECs is selected.