MULTI-MODEL MODES OF ONE DEVICE

• US 20100008650A1
• Filed: 09/09/2008
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Bull, William, Rottler, Ben
• Application Number:
  US12/207,308
• Publication Number:
  US 20100008650A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4411 Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4858 for modifying screen layout parameters, e.g. fonts, size of the windows

Abstract

A portable media player may provide multi-modes for a user. Each mode may define different features and content that are customized for a particular mode. Based a selected mode, the media player may provide access to only content, features, hardware, user interface elements, and the like that the user wishes to have access to when the mode is enabled. The media player may provide the user different experiences, looks, and feels for each mode.

Claims

1. A method performed by a media player for providing multiple modes, the method comprising:

receiving information specifying a device mode in a plurality of device modes;

determining information for configuring functionality of the media player based on the device mode;

determining content based on the device mode to be presented by the media player when the device mode is enabled; and

enabling the device mode.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving information specifying the device mode comprises receiving a mode definition file.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein determining information for configuring functionality of the media player comprises:

determining a set of applications specific to the device mode;

determining one or more accessory devices for the device mode; and

determining a specification for a graphical user interface for the device mode.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the content comprises determining the content based on selection criteria defined by the device mode.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the selection criteria identifies a title, a lyric, an artist, an album, a concert, a writer, a producer, a studio, a theme, a genre, a category, a size, a beat, a time, or a date.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the content further comprises generating a playlist of the determined content.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein enabling the device mode comprises:

enabling access to the determined content; and

disabling access to other content.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein enabling the device mode comprises:

enabling access to a first set of applications of the media player; and

disabling access to a second set of applications of the media player.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein enabling the device mode comprises:

determining graphical user interface elements and an associated layout based on the device mode; and

displaying the graphical user interface elements according to the layout.

10. A portable media device comprising:

a display;

a storage device;

a media playback system; and

a processor configured to;

receive information specifying a device mode associated with a user activity;

determine from the storage device content based on the device mode to be presented by the media playback system when the device mode is enabled;

determine information for configuring the display and the media playback system based on the device mode; and

configure to display and the media playback system to present the determined content from the storage device.

11. The portable media device of claim 10 wherein the processor is configured to determine the content in response to selection criteria defined by the device mode.

12. The portable media device of claim 10 wherein the processor is further configured to generate a playlist of the determine content.

13. The portable media device of claim 10 further comprising:

a media library;

wherein the processor is further configured to enable access to the determine content and disable access to any remaining content in the media library.

14. The portable media device of claim 10 wherein the processor further is configured to configure the media playback system by enabling access to a first set of applications and disabling access to a second set of application.

15. The portable media device of claim 10 wherein the processor is further configured to configure the display by determining a layout of user interface elements and to generate a display of the user interface elements according to the layout.

16. A computer-readable storage medium configured to store program code for a media playback device, the computer-readable storage medium comprising:

code for receiving information specifying a device mode in a plurality of device modes;

code for determining information for configuring functionality of the media player based on the device mode;

code for determining content based on the device mode to be presented by the media player when the device mode is enabled; and

code for enabling the device mode.

17. A portable media playback device comprising:

a display configured to provide a graphical user interface allowing access to a media playback application;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory configured to store program instructions operational with the processor to;

receive location information;

determine a set of functionality associated with the media playback application based on a location identified by the location information;

modify presentation of the media playback application based on the location;

determine a subset of content from content local to the portable media device based on the location; and

enable access using the determined set of functionality to the subset of content using the modified presentation of the media playback application.

18. The portable media playback device of claim 17 wherein program instructions are operational with the processor to:

determine the location information based on an accessory device coupled to the media playback device.

19. The portable media playback device of claim 18 wherein the accessory device comprises a GPS device.

20. The portable media playback device of claim 18 wherein the accessory device comprises a car audio accessory device.

21. The portable media playback device of claim 17 wherein program instructions are operational with the processor to:

determine the location information based on usage of the content local to the portable media device.

22. The portable media playback device of claim 17 wherein program instructions are operational with the processor to:

determine audio playback functionality or video playback functionality as the determined set of functionality.

23. The portable media playback device of claim 17 wherein program instructions are operational with the processor to:

receive input indicating a switch to another set of functionality of the media playback application;

updating presentation of the media playback application based on the input;

determine a different subset of content from content local to the portable media device based on the input;

disable access to the subset of content; and

enable access using the another set of functionality to the different subset of content using the updated presentation of the media playback application.