Method and apparatus for use of rotational user inputs
First Claim
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1. A handheld media device comprising:
- a storage device configured to store a plurality of media items;
a display screen that displays a portion of the media items at a time;
a rotational input device configured to receive input via a surface perpendicular to a rotational axis of the rotational input device and configured to enable a user to scroll via a continuous rotational action through a list of media items stored on the device and identify a particular media item from the list, wherein the display screen is configured to provide visual feedback of what media item has been identified, the input represents a distance to be traversed in the list, and the portion of media items displayed on the display screen changes as the user scrolls through the list;
a button disposed inside the perimeter of the rotational input device configured to select a media item to play;
a processor configured to play the selected media item; and
an audio delivery device configured to output audio signals.
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Abstract
Improved approaches for users of computing devices to interact with graphical user interfaces are described. According to one aspect, a rotational user action supplied by a user at a user input device is transformed into linear action with respect to a graphical user interface. According to another aspect, a portion of an extended list of items is displayed by a graphical user interface and, through rotational user actions at a user input device, the portion of the list being displayed can be varied with welcomed ease of use. Although the type of computing device can vary, the improved approaches are particularly well-suited for use with a portable media player.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A handheld media device comprising:
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a storage device configured to store a plurality of media items; a display screen that displays a portion of the media items at a time; a rotational input device configured to receive input via a surface perpendicular to a rotational axis of the rotational input device and configured to enable a user to scroll via a continuous rotational action through a list of media items stored on the device and identify a particular media item from the list, wherein the display screen is configured to provide visual feedback of what media item has been identified, the input represents a distance to be traversed in the list, and the portion of media items displayed on the display screen changes as the user scrolls through the list; a button disposed inside the perimeter of the rotational input device configured to select a media item to play; a processor configured to play the selected media item; and an audio delivery device configured to output audio signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for selecting and playing a media item on a handheld device comprising:
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displaying a portion of a list of media items; detecting a continuous rotational action of a rotational input device configured to receive input via a surface perpendicular to a rotational axis of the rotational input device; scrolling through the portion of the list of displayed media items in a linear format and identifying a particular media item from the portion of the list of displayed media items in response to the rotation of the rotational input device, wherein the input represents a distance to be traversed in the list, and the portion of media items displayed on the display screen changes as a user scrolls through the list; detecting the activation of a button disposed inside the perimeter of the rotational input device to select the identified media item; and playing the selected media item on the handheld device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification