Highly portable media device
First Claim
1. A handheld electronic device, comprising:
- a housing;
a center button including a first movable platform that moves relative to the housing in order to actuate a switch disposed between the first movable platform and the housing or structural component attached to the housing, moving the first movable platform compresses the switch thereby causing an input signal to be generated; and
an outer multifunctional button surrounding the center button and including a second movable platform that tilts relative to the housing in order to actuate one or more mechanical switches disposed between the second movable platform and the housing or structural component attached to the housing, tilting the second movable platform at button regions compresses one or more of the actuators, thereby causing various input signals to be generated, the second movable platform protruding though an opening in the housing, and providing a tactile surface for actuating the various button regions of the second movable platform, wherein the second movable platform includes a cosmetic layer that is attached to the top surface of a rigid plate, with the cosmetic layer protruding through the opening in the housing and providing the tactile surface wherein a button cap associated with the center button is disposed between the cosmetic layer and the top side of the rigid plate, a top portion of the button cap is configured to protrude through an opening in the cosmetic layer while a flange portion is retained in a space formed between the cosmetic layer and the top surface of the rigid plate, and the top portion of the button cap may be pushed to activate a switch located underneath the button cap.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved portable media device and methods for operating a media device are disclosed. According to one aspect, the portable media device can also function as a solid-state drive for data storage. The form factor of the portable media device can be hand-held or smaller, such that it is highly portable. The portable media device can use one or more status indicators. The portable media device can also include a peripheral bus connector, a rechargeable battery, and one or more input devices. According to another aspect, the portable media device has the capability to store media device status information in persistent memory before powering down. Thereafter, when the portable media device is again powered up, the stored media player status information can be retrieved and utilized. According to still another aspect, the portable media device can form and/or traverse a media asset playlist in an efficient manner.
270 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A handheld electronic device, comprising:
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a housing; a center button including a first movable platform that moves relative to the housing in order to actuate a switch disposed between the first movable platform and the housing or structural component attached to the housing, moving the first movable platform compresses the switch thereby causing an input signal to be generated; and an outer multifunctional button surrounding the center button and including a second movable platform that tilts relative to the housing in order to actuate one or more mechanical switches disposed between the second movable platform and the housing or structural component attached to the housing, tilting the second movable platform at button regions compresses one or more of the actuators, thereby causing various input signals to be generated, the second movable platform protruding though an opening in the housing, and providing a tactile surface for actuating the various button regions of the second movable platform, wherein the second movable platform includes a cosmetic layer that is attached to the top surface of a rigid plate, with the cosmetic layer protruding through the opening in the housing and providing the tactile surface wherein a button cap associated with the center button is disposed between the cosmetic layer and the top side of the rigid plate, a top portion of the button cap is configured to protrude through an opening in the cosmetic layer while a flange portion is retained in a space formed between the cosmetic layer and the top surface of the rigid plate, and the top portion of the button cap may be pushed to activate a switch located underneath the button cap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A handheld electronic device, comprising:
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a housing; a center button including a first movable platform that moves relative to the housing in order to actuate a switch disposed between the first movable platform and the housing or structural component attached to the housing, moving the first movable platform compresses the switch thereby causing an input signal to be generated; and an outer multifunctional button surrounding the center button and including a second movable platform that tilts relative to the housing in order to actuate one or more mechanical switches disposed between the second movable platform and the housing or structural component attached to the housing, tilting the second movable platform at button regions compresses one or more of the actuators, thereby causing various input signals to be generated, the second movable platform protruding though an opening in the housing, and providing a tactile surface for actuating the various button regions of the second movable platform, wherein the second movable platform includes a cosmetic layer that is attached to the top surface of a rigid plate, the cosmetic layer protruding through the opening in the housing, and providing a tactile surface for actuating the various button regions of the second movable platform, wherein a button cap associated with the center button is disposed between the cosmetic layer and the top side of the rigid plate, a top portion of the button cap is configured to protrude through an opening in the cosmetic layer while a flange portion is retained in a space formed between the cosmetic layer and the top surface of the rigid plate, and the top portion of the button cap may be pushed to activate a switch located underneath the button cap.
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17. A clickable button actuator for interacting with a handheld electronic device, comprising:
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a center button; and a plurality of protruding peripheral buttons immediately adjacent to and that surround the center button, the protruding peripheral buttons being integrated into a single movable member that is tilted or depressed in order to implement a distinct clicking action, wherein the single movable member includes a cosmetic layer that is attached to the top surface of a rigid plate, with the cosmetic layer being adapted to protrude through an opening in the handheld electronic device and provide a tactile surface for a user thereof wherein a button cap associated with the center button is disposed between the cosmetic layer and the top side of the rigid plate, a top portion of the button cap is configured to protrude through an opening in the cosmetic layer while a flange portion is retained in a space formed between the cosmetic layer and the top surface of the rigid plate, and the top portion of the button cap may be pushed to activate a switch located underneath the button cap. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification