Media device with intelligent cache utilization
First Claim
1. In a media device that includes a cache memory and a storage device for storage of at least a media data file corresponding to a media item, a method comprising:
- receiving an indication of a degree of skip support;
reserving a portion of the cache memory for storage of a number of media item snippets, wherein the number of media item snippets is directly related to the degree of skip support, and wherein each media item snippet includes only a portion of the actual media data itself for a respective media item;
receiving the number of media item snippets directly from the storage device;
storing the number of media item snippets only in the reserved portion of the cache memory;
in accordance with a media item selection by an end-user, playing the selected media item snippet directly from the cache memory;
skipping to another media item snippet when a skip request is received;
when the skip request is not received,downloading a remaining portion of the media data file corresponding to the played snippet directly from the storage device; and
playing the remaining portion of the media data file.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable media device and a method for operating a portable media device are disclosed. According to one aspect, a battery-powered portable media device can manage use of a mass storage device to efficiently utilize battery power. By providing a cache memory and loading the cache memory so as to provide skip support, battery power for the portable media device can be conserved (i.e., efficiently consumed). According to another aspect, a portable media device can operate efficiently in a seek mode. The seek mode is an operational mode of the portable media device in which the portable media device automatically scans through media items to assist a user in selecting a desired one of the media items.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. In a media device that includes a cache memory and a storage device for storage of at least a media data file corresponding to a media item, a method comprising:
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receiving an indication of a degree of skip support; reserving a portion of the cache memory for storage of a number of media item snippets, wherein the number of media item snippets is directly related to the degree of skip support, and wherein each media item snippet includes only a portion of the actual media data itself for a respective media item; receiving the number of media item snippets directly from the storage device; storing the number of media item snippets only in the reserved portion of the cache memory; in accordance with a media item selection by an end-user, playing the selected media item snippet directly from the cache memory; skipping to another media item snippet when a skip request is received; when the skip request is not received, downloading a remaining portion of the media data file corresponding to the played snippet directly from the storage device; and playing the remaining portion of the media data file. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Non-transitory computer readable medium for storing computer code executable by a processor in an autonomous media device that includes a cache memory and a storage device for storage of at least a media data file corresponding to a media item, comprising:
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computer program code for receiving an indication of a degree of skip support; reserving a portion of the cache memory for storage of a number of media item snippets, wherein the number of media item snippets is directly related to the degree of skip support, and wherein each media item snippet includes only a portion of the actual media data itself for a respective media item; computer program code for storing the number of media item snippets only in the reserved portion of the cache memory; computer program code for playing the selected media item snippet directly from the cache memory in accordance with a media item selection by an end-user; computer program code for skipping to another media item snippet when a skip request is received; computer program code for downloading a remaining portion of the media data file corresponding to the played snippet directly from the storage device when the skip request is not received; and computer program code for playing the remaining portion of the media data file. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A consumer electronics product, comprising:
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a user interface for receiving a user input event from an end-user; a cache memory; a storage device for storage of at least a media data file corresponding to a media item; and a processor arranged to; receive an indication of a degree of skip support from the user interface; reserve a portion of the cache memory for storage of a number of media item snippets, wherein the number of media item snippets is directly related to the degree of skip support, and wherein each media item snippet includes only a portion of the actual media data itself for a respective media item; store the number of media item snippets only in the reserved portion of the cache memory; play a selected media item snippet directly from the cache memory in accordance with a media item selection received from the user interface; skip to another media item snippet when a skip request is received from the user interface; download a remaining portion of the media data file corresponding to the played snippet directly from the storage device when the skip request is not received; and play the remaining portion of the media data file. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification