Scrolling interface for media player

• US 20060232554A1
• Filed: 08/22/2005
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Creative Technology Ltd.
• Inventors: Tee, Hock Ho, Toh, Boon Keat Eddy, Tan, Jeng Khim, Wong, Ka-Wei Adrian
• Application Number:
  US11/209,292
• Publication Number:
  US 20060232554A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/02 with automatic musical instruments

Abstract

A media player comprising: (a) a body comprising a front face; (b) a display mounted in the front face; and (c) a scrolling activator mounted in the front face for controlling longitudinal movement of a cursor/selector on the display.

Claims

1. A media player comprising:

(a) a body comprising a front face;

(b) a display mounted in the front face;

(c) a scrolling activator mounted in the front face for controlling longitudinal movement of a cursor/selector on the display;

(d) the scrolling activator being mounted for movement of the scrolling activator relative to the front face for controlling lateral movement of the cursor/selector on the display.

2. A media player as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scrolling activator is located in an opening in the front face, the opening is of a width that is greater than the scrolling activator.

3. A media player as claimed in claim 2, wherein movement of the scrolling activator is lateral;

the width of the opening being equal to the sum of the width of scrolling activator and a total extent of the lateral movement of the scrolling activator.

4. A media player as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scrolling activator comprises a main operational top, there being a peripheral rim around the main operational top for extending over the front face.

5. A media player as claimed in claim 4, the scrolling activator further comprising two substantially L-shaped sides depending there from and arranged in an opposite manner.

6. A media player as claimed in claim 5, wherein each substantially L-shaped side and the peripheral rim form a substantially U-shaped channel in which the front face locates.

7. A media player as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scrolling activator is located in an opening in the front face, the front face being bifurcated around the opening to from a groove, the scrolling activator having a peripheral tongue for engaging in the groove in the manner of a sliding fit.

8. A media player as claimed in claim 7, wherein the peripheral tongue extends completely around the periphery of the scrolling activator, and the groove extends completely around the opening.

9. A media player as claimed in claim 1, wherein the media player is selected from the group comprising:

an MP3 player, a video player, a digital photo viewer and a combination of the aforementioned.

10. A media player comprising:

(a) a body comprising a front face;

(b) a display mounted in the front face;

(c) a scrolling activator mounted in the front face for controlling longitudinal movement of a cursor/selector on the display;

(d) the scrolling activator having switches mounted on each side thereof for controlling lateral movement of the cursor/selector on the display.

11. A media player as claimed in claim 10, wherein the switches are mechanical tact switches.

12. A media player as claimed in claim 10, wherein the scrolling activator is located in an opening in the front face, the opening is of a width that is as wide as the scrolling activator.

13. A media player as claimed in claim 10, wherein the scrolling activator comprises a main operational top, there being a peripheral rim around the main operational top for defining a perimeter of the scrolling activator.

14. A media player as claimed in claim 13, wherein the scrolling activator further comprises two substantially L-shaped sides depending there from and arranged in an opposite manner.

15. A media player as claimed in claim 14, wherein each substantially L-shaped side and the peripheral rim form a substantially U-shaped channel in which the front face locates.

16. A media player as claimed in claim 10, wherein the scrolling activator is located in an opening in the front face, the activator being supported by a pivot for the enablement of a rocking action by the activator to activate the switches.

17. A media player as claimed in claim 10, wherein the media player is selected from the group comprising:

an MP3 player, a video player, a digital photo viewer and a combination of the aforementioned.