Highly portable media device

• US 7,593,782 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2005
• Issued: 09/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Ive, Jonathan P., Fadell, Anthony M., Jobs, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz; Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Elbin; Jesse A
• Application Number:
  US11/212,313
• Publication Number:
  US 20060155914A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,490 Days
• Field of Search: 700/94, 361/684, 846/01, D14/341, D14/435.1, D14/480.3, D14/507, D14/203.1, D14/203.3, D14/238.1
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04106 Multi-sensing digitiser, i.e. digitiser using at least two different sensing technologies simultaneously or alternatively, e.g. for detecting pen and finger, for saving power or for improving position detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/00057 MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 audio layer III [MP3]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2020/10546 specifically adapted for audio data
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/60 Solid state media details of solid state memory devices G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/61 wherein solid state memory is used for storing A/V content storing computer data in solid state memories G06F
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/36 Monitoring, i.e. supervising the progress of recording or reproducing for digital recording G11B20/00 and s.gr.; for monitoring, testing or measuring of TV recorders of the type covered by H04N5/76 and subgroups, see H04N17/06
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 2207/16 Solid state audio deprecated, only for historical reasons, G06F3/16, G11B
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/20 Memory cell initialisation circuits, e.g. when powering up or down, memory clear, latent image memory
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0278 of USB type details relating to connectors H01R27/00

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.

Claims

1. A portable media player, comprising:

a non-volatile memory for storing a plurality of digital media assets;

a multi-position switch configured to switch positions between at least;

(i) an off position, (ii) a continuous playback mode position for media playback in a continuous media playback mode, and (iii) a shuffle playback mode position for media playback in a shuffle media playback mode; and

a controller operatively connected to the memory, the controller operable in a media mode and a data mode, wherein in the media mode the controller is operable to;

control playback of the media assets, in response to received user input, so that (i) the media assets are to be played back in the continuous media playback mode when the multi-position switch is in the continuous playback mode position, and (ii) the media assets are to be played back in the shuffle media playback mode when the multi-position switch is in the shuffle playback mode position, wherein in the continuous media playback mode the media assets are to be played back according to a first order, and in the shuffle media playback mode the media assets are to be played back according to a second order, the second order being different than the first order; and

wherein in the data mode the controller is operable to effectively allow another device to store media assets in the non-volatile memory when the other device is operatively connected to the portable media player.

2. A portable media player as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable media player further comprises a peripheral bus connector, and wherein the peripheral bus connector is operatively connected to at least the memory such that the memory may be accessed using the peripheral bus connector.

3. A portable media player as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable media player further comprises a media player control interface operable to allow the user to select a group of the media assets to be played back.

4. A portable media player as recited in claim 3, wherein when in the media mode, the controller is further operable to select at least one media asset from the group of the media assets to be played back based on whether the multi- position switch is in the continuous playback mode position or the shuffle playback mode position.

5. A portable media player as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable media player has no display, and wherein the portable media player is palm-sized or smaller.

6. A portable media player as recited in claim 1, wherein the portable media player further comprises:

a media device status indicator that indicates an associated media player status.

7. A media player as recited in claim 6, wherein the media player further comprises:

a battery, and

wherein the media player status indicator is a visual indicator operable to indicate a plurality of media player operational states.

8. A portable electronic device, the portable electronic device, comprising:

a housing in a form of an elongated stick;

a battery within the housing;

a peripheral bus connector extending out an end of the housing and being configured to insert into a peripheral port of a host computing device;

a non-volatile electronic memory device disposed within the housing and configured to store data including media assets;

a multi-position switch configured to switch positions between at least;

(i) an off position, (ii) a continuous playback mode position for media playback in a continuous media playback mode, and (iii) a shuffle playback mode position for media playback in a shuffle media playback mode;

a media module disposed within the housing and operable to;

access the non-volatile electronic memory device to retrieve the media data therefrom

playback the media data so that (i) the media assets are to be played back in the continuous media playback mode when the multi-position switch is in the continuous playback mode position, and (ii) the media assets are to be played back in the shuffle media playback mode when the multi-position switch is in the shuffle playback mode position, wherein in the continuous media playback mode the media assets are to be played back according to a first order, and in the shuffle media playback mode the media assets are to be played back according to a second order, the second order being different than the first order, and

wherein the portable electronic device is capable of operating as a removable storage device when connected to the host computing device, and is capable of operating as a media device by using the battery when disconnected from the host computing device.

9. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein the battery includes:

a rechargeable battery disposed within the housing and configured to provide power to the portable electronic device as necessary at least when disconnected from the host computing device.

10. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 9,

wherein the peripheral bus connector is capable of providing power to the portable electronic device, and

wherein the rechargeable battery is capable of being charged through the power provided via the peripheral bus connector.

11. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein the portable electronic device further comprises:

one or more input devices positioned on an outer surface of the housing.

12. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein the multi-position switch is a sliding switch.

13. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 12, wherein the sliding switch is configured to slide between the off position, the continuous playback mode position, and the shuffle playback mode position.

14. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein at least one of the input devices is embodied as a clickable button actuator.

15. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 14, wherein the clickable button actuator is located on a front side of the housing, and wherein the multi-position switch is a sliding switch is located on a back side of the housing.

16. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 14, wherein the clickable button actuator includes a plurality of buttons provided in a circular arrangement around a center button.

17. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 12,

wherein the sliding switch includes a moving member that translates between three positions in order to adjust the state or mode of the portable electronic device,

wherein the moving member slides between a first position, a second position and a third position, and

wherein the first position turns off at least the media module, the second position places the media module in the shuffle media playback mode, and the third position places the media module in the continuous media playback mode.

18. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein the portable electronic device further comprises:

one or more output devices.

19. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 18, wherein the output devices are selected from a speaker, audio jack or indicator.

20. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 18, wherein the portable electronic device does not include a display.

21. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 20, wherein the portable electronic device includes one or more indicators that provide user feedback or status information for the portable electronic device.

22. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 21,

wherein the portable electronic device further comprises a first input device located on a front side of the housing and a second input device located on the backside of the housing, and

wherein the portable electronic device includes a control indicator and a status indicator, the control indicator being located on the front side of the housing and configured to alert a user when a selection has been made via the first input device, and the status indicator being located on the backside of the second input device and configured to provide the status of a battery.

23. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 22, wherein the control indicator is a hidden indicator that illuminates a portion of the housing.

24. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 22, wherein the portable electronic device includes a button for activating the status indicator.

25. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein the portable electronic device is palm-sized or smaller.

26. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein the portable electronic device is at least one of a removable memory drive, media player and a hardware key.

27. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein the portable electronic device further comprises:

a removable cap for the housing configured for one or more of the following;

(i) protect the peripheral bus connector when attached to the housing, and (ii) conceal the peripheral bus connector when attached to the housing.

28. A media player, comprising:

a non-volatile memory operable to store a plurality of digital media assets;

a multi-position switch configured to allow a user of the media player to select a selected media play mode by switching the multi-position switch between at least;

(i) an off position, (ii) a continuous mode position for presentation of media in a continuous media presentation mode, and (iii) a shuffle mode position for presentation of media in a shuffle media presentation mode;

a media player control interface operable to enable the user of the media player to select at least one of the media assets to be presented; and

a controller operatively connected to the memory, the multi-position switch and the media player control interface, the controller operable to present the selected at least one media asset and a next media asset in accordance with the selected media play mode so that (i) the media assets are to be presented in the continuous media presentation mode when the multi-position switch is in the continuous mode position, and (ii) the media assets are to be presented in the shuffle media presentation mode when the multi-position switch is in the shuffle mode position, wherein in the continuous media presentation mode the media assets are to be presented according to a first order, and in the shuffle media presentation mode the media assets are to be presented according to a second order, the second order being different than the first order.

29. A media player as recited in claim 28, wherein the non-volatile memory is a FLASH memory.

30. A media player as recited in claim 28, wherein a plurality of the digital media assets are associated with a media asset list, and wherein the at least one media asset being selected for presentation is chosen from the media asset list.

31. A media player as recited in claim 30,

wherein the next media asset is chosen from the media asset list, and

wherein the media asset list is a playlist.

32. A media player as recited in claim 28, wherein the media player further comprises a universal serial bus (USB) connector, wherein the USB connector is operatively connected to at least the non-volatile memory such that the non-volatile memory is accessible using the USB connector.

33. A media player as recited in claim 32, wherein the accessing of the memory using a USB connection allows the media player to function as a data storage drive.

34. A media player as recited in claim 33, wherein the media player has no display.

35. A media player as recited in claim 28, wherein the media player mode is selected using the multi-position switch.

36. A media player as recited in claim 28, wherein switching the multi-position switch to the off position causes the media player to store, in the non-volatile memory media player, status information including whether the multi-position has switched from the continuous play position or the shuffle play position, in the non-volatile memory before powering down the media player.

37. A media player as recited in claim 36, wherein the media player status information includes one or more media player state indicators selected from the group consisting of:

a media asset playlist validity indicator, a current media asset playlist indicator, a current media asset indicator, a current position in media asset indicator, a current media player volume indicator, and a current media player pause status indicator.

38. A media player as recited in claim 37, wherein the media asset playlist validity indicator indicates a valid shuffle playlist.

39. A media player as recited in claim 38, wherein the media asset playlist validity indicator indicates an invalid shuffle playlist.

40. A media player as recited in claim 39, wherein a new shuffle playlist is created to replace the shuffle playlist.

41. A media player as recited in claim 40, wherein presenting a new media asset while the multi-position switch is in the continuous play position causes the media asset playlist validity indicator to be set to invalid.

42. A media player as recited in claim 40, wherein the new shuffle playlist is created by switching the multi-position switch from the continuous play position to the shuffle play position.

43. A media player as recited in claim 42, wherein the creation of the new shuffle playlist is delayed until a new media asset is presented.

44. A media player as recited in claim 43, wherein the new shuffle playlist is created only if the media asset playlist validity indicator is set to invalid.

45. A media player as recited in claim 36, wherein subsequently operating the multi-position switch on the media player to select the media play mode, other than off, causes the media player to load the media player status information that was previously stored.

46. A media player as recited in claim 28, wherein the media control interface includes controls selected from the group consisting of:

play, pause, rewind, fast forward, skip to previous media asset, and skip to next media asset.

47. A media player as recited in claim 28, wherein the multi-position switch is situated on a first surface of the media player, and wherein the media player control interface is situated on a second surface of the media player.

48. A media player as recited in claim 47, wherein the first surface is a rear surface, and the second surface is a front surface.

49. A handheld portable electronic device in a form of an elongated stick configured to plug into a peripheral port of a host computing system, the handheld portable electronic device comprising:

a Flash memory drive for storing data including media assets;

a USB connector configured to connect to the host computing system;

a media module configured to present media in accordance with a plurality of media presentation modes on the portable electronic device, wherein the plurality of media presentation modes includes a continuous media presentation mode and a shuffle media presentation mode, wherein in the continuous media presentation mode the media assets are to be presented according to a first order, and in the shuffle media presentation mode the media assets are to be presented according to a second order, the second order being different than the first order;

an on-board battery configured to provide power to the media module; and

an I/O system including a sliding switch configured to switch between at least;

an off position and the plurality of media presentation modes of the media module.

50. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 49, wherein the I/O system further includes a control input device for providing a user input to the media module.

51. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 49, wherein the media module operates to play audio files.

52. A portable electronic device as recited in claim 49,

wherein the portable electronic device is a USB keychain drive, and

wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

53. A portable electronic device, the portable electronic device comprising:

memory configured to store media data;

a peripheral bus connector configured to directly connect the portable electronic device to a port of a host device; and

a sliding multi-position switch configured to switch positions between at least;

(i) an off position, (ii) a continuous playback mode position for media playback in a continuous media playback mode, and (iii) a shuffle playback mode position for media playback in a shuffle media playback mode;

a controller operable to;

control playback of the media assets so that (i) the media assets are to be played back in the continuous media playback mode when the multi-position switch is in the continuous playback mode position, and (ii) the media assets are to be played back in the shuffle media playback mode when the multi-position switch is in the shuffle playback mode position, wherein in the continuous media playback mode the media assets are to be played back according to a first order, and in the shuffle media play mode the media assets are to be played back according to a second order, the second order being different than the first order.

54. A handheld portable electronic device in a form of an elongated stick, the handheld portable electronic device lacking a display but comprising:

a USB connector configured to directly connect the portable electronic device to a host device;

an I/O system including a multi-position sliding switch configured to allow selection of media operations on the portable electronic device, wherein positions of the multi-position sliding switch include;

(i) an off position for powering down the handheld portable media player, (ii) a continuous media play mode position for playing media assets in a continuous media play mode, and (iii) a shuffle media play mode position for playing media assets in a shuffle media play mode, wherein in the continuous media play mode the media assets are to be played according to a first order, and in the shuffle media play mode the media assets are to be played according to a second order, the second order being different than the first order.

55. A handheld portable electronic device as recited in claim 54, wherein the multi-position sliding switch is positioned to allow a person to hold the handheld the portable electronic device and operate the sliding switch by one hand.

56. A handheld portable electronic device as recited in claim 55, wherein the multi-position sliding switch also allows the person to determine whether the handheld portable electronic device is in the continuous or shuffle media playback mode by visual inspection and/or by touch using the one hand.

57. A handheld portable electronic device as recited in claim 54, wherein switching the multi-position sliding switch to the off position causes the media player to store media player status information, including whether the multi-position sliding switch has switched from the continuous media play mode position or the shuffle media play mode position to off, in the non-volatile memory, thereby allowing media operations to be resumed in the continuous or shuffle play mode in accordance with the media player status information stored in the non-volatile memory.

58. A handheld portable electronic device as recited in claim 54, wherein said handheld portable electronic device further comprises:

non-volatile memory configured to store the media assets.