Patent Application
20060259758
This invention relates to portable electronic devices and more specifically to an interface for the portable electronic devices.
Portable electronic devices currently on the market include portable media players, mobile phones, personal data assistants, pocket personal computers, and digital cameras. To use one of these devices, the user must first turn on the device and then navigate through multiple screens and press numerous buttons before the device will provide the desired operations.
Use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical elements.
In one embodiment of the invention, a method for a portable electronic device to operate includes powering on the portable electronic device, displaying a general menu for a user to select one of a plurality of modes for the portable electronic device if an instant mode switch is in a first position, and operating the portable electronic device in a preset mode if the instant mode switch is in a second position.
In embodiments of the invention, an “instant mode” feature is provided for a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may be a portable media player (PMP), a mobile phone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a pocket personal computer (PC), a digital camera, or any other portable electronic device. A user can set an instant mode switch so that when the portable electronic device is turned on, it bypasses the general menu and immediate operates in a preset mode with preset mode settings. For example, a PMP can jump directly into a music player mode and start a play list with a playback mode preset by the user. Thus, the user does not have to navigate multiple screens in the general menu to access a favorite mode of the portable electronic device. Instead, the user jumps directly to his or her favorite mode of operation. Even once the portable device is turned on, the user can still use the instant mode switch to immediately jump to his or her favorite mode on the portable device.
PMP 100 has a screen 102 and an input pad 106 with 5-way rocket buttons. PMP 100 further has a power button 202 and an instant mode slider switch 204 on side 108 of the unit. A user turns on PMP 100 by depressing power button 202 for a predetermined amount of time. Upon powering up, PMP 100 will jump to a preset mode of operation with preset mode settings if the user has set instant mode switch 204 to the “ON” position. Otherwise PMP 100 will proceed with its normal operation if the user has set instant mode switch 204 to the “OFF” position. During the normal operation of PMP 100, the user can set instant mode switch 204 to the “ON” position. In response, PMP 100 will jump to the preset mode with the preset mode settings.
In step 402, processing unit 302 determines the position of instant mode switch 204 when the user turns on PMP 100.
In step 404, processing unit 304 determines if instant mode switch 204 is in the “ON” position. If so, step 404 is followed by step 406. Otherwise step 404 is followed by step 410.
In step 406, processing unit 302 determines the preset mode and the preset mode settings. In one embodiment, the preset mode and the preset mode settings are stored in nonvolatile memory 304 and processing unit 302 accesses nonvolatile memory 304 to read the preset mode and the preset mode settings. Step 406 is followed by step 408.
In step 408, processing unit 302 operates PMP 100 in the preset mode with the preset mode settings. Step 408 is followed by step 412.
In step 410, processing unit 302 provides a general menu on display 102 for the user to interact with PMP 100. Typically the user navigates through the general menu and subsequent screens to select a mode of operation for PMP 100. The user may also navigate through the general menu and the subsequent screens to setup PMP 100, including setting up the instant mode feature. Step 410 is followed by step 412.
In step 412, processing unit 302 operates PMP 100. Step 412 is followed by step 414.
In step 414, processing unit 302 determines if it has detected that instant mode switch 204 has been turned “ON” during the normal operation of PMP 100. If so, step 414 is followed by step 408 where processing unit 302 operates the PMP is the preset mode with the preset mode settings. Otherwise step 414 is followed by step 416.
In step 416, processing unit 302 determines if the user has selected to setup the settings for the instant mode feature. If so, then step 416 is followed by step 418. Otherwise step 416 is followed by step 412 where processing unit 302 continues with the normal operations of PMP 100.
In step 418, processing unit 302 provides an instant mode menu on display 102 for the user to select the settings of the instant mode feature. After the user selects the settings of the instant mode feature, processing unit 302 saves them in nonvolatile memory 304. Step 418 is followed by step 412 where processing unit 302 continues with the normal operations of PMP 100.
In screen 512, the user turns on PMP 100 with instant mode switch 204 in the “OFF” position. In response, PMP 100 provides a general menu shown in screen 514. During normal operations, the user can set instant mode switch 204 to the “ON” position. In response, PMP 100 jumps to the preset mode and operates with the preset mode settings shown in screens 504, 506, and 508.
Various other adaptations and combinations of features of the embodiments disclosed are within the scope of the invention. Numerous embodiments are encompassed by the following claims.
