Abstract:
Aspects of the present invention enable a storage device (e.g., a recordable book, toy, computing device) to be controlled with a single control button that performs multiple functions. Different interactions with the button produce a different control input. In one aspect, the storage device is an audio recording device that can record, lock, unlock, transfer to a separate storage device, or play back one or more audio recordings. These five functions (i.e., recording, locking, unlocking, transferring, and playing back) are initiated or facilitated by depressing a single button located on the audio storage device for different lengths of time or in different patterns. Audio recordings may be played in response to user interactions with the button to help the user interact with the button properly and warn the user of action that is about to be taken.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/867,925 filed Aug. 20, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Audio storage devices may include prompts meant to elicit an audible response from a user. The audible response is recorded and may be transferred to other devices via a USB cord or other method. Existing storage devices typically include several individual single-function buttons. For example, pressing a first button may cause a sound to be played, pressing a second button causes a new recording to be made, a third button causes a file to be transferred, a fourth button is used to delete a file, and so on. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Aspects of the present invention enable a storage device (e.g., a recordable book, toy, computing device) to be controlled with a single control button that performs multiple functions. In one aspect, the storage device is an audio recording device that can record, lock, unlock, transfer to a separate storage device, or play back one or more audio recordings. These five functions (i.e., recording, locking, unlocking, transferring, and playing back) are initiated or facilitated by depressing a single button located on the audio storage device for different lengths of time or in different patterns. Audio recordings may be played in response to user interactions with the button to help the user interact with the button properly and warn the user of an action that is about to be taken. Different interactions with the button include tapping the button once, tapping the button multiple times (e.g., twice, three times, five times), holding the button down for a first duration and then releasing, and holding the button down for a second duration and then releasing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Aspects of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary computing environment suitable for implementing aspects of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of a storage device having a multifunction button that is tapped once to initiate a first function, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of a storage device having a multifunction button that is tapped twice to initiate a second function, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of a storage device having a multifunction button that is held down for a short duration threshold to initiate a third function, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram of a storage device having a multifunction button that is held down for a long duration threshold to initiate a fourth function, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram of a flow chart showing a method of performing multiple functions through a single button, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram of a flow chart showing a method of controlling audio or visual functions in a media storage device through a single multifunction button, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of aspects of the invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” may be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. 
     In one aspect, the audio storage device (e.g., a recordable book, toy, computing device) records a few seconds of audio or video in response to a user double-clicking the single button. When a user depresses then releases the single button, the device may initiate playback of the recorded audio. To transfer the audio recording and associated metadata to another computing device, the button may be held down for a first threshold amount of time. Once the button has been held down for a first threshold of time (e.g., two seconds), the device may play the following message (or similar): “release to transfer message, continue holding to lock.” If the user releases the single button, then the message will be transferred. 
     If the user continues to depress and hold down the single button for a second threshold amount of time that is longer than the first threshold, the user may have the option to lock or unlock a previously recorded message. To lock the message, the user may depress the single button for the second threshold amount of time (e.g., ten seconds). Upon doing so, the device will play the following message (or similar): “release to lock message.” If the user releases the single button after hearing the message, the audio storage device locks the message. When the recorded audio is locked, re-recording over a message is not possible. To unlock the message, the user may depress the single button for the second threshold amount of time. When depressed for the second threshold amount of time, the following message (or similar) will be played: “release to unlock the message.” If the user releases the single button, then the device will unlock the message and the message may be recorded over. 
     Having briefly described an overview of aspects of the invention, an exemplary operating environment suitable for use in implementing aspects of the invention is described below. 
     Exemplary Operating Environment 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary computing environment  100  is shown, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The computing environment  100  includes a storage device  110 , a computing device  130 , a network  140 , and a remote server  150 . The computing device  130  is connected to the server  150  through network  140 . The network  140  may be a wide area network, such as the Internet. The computing system environment  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is merely an example of one suitable computing system environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of aspects of the present invention. Neither should the computing system environment  100  be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement related to any single module/component or combination of modules/components illustrated therein. 
     The server  150  may provide a storage service for users. The storage service may store audio recordings, images, and other content for the user to retrieve when convenient. The service provided by the server  150  may be associated with one or more storage devices that prompt users to respond to a question. The response to the prompt may be recorded and stored in an audio file. 
     The storage device  110  comprises an audio speaker  112 , a microphone  114 , computer memory  116 , a controller  118 , a power supply  120 , and a multifunction button  122 . The storage device  110  may take the form of a toy, a recordable storybook, or some other computing device capable of recording audio, storing audio files, and transferring audio files to another device. Both the storage device  110  and computing device  130  may be capable of wireless or wired communications. 
     In aspects, storage devices may include multiple speakers. The speaker  112  is used to play audio files stored on the storage device. The speaker  112  may also be used to provide an audible prompt to which a user responds. For example, the prompt could ask a child what the child wants for Christmas. The child&#39;s response could be recorded in an audio file. 
     The microphone  114  may be used to record a user&#39;s response to a prompt. The memory  116  is used to record audio files, which store sounds captured by the microphone  114 . The memory  116  may also store computer instructions that enable recording, prompting, file transfers, and otherwise enable operation of the storage device. The memory  116  may include a software that defines responses to different inputs provided by the multifunction button  122 . Though not shown, the storage device may also include a camera capable of capturing pictures or video. Additionally, the storage device may include a touch pad or touchscreen capable of receiving user handwriting, drawings, and other user created animations that may be stored and transferred. For the sake of simplicity, aspects of the present invention are primarily described in terms of audio files and audio content. However, content such as videos, pictures, digital drawings, and user created animations are contemplated to be within the scope of aspects of the present invention. 
     The controller  118  may be a computer processor or other hardware and software capable of controlling the storage device  110 . The controller  118  may access or run programs stored in the memory  116 . The controller  118  may respond to user inputs and generate outputs in response. 
     The power supply  120  may be a battery, AC supply, DC supply, or other suitable power supply for the storage device. 
     The multifunction button  122  may comprise both a physical button apparatus and coding that initiates different functions based on different interactions with the button. As used herein, the term “button” refers to an apparatus that is able to transition between only two positions. Specifically, the button is able to transition between an open position and a closed position. Further, the button automatically transitions to the open position when pressure is removed from the button (e.g., when a user&#39;s finger is removed). When the button is in the process of transitioning between positions, it is still considered in the open position until contact is made with a sensor indicating the button has reached the closed position. The closed position may correspond to a pressed button. 
     The button may include a spring or other apparatus that applies tension to the button and maintains the button in an open position absent a force applied to the button. The button transitions from the open position to the closed position upon receiving a mechanical pressure large enough to overcome the tension provided by the spring apparatus. Upon the removal or lessening of the mechanical pressure, the button returns to an open position automatically. 
     Aspects of the invention also contemplate a touch-based button. A touch-based button closes upon receiving contact from a physical object, such as a finger or stylus, and does not require an amount of force to close. For example, a touch-based button may be displayed on a touchscreen computing device. Touch-based buttons may also be found in appliances and toys. A touch-based button may have a resistor or capacitive surface that detects a touch through a change to an electrical circuit of which the resistor or capacitors are a part. 
     The multifunction button  122  includes the ability to determine a duration for which the multifunction button  122  is held open or closed. For example, the multifunction button  122  may be able to determine that it was held in the closed position 0.5 seconds, then open for one second, and then closed for 0.4 seconds. The multifunction button  122  is able to trigger responses based on interactions meeting different criteria. 
     Aspects of the invention are not dependent on the particular component of a storage device  110  that responds to the button input. For example, a multifunction button  122  could provide an indication of its status to another component, such as the controller  118 . A program running on the controller  118  could respond to the status messages to initiate an associated control function in response to the interaction reflected by the status. In another aspect, the responses could be triggered by the multifunction button  122 . 
     The invention may be described in the general context of computer code or machine-useable instructions, including computer-executable instructions such as program components, being executed by a computer or other machine, such as a personal data assistant or other handheld device. Generally, program components, including routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like, refer to code that performs particular tasks or implements particular abstract data types. Aspects of the invention may be practiced in a variety of system configurations, including handheld devices, consumer electronics, general-purpose computers, specialty computing devices, etc. Aspects of the invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote-processing devices that are linked through a communications network. 
     Storage device  110  and computing device  130  typically include a variety of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computing device and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. 
     Computer storage media includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVDs) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, and magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices. Computer storage media does not comprise a propagated data signal or other forms of communication media. 
     Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. 
     Although the various blocks of  FIG. 1  are shown with lines for the sake of clarity, in reality, delineating various components is not so clear, and metaphorically, the lines would more accurately be grey and fuzzy. For example, processors have memory. The inventors hereof recognize that such is the nature of the art and reiterate that the diagram of  FIG. 1  is merely illustrative of an exemplary computing device that can be used in connection with one or more aspects of the invention. Distinction is not made between such categories as “workstation,” “server,” “laptop,” “handheld device,” etc., as all are contemplated within the scope of  FIG. 1  and refer to “computer” or “computing device.” 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of a storage device having a multifunction button that is tapped once to initiate a first function, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. As mentioned, aspects of the present invention may be used to transfer files from storage devices that are intended to capture a child&#39;s voice, video, or other user input. In this case, the storage device is a heart-shaped toy  200 . The toy  200  includes a speaker  220  and a microphone  210 . The storage device also includes a multifunction button  230  that is being depressed by a finger  240 . The storage device  200  may be similar to the storage device  110  described previously with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2  includes a timeline  250  that illustrates actions that comprise a single tap and cause a function associated with a single tap to be performed. The timeline  250  runs from zero to ten seconds. At zero seconds, a button press  252  is detected. At 0.5 seconds, a button release  254  is detected. Thus, the duration of the button press is 0.5 seconds. In one aspect, a tap is defined as a button press lasting 0.75 seconds or less, for example, 0.5 seconds, 0.25 seconds, or less. In one aspect, a button press lasting greater than 0.75 seconds is defined as a button hold. In one aspect, an audible prompt is not provided in response to a button press defined as a tap. In one aspect, a single tap corresponds to an instruction to play a recorded audio or video file. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a diagram of a storage device having a multifunction button that is tapped twice to initiate a second function is provided, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The storage device  200  depicted in  FIG. 3  is the same as the storage device  200  depicted in  FIG. 2 . The timeline  350  shows interactions that comprise a double tap. At zero seconds, a button press  352  is detected. At 0.4 seconds, a button release  354  is detected. Accordingly, the first button press is interpreted as a tap because it only lasted 0.4 seconds. A tap could be defined as two seconds or less, for example 1.5 seconds, one second, or 0.5 seconds. At 1.2 seconds, a second button press  360  is detected. At 1.8 seconds, a button release  362  is detected. Accordingly, the second button press is also interpreted as a tap because it lasted only 0.6 seconds. 
     The time elapsed between taps determines whether each tap is interpreted separately or as a combination. In this case, 0.8 seconds elapsed between the first tap concluding at 0.4 seconds and the second tap being initiated at 1.2 seconds. In one aspect, an elapsed time of one second or less between taps causes the task to be interpreted as a double tap. A double tap may be associated with a different functionality from a single tap. For example, a single tap may play a recording while a double tap causes a new recording to be created. 
     In addition to taps, pressing and holding the multifunction button for different durations of time may be associated with different functionalities. As the hold approaches a threshold, an audible cue may be played to let the user know what action will be taken if the user releases the button. For example, three different functions may be associated with a single button based on the length of time the button is held. In one aspect, common tasks are associated with shorter hold times. A three-function button could play a recording if pressed and held less than a first threshold, record when pressed and held longer than the first threshold, and lock or unlock an active recording when pressed and held longer than a second threshold. In one aspect, the short threshold is two seconds and the long threshold is ten seconds.  FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate different press and hold scenarios. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a storage device having a multifunction button that is held down for a short threshold is provided, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The storage device  200  is the same as described previously. The timeline  450  runs from zero to ten seconds. At zero seconds, a button press  452  is detected. At 2.2 seconds, a button release  458  is detected. After two seconds, the short threshold  454  is reached. A short threshold of two seconds is provided as an example. Aspects of the invention are not limited to a two-second threshold. Upon reaching the short threshold, an audible announcement  456  is made by the storage device  200  notifying the user that a file transfer may be initiated by releasing the multifunction button  230 . Upon releasing the button beyond the short threshold, the file transfer is initiated. Had a user released the multifunction button  230  prior to reaching the short threshold  454 , then a function associated with a press and hold of less than the short threshold  454  could be initiated. In one aspect, pressing and releasing the multifunction button  230  before reaching the short threshold constitutes a single tap. In other words, the tap threshold may correspond to the short threshold  454 . In this arrangement, a press and hold of less than the short threshold is a tap. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a long press and hold is illustrated, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. Timeline  550  runs from zero seconds to eleven seconds. The long threshold  558  is set at ten seconds. At zero seconds, a button press  552  is detected. At 10.3 seconds, a button release  554  is detected. Upon the press and hold reaching the long threshold  558 , an audible announcement  556  is played by the storage device  200 . The audible announcement  556  indicates that releasing the button will cause a stored audio file to be locked. In one aspect, the long threshold is associated with changing the lock status of an active audio file. The active audio file may be the one most recently created or played. When only one audio file is stored, then the single audio file is the active audio file. Changing the lock status will cause a locked file to be unlocked and an unlocked file to be locked. A locked file may not be deleted or altered. 
     In one aspect, the multifunction button is associated with three or more different functions each associated with a unique interaction. For example, the multifunction button may be associated with four or more functions, five or more functions, or six or more functions. Exemplary functions include playing an audio file, pausing or stopping an audio file from playing, fast-forwarding an audio file, rewinding an audio file, deleting an audio file, selecting an audio file among several audio files, transferring an audio file, changing the lock status of an audio file, and recording a new audio file. 
     The functions and combination of functions may be context specific. For example, pausing or stopping an audio file from play may be available only when an audio file is playing. The same button interaction may produce a different result based on context. For example, a single tap may result in playing an audio file. When playing, a double tap may pause the audio file. When paused, another double tap may fast-forward the audio file. When paused, a triple tap may rewind the audio file. Thus, in one aspect, rewinding or fast-forwarding may only occur after an audio file is paused. When an audio file is not playing, a double tap may record a new audio file. 
     In one aspect, a multifunction button is the only control button provided on a storage device. As used herein, a control button causes different functions on the storage device to be performed. Turning the power on and off may not be considered as a function of the storage device. Even when only a single control button is provided, a second non-control button or switch may be used to turn the device power on and off. 
     In another aspect, a control function may be tied to a multifunction button interaction that comprises a single tap followed by a press and hold. The single tap may be identified by pressing the multifunction button for a duration that is less than a tap threshold, or less than a short hold threshold, for example, less than two seconds. The hold may be defined by pressing the multifunction button for greater than a threshold duration. In one aspect, the threshold duration is the tap threshold. The tap and the press and hold may need to be separated by less than a designated duration. For example, the press and hold action may need to occur with less than one second passing with the multifunction button in the open position from the tap. 
     As an example of the tap once and then press and hold interaction, a user may activate the function by pressing the multifunction button for two seconds or less, releasing the multifunction button for less than one second, and then pressing and holding the multifunction button for more than two seconds. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , a method  600  of providing multiple functions through a single button is shown, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The button may be described herein as a multifunction button. Method  600  may be performed by a computing device, such as storage device  200  described previously. The storage device may store audio and/or visual recordings. The audio and/or visual recordings may be captured by sensors, such as a camera or microphone, on the storage device. The storage device may have computer-executable instructions for performing method  600  when the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor associated with the storage device. 
     At step  610 , a first interaction with a multifunction button is received. As mentioned, the multifunction button may be integrated with a computing device. The multifunction button may be a hard button that is depressed and released by a user&#39;s finger or some other object. The multifunction button may also be a touch-sensitive button, such as a button found on a touchscreen display or other touch-sensitive interface. A touch-sensitive button may not move when activated or deactivated. The first interaction may comprise activating the multifunction button by depressing the multifunction button or touching the multifunction button. The interaction may be a tap or a press and hold event. 
     At step  620 , in response to the first interaction, a first control function is initiated. The first control function may play an existing audio recording. An existing audio recording is a recording that is stored on the computing device. 
     At step  630 , a second interaction with a multifunction button is received. A significant period of time may have elapsed between the first interaction and the second interaction. For example, ten seconds, ten minutes, ten hours, or ten days may have elapsed between the first interaction and the second interaction. The second interaction with a multifunction button is different from the first interaction. For example, the first interaction may be a tap on the multifunction button and the second interaction may be a short hold. A tap and a short hold have been explained previously. 
     At step  640 , in response to the second interaction, a second control function is initiated at the computing device. A second control function is distinct from the first control function. For example, the first control function may play an existing recording while the second control function deletes the existing recording. 
     At step  650 , a third interaction with a multifunction button is received. The third interaction is distinct from the first interaction and the second interaction. The third interaction may be separated from the first and second interactions by a period of time, such as ten seconds, ten minutes, ten hours, etc. The third interaction is also distinct in character from the first and second interactions. For example, the first interaction may be a tap, the second interaction a short press and hold, and the third interaction a long press and hold of the multifunction button. As used herein, “press” and “press and hold” may be used interchangeably. 
     At step  660 , a third control function is initiated in response to the third interaction. Like the first and second control functions, the third control function is distinct from the others. For example, the third control function may cause an existing audio file to be transferred to a different device. The transfer could be initiated over a wireless coupling or a wired coupling, such as via a USB cable. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , a method  700  of controlling audio visual functions in a media storage device through a single multifunction button is described. The media storage device may be similar to storage device  200  described previously. The multifunction button may be a hard physical button that moves up and down in response to a user&#39;s finger or some other object. The multifunction button may also be a soft button, such as may be found on a touchscreen device. 
     At step  710 , an activation of a multifunction button is received at a first point in time. The activation corresponds to depression of the multifunction button. In this case, “depression” of the multifunction button can mean touching a soft multifunction button on a touchscreen or other touch-sensitive interface where the surface does not move noticeably in response to the touch. 
     At step  720 , a deactivation of the multifunction button is received at a second point in time. The activation and deactivation may be received through a signal generated by the multifunction button or some other intermediary component. The deactivation corresponds to a release of the multifunction button, which can be a physical release of a button or the removal of an object from a touch-sensitive button. Together, the activation and deactivation of the multifunction button form an interaction with the multifunction button. 
     At step  730 , a duration of time for the interaction is determined as a difference between the first point in time when the activation occurred and the second point in time when the deactivation occurred. For example, if the first point in time was 2.5 seconds prior to the second point in time, then the duration would be 2.5 seconds. 
     At step  740 , the interaction is classified as either a tap, a short press, or a long press based on the duration of time. Other classifications, such as a double tap, extra-long tap, or other classification, are possible. The interaction may be classified as a tap when the duration of time is between 0.1 seconds and a short threshold duration, such as two seconds. The interaction is classified as a short press when the duration falls between the short duration threshold and a long duration threshold. For example, the short duration threshold could be greater than two seconds. The interaction is classified as a long press when the duration exceeds a long duration threshold. In one aspect, the long duration threshold is greater than five seconds. When a long duration threshold is used with the multifunction button, the short duration classification occurs when the duration is greater than the short duration and less than the long duration threshold. 
     At step  740 , a control function that maps to either the tap, the short press, or the long press is activated depending on the classification that occurred at step  730 . A different control function is associated with each of the tap, the short press, and the long press. 
     In one aspect, at a third point in time between the first point in time and the second point in time, a determination is made that the multifunction button has been activated for a duration longer than the short duration threshold. This determination occurs when the button is still effectively pressed down and has not yet been released. Prior to the second point in time when the button is released, an audible instruction is output through a speaker in the storage device that identifies a control function associated with the short press. In other words, the audible instruction identifies what control function will be activated if the user deactivates the multifunction button at the point in time when the message is broadcast or potentially shortly thereafter. Similarly, an audible message could be generated upon determining that the press duration has crossed the end of the short duration threshold into the long press range to identify the control associated with the long press. 
     Aspects of the invention have been described to be illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.