Abstract:
This application discloses a media device including a reversible video screen. A case is connected to a reversible unit via an arm and a guide. The arm and guide direct the movement of the video screen such that it rotates 180 degrees within the case. In a first orientation, the screen is viewable through an opening in the case. In a second orientation, the screen is presented full-size, with the controls of the media device still being operational.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to media devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a media device with a reversible screen.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Media devices, especially those in a portable format, are very popular today. The Apple iPod has sold over 42 million units. Other examples of portable media devices include the Sony Playstation Portable (“PSP”), the Nokia N-Gage, the Nintendo Game Boy, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), and portable DVD players manufactured by many different companies.  
         [0003]     One problem the above mentioned devices have in common is that they are only usable in one orientation. Another problem is that the screen sizes of various of the above-described devices is not ideal for playback of video and they do not use all of the available space. For example, the Apple iPod is approximately 104 mm by 61 mm. However, the screen size is only approximately 63.5 mm, as measured by the diagonal. The Sony PSP has a 109 mm diagonal screen size despite the entire device being approximately 170 mm by 74 mm.  
         [0004]     The reason for the small screen size is because the manufacturers must provide enough room for the various controls for the media device.  
         [0005]     A portable DVD player has much more screen size available, because they generally place the controls on a different portion of the device. However, they generally must be used in an open position, relinquishing some of the utility of a portable device.  
         [0006]     It is desirable to have an apparatus the above problems and allow the use of larger screens on portable media devices. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1A-1D  are diagrams illustrating a front view of a media device of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2A-2F  are diagrams illustrating a back view of a media device of the present invention; and  
         [0010]      FIG. 3A-3I  are diagrams illustrating an assembly of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0011]     In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details may not be required to practice the present invention.  
         [0012]     In the following description of the embodiments, substantially the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Also, while references such as top, bottom and side may be used throughout the specification, it is to be understood that their orientation requirements are only to facilitate the explanation of the various embodiments and depending on the application, the top could be the side or bottom or vice versa.  
         [0013]     With reference to  FIG. 1A , a front view of an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Media device  100  comprises a case  102 , screen  104 , and input device  106 . In typical use, media device  100  may be used to process music or movie files (such as those in the MP3 format) and transmit the music files to a transducer, such as a pair of headphones. The files may be transmitted via a headphone jack or other audio output jack that is now known or may be developed in the future. To control which files are being processed and played back, a user utilizes input device  106 . Input device  106  may be a click wheel (as shown), a jog/shuttle dial, a joypad, a set of buttons, a touch-screen, or any device now known or may be developed in the future to input data into a media device. Screen  104  may be used for a variety of different tasks. For example, screen  104  may be used to display photos or video images. Alternatively, screen  104  may be used to display a series of menus, with which a user is able to select a media file to playback.  
         [0014]     While  FIG. 1A  shows a device that bears a similarity to media devices currently available in the marketplace, the present invention contains a significant new feature. As shown in  FIGS. 1B-1D , screen  104  is part of a reversible unit  110 . Reversible unit  110  is configured to rotate 180 degrees from the position shown in  FIG. 1A  such that screen  104  is viewable in an alternate manner.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 2A-2F  show the back view of media device  100  as reversible unit  110  undergoes a reversing process.  FIG. 2A  shows media device  100  in the orientation as shown in  FIG. 1A  (hereinafter referred to as the “first orientation”).  FIGS. 2B through 2E  show media device  100  as reversible unit  110  is rotated from the first orientation to another orientation (hereinafter referred to as the “second orientation”) shown in  FIG. 2F . As seen in  FIG. 2F , the second orientation allows the viewing of the entirety of screen  104 . Reversible unit  110  is rotated 180 degrees from the first orientation compared to the second orientation. As can be seen in these Figures, case  102  is recessed, such that reversible unit  110  is flush with case  102  in both the first orientation and the second orientation.  
         [0016]     As best seen in  FIGS. 1B-1D , case  102  has an opening  120 . In the first orientation, screen  104  is viewable through opening  120 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the data being displayed on screen  104  is re-sized, depending on the orientation of the reversible unit  110 . In the second orientation, the data being displayed on screen  104  occupies the entirety of screen  104 . Thus, such an orientation is well-suited for showing video images or still images at a large size. In the first orientation, the data being displayed on screen  104  is re-sized such that only the area of screen  104  that is visible is being used. Such an orientation may be suited to show information about the media being played or in other situations where a large screen size is not needed. The resizing of the data on screen  104  may be accomplished in any of the methods now known or developed in the future related to the resizing of screens.  
         [0017]     There may be a sensor that determines the orientation of reversible unit  110 . If reversible unit  110  is in the first orientation, only a portion of screen  104  will be used. If reversible unit  110  is in a different orientation (such as the orientations shown in  FIGS. 2D-2F ), the entirety (or any desired portion thereof) of screen  104  will be used. The sensor may be any type of sensor now known or developed in the future that is capable of determining if an object is in a certain position. For example, the sensor may be a switch to the side of screen  104 . Such a switch may be engaged when reversible unit  110  is in the position shown in  FIG. 1A .  
         [0018]      FIGS. 1A-1D  show opening  120  as a physical opening. In other words, a user is able to place an object through opening  120 . That feature may be desirable in certain situation. For example, reversible unit  110  may be configured such that a user&#39;s finger or other object may be placed through opening  120  to begin the reversing operation from the second orientation to the first orientation.  
         [0019]     In another embodiment, opening  120  is not a physical opening. Instead, opening  120  is an area of case  102  that is non-opaque or otherwise configured such that screen  104  is visible through opening  120 .  
         [0020]     In another embodiment, the entirety of case  102  is non-opaque. In such a manner, the entirety of screen  104  is visible in any orientation. In such a configuration, it is possible that, in the first orientation, a portion of screen  104  is completely unobstructed, while another portion of screen  104  is partially obscured by input device  106 . Another possibility is that screen  104  is configured as a touch screen. Input device  106  is merely an area of screen  104  set aside for user input. In this embodiment, input device  106  may serve to protect screen  104  from damage.  
         [0021]     It should be understood that screen  104  is viewable in both the first orientation and the second orientation and that the input device  106  is also usable in both the first orientation and the second orientation. In fact, screen  104  and input device  104  are both operational in any orientation in between the first and second orientation.  
         [0022]     With reference to  2 F, a connector  132  may be present on reversible unit  110 . Connector  132  allows a user to interface media device  100  with another device. For example, media device  100  may connect to a personal computer, which allows a user to transfer files to and from media device  100 . Connector  132  may be any type of connector used to interconnect electronic devices, such as a USB port, a Firewire port, or a proprietary connection.  
         [0023]     The placement of connector  132  as shown in  FIG. 2F  serves another important function. In devices of the prior art, a connector is exposed to the elements, which may result in damage to the connector over the lifetime of the device. In contrast, connector  132  is only exposed to the elements in the second orientation. In the first orientation, connector  132  is protected from accidental damage.  
         [0024]     With reference to  FIGS. 2B-2F , buttons  120 , located on case  102 , may also be present in an embodiment of the present invention. Buttons  120  allow a user to control media device  100  when the input device  106  is inaccessible (for example, when media device  100  is placed on a desk.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3A  shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention to illustrate the mechanism that allows the reversal of reversible unit  110 . Arm is coupled to reversible unit  110 . At the end of reversible unit  110  is follower  180 . The movement of follower  180  is restricted by guide  170 , which is located within case  102 .  
         [0026]     With reference to  FIGS. 3A-3I , the movement of reversible unit  110  as it moves from a first orientation to a second orientation is shown, with an emphasis on how the configuration of follower  180 , guide  170 , and arm  150  result in a 180 degree movement of reversible unit  110 . Arm  150  is coupled to reversible unit  110 . This coupling may be at any position of reversible unit  110 . However, to achieve in a 180 degree rotation within case  110 , arm  150  is coupled to reversible unit  110  at a geometric center of reversible unit  110 .  
         [0027]     As seen in  FIGS. 3A-3C , when reversible unit  110  is first moved, the movement of reversible unit  110  is controlled primarily by the arm  150 . In essence, the movement of reversible unit is akin to a hinged movement. With reference to  FIGS. 3D-3F , as reversible unit  110  is moved further, follower  180  begins moving within guide  170 , forcing one end of reversible unit  110  to translate along the path defined by guide  170 . With reference to  FIGS. 3G-3I , as follower  180  nears the end of the path defined by guide  170 , arm  150  allows reversible unit  110  to come to a final position in the second orientation.  
         [0028]     Although path  170  is shown as straight in  FIGS. 3A-3I , it should be noted that path  170  could be a variety of different shapes. In one embodiment, path  170  is curved, in order to provide additional room for various electronic components within media device  100 . Path  170  may also have multiple curves.  
         [0029]     Path  170  may also have a detent which allows follower  180  to rest within path  170 . For example, it may be desirable to have a third orientation in which screen  104  is tilted in one direction. An example of such an orientation is shown in  FIG. 2D . In this third orientation, media device  100  may be placed on a desk and be controllable through buttons  120 .  
         [0030]     In one embodiment, path  170  is a slot within case  102 . Follower  180  is a pin that rests within the slot. It should be understood that path  170  and follower  180  may comprise any type of mechanism in which the movement of follower  180  is restricted by path  170 .  
         [0031]     There are two arms present in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2F , one on either side of reversible unit  110 . Arm  150  and arm  152  are joined together by torsion bar  154 . Torsion bar  154  coordinates the motion of arms  150  and  152 , so that the arms move in the same direction at the same time. In one embodiment, torsion bar  154 , arm  150 , and arm  152  comprise a single assembly. The electrical connection between reversible unit  110  and case  102  is carried within arm  150  and  152 .  
         [0032]     In another embodiment of the present invention, a portion of case  102 , containing input device  106 , is removable from case  102 . The removed portion is configured to operated media device  100  remotely. This may be accomplished in a variety of different manners. For example, the removed portion may contain a Bluetooth transmitter and case  102  contains a Bluetooth receiver. In such a manner, user inputs to input device  106  are transmitted to media device  100 , with the results viewable on screen  104 .  
         [0033]     In the foregoing specification the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. While the present invention has been discussed with respect to a portable media device, it should be understood that media device  100  may be a variety of sizes, from a laptop computer to a tablet computer to a PDA to a flash-based MP3/video player.