Electronic equipment with shuffle operation

Abstract

An electronic equipment is provided that includes access to a playlist, the content of which identifies a plurality of media objects, and a media player section configured to play the plurality of media objects identified in the playlist in an order. In addition, the electronic equipment includes a shuffler section for altering at least one of the order in which the plurality of media objects in the playlist are played by the media player, or the content of the playlist, in response to a shuffle command. The electronic equipment further includes a motion sensor that detects motion of the electronic equipment, the motion sensor producing an output based on detected motion from which the shuffle command is derived.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to electronic equipment, and more particularly to electronic equipment with shuffle operation such as media playback in shuffle mode.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART[0002]The shuffle feature is a well known function of media playback equipment wherein the order in which media objects (e.g., audio tracks) on a prerecorded media are played back randomized. The shuffle feature can add variety and unpredictability to a listening experience.[0003]Playlists are also a well known feature of media playback equipment. Playlists define a group of media objects (e.g., songs, videos, still pictures, etc.) set forth in some predetermined order. Media playback equipment refer to a selected playlist to determine the particular media objects which are to be played and the order in which they are to be played. Playlists can be created by a user, generated automatically, downloaded by the user, etc., or various combinations t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an electronic equipment with media playback that does not have the shortcomings of conventional media playback equipment. The electronic equipment includes a shuffler section that allows users to easily engage with the playback without having to navigate through the entire playlist. The shuffler section can alter the order in which media objects are played or the content of the playlist based on the user's motion or the content of the playlist. This allows users to have more control over the playback experience and ensures that the playback is not boring or detracting from the user's entertainment experience. The electronic equipment can also detect the user's motion and quickly respond to it, without requiring the user to manually engage with the playback. This allows users to easily shuffle the playlist while driving or engaging in other activities. The invention also provides a method for reproducing media objects in electronic equipment by providing a playlist, playing the media objects in an order, detecting motion, and altering the order or content of the playlist in response to the motion.

Problems solved by technology

However, navigating through the appropriate user interface screens to turn the shuffle feature on or off can be bothersome and time consuming.

Moreover, navigating through the user interface screens during playback itself can be disruptive to the listening and / or viewing experience of the user, thereby detracting from the overall entertainment experience.

This too can detract from the overall entertainment experience.

Still further, users typically are not able to control the extent to which the items in a playlist are shuffled or randomized when the shuffle feature is active.

Conventional media playback equipment does not provide such flexibility.

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