Personal media device

Abstract

A personal media device includes a housing assembly, a display panel located on the housing assembly, and a control assembly located on the housing assembly. The control assembly includes a slider assembly, a first switch assembly positioned proximate a first side of the slider assembly, and a second switch assembly positioned proximate a second side of the slider assembly. The control assembly is configured to extend across substantially an entire width of the housing assembly.

1 . A personal media device comprising:
 a housing assembly;   a display panel located on the housing assembly;   a control assembly located on the housing assembly;   a sensor configured to detect physical contact with another device;   a computer-readable storage medium configured to store a user profile; and   a wireless data transfer system configured to communicate data to the other device using the wireless network interface, the wireless data transfer system comprising:
 a wireless network interface configured to wirelessly couple the personal media device to the another device; 
   wherein upon detection of physical contact with another device the personal media device prompts a user for confirmation using the display panel and receives confirmation from the user using the control assembly prior to transmitting the first user profile to the other device using the wireless data transfer system.   
     
     
         2 . The personal media device of  claim 1  further comprising one or more additional control switches positioned proximate the control assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The personal media device of  claim 2  wherein the one or more additional switches includes one or more ratings switches configured to allow a user to provide feedback concerning one or more media data files. 
     
     
         4 . The personal media device of  claim 1  further comprising a bus interface assembly for releasably coupling the personal media device to a docking cradle. 
     
     
         5 . The personal media device of  claim 1  further comprising one or more processors and one or more memory architectures configured to execute a digital rights management process. 
     
     
         6 . The personal media device of  claim 1 , wherein the computer readable storage medium is further configured to store one or more media data files. 
     
     
         7 . The personal media device of  claim 1  wherein the slider assembly includes a sliding switch assembly configured to allow for bidirectional movement and configured to generate one or more signals in response to the bidirectional movement. 
     
     
         8 . The personal media device of  claim 1  further comprising an audio subsystem for providing an audio signal to an audio jack positioned on the housing assembly, the audio signal being generated while rendering one or more media data files. 
     
     
         9 . The personal media device of  claim 1  further comprising a wireless interface configured to wirelessly-couple the personal media device with one or more of:
 a network; and the other device. 
 
     
     
         10 . The personal media device of  claim 1  wherein the personal media device is chosen from the group consisting of an MP3 player, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, an internet radio, and a dedicated network device. 
     
     
         11 . The control assembly of  claim 1  wherein the personal media device is chosen from the group consisting of an MP3 player, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, an internet radio, and a dedicated network device. 
     
     
         12 . The personal media device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a momentary switch. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein confirming transmission of the user profile further comprises:
 receiving user input from a control assembly disposed on a housing assembly of the personal media device.   
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 generating a user profile;   storing the user profile on a computer readable storage medium of a personal media device;   placing the personal media device into physical contact with another device;   detecting physical contact, by the personal media device, with the other device using a sensor zone;   initiating a wireless hand shake protocol by the personal media device;   confirming transmission of the user profile by the personal media device to the other device; and   transferring the user profile by the personal media device to the other device.   
     
     
         15 . A personal media device comprising:
 a sensor configured to detect physical contact with another device; and   a computer readable storage medium configured to store a user profile;   a wireless data transfer system configured to communicate data to the other device using the wireless network interface, the wireless data transfer system comprising:
 a wireless network interface configured to wirelessly couple the personal media device to the another device; 
   wherein upon detection of physical contact with the other device the personal media device transmits the user profile to the other device using the data network.   
     
     
         16 . The personal media device of  claim 15 , wherein the wireless network interface comprises a short-range radio. 
     
     
         17 . The personal media device of  claim 15 , wherein the wireless data transfer system is configured to encrypt data transferred using the wireless network interface. 
     
     
         18 . The personal media device of  claim 15 , wherein the user profile comprises at least one of a user's name, email address, instant messenger address, and telephone number. 
     
     
         19 . The personal media device of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor comprises a momentary switch. 
     
     
         20 . The personal media device of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a housing assembly;   a display panel located on the housing assembly; and   a control assembly located on the housing assembly;   wherein prior to transmitting the first user profile to the other device using the wireless data transfer system, the personal media device prompts a user for confirmation using the display panel and receives confirmation from the user using the control assembly.