E-ink touchscreen visualizer for home av system

Abstract

An interface apparatus includes a main unit, an array of interface modules, driver circuitry, and a remote unit. The main unit outputs files to an output unit, is detachably couplable to interface modules and assigns content identifiers to interface modules. The array presents an image to the user and each interface module can be engaged by a user. The driver circuitry is adapted to drive the array to present an image to the user based upon the user's engagement with an interface module. The remote unit is coupled to the output unit and can be detachably coupled to the interface module. Each interface module in the array of interfaces is adapted to be detached from the main unit and retain the image it was previously driven by the driver circuitry to present.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An interface apparatus, comprising:
 a main unit adapted to cause media files to be outputted to an output unit;   an array of interface modules detachably coupled to the main unit, the array of interface modules adapted to present an image to a user, wherein each interface module in the array of interface modules is adapted to be engaged by the user and to generate a signal when engaged by the user; and   a driver circuitry adapted to drive the array of interface modules to present an image to the user based, at least in part, upon the signal generated by a user's engagement with at least one interface module of the array of interface modules,   wherein each interface module in the array of interface modules is further adapted to be detached from the main unit and retain an image it was previously driven by the driver circuitry to present.   
     
     
         2 . The interface apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the main unit is adapted to communicate with an interface module detached from the main unit. 
     
     
         3 . The interface apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an interface module detached from the main unit is adapted to act as a remote control of the main unit. 
     
     
         4 . The interface apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the driver circuitry is adapted to drive each interface module based on output characteristics of media files that the main unit can cause to be output at the output unit to present a composite image across the array of interface modules, the composite image comprising a plurality of constituent images, wherein each constituent image visually identifies a media file. 
     
     
         5 . The interface apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the driver circuitry is adapted to drive each interface module to present a constituent image. 
     
     
         6 . The interface apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the driver circuitry is adapted to drive each interface module to present a scaled image across the array of interface modules based upon a signal generated by an interface module that is driven to present a constituent image within a composite image. 
     
     
         7 . The interface apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the driver circuitry is adapted to drive each interface module to present a content-information image across the array of interface modules, the content-information image corresponding to a scaled image presented across the array of interface modules. 
     
     
         8 . An interface method, comprising:
 driving an array of interface modules detachably coupled to a main unit to present an image across the array of interface modules based upon output characteristics of media files that the main unit can cause to be output at an output unit;   generating a signal upon a user's engagement with an interface module;   updating the image presented across the array of interface modules based, at least in part, upon the signal generated upon the user's engagement with at least one interface module of the array of interface modules; and   wherein the each interface module in the array of interface modules is further adapted to be detached from the main unit and retain an image it was previously driven to present.   
     
     
         9 . The interface method of  claim 8 , wherein the main unit is adapted to communicate with an interface module detached from the main unit. 
     
     
         10 . The interface method of  claim 8 , wherein an interface module detached from the main unit is adapted to act as a remote control of the main unit. 
     
     
         11 . The interface method of  claim 8 , further comprising driving each interface module based on output characteristics of media files that the main unit can cause to be output at the output unit to present a composite image across the array of interface modules, the composite image comprising a plurality of constituent images, wherein each constituent image visually identifies a media file. 
     
     
         12 . The interface method of  claim 8 , further comprising driving each interface module to present a constituent image. 
     
     
         13 . The interface method of  claim 8 , further comprising driving each interface module to present a scaled image across the array of interface modules based upon a signal generated by an interface module driven to present a constituent image within a composite image. 
     
     
         14 . The interface method of  claim 8 , further comprising driving each interface module to present a content-information image across the array of interface modules, the content-information image corresponding to a scaled image presented across the array of interface modules. 
     
     
         15 . A method of fabricating an interface apparatus, comprising:
 providing a main unit adapted to cause media files to be output to an output unit;   providing an array of interface modules detachably coupled to the main unit, the array of interface modules adapted to present an image to a user, wherein the step of providing the array of interface modules comprises providing each interface module in the array of interface modules being engageable by the user and generating a signal when engaged by the user; and   providing a driver circuitry adapted to drive the array of interface modules to present an image to the user based at least in part upon the signal generated by a user's engagement with at least one interface module of the array of interface modules;   wherein the each interface module in the array of interface modules is further adapted to be detached from the main unit and retain an image it was previously driven by the driver circuitry to present.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the main unit is adapted to communicate with an interface module detached from the main unit. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the driver circuitry providing step comprises adapting the driver circuitry to drive each interface module based on output characteristics of media files that the main unit can cause to be output at the output unit to present a composite image across the array of interface modules, the composite image comprising a plurality of constituent images wherein each constituent image visually identifies a media file. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the driver circuitry providing step comprises adapting the driver circuitry to drive each interface module to present a constituent image. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the driver circuitry providing step comprises adapting the driver circuitry to drive each interface module to present a scaled image across the array of interface modules based upon a signal generated by an interface module driven to present a constituent image within a composite image. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the driver circuitry providing step comprises adapting the driver circuitry to drive each interface module to present a content-information image across the array of interface modules, the content-information image corresponding to a scaled image presented across the array of interface modules.