Multi-Model Modes of One Device

Abstract

A portable media player may provide multi-modes for a user. Each mode may define different features and content that are customized for a particular mode. Based a selected mode, the media player may provide access to only content, features, hardware, user interface elements, and the like that the user wishes to have access to when the mode is enabled. The media player may provide the user different experiences, looks and feels for each mode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 at a portable electronic device:   detecting, at a docking system interface of the portable electronic device, that a control accessory device has been connected to the portable electronic device;   identifying a mode definition among a collection of mode definitions stored on the portable electronic device, the mode definition defining a device mode, and the mode definition including data usable to enable the portable electronic device to determine information for configuring functionality of the portable electronic device based on the device mode;   entering the device mode, including
 executing an application of the portable electronic device identified based on the mode definition, the application having functionality associated with functionality of the control accessory device connected to the portable electronic device, and 
 providing access to content identified based on the mode definition, the content associated with the application of the portable electronic device; and 
   enabling a user of the portable electronic device to control the application using the control accessory device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  comprising prompting the user to connect the control accessory device to the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein prompting the user comprises displaying a dialog on a graphical user interface prompting the user to attach the control accessory device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein an audio user interface prompts the user to attach the control accessory device to the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  comprising automatically entering the device mode based on the presence of the control accessory device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mode definition stores information describing the functionality of the control accessory device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  comprising entering a different device mode, and, in response, disabling the control accessory device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the functionality associated with functionality of the control accessory device comprises one or more graphical user interface elements of the application. 
     
     
         9 . A portable electronic device comprising:
 a docking system interface, the docking system interface comprising a connector to which a control accessory device can be connected;   at least one storage device storing a collection of mode definitions;   at least one processor configuring to carry out operations comprising:
 detecting, at a docking system interface of the portable electronic device, that a control accessory device has been connected to the portable electronic device; 
 identifying a mode definition among a collection of mode definitions stored on the portable electronic device, the mode definition defining a device mode, and the mode definition including data usable to enable the portable electronic device to determine information for configuring functionality of the portable electronic device based on the device mode; 
 entering the device mode, including 
 executing an application of the portable electronic device identified based on the mode definition, the application having functionality associated with functionality of the control accessory device connected to the portable electronic device, and 
 providing access to content identified based on the mode definition, the content associated with the application of the portable electronic device; and 
 enabling a user of the portable electronic device to control the application using the control accessory device. 
   
     
     
         10 . The portable electronic device of  claim 9 , the operations comprising prompting the user to connect the control accessory device to the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         11 . The portable electronic device of  claim 10  wherein prompting the user comprises displaying a dialog on a graphical user interface prompting the user to attach the control accessory device. 
     
     
         12 . The portable electronic device of  claim 10  wherein an audio user interface prompts the user to attach the control accessory device to the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         13 . The portable electronic device of  claim 9 , the operations comprising automatically entering the device mode based on the presence of the control accessory device. 
     
     
         14 . The portable electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the mode definition stores information describing the functionality of the control accessory device. 
     
     
         15 . The portable electronic device of  claim 9 , the operations comprising entering a different device mode, and, in response, disabling the control accessory device. 
     
     
         16 . The portable electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the functionality associated with functionality of the control accessory device comprises one or more graphical user interface elements of the application. 
     
     
         17 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to store program code for a portable electronic device, the computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for performing operations comprising:
 detecting, at a docking system interface of the portable electronic device, that a control accessory device has been connected to the portable electronic device;   identifying a mode definition among a collection of mode definitions stored on the portable electronic device, the mode definition defining a device mode, and the mode definition including data usable to enable the portable electronic device to determine information for configuring functionality of the portable electronic device based on the device mode;   entering the device mode, including
 executing an application of the portable electronic device identified based on the mode definition, the application having functionality associated with functionality of the control accessory device connected to the portable electronic device, and 
 providing access to content identified based on the mode definition, the content associated with the application of the portable electronic device; and 
   enabling a user of the portable electronic device to control the application using the control accessory device.   
     
     
         18 . The storage medium of  claim 17 , the operations comprising prompting the user to connect the control accessory device to the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         19 . The storage medium of  claim 18  wherein prompting the user comprises displaying a dialog on a graphical user interface prompting the user to attach the control accessory device. 
     
     
         20 . The storage medium of  claim 18  wherein an audio user interface prompts the user to attach the control accessory device to the portable electronic device. 
     
     
         21 . The storage medium of  claim 17 , the operations comprising automatically entering the device mode based on the presence of the control accessory device. 
     
     
         22 . The storage medium of  claim 17  wherein the mode definition stores information describing the functionality of the control accessory device. 
     
     
         23 . The storage medium of  claim 17 , the operations comprising entering a different device mode, and, in response, disabling the control accessory device. 
     
     
         24 . The storage medium of  claim 17  wherein the functionality associated with functionality of the control accessory device comprises one or more graphical user interface elements of the application.