Method and circuit for use by a handheld multiple function device

Abstract

A method for use in a multifunction handheld device includes receiving a plurality of digitally formatted files from a host device when coupled to the host device. A selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted files is played, the playing includes generating an audio output. The method monitors for a low voltage condition produced by a low battery voltage. When the low voltage condition is detected, a first fail safe algorithm is enabled to store an audio setting corresponding to the playing of the audio output, and to shutdown the multifunction handheld device, so that later, when the playback can be resumed, the playback can continue based on the stored audio setting.

1 - 30 . (canceled)  
     
     
         31 . A circuit for use by a multifunction handheld device, the circuit comprising: 
 a processing module that executes stores operational instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 receive, when coupled to the host device via a host interface, a plurality of digitally formatted files from a host device and store the plurality of digitally formatted files in a memory,  
 power the handheld by the host device when coupled to the host device via the host interface;  
 playback a selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted files, the playback including the generation of an audio output;  
 monitoring for a low voltage condition produced by a low battery voltage;  
 when the low voltage condition is detected, enabling a first fail safe algorithm to: 
 store settings corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted audio files; and  
 shutdown the multifunction handheld device;  
 
 when the handheld device is reactivated, resuming the playback at the selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted files.  
   
     
     
         32 . The circuit of  claim 31  wherein the host interface includes a universal serial bus (USB) encoder and USB decoder.  
     
     
         33 . The circuit of  claim 31  wherein the plurality of digitally formatted files includes at least one compressed digital audio file.  
     
     
         34 . The circuit of  claim 31  wherein the plurality of digitally formatted files includes at least one compressed digital video file, and the operational instructions include instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 drive a video display device for playing the digital video file.    
     
     
         35 . The circuit of  claim 31 , wherein the operational instructions include instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 monitor of the audio output for an overload condition;    when an overload condition is detected and when the low voltage condition is not detected, enabling a second fail safe algorithm to: 
 disable the audio output for a predetermined period of time;  
 after expiration of the predetermined period of time, enable the audio output; and  
 resume monitoring of the audio output for the overload condition.  
   
     
     
         36 . A circuit for use by a multifunction handheld device, the integrated circuit comprises: 
 a processing module that executes operational instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 receive a plurality of digitally formatted files from a host device and store the first digitally formatted files in a memory;  
 playback a selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted files, the playback including the generation of an audio output;  
 monitoring for a low voltage condition produced by a low battery voltage;  
 when the low voltage condition is detected, enabling a first fail safe algorithm to: 
 store an audio setting corresponding to the playback; and  
 shutdown the multifunction handheld device;  
 
 when the handheld device is reactivated, enabling the playback to resume, based on the audio setting.  
   
     
     
         37 . The circuit of  claim 36  wherein the audio setting includes a volume setting.  
     
     
         38 . The circuit of  claim 36  wherein the audio setting includes a bass setting.  
     
     
         39 . The circuit of  claim 36  wherein the audio setting includes a treble setting.  
     
     
         40 . The circuit of  claim 36  wherein the playback of the selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted files includes playback of a particular song, and the audio setting includes the particular song.  
     
     
         41 . The circuit of  claim 36  further comprising a universal serial interface and wherein the handheld device is powered by the host device when coupled to the host device via the universal serial bus interface.  
     
     
         42 . The circuit of  claim 36  wherein the plurality of digitally formatted files includes at least one compressed digital audio file.  
     
     
         43 . The circuit of  claim 36  wherein the plurality of digitally formatted files includes at least one compressed digital video file, and the operational instructions include instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 drive a video display device for playing the digital video file.    
     
     
         44 . The circuit of  claim 36 , wherein the operational instructions include instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 monitor the audio output for an overload condition;    when an overload condition is detected and when the low voltage condition is not detected, enabling a second fail safe algorithm to: 
 disable the audio output for a predetermined period of time;  
 after expiration of the predetermined period of time, enable audio output; and  
 resume monitoring of the audio output for the overload condition.  
   
     
     
         45 . A method for use in a multifunction handheld device, the method comprises: 
 receiving a plurality of digitally formatted files from a host device when coupled to the host device;    playing a selected one of the first plurality of digitally formatted files, the playing including generating an audio output;    monitoring for a low voltage condition produced by a low battery voltage;    when the low voltage condition is detected, enabling a first fail safe algorithm to: 
 store an audio setting corresponding to the playing of the audio output; and  
 shutdown the multifunction handheld device.  
   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45  further comprising: 
 generating a second plurality of digitally formatted files by digitally recording a voice sample.    
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the audio setting includes a volume setting.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the audio setting includes a bass setting.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the audio setting includes a treble setting.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 45  wherein playing the selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted files includes playing a particular song, and the audio setting includes the particular song played.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 45  wherein further comprising the step of: 
 powering the multifunction handheld device by a host device when coupled to the host device via a host interface.    
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the plurality of digitally formatted files includes at least one compressed digital audio file.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the plurality of digitally formatted files includes at least one compressed digital video file, and the method further comprises: 
 driving a video display device for playing the digital video file.    
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising: 
 monitoring of the audio output for an overload condition;    when an overload condition is detected and when the low voltage condition is not detected, enabling a second fail safe algorithm to: 
 disable the audio output for a predetermined period of time;  
 after expiration of the predetermined period of time, enable the audio output; and  
 resume monitoring of the audio output for the overload condition.  
   
     
     
         55 . An method for use in a multifunction handheld device, the method comprising: 
 receiving a plurality of digitally formatted files from a host device when coupled to the host device, the plurality of digitally formatted files including a digital video file;    powering the multifunction handheld device by the host device when coupled to the host device via the host interface;    playing a selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted files, the playing including the generation of an audio output;    monitoring for a low voltage condition produced by a low battery voltage;    when the low voltage condition is detected, enabling a first fail safe algorithm to: 
 disable the audio output;  
 store settings corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted audio files; and  
 shutdown the multifunction handheld device.  
   
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55  wherein, when the battery is replaced and the handheld device is reactivated, the playback of the selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted files resumes where the playback left off.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55  further comprising: 
 generating an additional digitally formatted file by digitally recording a voice sample.    
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the plurality of digitally formatted files includes at least one compressed digital audio file.  
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the step of playing a selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted files includes driving a video display device for playing the digital video file.  
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising: 
 monitoring of the audio output for an overload condition;    when an overload condition is detected and when the low voltage condition is not detected, enabling a second fail safe algorithm to: 
 disable the audio output for a predetermined period of time;  
 after expiration of the predetermined period of time, enable the audio output; and  
 resume monitoring of the audio output for the overload condition.  
   
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 55  wherein playing the selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted files includes playing a particular song, and the settings corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of digitally formatted audio files includes the particular song played.