U.S. patent application number 13/993976 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-02 for method for generating media collections.
This patent application is currently assigned to THOMSON LICENSING. The applicant listed for this patent is Samir M. Ahmed, Basil Badawiyeh, John Frederick Bishop, James Earl Booth, Jr., Dan Han Diep, Dana Shawn Forte, Gregory David Gudorf, Regine Lawton, Peter S. Lee, Vasil Nadzakov, David Pettigrew, Jason Douglas Pickersgill, Genevieve Marie Pinvidic, Kenneth Alan Rudman, Lee Douglas Shartzer, Hao Chi Tran, Mark Leroy Walker, Roger Yeh, Andrew Yoon. Invention is credited to Samir M. Ahmed, Basil Badawiyeh, John Frederick Bishop, James Earl Booth, Jr., Dan Han Diep, Dana Shawn Forte, Gregory David Gudorf, Regine Lawton, Peter S. Lee, Vasil Nadzakov, David Pettigrew, Jason Douglas Pickersgill, Genevieve Marie Pinvidic, Kenneth Alan Rudman, Lee Douglas Shartzer, Hao Chi Tran, Mark Leroy Walker, Roger Yeh, Andrew Yoon.
Application Number | 20140298215 13/993976 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46314410 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140298215 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lawton; Regine ; et
al. |
October 2, 2014 |
METHOD FOR GENERATING MEDIA COLLECTIONS
Abstract
A user interface is used for selecting a time duration for a
media collection shelf. The media shelf can be populated with
graphical elements corresponding to selected media assets, where
the cumulative time duration of selected media assets should not
exceed the time duration of the media collection shelf. When placed
within the media collection shelf, a graphical element
corresponding to a media asset is scaled in proportion to the time
duration of the media asset as compared to the time duration of the
media collection shelf. Optionally, selected media assets within
the media collection shelf are played back in a particular order
specified by a user.
Inventors: |
Lawton; Regine; (Newbury
Park, CA) ; Gudorf; Gregory David; (Sunland, CA)
; Rudman; Kenneth Alan; (South Pasadena, CA) ;
Nadzakov; Vasil; (Los Angeles, CA) ; Yoon;
Andrew; (Los Angeles, CA) ; Yeh; Roger; (San
Marino, CA) ; Badawiyeh; Basil; (Santa Clarita,
CA) ; Pinvidic; Genevieve Marie; (Paris, FR) ;
Forte; Dana Shawn; (Castaic, CA) ; Diep; Dan Han;
(San Gabriel, CA) ; Ahmed; Samir M.; (Glendale,
CA) ; Shartzer; Lee Douglas; (Valencia, CA) ;
Bishop; John Frederick; (Santa Monica, CA) ; Booth,
Jr.; James Earl; (Burbank, CA) ; Tran; Hao Chi;
(El Monte, CA) ; Lee; Peter S.; (Calabasas Park,
CA) ; Pickersgill; Jason Douglas; (Los Angeles,
CA) ; Walker; Mark Leroy; (Castaic, CA) ;
Pettigrew; David; (San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lawton; Regine
Gudorf; Gregory David
Rudman; Kenneth Alan
Nadzakov; Vasil
Yoon; Andrew
Yeh; Roger
Badawiyeh; Basil
Pinvidic; Genevieve Marie
Forte; Dana Shawn
Diep; Dan Han
Ahmed; Samir M.
Shartzer; Lee Douglas
Bishop; John Frederick
Booth, Jr.; James Earl
Tran; Hao Chi
Lee; Peter S.
Pickersgill; Jason Douglas
Walker; Mark Leroy
Pettigrew; David |
Newbury Park
Sunland
South Pasadena
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
San Marino
Santa Clarita
Paris
Castaic
San Gabriel
Glendale
Valencia
Santa Monica
Burbank
El Monte
Calabasas Park
Los Angeles
Castaic
San Francisco |
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
FR
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
THOMSON LICENSING
Issy de Moulineaux
FR
|
Family ID: |
46314410 |
Appl. No.: |
13/993976 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
December 20, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US11/65999 |
371 Date: |
February 18, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61426509 |
Dec 22, 2010 |
|
|
|
61429741 |
Jan 4, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/763 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0485 20130101;
G06F 2203/04806 20130101; G06F 16/4387 20190101; G06F 3/0482
20130101; G06F 3/0484 20130101; G06F 3/04883 20130101; G11B 27/105
20130101; G06F 3/04842 20130101; G06F 16/444 20190101; G11B 27/034
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/763 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0484 20060101
G06F003/0484 |
Claims
1. A method for generating a user interface comprising the steps
of: generating a display area containing graphical elements
corresponding to a plurality of media assets, where each graphical
element corresponds to a media asset from the plurality of media
assets; generating a media collection shelf that has a horizontal
length proportional to a selected time duration value; and
generating the media collection shelf with a graphical element of a
selected media asset from the plurality of media assets, wherein
the graphical element of a selected media asset is scaled
horizontally in proportion to the time duration of the media asset
compared to the selected time duration value of the media
collection shelf.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining
whether the time duration of the media asset exceeds the value of
the selected time duration value of the media collection shelf, and
generating a message indicting this condition if true, otherwise
generating the media collection shelf with the graphical element of
the selected media asset is performed.
3. The method of claim 2 comprising the additional steps of:
calculating a cumulative value of time for media assets previously
selected by totaling the time duration value of all previously
selected media assets that populate the media collection shelf; and
repeating the populating step for newly selected media assets from
the plurality of media assets until the cumulative value of time is
equal to the selected time duration of the media collection
shelf.
4. The method of claim 2 comprising the additional steps of:
calculating a cumulative value of time for media assets previously
selected by totaling the time duration value of all previously
selected media assets that populate the media collection shelf; and
indicating media assets that can be selected for inclusion within
the media shelf collection when the cumulative value of time is
less than the selected time duration of the media collection shelf
by changing the graphical elements associated with the media assets
that can be selected for inclusion.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the media assets that can be
selected for inclusion are selected by calculating the media assets
that have times of duration that are less than the difference of
the selected time duration of the media collection shelf and the
cumulative value of time for media assets previously selected.
6. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of playing
all of the media assets from the plurality of media assets whose
elements populate the media collection shelf.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the playback of the media assets
is performed in an order where the graphical elements of media
assets in the media collection shelf towards the left edge of the
shelf are played before the graphical elements of the media asset
towards the right of the shelf.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein a label is assigned to the media
collection shelf.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein a previously selected media asset
is deleted from the media collection shelf by activating a delete
function.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphical elements of the
plurality of media assets are scaled horizontally in accordance to
their corresponding ratings.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of media assets
comprise audio, video, applications, and pictures.
12. A device for generating a user interface comprising the steps
of: means for generating a display area containing graphical
elements corresponding to a plurality of media assets, where each
graphical element corresponds to a media asset from the plurality
of media assets; means for generating a media collection shelf that
has a horizontal length proportional to a selected time duration
value; and means for generating the media collection shelf with a
graphical element of a selected media asset from the plurality of
media assets, wherein the graphical element of a selected media
asset is scaled horizontally in proportion to the time duration of
the media asset compared to the selected time duration value of the
media collection shelf.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/426,509 filed Dec. 22, 2010 and U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/429,741 filed on Jan. 4, 2011,
which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure generally related to a user interface
is used for displaying media collections. More particularly, the
present disclosure relates to a method for generating media
collections which graphically correspond to the time of the media
assets within such media collections.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] When using a media device such as a media player or a
tablet, it is likely that a user will have a variety of media
assets (such as video, audio, pictures, and the like) that they
will want to organize and playback. A user can, for example, use a
playlist which provides a listing of media assets and a play order
for the playback of such media assets. A playlist however can be
cumbersome to use because most playlists exist in the form of text
and they do not provide a user an easy way to determine how
selected media assets correlate to other media assets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A method and apparatus is presented where media assets are
organized graphically in the form of media collection shelves. Such
shelves can be used to specify a total amount of time a user wants
media assets to be played and the play order of media assets.
Selected media assets are modified when placed within a media
collection shelf to reflect the amount of time the media asset will
occupy in relation to the total amount of time designated for a
media collection shelf.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] These, and other aspects, features and advantages of the
present disclosure will be described or become apparent from the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which
is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
[0006] In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote
similar elements throughout the views:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for
delivering video content in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary set-top
box/digital video recorder (DVR) in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary media device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the use of a
gesture for a sensing controller or touch screen in accordance with
the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface showing a collection of media assets in accordance with
the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface showing a collection of media assets with a menu in
accordance with the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface showing a collection of media assets in accordance with
the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface showing a collection of media assets in accordance with
the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface showing a collection of media assets in accordance with
the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface showing a number of media collections in the form of
shelves in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface used for populating a media collection with media assets
in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of user
interface displaying media assets in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface that specifies a time length for a media collection shelf
in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface that displays a media collection shelf generated in view
of a user instruction in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface that displays a media collection shelf generated in view
of a user instruction in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface that displays various examples of media collection
shelves in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface of a media collection shelf and a selected media asset in
accordance with the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface with a media collection shelf and a graphic representing
a media asset that is scaled in proportion to the length of time
the media asset represents in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface with a media collection shelf and graphics representing
media assets that are scaled in proportion to the length of time
the media assets represent in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface with a media collection shelf and graphics representing
media assets that are scaled in proportion to the length of time
the media assets represent in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface indicating an error message when a media asset exceeds
the length of time afforded to a media collection shelf in
accordance with the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 22 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface with a media collection shelf and graphics representing
media assets that are scaled in portion to the length of time the
media assets represent in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface with an option to indicate the media assets that would
fill the remaining time left for a media collection shelf in
accordance with the present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface indicating the media assets that would fill the remaining
time left for a media collection shelf in accordance with the
present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface indicating the associated critic ratings associated with
media assets in accordance with the present disclosure; and
[0032] FIG. 26 presents a flow chart for populating a media
collection shelf with graphical representations of media assets in
accordance with the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The present disclosure provides several different
embodiments of a user interface that is used for receiving,
recording, playing back, purchasing, and the like media such as
videos, television shows, movies, audio, music, video games, and
the like. Such a user interface can be implemented on devices such
as a computer, set top box, media server, tablet, mobile phone,
personal media, device, portable video game system, video game
system, and so forth.
[0034] The present disclosure provides several different
embodiments of a user interface that is used for receiving,
recording, playing back, purchasing, and the like media such as
videos, television shows, movies, audio, music, video games, and
the like. Such a system can be implemented on devices such as a
computer, set top box, media server, tablet, mobile phone, personal
media, device, portable video game system, video game system, and
so forth.
[0035] Turning now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an embodiment of a
system 100 for delivering content to a home or end user is shown.
The content originates from a content source 102, such as a movie
studio or production house. The content may be supplied in at least
one of two forms. One form may be a broadcast form of content. The
broadcast content is provided to the broadcast affiliate manager
104, which is typically a national broadcast service, such as the
American Broadcasting Company (ABC), National Broadcasting Company
(NBC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), etc. The broadcast
affiliate manager may collect and store the content, and may
schedule delivery of the content over a deliver network, shown as
delivery network 1 (106). Delivery network 1 (106) may include
satellite link transmission from a national center to one or more
regional or local centers. Delivery network 1 (106) may also
include local content delivery using local delivery systems such as
over the air broadcast, satellite broadcast, or cable broadcast.
The locally delivered content is provided to a media device 108 in
a user's home, where the content will subsequently be searched by
the user. It is to be appreciated that the media device 108 can
take many forms and may be embodied as a set top box/digital video
recorder (DVR), a gateway, a modem, etc. Further, the media device
108 may act as entry point, or gateway, for a home network system
that includes additional devices configured as either client or
peer devices in the home network.
[0036] A second form of content is referred to as special content.
Special content may include content delivered as premium viewing,
pay-per-view, or other content otherwise not provided to the
broadcast affiliate manager, e.g., movies, video games or other
video elements. In many cases, the special content may be content
requested by the user. The special content may be delivered to a
content manager 110. The content manager 110 may be a service
provider, such as an Internet website, affiliated, for instance,
with a content provider, broadcast service, or delivery network
service. The content manager 110 may also incorporate Internet
content into the delivery system. The content manager 110 may
deliver the content to the user's media device 108 over a separate
delivery network, delivery network 2 (112). Delivery network 2
(112) may include high-speed broadband Internet type communications
systems. It is important to note that the content from the
broadcast affiliate manager 104 may also be delivered using all or
parts of delivery network 2 (112) and content from the content
manager 110 may be delivered using all or parts of delivery network
1 (106). In addition, the user may also obtain content directly
from the Internet via delivery network 2 (112) without necessarily
having the content managed by the content manager 110.
[0037] Several adaptations for utilizing the separately delivered
content may be possible. In one possible approach, the special
content is provided as an augmentation to the broadcast content,
providing alternative displays, purchase and merchandising options,
enhancement material, etc. In another embodiment, the special
content may completely replace some programming content provided as
broadcast content. Finally, the special content may be completely
separate from the broadcast content, and may simply be a media
alternative that the user may choose to utilize. For instance, the
special content may be a library of movies that are not yet
available as broadcast content.
[0038] The media device 108 may receive different types of content
from one or both of delivery network 1 and delivery network 2. The
media device 108 processes the content, and provides a separation
of the content based on user preferences and commands. The media
device 108 may also include a storage device, such as a hard drive
or optical disk drive, for recording and playing back audio and
video content. Further details of the operation of the media device
108 and features associated with playing back stored content will
be described below in relation to FIG. 2. The processed content is
provided to a display device 114. The display device 114 may be a
conventional 2-D type display or may alternatively be an advanced
3-D display.
[0039] The media device 108 may also be interfaced to a second
screen such as a touch screen control device 116. The touch screen
control device 116 may be adapted to provide user control for the
media device 108 and/or the display device 114. The touch screen
device 116 may also be capable of displaying video content. The
video content may be graphics entries, such as user interface
entries, or may be a portion of the video content that is delivered
to the display device 114 The touch screen control device 116 may
interface to media device 108 using any well known signal
transmission system, such as infra-red (IR) or radio frequency (RF)
communications and may include standard protocols such as infra-red
data association (IRDA) standard, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the like, or
any other proprietary protocols. Operations of touch screen control
device 116 will be described in further detail below.
[0040] Optionally, media device 108 and touch screen control device
116 can be integrated into the same device. Examples of these media
devices with a touch screen include computers, laptops, cell
phones, personal media player, MP3 players, personal desk
assistants, tablet devices, digital video recorders, and the like.
For purposes of the this specification, the term media device 108
can encompass all of these type of devices with set top boxes,
digital video recorders, gateway devices, and the like.
[0041] In the example of FIG. 1, the system 100 also includes a
back end server 118 and a usage database 120. The back end server
118 includes a personalization engine that analyzes the usage
habits of a user and makes recommendations based on those usage
habits. The usage database 120 is where the usage habits for a user
are monitored and information about such usage habits is stored. It
is possible to use such user habit information to develop a profile
for a user which is then used for recommending advertisements and
programming. In some cases, the usage database 120 may be part of
the back end server 118. In the present example, the back end
server 118 (as well as the usage database 120) is connected to the
system the system 100 and accessed through the delivery network 2
(112).
[0042] Turning now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of an embodiment of a
media device 200 is shown. Receiving device 200 may operate similar
to the media device described in FIG. 1 and may be included as part
of a gateway device, modem, set-top box, or other similar
communications device. The device 200 shown may also be
incorporated into other systems including an audio device or a
display device. In either case, several components necessary for
complete operation of the system are not shown in the interest of
conciseness, as they are well known to those skilled in the
art.
[0043] In the device 200 shown in FIG. 2, the content is received
by an input signal receiver 202. The input signal receiver 202 may
be one of several known receiver circuits used for receiving,
demodulation, and decoding signals provided over one of the several
possible networks including over the air, cable, satellite,
Ethernet, fiber and phone line networks. The desired input signal
may be selected and retrieved by the input signal receiver 202
based on user input provided through a control interface or touch
panel interface 222. Touch panel interface 222 may include an
interface for a touch screen device. Touch panel interface 222 may
also be adapted to interface to a cellular phone, a tablet, a
mouse, a high end remote or the like.
[0044] The decoded output signal is provided to an input stream
processor 204. The input stream processor 204 performs the final
signal selection and processing, and includes separation of video
content from audio content for the content stream. The audio
content is provided to an audio processor 206 for conversion from
the received format, such as compressed digital signal, to an
analog waveform signal. The analog waveform signal is provided to
an audio interface 208 and further to the display device or audio
amplifier. Alternatively, the audio interface 208 may provide a
digital signal to an audio output device or display device using a
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable or alternate
audio interface such as via a Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect
Format (SPDIF). The audio interface may also include amplifiers for
driving one more sets of speakers. The audio processor 206 also
performs any necessary conversion for the storage of the audio
signals.
[0045] The video output from the input stream processor 204 is
provided to a video processor 210. The video signal may be one of
several formats. The video processor 210 provides, as necessary a
conversion of the video content, based on the input signal format.
The video processor 210 also performs any necessary conversion for
the storage of the video signals.
[0046] A storage device 212 stores audio and video content received
at the input. The storage device 212 allows later retrieval and
playback of the content under the control of a controller 214 and
also based on commands, e.g., navigation instructions such as
fast-forward (FF) and rewind (Rew), received from a user interface
216 and/or touch panel interface 222. The storage device 212 may be
a hard disk drive, one or more large capacity integrated electronic
memories, such as static RAM (SRAM), or dynamic RAM (DRAM), or may
be an interchangeable optical disk storage system such as a compact
disk (CD) drive or digital video disk (DVD) drive.
[0047] The converted video signal, from the video processor 210,
either originating from the input or from the storage device 212,
is provided to the display interface 218. The display interface 218
further provides the display signal to a display device of the type
described above. The display interface 218 may be an analog signal
interface such as red-green-blue (RGB) or may be a digital
interface such as HDMI. It is to be appreciated that the display
interface 218 will generate the various screens for presenting the
search results in a three dimensional gird as will be described in
more detail below.
[0048] The controller 214 is interconnected via a bus to several of
the components of the device 200, including the input stream
processor 202, audio processor 206, video processor 210, storage
device 212, and a user interface 216. The controller 214 manages
the conversion process for converting the input stream signal into
a signal for storage on the storage device or for display. The
controller 214 also manages the retrieval and playback of stored
content. Furthermore, as will be described below, the controller
214 performs searching of content and the creation and adjusting of
the gird display representing the content, either stored or to be
delivered via the delivery networks, described above.
[0049] The controller 214 is further coupled to control memory 220
(e.g., volatile or nonvolatile memory, including RAM, SRAM, DRAM,
ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), flash memory, electronically
programmable ROM (EPROM), electronically erasable programmable ROM
(EEPROM), etc.) for storing information and instruction code for
controller 214. Control memory 220 may store instructions for
controller 214. Control memory may also store a database of
elements, such as graphic elements containing content, various
graphic elements used for generating a displayed user interface for
display interface 218, and the like. Alternatively, the memory may
store the graphic elements in identified or grouped memory
locations and use an access or location table to identify the
memory locations for the various portions of information related to
the graphic elements. In addition, various graphic elements can be
generated in response to computer instructions interpreted by
controller 214 for output to display interface 218. Additional
details related to the storage of the graphic elements will be
described below. Further, the implementation of the control memory
220 may include several possible embodiments, such as a single
memory device or, alternatively, more than one memory circuit
communicatively connected or coupled together to form a shared or
common memory. Still further, the memory may be included with other
circuitry, such as portions of bus communications circuitry, in a
larger circuit.
[0050] Optionally, controller 214 can be adapted to extract
metadata from audio and video media by using audio processor 206
and video processor 210, respectively. That is, metadata that is
contained in video signal in the vertical blanking interval,
auxiliary data fields associated with video, or in other areas in
the video signal can be harvested by using the video processor 210
with controller 214 as to generate metadata that can be used for
functions such as generating an electronic program guide, have
descriptive information about received video, supporting an
auxiliary information service, and the like. Similarly, the audio
processor 206 working with controller 214 can be adapted to
recognize audio watermarks that may be in an audio signal. Such
audio watermarks can then be used to perform some action such as
the recognition of the audio signal, security which identifies the
source of an audio signal, or perform some other service.
Furthermore, metadata to support the actions listed above can come
from a network source which are processed by controller 214.
[0051] Turning now to FIG. 3, the user interface process of the
present disclosure employs an input device that can be used to
express functions, such as fast forward, rewind, etc. To allow for
this, a tablet or touch panel device 300 (which is the same as the
touch screen device 116 shown in FIG. 1 and/or is an integrated
example of media device 108 and touch screen device 116) may be
interfaced via the user interface 216 and/or touch panel interface
222 of the receiving device 200. The touch panel device 300 allows
operation of the receiving device or set top box based on hand
movements, or gestures, and actions translated through the panel
into commands for the set top box or other control device. In one
embodiment, the touch panel 300 may simply serve as a navigational
tool to navigate the grid display. In other embodiments, the touch
panel 300 will additionally serve as the display device allowing
the user to more directly interact with the navigation through the
grid display of content. The touch panel device may be included as
part of a remote control device containing more conventional
control functions such as activator buttons. The touch panel 300
can also includes at least one camera element. As described in
further detail below, content displayed on the touch panel device
300 may be zapped or thrown to the main screen (e.g., display
device 114 shown in FIG. 1).
[0052] Turning now to FIG. 4, the use of a gesture sensing
controller or touch screen, such as shown, provides for a number of
types of user interaction. The inputs from the controller are used
to define gestures and the gestures, in turn, define specific
contextual commands. The configuration of the sensors may permit
defining movement of a user's fingers on a touch screen or may even
permit defining the movement of the controller itself in either one
dimension or two dimensions. Two-dimensional motion, such as a
diagonal, and a combination of yaw, pitch and roll can be used to
define any three-dimensional motion, such as a swing. A number of
gestures are illustrated in FIG. 4. Gestures are interpreted in
context and are identified by defined movements made by the
user.
[0053] Bumping 420 is defined by a two-stroke drawing indicating
pointing in one direction, either up, down, left or right. The
bumping gesture is associated with specific commands in context.
For example, in a TimeShifting mode, a left-bump gesture 420
indicates rewinding, and a right-bump gesture indicates
fast-forwarding. In other contexts, a bump gesture 420 is
interpreted to increment a particular value in the direction
designated by the bump. Checking 440 is defined as in drawing a
checkmark. It is similar to a downward bump gesture 420. Checking
is identified in context to designate a reminder, user tag or to
select an item or element. Circling 440 is defined as drawing a
circle in either direction. It is possible that both directions
could be distinguished. However, to avoid confusion, a circle is
identified as a single command regardless of direction. Dragging
450 is defined as an angular movement of the controller (a change
in pitch and/or yaw) while pressing a button (virtual or physical)
on the tablet 300 (i.e., a "trigger drag"). The dragging gesture
450 may be used for navigation, speed, distance, time-shifting,
rewinding, and forwarding. Dragging 450 can be used to move a
cursor, a virtual cursor, or a change of state, such as
highlighting outlining or selecting on the display. Dragging 450
can be in any direction and is generally used to navigate in two
dimensions. However, in certain interfaces, it is preferred to
modify the response to the dragging command. For example, in some
interfaces, operation in one dimension or direction is favored with
respect to other dimensions or directions depending upon the
position of the virtual cursor or the direction of movement.
Nodding 460 is defined by two fast trigger-drag up-and-down
vertical movements. Nodding 460 is used to indicate "Yes" or
"Accept." X-ing 470 is defined as in drawing the letter "X." X-ing
470 is used for "Delete" or "Block" commands. Wagging 480 is
defined by two trigger-drag fast back-and-forth horizontal
movements. The wagging gesture 480 is used to indicate "No" or
"Cancel."
[0054] Depending on the complexity of the sensor system, only
simple one dimensional motion or gestures may be allowed. For
instance, a simple right or left movement on the sensor as shown
here may produce a fast forward or rewind function. In addition,
multiple sensors could be included and placed at different
locations on the touch screen. For instance, a horizontal sensor
for left and right movement may be placed in one spot and used for
volume up and down, while a vertical sensor for up down movement
may be place in a different spot and used for channel up and down.
In this way specific gesture mappings may be used. As discussed in
further detail below, a two finger swipe gesture may be utilized to
initiate the throwing or moving of content from the tablet 300 to
the main screen or display device 114.
[0055] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface 500 showing a collection of media assets in accordance
with the present disclosure. Specifically, display area 510 show a
collection of media assets that a represented by different
graphics/icons. These media assets such as 520 and 525 can be
selected for playback by using a gesture/control interface command,
whereby a media device will playback a selected media asset by
retrieving such an asset from a storage medium, requesting the
asset from a server, activating an attached playback device, and
the like. In particular, media assets 520 and 525 are known as
movies which are shown by label 560 (videos). That is, different
media assets can be grouped by different classifications which are
shown when menu 570 is activated. The activation of media
collection shelf 550 will be explained below. The shading of FIG. 5
indicates the overlay of menu items 573 and 575 over the rest of
the items shown in display area 510.
[0056] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface 600 showing the activation of a menu for a collection of
media assets. The activation of menu 570 displays other collections
of media assets such as videos 573 and music 575 that can be
selected by a user. The selection of a new media collection can be
cancelled if a user activates the cancel operation shown for menu
570, which will keep the current media collection presently
selected.
[0057] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface 700 showing a collection of music media assets. 530 and
535 represent different music media assets that can be selected for
playback in accordance with a playback gesture/control input
command. As shown in this embodiment 700, an option slider control
590 is present that moves up and down as to allow one to see and
select media assets not currently displayed in display area
510.
[0058] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface 800 showing a collection of photo media assets. Such
photo media assets such as 540 and 545 can be selected for playback
in accordance with a playback gesture/control input gesture.
[0059] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface 900 showing a collection of applications. These
applications are computer programs which are capable of being
executed on a media device. Examples of executable programs for a
media device include games, news readers, browsers, event
appointment program, and the like can be activated using a
gesture/control interface command. Various applications shown
include a game Random Roulette 547 and event count 549 which is an
event appointment program. Other application can be used in
accordance with the present principles.
[0060] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface 1000 showing a number of media collections in the form of
shelves in accordance with the present disclosure. When button
550/1050 is activated on display area 1010, a series of media
collection shelves 1020 and 1030 are opened. A media collection
shelf is used to organize and playback media assets in a specified
order. That is, instead of using a generic playlist, a media
collection shelf can be used to graphically show an order of media
assets using the identifiers (graphics/icons) that are associated
with such media assets. For example, media collection shelf 1020
entitled "my collection" displays two media assets 1027 and 1029
which are photos that can be playback if a play command is used.
The order in which media assets are played in a media collection
shelf goes from a left to a right order where for media collection
shelf 1020, picture 1027 is displayed before picture 1029.
Likewise, for media collection shelf 1037 entitled "trip", picture
1037 is played back before picture 1039. Other media collection
shelves use this order to playback media assets, where a mixture of
media assets can also be mixed where videos, audio, pictures,
applications, and the like can be played back in a specified
order.
[0061] Label 1060 indicates that user interface 1010 is related to
"collections". Menu 1070 can be used to resume back to previous
collection views as shown for user interfaces 500, 600, 700, 800,
and 900. The activation of add collection button 1085 creates a new
media collection shelf to be populated where the shelf can be named
with a user designated label. Edit collection button 1080 lets a
user change the order of media collection shelves whereby a user
can select and drag a media collection shelf to a new position.
[0062] Activation of an edit button such as 1025 or 1035 brings up
an interface as shown in FIG. 11 illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of a user interface 1100 which is used for ordering a
media collection with media assets in accordance with the present
disclosure. By using a gesture/control input command, a user can
select a media asset such as movies 1040 or 1045 and drop such
media assets into the media shelf collection 1030. The selection of
a media asset for a media shelf collection allows a user to place
the media asset before, after, or in between media assets that are
already shown on a media shelf collection. Hence, if a user selects
1040 to be part of media collection 1030, the graphic representing
1040 can be placed before media asset 1037, in between assets 1037
and 1039, or placed after media asset 1039. Also, the activation of
delete control 1080 removes a media asset from a media collection
shelf. It is expected that in the edit mode, each media asset in a
media collection shelf will have a corresponding delete
control.
[0063] The activation of menu 1070 for user interface 1100 will let
a user select media assets from different media collections as
shown in user interfaces 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 when
constructing a media collection shelf. The activation of 1090
indicates that a user is done constructing a media collection
shelf, while the activation of cancellation button 1095 cancels any
of the modifications made to a media collection shelf. Label 1060
indicates that the presently created media collection shelf is
called "trip".
[0064] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface 1200 displaying media assets in accordance with the
present invention. Information about the media assets is shown in
TABLE I. The displayed media assets in display area 1210 are
designated by icons, graphics, poster art, screenshots, and the
like that correspond to such media assets.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I Length Number Type of (min/sec) of Asset
Asset Title Location Ta Actor Director Rating 1220 Video Susie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkeinrXESFI 10:00 Koppell, Koppell,
5 Sampson Jackie Jackie Tackles Labor 1221 Video The Life Local
Storage 120:00 Murray, Bill; Anderson, 3 Aquatic with Wilson, Wes
Steve Zissou Owen; Huston, Anjelica 1222 Video Swamp Thing Local
Storage 115:00 Benson, Moore, 1 Bluto; Dean, Allan James 1223 Video
Susie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6asl2L3wak 20:00 Koppell,
Koppell, 4 Sampson Jackie Jackie Tackles Debt 1224 Video Community
http://www.hulu.com/watch?v=communitysea2epi3.mp4 30:00 McHale,
Joel; Brown, Doc 2.5 Television Chase, Chevy Show - Season 2,
Episode 3 1225 Audio Hey Jude Local Storage 10:00 Beatles Beatles 5
1226 Video Susie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTSAi3TSJn4 30:00
Koppell, Koppell, 5 Sampson Jackie Jackie Tackles Social Security
1227 Video Without a Local Storage 90:00 Fleischer, Fleischer, 5
Home Rachel Rachel 1228 Audio Rock It
http://www.cloudmusic.com/sj3jf 10:00 Hancock, Hancock, 2.5 Herbie
Herbie
[0065] In the description of TABLE I, number of asset represents
the number shown in the figures of a described media asset. Type of
asset corresponds to the category of a media asset being audio,
video, program, and the like. Title represents the name of a media
asset. Location is the physical location of a media asset which can
be local memory storage, remote memory storage, a server, a video
on demand service, a cloud storage service, a streaming media
service, and the like. Notably, TABLE I accommodates media in
different locations as long as there is information that references
the location of a media asset. Length is the length of time in
minutes and seconds of a media asset. Such a value is known as the
time length of a media asset as denoted by a value Ta. The actor
field lists the actors performing in a media asset. Optionally,
when a media asset is audio, the actor field represents the name of
the band or performer responsible for the audio. The director field
represents the director of a media asset. The ratings field
represents a critical rating (0-5) that a media asset has received
from a critic or is an averaged rating score from a source such as
RottenTomatoes.com. The information of TABLE I can be generated
from metadata that comes with a media asset, from electronic
program guide information, from a local database, from a remote
database, a metadata descriptive service, a combination of these
sources, and the like.
[0066] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface 1300 that specifies a time length for a media collection
shelf in accordance with the present invention. A user can be
presented with an option to construct a media collection shelf of a
certain time length. Such an option is shown in dialog box 1230
where a user can specify a length of time in hours and minutes that
they want the media collection shelf to occupy.
[0067] In FIG. 14, an exemplary embodiment of a user interface 1400
that displays a media collection shelf generated in view of a user
instruction in accordance with the present disclosure.
Specifically, a user has specified in dialog box 1230 that a media
collection shelf 1240 will be 1 hour and zero minutes. The length
of media collection shelf 1240 is proportional to the length of
time in which a user has specified, where for example a media
collection shelf that is two hours long will be twice the length of
a media collection shelf that is one hour long. An example a two
hour long media collection shelf 1242 is shown in FIG. 15 which is
an exemplary embodiment of a user interface 1500 that display an
alternative media collection shelf generated in view of a user
instruction in accordance with the present disclosure. Likewise, a
media collection shelf that is a half hour is half the size of a
media collection shelf that is an hour.
[0068] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of different
media collection shelves which have varying lengths. As stated
before, the length of a displayed media collection shelf is
proportional to the time duration allocated for the shelf. For
example, media collection shelf 1240 comports to an hour of time,
while media collection shelf 1242 is for two hours. Media
collection shelf 1244 is for a three hour time length, media
collection shelf 1246 is for a half hour, and shelf 1248 represents
fifteen minutes. Other sizes of a media shelf can be generated in
accordance with the described principles. Ideally, the length of
media shelves will be varied while the height will remain
relatively constant.
[0069] FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface 1700 of a media collection shelf and a selected media
asset in accordance with the present disclosure. As presented in
display area 1210, a media asset 1224 is selected to be placed
within media collection shelf 1240. When a media asset is selected,
an outline of where a media asset previously located is shown in
box 1254, whereby the display of such an outline is optional.
[0070] FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface 1800 with a media collection shelf and a graphic
representing a media asset that is scaled in proportion to the
length of time the media asset represents in accordance with the
present disclosure. When media asset 1224 is placed within media
collection shelf 1240, the size of media asset 1224 is scaled in
accordance with the amount of time that the media asset runs.
Referring to TABLE 1, media asset 1224 runs for thirty minutes and
media collection shelf 1240 is for one hour. Hence, media asset
1224 is lengthened to occupy one half of the area of media
collection shelf 1240. This can be calculated by taking the time of
a selected media asset and dividing the time value by the total
time for a media collection shelf (30 minutes/60 minutes=0.5). The
described time calculations and graphic modification of a
representation of a media asset can be performed by video processor
210 and controller 214 in a media device.
[0071] FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface 1900 with a media collection shelf and graphics
representing media assets that are scaled in proportion to the
length of time the media assets represent in accordance with the
present invention. As shown in display area 1210, the selected
media assets 1223, 1224, and 1225 are selected to be placed within
media collection shelf 1240. After such a selection, media asset
1223 is scaled to occupy one third of the area of media collection
shelf 1240 (20 minutes/60 minutes=1/3). Media asset 1224 is scaled
to occupy one half of the area of media collection shelf 1240 (30
minutes/60 minutes=1/2). Lastly, media asset 1225 is scaled to
occupy one sixth the area of media collection shelf 1240 (10
minutes/60 minutes=1/6). With the selection of media assets 1223,
1224, and 1225 where the total duration of the media asset is an
hour, it is shown that media collection shelf 1240 will be
completed occupied because the shelf is constructed to be an hour
long. If media collection shelf is then used for playback, media
assets 1223, 1224, and 1225 will be played back in that specific
order (left to right). The display of outlines 1253, 1254, and 1255
are optional.
[0072] FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface 2000 with a media collection shelf and graphics
representing media assets that are scaled in proportion to the
length of time the media assets represent in accordance with the
present invention. In this current example, media assets 1220,
1223, and 1226 are selected for media collection shelf 1240. The
representation of media assets 1220, 1223, and 1226 are transformed
to occupy one sixth, one third, and one half of media collection
shelf respectively because of the associated time lengths of such
media assets. The display of outlines 1250, 1253, and 1256 are
optional.
[0073] FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface 2100 indicating an error message when a media asset
exceeds that length of time afforded to a media collection shelf in
accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the media
collection shelf is designated as being an hour long, but a
selected media asset 1221 is two hours in length. When the length
of a media asset is longer than the free space in a media
collection shelf, an error dialog such as shown in 1260 is
displayed. The dialog can use information from TABLE I in filling
out the time and title fields. A user with such a dialog can
determined whether or not they want to continue with the selection
of the media asset or cancel such a selection.
[0074] FIG. 22 provides an exemplary embodiment 2200 of an example
of when the user decides to resize the displayed media collection
shelf, where media collection shelf 1242 which is two hours in
length replaces previously shown media collection shelf 1240 which
corresponded to an hour. The selection of media asset 1221 then
will completely occupy lengthwise collection shelf 1242 (120
minutes/120 minutes=1).
[0075] FIG. 23 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface 2300 with an option to indicate the media assets that
would fill the remaining time left for a media collection shelf in
accordance with the present disclosure. As shown in display area
1210, a media collection shelf 1240 is designed to be an hour in
length. Already, a media asset 1224 is selected whereby the size of
the media asset 1224 takes up half the size of the media collection
shelf 1240 (30 minutes/60 minutes). An option as shown in dialog
box 1265 can be activated as to show other media assets that can be
selected for media asset 1224 to fill the remaining time left in
media collection shelf 1240.
[0076] FIG. 24 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of user
interface 2400 where the media assets that can occupy the remaining
space in a media collection shelf are shown. Because media shelf
1240 still can accommodate media assets that total up to 30 minutes
in time, media assets 1220, 1223, 1225, 1126, and 1128 are outlined
as fulfilling this criteria.
[0077] FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user
interface 2500 indicating the associated critic ratings associated
with media assets in accordance with the present disclosure. In
this embodiment, a ratings mode 1270 is activated where rating
information from TABLE I is used to scale the size of media assets.
Specifically, the size of a media asset is scaled by taking the
rating score of the media asset and dividing the number by the
maximum score on the scale (in this case five). Hence, media asset
1220 will be sized at a "full size" because of the five star rating
of the media asset (5 stars/5 stars=1). Alternatively, media asset
1222 for Swamp Thing is one-fifth the size (1 star/5 stars=1/5).
Other media assets will be affected in a similar manner as
described above.
[0078] FIG. 26 presents a flow chart 2600 for populating a media
collection shelf with graphical representations of media assets in
accordance with the present disclosure. In step 2605, a number of
graphical elements comporting to different media assets are shown
in a display area. Several examples of the display of graphical
elements are shown in FIGS. 5-9 and are referenced throughout this
specification. A graphical element can be an icon, a picture, a
screenshot, a graphical representation of a media asset, and the
like.
[0079] Step 2610 represents the generation of a media collection
shelf where the horizontal length of the shelf is proportional to a
time duration value (Ts) selected by a user. As described
previously, a user can specify that a media collection shelf have a
time duration value that is the total amount of time that is
afforded to assets that will eventually occupy the media collection
shelf. For example, a user can specify that a media collection
shelf be an hour whereby media assets that are eventually selected
for the media selection shelf should not exceed an hour in
cumulative time duration (Tc) where Tc is equal to the total time
value of all of the previously selected media assets
[Tc=Ta(1)+Ta(2)+Ta(3) . . . . Ta(n), n=total number of assets
selected].
[0080] Step 2615 will populate a media collection shelf with a
graphical element representing a selected media asset, when such an
asset is selected by a user. A graphical element representing an
audio, video, application, or other type of media asset can be
dragged and dropped into the area afforded to a media collection
shelf. The positioning of the graphical element in the media
collection shelf represents that a media asset can be associated
with the media collection shelf and/or the media asset will be
played back when the media collection shelf is activated for
playback.
[0081] Determining whether a time duration of a selected media
asset exceeds the total time duration left for a media collection
shelf is calculated in step 2620. As explained above for step 2610,
a time duration value is associated with a media collection shelf.
When media assets are added to a media collection shelf, a device
can calculate the whether the time duration of a media asset plus
the cumulative time of previously selected media assets exceed the
time duration of a media collection shelf (Ta+Tc>Ts). If this
statement is true, a message can be generated to indicate that the
time of the selected media asset exceeds the remaining time left
for a media collection shelf (as shown in FIG. 21.
[0082] If this calculation is not true, then step 2625 takes place
where the corresponding graphical element is scaled in a horizontal
direction as compared to the duration of the time associated with
the media collection shelf. This scaling operation can take the
graphical element associated with a media asset and cause the
element to occupy (lengthwise) a certain proportion of the media
collection shelf. One approach for calculating this value takes
Ta/Ts and multiples this value by the length of the media
collection shelf. The selected graphical element is then scaled to
this calculated length in accordance with the principles listed
herein. Other approaches are also implementable in accordance with
the principles described herein.
[0083] Step 2630 will determine if the media shelf collection can
accommodate an additional selected media asset because the duration
value of the shelf is not exceeded by the cumulative duration of
time of previously selected media assets. This is similar to the
calculation performed in step 2620, where Tc is updated with the Ta
(Tc=Tc (previous time value)+Ta) corresponding to a selected media
asset. If Tc<Ts, then steps 2620-2630 can be repeated until
Tc=Ts. Of course this repetition in steps 2620-2630 does not need
to take place, where a user can opt to have step 2635 performed
directly. Optionally, a user can request that the user interface
display all of the media assets with a time Ta that is less than
Ts-Tc. The result of this request is shown in FIG. 24.
[0084] If Tc=Ts or a user opts to skip the repetition of steps
2620-2630, step 2635 can take place where all of the selected media
assets whose graphical elements populate a media collection shelf
can be played back. The playback of media assets can be performed
in accordance with the principles described throughout this
specification, where such media assets can be played from remote or
local sources using the components as represented in FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0085] It should be understood that the elements shown in the FIGS.
may be implemented in various forms of hardware, software or
combinations thereof. Preferably, these elements are implemented in
a combination of hardware and software on one or more appropriately
programmed general-purpose devices, which may include a processor,
memory and input/output interfaces.
[0086] The present description illustrates the principles of the
present disclosure. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled
in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that,
although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the
principles of the disclosure and are included within its scope.
[0087] All examples and conditional language recited herein are
intended for informational purposes to aid the reader in
understanding the principles of the disclosure and the concepts
contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be
construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited
examples and conditions.
[0088] Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles,
aspects, and embodiments of the disclosure, as well as specific
examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and
functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that
such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well
as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements
developed that perform the same function, regardless of
structure.
[0089] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that the block diagrams presented herein represent
conceptual views of illustrative circuitry embodying the principles
of the disclosure. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow
charts, flow diagrams, state transition diagrams, pseudocode, and
the like represent various processes which may be substantially
represented in computer readable media and so executed by a
computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is
explicitly shown.
[0090] The functions of the various elements shown in the figures
may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as
hardware capable of executing software in association with
appropriate software. When provided by a processor, the functions
may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared
processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of
which may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term "processor"
or "controller" should not be construed to refer exclusively to
hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include,
without limitation, digital signal processor ("DSP") hardware, read
only memory ("ROM") for storing software, random access memory
("RAM"), and nonvolatile storage.
[0091] Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be
included. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are
conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the
operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the
interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even
manually, the particular technique being selectable by the
implementer as more specifically understood from the context.
[0092] Although embodiments which incorporate the teachings of the
present disclosure have been shown and described in detail herein,
those skilled in the art can readily devise many other varied
embodiments that still incorporate these teachings. It is noted
that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in
the art in light of the above teachings.
* * * * *
References