U.S. patent application number 16/001640 was filed with the patent office on 2018-12-13 for user interfaces for content access devices.
The applicant listed for this patent is Layer3 TV, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jeffrey Binder, Charles Hasek, Vic Odryna.
Application Number | 20180359535 16/001640 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64563894 |
Filed Date | 2018-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180359535 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hasek; Charles ; et
al. |
December 13, 2018 |
USER INTERFACES FOR CONTENT ACCESS DEVICES
Abstract
A content access device is operable to present a user interface
that includes content type menu elements arranged on a first axis,
content category menu elements arranged on a second axis, and
content selection elements arranged in an area between the first
axis and the second axis. The content selection elements arranged
in the area between the first and second axes may correspond to a
selected content type menu element and a selected content category
menu element. The content access device may change the content
selection elements arranged in the area upon selection of a
different content type menu element and/or a different content
category menu element.
Inventors: |
Hasek; Charles; (Denver,
CO) ; Binder; Jeffrey; (Denver, CO) ; Odryna;
Vic; (Denver, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Layer3 TV, Inc. |
Denver |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
64563894 |
Appl. No.: |
16/001640 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62516865 |
Jun 8, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/835 20130101;
H04N 21/482 20130101; H04N 21/47202 20130101; H04N 21/2396
20130101; G06F 3/0482 20130101; H04N 21/6547 20130101; H04N 21/4627
20130101; H04N 21/4524 20130101; H04N 21/4858 20130101; H04N
21/4821 20130101; H04N 21/2541 20130101; H04N 21/41407 20130101;
H04N 21/25816 20130101; H04N 21/4623 20130101; H04N 21/25875
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/482 20060101
H04N021/482; G06F 3/0482 20060101 G06F003/0482; H04N 21/485
20060101 H04N021/485 |
Claims
1. A content access device, comprising: a non-transitory storage
medium storing instructions; and a processing unit that executes
the instructions to present a user interface comprising: content
type menu elements arranged on a first axis; content category menu
elements arranged on a second axis; and content selection elements
corresponding to a selected content type menu element and a
selected content category menu element arranged in an area between
the first axis and the second axis; wherein the processing unit
changes the content selection elements arranged in the area upon
selection of a different content type menu element or a different
content category menu element.
2. The content access device of claim 1, wherein the first axis is
perpendicular to the second axis.
3. The content access device of claim 1, wherein the processing
unit changes all of the content selection elements arranged in the
area upon selection of the different content type menu element or
the different content category menu element.
4. The content access device of claim 1, wherein the processing
unit presents content associated with a content selection element
in response to selection of the content selection element.
5. The content access device of claim 1, wherein a content
selection element indicates that it is unavailable.
6. The content access device of claim 1, wherein the content
selection elements comprise thumbnail images associated with
corresponding content.
7. The content access device of claim 1, wherein: the content type
menu elements include a television shows menu element and a movies
menu element; and the content category menu elements include a
comedy menu element and a drama menu element.
8. A method for facilitating content navigation using a content
access device, comprising: presenting, using the content access
device, a user interface including a first group of menu elements,
a second group of menu elements positioned perpendicular to the
first group of menu elements, and a content selection area
positioned between the first and second groups of menu elements;
including content selection elements in the content selection area
using the content access device based on a selected first menu
element of the first group of menu elements and a selected second
menu element of the second group of menu elements; and changing all
of the content selection elements in response to receiving a
selection change of the selected first menu element or the selected
second menu element.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising presenting an
additional user interface comprising a grid of selectable content
elements organized by source and time.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising presenting an
additional user interface comprising: a first menu element area
that presents content determined to be most likely to be accessed
by a user; a secondary menu element area including a number of
still images corresponding to a first group of content determined
to be secondarily most likely to be accessed by the user; and a
third menu element area including text descriptions of a second
group of content determined to be tertiarily most likely to be
accessed by the user.
11. The method of claim 8, further comprising presenting
instructions on how to make unavailable content available in
response to receiving a selection of a content selection element
that is associated with the unavailable content.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein including the content selection
elements in the content selection area comprises arranging the
content selection elements in rows and columns in the content
selection area.
13. The method of claim 8, further comprising presenting
information about an indicated one of the content selection
elements.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the content selection area is
positioned between the information about the indicated one of the
content selection elements and the second group of menu
elements.
15. A content access device, comprising: a non-transitory storage
medium storing instructions; and a processing unit that executes
the instructions to present an on demand user interface by:
positioning content type menu elements along a first axis, content
category menu elements along a second axis, and a content selection
area between the first and second axes; presenting selection
elements in the content selection area based on a received content
type menu element selection and a received content category menu
element selection; and changing all of the selection elements in
the content selection area based on a change to the received
content type menu element selection or the received content
category menu element selection.
16. The content access device of claim 15, wherein the processing
unit moves an indicator between the content type menu elements, the
content category menu elements, and the selection elements based on
user input.
17. The content access device of claim 15, wherein the processing
unit allows selection between multiple versions of content
associated with a selection element in response to selection of the
selection element.
18. The content access device of claim 17, wherein the multiple
versions include at least one of rental and purchase versions,
different quality versions, or different rated versions.
19. The content access device of claim 15, wherein the content type
menu elements include a first element associated with video content
and a second element associated with music content.
20. The content access device of claim 15, wherein the content
category menu elements include an element associated with content
categorized as determined to be most likely to be accessed by a
current user.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is a nonprovisional patent application of
and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/516,865, filed Jun. 8, 2017 and titled "User Interfaces for
Content Access Devices," the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The described embodiments relate generally to content access
devices. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to user
interfaces that facilitate user location of content to access.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many different electronic devices may function as content
access devices by facilitating user access to various content
assets. These content access devices may include computing devices,
smart phones, tablet computing devices, and so on. Content access
devices may present (such as via a display, speaker, and so on)
and/or otherwise access content stored by the content access
device, received or otherwise accessible via various communication
media, and so on.
[0004] For example, a content access device may be a set top box,
digital video recorder, network digital video recorder, and/or
other device that allows a user to access content provided by a
content delivery network and/or other networks, such as the
Internet or one or more social media networks. Examples of a
content delivery network include a satellite or cable television,
movie, and/or other content provider.
[0005] Content access devices may provide access to a great deal of
content of a variety of different types from a number of different
sources. Content access devices may provide content
access/navigation menus and/or other user interfaces that allow
users to find the content they wish to access amidst all of the
accessible content.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure relates to a content access device
that is operable to present and/or otherwise provide a user
interface. The user interface may be operable to navigate
accessible content. The content access device may position a first
group of menu elements along a first axis or direction, a second
group of menu elements along a second axis or direction, and a
content selection area between the first and second axes. The first
group of menu elements may be content category menu elements and
the second group of menu elements may be content type menu
elements. The content access device may present selection elements
in the content selection area based on a received content type menu
element selection and a received content category menu element
selection. Upon a change to the received content type menu element
selection or the received content category menu element selection,
the content access device may change all of the selection elements
in the content selection area.
[0007] In various embodiments, a content access device includes a
non-transitory storage medium storing instructions and a processing
unit. The processing unit executes the instructions to present a
user interface. The user interface includes content type menu
elements arranged on a first axis, content category menu elements
arranged on a second axis, and content selection elements
corresponding to a selected content type menu element and a
selected content category menu element arranged in an area between
the first axis and the second axis. The processing unit changes the
content selection elements arranged in the area upon selection of a
different content type menu element or a different content category
menu element.
[0008] In some examples, the first axis is perpendicular to the
second axis. In numerous examples, the content type menu elements
include a television shows menu element and a movies menu element
and the content category menu elements include a comedy menu
element and a drama menu element.
[0009] In various examples, the processing unit changes all of the
content selection elements arranged in the area upon selection of
the different content type menu element or the different content
category menu element. In some examples, the processing unit
presents content associated with a content selection element in
response to selection of the content selection element.
[0010] In numerous examples, a content selection element indicates
that it is unavailable. In various examples, the content selection
elements include thumbnail images associated with corresponding
content.
[0011] In some embodiments, a method for facilitating content
navigation using a content access device includes presenting, using
the content access device, a user interface including a first group
of menu elements, a second group of menu elements positioned
perpendicular to the first group of menu elements, and a content
selection area positioned between the first and second groups of
menu elements; including content selection elements in the content
selection area using the content access device based on a selected
first menu element of the first group of menu elements and a
selected second menu element of the second group of menu elements;
and changing all of the content selection elements in response to
receiving a selection change of the selected first menu element or
the selected second menu element.
[0012] In various examples, the method further includes presenting
an additional user interface including a grid of selectable content
elements organized by source and time. In some examples, the method
further includes presenting an additional user interface including
a first menu element area that presents content determined to be
most likely to be accessed by a user, a secondary menu element area
including a number of still images corresponding to a first group
of content determined to be secondarily most likely to be accessed
by the user, and a third menu element area including text
descriptions of a second group of content determined to be
tertiarily most likely to be accessed by the user.
[0013] In numerous examples, the method further includes presenting
instructions on how to make unavailable content available in
response to receiving a selection of a content selection element
that is associated with the unavailable content. In various
examples, the method further includes presenting information about
an indicated one of the content selection elements. In such
examples, the content selection area is positioned between the
information about the indicated one of the content selection
elements and the second group of menu elements.
[0014] In some examples, including the content selection elements
in the content selection area includes arranging the content
selection elements in rows and columns in the content selection
area.
[0015] In numerous embodiments, a content access device includes a
non-transitory storage medium storing instructions and a processing
unit. The processing unit executes the instructions to present an
on demand user interface by positioning content type menu elements
along a first axis, content category menu elements along a second
axis, and a content selection area between the first and second
axes; presenting selection elements in the content selection area
based on a received content type menu element selection and a
received content category menu element selection; and changing all
of the selection elements in the content selection area based on a
change to the received content type menu element selection or the
received content category menu element selection.
[0016] In various examples, the processing unit moves an indicator
between the content type menu elements, the content category menu
elements, and the selection elements based on user input. In some
examples, the processing unit allows selection between multiple
versions of content associated with a selection element in response
to selection of the selection element. In such examples, the
multiple versions may include at least one of rental and purchase
versions, different quality versions, or different rated
versions.
[0017] In numerous examples, the content type menu elements include
a first element associated with video content and a second element
associated with music content. In various examples, the content
category menu elements include an element associated with content
categorized as determined to be most likely to be accessed by a
current user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The disclosure will be readily understood by the following
detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein like reference numerals designate like structural
elements.
[0019] FIG. 1A depicts a first example user interface that may be
presented by a content access device.
[0020] FIG. 1B depicts the first example user interface of FIG. 1A
after user input is received changing the selected content type
menu element and changing the selected content category menu
element.
[0021] FIG. 1C depicts the first example user interface of FIG. 1B
after user input is received changing the selected content category
menu element.
[0022] FIG. 2 depicts a second example user interface that may be
presented by a content access device.
[0023] FIG. 3 depicts a third example user interface that may be
presented by a content access device.
[0024] FIG. 4 presents a first example method for facilitating
content navigation using a content access device. The method may
present one or more of the user interfaces of FIGS. 1A-3.
[0025] FIG. 5 presents a second example method for facilitating
content navigation using a content access device. The method may
present one or more of the user interfaces of FIGS. 1A-3.
[0026] FIG. 6 depicts a content access system. The content access
system may perform one or more of the methods of FIGS. 4-5 and/or
present one or more of the user interfaces of FIGS. 1A-3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to representative
embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be
understood that the following descriptions are not intended to
limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary,
it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and
equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the
described embodiments as defined by the appended claims.
[0028] The description that follows includes sample systems,
methods, and computer program products that embody various elements
of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that
the described disclosure may be practiced in a variety of forms in
addition to those described herein.
[0029] The following disclosure relates to a content access device
that is operable to present one or more user interfaces to
facilitate user location of content. The user interface may include
a first group of menu elements (such as content type menu elements)
arranged on a first axis or in another first orientation, a second
group of menu elements (such as content category menu elements)
arranged on a second axis or in another second orientation, and
selection elements (such as content selection elements) arranged in
an area between the first and second menu elements. For example,
the content access device may include the selection elements in an
area between the first axis and the second axis. The selection
elements included in the area may correspond to a selected first
menu element of the first group of menu elements and a selected
second menu element of the second group of menu elements. The
content access device may change all of the selection elements
arranged in the area upon selection of a different first and/or
second menu element.
[0030] This may allow users to view more accessible content at a
time than other user interfaces. Further, this may allow users to
locate accessible content more easily than other user interfaces.
Additionally, this may allow users to better filter accessible
content by category, type, and so on than other user interfaces.
Moreover, this may allow users to more intuitively navigate
accessible content than other user interfaces.
[0031] These and other embodiments are discussed below with
reference to FIGS. 1A-6. However, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with
respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and
should not be construed as limiting.
[0032] FIG. 1A depicts a first example user interface 100A that may
be presented by a content access device which is operable to
present one or more instances of available content (such as one or
more television programs, movies, music, audio files, images, On
Demand content, digital video recorder content, and so on). For
example, the first example user interface 100A may be a user
interface for locating and accessing On Demand content. The first
example user interface 100A may include a first group 102 of
content type menu elements 104 arranged on a first axis Y, a second
group 101 of content category menu elements 103 arranged on a
second axis X, and content selection elements 108 arranged in a
content selection or other area 107 between the first axis Y and
the second axis X. The content selection elements 108 arranged in
the area 107 may correspond to a selected content type menu element
106 (shown as indicted by a content type menu element indicator)
and a selected content category menu element 105 (shown as indicted
by a content category menu element indicator). In response to a
selection of one or more of the content selection elements 108, the
content access device may present the associated content. This may
facilitate user location and access of available content and thus
improve operation of the content access device as users may
accomplish tasks while providing fewer instructions than if more
cumbersome and inefficient user interfaces were used.
[0033] For example, as shown, a selected content type menu element
106 may be a TV content type and a selected content category menu
element 105 may be a COMEDY content category. As such, the content
selection elements 108 disposed in the content selection area 107
may be all of a TV content type and a COMEDY content category.
[0034] The content access device may change the content selection
elements 108 arranged in the area 107 upon selection of a different
content type menu element 106, a different content category menu
element 105, and/or another selection change. Such a change may
change all of the content selection elements 108 arranged in the
area 107.
[0035] For example, FIG. 1B illustrates the first example user
interface 100B as modified after the selected content type menu
element 106 has been changed to a MOVIES content type (shown by the
content type menu element indicator having been moved from TV to
MOVIES) and the selected content category menu element 105 has been
changed to a MOST POPULAR content category (shown by the content
type menu element indicator having been moved from COMEDY to MOST
POPULAR). As such, the content selection elements 108 arranged in
the area 107 have all been changed to be all of a MOVIES content
type and a MOST POPULAR content category.
[0036] By way of further example, FIG. 1C illustrates the first
example user interface 100C as modified after the selected content
category menu element 105 has been changed from the MOST POPULAR
content category back to the COMEDY content category (shown by the
content type menu element indicator having been moved from MOST
POPULAR back to COMEDY). As such, the content selection elements
108 arranged in the area 107 have all been changed to be all of a
MOVIES content type and a COMEDY content category.
[0037] Selection of the content selection elements 108 may be
indicated by navigating a selection indicator 109. The selection
indicator 109 may be navigable by a user to indicate and/or select
one or more of the content selection elements 108. In some
implementations, the content selection elements 108 may be moveable
between the content selection area 107 and the first group 102 of
content type menu elements 104 and the second group 101 of content
category menu elements 103. In other implementations, the content
selection elements 108 may be moveable within the content selection
area 107 while other one or more other indicators may be used to
separately navigate among the first group 102 of content type menu
elements 104 and the second group 101 of content category menu
elements 103. Various configurations are possible and
contemplated.
[0038] As shown, information 110 regarding content associated with
a content selection element 108 indicated by the selection
indicator 109 may be displayed. As shown, in the first example user
interface 100A-100C, the content selection area 107 is positioned
between the information 110 and the second group 101 of content
category menu elements 103. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the
information 110 may include information about one or more versions
of the content associated with the content selection element 108
that are accessible. Such versions may include rental versions,
purchase versions, different quality versions (such as high
definition, standard definition, and so on), different rated
versions (such as director's cut editions, unrated editions,
standard editions, edited for television editions, and so on), and
the like. Selection of the content selection element 108 may allow
the user to select among the various accessible versions of the
content.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 1A, the first example user interface 100A
may include content selection elements 108 that are unavailable. As
such, a user may not be able to instruct presentation of that
content by selecting the associated content selection element 108.
As shown, the associated content selection element may include a
graphic, text, and/or other indicator illustrating that the
associated content is unavailable. In this example, content
selection elements 108 associated with unavailable are illustrated
as darkened and bearing an UNAVAILABLE text legend. However, as
also illustrated in this example, the first example user interface
100A may further include instructions 111 that may offer
information directing a user how to make unavailable content. Such
instructions 111 may be presented in response to receiving a
selection of a content selection element 108 associated with
unavailable content.
[0040] The first example user interface 100A may include a variety
of other elements, controls, and/or other components. For example,
the first example user interface 100A may include a filtering
element 112. The filtering element 112 may be manipulated by a user
to filter the content selection elements 108 included in the
content selection area 107. As shown, the filtering element 112 is
set to RENT+FREE. As such, the content selection elements 108
included in the content selection area 107 may only be associated
with content that is either rentable or free. The filtering element
112 may include options to filter based on any characteristic of
the content. Such characteristics may include rent, buy, free, high
definition, standard definition, various ratings, a combination
thereof, and so on.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the first axis Y is shown
perpendicular to the second axis X. However, it is understood that
this is an example. In various implementations, the axes may be
configured in arrangements that are not perpendicular, such as
various transverse configurations, without departing from the scope
of the present disclosure.
[0042] As also shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the first group 102 of content
type menu elements 104 includes a TV menu element (which may be
associated with television programming content), a MOVIES menu
element (which may be associated with movie content), a NETWORKS
menu element (which may be associated with content available from
one of the major television networks), a KIDS menu element (which
may be associated with content made available for children), and a
MUSIC menu element (which may be associated with music content).
However, it is understood that this is an example. In various
implementations, menu elements may be included corresponding to any
type (such as classifications related to the source of content as
opposed to the elements included in the content) by which content
may be classified without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0043] As also shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the second group 101 of
content category menu elements 103 includes a FOR ME menu element
(which may be associated with content that is classified as of
interest to the current user based on monitoring of the current
user's content access behaviors), a MOST POPULAR menu element
(which may be associated with content that is classified as of
interest to a majority of users based on monitoring of content
accessed by various users, various rating systems, and the like), a
PRIMETIME menu element (which may be associated with content that
is broadcasted during a time slot defined as prime time), a COMEDY
menu element (which may be associated with content that includes
comedic elements), a DRAMA menu element (which may be associated
with content that includes dramatic elements), a REALITY menu
element (which may be associated with reality programming content),
a LIFESTYLE menu element (which may be associated with content that
includes elements focusing on the lifestyles of people), a FAMILY
menu element (which may be associated with content that is
classified as suitable for families), and a SCIENCE FICTION menu
element (which may be associated with content that includes science
fiction elements). Further, an arrow indicator is included to
indicate that other categories may be available and the arrow
indicator may be selected to reveal additional content category
menu elements 103. However, it is understood that this is an
example. In various implementations, menu elements may be included
corresponding to any category (such as classifications related to
the elements included in the content as opposed to the source of
the content) by which content may be classified without departing
from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0044] Additionally, the first example user interface 100A-100C is
shown as including content selection elements 108 that are
thumbnail images associated with corresponding instances of content
arranged in rows and columns in the content selection area 107.
However, it is understood that this is an example. In various
implementations, the content selection elements 108 may be any kind
of graphic and/or non-graphic indicator that may or may not
correspond to the associated content in a variety of different ways
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0045] Although the above illustrates and describes the first
example user interface 100A-100C as including a first group 102 of
content type menu elements 104 arranged on a first axis Y and a
second group 101 of content category menu elements 103 arranged on
a second axis X, it is understood that this is an example. In
various implementations, various first and second groups of menu
elements may be positioned, arranged, disposed, and/or configured
in various ways, such as along one or more axes, directions, and so
on, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In
such implementations, various selection or other elements may be
positioned, arranged, disposed, and/or configured in one or more
selection of other elements between the first and second groups of
menu elements.
[0046] The above describes the user interface 100A as presented by
a content access device. The content access device may be any kind
of electronic device (such as a set top box, digital video recorder
or player, a television, a smart phone, a laptop computing device,
a cellular telephone, a digital media player, a wearable device, a
tablet computing device, a mobile computing device, a desktop
computing device, or the like) that is operable to access and/or
present content. In some implementations, the content access device
may be multiple electronic devices working together, such as in a
cloud computing or other arrangement. An example of a content
access device is elaborated with respect to FIG. 6 below.
[0047] Although the above illustrates and describes a particular
user interface, various of the techniques discussed herein may be
used to generate and/or present other user interfaces that may have
different arrangements than those illustrated and described above.
In various implementations, a content access device may be operable
to generate and present multiple different user interfaces, such as
where the content access device presents the first example user
interface 100A-100C as an On Demand user interface and presents
other user interfaces in other contexts.
[0048] FIG. 2 depicts a second example user interface 200 that may
be presented by a content access device. The second example user
interface 200 may be a home screen or other default or home user
interface. For example, as shown, the second example user interface
200 may include at least a first menu element area 201, a second
menu element area 202, and a third menu element area 203.
[0049] In some implementations, such as show, the first menu
element area 201 may present content determined to be most likely
to be accessed by a user. The second menu element area 202 may
include a number of still images corresponding to a first group of
content determined to be secondarily most likely to be accessed by
the user. Each of the still images may be smaller, and thus less
emphasized in the second example user interface 200, than the
content presented in the first menu element area 201. The third
menu element area 203 may include text descriptions 204 of a second
group of content determined to be tertiarily most likely to be
accessed by the user. Each of the text descriptions 204 may be
smaller, and thus less emphasized in the second example user
interface 200, than the still images presented in the second menu
element area 202.
[0050] In this way, a user may be presented with the most likely
content they would access while they have a more emphasized set of
secondarily likely set of choices to choose from and a less
emphasized set of tertiarily likely set of choices to choose from.
This may allow a user to locate and access desired content quickly,
efficiently, and intuitively. The likelihoods may be based on
monitoring previous user behaviors under the same and/or similar
circumstances to current circumstances, such as time, location,
particular content access device, and so on.
[0051] In numerous implementations, the content access device may
modify the second example user interface 200 during operation. For
example, the content access device may receive user input selecting
content associated with a selectable element of the second example
user interface 200 and may switch from the second example user
interface 200 to present that selected content. The content access
device may also subsequently receive a request to switch back,
whereupon the content access device may present a modified version
of the second example user interface 200 where the previously
accessed content is presented in the first menu element area 201
and one or more of the second menu element area 202 and/or the
third menu element area 203 are modified in one or more various
other ways.
[0052] In various implementations, the second example user
interface 200 may also include a number of tabs 206-208 and/or
other selection elements. In this example, the third menu element
area 203 may be a component corresponding to a "FOR ME" or other
tab 206 and tabs 207 and 208 may be selectable to access other user
interfaces or functions, such as a DVR (digital video recorder)
user interface, an On Demand user interface, and so on.
[0053] In some implementations, the second example user interface
200 may further include selectors 209 for indicating other media to
include in a media area 210. Such media may be posts, updates, or
other notifications related to one or more social media networks
and/or other data sources.
[0054] In one or more implementations, a content access device may
be operable to present both the first example user interface
100A-100C and the second example user interface 200. Such a content
access device may present either the first example user interface
100A-100C or the second example user interface 200 depending on
user input and/or other triggering events such as the content
access device powering on.
[0055] FIG. 3 depicts a third example user interface 300 that may
be presented by a content access device. The third example user
interface 300 may be a program or other guide user interface. For
example, as shown, the third example user interface 300 may be a
grid of selectable content elements 303 organized by source 302 and
time 301. In various implementations, such as the one shown, the
selectable content elements 303 may be text descriptions of content
that may be selected to signal the content access device to present
that associated or corresponding content.
[0056] In various implementations, a content access device may be
operable to present one or more of the first example user interface
100A-100C, the second example user interface 200, and/or the third
example user interface 300. For example, a content access device
may default to a home screen such as the second example user
interface 200, be operable to present an On Demand interface such
as the first example user interface 100A-100C upon receiving a
request or other associated input from a user, and be operable to
present a program guide such as the third example user interface
300 upon request or other triggering condition. Various
implementations are possible and contemplated.
[0057] FIG. 4 presents a first example method 400 for facilitating
content navigation using a content access device. The method 400
may present one or more of the user interfaces of FIGS. 1A-3.
[0058] At 401, a content access device operates. The flow then
proceeds to 402 where the content access device determines whether
or not to present an On Demand user interface. If so, the flow
proceeds to 403. Otherwise, the flow proceeds to 411.
[0059] At 403, after the content access device determines to
present an On Demand user interface, the content access device
presents the On Demand user interface. The content access device
may determine to present the On Demand user interface based on a
received request to present the On Demand user interface and/or
other user input.
[0060] In some implementations, the On Demand user interface may be
a user interface 100A-100C as described above with respect to FIGS.
1A-1C. In various implementations, the On Demand user interface may
include content type menu elements arranged on a first axis,
content category menu elements arranged on a second axis, and
content selection elements corresponding to a selected content type
menu element and a selected content category menu element arranged
in an area between the first axis and the second axis. In other
implementations, the On Demand user interface may include a first
group of menu elements, a second group of menu elements positioned
perpendicular to the first group of menu elements, and a content
selection area positioned between the first and second groups of
menu elements. In such implementations, content selection elements
may be included in the content selection area based on a selected
first menu element of the first group of menu elements and a
selected second menu element of the second group of menu elements.
In still other implementations, the On Demand user interface may
include content type menu elements positioned along a first axis,
content category menu elements positioned along a second axis, and
a content selection area positioned between the first and second
axes. In such implementations, selection elements may be presented
in the content selection area based on a received content type menu
element selection and a received content category menu element
selection.
[0061] After the content access device presents the On Demand user
interface, the flow proceeds to 404 where the content access device
determines whether or not to change the On Demand user interface.
The content access device may determine to change the user
interface based on received user input. Such user input may be a
change to one or more selected menu elements, selection of content
to present, a request for a different user interface, and so on. If
so, the flow proceeds to 405. Otherwise, the flow proceeds to
407.
[0062] At 405, after the content access device determines to change
the On Demand user interface, the content access device changes the
On Demand user interface. The flow then proceeds to 406 where the
content access device presents the changed On Demand user
interface. Next, the flow returns to 404 where the content access
device determines whether or not to again change the changed On
Demand user interface.
[0063] At 407, after the content access device determines not to
change the On Demand user interface, the content access device
determines whether or not to continue presenting the On Demand user
interface. The content access device may determine whether or not
to continue presenting the On Demand user interface based on
whether or not user input is received, such as user input selecting
content to present, requesting a different user interface, and so
on. If so, the flow returns to 403 where the content access device
continues presenting the On Demand user interface. Otherwise, the
flow proceeds to 408.
[0064] At 408, the content access device determines whether or not
to present content. If so, the flow proceeds to 409. Otherwise, the
flow returns to 401 where the content access device continues to
operate.
[0065] At 409, after the content access device determines to
present content, the content access device presents the content.
Such content may include one or more movies, television programs,
videos, songs, audio files, images, text or other files, and so on.
The flow then proceeds to 410 where the content access device
determines whether or not to continue presenting the content. If
so, the flow returns to 409 where the content access device
continues presenting the content. Otherwise, the flow returns to
401 where the content access device continues to operate.
[0066] At 411, after the content access device determines not to
present an On Demand user interface, the content access device
determines whether or not to present a home user interface. The
content access device may determine to present the home user
interface based on a received request to present the home user
interface and/or other user input. If so, the flow proceeds to 412.
Otherwise, the flow proceeds to 414.
[0067] At 412, the content access device presents the home user
interface. The home user interface may be a home screen user
interface 200 as described above with respect to FIG. 2. The flow
then proceeds to 413 where the content access device determines
whether or not to continue presenting the home user interface. If
so, the flow returns to 412 where the content access device
continues presenting the home user interface. Otherwise, the flow
proceeds to 408 where the content access device determines whether
or not to present content.
[0068] At 414, after the content access device determines not to
present a home user interface, the content access device determines
whether or not to present a guide user interface. The content
access device may determine to present the guide user interface
based on a received request to present the guide user interface
and/or other user input. If so, the flow proceeds to 415.
Otherwise, the flow returns to 401 where the content access device
continues to operate.
[0069] At 415, after the content access device determines to
present a guide user interface, the content access device presents
the guide user interface. The guide user interface may be a program
guide user interface 300 as described above with respect to FIG. 3.
The flow then proceeds to 416 where the content access device
determines whether or not to continue presenting the guide user
interface. If so, the flow returns to 415 where the content access
device continues presenting the guide user interface. Otherwise,
the flow proceeds to 408 where the content access device determines
whether or not to present content.
[0070] Although the example method 400 is illustrated and described
as including particular operations performed in a particular order,
it is understood that this is an example. In various
implementations, various orders of the same, similar, and/or
different operations may be performed without departing from the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0071] For example, the method 400 is illustrated and described as
presenting an On Demand user interface, a home user interface, and
a guide user interface. However, it is understood that these are
examples. In various implementations, one or more of a variety of
different user interfaces may be presented, which may include one
or more features of the user interfaces discussed herein, without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0072] Further, although the method 400 is illustrated and
described as determining whether or not to present an On Demand
user interface, a home user interface, and a guide user interface
in a particular, sequential order, it is understood that this is an
example. In various implementations, such operations may be
performed in a variety of different orders without departing from
the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a content access
device may first determine whether or not to present a home user
interface and then determine whether or not to present an On Demand
user interface or a guide user interface. Various configurations
are possible and contemplated.
[0073] FIG. 5 presents a second example method 500 for facilitating
content navigation using a content access device. The method 500
may present one or more of the user interfaces of FIGS. 1A-3.
[0074] At 501, a content access device operates. The flow the
proceeds to 502 where the content access device determines whether
or not to present a user interface. If so, the flow proceeds to
503. Otherwise, the flow returns to 501 and the content access
device continues to operate.
[0075] At 503, after the content access device determines to
present the user interface, the content access device presents the
user interface. The flow then proceeds to 504 where the content
access device includes content selection elements in a content
selection area of the user interface. The content access device may
include content selection elements in the content selection area
based on selections from a first group of menu elements of the user
interface and/or a second group of menu elements of the user
interface.
[0076] Next, the flow proceeds to 505 where the content access
device determines whether or not to change the user interface. If
so, the flow proceeds to 506. Otherwise, the flow proceeds to
508.
[0077] At 505, after the content access device determines to change
the user interface, the content access device changes the user
interface. The flow then proceeds to 507 where the content access
device changes the user interface. Next, the flow returns to 505
where the content access device determines whether or not to again
change the changed user interface.
[0078] At 508, after the content access device determines not to
change the user interface, the content access device determines
whether or not to continue presenting the user interface. If so,
the flow returns to 503 where the content access device continues
presenting the user interface. Otherwise, the flow proceeds to
509.
[0079] At 509, after the content access device determines not to
continue presenting the user interface, the content access device
determines whether or not to present content. If so, the flow
proceeds to 510 where the content access device presents the
content. Otherwise, the flow returns to 501 where the content
access device continues to operate.
[0080] After the content access device presents the content at 510,
the flow proceeds to 511 where the content access device determines
whether or not to continue presenting the content. If so, the flow
returns to 510 where the content access device continues presenting
the content. Otherwise, the flow returns to 501 where the content
access device continues to operate.
[0081] Although the example method 500 is illustrated and described
as including particular operations performed in a particular order,
it is understood that this is an example. In various
implementations, various orders of the same, similar, and/or
different operations may be performed without departing from the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0082] For example, the method 500 illustrates and describes
presentation of the user interface at 503 and inclusion of the
content selection elements at 504 as separate, linearly performed
operations. However, it is understood that this is an example. In
various implementations, such operations may be performed as part
of the same operations, performed in different orders, and so on
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0083] FIG. 6 depicts a content access system 600. The content
access system 600 may perform one or more of the methods of FIGS.
4-5 and/or present one or more of the user interfaces of FIGS.
1A-3.
[0084] The content access system 600 may include a content access
device 620. The content access device 620 may be any kind of
electronic device capable of displaying and/or otherwise presenting
stored and/or received content. Examples of such electronic devices
include, but are not limited to, set top boxes, cable boxes,
digital video recorders, network digital video recorders, digital
media players, desktop computing devices, laptop computing devices,
digital video disc players, video cassette recorders, tablet
computing devices, smart phones, mobile computing devices, cellular
telephones, wearable devices, and so on.
[0085] The content access device 620 may include one or more
processing units 623, one or more non-transitory storage media 624
(which may take the form of, but is not limited to, a magnetic
storage medium; optical storage medium; magneto-optical storage
medium; read only memory; random access memory; erasable
programmable memory; flash memory; and so on), one or more
communication components 625, and/or other components such as user
interface components and so on. The processing unit 623 may execute
instructions stored in the storage medium 624 to perform various
functions, such as to receive and/or store content from one or more
content provider devices 621 via one or more communication networks
622, present and/or otherwise access content, prevent one or more
user interfaces, and so on.
[0086] Similarly, the content provider device 621 may include one
or more processing units 626, storage media 627, communication
components 628, and so on. In various implementations, the
processing unit 626 may be operable to perform one or more
functions discussed above on behalf of the content access device
620. Various configurations are possible and contemplated.
[0087] As described above and illustrated in the accompanying
figures, the present disclosure relates to a content access device
that is operable to present one or more user interfaces to
facilitate user location of content. The user interface may include
a first group of menu elements (such as content type menu elements)
arranged on a first axis or in another first orientation, a second
group of menu elements (such as content category menu elements)
arranged on a second axis or in another second orientation, and
selection elements (such as content selection elements) arranged in
an area between the first and second menu elements. For example,
the content access device may include the selection elements in an
area between the first axis and the second axis. The selection
elements included in the area may correspond to a selected first
menu element of the first group of menu elements and a selected
second menu element of the second group of menu elements. The
content access device may change all of the selection elements
arranged in the area upon selection of a different first and/or
second menu element.
[0088] In the present disclosure, the methods disclosed may be
implemented as sets of instructions or software readable by a
device. Further, it is understood that the specific order or
hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed are examples of sample
approaches. In other embodiments, the specific order or hierarchy
of steps in the method can be rearranged while remaining within the
disclosed subject matter. The accompanying method claims present
elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not
necessarily meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy
presented.
[0089] The described disclosure may be provided as a computer
program product, or software, that may include a non-transitory
machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, which
may be used to program a computer system (or other electronic
devices) to perform a process according to the present disclosure.
A non-transitory machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for
storing information in a form (e.g., software, processing
application) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). The
non-transitory machine-readable medium may take the form of, but is
not limited to, a magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette,
video cassette, and so on); optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM);
magneto-optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); random
access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and
EEPROM); flash memory; and so on.
[0090] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used
specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the
described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled
in the art that the specific details are not required in order to
practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing
descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are
presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are
not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the
precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art that many modifications and variations are
possible in view of the above teachings.
* * * * *