U.S. patent application number 17/116919 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-21 for playback of media streams in dependence of a time of a day.
The applicant listed for this patent is SPOTIFY AB. Invention is credited to Samwoo E, Steven Paul Everington, Daniel Galfvensjo, Ari Liusaari, Felice Mancino, Karl-Johan Persson, Stig Gustav Viktor Soderstrom, Dejan Sormaz, Fredric Vinna.
Application Number | 20210326029 17/116919 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005695742 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210326029 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Persson; Karl-Johan ; et
al. |
October 21, 2021 |
PLAYBACK OF MEDIA STREAMS IN DEPENDENCE OF A TIME OF A DAY
Abstract
This disclosure concerns the providing of media, and more
particularly to the streaming of media. In accordance with an
example embodiment: a portion of a day is determined; a first data
message is sent to a computer server system. The first data message
comprises instructions to the computer server system to return
media content associated with the determined portion of the day. A
second data message is received from the computer server system,
the second data message comprising media content associated with
the determined portion of the day. In response thereto is playback
performed of the media content at the user interface of the
electronic device in dependence of the determined portion of the
day. While performing playback is a visual appearance parameter of
the user interface adjusted according the determined portion of the
day.
Inventors: |
Persson; Karl-Johan;
(Stockholm, SE) ; Everington; Steven Paul;
(Stockholm, SE) ; Vinna; Fredric; (Stockholm,
SE) ; Soderstrom; Stig Gustav Viktor; (Ekero, SE)
; Galfvensjo; Daniel; (Hagersten, SE) ; Liusaari;
Ari; (London, GB) ; Sormaz; Dejan; (New York,
NY) ; Mancino; Felice; (San Francisco, CA) ;
E; Samwoo; (Eaglewood, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SPOTIFY AB |
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|
|
Family ID: |
1000005695742 |
Appl. No.: |
17/116919 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16459133 |
Jul 1, 2019 |
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17116919 |
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14714157 |
May 15, 2015 |
10338794 |
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16459133 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 51/10 20130101;
H04L 67/141 20130101; G09G 5/10 20130101; G09G 2320/10 20130101;
G09G 5/30 20130101; G06F 3/165 20130101; H04L 51/14 20130101; G06F
3/04847 20130101; G09G 2320/08 20130101; G09G 2320/0626 20130101;
G09G 2320/0613 20130101; G06F 3/04883 20130101; G09G 2354/00
20130101; H04L 65/4084 20130101; G06F 3/0482 20130101; H04L 67/325
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0484 20060101
G06F003/0484; H04L 12/58 20060101 H04L012/58; G06F 3/0488 20060101
G06F003/0488; G06F 3/0482 20060101 G06F003/0482; G09G 5/30 20060101
G09G005/30; G09G 5/10 20060101 G09G005/10; H04L 29/06 20060101
H04L029/06; H04L 29/08 20060101 H04L029/08; G06F 3/16 20060101
G06F003/16 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling playback of streamed media content at a
user interface of an electronic device in dependence of a time of a
day, the method comprises: determining a portion of a day, sending
a first data message to a computer server system, the first data
message comprising instructions to the computer server system to
return media content associated with the determined portion of the
day, receiving a second data message from the computer server
system, the second data message comprising media content associated
with the determined portion of the day, and in response thereto
performing playback of the media content at the user interface of
the electronic device in dependence of the determined portion of
the day, and while performing playback, adjusting a visual
appearance parameter of the user interface according the determined
portion of the day.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the visual appearance
parameter comprises performing, at a display of the user interface,
at least one of: displaying a symbol representing the determined
portion of the day, and displaying a color representing the
determined portion of the day.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the visual appearance
parameter comprises adjusting a brightness level representing the
determined portion of the day.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the second
data message comprises receiving information related to the media
content, the method further comprising: displaying the received
information related to the media content at a display of the user
interface.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the second data message
comprises: receiving image data of an image related to the media
content; and receiving the media content as audio content, and
wherein performing playback of the media content at the user
interface comprises: playing the audio content by a speaker of the
user interface, and processing the received image data into the
image, and displaying the image by a display of the user
interface.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein displaying the image comprises
displaying the image as at least one of: a background image, and a
part of the image at a pre-defined position of the display.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the second data message
comprises: receiving the media content as video content and a
corresponding audio content, and wherein performing playback of the
media content at the user interface comprises: displaying the video
content by a display of the user interface, and playing the audio
content by a speaker of the user interface.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a request
for changing a portion of the day to an updated portion of the day,
wherein the method further comprises: sending a third data message
to a computer server system, the third data message comprising
instructions to the computer server system to return media content
related to the updated portion of the day, receiving a fourth data
message from the computer server system, the fourth data message
comprising media content associated with the updated portion of the
day, and in response thereto performing playback of the media
content associated with the updated portion of the day at the user
interface of the electronic device, and while performing playback,
adjusting the visual appearance parameter of the user interface in
dependence of the changed portion of the day.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the user interface comprises an
input means, and wherein receiving the request for changing the
portion of the day comprises detecting a first user input performed
at the input means.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the input means comprises a
touch-sensitive surface, and detecting the user input comprises
detecting the first user input as any of: a swipe gesture, a tap
gesture, a press gesture, and a click gesture.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the portion of the
day comprises determining a time, comparing the determined time
with a day portion timetable comprising a plurality of time
intervals corresponding to respective portions of the day, and
determining the portion of the day for the time interval which
comprises the determined time.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying a control
means at a display of the user interface, wherein the control means
comprises an expansion control, receiving a request for displaying
a media player at the display, and displaying the media player at
the display.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving the request for
displaying the media player comprises detecting a user input at the
control means.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the control means comprises a
touch sensitive surface, and wherein detecting the user input
comprises detecting user input as at least one of: a swipe gesture,
a tap gesture, a press gesture, and a click gesture.
15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a request
for changing media content items, wherein the request relates to
changing media content items, from a currently playbacked first
media content item of the media content to a second media content
item of the media content, sending, to the computer server system,
a request for the second media content item, receiving, from the
computer server system, the second media content item, and
performing playback of the second media content item at the user
interface.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein receiving the request for
changing media content items comprises detecting a user input at
the user interface.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: receiving a request
for adjusting the performed playback of the second media content
item at the user interface, and adjusting the performed playback in
accordance with the received request.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein performing playback of the
second media content item comprises displaying an image content or
a video content at the user interface, and receiving the request
for adjusting the performed playback of the second media content
item comprises detecting a user input in form of a tap gesture, a
press gesture, or a click gesture on the image content or the video
content.
19. An electronic device for playback of a streamed media content
in dependence of a time of a day at a user interface of the
electronic device, the electronic device comprising: a user
interface; a processor; and a memory storing computer program code,
which, when run in the processor causes the electronic device to:
determine a portion of a day, send a first data message to a
computer server system, the first data message comprising
instructions to the computer server system to return media content
associated with the determined portion of the day, receive a second
data message from the computer server system, the second data
message comprising media content associated with the determined
portion of the day, and in response thereto perform playback of the
media content at the user interface of the electronic device, and
while performing playback, adjusting a visual appearance parameter
of the user interface according the determined portion of the
day.
20. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer
readable storage medium, having thereon a computer program
comprising program instructions, the computer program being
loadable into a data-processing unit and adapted to cause execution
of the method comprising: determining a portion of a day, sending a
first data message to a computer server system, the first data
message comprising instructions to the computer server system to
return media content associated with the determined portion of the
day, receiving a second data message from the computer server
system, the second data message comprising media content associated
with the determined portion of the day, and in response thereto
performing playback of the media content at the user interface of
the electronic device in dependence of the determined portion of
the day, and while performing playback, adjusting a visual
appearance parameter of the user interface according the determined
portion of the day.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit
of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/459,133, titled
"PLAYBACK OF MEDIA STREAMS IN DEPENDENCE OF A TIME OF A DAY", filed
Jul. 1, 2019; which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of
priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/714,157, titled
"PLAYBACK OF MEDIA STREAMS IN DEPENDENCE OF A TIME OF A DAY", filed
May 15, 2015; each of which above applications are herein
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to the providing of
media, and more particularly to the streaming of media. In
particular, the embodiments described herein relate to methods and
electronic devices for performing playback of a media content
stream and controlling a queue of subsequently playable media
content items in dependence of a time of a day.
BACKGROUND
[0003] As computer technology has improved, the digital media
industry has evolved greatly in recent years. Users are able to use
electronic devices such as mobile communication devices (e.g.,
cellular telephones, smart phones, tablet computers, etc.) to
consume music, video and other forms of media content. For
instance, users can listen to audio content (e.g., music) and/or
watch video content (e.g., movies, television (TV) broadcasts,
etc.) on a variety of electronic devices.
[0004] At the same time, advances in network technology have
increased the speed and reliability with which information can be
transmitted over computer networks. It is therefore possible for
users to stream media content over computer networks as needed, or
on demand, rather than transmitting a complete file in physical
media (such as CD or DVD, or downloading the entire file) before
consuming the media content.
[0005] A user who uses an electronic device for performing playback
of streamed media, requests media contents from a media server
system. Typically, he/she inputs a title or an artist name at a
user interface of the electronic device, and the electronic devices
obtains the media content and performs playback of the media
content at the user interface, e.g. by a speaker or display of the
user interface.
SUMMARY
[0006] It is in view of the above considerations and others that
the various embodiments disclosed herein have been made.
[0007] It is a general object of the embodiments described herein
to allow for an improved way of controlling playback of media, such
as music, in dependence of the time of the day.
[0008] This general object has been addressed by the appended
independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the
appended dependent claims.
[0009] In a first of its aspects, this disclosure concerns a method
of controlling playback of streamed media content at a user
interface of an electronic device in dependence of a time of a day.
A portion of a day is determined. A first data message is sent to a
computer server system, the first data message comprising
instructions to the computer server system to return media content
associated with the determined portion of the day. A second data
message is received from the computer server system, the second
data message comprising media content associated with the
determined portion of the day. In response thereto is playback
performed of the media content at the user interface of the
electronic device in dependence of the determined portion of the
day, and while performing playback, a visual appearance parameter
of the user interface is adjusted according the determined portion
of the day.
[0010] The aforementioned visual appearance parameter may be
adjusted at a display of the user interface by: displaying a symbol
representing the determined portion of the day; displaying a color
representing the determined portion of the day; or by adjusting a
brightness level representing the determined portion of the
day.
[0011] Additionally, the second data message may comprises
information related to the media content, and the method may
further comprise displaying the received information related to the
media content at a display of the user interface. In addition, the
second data message may comprise image data of an image related to
the media content, which is processed into the image before being
displayed at the display, e.g. as a background image or partly at a
pre-defined position of the display.
[0012] In some embodiments, the method may comprise receiving a
request for changing media content items, wherein the request
relates to changing media content items, from a currently
playbacked first media content item of the media content to a
second media content item of the media content. Furthermore, the
method may comprise sending, to the computer server system, a
request for the second media content item, receiving, from the
computer server system, the second media content item, and
performing playback of the second media content item at the user
interface.
[0013] In a second of its aspects, this disclosure concerns an
electronic device for performing playback of a streamed media
content in dependence of a time of a day at a user interface of the
electronic device The electronic device comprises a user interface;
a processor; and a memory. The memory stores computer program code,
which, when run in the processor causes the electronic device to
determine a portion of a day, send a first data message to a
computer server system, the first data message comprising
instructions to the computer server system to return media content
associated with the determined portion of the day. Furthermore, the
processor causes the electronic devices to receive a second data
message from the computer server system, the second data message
comprising media content associated with the determined portion of
the day, and in response thereto perform playback of the media
content at the user interface of the electronic device, and while
performing playback, adjusting a visual appearance parameter of the
user interface according the determined portion of the day.
[0014] In some embodiments, the memory may store computer program
code, which, when run in the processor causes the electronic device
to adjust the visual appearance parameter by: displaying a symbol
representing the determined portion of the day, or displaying a
color representing the determined portion of the day.
[0015] In some embodiments, the memory may store computer program
code, which, when run in the processor causes the electronic device
to: receive a request for changing media content items, wherein the
request relates to changing media content items, from a currently
playbacked first media content item of the media content to a
second media content item of the media content, send, to the
computer server system, a request for the second media content
item, receive, from the computer server system, the second media
con tent item, and perform playback of the second media content
item at the user interface.
[0016] As will be appreciated, the aforementioned media content
stream may comprise an audio content stream, such as a song, or a
video content such as a streamed video cast.
[0017] In some embodiments, the electronic device is a stationary
electronic device, such as a stationary computer. In alternative
embodiments, a portable electronic device, such as a portable media
presentation device, a mobile telephone, a cellular telephone, a
tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal digital
assistant.
[0018] In a third of its aspects, this disclosure concerns a
computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on
at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry
out the method according to the earlier-described first aspect. A
carrier comprising the computer program may also be provided. The
carrier may for example be one of an electronic signal, an optical
signal, a radio signal, or a computer readable storage medium.
[0019] Various embodiments described herein allow a user of an
electronic device to automatically obtain media content which is
associated with the current portion of the day. In some
advantageous embodiments, the user is enabled to influence the
playback when the user device performs playback. For instance, the
user may be enabled to change media content item of day portion
manually at the user interface. By providing the user's inputs to
the media server, the media server may be enabled to analyze the
user's personal routines. By taking this analysis into account, the
media server may be enabled to improve appropriateness of the
delivered media content for users.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
[0020] These and other aspects, features and advantages will be
apparent and elucidated from the following description of various
embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an
exemplary media content delivery system in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 2A-2G are schematic illustrations of a user interface
in accordance with an embodiment.
[0023] FIGS. 3A-3B are schematic illustrations of an alternative
design of a user interface in accordance with an embodiment.
[0024] FIGS. 4A-4B are schematic illustrations of an alternative
design of a user interface in accordance with an embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a scenario at a user
interface in accordance with an embodiment.
[0026] FIGS. 6A-6C are schematic illustrations of scenarios at a
user interface in accordance with an embodiment.
[0027] FIGS. 7-7A are schematic flow charts of methods in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a computer program
product in accordance with one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
[0029] The present invention will now be described more fully
hereinafter. The invention may, however, be embodied in many
different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are
provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough
and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to
those persons skilled in the art. Like reference numbers refer to
like elements or method steps throughout the description.
[0030] As described earlier, some existing solutions for playback
of streamed media content may be inadequate. It is therefore a
general object of the embodiments described herein to allow for an
improved playback of streamed media content.
[0031] To address this, in accordance with an embodiment, described
herein are a method and an electronic device for performing
playback of a media content stream in dependence of a portion of a
day.
[0032] A user interface at an electronic device determines a
current portion of a day, sends a request for media content items
which are associated with a the portion of the day to a media
server, receives and performs playback of the media content
items.
[0033] Within this description, the term "Media content" will be
used to denote any type of media suitable for being playbacked on a
speaker or a display of a user interface. For instance, media
content may be realized in form of audio content, video contents,
or image contents. "Media content items", are items of these media
content forms. For instance, a media content item may be a song, a
video, an image. Furthermore, a media content item may comprise
more than one form of media content, e.g. a music video comprises
typically both a video part to be displayed at a user interface,
and a corresponding audio part to be played at a speaker of the
user interface. It is also understood that a media content
comprises a sequence of media content items.
[0034] For instance an electronic device which receives streamed a
media content, receives a number of media content items in a stream
from a media server. A media content which is associated to a
portion of a day is a sequence of media content items which are
associated with that day portion.
[0035] Turning now to the figures, various exemplifying embodiments
of the invention will be described in further detail.
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for playback of media
content, in accordance with an example embodiment. The system 100
may comprise an electronic device 200 and a computer system 300
operating as a media server. The electronic device 200 may be
communicatively connectable to the computer system 300 via a
network 400, such as the Internet, as is conventional and known in
the existing art. As can be seen in FIG. 1, only a single
electronic device 200 and a single computer system 300 are shown.
However, the computer system 300 may support the simultaneous use
of multiple electronic devices, and/or the electronic device 200
can simultaneously access video content at multiple computer
systems.
[0037] In the following description, the media content will be
exemplified to be audio content so as not to obscure the
description of the embodiments disclosed herein with unnecessary
detail. This should, however, not be interpreted as limiting the
scope of the various embodiments of the invention.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 200 may be used
for the playback of audio content in dependence of a time or
portion of a day, wherein the audio content is provided by the
computer system 300. The electronic device 200 may be a mobile
telephone, such as a smart phone. Alternatively, the electronic
device 200 may be a tablet computer. In yet other embodiments, the
electronic device 200 may be any other electronic device capable of
playback of audio content complemented with lyrics content, such
as, for example, one of the electronic devices of the following
group: a computer, a laptop computer, and a mobile electronic
device (e.g. a handheld entertainment device, a digital media
player, or other media device).
[0039] The electronic device 200 may include one or several
physical computer resources, or hardware resources 210. Likewise,
the computer system 300 operating as a media server may include one
or several physical computer resources, or hardware resources
316.
[0040] The computer system 300 may include an operating system or
other processing system which supports execution of a software
application 310, including a media server application 312 which may
be used, for example, to stream audio content associated with a
portion of a day. A media stream service 320 may be used to buffer
media contents 323, 325, 327, e.g. audio content, video content,
image content, etc., of appropriate media content items 331, for
streaming to one or more media streams 322, 324, 326. A media
application interface 314 may receive requests from electronic
devices 200 or other systems, to retrieve media contents associated
to an appropriate portion of the day from the computer system
300.
[0041] Media content or items 331 may be provided, for example,
within a database or repository, or may be received by the computer
system 300 from another source (not shown). This another source
(not shown) may be external to the computer system 300, i.e. it may
be located remotely from the computer system 300.
[0042] A media streaming logic 330 may be used to retrieve or
otherwise access the media content items 331 in response to
requests from electronic devices 200 or other systems, and populate
the complemented stream service with streams 322, 324, 326 of
appropriate media content items 331 that may be returned to the
requesting electronic device 200.
[0043] In some embodiments, the electronic device 200 comprises a
user interface 230. Typically, the user interface 230 includes a
display 232, which is adapted to display lyrics information and a
speaker (not shown) which is adapted to play the audio content. The
display 232 is preferably, though not necessarily, a
touch-sensitive display that is adapted to detect or otherwise
determine a user input.
[0044] Selecting lyrics to be displayed at the display 232 may be
used, or otherwise interpreted, as a request or instruction to the
media server application 312 to stream or otherwise return
associated media content which is being playbacked. For example, in
accordance with some embodiments, the software application 310 at
the computer system 300 may be used to stream or otherwise
communicate associated media content to the electronic device 200,
wherein the display 232 of said user interface 230 at the
electronic device 200 is adapted to display an image which is
associated to a song when playing the audio content at the speaker
of the electronic device 200.
[0045] A user 600 may interact 11 with the user interface 230 and
issue requests, for example the playing an associated song (audio
content) or displaying an associated lyrics on the electronic
device 200. The user's manual selection of day portion may be
communicated 12 to the media server application 312, via the media
application interface 314. The media server application 312 may
then be instructed 13 to stream associated media content, including
one or more streams of media content items 331, and subsequently
stream 14 or otherwise communicate to the user's electronic device
200. In accordance with some embodiments, pre-buffering requests
from the electronic device 200 may also be communicated to the
media server application 312 via the media application interface
314. At the electronic device 200, in response to the user's
interaction with the user interface 230, the media playback
application 220, including the playback logic 222, may playback 10
the requested media content to the user 600, for example by playing
back a song on the electronic device 200, as described in further
detail below.
[0046] FIG. 2A-2G illustrate seven example views of a user
interface of an electronic device in accordance with one
exemplifying embodiment.
[0047] In this embodiment, a day is divided in seven day portions:
early morning, morning commuter, workday, afternoon commuter,
evening, late evening and bed-time. Because a user of a streamed
media may prefer different types of media dependent on the time of
day and/or, the current on-going activity, or the user's mood, each
portion of day may be adapted to an appropriate preferred type of
media. For instance, in "early morning" the user may prefer soft
harmonic music, when travelling to work or school, i.e. "morning
commuter", the user may prefer morning news, e.g. a morning radio
show, where music is mixed with news. During the workday the user
may prefer music which gives energy and inspiration without
disturbing the user, etc.
[0048] FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic view of the portion of day
"workday". In the figure the electronic device 200 and the user
interface 230 which was described in conjunction with FIG. 1 are
shown, and the same reference numbers are therefore applied. The
user interface 230 comprises a display at which a color
(illustrated as a texture of horizontal lines in the figure) and a
symbol 234 associated with the current portion of the day are
displayed. When the user listens to the audio content of the day
portion, the electronic device 200 requests and receives media
content from a computer server system, e.g. a centrally located
media server and performs playback of the received media content at
the user interface 230. In this embodiment the symbol 234
representing the workday is a sun and is complemented with a text
"Workday" at the user interface 230.
[0049] However, it is to be noted that the disclosed user interface
230 is not limited to the above described design and may be
implemented differently within the disclosed concept. For instance,
the user interface 230 may comprise further information 236, 238
associated with the currently playbacked media content, e.g.
artist, title, or an image such as an album cover. The user
interface 230 may also comprise user control means 240, 242, 244 by
which the user may control the playback or the user interface
230.
[0050] In a related exemplifying embodiment which is based on the
embodiment described above, the user interface 230 comprises three
user control means; a pause control 240, an expansion control 242,
and a user settings control 244. By performing a user input, such
as a tap gesture, a swipe gesture, or a press gesture, the user may
force the electronic device to amend the performed playback or user
interface 230. For instance, tapping of pressing the pause control
240 will pause the performed playback, while swiping the expansion
control 242 will switch to an ordinary music player, and tapping or
pressing the user settings control 244 will show a settings menu at
which the user may input his/her preferred settings, e.g. changing
symbols 234, colors, text font etc. However, the designer of the
user interface is not limited to implement exactly these examples
of user control means, instead he/she may select any suitable
combination of appropriate user control means 240, 242, 244, or
implementing further, alternative, or fewer user control means,
when designing the user interface 230.
[0051] By determining the current portion of the day, requesting
and receiving a stream of media content which is associated with
this portion and adjusting a visual appearance parameter while
performing playback, the electronic device is enabled to perform
playback of a suitable media content at a simplified user interface
in accordance with the portion of the day. Thus, the electronic
device may automatically playback media content which is suitable
for the current situation of the user, without need for user input.
Thereby, the user may perceive that he/she is automatically served
with an appropriate media content, which is convenient and
increases user performance.
[0052] FIGS. 2B-2G illustrate further schematic views of respective
portions of the day. FIG. 2B illustrates the portion "Early
morning". As seen in the figure, the visual appearance parameter,
i.e. the symbol 236, is changed into a raising sun, and the name of
the portion in the upper bar is changed. In addition, another media
content is playbacked, which is seen in the lower bar as another
title and artist name.
[0053] Correspondingly, FIG. 2C illustrate "Morning commute", FIG.
2D "Afternoon commute", FIG. 2E "Evening", FIG. 2F "Late evening",
and FIG. 2G "Bed time".
[0054] As example of suitable media contents; Afternoon commute may
comprise news, Evening may comprise appropriate music, Late evening
may comprise a TV-show, and Bed time may comprise relaxing music
for facilitating falling asleep. However, these listed types of
media content are just mentioned as non-limiting examples, and the
user interface may adapt the media content to the user, e.g. by
analyzing the users' historical consumption of media content.
[0055] When performing the above described playback of media
content at the user interface, the playback may be started by a
user of the electronic device, or automatically by the user
interface. Below, two alternative implementations of start of the
playback will be described.
[0056] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate two schematic views of a user
interface of an electronic device in accordance with two
exemplifying embodiments. The user interface 230 corresponds to the
above described user interface and the same reference numbers are
therefore utilized when appropriate.
[0057] In FIG. 3A, the user interface 230 automatically starts
playback of media content, so called auto-play. In this embodiment,
the electronic device 200 automatically starts the playback when
the electronic device is on and a service for performing playback
is requested. For instance, an application is installed in the
electronic device, and the application performs the playback at the
user interface 230. When the application starts the service, media
content items are requested from a computer server system. During
start-up of the service and request of media content, the user
interface 230 displays a start view, as seen in the FIG. 3A.
[0058] The start view comprises a text "Starting in . . . " and a
counter which counts down. In the FIG. 3A the counter is
illustrated as the symbol "5". The start view may further comprise
a time-scale, e.g. a time-scale which decreases. In the FIG. 3A,
such an increasing time-scale is illustrated as a circle segment.
By arranging a counter which counts down a time, or a time-scale
which decreases, a user may perceive that the start-up process
proceeds.
[0059] The user interface may also inform the user which media
content item that will be playbacked by displaying an image 250
which is associated with the media content item to be played. By
making the user aware of coming media content items, the user may
perceive that his/her control of the playback increases, which may
give rise to an increased user experience. However, information
regarding media content items to be playbacked may be implemented
alternatively too. For instance a text or an appropriate symbol
which is associated with the coming media item may be
displayed.
[0060] In the FIG. 3A is also an auto-play control 252 shown at the
user interface 230. By swiping the user control to the left the
user may switch off the auto-play mode.
[0061] In FIG. 3B, the user interface 230 instead starts the
playback of the media content items in response to a user input,
i.e. the user interface 230 awaits a manual user input at the user
interface 230 before starting the playback. In FIG. 3B the symbol
of the current portion of the day is displayed together with an
instruction "Swipe to get started". At the display is further
information 250 regarding the media content to be playbacked shown,
corresponding to in the alternative embodiment above. By performing
a user input in form of a horizontal swipe gesture, the user
requests the electronic device to start requesting the media
content item to be received and being playbacked at the user
interface 230. When waiting for the manual user input, the
electronic device 200 may perform a pre-caching of the initial part
of the media content item to be playbacked. Typically, the
electronic device may request and pre-cache some seconds of the
media content item. When the user swipes horizontally at the user
interface 230, e.g. at a touch-sensitive surface of the user
interface 230, the user interface 230 will start the playback of
the pre-cached portion and simultaneously request the rest of the
media content. By storing a pre-cached portion of the media
content, requesting and buffering the remaining part while
performing playback of the pre-cached portion, the electronic
device 200 will be enabled to start playback almost instantly and
seamlessly perform with the buffering part. The user will perceive
that the playback of the media content is instant and without
interruptions, which increases the user experience.
[0062] As seen in the FIG. 3B, the user interface may further
comprise the auto-play control 252 of the preceding embodiment, by
which the user may switch on the auto-play mode.
[0063] Thus, the auto-play control 252 of the embodiments above
enables the user to manually select whether or not to set the
electronic device 200 in auto-play mode. As seen in FIG. 3B, the
user interface 230 may comprise further information, e.g. an
information text which describes the functionality of auto-play
mode or other settings.
[0064] In some of the embodiments above the media content is audio
content, e.g. songs, podcasts, etc. However, the concept is not
limited to performing playback of audio content. Within the
disclosed concept, other types of media content could also be
playbacked at the user interface 230, e.g. video content. When
performing playback of video content it is not suitable to arrange
the symbol 234 (of FIG. 2A) at the same position of the user
interface as the video content.
[0065] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate two schematic views of a user
interface of an electronic device in accordance with two
exemplifying embodiments. The user interface 230 corresponds to the
above described user interface and the same reference numbers are
therefore utilized when appropriate.
[0066] In FIG. 4A, the electronic device displays a TV-show 260 ata
position of a display of the user interface 230. In order to not
disturb the displaying of the TV-show, the user interface does not
display any symbol 234 corresponding to the symbol 234 of FIG. 2a.
Instead an alternative information bar 234A is arranged above the
TV-show. The information bar 234a may be provided with a user
control means ("" in the FIG. 4A) which when touched/pressed
expands the information bar 234a and enables the user to switch
portions of the day. Furthermore, the user interface may comprise
further information fields 262. These further information fields
may display additional information regarding the currently
playbacked media content item and the media content item to be
playbacked.
[0067] In FIG. 4B, the electronic device performs playback of a
podcast, and displays images which are associated with the podcast
and other media content items. In FIG. 4B, the last playbacked
media content item is indicated to the left of the display as a
part of an image 270, the currently playing media content item is
shown as an image 272 or a video in the middle, and the media
content item to be played is indicated to the right as a part of
another image 274.
[0068] In both the above disclosed embodiments, the electronic
device is shown with a portrait-oriented display of the user
interface, without being limited thereto. Alternatively, the user
interface may instead be adapted to display the TV-show 260 or
images 270, 272, 274 when the electronic device is rotated and the
display is landscape-oriented. The user interface 230 will then
show the information bar 234a, and the information fields 262 at
some suitable positions at the display of the user interface 230.
By rotating the electronic device 200 to be landscape-oriented, a
larger part of the display may be utilized for displaying, e.g. the
TV-show, and still keeping the proportions.
[0069] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of a user interface of
an electronic device in accordance with one exemplifying
embodiment. The user interface 230 corresponds to the above
described user interface and the same reference numbers are
therefore utilized when appropriate.
[0070] In FIG. 5, the user changes portions of a day manually. The
user performs a swiping gesture vertically at the user interface
230 and changes thereby from "Workday" to "Afternoon commute", when
leaving the workplace earlier one day. As indicated in the figure,
the symbol 234 and text for Workday are swiped away upwards and the
symbol 234 and text for Afternoon commute are instead swiped in to
be displayed.
[0071] The electronic device may be adapted to learn the behavior
and daily routines of users. Typically, an application for control
of the playback is installed in the electronic device, and the
application comprises a pre-set day portion time table, according
to which the electronic device changes the portions of a day.
However, different users have different daily routines, but by
implementing functionality which enables the users to change
portions of the day manually by performing a user input gesture,
e.g. a vertical swipe, registering and analyzing the manual
changes, the electronic device may learn the behavior of an
individual user. Thereby, the electronic device may adapt the day
portion time table to the individual user, and increase the
appropriateness in automatic changes of portions of the day.
[0072] The users may also change day portions manually for other
reasons. For instance, if the user is delayed when travelling to
work, he/she will prevent the electronic device from changing from
"Morning commute" to "Workday". When the user realizes that the
electronic device automatically changes the day portions, he/she
will perform another user input gesture to return to the current
portion and postpone the change. For instance, a tapping gesture at
the user interface may force the electronic device to change back
to the previous portion of the day and postpone the change 10
minutes. In addition, this change may not be registered. Thereby,
specific manual changes of day portions which depend on occasional
situations, such as delayed public transportations, which will not
be registered, could be prevented from affecting the day portion
time table.
[0073] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate schematic views of a user interface
of an electronic device in accordance with some exemplifying
embodiments. The user interface 230 corresponds to the above
described user interface and the same reference numbers are
therefore utilized when appropriate.
[0074] In the FIG. 6A, the electronic device 200 performs, at the
user interface 230, playback of media content items and displays
images 250 which are associated with the respective media content
items. As seen is also the symbol 234 of the current day portion
displayed at the user interface 230. The user requests a change of
playbacked media content items by performing a swiping gesture at
the user interface 230. In this embodiment the currently played
media content item is a song, and the requested media content item
is another song. The user interface 230 display obtains the
requested media content item from a media server, which is part of
a computer server system, by sending a request for the media
content item and receiving the media content item in response
thereto.
[0075] The user interface 230 changes the images 250, such that the
image which is associated with the requested media content item is
displayed, but keeps the symbol 230 at the display of the user
interface 230. As described above, an initial part of the requested
media content item could be pre-cached, such that the user
perceives that the change of media content items is performed
instantly.
[0076] In FIG. 6B, in an alternative embodiment, which is related
to the above described one, the media content item which is changed
differs in that the requested media content item comprises
additional information 254, e.g. commercial information in form of
an offer to users, or information regarding up-coming events, etc.
For instance, this additional information 254 may relate to a new
album or a concert. Furthermore, the media content item may
comprise a hyperlink (exemplified as "new album" in FIG. 6B) to a
service, such as a ticket reservation service, or fill-in forms in
which the user may fill-in contact details, etc.
[0077] It is to be noted that the FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrates a
non-limiting implementation of the user interface, and that the
user interface may be alternatively designed within the disclosed
concept. In FIG. 6C, in an alternative implementation of the user
interface 230, the requested media content item comprises
additional information 256 too, similar to in the embodiment
described in conjunction with FIG. 6B. However, in this embodiment,
the user interface 230 changes such as the requested additional
information 256 instead is playbacked, i.e. is displayed, over a
larger part of the display. Typically, the requested additional
information 256 will overlap the current visual appearance of the
user interface as illustrated. In addition, the overlapping
information may have another visual appearance than the visual
appearance of the user interface 230. In other words, the symbol
and background color, etc. of the user interface are swiped away
horizontally, such as the visual appearance of the information is
shown instead. By assigning specific visual appearances for the
additional information 256, the visual effect of the additional
information 256 may be emphasized. The visual appearance of the
additional information 256 may comprise an image, a video
(illustrated as a dashed rectangle with a play symbol), a hyperlink
(illustrated as "concert this week"), etc. which are displayed at
the user interface.
[0078] In addition, an audio content item which is associated with
the requested information may be further played at the user
interface in order to emphasize the information further.
[0079] The user may then decide whether or not to take part of the
additional information.
[0080] When taking part of the additional information, the user may
click on links, fill in forms, etc. When instead deciding to not
take part of the additional information, the user may instead swipe
left to request another further media content item, or swipe right
to return to the currently playbacked media content item.
[0081] FIG. 7 illustrates an example method 700 of operating an
electronic device 200 for playback of media content according to
embodiments herein. The method comprises determining 702 a portion
of a day. In this embodiment, the day is divided in seven portions:
"Early morning", "Morning commute", "Workday", "Afternoon commute",
"Evening", "Late evening", and "Bed-time", where the portions
relate to different activities of a user. As mentioned above in
another exemplifying embodiment, these portions are just examples
of possible day portions, and the described concept is not limited
to these specific day portions and number of day portions.
Typically, a designer may implement further or less day portions,
and alternative portions, when appropriate. The electronic device
may determine 702 the appropriate day portion by determining the
current time and compare with a pre-stored day portion time table
in the electronic device. Such a day portion time table may
comprise time intervals corresponding to the respective day
portions.
[0082] The method further comprises sending 704 a first data
message to a computer server system. The first data message
comprises instructions to the computer server system to return
media content which is associated with the determined portion of
the day. In other words the electronic device requests media
content which is associated with the determined portion of the day.
In response to the sent first data message, the electronic device
receives 706 a second data message which comprises the requested
media content from the electronic device. In this embodiment the
second data message is comprised in a media stream which is sent
from the computer server system.
[0083] The electronic device performs 708 then playback of the
received media content at a user interface of the electronic device
and adjusts a visual appearance parameter of the user interface
according to the determined 702 portion of the day. For instance,
when the media content is audio content, e.g. a song, the
electronic device performs the playback by playing audio content at
a speaker of the user interface and displaying a symbol
representing the portion of the day at a display of the user
interface. In this embodiment, the symbol is received within the
media stream, without being limited thereto. Alternatively, a set
of symbols may instead be stored in the electronic device, e.g.
pre-stored. It is to be noted that even if the adjustment of the
visual appearance parameter is performed by displaying a symbol,
the implementation may be performed alternatively within the
disclosed concept. Alternatively, a designer may instead design the
electronic device to adjust a color or a brightness level at the
display of the user interface according to the determined portion
of the day, or any combination of symbol/color/brightness, etc.
[0084] By adjusting the visual appearance parameter at the display,
a user of the electronic device interface will get improved control
of which portion the day the currently playbacked media content is
associated with, e.g. morning commute.
[0085] In the above described embodiment the day portion was
determined automatically by consulting a day portion time
table.
[0086] However, the users' routines may differ from one day to
another.
[0087] In some embodiments, the method therefore further comprises
determining 710 if the user manually changes portions of day. As
illustrated in FIG. 5, the user performs a swipe gesture vertically
to change the current portion of the day. If the user manually
performs a change of portions of the day, i.e. updates the current
portion of the day, the method repeats the actions 704-708 but for
media content associated with the updated portion of the day.
[0088] Therefore, by implementing functionality for manual change
of day portions, the user will be enabled to affect the performance
of the playback to his/her current routines, which increases the
flexibility to the user. For instance, if the public transportation
to the user's workplace is delayed, the user may force the
electronic device to change back to "morning commuter" from
"workday" for a time period, when the electronic device
automatically has changed from "morning commuter" to "workday".
[0089] In some embodiments, the method comprises to adaptively
learn the user's personal routines, such that appropriateness in
automatic changes between portions of the day increases. By
increasing appropriateness in changes of portions of days, the
users may perceive that his/her performance increases because the
number of ill-matched changes of day portions will be
decreased.
[0090] In some embodiments, the media content may comprise any of,
or any combination of: audio content, video content, image content,
etc. For instance, in the case that a song, which is an audio
content, is comprised in the media content, image content could be
received 706 from the computer server system. The second data
message comprises then image data, which is processed by the
electronic device into an image before being displayed at the user
interface of the electronic device. For instance, if a user listens
to a song, corresponding image content, such as the album cover,
may be displayed simultaneously at a display of the user
interface.
[0091] However the concept is not limited to the combination
audio/image content. Within the disclosed concept, further
combinations may be audio/video content, video/text content. For
instance, the media content may comprise a podcast or a video cast
and corresponding subtitles.
[0092] In some embodiments, the method further comprises displaying
712 a control means at the display of the user interface, and
determining 714 whether a request for displaying a media player at
the display is received. When a request, in form of a user input,
is received for displaying a media player, the electronic device
changes 716 to display the requested media player at the user
interface instead of the displayed symbol representing the
determined portion of the day. For instance, the requested media
player is expanded over the symbol. In this embodiment, the user
input is performed as a vertical swipe gesture at a touch-sensitive
surface of the user interface, e.g. at the display. However, the
user input is not limited to be a swipe gesture, and may
alternatively be performed as any suitable user input, e.g. a tap
gesture, a click gesture, or pressing a physical button at the user
interface.
[0093] As indicated in the figure, the functionality of requesting
710 change of day portion and of enabling the user to change 716 to
a traditional music player are not dependent on each other, and
each one of these functionalities may be implemented separately,
within the disclosed concept.
[0094] When performing playback of media content items in
accordance with a specific portion of a day, the user may wish to
change media content items from the currently playbacked. For
instance, if the user listens to a song and observes that the next
song to be played seems attractive, he may want to start playing
this song immediately instead of waiting for an automatic change of
songs. In another example, the user watches a show, and observes
that there is a trailer available for another show or TV-program,
he may then want to watch the trailer immediately.
[0095] FIG. 7A illustrates an example method 740 of operating an
electronic device 200 for playback of media content according to
embodiments herein. The method 740 is based on some of the above
described embodiments with conjunction to FIG. 7.
[0096] In an initial action 742, while playback of a first media
content item is performed at the user interface of the electronic
device, a request to change media content item to be playbacked is
received. As stated above in another embodiment, the request may be
performed as a horizontal swiping gesture at a touch-sensitive
surface of the user interface, such as illustrated in any of the
FIGS. 6A-6C.
[0097] The above described action 742, may be performed by
continuously monitoring if a request to change media content item
is received or not, and if no request is received proceeding
perform playback according to action 708.
[0098] In response to receiving the request to change playbacked
media content item, in a following action 744, a request for a
second media content item according to the request is sent as a
third data message to the media server, which is a part of a
computer server system. The third data message comprises
instructions to the media server to return the second media content
item.
[0099] In a following action 746, the electronic device receives
the second media content item streamed as a fourth data
message.
[0100] In a subsequent action 748, the electronic device performs
playback of the received second media content item, correspondingly
as in the action 708, but for the second media content item instead
of the first media content item.
[0101] As disclosed above in conjunction with the FIGS. 6B and 6C,
the second media contents may be provided with additional
information 254, 256, e.g. clickable hyperlinks of fill-in forms.
In an optional action 750, the electronic device determines whether
a request for adjusting the performed playback is received. Such a
request may be a click gesture on a hyperlink of a textual input in
a fill-in form, etc.
[0102] If the electronic device detects that a request for
adjusting the performed playback was received, the electronic
device adjusts the playback of the action 748 in accordance with
instructions which are defined for the request. These instructions
may be retrieved from the media server in further data
messages.
[0103] However, it is to be noted that the method 740 is not
limited to be based on any of the embodiments described in
conjunction with FIG. 7, and that the principles of the method 740
alternatively may be utilized for any suitable playback of streamed
media content performed at an electronic device when
appropriate.
Example Computer-Readable Mediums
[0104] Turning now to FIG. 8, another embodiment will be briefly
discussed. FIG. 8 shows an example of a computer-readable medium,
in this example in the form of a data disc 3000. In one embodiment
the data disc 3000 is a magnetic data storage disc. The data disc
3000 is configured to carry instructions 3001 that when loaded into
a processor 210A of an electronic device 200, executes a method or
procedure according to the embodiments disclosed in this
disclosure. The data disc 3000 is arranged to be connected to or
within and read by a reading device (not shown), for loading the
instructions into the processor. One such example of a reading
device in combination with one (or several) data disc(s) 3000 is a
hard drive. It should be noted that the computer-readable medium
can also be other mediums such as compact discs, digital video
discs, flash memories or other memory technologies commonly used.
In such an embodiment the data disc 3000 is one type of a tangible
computer-readable medium. The instructions may alternatively be
downloaded to a computer data reading device, such as a computer or
other electronic device 200 capable of reading computer coded data
on a computer-readable medium, by comprising the instructions in a
computer-readable signal (not shown) which is transmitted via a
wireless (or wired) interface (for example via the Internet) to the
computer data reading device for loading the instructions into a
processor 210A of the electronic device 200. In such an embodiment,
the computer-readable signal is one type of a non-tangible
computer-readable medium.
[0105] In the detailed description hereinabove, for purposes of
explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in
order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments
described in this disclosure. In some instances, detailed
descriptions of well-known devices, components, circuits, and
methods have been omitted so as not to obscure the description of
the embodiments disclosed herein with unnecessary detail. All
statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments
disclosed herein, 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. Thus, for example, it will be
appreciated that block diagrams herein can represent conceptual
views of illustrative circuitry or other functional units embodying
the principles of the described embodiments. Similarly, it will be
appreciated that any flow charts and the like represent various
processes which may be substantially represented in computer
readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether
or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown. The
functions of the various elements including functional blocks, may
be provided through the use of hardware such as circuit hardware
and/or hardware capable of executing software in the form of coded
instructions stored on the above-mentioned computer readable
medium. Thus, such functions and illustrated functional blocks are
to be understood as being hardware-implemented and/or
computer-implemented, and thus machine-implemented. In terms of
hardware implementation, the functional blocks may include or
encompass, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP)
hardware, reduced instruction set processor, hardware (e.g.,
digital or analog) circuitry including but not limited to
application specific integrated circuit(s) [ASIC], and/or field
programmable gate array(s) (FPGA(s)), and (where appropriate) state
machines capable of performing such functions. In terms of computer
implementation, a computer is generally understood to comprise one
or more processors or one or more controllers. When provided by a
computer or processor or controller, the functions may be provided
by a single dedicated computer or processor or controller, by a
single shared computer or processor or controller, or by a
plurality of individual computers or processors or controllers,
some of which may be shared or distributed. Moreover, use of the
term "processor" or "controller" may also be construed to refer to
other hardware capable of performing such functions and/or
executing software, such as the example hardware recited above.
[0106] In some embodiments, the present invention includes a
computer program product which is a non-transitory storage medium
or computer readable medium (media) having instructions stored
thereon/in which can be used to program a computer to perform any
of the processes of the present invention. Examples of the storage
medium can include, but is not limited to, any type of disk
including floppy disks, optical discs, DVD, CD-ROMs, microdrive,
and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, DRAMs,
VRAMs, flash memory devices, magnetic or optical cards, nanosystems
(including molecular memory ICs), or any type of media or device
suitable for storing instructions and/or data.
[0107] Modifications and other variants of the described
embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art having
benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and
associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the
embodiments are not limited to the specific example embodiments
described in this disclosure and that modifications and other
variants are intended to be included within the scope of this
disclosure. For example, while certain gestures (e.g., hovering
gestures, press gestures, and tap gestures) have been described to
exemplify some embodiments, other conceivable gestures also exist
(e.g. flick gestures, swipe gestures, swipe-and-hold gestures,
release-of-hold gestures) that could be contemplated when reducing
embodiments described herein into practice.
[0108] Still further, although specific terms may be employed
herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and
not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, a person skilled in the
art would recognize numerous variations to the described
embodiments that would still fall within the scope of the appended
claims. As used herein, the terms "comprise/comprises" or
"include/includes" do not exclude the presence of other elements or
steps. Furthermore, although individual features may be included in
different claims, these may possibly advantageously be combined,
and the inclusion of different claims does not imply that a
combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In
addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality.
* * * * *