Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of digital media items and, more particularly, to displaying digital media items.
Computing devices such as desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, netbooks, smartphones, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) are now commonly used by various people and organizations for different purposes. Computing devices may often be mobile or portable computing devices, such as tablet computers, laptops, touch screen laptops (e.g., a laptop computer with a touch screen display), netbooks, smartphones, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Users often use computing devices to view digital media items such as electronic books, electronic newspapers, electronic magazines, other electronic reading material, Portable Document Format (PDF) files, digital images (e.g., Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) images, bitmaps (BMPs), Portable Network Graphics (PNG) images, Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) images, etc.) and digital videos (e.g., MPEG-2 files, MPEG-4 (MP4) files, DivX files, audio video interlace (AVI) files, advanced video coding (AVC) files, Flash® video files, VP8 files, etc.).
The computing device 100 may use one or more sensing devices (e.g., an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, etc) to determine the orientation or positioning of the computing device. For example, the computing device 100 may determine that the computing device 100 is positioned/oriented in a landscape orientation, based on data received from a gyroscope or an accelerometer. In another example, the computing device 100 may determine that the computing device 100 has changed position/orientation (e.g., changed from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation) based on data received from a gyroscope and/or an accelerometer.
Generally, once the computing device 100 has determined the orientation of the computing device 100, digital media items are displayed based on the determined orientation of the computing device 100 until the user moves and/or repositions the device (e.g., until the user rotates the device or changes the device's orientation). The digital media items may be adjusted such that the digital media items are upright (e.g., right side up) when displayed in the screen 105. As shown in
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, and can be more fully understood with reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the figures in which:
A method and system for displaying digital media items on a computing device are described. In one embodiment, the computing device may determine the orientation/position of the computing device using one or more sensor devices. The computing device may select a corner of the computing device based on the orientation/position of the computing device. In one embodiment, the selected corner may be the corner which is closest to a user of the computing device when the user sets the computing device down on surface (e.g., when the user sets a tablet computer down on a table top) or when the user is holding the computing device.
In one embodiment, the computing device may display a plurality of digital media items (e.g., digital videos and/or digital images) after selecting a corner of the computing device based on the orientation/position of the computing device. The computing device may determine the height and width of the digital media items (e.g., determine the pixel height or pixel width of a digital image or digital video). In one embodiment, the computing device may display a digital image in a portrait orientation if the digital media item has a height greater than its width (e.g., the digital media item is more suited for display in a portrait orientation). The lower left or lower right corner/portion of the digital media item may correspond to the selected corner of the computing device. In another embodiment, the computing device may display the digital image in a landscape orientation if the digital media item has a height less than its width (e.g., the digital media item is more suited for display in a landscape orientation). The lower left or lower right corner/portion of the digital media item may also correspond to the selected corner of the computing device.
In one embodiment, orientation/position of the computing device may change after the computing device selects a corner. The computing device may select a new corner, based on the change in the orientation/position of the computing device. After selecting the new corner, the computing device may display a plurality of digital media items (e.g., digital videos and/or digital images). In one embodiment, the computing device may display the digital image in a portrait orientation if the digital media item has a height greater than its width (e.g., the digital media item is more suited for display in a portrait orientation). The lower left or lower right corner/portion of the digital media item may correspond to the new corner of the computing device. In another embodiment, the computing device may display the digital image in a landscape orientation if the digital media item has a height less than its width (e.g., the digital media item is more suited for display in a landscape orientation). The lower left or lower right corner/portion of the digital media item may also correspond to the new corner of the computing device.
In the following description, numerous details are set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
In one embodiment, the orientation sensors 330 may be one or more devices which may be used to determine the position/orientation of the computing device 300 and/or detect changes in the position/orientation of the computing device 300. For example, the orientation sensors 330 may include, but are not limited to, an accelerometer for measuring an acceleration of the user, a magnetometer for measuring a magnetic field associated with a change of orientation of the computing device 300, a gyroscope for providing a more precise determination of orientation of the computing device 300.
In one embodiment, the orientation detection module 305 may determine the position/orientation of the computing device 300 based on data, measurements, and/or other information received from the orientation sensors 330. For example the orientation detection module 305 may determine the orientation of the computing device 300 based on acceleration data/measurements received from an accelerometer. Based on the data received from the orientation sensors 300, the orientation detection module 305 may select a corner of the device. In one embodiment, the corner selected by the orientation detection module 305 may be a corner which is closest to a user of the computing device 300. For example, a user may hold a computing device 300 (e.g., a tablet computer) by the lower left corner of the computing device 300. The user may set or put the computing device 300 down on a surface (e.g., on a table top) such that the lower left corner of the computing device 300 is pointed towards the user (e.g., as shown below in
In one embodiment, the media viewing module 310 may display one or more digital media items via the input/output module 325 (e.g., via a touch screen). The media viewing module 310 may display a digital media item in portrait orientation or landscape orientation, based on the selected corner of the computing device 300 and the width and height of the digital media item. For example, if the lower left corner of the computing device 300 is selected by the orientation detection module 305 and the height of a digital media item is greater than its width, the media view module 310 may display the digital media item in a portrait orientation such that the selected corner of the computing device corresponds to the lower left corner/portion of the digital media item. In another example, if the lower right corner of the computing device 300 is selected by the orientation detection module 305 and the height of a digital media item is less than its width, the media view module 310 may display the digital media item in a landscape orientation such that the selected corner of the computing device corresponds to the lower right corner/portion of the digital media item.
In one embodiment, the input/output module 325 may include hardware, software, and/or a combination of both. For example, the input/output module 325 may include, but is not limited to, one or more of a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, a touch screen, a stylus, and/or software and drivers associated with the input/output module 325. In another embodiment, the input/output module 325 may be used to accept user input (e.g., accept user input to select and/or browse through digital media items) and may also be used to display digital media items to a user (e.g., user input is received and digital media items are displayed on a touch screen).
In one embodiment, the storage module 315 may store one or more digital media items (e.g., one or more digital videos and/or digital images) which may be displayed by the media viewing module 310. The storage module 315 may be any device or medium which may store data. For example, the storage module 315 may include, but is not limited to, flash memory, a hard disk, an optical medium (e.g., a CD-ROM), random access memory (RAM), etc.
In one embodiment, the communication module 320 may be used by the computing device 300 to communicate with a network and/or other devices (e.g., other user devices, other computers such as servers, etc.). For example, the computing system 300 may download digital media items from one or more servers using the communication module 320 (and may store these digital media items in the storage module 315). The communication module 320 may be hardware, software, or a combination of both. For example, the communication module 320 may include, but is not limited to, a network interface card (NIC), a wireless or cellular network card, one or more antennae, physical cables, and/or software and drivers associated with the communication module 320.
In one embodiment, the computing device 400 may use one or more orientation sensors (e.g., an accelerometer, a gyroscope, etc.) to determine the orientation/position of the computing device 400. The computing device 400 may also select the corner 415 of the computing device 400 based on the orientation/position of the computing device 400. For example, the computing device 400 may determine that the computing device 400 is in a diagonal orientation. Based on the diagonal orientation, the computing device 400 may select the corner 415, which may be the corner which is closest to and/or pointed towards the user. As shown in
The computing device 400 displays digital media item 410 on screen 405. When the computing device 400 displays the digital media item 410, the computing device 400 may determine the height and the width of the digital media item 410. Because the height of the digital media item 410 is greater than its width, the computing device 400 may display the digital media item 410 on the screen 405, as if the computing device 400 was in a portrait orientation. In one embodiment, by displaying the digital media item 410 in a portrait orientation, the computing device 400 may maximize the use of the screen 405 when the digital media item 410 is displayed. For example, referring back to
In one embodiment, the computing device 500 may use one or more orientation sensors to detect the orientation/position of the computing device 500 and the computing device may also select the corner 515 of the computing device 500 based on the diagonal orientation/position of the computing device 500. The corner 515 may be the corner which is closest to and/or pointed towards the user. As shown in
The computing device 500 displays digital media item 510 on screen 505. When the computing device 500 displays the digital media item 510, the computing device 500 may determine the height and the width of the digital media item 510. Because the height of the digital media item 510 is less than its width, the computing device 500 may display the digital media item 510 on the screen 505, as if the computing device 500 was in a landscape orientation. In one embodiment, by displaying the digital media item 510 in a landscape orientation, the computing device 500 may maximize the use of the screen 505 when the digital media item 510 is displayed. For example, referring back to
In one embodiment, the computing device 600 may use one or more orientation sensors to determine the orientation/position of the computing device 600 and may also select the corner 615 of the computing device 600 based on the orientation/position. Based on the diagonal orientation, the computing device 600 may select the corner 615, which may be the corner which is closest to and/or pointed towards the user. As shown in
As discussed above, when the computing device 600 displays the digital media item 610, the computing device 600 may determine the height and the width of the digital media item 610. Because the height of the digital media item 610 is greater than its width, the computing device 600 may display the digital media item 610 on the screen 605, as if the computing device 600 was in a portrait orientation. In one embodiment, by displaying the digital media item 610 in a portrait orientation, the computing device 600 may maximize the use of the screen 605 when the digital media item 610 is displayed. For example, referring back to
In one embodiment, the computing device 700 may use one or more orientation sensors to detect the orientation/position of the computing device 700 and the computing device may also select the corner 715 of the computing device 700 based on the diagonal orientation/position of the computing device 700. The corner 715 may be the corner which is closest to and/or pointed towards the user. As shown in
The computing device 700 displays digital media item 710 on screen 705. When the computing device 700 displays the digital media item 710, the computing device 700 may determine the height and the width of the digital media item 710. Because the height of the digital media item 710 is less than its width, the computing device 700 may display the digital media item 710 on the screen 705, as if the computing device 700 was in a landscape orientation. In one embodiment, by displaying the digital media item 710 in a landscape orientation, the computing device 700 may maximize the use of the screen 705 when the digital media item 710 is displayed. For example, referring back to
In some embodiments, as illustrated in
Referring to
At block 820, the computing device displays the digital media item in a portrait orientation (e.g., as if the computing device was in a portrait orientation) when the height of the digital media item is greater than the width of the digital media item (e.g., as shown in
Referring to
At block 920, the computing device displays the digital media item in a portrait orientation (e.g., as if the computing device was in a portrait orientation) when the height of the digital media item is greater than the width of the digital media item (e.g., as shown in
The exemplary computer system 1000 includes a processor 1002, a main memory 1004 (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) such as synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), etc.), a static memory 1006 (e.g., flash memory, static random access memory (SRAM), etc.), and a secondary memory 1016 (e.g., a data storage device or a drive unit), which communicate with each other via a bus 1008.
The processor 1002 represents one or more general-purpose processing devices such as a microprocessor, central processing unit, or the like. More particularly, the processor 1002 may be a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, processor implementing other instruction sets, or processors implementing a combination of instruction sets. The processor 1002 may also be one or more special-purpose processing devices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), network processor, or the like. The processor 1002 is configured to execute any of the modules shown in
The computer system 1000 may further include a network interface device 1022. The network interface device may be in communication with a network 1021. The computer system 1000 also may include a video display unit 1010 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a touch screen, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), an alphanumeric input device 1012 (e.g., a keyboard, a touch screen, etc.), a cursor control device 1014 (e.g., a mouse, a touch screen, etc.), and a signal generation device 1020 (e.g., a speaker).
The secondary memory (e.g., drive unit) 1016 may include a computer-readable storage medium (or more specifically a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) 1024 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions 1026 for modules embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions 1026 of the modules may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 1004 and/or within the processing device 1002 during execution thereof by the computer system 1000, the main memory 1004 and the processing device 1002 also constituting computer-readable storage media. The instructions 1026 of the modules may further be transmitted or received over a network via the network interface device 1022.
While the computer-readable storage medium 1024 is shown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions 1026. The term “computer-readable storage medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machine that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. The term “computer-readable storage medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media.
Some portions of the detailed descriptions above are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.
It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “detecting,” “identifying,” “selecting,” “determining,” “displaying,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.
Embodiments of the present invention also relate to an apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may be a general purpose computer system selectively programmed by a computer program stored in the computer system. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but not limited to, any type of disk including optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, other type of machine-accessible storage media, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, each coupled to a computer system bus.
The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear as set forth in the description below. In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the invention as described herein.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be recognized that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.