Patent Application
20130145266
Personal computing devices, such as laptop computers, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, smart phones, etc., often include the capability to store, browse, search and play digital assets, such as digital media assets. A computer program, such as a media management program, operating on a personal computing device can provide graphical user interfaces that allow a user to store, browse, search, organize and play digital assets. The graphical user interface can include text or images to assist a user in accessing, managing or playing the desired digital assets. Despite the effectiveness of existing graphical user interfaces, there remains a need for improved approaches to access, manage and/or play digital assets.
Improved techniques, user interfaces and systems for presenting, accessing and using digital assets are disclosed. The digital assets can be stored in a media library and the techniques, user interfaces and systems can facilitate efficient and visual access to the digital assets. The improved techniques, user interfaces and systems can be used on or by an electronic device, such as a personal computing device. The digital assets can include media assets and/or non-media assets.
One aspect of certain embodiments pertains to presentation on a display device of a plurality of stacks of images. The images in the stacks of images can represent a set of digital assets, such as a set of digital media assets. The set of digital assets associated with a stack can be identified by operation of the electronic device in accordance with certain criteria. The criteria utilized can depend on the type of stack to be provided. By presenting a plurality of stacks of images, with each representing a different type of stack, a user is able to visually navigate a substantial digital library in an efficient and intuitive manner. For example, after the stacks of images are presented, the user can interact with the stacks to locate or select a particular one or more digital assets to be played/executed.
Another aspect of certain embodiments pertains to presentation on a display device of a plurality of lists of images. The images in the lists of images can represent a set of digital assets, such as a set of digital media assets. The set of digital assets associated with a list can be identified by operation of the electronic device in accordance with certain criteria. The criteria utilized can depend on the type of list to be provided. By presenting a plurality of lists of images, with each representing a different type of list, a user is able to visually navigate a substantial digital library in an efficient and intuitive manner. For example, after the lists of images are presented, the user can interact with the stacks to locate or select a particular one or more digital assets to be played/executed.
Another aspect of certain embodiments pertains to presentation on a display device of a plurality of stacks of images as well as a plurality of lists of images.
The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a method, system, device, apparatus (including computer readable medium and graphical user interface). Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below.
As a method for discovering digital media assets from a media library storing a plurality of digital media assets, one embodiment can, for example, include at least: determining, using at least one computing device, an image stack type for each of a plurality of image stacks to be provided in a stack region of a graphical user interface presented on a display device associated with the computing device; determining, using the at least one computing device, a set of digital media assets for each of the image stacks based on the corresponding image stack type, the digital media assets in each of the sets of digital media assets being selected from the digital media assets in the media library; and displaying the graphical user interface including the image stacks on the display device.
As a non-transitory computer readable storage medium including at least computer program code for discovering digital media assets from a media library storing a plurality of digital media assets, one embodiment can, for example, includes at least: computer program code for determining, using at least one computing device, an image stack type for each of a plurality of image stacks to be provided in a stack region of a graphical user interface presented on a display device associated with the computing device; computer program code for determining, using the at least one computing device, a set of digital media assets for each of the image stacks based on the corresponding image stack type, the digital media assets in each of the sets of digital media assets being selected from the digital media assets in the media library; and computer program code for displaying the graphical user interface including the image stacks on the display device.
As a graphical user interface for display of a display device associated with a computing device, one embodiment of the graphical user interface includes at least at least a stack region displayed on the display device. The stack region includes a plurality of image stacks. Each of the image stacks can include a set of image representations for each of a plurality of digital media assets, and each of the digital media assets associated with each of the image stacks can be selected from a media library resident on the computing device based on a corresponding image stack type. In addition, each of the images stacks can be displayed on the display device in a stacked arrangement wherein a top one of the images in each of the image stacks is visually displayed substantially over each of the other of the images in the image stack. Each of the stacks can also be user-interactive such that a user input over or proximate to the stack permits a user to transition the images in the image stack such that a different one of the images becomes the top one of the images.
Various aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:
Improved techniques, user interfaces and systems for presenting, accessing and using digital assets are disclosed. The digital assets can be stored in a media library and the techniques, user interfaces and systems can facilitate efficient and visual access to the digital assets. The improved techniques, user interfaces and systems can be used on or by an electronic device, such as a personal computing device. The digital assets can include media assets and/or non-media assets.
One aspect of certain embodiments pertains to presentation on a display device of a plurality of stacks of images. The images in the stacks of images can represent a set of digital assets, such as a set of digital media assets. The set of digital assets associated with a stack can be identified by operation of the electronic device in accordance with certain criteria. The criteria utilized can depend on the type of stack to be provided. By presenting a plurality of stacks of images, with each representing a different type of stack, a user is able to visually navigate a substantial digital library in an efficient and intuitive manner. For example, after the stacks of images are presented, the user can interact with the stacks to locate or select a particular one or more digital assets to be played/executed.
Another aspect of certain embodiments pertains to presentation on a display device of a plurality of lists of images. The images in the lists of images can represent a set of digital assets, such as a set of digital media assets. The set of digital assets associated with a list can be identified by operation of the electronic device in accordance with certain criteria. The criteria utilized can depend on the type of list to be provided. By presenting a plurality of lists of images, with each representing a different type of list, a user is able to visually navigate a substantial digital library in an efficient and intuitive manner. For example, after the lists of images are presented, the user can interact with the stacks to locate or select a particular one or more digital assets to be played/executed.
Another aspect of certain embodiments pertains to presentation on a display device of a plurality of stacks of images as well as a plurality of lists of images.
The image stack presentation method 100 can begin with a decision 102 that can determine whether a media discovery view is to be displayed. Here, the computing device typically has a display device associated therewith, and the media discovery view can be associated with a graphical user interface that can be presented on the display device. The decision 102 determines whether the media discovery view is to be displayed. When the decision 102 determines that the media discovery view is not to be displayed at this time, the decision 102 can cause the image stack presentation method 100 to await the need to display the media discovery view.
Alternatively, when the decision 102 determines that the media discovery view should be displayed, an image stack type can be determined 104 for each of a plurality of image stacks to be provided in a stack region of the media discovery view. Next, a set of digital media assets for each of the image stacks can be determined 106 based on the corresponding image stack type. In other words, depending upon the particular image stack type, the digital media assets to be provided within a corresponding image stack will differ. Examples of various image stack types are discussed in more detail below. After the set of digital media assets for each of the image stacks has been determined 106, the image stacks can be presented 108 in the stack region of the media discovery view. Following the presentation 108 of the image stacks, the image stack presentation method 100 is complete and can end.
The image stacks 202, 204 and 206 are user interactive in that a user can interact with the corresponding image stacks. Through user interaction, the user can transition through the various different graphical depictions for each of the digital media assets within the corresponding image stack. For example, if the user interacts with the image stack A 202 to cause the image A2 210 to appear at the top of the image stack A 202, the image A1 208 will have been hidden from the image stack A 202 or placed at the rear of the image stack A 202, at which point the image A1 208 would not then be obscuring any of the other images in the image stack A 202.
The image stack presentation and list method 300 can begin with a decision 302 that can determine whether a media discovery view is to be displayed. Here, the computing device typically has a display device associated therewith, and the media discovery view can be associated with a graphical user interface that can be presented on the display device. The decision 302 determines whether the media discovery view is to be displayed. When the decision 302 determines that the media discovery view is not to be displayed at this time, the decision 302 can cause the image stack and list presentation method 300 to await the need to display the media discovery view.
Alternatively, when the decision 302 determines that the media discovery view should be displayed, an image stack type can be determined 304 for each of a plurality of image stacks to be provided in a stack region of the media discovery view. Next, a set of digital media assets for each of the image stacks can be determined 306 based on the corresponding image stack type. In other words, depending upon the particular image stack type, the digital media assets to be provided within a corresponding image stack will differ. Examples of various image stack types are discussed in more detail below. After the set of digital media assets for each of the image stacks has been determined 306, the image stacks can be presented 308 in the stack region of the media discovery view.
In addition, the image stack and list presentation method 300 can determine 310 a list type for each of a plurality of lists be provided in a list region of the media discovery view. Next, a set of digital media assets can be determined 312 for each of the lists based on the corresponding list type. In other words, depending upon the particular list type, the digital media assets to be provided within a corresponding list will differ. Examples of various list types are discussed in more detail below. After the set of digital media assets for each of the lists has been determined 312, the lists can be presented 314 in the list region of the media discovery view.
Following the presentation 314 of the lists, the image stack and list presentation method 300 is complete and can end.
As illustrated in
The image stacks 406, 408 and 410 are user interactive in that a user can interact with the corresponding image stacks. Through user interaction, the user can transition through the various different graphical depictions for each of the digital media assets within the corresponding image stack. For example, if the user interacts with the image stack A 406 to cause the image A2 414 to appear at the top of the image stack A 406, the image A1 412 will have been hidden from the image stack A 406 or placed at the rear of the image stack A 406, at which point the image A1 412 would not then be obscuring any of the other images in the image stack A 406.
As illustrated in
The image lists 426, 428 and 430 are user interactive in that a user can interact with the corresponding image lists. Through user interaction, the user can transition through and/or select the various different digital media assets within the corresponding list stack. For example, the user can interact with the image list A 426 to select any of the digital media assets therein.
The computing apparatus 500 can include a processor 502 that provides program execution capabilities for the computing apparatus 500. The computing apparatus 500 can also include a media management application 504 and a media library 506. The media management application 504 can represent a computer program that can be executed by the processor 502 to provide me operations at the computing apparatus 500. For example, the media management application 504 can be used to display graphical user interfaces that allow users to browse and play digital media assets that can be stored in the media library 506. The computing apparatus 500 can also include a user input device 508, such as a pointing device, a keyboard, a touchscreen, etc., and a display device 510 that can display the graphical user interfaces. Still further, the media management application 504, or more generally the computing apparatus 500, can include user interface (UI) data that helps customize the graphical user interfaces that can be presented on the display device 510. As an example, as illustrated in
The top collections process 600 can initially identify 602 a plurality of collections in a media library (e.g., the media library 506). Next, the “top” collections from the identified collections can be determined 604. Those of the identified collections that are to be deemed “top” collections can be dependent upon various different criteria. For example, the “top” collections can be determined from the identified collections based on popularity, play count, ratings or other available criteria. Typically, the number of collections to be provided in the stack of “top” collections would be limited to a predetermined number. In this embodiment, the predetermined number is the integer N. Hence, after the “top” collections have been determined 604, the top collections process 600 can operates to select 606 N of the “top” collections. For example, the “top” collections that have been determined 604 would typically be sorted or ordered in accordance with the criteria associated with the “top” collections. After the “top” collections have been sorted or ordered, the N top most ones of the “top” collections can be selected 606. Thereafter, the image stack of the selected N “top” collections can be presented 608. Following the block 608, the top collections process 600 is complete and can end.
In one embodiment, the “top” collections from the identified collections can be determined 604 and selected 606 by the following operations. First, collections of digital media assets within the media library can be identified. Second, play counts for each of the identified collections are determined. Third, a predetermined number of the identified collections can be selected based on the determined play counts. Fourth, the selected identified collections for the at least one of the image stacks of the top collections type can be so denoted for subsequent presentation. In one particular embodiment, the play counts for each of the identified collections can be determined by (i) obtaining play counts for each of the digital media assets within a given one of the identified collections, and (ii) averaging the obtained play counts to produce the play count for the given one of the identified collections.
The top artists process 700 can initially identify 702 artists that are present in the media library (e.g. the media library 506). Next, “top” artists from the identified artists can be determined 704. Those of the identified artists that are to be deemed “top” artists can be dependent upon various different criteria. For example, the “top” artists can be determined from the identified artists based on popularity, play count, ratings or other available criteria. Typically, the number of artists to be provided in the stack of “top” artists would be limited to a predetermined number. In this embodiment, the predetermined number is the integer N. Hence, after the “top” artists have been determined 704, the top artists process 700 can operate to select 706 N of the “top” artists. For example, the “top” artists that have been determined 704 would typically be sorted or ordered in accordance with the criteria associated with the “top” artists. After the “top” artists have been sorted or ordered, the N top most ones of the “top” artists can be selected 706. Thereafter, the image stack of the selected N “top” artists can be presented 708. Following the block 708, the top artists process 700 is complete and can end.
In one embodiment, the “top” collections from the identified collections can be determined 704 and selected 706 by the following operations. First, artists of digital media assets within the media library can be identified. Second, play counts for each of the identified artists are determined. Third, a predetermined number of the identified artists can be selected based on the determined play counts. Fourth, the selected identified artists for the at least one of the image stacks of the top artists type can be so denoted for subsequent presentation. In one particular embodiment, the play counts for each of the identified artists can be determined by (i) obtaining play counts for each of the digital media assets of a given one of the identified artists, and (ii) accumulating the obtained play counts to produce the play count for the given one of the identified artists.
The top genres process 800 can initially identify 802 genres that are present in the media library (e.g. the media library 506). Next, “top” genres from the identified genres can be determined 804. Those of the identified genres that are to be deemed “top” genres can be dependent upon various different criteria. For example, the “top” genres can be determined from the identified genres based on popularity, play count, ratings or other available criteria. Typically, the number of genres to be provided in the stack of “top” genres would be limited to a predetermined number. In this embodiment, the predetermined number is the integer N. Hence, after the “top” genres have been determined 804, the top genres process 800 can operate to select 806 N of the “top” genres. For example, the “top” genres that have been determined 804 would typically be sorted or ordered in accordance with the criteria associated with the “top” genres. After the “top” genres have been sorted or ordered, the N top most ones of the “top” genres can be selected 806. Thereafter, the image stack of the selected N “top” genres can be presented 808. Following the block 808, the top genres process 800 is complete and can end.
Other types of image stacks include: a recently added type, recently played type, most played type, or top rated type.
In one embodiment, one of the images stacks to be used in a graphical user interface is a recently added type. Predetermined image stack characteristics for the recently added type can includes at least a predetermined number that represents a number of digital media assets to include in the image stack of the recently added type. In one particular embodiment, the determination of the set of digital media assets for the image stack of the recently added type can be determined by the following operations. First, digital media assets within the media library can be identified. Second, dates that each of the identified digital media assets were added to the media library can be obtained. Third, the predetermined number of the identified digital media assets can be selected based on the obtained dates added. Fourth, the selected identified digital media assets can be denoted as the set of digital media assets for the image stack of the recently added type can be so denoted for subsequent presentation. At least one of the selected identified digital media assets can be a collection of digital media assets.
In another embodiment, one of the images stacks to be used in a graphical user interface is a recently played type. Predetermined image stack characteristics for the recently played type can includes at least a predetermined number that represents a number of digital media assets to include in the image stack of the recently played type. In one particular embodiment, the determination of the set of digital media assets for the image stack of the recently played type can be determined by the following operations. First, digital media assets within the media library can be identified. Second, time last played for each of the identified digital media assets can be obtained. Third, the predetermined number of the identified digital media assets can be selected based on the obtained time last played. Fourth, the selected identified digital media assets can be denoted as the set of digital media assets for the image stack of the recently played type can be so denoted for subsequent presentation. The selected identified digital media assets can, for example, be songs, videos, podcasts, or e-books.
In another embodiment, one of the images stacks to be used in a graphical user interface is a most played type. Predetermined image stack characteristics for the most played type can includes at least a predetermined number that represents a number of digital media assets to include in the image stack of the most played type. In one particular embodiment, the determination of the set of digital media assets for the image stack of the most played type can be determined by the following operations. First, digital media assets within the media library can be identified. Second, play counts for each of the identified digital media assets can be obtained. Third, the predetermined number of the identified digital media assets can be selected based on the play counts. Fourth, the selected identified digital media assets can be denoted as the set of digital media assets for the image stack of the most played type can be so denoted for subsequent presentation. The selected identified digital media assets can, for example, be songs, videos, podcasts, or e-books.
In still another embodiment, one of the images stacks to be used in a graphical user interface is a top rated type. Predetermined image stack characteristics for the top rated type can includes at least a predetermined number that represents a number of digital media assets to include in the image stack of the top rated type. In one particular embodiment, the determination of the set of digital media assets for the image stack of the top rated type can be determined by the following operations. First, digital media assets within the media library can be identified. Second, ratings for each of the identified digital media assets can be obtained. Third, the predetermined number of the identified digital media assets can be selected based on the ratings. Fourth, the selected identified digital media assets can be denoted as the set of digital media assets for the image stack of the top rated type can be so denoted for subsequent presentation. The selected identified digital media assets can, for example, be songs, videos, podcasts, or e-books.
Other types of image stacks include: forgotten favorites, new to me, or top charts, or now playing. A forgotten favorites type image stack can include digital assets that have relatively high ratings or relatively high play counts but have not been played for a significant period of time (e.g., 3 month, 6 months, etc.). A new to me type image stack can include digital assets that are presented in one's media library but never played, and can be sorted based on date added. A top charts type image stack can include digital assets that are identified by top charts by an online media store. A now playing type image stack can include the digital asset now being played as well as digital assets that are queued for playing.
The graphical user interface 400 can include a plurality of user selectable controls in a toolbar-menu region 902, a plurality of image stacks in a stack region 904, and can include a plurality of lists in a list region 906.
As illustrated in
As also illustrated in
Each of these image stacks 908, 912, 916, 920 and 924 contain a plurality of associated digital media assets which can each be presented as a graphical depiction in the stack region 904 of the graphical user interface 900. Each of the image stacks provides a graphical depiction for each of its associated digital media assets arranged in a stack configuration.
The image stacks 908, 912, 916, 920 and 924 are user interactive in that a user can interact with the corresponding image stacks. Through user interaction, the user can transition through the various different graphical depictions for each of the digital media assets within the corresponding image stack. For example, each of the image stacks displayed in the stack region 904 are capable of receiving user input to (i) play a digital media asset corresponding to the image displayed at the top of the associated image stack, or (ii) transition to present another one of the images at the top of the associated image stack.
As also illustrated in
For each of the digital media assets being listed in the recently added list 928, the presentation thereof in the list region 906 of the graphical user interface 900 can include a small image representation (e.g., image associated with the digital media asset, such as cover art, poster, etc.) and a textual information. In the example provided in
The image lists illustrated in the list region 906 are also user interactive in that a user can interact with the corresponding image lists. Through user interaction, the user can transition through the various different graphical depictions for each of the digital media assets within the corresponding image stack. For example, each of the lists displayed in the list region 906 are capable of receiving user input to (i) play a digital media asset corresponding to the image displayed for one of the digital media assets within the associated image list, or (ii) scroll the associated image list to present one or more other images that corresponding to other digital media assets of the associated image list.
Additionally, is to be noted that the exemplary image stack 1000 can be presented visually primarily by the image representation at the top of the stack, which is the image representation 1002 in
In
The configuration interface 1102, in this example, includes a list type selector 1106 that currently indicates that the configuration interface 1102 corresponds to the most played image list 1104. The configuration interface 1102 can also includes a first filtering designator 1108 that indicates that the filtering can be provided in accordance with the last played criteria, such that the digital media assets within the most played image list 1104 are sorted such that the digital media assets that were last played are towards the top of the most played image list 1104. In this regard, the configuration interface 1102 can allow a time period over which the last played evaluation occurs. For an example, the configuration interface 1102 supports the time periods of: one week, one month, three months, six months, or for all time, which the last played evaluation can occur. Still further, the configuration interface 1002 can also include a second filter designator 1010 that indicates that filtering can be provided in accordance with at least one specified genre. For an example, the configuration interface 1102 supports the genres of: all genres, rock, alternative, pop, electronic, folk, vocal or blues.
In view of the foregoing, it will readily be known that an electronic device provided in accordance with one or more embodiments can, for example, be a computing device (e.g., personal computing device). Examples of electronic devices and/or computing devices include a personal computer, a mobile phone (e.g., cellular phone, smart phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a media player (e.g., music, videos, games, images), a media storage device, a camera, and/or the like. An electronic device may also be a multi-functional device that combines two or more of these device functionalities into a single device. A portable electronic device may support various types of network communications.
Digital assets (e.g., digital media items) can, for example pertain to video items (e.g., video files or movies), audio items (e.g., audio files or audio tracks, such as for songs, musical albums, podcasts or audiobooks), image items (e.g., photos), or application (e.g., application programs).
The various aspects, features, embodiments or implementations of the invention described above can be used alone or in various combinations.
The invention is preferably implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. The invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium generally include read-only memory and random-access memory. More specific examples of computer readable medium are tangible and include Flash memory, EEPROM memory, memory card, CD-ROM, DVD, hard drive, magnetic tape, and optical data storage device. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. Some embodiments may be implemented by software, but can also be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. Some implementations may be embodied as computer readable code on a tangible computer readable medium. The tangible computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of tangible computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices.
The various aspects, features, embodiments or implementations of the invention described above can be used alone or in various combinations.
Although only a few embodiments of the invention have been described, it should be understood that the invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention. By way of example, the steps associated with the methods of the invention may vary widely. Steps may be added, removed, altered, combined, and reordered without departing from the spirit of the scope of the invention. Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.
While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiment of the disclosure. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the written description. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention should not be limited to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention.
