Patent ID: 9030413
Filing Date: 2015-05-12
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An audio reproducing apparatus comprising an interface for allowing a user to select one of a plurality of pieces of audio data, the apparatus comprising: an array generation unit operative to generate array information based on a condition specified by the user from a multiple-choice list and to store the array information associated with identification information of the user in a storage medium, the array information indicating an array of images respectively associated with the plurality of pieces of audio data; a display unit operative to lay out and display the images in an array on a screen according to the array information associated with the user; an input unit operative to receive an input from the user for selecting one or more positions among the images on the screen, which selection represents a desire by the user to execute the audio data associated with the selected images and which selection is determined by the user and not predetermined by another entity; and a reproducing unit operative to concurrently play at least two or more of the plurality of pieces of audio data corresponding to a plurality of images displayed within a predetermined boundary from the position on the screen and selected via the input unit, wherein the display unit lays out and displays the images while not changing positions of the respective images in the array once displayed, thereafter, the input unit receives sequentially positions of a cursor as the selected positions on the screen as movement of the cursor displayed on the screen, where the selected positions represent the executed audio data associated with the selected images, the reproducing unit changes audio data to be executed continuously according to changes in the selected position on the screen, and the display unit is further operative to: (i) store a trace of the sequential and selected positions of the cursor moving on the array of images in a storage medium so as to accumulate a reproduction history for the user over one or more separate uses of the reproducing apparatus by such user, (ii) determine whether there are one or more past traces for such user stored in the storage medium when the audio reproducing apparatus is operated by such user, (iii) read out the past traces from the storage medium, and (iv) display a graphic figure on or near the displayed array of images representing the traces, regardless of a current position of the cursor, where the graphic figure shows an entirety of at least one of the one or more past traces as a free-form line in a single image, such that the free form line represents the sequential positions of the user's manipulation of, and movement of, the cursor over the array of images on the display, wherein the free form line is determined by the user in accordance with the user's selection of the one or more positions among the images on the screen and by the user's desire to execute the audio data associated with the selected images, and which selection is determined by the user and not predetermined by another entity.