Abstract:
A system and method for organizing new content on the user interface of an electronic device. Graphical representations (e.g., book or album covers or icons) representing the content that the user is most likely going to want to open next are presented on a virtual shelf on the user interface of the device. The graphical representations are preferably organized in receding order of likelihood of opening from left to right. As new items appear on the virtual shelf, older items are shifted to the right. A limited number of items (graphical representations) can be depicted at one time on the virtual shelf on the display of the device. The shelf can be scrolled left and right to view all of the items on the shelf.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/383,635, filed on Sep. 16, 2010, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for operating an electronic device, and more particularly to systems and methods for organizing and displaying available content to a user of the electronic device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    On some conventional tablet computers, electronic content such as magazines is often packaged as an application (“app”), and when an issue is downloaded its graphical representation (e.g. a cover or icon) is placed at the end of the user interface&#39;s screen full of app icons. These icons, representing the user&#39;s new content stay in these positions on the screen (or off the screen) unless and until the user manually moves the icon. In other conventional tablet computers, the icons can be ordered alphabetically or by “most recent” order, but the user can not freely re-order or re-position specific items that the user is more interested in than other items. 
         [0004]    If the user has accumulated many dozens or hundreds of new content items, both of these types of organizations of graphical representations quickly becomes tedious to navigate. The conventional organization of content often makes it difficult to find specific content. People tend to resort to using the device&#39;s search function for finding the desired content on their devices, assuming they can even remember the name associated with the content. Conventional organizational schemes make little effort to automatically elevate to a position of prominence the graphical representation (covers and icons) of items that a user is most likely to want to open next, while also giving users the ability to customize the organization of those items of interest to reflect the user&#39;s specific levels of interest in each item. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is a system and method for organizing content of interest on the user interface of an electronic device. In a preferred embodiment, the device is a portable electronic reader (e.g., an e-reader). Although the primary use of the e-reader can be for reading electronic books, other types of electronic content can be viewed/listened to/operated on the device, such as digital magazines, newspapers, music and software applications. 
         [0006]    Graphical representations (e.g., book or album covers or icons) representing the content that the user is most likely going to want to open next are presented on a virtual shelf on the user interface of the device. Preferably, the graphical representations are organized in receding order of likelihood of opening from left to right. The order of organization on the virtual shelf involves using heuristics and judgment calls. In the preferred embodiment, the following types of content are added to the virtual shelf: the latest issue of any magazine or newspaper to which the user subscribes; books recommended or lent to the user; newly purchased books or periodicals; and any item the user opens from within her library on the device. 
         [0007]    One of the principles governing the operation of the present invention is that users will often want to open the content/material that they have most recently acquired/used. By placing graphical representations (covers or icons) of new or recently used or preferred material on, and preferably near the front of the virtual shelf of the present invention, the user does not have to search through her library/directory or whatever other organizational scheme is used on the device in order to find this material again. 
         [0008]    In a preferred embodiment, as new items appear on the virtual shelf, older items are shifted to the right. Although only a limited number of items (graphical representations) can be depicted at one time on the virtual shelf on the screen of the device, the shelf can be scrolled left and right to view all of the items on the shelf. In a preferred embodiment, only the most recent 50 or so items are kept on the shelf. The user can always find all of her content items in her library. The focus of the present invention is to elevate the items the users are most likely to want to open next, including the most recently purchased or opened items. 
         [0009]    Another principle governing preferred embodiments of the present invention is that users should be allowed to reorder or reorganize items on the shelf (including removing or adding items to the shelf), to reflect their current interests. This is useful for time when the system&#39;s heuristics don&#39;t automatically generate an order that completely matches those interests. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    For the purposes of illustrating the present invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred, it being understood however, that the invention is not limited to the precise form shown by the drawing in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system in which the present invention operates; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts a user interface aspect of the present invention, open at bottom of the screen of a user device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a user interface aspect of the present invention, for a user after the purchase of new content; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a user interface aspect of the present invention, for a recipient user after the loan of content; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a user interface aspect of the present invention, for a recipient user after the loaned content has been moved on the interface; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6A  is the a user interface aspect of the present invention, for a user before the recommendation of new content; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6B  is a user interface aspect of the present invention, for a recipient user after the recommendation of new content; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of an electronic device according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  shows components of a system in which the present invention operates. User  105  is an authorized user of the system. Many of the functions of the system are carried out on digital content control server  150 . As appreciated by those skilled in the art, many of the functions described herein can be divided between the digital content control server  150  and the user&#39;s local electronic device  130 . Further, as also appreciated by those skilled in the art, digital content control server  150  can be considered a “cloud” with respect to the user  105  and her local device  130 . The cloud can actually be comprised of several servers performing interconnected and distributed functions. The user  105  can connect to the digital content control server  150  via the Internet  140 , a telephone network  145  (e.g., a cellphone network) or other suitable electronic communication means. The connection to the Internet  140  or the telephone network  145  is preferably wireless using WiFi to a network access point or through the cellular system. User  105  has an account on digital content control server  150 , which authorizes user  105  to use the system. 
         [0020]    Associated with the user&#39;s  105  account is the user&#39;s  105  digital locker  225  located on the digital content control server  150  in a digital locker database  220 . As further described below, in the preferred embodiment, each user&#39;s digital locker  225  contains links to copies of digital content  125  purchased (or otherwise legally acquired) by user  105 . 
         [0021]    Indicia of rights to all copies of digital content  125  owned by user  105 , including digital content  125 , is stored by reference in the user&#39;s digital locker  225 . Digital locker  225  is a remote online repository that is uniquely associated with the user&#39;s  105  account. As appreciated by those skilled in the art, the actual copies of the digital content  125  purchased by user  105  are not necessarily stored in the user&#39;s locker  225 , but rather the locker  225  stores an indication of the rights of the user to the particular content  125  and a link or other reference to the actual digital content  125 . Typically, the actual copy of the digital content  125  is stored in another mass storage (not shown). The digital lockers  225  of all of the users  105  who have purchased a copy of a particular digital content  125  would point to this copy in mass storage. Of course, back up copies of all digital content  125  are maintained for disaster recovery purposes. Although only one example of digital content  125  is illustrated in this Figure, it is appreciated that the digital content control server can contain millions of files  125  containing digital content. It is also contemplated that the digital content control server  150  can actually be comprised of several servers with access to a plurality of storage devices containing digital content  125 . As further appreciated by those skilled in the art, in conventional licensing programs, the user does not own the actual copy of the digital content, but has a license to use it. Hereinafter, if reference is made to “owning” the digital content, it is understood what is meant is the license or right to use the content. 
         [0022]    User  105  can access his or her digital locker  225  using a local device  130 . Local device  130  is an electronic device such as a personal computer, an e-book reader, a smart phone or other electronic device that the user  105  can use to access the digital content control server  150 . In a preferred embodiment, the local device has been previously associated (registered) with the user&#39;s  105  account using user&#39;s  105  account credentials. Local device  130  provides the capability for user  105  to download user&#39;s  105  copy of digital content  125  via his or her digital locker  225 . After digital content  125  is downloaded to local device  130 , user  105  can engage with the downloaded content locally, e.g., read the book, listen to the music, watch the video, or execute the application. 
         [0023]    In a preferred embodiment, local device  130  includes a non-browser based device interface that allows user  105  to initiate the purchase of digital content  125  in a non-browser environment. Through the device interface, the user  105  is automatically connected to the digital content control server  150  in a non-browser based environment. This connection to the digital content control server is a secure interface and can be through the telephone network  145 , typically a cellular network for mobile devices. If user  105  is accessing his or her digital locker  225  using the Internet  140 , local device  130  also includes a web account interface. Web account interface provides user  105  with browser-based access to his or her account and digital locker  225  over the Internet  140 . The web interface allows user  105  to initiate the purchase of digital content  125  in a browser based environment. 
         [0024]    Digital content control server  150  handles front-end functions related to web server operations and user interactions with web and device interfaces in connection with the user&#39;s local devices  130 . Digital content control server  150  also handles all backend functions of the digital content control system related to managing accounts, maintaining digital locker records, maintaining content metadata, and providing encryption services. 
         [0025]    Digital content control server  150  provides both the browser based web interface and non browser based device interface. User  105  may engage with web interface or device interface to initiate a purchase. 
         [0026]    Digital content control server  150  employs web server  200  including web services interface software  205  to handle interactions between front-end components; such as device interface, web account interface, and web interface; and back-end database components of the digital content control system. Web server  200  services include serving up the web pages  210  that comprise web account interface and web interface, and the underlying web services associated with device interface. Web services interface software  205  includes handling users&#39; logins to their accounts and processing the initiation of and response to purchase requests. 
         [0027]    Back-end database components of the system include customer accounts database  215 , digital lockers database  220 , and content metadata database  230 . Records for users&#39; accounts are stored and managed in customer accounts database  215 . Records for digital lockers  120  are stored and managed in digital lockers database  220 . Content metadata database  230  serves as a source of metadata for individual digital content items  125  in the digital content control system. 
         [0028]    Web services interface software  205  in the web server  200  interfaces with customer data services  235  to update customer accounts database  215 , and digital lockers database  220 . Customer data services  235  processes database updates such as maintaining and validating customer data in users&#39; accounts. 
         [0029]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the system supports the distribution and use of electronic books (eBooks) or digital periodicals. Although the eBook and periodical application is the preferred embodiment, as appreciated by those skilled in the art, the system not limited to user  105  purchasing and using eBooks or digital publications. The system can be used for purchase and use of any digital content, such as digital movies, digital music, digital audio books, digital pictures, software applications or other downloadable digital content. 
         [0030]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention, local device  130  is a mobile electronic reader (eReader) device. The embodiment of the invention is not intended to limit local device  130  to a mobile eReader device. Local device  130  may be a desktop personal computer or another type of mobile consumer electronic device, such as, for example, a cell phone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer or other such mobile digital device. 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary local device  130 . As appreciated by those skilled in the art, the local device can take many forms capable of operating the present invention. As previously described, in a preferred embodiment the local device  130  is a mobile electronic device, and in an even more preferred embodiment device  130  is an eBook reader. Electronic device  130  can include control circuitry  300 , storage  310 , memory  320 , input/output (“I/O”) circuitry  330 , communications circuitry  340 , and display  350 . In some embodiments, one or more of the components of electronic device  130  can be combined or omitted (e.g., storage  310  and memory  320  may be combined). As appreciated by those skilled in the art, electronic device  130  can include other components not combined or included in those shown in  FIG. 7  (e.g., a power supply such as a battery, and an input mechanism). 
         [0032]    Electronic device  130  can include any suitable type of electronic device. For example, electronic device  130  can include a portable electronic device that the user may hold in his or her hand, such as a digital media player, a personal e-mail device, a personal data assistant (“PDA”), a cellular telephone, a handheld gaming device, a tablet device or an eBook reader. As another example, electronic device  130  can include a larger portable electronic device, such as a laptop computer. As yet another example, electronic device  130  can include a substantially fixed electronic device, such as a desktop computer. 
         [0033]    Control circuitry  300  can include any processing circuitry or processor operative to control the operations and performance of electronic device  130 . For example, control circuitry  300  can be used to run operating system applications, firmware applications, media playback applications, media editing applications, or any other application. Control circuitry  300  can drive the display  350  and process inputs received from a user interface (e.g., the display  350  if it is a touch screen). 
         [0034]    Storage  310  can include, for example, one or more storage mediums including a hard-drive, solid state drive, flash memory, permanent memory such as ROM, any other suitable type of storage component, or any combination thereof. Storage  310  can store, for example, media content (e.g., eBooks, music and video files), application data (e.g., software for implementing functions on electronic device  130 ), firmware, user preference information data (e.g., content preferences), authentication information (e.g. libraries of data associated with authorized users), transaction information data (e.g., information such as credit card information), wireless connection information data (e.g., information that can enable electronic device  130  to establish a wireless connection), subscription information data (e.g., information that keeps track of podcasts or television shows or other media a user subscribes to), contact information data (e.g., telephone numbers and email addresses), calendar information data, and any other suitable data or any combination thereof. 
         [0035]    Memory  320  can include cache memory, semi-permanent memory such as RAM, and/or one or more different types of memory used for temporarily storing data. In some embodiments, memory  320  can also be used for storing data used to operate electronic device applications, or any other type of data that can be stored in storage  310 . In some embodiments, memory  320  and storage  310  can be combined as a single storage medium. 
         [0036]    I/O circuitry  330  can be operative to convert (and encode/decode, if necessary) analog signals and other signals into digital data. In some embodiments, I/O circuitry  330  can also convert digital data into any other type of signal, and vice-versa. For example, I/O circuitry  330  can receive and convert physical contact inputs (e.g., from a multi-touch screen, i.e., display  350 ), physical movements (e.g., from a mouse or sensor), analog audio signals (e.g., from a microphone), or any other input. The digital data can be provided to and received from control circuitry  300 , storage  310 , and memory  320 , or any other component of electronic device  130 . Although I/O circuitry  330  is illustrated in  FIG. 7  as a single component of electronic device  130 , several instances of I/O circuitry  330  can be included in electronic device  130 . 
         [0037]    Electronic device  130  can include any suitable interface or component for allowing a user to provide inputs to I/O circuitry  330 . For example, electronic device  130  can include any suitable input mechanism, such as for example, a button, keypad, dial, a click wheel, or a touch screen (e.g., display  350 ). In some embodiments, electronic device  130  can include a capacitive sensing mechanism, or a multi-touch capacitive sensing mechanism. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, electronic device  130  can include specialized output circuitry associated with output devices such as, for example, one or more audio outputs. The audio output can include one or more speakers (e.g., mono or stereo speakers) built into electronic device  130 , or an audio component that is remotely coupled to electronic device  130  (e.g., a headset, headphones or earbuds that can be coupled to a communications device with a wire or wirelessly). 
         [0039]    Display  350  includes the display and display circuitry for providing a display visible to the user. For example, the display circuitry can include a screen (e.g., an LCD screen) that is incorporated in electronics device  130 . In some embodiments, the display circuitry can include a coder/decoder (Codec) to convert digital media data into analog signals. For example, the display circuitry (or other appropriate circuitry within electronic device  1 ) can include video Codecs, audio Codecs, or any other suitable type of Codec. 
         [0040]    The display circuitry also can include display driver circuitry, circuitry for driving display drivers, or both. The display circuitry can be operative to display content (e.g., media playback information, application screens for applications implemented on the electronic device  130 , information regarding ongoing communications operations, information regarding incoming communications requests, or device operation screens) under the direction of control circuitry  300 . Alternatively, the display circuitry can be operative to provide instructions to a remote display. 
         [0041]    Communications circuitry  340  can include any suitable communications circuitry operative to connect to a communications network and to transmit communications (e.g., data) from electronic device  130  to other devices within the communications network. Communications circuitry  340  can be operative to interface with the communications network using any suitable communications protocol such as, for example, Wi-Fi (e.g., a 802.11 protocol), Bluetooth, radio frequency systems (e.g., 900 MHz, 1.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), infrared, GSM, GSM plus EDGE, CDMA, quadband, and other cellular protocols, VOIP, or any other suitable protocol. 
         [0042]    Electronic device  130  can include one or more instances of communications circuitry  340  for simultaneously performing several communications operations using different communications networks, although only one is shown in  FIG. 7  to avoid overcomplicating the drawing. For example, electronic device  130  can include a first instance of communications circuitry  340  for communicating over a cellular network, and a second instance of communications circuitry  340  for communicating over Wi-Fi or using Bluetooth. In some embodiments, the same instance of communications circuitry  340  can be operative to provide for communications over several communications networks. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, electronic device  130  can be coupled with a host device such as digital content control server  150  for data transfers, synching the communications device, software or firmware updates, providing performance information to a remote source (e.g., providing riding characteristics to a remote server) or performing any other suitable operation that can require electronic device  130  to be coupled to a host device. Several electronic devices  130  can be coupled to a single host device using the host device as a server. Alternatively or additionally, electronic device  130  can be coupled to several host devices (e.g., for each of the plurality of the host devices to serve as a backup for data stored in electronic device  130 ). 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  illustrates a first embodiment of the virtual shelf of the present invention. As previously described, the present invention operates on a user&#39;s electronic device  130 , preferably an eReader, in conjunction with the above described server based system as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The virtual shelf  100  of the present invention is displayed on the screen  110  on device  130  and is unlike any physical counterpart or conventional electronic interface. The shelf  100  is populated with graphic representations of content  120  (e.g., covers or icons) that is owned by the user, or to which the user otherwise has rights. In the preferred embodiment, and as used throughout this specification for illustrative purposes, the content  120  to which the graphical representations refer comprises eBooks but could also be other digital content such as digital movies, digital magazines, digital newspapers, digital music, digital audio books, digital pictures, digital videos, software applications or other downloadable digital content. 
         [0045]    The shelf  100  is updated continuously and automatically with new entries as the user uses the device  130  and obtains rights, recommendations, or other references to more content  120 . The shelf  100  is updated in a way that quickly becomes natural and intuitive to the user, while preserving maximum user choice in interface layout and dynamics. 
         [0046]    The graphic representations  120  depicted on the screen  110  may include, but are not limited to the cover art associated with the electronic media including eBooks, CDs and DVDs, the covers of periodicals and publications as typically found in their physical form in a library or bookstore. For other digital media, such as software applications, the graphical representation can be an icon that is typically associated with the application. 
         [0047]    The left most position  121  on the shelf  100  is an important position and has specific semantics associated therewith. This position is  121  preferably allocated to the most recent new addition to the shelf  100 , and is the only “reserved position” on the shelf  100 . The user is free to move any media item  120  to any position on the shelf  100 , including this one, but as soon as a new content item, e.g., Book  1  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , is delivered to the user&#39;s electronic device  130 , that new item is automatically placed in the left-most position  121  shifting other items right to make room. 
         [0048]    Membership in the set of elements  120  populating the shelf  100  is defined by a set of possible trigger events and rules that are applied to them. In a preferred embodiment, interactivity on the elements  120  contained on the shelf  100  is conducted with a set of gestures or other appropriate user behaviors specified for interaction with one or more user-interface instantiations of the invention. 
         [0049]    The rules for populating the shelf  100  are preferably embodied on the device  130  and can be modified/upgraded via the “compute cloud” (i.e., the digital content control server  150  ( FIG. 1 )) via a wireless network connection such as, but not limited to, a WiFi or cellular connection. Embodiments may also allow users to configure the rules (such as choosing not to display new recommendations on the shelf, or choosing to show only the most recent issue of a given digital periodical subscription instead of multiple recent issues). 
         [0050]    In a preferred embodiment, the user interacts with the device  130  via a set of user-interface gestures, button presses and other interactive behaviors conformant to the interface conventions instantiated as standards throughout the interface. In the preferred embodiment, the shelf  100  is a mostly static user interface element on the home screen of the electronic reader  130 , though the items on the shelf move. 
         [0051]    Placement of content  120  on the shelf  100  can be affected by trigger events that may or may not be initiated on the device  130  on which the shelf  100  is resident. These trigger events may include, but are not limited to, for example: explicit opening of the shelf  100  by the user with the intent of, for example, placing a media object  120  on it; receipt of a loaned, recommended, or otherwise shared media content item  120 ; purchase of an electronic book, publication, software application, or other media content  120 . 
         [0052]    In one embodiment of the present invention, placement of content  120  on the shelf  100  is governed by a set of rules that may include, but are not limited to, those illustrated in Table 1. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Items can be dragged from the home screen to the shelf 100 at any 
               
               
                 location, or vice-versa 
               
               
                 Newly purchased items that were downloaded to the device&#39;s library 
               
               
                 Items lent from a friend 
               
               
                 Items recommended by a friend 
               
               
                 Promotional newsletter (option to unsubscribe) 
               
               
                 Show an item representing a Secure Digital (SD) memory card when 
               
               
                 plugged in 
               
               
                 Show an item representing a “welcome video” 
               
               
                 Show an item representing Blogs to which the user has subscribed 
               
               
                 Any item that was open and read 
               
               
                 Any application that was open and read/executed 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0053]    The portion of the present invention resident on the device  130  is designed to interact as appropriate with computational processes, events, and other functionalities that are located on the digital content control server  150  and communicated to an individual electronic reader  130  via the network (either the telephone network  145  or the Internet  140  ( FIG. 1 )). Such processes and events may include, but are not limited to, calculation of one or more recommendations for specific media purchases to the user, communications between users of the system, and any other transactions normally found within network-based computing environments, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0054]    In one embodiment of the present invention, digital content control server  150  can be used to “push” media items  120  to end-users&#39; electronic devices  130  (e.g., eReaders) based on certain trigger events that may include, but are not limited to: actions by other users who also own eReaders  130 ; actions by other users who may or may not own similar devices which, in turn, may or may not be connected to similar or the same networks; geographically triggered events like proximity to a certain location (e.g., a store); purchasing opportunities including, but not limited to, special offers, discounts, and other promotional activities. 
         [0055]    In one embodiment, the proprietor of digital content control server  150  can send users a weekly newsletter. This newsletter can be a catalog of recommended books, potentially with extra content like author interviews. Each new newsletter issue can appear on the user&#39;s shelf  100 , just like a magazine subscription. As soon as the user opens the newsletter, it will open a full screen catalog reader, which opens many marketing opportunities for the proprietor. The catalog can be populated with books specifically targeted for each user (e.g., based on their purchasing habits), and can include related content like author interview videos, reviews, etc. 
         [0056]    User-centric databases or other information repositories that allow the system to compute reasonable predictions about a user&#39;s particular likes and dislikes in media content items and types, including, but not limited to, electronic books, periodicals, music and videos, software applications, and miscellaneous arts- and graphics-based content including, for example, electronic calendars can be used in conjunction with the present invention. Algorithms suitable to this end include heuristics and other statistical techniques that consolidate information gleaned from both individual and group behaviors. 
         [0057]    All software code required to implement and mediate the functionality, interactions including commercial transactions, operational modalities, network and database (DB) operations, and user behaviors are consistent with the previously enumerated components of the system. 
         [0058]    The basic operation of the system and method of the present invention is illustrated by the following examples. These examples assume the existence of three users of electronic readers  130 , referred to throughout this section as User A, User B and User C.  FIG. 2  illustrates the state of the user interface of User A&#39;s device  130  before any changes to the shelf  100 . Shelf  100  had previously been populated with three elements of content  120 , Book  1 , Book  2  and Book  2 . Again, as appreciated by those skilled in the art, the use of eBooks in this specification is exemplary only and the present invention can work with any type of digital content. 
         [0059]    User A purchases an electronic book  120   a  from an online purveyor of the same (e.g., the owner of digital content control server  150 ), and after a short interval, the newly purchased title  120   a  appears in the leftmost position  121  on the shelf  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3B . As new items appear on the shelf  100  (e.g., new Book A), older items are shifted to the right on shelf  100  (e.g., Book  1 , Book  2 ). 
         [0060]    The view of shelf  100  on the screen  110  can be shifted to the left or to the right to show all of the content items  120  held on the shelf  100 . In a preferred embodiment, this shifting is accomplished by a swiping gesture on touch screen  110  on the area of the shelf  100 . In a preferred embodiment, only the most recent 50 or so items of content  120  are kept on the shelf  100 . The user can always find all of the content items  120  that they own or have rights to in the library, directory or similar organizational function employed on their device  130 . The present invention involving the shelf  100  is focused on enhancing the accessibility of the content items  120  that users are most likely to want to open next, including the user&#39;s most recently purchased or opened items  120 . This feature of the present invention thus provides a technical contribution and advantage over the conventional organizational systems. As described above, in the conventional system the user has to search for her most recent content using the traditional methods of searching. The user may not even remember or know the name of her recent content. Through the use of the present invention, all of the user&#39;s most recent material is stored on the shelf  100  and can be easily found and quickly accessed. 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , User A can loan her new book  120   a  to another user. In one embodiment, User A taps on title of her new purchase  120   a  in the shelf  100 . This gesture opens up book  120  a in a Reader application, which is part of overall system included on device  130 . With content  120   a  selected, the user can select “Share” from an appropriate menu that can be invoked by the user. In the “Share” menu, the user selects the “LendMe” (i.e., loan this item) option, and selects User B as the target of the prospective loan of the book  120   a.    
         [0062]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , User B has the shelf  100  open on her electronic reader  130   a . After the loan of book  120   a  from User A to User B has been processed by the digital content control server  150  ( FIG. 1 ), the loaned book  120   a  appears on User B&#39;s shelf  100  in the leftmost position with an appropriate identifier (title and an indication that this book is loaned). 
         [0063]    User B (or any user) can move items  120  to a different location on the shelf  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , User B selects the newly arrived loaned book  120   a  by touching its representation  120   a  on the screen  110 , and with a continuous gesture, lifting it and dropping it into the center of the shelf  100 . 
         [0064]    In another embodiment, users can also recommend a book to another user as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . In  FIG. 6A , User A is has a book  120   b  open in the Reader application, and selects Share from an appropriate menu. From the “Share” menu described above, User A selects “Recommend,” and is presented with a list of contacts, including User C. User A selects User C from her contact list as the target of her recommendation. 
         [0065]    As illustrated on  FIG. 6B , User C has her shelf  100  open on her electronic reader  130   b , and a sample of the book  120   b  recommended to her by User A appears on shelf  100  with an appropriate identifier. 
         [0066]    The present invention, offers its users many benefits including, but not limited to the immediate recognition of the arrival of new content  120 , based on the appearance of a new electronic media item  120  in the leftmost position on the shelf  100 . As noted above, the appearance of this item  120  may be anticipated, as in the case that it is triggered by the action of the user who owns the shelf equipped electronic reader (e.g., she has just purchased a new item  120 ). Alternatively the arrival of new content  120  may be unanticipated, in the event that the appearance is triggered by a third-party initiated event. For example, an unanticipated item  120  may be loaned or recommended by another user or a sample may be provided as a promotion by a purveyor of electronic media. 
         [0067]    In one embodiment, the user can opt out of receiving any particular type of content on his shelf  100 . Device  130  has a settings application in which the user can customize the use of shelf  100 . For example, a user can choose to not have newly purchased books  120  appear on the shelf  100 , or choose not to have new periodical issues appear there. These new items of content items still appear in the user&#39;s library. In practice, very few users would choose to opt out of those items appearing on the shelf  100 , although some might choose to opt out of putting content pushed to device  130  on the shelf  100 . 
         [0068]    Users can remove any item from the shelf using a “Remove” command. In one embodiment, the “Remove” command appears on a menu seen when the user presses and holds on the item of content  120 . As described above, users can move items  120  around the shelf  100  as they desire, or move items off of the shelf  100  up to the desktop area on the home screen of device  130 . 
         [0069]    In many ways, the shelf can be thought of as an in-box, while the area above on the home screen can be thought of as the users&#39; “coffee table” where they can drag items  120  they want to “leave out” for a while. 
         [0070]    Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and other uses will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the gist and scope of the disclosure.